By Fr. Bel San Luis Today is the feast of Christ the King. When Jesus was crucified, a crude, wooden sign (caratola) was nailed over his head with the inscription INRI, which in Latin means “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.” In Eng­lish, “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.” By the way, among the people of Ilocos Norte, like me, INRI means “Ilocos Norte Region I.” So we joke that Jesus Christ is our kababayan. * * * Levity aside, is Christ really a king? Standing before Pilate, Christ did not deny that he was indeed a king. But then he said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18,36). Jesus’ reply means he was not the kind of king Pilate imagined – a military or political ruler, but rather a spiritual ruler. * * * In his book titled, His Word Resounds, Albert Cylwicki says: “Christ’s kingdom does not de­pend on military might, economic strength or political power. It is a spiritual kingdom that depends on faith, prayer and good works. It is a kingdom that promotes peace where there is violence, justice where there is exploitation and freedom where there is oppression.” * * * It implies not just a place but God’s active rule or reign that permeates man’s hearts from which his motives, values, and attitudes originate. That’s why Christ declared: “The kingdom of God is within you.” * * * The questions are, “Is Christ the King in our country, in our homes and communities?” Are our society and families permeated with the values of justice, love, truth, and peace? * * * God’s kingdom is not perfect as evident from so much injustices, greed, killings and kidnappings we see around us. Rather than get discouraged, let us be promoter and cooperators with God in bringing about the God’s Kingdom here on earth. * * * CDO, A PARAGON OF CHRISTIAN BUSINESS Last November 14, the pillar of the huge CDO Foodsphere company and husband of Corazon-Dayro Ong, JOSE, 78, passed away. * * * Many peo­ple do not know that the gigan­tic CDO started from a very simple begin­ning. Corazon, the lovely dietician wife, started by producing homemade meat products to sell to her friends and neighbors. * * * Orders began pouring in as her products gained popularity through word of mouth. Eventually, the small business expanded into a commercial empire that has been producing quality meat products through the years. * * * What propelled the success of the company? No doubt, it’s the far-reaching vision of the founding cou­ple, hard work and perseverance. * * * Few people, however, know that the Ongs are a very religious fam­ily, a religiosity that’s the bedrock of their success. This is manifested in their deep devotion to St. Joseph as their primary patron. Along with putting up a huge statue in front of their main building, the Ongs built a chapel where the family as well as the employees would go and pray. * * * However their vibrant faith did not stop there but also reached out to the poor and the less fortunate. Their overflowing generosity is concretized by extending scholarship to numer­ous needy youths, which include our “Adopt a Seminarian” scholarship program. * * * Although the family has become highly successful and materially blest, they have not forgetten God as the source of all their blessings.For this, the Ongs have been awarded with the Highest Papal Citation not only as model Catholic family but also as paragon of Christian business enterprises. * * * A wise man said: “Money is a universal provider for everything but not happiness; money is a passport to everywhere but not to heaven.” For Pepe Ong, it’s the good deeds and works of mercy that serve as his passport to heaven. * * * BOULEVARD OF KINGS. Did you know that E. Rodriguez, Sr. Street in Quezon City is the boulevard of KINGS? There’s a Burger King, Tapa King, Chowking, Allied BanKing, Padala King…then Christ the King Church, the greatest of them all. * * * EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS AT PINK SISTERS. Everyone is invited to the 32nd Eucharistic Congress on No­vember 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Venue: St. Joseph’s Adoration Con­vent, 71 Hemady Avenue. New Ma­nila, Quezon City. * * * Theme: “Gifted, Beloved, and Empowered in the Eucharist.” For inquiries, call the Secretar­iat: 0927-366-4116 or Pink Sisters Convent 8722-8828. The Eucha­ristic Congress is sponsored by the Eucharistic Adorers’ League of the Pink Sisters.