GOOD FRIDAY…PAINFUL BUT MEANINGFUL

by Bogs Dancel

I had an early Good Friday morning laugh, when I received this text message:

Erap to Cardinal: Hanggang ngayon galit pa ang simbahan sa akin. This is unfair!
Cardinal: Bakit mo naman nasabi yan?

Erap: Mayroong Sabado de Gloria, Sagrado de Corazon, Domingo de Ramos. Bakit ako wala naging president din naman ako!
Cardinal: Sige, mula ngayon sa iyo na ang Ass Wednesday!

I guess my friend has a way of coping up the solemnity of Holy Week. As for me, I had the opportunity to reflect about Mama Mary’s “pain” at the balcony of the hotel room where we spent the Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The balcony is overlooking the neighboring townhouses surrounded by tall trees, along Amadeo main road. I felt the early morning breeze touching my skins, as I breathed its fresh air, and waited the full rays of the sun.

As I reflected on the significance of Good Friday, I remembered the movie “Passion of Christ” where Mama Mary witnessed helplessly Jesus accused of a crime, scourged at the pillar, carried and died on the Cross.

Recently, a newly found friend and office mate called me up and shared comments of another colleague about me, “Si Bogs, ang yabang! sobrang lakas ng dating”...etc...etc... My first reaction was more of a denial, “Why? What have I done? I’m sorry I can’t pleased everybody.” I felt my pride was pricked by the criticism. However, as I recalled what happened after our conversation, I thought of maybe there were truths to the feedback. Maybe I hurt my colleague in the manner how said something. I suddenly became uneasy and forewarned my staff to be careful dealing with that colleague of ours. Just last week, we had the opportunity to know better each other as a person and to let go of our ill feelings.

I remembered my mom, who used to spank me when I was a kid with either a slipper or a belt every time I misbehaved. Afterwards, she would force me to say sorry to her. Well, things change when I became an adult, we would engage in a heated argument to the point that I oftentimes shouted at her. Afterwards, I made sure I implicitly apologize to her by embracing her at night without saying sorry. I knew and felt her loved for me despite of being a prodigal son. She always thought of my well-being even in the last years of her life, “Kaya mo na ba anak pag-wala nako?”

It was December 24, 1999, when mommy passed away. When I saw her lying in the morgue, tears suddenly fell down in my eyes and I felt the stabbing pain in my chest that I can hardly breathe. A thought came to my mind, “Shit! hindi ko na pala makaka-usap si Mommy.” Then, I started shouting and crying and crying and crying...I remembered I kissed her and said goodbye in the morning before I left for work and told her, “sige gawa ka ng paborito mong fruit cocktail.”
I felt abandoned for the third time in my life loosing mommy. At first, my biological Father, whom I’ve never saw in my life. Second, my “Nanay” Presing, whom I failed to be in her deathbed. She had been very instrumental planting the seeds of my relationship with Jesus, filling in the shoes of my mother while she was away for business, and grooming to be neat, decent and presentable as a child.

I believe God will time and again allow me to experience these pains in the future so I can develop more my character as person and to continue glorify Him.

SEMINARY and...SUSHI

...that was the central theme of our last meeting with the ACM/VAI here at home in Lakes of Savannah. We were joined by our respective wives and kids (except for Deacon Dale).

It was a very informal get together that we follow at least every month or so. Although the gathering is centered most of the time to dine and wine, yet we never forgot to relate our lives to the universal seminary experience. And, indeed, no matter what batch you’re in, the experience is almost the same. Only the timeline differs.

This month, February, we were privileged to be joined by Deacon Dale. Although, he kind of complained why Charlie Lapus and Ed Bas failed to attend, for it made him the most senior of us all.

This time, Tofe proved to be serious about his promise to make some sushi. He indeed redeemed himself by making such succulent sushi at par with any first class Japanese restaurant here in Houston. He topped it all with baked yellow fin. Then we washed it all with wine and beer.

And as faithful husbands and ex-sems…we had “lights off” before eleven…ready for the next day.

BALAAN BUKID

by Reynold Glenn Jaboneta

There was a time in my life that I visited Camiguin Island. It was summer and I was told aside from visiting and seeing the wonderful beaches and springs of the island there was a need to visit their own version of the “Way of the Cross.” The experience was tiring and really a battle of the will that I need to finish my “Way of the Cross” and it was literally an experience of climbing up the hill under the heat of the sun.

Over here in Iloilo, we have Guimaras Island. Since I was a child the huge cross atop the island facing Iloilo City was already a sight to behold. We call the place Balaan Bukid. Balaan is the dialect for holy and bukid for mountain. Balaan bukid then means holy mountain.

It was only this year that I literally trekked my way up to Balaan Bukid. The students from the Basic Education Department who are members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) invited me for their culmination activity which involved a visit to Balaan Bukid.

