The Last Philosophers

WEEKEND REFLECTION

2009-11-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

by Alwyn B. Cruz

I think today in 2003, I first attended my 'fellowship' at Tandang Sora. My classmate Paul (Dantes) texted me if I wanted to come over for the fellowship - wala lang daw - no agenda - just come over. I asked if I have to bring anything, he said - 'wala, basta pumunta ka lang'. Ang dami kong tanong 'sino ang mga nandun at anung gagawin?', he said - 'familiar faces, Fr. Nonong will be there'. Ah ok - at least I know Fr. Nonong. 'Eh anong fellowship ito...prayer meeting?! Paul baka mamaya i-pray over ako dun at gawin nila akong lalake...ayaw ko!'. 'Gaga' was the immediate text reply of Paul. 'Basta go ka - I'll see you there at 6pm, provincial house, there's a gazebo before you enter, ayun ang venue.'

And so I did. When I got to the place - nakita ko si Kiko (Ocampo) - na nagtataga ng what seems to be a 'liempo' (I was telling myself 'siya ba yung cook?'). Obviously, hindi ko kilala si Kiko kasi very senior siya sa akin. 'Pare tuloy ka!' was his opening line. Aru diyos ko! I can't recall the last time I was called 'pare' (so huminga ako ng malalim and with my naturally low voice) 'Hi pare I'm Alwyn, classmate ako ni Paul' (isusumpa ako ng federasyon I swear with my reply!). And the usual conversation went on, what do I do, where I live, which batch etc. etc. etc. Tapos dahan dahan nang dumadating ang mga peeps. Si Atty. Galvez, Fr. Nonong, may isa pang gurangga hindi ko na maalala kung sino then Paul arrived. Later on I think Vernon and Jeff ata dumating din.

We started to eat and walang katapusan kwentuhan - and most of the topic ay tungkol sa buhay namin sa seminaryo. Kahit hindi kami ang mga batch na magkakasama noon parang instant glue ang usapang buhay seminaryo. It leveled everything - hindi ko na naramdamang matatanda sila Kiko, Fr. Nonong & Atty. Galvez. Masaya. May bonding agad. And for a moment it felt like... 'home'.

Then Fr. Nonong invited all of us to proceed to the chapel sa Provincial House for the mass.

After the reading of the gospel Fr. Nonong asked me if I can share something (super flashback ang feeling ko of the seminary days when he asked me this, I can't even recall kailan ako huling nag share!). And I obliged - I shared my hesitation of coming over sa 'fellowship' kasi nga clueless ako of what's going to happen and I said I am just glad I that I did attend - it was refreshing to see people, who in my past life shared the same experiences sa seminary.

Natapos na ang misa.

So there we were ulet sa gazebo chatting away. It was such a fun first 'fellowship' . Little did I know that that one evening would change the course of my life.

Since then I with Paul, have been attending the 'fellowship' - and the circle grew slowly fellowship after fellowship, and through this fellowship I got to meet many wonderful people na minsan naging bahagi ng buhay ko that I now consider my family - at diyan na nabuo na ang ACM.

Now, 6 years after that fateful first ‘fellowship’, nandito ako sa place ko, typing this email. Being alone here somehow gives me the chance of being very clear of mind, of appreciating the beginnings of lifelong friendships I now enjoy. Thanks to all of you for being a source of love and support. I remember numerous times when life was made better for me because of you guys.

So to all of you, (to end my 'Weekend Reflection') I dedicate the following song, especially these lines: (from the song For Good, Wicked the musical)

I’ve heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true

But I know I’m who I am today

Because I knew you¦

To more years of togetherness, to lifelong friendships CHEERS! ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Birthing...and Christening

2009-08-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today, another Vincentian baby was baptized here in Houston, TX. Giovan and Jackie are proud parents to Sophia.

It was not only the time for all of us to feast and dine, but to reconnect again. The three of us, Kris, Stanley and myself, and our respective wives were the godparents.

Next pit stop? Kri's daughter christening.

THANKS TO ALL "FATHERS"

2009-06-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

by Efren Dancel

Last week, June 18, we celebrated Father's day. One my best friend texted me about a Father. He is:

1% funny
2% sweet
3% caring
4% loving
90% Babaero

We'll maybe a lot of our batchmates who are now fathers (father of a family, fathered a child, or a father of the Church) have also received different kinds of messages recognizing their hardwork, patience, and accomplishments. You all need a one hell of a special day. Hopefully will have siblings' day? Paging GMA.

I went to EDSA Shangrila last week to have my pants tapered and have my shoes fix. While inside the mall, I went on a window shopping in the shoe stores. I noticed that most of the dads were the "king" that day. The wife and kids followed their daddy from one shoe store to the other. In one store that I happened to dropped by, a man, who is in his mid 40 to 50s, immediately grabbed the casual shoes that I've just returned from its display, and requested the salesperson, "size 10 nga". I overheard the wife said to his husband, "Hon, bagay sa iyo yan". "Oo nga dad", sip-sip naman ng kids. There were 2 things I asked myself: (1) is my taste gearing towards that of a father or the father just want to be a groovy father?; (2) are the wife and kids telling the truth or were they just impatient with shopping thing?

Speaking of a groovy father, last Monday I went to Cebu with my colleague for an official business. He was in his 40 to 50s, dressed very cool in his short sleeves polo shirt, Marks and Spencer's Harbour brand, jeans, and black casual shoes. At night, he sported a colored t-shirt and jeans. It really fits his looks and personality. But what is likeable about this dad was his pride for the achievement of his son, who is a Wesleyan University scholar. We had the chance to browse the schools virtual tour through my laptop and free wi-fi, courtesy of the hotel where we're staying. I was amazed that we can view his son's regular schedule from bio-researcher student, musician, accapela artist, and in-charge of orienting new students. Wow! what a versatile child. Like father, like son! We too have experienced the same traits or skills of our fathers have or have developed it for better.

I was planning to write a tribute to my dad before Father's day because of the article I read from Youngblood in the Inquirer about her "tribute to her Nanay". Similar to Alex's article. However, I really don't know where to start, because I have never seen my biological father. I guess I'm thankful for giving me life in this world as well as that of my step brother and sisters. We had our chance to see each other face to face when I was in grade school but I guess I was not ready at that time. I have lots of biases in my mind because of the stories I've heard with my mom and nanay (yaya). Stories like, he was a great liar because he already had a family when he met my mom; would always hurt my mom whenever they quarrelled; never provided me with milk; threatened cab drivers to give him money or else their car would be impounded and many other negative stories that you could imagine. I never saw him until he passed away last February 1986. Will I despise him now for what he did? I believe NO. Because God is so good that He gave me the opportunity to heal my wounded past while inside the seminary. I forgave him for all the things he did to me and I look forward to meeting and embracing him after my earthly mission is done. While there is pain, there are no regrets in my heart whenever I think of him because I have a Father in heaven who provides and takes care of me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following persons who have given me a "father image" in their own little way:

1. Reynaldo Padua, my step dad and who lent his surname for me from pre-school to college;
2. Joaquin Tan, who brought out the anger within me;
3. Fr. Modesto Lopez, who have been my highschool father and shaped my values in life;
4. Jess Dawisan, my uncle who always believes in my capabilities;
5. Jess Liao, who taught me the chiness way of doing business;
6. Greg Chua, who have been my mentor at Insular life, cool guy under pressure;
7. Fr. Rey Garcia, who is a spiritual director, friend, brother;
8. Fr. Rufo Dino, who paved the way to appreciate life outside the seminary;
9. Fr. Armando Litana, who have been a spiritual director and friend when I was outside of the seminary.

