Slow internet connections
Modular as well as online classes in some private schools have began. Modular classes are those with hard copy modules and have to be self-studied by students in their homes. The modules are prepared by schools and lessons.to such have to be studied and "absorbed" by modular learning students.
On the other hand, students of online classes have theirs on a computer with a teacher teaching and watched on screen. Homeworks, recitations and examinations are done online too. A computer and an internet connection however is needed to conduct this kind of learning from home.
Despite the cost of a computer and an internet subscription, the wealthy and even the not-so have availed of these
online classes offered by schools. Even with the surge in the prices of computers recently, desktops and laptops alike, parents have to buy these gadgets with closed eyes just to make their children's learning continue.
Meanwhile, internet providers have increased in their subscribers' numbers in addition to their existing
ones due to the need for connection by those who are attending online classes. The increase in the number of internet users however, entailed some problems.
With such increase, broadband capacities have decreased because of the high demand of internet connections. The result was the unusual increase of slow connections if not offline services of providers. Even if one shall avail the high MB (megabytes) package, slow connections are still observed.
Further, most of the internet providers are having some areas bogging down due perhaps to the high number of internet users in certain areas. PLDT, Converge and Globe are major players among internet connection providers. They too are suffering from the need for more bandwidth.
Suffering most are the end-users of internet connections for the slow if not unavailable connections. Online students are having the hard time to connect to their classes.
The country's internet providers wer caught off-guard by the pandemic. Because of the said global health threat, there is the rise on the number of internet users. Consequently, there is this rise too of the required bandwidth capacity of providers so that they can distribute such to their subscriber s.
Even before the pandemic, internet providers' services lag behind as compared to providers in other countries. There are much complaints before the pandemic of slow connections which have become now slower.
The government, with all its threat of closure to telecommunication companies, needs to seriously enjoin these providers to improve further their services in the name of our young students attending online classes. As part of its mandate, the government should help and do its role in providing quality and safe education for students in the country. Online students cannot afford slow internet connections and there's got to be government authorities who should look into this.
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For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com.
There have been so many very important messages from the Blessed Mother these days, including one conveyed to mystic and stigmatist Gisella Cardia last June 3. The message that day is so important that I decided to spare for it the first part of this column, while continuing below with the series on the Manuscript of Purgatory.
As the sun danced before a crowd who had gathered
for the Blessed Mother’s apparition to Gisella on June 13, 2020, the Blessed Mother said as follows:
“My beloved ones, thank you for being gathered here in this blessed place and thank you for having listened to my call in your hear t s.
“Beloved children, make use of this time to draw closer to God, not only with prayer, but above all by opening your hearts. I am here again to instruct you for what you will encounter, for all that has been prepared for this humanity and for the encounter with the Antichrist who will soon reveal himself as a savior. Children, everything is falling : the pain will be great.
“If you do not let Jesus enter your hearts, you will not be able to have peace, love and joy and to face hard times. Children, perhaps
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (End of quote.)
There are times when I repeat some quotes, but this is not of particular concern to me, because I believe there are quotes that are worth repeating because of their importance in our lives, in our days.
And now to continue with the series on the Manuscript of Purgatory, a documented and Church-approved published communication between Sr. Mary of the Cross who was then still living in her convent, and the departed Sr. Mary Gabriel who was allowed by God to appear before the former over some years up to her deliverance from Purgatory. The astonishing publication reveals information on how it is in the afterlife, with Sr. Mary Gabriel as source.
Here are quotes from Sr. Gabriel who is zeroing in on what to do to lessen, if not escape Purgatory in the next life, as she addresses Sr. Mary of the Cross:
“You do well to pray to St. Michael and to urge others to do so. One is indeed happy at the hour of death when he has had confidence in some of the saints. They will be his protectors before God in that terrible moment. Never hesitate to remind your girls of the great truths of salvation. In these days, more than ever, people need to be reminded of supernatural truths.
“God wants you to sacrifice yourself for Him without reserve. He loves you more than many others, hence He will give you many more graces . . . Be careful not to lose any of the graces that He gives you.
“Live only for God. Try to procure His glory everywhere. What good you can do for souls! Do nothing except what pleases God. Before each action recollect yourself for a moment to be sure that what you are going to do will be pleasing to Him. All for Jesus. Love Him well. Yes, I suffer very much, but my greatest torment is not seeing God. It is a continuous martyrdom. It makes me suffer more than does the fire of Purgatory...
“Yes, we sometimes see St. Joseph, but not as often as we do the Blessed Virgin. You must become indifferent to everything except what is for God. Thus you will reach the height of perfection to which Jesus calls you. Mother I— did not benefit by the Masses offered up… .
“God never refuses graces which are asked of Him during prayers well said. The Purgatory of religious is much longer and more rigorous than that of people in the world, because religious abuse special graces...
“No one can have a real understanding of the sufferings in Purgatory. No one thinks of them in the world. Even religious communities forget that they should pray for the poor souls and that they should inspire their pupils with this devotion… .
“Sacrifice everything for Him. Obey your Superior promptly. Let her turn and twist you as she wills. Be very humble. Abase yourself always even, if possible, down to the earth...
“God seeks devoted souls who will love Him for His own sake. These are very few. He wants you to be one of His true friends. Many think they love God, but they love Him for their own sakes.
“We do not see God in Purgatory. That would make it Heaven. When a soul seeks God, and out of pure love desires nothing else, He never lets that soul be deceived. God often showers graces even where malice abounds. Why should you refuse them?
“Devote yourself to God. Sacrifice and immolate yourself for Him. You can never do enough for Him. It is only the overflow of our piety that we can pour out on others. Put aside all human respect…
“You must not grow lax in the matter of denying your body and soul, for as yet you have made but little reparation for your past. The contest for your crown is hardly begun. Note well, that whenever a storm rages against a soul, it quietly dies down again. The devil has his agents everywhere, even in convents.
“No, I do not see God when He is exposed (in the Holy Eucharist), yet I am conscious of His presence like you are with the eyes of faith. Our faith, however, is very different from yours. We know what God is.
“Always walk in the presence of God. Tell Him everything. Talk to Him as you would talk to a friend. Guard your interior life carefully. In order to prepare well for Holy Communion, you must love God not only before and after receiving Him but always and at all times. God desires you to think only of Him. Mortify your mind,your eyes, your tongue; that will be far more agreeable to God than corporal penances. These (corporal penances) all too often proceed from one's own will.
“You must treat God as your Father, as a dear friend, as a beloved spouse. You must pour out all the tenderness of your heart on Jesus alone and on Him wholly and entirely. During all eternity you will sing of His infinite mercy in your regard. You must love Jesus so much that He may be able to find in your heart an agreeable resting place, where He may be able, as it were, to console Himself for the many offences He receives everywhere. You must love Him for indifferent and cowardly souls but above all for yourself… ”