ACT Community Extension Services

𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗦 | 𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚: 𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥

LOOK: In his message on the fourth word of Jesus from the Cross on April 3, 2026, lay speaker Mr. Eduardo Empelis Jr. reflected on the pain of feeling abandoned—an experience many can relate to.

He said this sense of being left behind can deeply affect a person, not only emotionally but also spiritually. He noted that the fourth word shows how even Jesus experienced such suffering.

Empelis also emphasized that humility is not weakness but strength, as recognizing one’s need for God brings courage, especially in times of pain and uncertainty.

| Samantha Faye Alcoma, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern

𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗦 | 𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚: 𝗟𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥

LOOK: In his message for the fourth word of Jesus from the Cross on April 3, 2026, Mr. Eduardo Empelis Jr. reflects on the deep pain of feeling abandoned—an experience many can relate to in today’s time.

He highlights that the feeling of being left behind is not only a pain of the heart but can also break a person from within. Yet, the fourth word reminds the faithful that even Jesus experienced this kind of suffering—not only physically, but spiritually.

Through this, the reflection points out that humility is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It is in acknowledging our need for God that we find true courage, especially in moments of pain and uncertainty.

| Samantha Faye Alcoma, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern

ANG DIYOS ANAA SA ATONG KALIPAY UG KASAKIT | “Isip usa ka batan-on nga nag-alagad sa Ginoo pinaagi sa mga batan-on, makapangutana usab ako: “Ginoo, nganong murag gibiyaan Mo ako?”

Kining pulong ni Hesus, nagpahinumdom nato nga bisan Siya, nakaagi usab sa pagbati nga murag gibiyaan. Dili lang kasakit sa lawas ang Iyang gibati— kondili kasakit sa kalag. Sa tanan Niyang giagian—biya, pagpasipala, kasakit—naa gyud moment nga murag hilom ang Amahan.

Importante kaayo nga atong masabtan: si Jesus wala mitago sa Iyang gibati. Wala Siya nagpakaaron-ingnon nga okay ra Siya. Wala Siya nag-ingon nga “kaya ra nako ni.” Hinunoa, mitawag Siya sa Amahan, bisan sa kasakit. Ug para nako, mao ni ang usa kadakong leksyon: pwede diay ko mahimong tinuod sa Diyos.

Mga igsuon, ang simbahan nga nakakat-on pag-ayo dili lang magtuon sa pulong sa Diyos— kondili makakat-on usab sa kinabuhi. Ug kasagaran, asa man ta makat-on pag-ayo? Dili sa kalipay… kondili sa kasakit.

Ako mismo, daghan kog nakat-onan sa dihang napakyas ko, sa pagserbisyo sa mga batan-on sa dihang nasayop ko, pag-giya sa mga batan-on sa saktong dalan sa dihang murag wala koy kapadulngan isip usa ka youth leader. Ug didto nako nasabtan nga ang Diyos dili lang naa sa akong kalipay— naa pud Siya sa akong kasakit.

Mga igsuon, usahay, kung makasinati ta og kasakit—ilabi na kung gibiyaan ta— magduda ta sa presensya sa Diyos. Pero kining pulong ni Jesus nagpahinumdom nato nga: bisan si Jesus nakasinati og kahimtang nga murag hilom ang Diyos. Apan wala Niya gibiyaan ang Amahan. Ug mao pud na ang akong gikuptan sa akong kinabuhi sa pagserbisyo sa mga batan-on: nga bisan dili nako masabtan ang tanan, magpadayon gihapon ko sa pagtuo Niya.

Mga igsuon, ang ika-upat nga pulong dili katapusan sa istorya. Kay kahibalo ta nga human sa Krus, naa ang pagkabanhaw. Ug mao kana ang paglaum nga atong gunitan: nga ang kasakit dili katapusan, nga ang kahilom dili pasabot nga wala ang Dios, ug nga ang pagtuo magpadayon, bisan sa kangitngit.

– Mr. Eduardo Empelis Jr.

The 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗙) is committed to providing extension programs that are 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.

𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, where these programs are actively implemented to foster sustainable development and inclusive growth.

𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗔 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 🌿📈

Barangay Calamba successfully conducted its 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝗚𝘆𝗺𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺. The gathering brought together 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The event was attended by the 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗠𝗿. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼 𝗗. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝗿., 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀. A key highlight of the assembly was the discussion led by the Mayor of Cebu City, 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. His message encouraged every household to take responsibility in managing their waste, promoting discipline, cleanliness, and collective action within the community.

The assembly served not only as a platform for updates and concerns but also as a reminder that progress begins with informed and engaged citizens working hand in hand for a cleaner, more sustainable Barangay Calamba.

𝗦𝗢𝗔𝗣 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐦, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚, 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲🗳️📉

On March 20, 2026, the 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 (𝐉𝐁𝐄), 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐫. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐫.,carried out a successful livelihood initiative at 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐦, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚.

The activity centered on 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐚𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞. JBE officers guided the community through the step-by-step process of preparing and mixing the ingredients, ensuring that instructions were clearly explained and properly demonstrated. Some participants were also given the opportunity to try the process themselves, promoting hands-on experience and active participation.

The outcome of the program reflects the strong dedication of both JBE and the ACT Community Extension Services Office to fostering community growth and empowerment. 𝘽𝙮 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚.

𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 & 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩💙

On March 20, 2026, the Junior Business Executives (JBE), in collaboration with the ACT Community Extension Office led by Mr. Eduardo Empelis Jr., successfully conducted a livelihood program at Sitio Paglaum, Barangay Calamba.

The program focused on providing participants with practical knowledge on generating income through the production of dishwashing liquid soap. Members of JBE demonstrated the proper procedures for mixing the ingredients, ensuring clarity and accuracy in the process. Selected participants also volunteered to perform the demonstration, allowing hands-on learning and active engagement.

The successful implementation of the livelihood program highlights the commitment of the Junior Business Executives (JBE) and the ACT Community Extension Office to community development and empowerment. By equipping participants with practical skills in dishwashing liquid soap production, the initiative provided a sustainable opportunity for additional income generation. Moreover, the active participation and engagement of the community members reflect the program’s effectiveness in fostering learning, collaboration, and self-reliance.

✍🏻: Hon. Chris Ben Tines | Secretary