March 16 this year was my baptism to Balaan Bukid. With me were fifty students and some teachers and the pump boat we hired brought us at the edge of the island the part fronting Iloilo City. There was no port and all I could see were rocks. We carefully disembarked with the aid of the boat men. We followed the path and we reached the first station of the way of the cross.

It was a sight to behold. Nature was untouched. As we climbed our way up we were sheltered by the canopy of trees. Rock formation as it is, all the greens around us and the magnificent panorama of the sea beneath us and afar is Iloilo. I was in the company of young people. They have all the energy there is in the world to enjoy the trek.

We finally reached the top where the huge cross was planted to signify that we are now in Balaan Bukid. Just like in the story of the transfiguration it was an experience to behold and could move us to stay and build tents for ourselves.

I was told there is another way of reaching Balaan Bukid. One may come to Balaan from Iloilo to Jordan Wharf and up to Balaan. But the road less taken is the one we trekked.

It is now Holy Monday. I made my way up to Balaan Bukid of Guimaras on a Palm Sunday.

Life they say is dynamic that is why some would call it a journey and a search. It is again another year of remembering the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to begin from here… that of searching, journeying.

One, sometimes I do not have to search from far away lands. My Balaan Bukid experience is telling me there is so much to discover right at the very places near me. I can be faulted on this one. The principle that the farther we go the richer the experiences are cannot be a general principle. This is true on a personal level, this is true on a national level, and this is true when we look at our families. Sometimes we just need to look at the power within us, the very heart, the very feelings, the emotions we hold are not far. They are at the very core of our beings. We just have to recognize them and own them and in recognizing and owning them we become people whose hearts are made of flesh. Forgiving and forgetting become easy. To shed tears becomes spontaneous, to embrace a foe is always heroic and life can become baggage free and we journey only with essentials.

Second, life can never be a clear cut path for all of us. One may reach life through the normal way (Iloilo-Jordan-Balaan) and the way we are used to or the other way (Iloilo-side of the island-trek then Balaan). The other way is unfamiliar, dangers lurking. But the point is we reached the same apex. We commune with the same God. I prefer to go the other way.

Let me get personal. In 1988, when I entered the seminary the normal way was to go through the stages of formation-philosophy, theology and other stages of formation in between. Some made it to become priests through this way. Others prefer to trek what was not the way it may seem to be normal. I have been to the other seminary with that aim to become a priest. But the aim was through the normal, tested way.

Looking back, God is showing me there is another way. Perhaps God allowed me to leave the comforts of seminary life and formation to be uncomfortable with the world, to be nobody, to be humiliated, to be rejected and to be just one grain of sand, very insignificant.

It was a tough journey. It is still. But I am confident that the hand of God is working. I read this line, “God writes a straight line in crooked strokes, so if you cannot understand His plan then you just have to trust His hand.”

In fact, some of you may have been the hands that God are using to lead me back or just give me a break, a nap in my journey, in my search. Thank you.

Thirdly, I received a forwarded message from my student : “What you are really afraid of: you are not scared of the dark…you are scared of what’s in it. You are not afraid of heights…you are afraid of falling. You are not afraid of the people around you…you are just afraid of rejection. You are not afraid to love…you are just afraid of not being loved back. And you are not afraid to try again…you are just afraid of getting hurt for the same reason.”

Another forwarded message, “No matter how broken we have become, we never lost the potential to become good gifts for others. It is often the wounded healers who go on to live the boldest and victorious lives. Just always remember we do not own anything. Everything is temporary. God is the owner of our lives. All glory is God’s glory.”

Lastly, this message, “Why was David able to stand against the giant when the army of Israel pulled back in fear? It is because he saw Goliath not as a threat to big to hit. But as a target too big to miss. Most of the time, it is not the situation that has the complication. It is the way we see things that matter very much in determining our victory.”

I remember these messages as I make sense of my trek to Balaan Bukid the other day.

Balaan Bukid is just there. Perhaps, it is because it is just there.

Thank you, Balaan Bukid because the CROSS atop you is a statement of victory, crown that awaits people who dare to cross the sea and trek its sides, and apex of life.

This perhaps is what semana santa is all about.

By: Reynold Glenn S. Jaboneta

EDUCATION: KEY TO SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

by Atty. Jord Valenton

There used to be three (3) construction workers assigned at the 34th floor of a building at Rockwell and everyday they would take their lunch together. Let us hide them under the names Jose, Kiko and Lito. Well, what they usually did before taking their lunch was to joke around.

One time, Jose, the most comic among the three, asked. How do you call a “chair” in tagalog. The other two (2 ) found that question easy and uttered that it is “salompuit”… If a chair is “salompuit”, Jose further asked, what about a “wheelchair”? The two (2) had no answer to that, and Jose said that / the Tagalog term for wheelchair is…..“salumpo”.