May all the batchmates "fathers" bring inspiration to the ACM and VAI and the rest of the world!

PASTORAL VISIT and VAI Re-ECHO

2008-08-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

THE VISIT

The families of VAI-houston were very much privileged to have Fr. Rhey Garcia for his first pastoral visit in Texas. Not even the downpour of hurricane Dolly could dampen our spirit nor doubt Fr. Rhey’s resolved to visit Houston. (Artesian parishioners even warned him of not coming to Houston where a “category 5” hurricane was brewing)

FIRST STOP:

Right after arriving from Hobby Airport we immediately proceeded to Kris’ and Giovan’s family sponsored dinner at Jade Restaurant, a small place to dine right along Highway 6, but with a lot of surprised succulent menus that could be found only in an upscale restaurant in downtown Houston. (We had no clue that right in front of our noses lies a “real Chinese restaurant).

Although, for some of us, it was only the first meeting, yet you can very well observe the “thread” that bound us to get along fast and bond; the SVP experience. Indeed, no matter from what generation you belong, whoever were your formandi, and whether or not you reached SVS, VHS or DPH the moment you talk about Vincentian formation, the brotherhood snapped so fast that you can’t help but noticed you belong with one another.

A little while after dinner, we transferred to a coffee shop. But not long after we were seated, we were informed that the store is closing in 15 minutes. Frustrated yet not down and imploring St. Vincent’s charisma for the poor, Giovan winked at the gracious lady in the counter and asked if he could take some of the pastries for free since they are going to dump them anyway.

The charisma worked and the lady complied giving him two full small bags of cakes and pastries which we devoured on our way out.

DAY TWO
While most of them were at work, Fr. Rhey and I went to NASA. It was a weekday; hence, the usual throngs of people on weekends were absent. We didn’t even had a hard time lining for the tram tour. Unfortunately, a small torrential downpour drenched us while we were on the way to the Historic Command Center.

While seated in the public viewing center of the old Command Center (remember the Apollo XIII, “Houston, we have a problem!” experience?), we were briefed on the history and future development of NASA, how excited they are for the forthcoming launching of another space shuttle comes October, and how ecstatic they are for the “return to the moon” project. They even shared that by 2030-35, NASA could possibly land the first man on Mars.

The site of the Saturn V amazed us. How in the world can man create such an intricate web of electronics, copper, helium and others, yet flies so fast and powerful? Indeed, it was a rocket science.

Leaving our astrophysics questions behind, we opted to take pictures instead with the famous astronauts who conquered the moon and came back. Fr. Rhey in fact tried carrying the moon on his shoulder, (ala Sharon Cuneta of Pasan ko ang Daigdig).

While we enjoyed fascinating the wonders of man’s space conquest, Fr. Rhey was too delighted to savor the process of “going there and experiencing the here and now” of man’s space odyssey evident inside the NASA center.

First on our list was the Blast Off, where you were given a first hand feel of space shuttle’s lift off, (with its rumblings and shaking). Next was the history of moon’s conquest shown in cinematic concept with a real touch of the historic podium where JFK spoke at Rice University. Fr. Rhey had a chance too to touch one of the rocks of the moon flown from the space.

The top of the list was in the Kiddo’s World. (I had no idea why we stayed there the longest time). Although I tried convincing (and forcing)

Fr. Rhey to stay fast and out of that area, yet he was determined to experience all that it offered, from the weighing scales (where you can find out how much you weigh if you are in Saturn, Jupiter, etc.), balloons and weight lifting to the simulation docking of space shuttle.

I saw his undying determination in life when he was waiting for his turn to dock the imaginary space shuttle. He was trying to compete with the school age children with their parents in tow.

He can’t get himself seated in the pilot’s seat because a new kid comes right after the other with parents in tow. Even though Fr. Rhey was supposed to be the next in line, he would always comply to give way.

He was only able to dock the ship when all of the kids were done and no grown up was looking at us.

We tried going to Kemah for a boardw2alk and rides, yet the weather did not permit us.

Instead, we turned around and went back to Pearland for our dinner with Fr. Rhey’s former high school students from San Jose Iloilo, who happened to be living and working in Houston.

To be continued…

THEN and NOW...

2008-06-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

by Reynold Glenn Jaboneta

May 22, 2008, from Pangasinan after spending some time in the Hundred Islands, I journeyed up to the city of pines and the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio. By the way I was watching Boy and Kris over ABS-CBN and one of the questions they asked their guests was the summer capital of the Philippines and they answered Boracay. The child stars of Goin Bulilit were their guests that episode.

It was my first time to use the Marcos Highway on my way up to Baguio. Remember then on our way up to Baguio we took the Kennon Road.

I stayed in Villa Milagrosa. We stayed then in Villa Milagrosa for our retreat with Fr. Danny Pilario, C.M. then our formator now Assistant Provincial of the Vincentians in the Philippines. We had then our pranic healing sessions with Sr. Zenaida Gan, D.C. in Villa Milagrosa. Now Sr. Zeny is in Sagrado, a DC school in Iloilo and a staunch advocate for the use of natural energy, farming and love for Mother Earth.

Then…from the chapel of Villa Milagrosa remember the stained glass we could see and behold the Grotto of Baguio. Now, I could barely distinguish the grotto because of the numerous houses and structures surrounding the area. Now from Villa Milagrosa the SM Baguio is visible.

Then…less vehicles, less structures, and less people. Now…more vehicles, more and more structures and more and more people. Try to visit the Mines View Park now. It is literally a Divisoria, a marketplace, a commercial district. Then…at least there was a glimpse of the mine with a view and a park. Now…it has no mine…no view…no park.

Then, when Fr. Danny instructed us for the so-called desert experience, we made our way to Burnham, to the Botanical Garden, to Camp John Hay and to every nook and corner in Baguio like tourists enjoying the very cool weather and everything that Baguio could offer us. Then, we did not worry about traffic, how to get from one park to another, from one place to another. Now…what else there is to see. The pine trees you need to check whether it is made of cement. The plants and flowers of Baguio could not anymore entice my eyes. These plants are like that in an ordinary backyard of a neighbor.

