Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” L. Alfonso, SJ, Executive Director of Jesuit Communications is a writer and a TV and radio host at ABS-CBN (Channel 2), DZMM Teleradyo, Radio Veritas and Radyo Katipunan. In 2008, he was given a Special Citation Award for Best Opinion Column Category at the 30th Catholic Mass Media Awards . He is the Executive Producer of Ignacio de Loyola, a full-length feature film about St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. The film was released in the Philippines on July 27, 2016 and with international screenings starting August 26, 2016. It is the first Filipino film screened at the Vatican.
The Executive Director’s Corner contains Fr. Nono Alfonso’s spiritual reflections, homilies and critical essays.
No Longer Fun in the Philippines
(This article was published on pressone.ph, last March 4, 2025) “The Riviera of the Middle East.” That’s what US President Donald Trump envisions for war-torn Gaza. Last week, he even posted an AI video of the “Trump Gaza” wherein the Gaza strip has become a world-class beach resort. Seen lounging at the beach are Trump […]
Our Mission in the Wonderful World of Media
(Last February 8th, 2025, Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso SJ, Executive Director of Jesuit Communications, delivered this keynote address on the “Mission in the Digital Environment.” Present at the event were media ministers from the northern central Luzon region, who convened for the inaugural Metropolitan General Assembly of all social communications and media ministers.) Source: The Roman […]
Father’s House
From my youth, there was a very funny movie starring Hollywood greats, Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep. “Death Becomes Her” is the title of the movie and it was about these two women socialites, frenemies who competed over everything—fame, men, fortune. Soon however, each one panicked as they realized they were aging. They eventually resorted […]
Harbinger of Joy
When I was just a child, I knew when Christmas was coming. My Kuya Lambert, our eldest sibling, would usher in the merriest of seasons for the whole family. He was then studying here in Manila, at the University of Sto Tomas. And around this time of the year, classes would cease for the holidays. […]
Wilderness
Falling Down was Michael Douglas’ surprise blockbuster film in the 90s. The entire movie happens in just one day. Douglas, a divorcee, was on his way to attend his daughter’s birthday party. However, he was caught up in a terrible traffic situation (we can all relate to that). After a long while, he decided to […]
Advent & Christmas Meaning
(This Homily was delivered over Radyo Katipunan’s Keep the Faith Mass on December 1, 2024, First Sunday of Advent.) One of our favorite Christmas songs because it is very plain and straightforward about how we feel about Christmas is: “Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart […]
Not just a sideshow!
(This article was published on pressone.ph, Oct 16, 2024) There’s a new show in town. It is scandalously entertaining, with mysterious who dunnit plots being revealed by the day, including salacious love affairs here and there involving Who’s who of Philippine society. Many are hooked to their TV sets or social media screens. But it’s […]
Not For The Queasy!
(This homily was delivered by Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ during the 10:30 am Mass on the First Sunday of September 2024, at the Church of the Gesù, Ateneo de Manila University.) It was like a mirage. I was a new graduate from the Ateneo and was writing a piece for a Jesuit newsletter. My assignment […]
Becoming the Rich Soil
Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso, SJ (This Homily was delivered over Radyo Katipunan’s Keep the Faith Mass on July 26, 2024) The multi-million dollar question today is: what kind of soil are you in relation to the word of God? Have you been receptive of God’s teaching? Have you been a rich soil? We all want to […]
Amusing Ourselves to Death
(published on pressone.ph, July 13, 2024) Social Media is hazardous to your health! That is the label that the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murphy wants to be placed on all social media platforms, like the warning labels placed on alcohol and cigarettes. Accordingly, study after study now reveal that more people, especially the youth, […]