Jose was quick to raise another question. He asked, what is the other/ tagalong term for an “old man”. Not getting any answer from the two, Jose volunteered, that the tagalog term is … “s a l o m p a s”…

Then Jose also asked the tagalong terms for underwear. Of course, you already know them/ so let me just skip that part of the conversation.

Anyhow ,it was Kiko who next raised a question although related to food as he was too hungry already. He asked , what is the tagalog term for “vinegar”?. Jose and Lito had nothing to respond to that and Kiko said that if it is “Salumpo” for a wheelchair and “salompas” for an old person, Vinegar is “salum.. pia”.

Hearing about food made them realize the grumblings of their stomach. Each of the workers then opened their lunch boxes, only to be disappointed, however, about their food.

Lito turned serious and lamented that he has been taking “tuyo” every day for so many years already, and if tomorrow, he would still have “tuyo”, he would be jumping from the 34th floor. Kiko and Jose promised the same thing upon seeing “bagoong” and “ eggs, in their respective lunch boxes.

The next day, Jose, Kiko and Lito unfortunately again found “tuyo”, “bagoong”, and “eggs” in their lunch boxes. So one after another, they jumped to their death.

During the wake of the three, their wives were talking to each other in between sobs. The wife of Kiko said, “Hindi ko MAINTINDIHAN yang si Kiko , kung ayaw nya ng bagoong e dapat sinabi nya.. nang pinagluto KO sya ng iba”. The wife of Jose told substantially the same thing “Hindi ko MAINTINDIHAN yang si Jose, kung ayaw nya ng itlog, e dapat sinabi nya.. nang pinagluto KO rin sya ng iba”

The wife of Lito was crying so hard after hearing the wife of Kiko, and much harder after hearing the wife of Jose, The wives of Jose and Kiko tried to pacify the wife of Lito. After so many minutes, the wife of Lito finally gained composure and shared that, “ “Mas hindi ko MAINTINDIHAN IYANG si Lito. Kung ayaw nya pala ng tuyo….e bakit hindi S Y A nagluto ng iba… Tutal, S Y A naman ang nagluluto sa bahay namin at nagpreprepara ng baon nya”.


Sister _______isters and teachers , young brothers and sisters graduates of St. Paul’s, dear parents. Ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon.

I cracked that joke, firstly because of the parallelism, the relationship, that a JOKE has to LIFE itself, and I have to take it from a Filipino singer and songwriter, Mr. Gary Granada. He said that. “Ang buhay parang joke… Kapag hind ka natawa ….hindi mo naintindihan”.

The value of pag-intindi, or karunungan, or kaalaman, was likewise underscored in the joke just narrated. If only the wives UNDERSTOOD their men, a different thing would have occurred. They could have averted the death of their husbands.

This is the same thing about our life, our society, if some things be not understood or taken to heart first and foremost, then there would be no transformation, and we are to face our own deaths. We could only act, if we understand. We could only act rightly, if we have understood and discerned deeply. The need for such understanding about our life, about our society has never been as compelling as today.

The controversial ZTE Deal gives us a glimpse of how bad things are assuming without admitting the allegations of the witnesses, especially as to that part that the kickback offered TO JUST ONE of the characters of the deal is Php 200 Million.

Every house built by Gawad Kalinga for the less fortunate costs 70k to 80k. But let us just peg it at Php 100,000. If that be the case, then there would have been two million poor families with new homes. A priest - friend mentioned of the countless times that he had to bless babies who had died due to diarrhea or malaria, and who had to be put in coffins, but not the way we know them. They were put in coffins, made of shoe boxes. How many coffins would have been bought for 200 million pesos and given to such babies to provide them some dignity which neither they nor their parents had in their lifetime. I have always been haunted by that picture in a Magazine some years back, where there is a naked and sick child, all bones and skin, trying to crawl his way to a food camp to get some bread, But he would not be able to get there. That was also the understanding of the VULTURE standing right beside him just waiting for him to drop dead and motionless, and it will make a meal out of him. The photographer, by the way, who took that picture later on killed himself due to depression caused to him by such situation.

These are the pictures that we have at hand. These are shocking ones, and unless we do something, more revolting ones would follow.

We call the beggars, taong grasa, or parasites, or scum. We avoid them. We are ashamed of them. In fact, there were times that our country would sponsor meetings for foreign dignitaries, and our government would put large boards along the bridges just to cover the shanties that line up the rivers. We call them by such negative terms , but how do we call ourselves who have not done anything or have not done enough for them?