There is still the walis-Baguio, the strawberry jams…these at least remind me that I am in Baguio and the very cool air. Maybe because it rained during my stay which made the weather very Baguio-like. One night, power was interrupted that at least without the heater I could shout my heart out for the water was freezing me. By the way, going back to Villa Milagrosa, I went to every corner of the house to remember the happy thoughts, the happy scenes, the happy memories, the tears, the shouting, the silence…I remember the house and I remember the feelings way back then. The dining area, the rooms, the garden, the chapel... the Villa Milagrosa during our retreat then is also today at the verge of its extinction.

Then and now…look at us…life is a constant change, indeed.

GOOD FRIDAY…PAINFUL BUT MEANINGFUL

2008-03-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

...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

2008-03-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

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.

CONFUSINGLY CALM

2008-01-17T05:26:00.000-08:00

This yahoogroup reply thing is starting to get kinda confusing, di ko na alam kung sino yung kausap ko kasi at kung sino yung kumakausap sa akin, hehe. but hey, am in touch again with my old brothers, so am not really complaining.

Anyway, who's dohep guidote, sya rin ba si jose guidote? astig din yung taong yun. hope i can get to talk to him.is atty. lanuza related to SAYTON, that's sayton's middle name kasi, just wondering. i've been in contact with sayton for years now. he's very eager to get in touch with a lot of you guys. i don't really wanna know why, hehe. but i guess he misses everybody else like i do. sabi nya nga his experience in the seminary wasn't tragic (some of you probably have an idea why am saying that, sshh!), but instead, it was a "blast", he told me. i hope he gets invited here too. just to sorta spice things up.

I also wanna get in touch with TOPOI, also one of the coolest guys back in minor seminary. he was like my volleyball idol. taught me a lot of good things too. =)also, is CARLO(s) "SONNY" SAN JUAN here? (not sure if i got his last name right) but he was in jonas, sato and jose guidote's batch. he was also one of the guys nicest to me. everybody else like SATO, SAYTON, ARTHUR JIMENEZ, BRYAN EMIL GARCIA, IAN PEREZ, JOSEPH and FRANCIS ESPELETA, etc. (all from the minor seminary) na hinahanap nung iba dito are all in my friendster. just add me, juanraphael26@ yahoo.com.

Am still waiting for GERAN BUENDIA, FRANCIS SALAZAR and MANOLITO "JUN" MICLAT to accept my invitation, if they still remember me, that is. also, may nakakaalam po ba how i can get in touch with WILSON SITCHON, JOHN ERA, JOSE MARI CARBONELL and FR. MODESTO LOPEZ? Am also looking for ELCO POLICARPIO and JOSE RENE VIDAL and JOVY STEPHEN TAMAYO (all from my batch), are they here?

Finally, thanks to everybody here for the warm welcome. this is exactly how i expected a vincentian welcome is gonna be like and more. saya! JONAS, thanks for the add. WILLY, salamat! BRYAN RAAGAS, thanks din pero nawala na mga text mo. WARREN, thanks! BOGS VARGAS, any news from our batchmates at thanks for the add din. FR. TIMOY, thanks!ingat po sa lahat.salamat ulit.

john...
(917) 394.6036"Corgito, Ergo Sum..."

BROTHERLY EXCHANGES...BROTHERLY LOVE

2008-01-16T03:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome Atty. Al !!!

Your batch> includes Bilet Joaquin and> Mel Astilla (if I remember right)! You were juniors when we were freshmen. My batch includes - Nestor Rebong, Rolly Flores, Roman Canon!!!

Great Reminiscing!!

J. G. Guillen

-----

This is really nice. Like time in a freezeframe. I remember you. If I remember right you werethe chubby one, a little dark and baby faced? I only knew you by your last name since we were not classmates.

Yes, Cirilo and Mel were classmates of mine. Also Rosauro, Elias, Adlai, Mario, Bonifacio and of courseFr. Victor Velasco. I distinctly remember Cirilo dribbling the basketball. He had a unique way of doingit but he was good. Adlai had thick glasses. Mario, Bonifacio and Mel were always talking in Visayan. Elias is now a lawyer too. He became a lawyer ahead of me and was I think a lawyer of Pantranco before.

I met Bonifacio's father, also a lawyer, when I went to LosAngeles, California in 1999. You were one of those seemingly omnipresent guys whose name seems always on everyone's lips. Guillen. Thanks for the memory. It has been such a long timethat bringing the memory back feels like a part of mylife is getting resurrected with images of the past. It is like reviving some old and faded brain cell.Great antidote for alzheimer's. We can never underestimate the power of good memories.

Thanks.

BASKETBALL..PRAYERFULL

2008-01-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome Al!

Fr. Vic Velasco was our professor way back in 1985 when we were 1st year highschool in SVS, Tandang Sora. I will never forget him because he once during class threw me out & told me to get out of the classroom. Hahaha . There’s no hard feeling. Those were the days.

You should have moved on to VHS in Angono. There seminarians were diehard fanatics of basketball. Prayer intentions such as “for Ginebra” or “for Purefoods” were said out loud during vespers aside from usual “for benefactors & friends”. Afterwards, you would see seminarians shed a tear or two and cry “deep inside” when their favorite team lost amidst the boisterous hooting & triumphant shouts of joy from the opposing team.

We played games like kids (and still do sometimes) and responded to every sound of bell calling us it’s time.

Just like you, I treasure those days of our lives, molded us to who we are now.

Truly, Benedicamus Domino, Deo Gratias!

Brian R.

----

Thank you.

During our time it was Crispa v Toyota. Jaworski v. Papa, Mariano, Cleofas. I remember we made so much noise watching a basketball game between Crispa and Toyota that Fr. Comvarros had to come and pacify us. Football was one of our favorite games. I remember Fr. Villar who had the menacing look of a pitbull giving us some lessons in the game. And when somebody absentmindedly touched the ball with his hands, he would holler out loud, BURIQUITO.

Yes, Angono Hills would have done me a lot of good. I fell in love with the place the first time I wasthere. There was a place there up the mountain where Iwanted to spend my solitary moments because it was sopeaceful and serene. But I guess I was not yet ready to go up the mountain and find my burning bush. I was not able to shed off the "child at play" in me while I was in SVS and that might have been the reason I was not able to move on to Angono Hills. NOw I know why the older guys like Trix Tria, Greg Bañaga and the rest looked stern and strict like they carried the world on their shoulders. It somehow reflected like a mirror an "inner maturity and strenght". Me, I was achild. Those were the days my friend.

The Old..the New, they are All the Same, They are One.

2008-01-16T02:55:00.000-08:00

Dear ACMers,

I must be the oldest in the group. Thanks for takingme in. Remembering those days gone by can really beinvigorating. I feel young again. I can close my eyesand remember those high school days. I cannot reallymention the names of my classmates here as they mayvalue very much their privacy. But I guess, it may be ok to mention Fr. Vic Velasco, who every recreationtime wrestled with me in a game of Chess. He was the Anatoly Karpov of our time when there was no Fischeror Kasparov to beat him.