I taught college philosopy when I was 19. I have been teaching Law for people much senior to me. In my practice, I prepare and implement plans and strategies likewise for clients more advanced in age. In other words, I have been dealing with more mature people. Thus, When I was asked to talk to you graduates, I had my apprehensions. My first question was, what would I say to you. Perhaps, I would have to talk to you about kung fu kids, naruto, or my big love or latest ringtones and electronic games. . But I prevented myself from doing so, for I do not want to underestimate your capacity to understand, to care, and act, and put to heart that, “ WALANG MAGMAMAHAL SA PILIPINAS KUNG HINDI ANG PILIPINO”.

Dear young brothers and sisters, you just do not know how much power you have in your hands to change things. God has given you the wares, and has educated you in this prestigious institution. But let this education, as well as the further education you are to take, be not the end of it. You have been educated, so that you can also educate others. You have been transformed from Saul to St. Paul, so that you can also transform others You have been healed, so that you can likewise heal others. As said in the book Purpose Driven Life, “With you around, God has new pair of eyes to see with, new ears to listen with, new hands to help with, and new hearts to love others with”. You have become what you are now so that you can be a part of God’s plan of social transformation.

May I just mention to you that youth is not an excuse nor a liability. In fact, in the most critical times of Philippine history, the Filipino youth have always been at the forefront.

At the age of 26, Dr. Jose Rizal had already written the Noli Me tangere. At the age of 29, Anders Bonifacio founded the Katipunan. Aguinaldo was 28 when he became the President of the Philippines.

The immense power and talent of the youth could even be seen nowadays at different fields. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Kevin Garnett were drafted to the NBA at the age of 19. Talk of Golf which used to be known as a game for the old, and you will have Tiger Woods who won a Grandslam at a very young age and is now with his 64th victory, set to break all records as to number of wins. Listed by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s billionaires is a 23 year old who made Facebook on the internet

It will, nonetheless, take some time for you to ripen to maturity and be ready for bigger things. Take your pace. Do not rush up on things. There are instant coffee and instant mami, but no INSTANT MATURITY. You have been through with the elementary stage. But there are other stages you still ought to patiently take.

There would always be discouragements and hurdles to overcome, for life is not a walk in the park. But as they always say, whatever does not kill you, makes you a lot stronger. It is at this point that I would like to make a revelation about my stay here at St. Paul’s. While I truly appreciate the lessons I learned at this venerable institution, I could not help but remember the times that I was one who could be called an outstanding student. It is not “outstanding” though as you ordinarily know it. I was outstanding for not just once but thrice did my adviser angrily require me to stand outside our classroom for being so full of energy and for running around and teasing other classmates.

I have for so long a time carried that slight hurt. But I would like to say that I have fully forgiven her and moved on. And I thank her for she must have motivated me to strive harder, as I refused to believe that I was meant to stand outside. Take unsavory events as challenges and opportunities for growth and to bring to light the stuff that you truly are made of. Just recently we had Manny Pacquiao beating Juan Marquez. But he did not do it without taking hard blows from Marquez. He, however, just had to hit harder and faster ones. And so should you do. Do not give up on life. And life will not give up on you.

At Promenade Greenhills, there are certain days that someone plays the grand piano. Of course, there are so many others who could play the piano and perhaps more beautifully. But what makes him so remarkable, is that he could play that well, despite the fact that he is blind. He could have conveniently used his disability as an excuse. But he did not. Right beside him is an ad that says to the effect that ,he might have lost his sight, but not his vision. There was no excuse to make it good. Neither should there be any excuse for you not to succeed.

However, while I have talked about profound ideas, I am not telling you to take life so seriously. There is a time for everything. There is a time to cry , in the same way that there is a time to laugh. There is a time to work, and there is a time to rest. Get into sports, it will teach you teamwork. Get into the arts, they will keep you in touch with your soul. Love and be loved, and see the beauty of persons. To end, I would have to quote no less than Bugs Bunny, he said “ why do we have to take life so seriously, when anyhow, nobody, as in nobody, has gotten out of it, alive?”.

This has been Jord Valenton.

A Paulinian. Its nice to be back.

Thank you.

2008 Annual Recollection...Unfiltered

hi guys - i just got back from the recollection - as in kakadating ko lang sa bahay and i want to share with you all what happened during the recollection.mga nag-attend (in random order) - ako, dino (siempre classmate).. .bogs & warren (the dynamic duo) , meng, jeff, emong, vernon (the 3 stooges + 1), jord (the lawyer), brian (the-soon-to- be-lawyer) , ace (who happens to live near the seminary) & leo (the original kidney donor) siempre - si fr. kiko magnaye (ang facilitator) .