Those were the days. I missthe games of Football and the opportunity to score on a cabeza with somebody behind me shouting BORIQUITO. I miss those times when I would hear the clapping inthe morning and the words Benidicamos Domino and wewould all chorus Deo Gratias. It was something thatliterally roused our spirits from slumber and got usready for the spiritual and academic exercises upahead. I wanted so much to move on to Angono hillswhich I found so serene and so conducive to deepcontemplation and meditation. I wonder how many mysteries I might have unravelled if I were able to reach that place.

But as fate would have it, I was not lucky enough to make it. Long Live the Vincentian spirit. Congratulations for launching this internetgroup. It has always saddened me that the Seminarywhere I lived and spent practically my days of early youth and age of puberty was no longer where I left it. It was a really nice place. There lived a community that was unique in many ways. The voices,the classroom sessions, the games we played, the morning masses, the night prayers, the late night tv on weekends, the weekend leaves, the cathechism at nearby Karuhatan, the smell of grass being mown, the fraternal meals at the refectory, the holy retreats,the weekend visits at the porteria... Some things exist only in legends... And I can only tell those who care to listen... Once upon a time...

Vincentianly yours,

New Year...New Members

2008-01-16T02:45:00.000-08:00

We welcome the new members of ACM for this year.

1. Raphael Topacio.
2. Giovan Cuchapin
3. Al Lanuza, Jr.

1. Complete name (GIOVAN P. CUCHAPIN -cuch/ giovan)
2. Year Entered (SVS School year 89-90...Batch 1993 MINOR SEMINARY)
3. 14075 Towneway Drive Sugarland, Texas 774784.
4. Cellphone (832) 858 12255.
5. Business/ Company/Profession/ Position Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston working as a Campus Minister for University of Houston and Texas Southern University website: www.uh.edu/catholic
6. Office Phone: (713) 748-25297. Birthday (8-19-1976)

Name: Alfonso D. Lanuza, Jr.Year entered St. Vincent Seminary: 1970
Home Address:10th St., Our Lady's Village, Bibincahan,Sorsogon
CityPresently residing: 369 Bagumbayan Sur, Naga CityResidence
Tel. No. (054)475-0839Mobile Phone No. 09159157900
Profession: Lawyer/Clerk of Court VI Regional TrialCourtOffice Phone: (054) 255 6569
Birthday: September 24, 1957

Thanks so much. It's nice to reminisce and maybe getin touch with classmates of long ago. Some of my former teachers included Fr. Manuel Canal,Fr. Saldaña, Fr. Comvarros, Fr. Mariano Silva, Fr.Prado, and Fr. Robles. My favorite retreat master wasFr. Cavanah. I belong to the class of Fr. Vic Velasco,who always beat me in the game of chess.Evangelizare Pauperibus Misit Me.

Enteng-Houston Christmas Party

2008-01-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

The much anticapated 2007 Christmas Party finally happened last Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Giovan's Home in Katy, TX. The synchronization of our schedule was the culprit why this was too late of a celebration.

On the brighter side, though, this was a lot better considering the fact that December is normally a month of so many parties, moving it a month after gives our bodies respite from too much fat intake and little exercise.

In attendance were, Kris, Cathy and Tom; Alex, Jaz, Zach and Coco; Stanley and Lalaine; and our host-family, of course, Giovan, Jackie, Gian, Bea and Joseph.

Although that was a pot luck, yet Giovan and Jackie took the brunt of much of the food preparation...including the "post accommodation".

This is the 2nd gathering of Enteng - Houston, and will certainly not be the last. We were excited to hear that Stanley and Lalaine were coming. The first time was the barbeque and basketball at Kris' home.

In between the "gulps" of wine and spirit were stories of family living, esp. of family sleeping. Unlike in the seminary, where we were afforded too much privacy and comfront, now these little kids are the ones usurping our little space in bed. Sometimes kicking us in the face, tummy and all over. That no matter how you diligently positioned their feet away from you, they'll end up in your face anyway.

We all agreed upon ourselves that no matter how you tell them to go and sleep on their beds, they'll crawl back and end up on your bed the following morning.

The party was fun even though we missed Kris' much promised sushi. In between the stories of seminary bloopers and "famous characters", we were honored how great we are to be together again. This time, venturing into a different but equally awesome vocation, but with the same radical message coming from Vincent...our idol.

Our next pit stop, though with no sched yet, will certainly be at the Lakes of Savannah. We'll be glad if you could join us.

N.B.

If you are planning to come to the Houston area, give us a call anytime and we would be glad to see you.

We're looking forward this year for the visit of Fr. John Era and Rory, remember her? I don't know about you, but Giovan and Kris were too excited and can't wait, when they confirmed that Rory is coming.

YEAR-ENDER...REJOINDER

2008-01-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

It was certainly one of the peculiar years for us migrants. Counting the year’s blessings and curses is not on the top of my “to do list” at the end of each year. However, I could give an exception.

The first quarter of 2007 shaped our family’s focus of the year. Feeling the heat of the two kids, I have to stop working and Jaz has to pick up additional load from Altercare. After 2 years of understanding the culture of weather in Ohio, last Spring was a moment where we really got the real meaning of rebirth. It was something that we looked forward to, and Summer was the most anticipated one.

Right after Coco’s baptism, we drove all the way to Washington for our Spring vacation. We joined Bernie and Malou in going to the DC. The plan was to go to Niagara, but the icy lake has not started to thaw yet, hence we decided to visit the Baltimore Aquarium instead. That was our first real out the state drive. It scared the hell out of me, especially when we traveled through the PA turnpike, which was not very welcoming to drivers like me.

Summer was fun too. Right after Memorial Day, we went back to Philadephia, for MM’s baptism. It was a 6 hour drive from Ohio. To maximize the trip, we indulged ourselves to the blooming paradise of Longwood Gardens. (We nearly lost our video camera, thanks to the crew of the garden, we never had a hard time finding it back.)

At this time of year also, Coco and Zach started to show peculiar characteristics of growing up. Zach exhibited his linguistic prowess by calling milk, MILK; instead of manamanami. Coco on the other hand showed how fond he is with food and books.

In the middle of Summer, we were tossed into a situation were we have to decide whether to uproot ourselves from the confines of Ohio to the ranger’s life in Texas. It was not though a question of leaving or not, but of when. Hence, at the end of July, most of our things were already in Houston, except us.

Fall of 2007 proved to be something that I will always remember. Lolo Ente, after a long battle of old age illness, passed away. He was the last to go among my grandparents. I would always remember him as a meek husband to our strong willed Lola Consing. He was the most resilient one though. All my life, I had only witnessed him got angry once to me. It was when I “mistakenly fish-hooked” one of his chickens. ( I was then too tired from eating gulay and bagoong balayan.) He was a man of one word, and I will tell you, dare not to wait for the second one.

We barely noticed how this year ended. We were too busy fixing our new shack…and partying. The last four months of the year was all for “situating” ourselves trying to be real Texans. We have to introduce ourselves to the Freeways and Malls and to the whole Texans’ culture (roads and traffics here are very much different from Ohio). I found out that some of the drivers were not too courteous while driving. You really have to watch out.

Christmas season here was different. It was not always silent night. There was a lot of partying. We capped the year with a party in Rommel and Jean’s house with some of the folks from Roxas. Although we missed the BOOM and the BANG of Bocaue firecrackers, yet the ending was the same. It was a BLAST!

We have a lot to look forward to this year. Among which is Zach’s awakening, when is he going to start going to the potty chair...for real ? And of course, Coco, when is he going to start dieting.

Right now, we can only hope for the best of the rest of this year. I would always believe that all of our new year’s ritual for better health and wealth will have no meaning unless it points to the welfare of others…other than us.

We can only look forward to.

POST (SVP) FIESTA

2007-10-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

While our Philippine counterparts celebrated with great pomp and prizes the feast of SVP, we, those based in Houston, “sweatly” remembered the feast with barbeque and basketball brawl. We were joined by our wives and equally exciting kids (who smeared Kris’ sofa with chocolate jelo) at the home of Kris and Cathy in Missouri City. We were blessed to have Giovan and Jackie's family.

While our wives prepared dinner, we excitedly went to play basketball. I was personally worried because I have not written yet my last will. I had not played in more than two years and my body was objecting to my sudden sports endeavor. Ravaged by diabetes, high cholesterol and baldness pressure, I knew my body was not in sync .

Thanks to our years of meditation exercise/training. It helped a lot. What the body couldn’t accomplish, the mind can get it with a breeze. The first game was an excuse. “We had not had a game in forever.” The second one was hard to swallow. I was thinking more of the barbeque than the basketball. And the third? It was a murder. Even with all the huffs and puffs and prayers, still we lost. I was so sorry for Kris’ untiring effort and Giovan’s gigantic heart. Our excuse? We are too old for them.

My consolation though was, for the last 3 years that I’ve been here, this was the first time I was able to celebrate SVP’s feast with other alumni.

What do you expect from us but to vent our anger to the smokey barbeque and slimy spaghetti, washed with Corona light. That night, we not only had fun, we had family.

Next time, you’d better come Stanley A. for we really need a center.

ACM OPENS THE SANTUARIO ACTIVITIES

2007-10-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City Philippines - The Alumni of the Congregation of the Mission (ACM) opened the Santuario fiesta actvities by holding its Annual Grand Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly last September 22 at the De Paul House, Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City. This year's theme was focused on its vision, "developing and nurturing a welcoming community... "

Arnold "Arquintz" Quintana of SVS batch 1985-1989 registered first around 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday despite of the continuous rain. New and old timer ACMers took the opportunity to catch up and update themselves of what's goin on with their lives. While some the ACM kids were entertained by clowns, magicians at the kiddie room, and overflowing of sorbetes ice cream.

Around 5:00 pm, the ACMs held its Annual General Assembly at the conference room. Those who present were: Ian, Vernon, Ives, Gerry, Arnold, Dino, Leo, Jord, Auch, Jun, Ambet, Efren, Bogs, Teody, Alex, Red, Marvin, Bong, Billy, Jung, and Jeff. The President presented the Vision and Mission, the Objectives, Strategies, and Activities set and implemented by the Officers. And grouped them together for the workshop on What should ACM STOP, START, and CONTINUE doing? The proposed intiatives would be evaluated by the officers and update the members on the approved plans. They concluded the meetin with the ACM HYMN, "San Vincente Pag-asa ng Dukha".

By 6:00pm, the ACMs and their families heard the Thanksgiving Mass with Fr. Roland Tuazon, C.M. and Fr. Dario Pacheco, C.M., as the main celebrant and co-celebrant. New timer Arnold Quintana and Ian Perez of SVS batch 1985-1989, shared their experiences after they left the seminary and expectations on the ACMs. Mrs. Cecile Guevarra gave her testimony as the wife of an ACMer, Ambet Guevarra. Fr. Roland gave a snapshot of the Continuing Formation Program for the ACM through his homily, which formally launched the "Kapatiran". The ACM kids offered the ACM profile, Kapatiran brochure, and General Assembly output.

Right after the Mass, they had buffet dinner at the lobby of De Paul house. While waiting for the main performer of the night, Leo Gellor drew the raffle for the candies and announced the ten early birds and "dekada" award (80's won the most number of ACMs). Emcees Marvin Javier and Gerry Guillen entertained the audiences with their wits and impromtu humor. The ACMs, families and friends, CMs, and Theologians jammed the night with the "Enteng" band old and new generations (Fr. Poloi, Fr. Kiko, Atty Billy, Jun, Jung, Pisat, Paul, Allan, Ian) in their songs of the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000. Raffle draw winners were: Jef Baquiran (1st prize DVD next base); Gerry Guillen's family (2nd prize Overnight stay at Fontana with free food and beverage stubs); and Dino Eloriaga (3rd prize 2 in-1clock with picture frame).

The ACMs thanked their sponsor Strategic Events, ThinkStrategic Inc, Abacus Securities, Shakeys, UnionBank, Warren Apostol, Valenton & Valenton Law Offices, Fr. Ed. Jocson, Sogo Hotel, and Radio Mindanao Network.

Letter of Thanks

2007-10-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks had been very tough for Noel M. and his family. We were blessed to be informed by Norman R. about his health condition. In an instant, a barrage of prayers from Angono to Amsterdan stormed heaven. Below is Noel's letter to Consul Ronell, after he got out from the hospital

Bro. Ronell,

Maraming salamat sa prayers, I can truly count on the prayer network of the Vincentian alumni and priests. There were certainly times when I thought it could get worst. I am now back at work and on the road to recovery. Again, Thank you! You are manifestation of God’s loving care.

Noel

ILO-ILO ACM FELLOWSHIP

2007-10-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

by Reynold Glenn Jaboneta

October 10, 2007...All roads lead to Rome...Villa Sagrado. This is the city of love...Iloilo and we are graced by the presence of Mr. Efren "Bogs" Dancel. His visit and stay in Iloilo paved the way for the so-called ACM fellowship.

Present were Fr. Danilo M. Failadona, C.M., Acting Rector of De Paul College, Fr. Thursisius P. Gonesto, C.M., Chaplain:De Paul College, Ariel Bendo, professor: St. Paul University, Arman Forbes, professor:Colegio de San Jose, Felix Sareno and Steve Laster of Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, and Reynold Glenn S. Jaboneta, De Paul College.

Candle light dinner...bouquet of roses as centerpiece. ..students from Sagrado who according to the introduction of Felix were winners in various bar tending and bottle juggling competitions showcased their skills before us.

Bogs answered questions regarding the ACM like the mission-vision of this group. He shared with us too what activities the ACM were doing in the past up to the present. He suggested a similar activities we need to do as members of ACM based in Iloilo.