They had lunch (late kami ni brian dumating kasi...hehehehehe. ..no malice intended) - and around 2pm nag-start na ang recollection - doon sa bagong chapel sa ibaba. the theme "vincentian spirit" (tama ba?). maraming magagandang points fr. kiko shared sa group about the "vincentian spirit" - specifically in helping the poor. maraming magagandang sharing - parang namulat kami muli sa kagandahan ng "vincentian spirit" lalu na ang application & relevance nito sa current status ng ating buhay. well - di ko na maisusulat ang karamihang sharing - pero in a coconut-shell - maraming dimensions ang pag-tulong sa mahihirap - ang malaking challenge posted to us - are we ready? sabi ni fr. kiko - siguradong babaguhin ang buhay mo once nakisalimuho ka sa mahihirap - game ka na ba?! (gay na!) again - napaalalahan kami na mas mainam sa pagtulong sa mga mahihirap ay ang isang organized at samasamang pag-gawa ng programa para maibsan ang kahirapan. naalala ko din yung sharing ng "hating kapatid" sa pag-tulong - and yung discernment then action - principle (may kulang na isa pa dito...forget ko eh...not listening!.. .look ba?)pero sa kabuuan - naging instrumento itong event na magkasama-sama muli ang karamihan (doon palang sulit na) - then we're reminded of our spiritual heritage which is - vincentian.siempre may misa to end the recollection.

STAGE 2

kung sa shooting ng pelikula...change location! umakyat kaming lahat sa rooftop - ang sarap ng feeling to be there sa tuktok...humahangin ng magagandang memories ang lugar (try ko pa'ng maging poetic dito) - thanks to emong's sort of sponsorship ng drinks + pulutan...masayang kwentuhan... tawanan.. .kanchawan. ..tawanan. ..marami akong na-diskubreng mga insights about life doon sa rooftop...nalaman ko na ang buhay pala ay parang eroplano - punta kang airforce 1 - pero mahal nga lang mag travel ng eroplano...subukan mong maging environmentalist and go to wilderness.. .o kaya mag-alaga ka ng pussy cat...hahahahaha! mag iiba talaga ang pananaw mo sa buhay...at tumaas na talaga ang presyo ng galungong... am sure di lang yun ang tumaas ang presyo...diba warren?i'm running out of adjectives to describe the day...para sa akin napaka gandang pasimula ng holy week...sana sa susunod maka-attend yung iba...and i suggest you stay longer para dun sa stage 2 para ma-enlighten ka ng todo!i wish you all a blessed holy week - mahal tayong lahat ng diyos!

in st. vincent de paul

...alwyn b cruz

A Kidney Donor Story

by: Bogs Dancel

Before the news of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez having a kidney transplant courtesy of his long-time driver, I have a friend who also made the great sacrifice of donating his kidney to someone who is not even related by blood or affinity. Despite opposition by family and friends, this friend of mine had the courage to undergo the knife, a kind heart to care of someone in need and a steadfast faith to let God’s will be done.

Here is his inspiring story:

“Suki! Bili! Bili! Bili na kayo! Murang-mura, fresh na fresh pa.”

“Magkano?”
“Sampung libo, lang”

“Ha?!”
“Ang mahal naman? Ano ba yang binebenta mo?”

“Kidney!”

Sad to say, people nowadays are willing to give up part of their bodies either because of a need to make both ends meet or simply grab the opportunity to earn money. But for some, it is for an altruistic reason.

I am grateful to a friend of mine who shared his experiences of being a kidney donor to me, a non-relative. I told him that his recipient is so blessed because he has a healthy lifestyle, is just an occasional drinker and smoker, and active in sports, I could not help but ask him questions and he gave me straightforward answers.

“Why did you do such a noble gesture? His reply was, “somebody needed help then, and I wanted to share and do what I can to extend the life of that person.” I added, “God created two kidneys for a purpose, didn’t you entertain the thought that you or your family might have a need for these in the future?” My friend replied, “I believe in God’s providence. Someday, should my family or I need a kidney, I believe that God will provide if it is really for the best.”
Then I asked, “How old is your recipient?” “She’s in her 60s.” “Wouldn’t you have preferred to give the kidney to a child who has the potential of living a longer life?” “I think the concept of living a longer life is relative, having one day more to live can already be long enough for some. It’s all in God’s hand not ours,” he said.

“What’s the hardest part of being a kidney donor?” “It depends; mentally it’s the pre-operation, and physically, the post operation.”

PRE-OPERATION

Not long afterward, I got a message in my mobile from my donor friend: “If your blood type is “O”, my kidney recipient is again in need of a donor. Please reply if you are willing to donate a kidney.” I immediately answered, “What’s the name of the patient, what hospital is she/he in?” It was a knee-jerk reaction because I was used to donating blood. My friend thanked me and told me that I would undergo a series of tests. After a while I read the text message again, and only then did I realize that my friend was talking about a kidney transplant! I quickly sent a message to him to give me more time to think about it.