Stories like Ariel and Al Rey in violation of No Jaywalking in Lawton Adamson days and made to come up the stage somewhere in Lawton with a note on a loud speaker not to imitate the example of the two. The Enteng Band...success stories...good news...bits and pieces of seminary life.

It was also my night. Imagine Sharon Cuneta and Cherie Gil with the dialogue and then getting wet because somebody needs to pour water into somebody's face. I went through the night with a lighter version. When the waiter was serving drinks he literally got me soaked into liters of ice tea. It was Felix Sareno's or Bogs' version. The people in-charge was so kind enough and sensitive to keep me dry. As they say, the show must go on, so the nite went through. Everytime a dish or a drink was served I stayed away from the table to avoid another dramatic moment.

The night was magical, romantic(Propesor Tuko has Romeo and Juliet. I was made to dress like Juliet that special night). But last night it was my night after more than ten years of not seeing Romeo.

The night was made historic because for the first time we were made aware of our roots as Vincentians in a fellowship such as this.

It was a Wednesday but in the spirit of Tuesday Conferences.

HAPPY FEAST DAY!

2007-10-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

Dear ACM,

Happy Feast day to all! I had a share of lunch withexsem Glen J and with Frs Danny Fai,Thurs, and BrotherJoey here at De Paul College today. They the famous"Winnie Roast Party" where everyone is roasting fortheir lunch with so many fun games and exciting bi-ikto catch and eventually to be roasted by the group whowon the bi-ik catching contest.I missed the fun during the Reunion last Sept 22..again in behalf of my family I would like to thankeveryone for helping us during the operation of my son"Claude Wayne S. Fuentivilla" at PHC. Surely ourbeloved "Noynoy" is beaming with pride in heaven thathe was a son of a Vincentian father. Comes November13, 2007 is his ist yr death anniversary.Mabuhay kayong lahat mga kapatid!

Rey M. FuentivillaACM Iloilo

DEATH BECOMES US

2007-09-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing that is hard for a family to confront with, it is death. Easy for us to say, “we’ll pray for you and your family”, but for the family who experienced the sudden departure of a love one it is always difficult to accept it.

However, life must go on. And it is always uplifting to realize how your friends care about you and your family.

This week we pray for the family of Joel Jallores. Their father passed away almost two weeks ago. And Joel, in his short message said, “thank you for the prayers. Maasahan talaga kayong lahat.”

This week is kind of critical to our family too. Our paternal grandfather is very ill and based on the last text my mother sent me, he is does not want to eat anymore. All he need is water.

Eversince Lola passed away almost ten years ago, Lolo’s health and well being started to deteriorate. We are praying now what is best for him.

But in every death, there is a story, if not stories, of life. We are abundant because of those who died for us. Death becomes us.

EVER...AFTER

2007-06-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

In every love story, everybody wants an ever after. But that is not always the case for most of us. No matter how excited we were about the plot, we’ll never know the ending once the twist comes in. So, its either we are frustrated, drained, aghast, angry, elated, euphoric, ecstatic, or contented. But, in any case, we want an ending. Audience roars in anger when the screen just went blank at the end (just like the Soprano’s). They don’t want to be kept hanging.

Just this week, we fully learned of our friends’ love story ending. It was rather tragic. What we thought from the start was very much opposite to its ending.

For how can you not aspire for an ever after when you look at the past? Theirs was a modern classic story. They have lived up to the true meaning of “tatawirin ko ang limang ilog, Makita ka lamang.” It was a love story traversing seas from Sorsogon to Sigma, burning mileage of gas and candles. It was a roller coaster love story of texting, fixed line calls, emails and IM. Not counting the midnight dreams and daydreaming exhaustion. Nor don’t forget the sneaking and lies from Mayor and Doctors just to gaze one’s own beloved. Don’t mind the bills, its all part of the thrill.

At the beginning, they have withered the doomsayers, attackers, fought hard for their hearts and really work hard to make love happen but in the end everything falters.

Imagine how their friends reacted, the “See, I told you so!” “I knew it from the beginning; he is not serious about it,” (as if they knew the future, yet they can not predict their own love story).

Imagine the hatred, the pain, the tears and furry of anger.

Imagine the questions, “was there a third party, a fourth?”

Imagine the beautiful love story crumbles into pieces.

Who is to blame? We often ask. I don’t even know. Right now, all that is left is anger and sadness

In the world where we often look for stability, permanency, exactness, equilibrium, how can you reconcile breaking up?

If there is one thing that this sadness taught us, it is transcending anger, hatred, failure, heartbrokenness and death.

But no matter how painful our experience maybe, I bet you, we will continue to love more in the future. We are an evolving human person. And we evolve in and through love.

That is always our EVER…AFTER

COUPONS AND MORE COUPONS

2007-06-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Jesus saves and so do I. I mean, I save some money (not soul).

With only one of us working and with the ever increasing costs of groceries and gas, you really have to find a way to save.

Thanks to the Sunday newspaper we can save a couple of bucks. You only have to be diligent in cutting and keeping them (even segregating them by department; home and beauty, laundry, food and toiletries). At first, I was ashamed to bring the coupon with me during shopping. Its demeaning and pooralizing (if you know what I mean). But when I found out how much I can save, all those insecurities vanished. Glad I can help, even a little.

One key to saving is to align our needs to what we have. Most of the products are basically the same in their categories. Salsa tastes salsa whether that is from Sams or any Mexican brand. Condensed mushroom soup tastes the same whether that is from Campbell or Great Value. Get the brand that you can save most (but with quality).

Another area where we save a lot is by shopping at Giant Eagle. This grocery store gives back 10c off in gasoline per gallon for every $50.00 you purchase. Now there are some items that are of the same price in Wal-Mart and Giant eagle or any other grocery store. Point of case is Enfamil. Wal-Mart price is 23. 89, so as Giant Eagle. So why buy Enfamil in Wal-Mart if I can get a 10c from Giant Eagle? Steaks and other meat products seem to be fresher in Giant Eagle for the same price in Wal-Mart. So why bother going to Wal-Mart?

Indeed, here you have to be creative and resourceful. Yes, you can earn easily here and you can purchase almost anything you want but if you don’t watch out you’ll end up buried in credit card debt.

Save if you can and it is not embarrassing to bring coupons while shopping.

RISE UP....CLEVELAND!!!!!

2007-06-07T15:52:00.001-07:00

There is so much hype and hope going on in Northeast Ohio these days. Right after the Cavs beat the most favored Detroit during the last Eastern Conference Finals most of us are hopeful here. The hype is amazing too. People are talking about how LeBron put the Cleveland on the sports map again. For more than 30 years Cleveland has been a source of joke in all sports world. The Browns is dismal, the Indians can’t get their touch and it seems the Cavs during the season was off.

But not after a turn around during the middle of the conference, all we have was an amazing performance of the Cavs. And of course, LeBron.

Have you seen if not tivoed the Game 5 where LeBron single-handedly beat the Detroit? That was real and we are still re-living it.

Definitely, LeBron made us believe again that with great resolve everything can be overcome. WE ARE WITNESSES.

Tonight over chicken wings, pizza and cold beer I will definitely shout! RISE UP CLEVELAND, GO CAVS!!!

ANNUAL RECOLLECTION

2007-05-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Dear ACM,

On behalf of the ACM officers and organizers, again we would like to thank all those who have joined us physically and spiritually last May 26. Attached are the pictures for your viewing.

You can view more photos and powerpoint slides of the "Journey of Life: Ang Kwento ng Buhay Discerning the Way of Vincent in Our Life's Journey as Vincentian Alumni from our egroup site.

By the way, we would like to invite you in advance for our the next session of our Continuing Education Program (CP) which would be held on July. The topic is about The Community of Dear Friends: "Barkadahan" .

Have a great day!

Efren "Bogs" Dancel (Padua)
UnionBank of the Philippines
+63917-88-11473 (14-Jan-73)

BELOW ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT

... a reading from the letter of ..

(Said Annual Recollection was held on Saturday, May 26, from 2pm to 7pm, at the SVST, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Fr. Roland Tuazon CM was the recollection master)

ACM BADMINTON PICTURES AND RESULTS

2007-05-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the ACM officers, we would like to thank all who participated in the 1st ACM Badminton Family Challenge held last May 19 at Don Antonio Sports Center, Commonwealth Quezon City.

Congratulations to all the winners and runner-ups:

MIXED DOUBLES

Champion: Bogart and Ces Garan

Runner-up: Jef and Dang Baquiran

MENS DOUBLES

Champion: Bogart Garan and Gerry Perdido

Runner up: Sonny Carlos and Bogs Dancel

You can view more of the highlights at http://ph.groups. yahoo.com/ group/ACMPhil/ photos

BOGS DANCEL

FIRST ACM BADMINTON INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

2007-05-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Dear ACMs,

We enjoin you to either come and visit or partcipate in the 1st ACM Badminton Family Challenge. Here are the details for your references:Date: May 19, 2007, Saturday, 10am to 4pm

Place: Don Antonio Sports CenterRegistration
Fee: P500 (for court, food and prizes, etc) Trophy and Medals and raffle prizes awaits the participants!As of 15 May 2007,

The following have confirmed their participation:

MENS DOUBLES

1. Robert Garan and Gerry Perdido
2. Levi Pura and Ral Rocha
3. Alwyn Cruz and Jeffrey Baquiran
4. Sonny Carlos and Efren Dancel
5. Teody del Mundo and Leo Gellor
6. Gerry Guillen and Meng Javier
7. Rey Fuentivilla and Val Jovero (tentative)

MIXED DOUBLES

1. Jeff and Dang
2. Sonny and Maribeth
3. Efren and Sheila
4. Meng and Reynita
5. Leo and Aby Ramos
6. Atty. Jord and Jen

You can either register through our egroup or text me 0917-88-11473 or during the date itself.

Thanks and have a great day!

BOGS DANCEL

NANNYNOLOGY

2007-05-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

We all had nannies, in one way or the other. Poor or privileged we were “nannied”, either by our neighbor or relative. I had Manay Fe, Yaya Toyang, Yaya Letty and “Erlinda.

In the Philippines, having a nanny is a must and is cool. A family can not function well when a nanny is not around. Kids can’t go to school, Mommy and Daddy can’t work and the house would be in chaos. Sad to say, but nanny puts the house in order.

Mothers scour them from all over the country enticing them with the benefit of money and travels. Defending on your budget, they come in many forms. But mostly, the rookies come from the provinces, and fresh from (high) school. They either were sent by their parents or want to escape the harshness of the rural life and would like to see a different world perceived with fallacious promises of prosperity. But they all have in common. Dream and daringness. Even if their salary is very low and sometimes the quarters’ condition are harsher than their home, they would take the job hoping that everything will change for the better.

In the same way that there are stories of employer’s nanny-maltreatments, there are stories too of nanny-crimes. You can find it more from the cities. Hence, one is advised not to get one from the nanny-agency and get one from the province (but often times that is not always a guarantee).

Families are blessed if their nannies are their relatives. The fear of your child being maltreated is lower and the trust is higher. You feel your house is secure and the values that your child may get are not far from the values you want to impart to him/her. You can leave the house in peace and can focus on your job without worrying so much of what is happening inside your house while you are gone.

Why do I write about this? Well, I am a Daddy-Nanny. We have two kids, 2 yrs. and 7 months respectively. It’s my job to be the nanny whenever Jaz is at work. And it drives me loco. Aside from changing channels and diapers, I have to tidy and clean the house, which is not so fun, do the laundry every Friday morning, cook, do the mailing, and baby sit. (While Jaz is working, make no mistake about it.)

What’s my point? Well, sometimes nannying drives you crazy, even if they are your children. No mater how hard I put the house in order; Zach would come out with new and different tricks of messing around. That no matter how many prescription drugs you take for your diabetes and high blood pressure, you will find yourself low in sugar but high in impatience. Nanny’s job is not an easy job as others may have understood.

Nanny’s job should be a high paying job. It is a multi-skilled career. If there is somebody who should have taught us to be a multi-tasker, it would be the nanny. They are the teacher-psychologist-chef-interior decorator-linguist-archeologist-dentist rolled into one, always on call. It is a very tough job that is why nobody stayed until retirement age, most of them opt for early retirement.

Yet they don’t cash in a lot of money, why, because according to us, they are less educated, no college degree, nor have not gone to graduate school. But with the effort they put on their work, they deserve more.

Now compare this: "In the recent study here in the US for stay at home mom. The website surveyed 40,000 moms and found that performing 10 typical job functions -like housekeeper, van driver, and psychologist -- would equate to an annual salary of $138,095. "

Hence, let us give them decent salary just like those working in the offices or factories, treat them well, and give them their days off. As much as possible, don’t let them stay in your house where they are at your mercy for 24/7.

Go on, give your nannies movie passes and even free coupons to your favorite spa.

CHECKLIST FOR 2007 by Glenn Jaboneta

2007-01-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

LAST PART OF THE SERIES

On the virtue of MORTIFICATION. The Scripture reads, “Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life destroys it, and whoever despises his life in this world keeps it for everlasting life. Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now my soul is in distress. Shall I say Father, save me from this hour? But, I have come to this hour to face all this, Father glorify your name!” (Jn. 12: 24-28)

The practice of mortification is not only for the religious. In whatever state of life we find ourselves immersed into the practice of this particular virtue remains significant. Let me offer some ways. Let us start with the story of dying.

Mobile phones nowadays, are part of life. The most sophisticated, very expensive and up-to-date mobile phones are in the hands of religious men and women and to us to me former seminarians. I could still remember the words of Fr. Jesus Martinez, C.M. in one of his Spiritual Direction sessions with the seminarians. In his perspective, material possessions could be considered basura. He was talking about cars then, branded body pieces and some items considered luxurious by the standards of seminary life. There were no mobile phones yet at that time. I do not know if Fr. Martinez would call it basura. But I feel the point is in serving Christ there is a call for sacrifice.