I asked my friends, officemates, and relatives, “I’m planning to donate my kidney, what do you think of it?” All of them discouraged me to do so for the simple reason that I’m still young, that I need both kidneys particularly in case a family member might need a transplant in the future. My spiritual adviser told me to discern and pray over it. In my thoughts I recalled my mom who died eight years ago due to the complications of diabetes. During that time, I was not financially capable to sustain her medications. My potential kidney recipient resembled my mommy’s predicament -- weak, sick, and helpless. After my mom passed away, I always had the urge to visit the sick in the hospital and to donate blood whenever there was an opportunity.
After weighing things and asking for God’s grace, I boldly told myself, “I will do it.”

When I finally said yes to my friend’s plea, he told me that the would-be-recipient and her family would like to see me personally. We met up and I told her family about myself –- my work, hobbies, educational and family background. She, on the other hand, talked about her kidney problem history and mentioned that her relatives were not qualified to be a donor. She even told me that a potential kidney donor, who is also not related to her, passed all the screening tests except the psychiatric test. My would-be-recipient and her family were very grateful to me for volunteering to donate my kidney. They welcomed me into their family.
We talked about the series of lab and other exams to determine if I am physically and mentally fit for the procedure. I had two questions: how long the transplant procedure would take and how long the recovery period would be. I was already thinking of my available vacation leaves and that I had to tell my boss about my plan.

For three months, I underwent lab tests at least thrice a month for blood, urine, phlegm, chest, kidney. I also had several psychiatric examinations. I endured the hassle of going back and forth to the clinic, even taking a leave from the office as some of the tests required half day to finish. The last test I had was the renal angiogram that required hospital confinement for the preparation and recovery period. Wow! After 34 years of existence, it was a first time for me to be given an intravenous fluid (dextrose) and to lie down in bed in a hospital as a patient! It was an unforgettable and humbling experience – exposing my private parts to strangers, a hospital staff shaving me for the procedure, nurses putting a condom catheter for my urine. During the angiogram, the doctor injected anesthesia and a very thin tube was inserted through my groin artery. That was very painful! It was a consolation to have doctors, nurses, visitors and my girlfriend reassuring me.
The angiogram ultimately revealed that my left kidney is the choice for the transplant.

DURING THE OPERATION

My girlfriend, close friends, officemates, and the family of the recipient were in solidarity with me given their visits, prayers, and blood donation. This is it! While on my way to the operating room, I was touched by the sincerity of the sister of my kidney recipient. She was running along the hallway just to tell me how grateful she was for my generosity. That boosted my morale more. I was very relaxed and at peace. Inside the operating room, the nephrologist explained that the doctors had to check on the kidney recipient first before they could perform the actual transplant. While waiting, I continued to pray to God for strength, guidance for the doctors, and for the success of our kidney transplant. The doctor came back and told me the good news that the transplant was now going to begin. He held my arms and started telling me stories about the kidney recipient. Then he told me, “Alright we will start the operation”. Immediately an OR staff covered my nose and mouth with a mask and then I went blank…

POST OPERATION

When I woke up I started shouting because of the pain I was feeling and looked for the nephrologist. The doctor held my hands. I told him over and over again, “Doctor, I feel pain on the left side of my stomach, how is my kidney recipient?” I toned down when he told me that she was fine and that he would give me more pain reliever.

During my first few days after the operation, I couldn’t sleep comfortably on either side. Every time I would pee, my caregiver would give me the plastic urinal to measure my urine. The nurses would wake me in wee hours of the morning to check on my vital signs. I had to practice my breathing through an instrument, but the most challenging part was when I needed to cough out the phlegm that may have been retained on my right chest. This was due to my position during the operation where I had to lie on my right side for at least one and half hours.
Every day, I would ask my caregiver what our objective for the day was. For two days I was on a liquid diet because I had to gradually create activity for my intestines. I began to appreciate how delicious gelatin was by slowly putting it my mouth, savoring its taste and flavor, and slowly melting it. Every time my visitors would ask me what I wanted, I would gladly tell them that it was gelatin. After three days, I decided to drink tea to help me pass out gas so I can start with soft liquids. I shifted to drinking more tea and sipping soups. Eventually, I had my first bowel movement after the operation. It was a good sign that my intestines were back to normal and that gave me permission to go on a regular diet -- rice! Imagine how much more I appreciated now the simple things that I didn’t normally pay attention to before. I realized that we should really be thankful for a lot of things that happen to us in our daily lives.

While my body was in agony, my soul was at rest with the Lord through His music, the “Lauds”. It made my sleep in peace and eased the physical pain. I slowly stood up and walked from one corner of my hospital room to the other. Then I started to do the rounds of the hallway and the chapel. One Sunday morning, I attended Mass in the chapel dressed in a hospital gown. A nun approached me and asked, “Are you Fr. Rhey?” I replied, “No, sister”, I gave my name and told her that I am a friend of Fr. Rhey.” I thought she understood me. After introducing the main celebrant of the mass, my face turned red when the commentator said, “Please stand and let’s all welcome Fr. Vic and his co-celebrant Fr. Joey.” To make the matter worse, the Mass was being aired live via the TV channel of the hospital. I felt I was so unworthy to be considered as a priest and even called “Father”.

It’s been five months since the operation. I’m back to work and can walk five rounds at the Ultra oval track field. I’m almost back to normal except for some limitations like no carrying of heavy loads, participating in strenuous activities such as basketball, eating foods rich in uric acid like beans, and drinking beer. My high school classmate would always remind me, “You already have given up all these things when you decided to do the transplant.”

My life’s journey continues and so with my kidney recipient. I’ve been spending time bonding with her --- seeing her smile; happy being with her family; able to work again; and paying forward the blessings that come her way to those who are in need.

REPUBLIKA GIÑEBRA, A TRIBE OF OUR OWN

By : toteperez, PIO - DAR Sorsogon


Marlboro Country is to the Americans as Barangay Giñebra is to the Filipinos. If Marlboro Country is a representation of the American macho image that conquered and tamed the so-called “savage” native Indians of the Wild West and the corresponding thirst for adventure and supremacy over the elements, Barangay Giñebra is a Filipino projection of a dream community, albeit, diverse and imperfect but conquers insurmountable odds.

It is not certain how Barangay Giñebra came into being. Its coming into existence is spontaneous and the author who coined the name Barangay Giñebra is anonymous strengthening the fact that Barangay Giñebra belongs to every ordinary Filipino. However, the phrase Barangay Giñebra can be attributed to the legion of fans of one, if not, the most popular team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Originally known as Gilbey’s Gin when it joined the league in 1979, the team went through numerous metamorphoses in its professional players and its name. Finally, in 1999, the team was then officially called Barangay Giñebra. Now, Barangay Giñebra did not only denote to the fans of the team, but to the club as well. It is often said that wherever Giñebra plays, they have a homecourt advantage since their fans can compose a barangay. As a professional PBA team, Barangay Giñebra uses the trademark run-and-gun offense, which excites fans during games. Defensively, they are known to play physical, employing a suffocating man-to-man defense. They are also known for their ”never say die” attitude by coming back from deficits during games and upsetting better-ranked teams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay_Ginebra_Kings).

Being a basketball-crazed nation where you can find an improvised basketball ring/board/ goal or whatever you call it, in almost every street corner, this “Barangay Giñebra” phenomenon may not be anymore a novelty but an articulation of an intrinsic kinship that cuts across social classes and demographics. Proof of this common bond between Barangay Giñebra “citizenry” was exercised when it revealed its potent force through its voting power that catapulted former playing coach Robert Jaworski to gain a senatorial seat in 1998 elections. This is an affirmation that indeed, Barangay Giñebra is now beyond the territorial boundaries of the basketball hardcourts and already penetrated other playing fields like politics and popular culture.

In this present time that Filipinos are bitterly divided politically and in dire need for a unifying consciousness or sense of nationhood, it is interesting to investigate how this Barangay Giñebra reflects as an image of a Filipino virtual nation. A notable and monumental attempt to define who, what, where is Barangay Giñebra was institutionalized by Gary Granada, a talented and respected musician when he composed the songs “Pag Natatalo ang Giñebra (When Giñebra is Losing)” and “Nang Maging Champion Ang Giñebra (When Giñebra Won the Championship) in 1997 that essayed a dialectical perspective, both the positive and the negative “state of affairs” inside the Giñebra “Republic.”

Granada’s Giñebra is disclosed through the eyes of a basketball fanatic who is ever faithful to the team both in triumph and defeat. Examining intently the lyrics however, will reveal a deeper reality reflective of a Filipino society and culture. Granada’s typical Giñebra fan is a cross between a blind follower as pictured in “Natatalo” version, “…sinusundan ko ang bawat laro…” and an open-minded individual who has the capacity to analyze the game in “Champion” version, “…gumaganda na ang bawat laro, di na sila naghihingalo…” This is a very good observation that indeed, for Filipinos to win the “games of life” he must depart from being just a blind – follower of whatever influences he is adhering to but be transformed as a free – thinker who has the capacity to decide for his own fate.

The “Natatalo” version unveiled Filipino’s pseudo – religiosity with the line “…kahit hindi relihiyoso, naalala ko ang mga santo, O San Miguel, Santa Lucia….” Of course, the seemingly saints mentioned are not actually the revered holy icons but actually companies or corporations that maintains their own ball clubs in the PBA league. The “Champion” version is even more interesting, aside from the two “saints” earlier mentioned, it added other corporate names of teams in the league such as Mobiline, Shell, Purefoods, Pop Cola. These can be translated as social commentaries and can be interpreted in two points. First, this could be an articulation of a more diverse spectrum of religious groups that are gaining their own following in the Filipino society that was once dominated by the Catholic Church that are now competing on moral influence and even political (?!) The other point is that; religion is now regarded or relegated as a mere commodity that satisfies a need, or worse, religion is now considered like a business undertaking. But whatever the interpretation maybe, this reality is reflective of a Filipino attitude that indeed, religion plays a major influence in any endeavor.

The Pinoy in “Natatalo” is a typical “usiserong maingay (read : noisy bystander)” aptly described as “….nakikisiksikan…nang–aalaska, nanggugulo pag nagfe-free throw ang katalo.” This illustrates a common Pinoy who is ever – complaining, overly criticizing on state – of – affairs but non – committed, passive and uninvolved to any actions for development or change. However, the Pinoy in the “Champion” version is conversely a reversal of the earlier personality, now the one being maligned and belittled “….barangay na laging kinakawawa.” However, despite the ridicules, this Pinoy is somebody who is unwavering and ever – faithful, for better for worse, and yet, hopeful “…walang kasawa – sawa…sana’y na sa kaaasa, manalo’t matalo ay Ginebra.” Truly, a precise description of Pinoy’s resilience amidst any crises characterized with a spontaneous sense of humor as a way of coping.

The “Natatalo” made a brief comment on media’s role and politicians in our society, “…ang barangay ay nagdiriwang halftime ay kinse ang aming lamang; Cameraman, huwag mo lang kukunan si senador at congressman…” This states the common practice of political personalities taking advantage by riding on to the achievements of common people just to gain positive image with the aid of the media.

Both the two versions are wishful supplications for little relief, a breather on a tight and stifling situation, “…pagbigyan nyo na ako, paminsan-minsan lang ito gumaan an nabibigatang puso….” Yes, Filipinos are still very hopeful despite adverse situations. Good enough we have notable men and women of sports, entertainment and in other fields of interest who provide the urgent wind of fresh air with their triumphs in boxing, scaling the heights, winning competitions. Their achievements regain respect to our race and allow us to be proud of ourselves and forget momentarily whatever crises we are facing. True enough, even political bickering takes a break to give way to live telecast during Manny Pacquiao fights as illustrated in the “Natatalo” version, “…pagbigyan nyo na ako sa munting hiling kong ito kung hindi, baka mag – away pa tayo.”

The “Natatalo” version underscored poor executions that led to disastrous plays, “…puro palpak ang tira nila…offensive foul…traveling…pinasok ang sarili…nasupalpal..na-technical…nagmintis…” These can be likened to poor executive decisions, political squabble, graft and corruption of our local and national leaders that greatly devastated our country politically, socially, morally and economically.

But the “Champion” version emphasized on how Pinoys redeem themselves, “…ang napakahirap ay napakasimple…ang imposible ay naging posible…ang labanan ay biglang nagbago, reinforced versus all-Filipino…ang peligro ay naging milagro…sunod-sunod na panalo!” The Philippines is gifted with numerous opportunities that can catapult it to greatness. We have the most diverse natural resources, ours is a perfect eco – tourism destination foremost of which is Donsol Sorsogon which is now known as the whale shark capital of the world. We have a very rich historical and cultural heritage. We have world – class achievers in the fields of arts, entertainment, sports, business and sciences, and the list continues. Miracles do happen if we allow them.

But why do unfortunate events continue plaguing our nation and like phoenixes, the Pinoys have the capacity to rise up again? The answers may be obtained from the concluding stanzas of both songs. The “Champion” version revealed, “…at ang inuman ay hanggang umaga…at nagkasaid an gaming mga pitaka, nang maging champion ang Giñebra…” Granada articulated here that Pinoys idea of victory is short – lived and unsustainable. Translating this to our socio – political history, the gains that we achieved in the EDSA I and II can be likened to a wonderful night’s dream that had its end when we woke up the next morning. We seemed not to learn from our mistakes that is why we are bound to repeat them.

Surprisingly, the “Natatalo” version offers a more affirmative trait for the Pinoy, “…galit ako sa mga pasista, galit ako sa mga imperialista…feel na feel kong maging aktibista pag natatalo ang Giñebra…” It is when the Pinoys are down and out that they finally muster the courage to take action to liberate themselves from oppressive situations. Again, history had a glorious chronicles of these events: The Battle of Mactan, The Philippine Revolution, The Fil – Am War, World War II, Martial Law, to mention a few.

Crises are shining moments that bring out the best in every Filipino. Ironic but true. Such is the mystery of a tribe, a barangay, a republic that is called “Ginebra,” truly, genuine, honest – to – goodness Filipino.

30

References :

1. Gary Granada, ‘Pag Natatalo Ang Giñebra, from the Album Samu’t Saring Gary Granada, The Legends Series, Ivory Records, 1997.

2. G. Granada, Nang Maging Champion Ang Giñebra, from the Album Sulat, Backdoor Records, 1997.

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay_Ginebra_Kings.