Towards the end of 2006, I received a call from Jessric. The center of our conversation was on the aspect of sacrifice. He is a father now and he is planning to go out of the country not for himself but for his family.

Rey F. he belongs to the batch of Christian B. and Nonoy M. to name a few. When I met him here in school he told me that his son who is too young to suffer needs a heart operation. I am updated about the things being done to his son. He went to Manila for the operation and the son was admitted at the Philippine Heart Center. November 14, 2006, I received a text message from Loiue Placido. I quote, “Claude Wayne passed away. He is now with God. Pls. pray for Rey F. and family.” I am certain like any other father if he could be the one to endure the pain not the son. Sana ako na lang.

I feel this is mortification strictly speaking. Rustom Padilla was given the question when he revealed that he is gay if he is sexually active. We can also look at mortification in this way. But I feel we need also to celebrate and wonderfully accept who we are in the context of authentic friendships. At the same time condemning the act of sexual abuses committed against people especially because that is not the way to celebrate sexuality.

The guide questions:

Am I willing to die to myself?
Am I willing at times to forget about my needs and sacrifice for others?
Do I at times do things for others in a begrudging manner?

Finally, the APOSTOLIC ZEAL. Matthew’s image of this zeal has something to do with salt. Matthew is saying, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.” (Mt.5: 13)

The following questions could help us.

Am I enthusiastic in my apostolic work?
Do I inspire hope in others and for others?
Am I showing signs of burn out and indifference in my dealings with others?
Do I truly see the poor as my “Lords” and “Masters”, treating them like objectives, as stepping stones to my “own greater honor and glory?

This zeal is true in whatever calling we are in. As religious it is essential, we preach with passion, we listen to people from the heart and live vows no matter how challenging it is.

In marriage, it is like saying “may asim pa” when it comes to sleeping and waking up with the same person the rest of our lives. We need to put zeal in the covenant of love we forge with the beloved.

What is so blessed about being single? Just like me. It is the zeal one puts to it. Now that I am literally staying in De Paul College last novena masses popularly known as the Simbang Gabi in one of the masses I attended the celebrant said I am 47 years old and was ordained priest last year. Fr. Danny after his break in Manila told me a certain Elioraga a classmate of Fr. Roland Tuason is now back. It is the zeal one puts to live life as a religious or being single but with a heart full of smiles.

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to Bogs, to Alex and all those who remain steadfast in their generosity. Thank you so much. God bless you a hundredfold.

Happy New Year to all and Happy Feast Day!

CHECKLIST FOR 2007 by Glenn Jaboneta

2007-01-22T06:08:00.000-08:00

PART II

Second, SIMPLICITY. St. Luke 18: 15-17 is saying “They brought children to Jesus to have him touch them; but then the disciples rebuked these people. So Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

If you are a father, your children can teach you the same lesson. They are your guides to the kingdom of God. It is a kingdom for children. We need also to analyze and evaluate how we treat them because maybe at the end we are the ones making their lives complex.

The simplicity of life as lived by a child.

Here are the guide questions.

Is my heart only for God?
Am I transparent, sincere in my dealings with others?
Do I seek the truth or do I sometimes hide the truth so that my real nature will not be known?

When I was in the seminary there was this song, “Hiding inside Myself” which I liked. From my point of view now I was hiding inside myself because I was hiding from pain, from rejection. I had fear of being tagged as homosexual. I was then maybe hiding and would love the term effeminate than homosexual. There were a lot of acceptance with effeminacy and a lot of rejection from homosexuality. I tried and did well in the practice of celibacy and chastity. (LIAR!) But it was true. Since I was out of formation the real essence of celibacy and chastity were challenged. I had my days. But above all I am very thankful that in my shell I was able to come out wonderfully but painful. But pain will always be part of the process. There is still that fear of rejection even at this moment, but the unconditional love of people around me particularly with whom I encountered true friendships are assurances enough that in life to be hurt means growth.

We now reflect on the virtue of MEEKNESS. Part of the gospel of St. Matthew is saying, “Come to me, all of you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me that I am GENTLE and HUMBLE of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden light.” (Mt. 11: 25-30)

A short life of St. Vincent de Paul by Luigi Mezzadri, C.M. translated by Thomas Davitt, C.M. is revealing on meekness as lived by Vincent. It is saying, “He also learnt the lesson of gentleness, a virtue which does not come naturally to him. When he saw this virtue in Francis de Sales he could not help reflecting: “How good you must be, my God, if Francis de Sales, your creature, is so gentle and lovable.”

There is still a term which rings in my mind as I recalled back experiences in VHS. Are you familiar with the term “BUGA?” Binugahan ako…Binugahan ko siya…Translated it would mean that is being mean, arrogant. The person is simply mataray without basis at all. There are some people who are mataray, but with timing and logical. I feel the opposite of this reality was the struggle of Vincent and St. Francis de Sales showed him the way to meekness.

We too are invited to encounter God as a gentle God. I am certain we shall draw more people to God through our gentleness. I remember a line in the Liturgy of the Hours which says, “Turn our hearts of stone, into natural hearts.” Maybe, this is gentleness.

The guide questions for us to ponder.

Am I gentle in my dealings with others or am I aggressive and offensive?
Am I approachable or do I shut the door of my heart to others?
Am I truly compassionate, able to suffer with others?

ROXAS CITY, RECONQUERED

2007-01-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

The day after docking at the “City of Dreams” (Iloilo), we, the new batch (some said the “anointed ones”), with ambivalent feelings of fear and excitement, set ourselves for Roxas City.

Thanks to Fr. Benney Enano, his pawis-steering BIDA and to the all-muscled Toto and Francis, we reached St. Anthony College whole and unscathed. Though our dorm was still not prepared because of our late advice of arrival, Sr. Glo, was able to fix the place in the span of 10 minutes.

It was when we were lying on bed for our siesta that we fully realized that we have indeed have arrived in Roxas City and that we have a new and different life. If for the last few weeks, coming here was just a dream, now it is a reality. Everybody hoped though that there would be no “nightmares.”

On June 26, as part of PIS Director’s job, Fr. Johnny paid us a visit to find out not only our pressing concerns but also to lay down some rules concerning our stay. Since we are very much far from the rest of our batch mates, he emphasized greater responsibility and personal discipline.

According to him, in his watch there are some negotiable and non-negotiable principles that most of us must observe in order for the program to work on us.

NOTE: This article is an excerpt from MONTANIETTOS, the journal of PIS seminarians assigned at St. Anthony College, Roxas City. I am posting it in honor of my batch mates and on the occasion of the closing of the PIS program this coming March 2007.

BUCKEYES, GATORS AND AMERICAN CULTURE

2007-01-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

The predictions were simply wrong… and painful. All the time, Ohio State was expected to win the BCS Championship but they fell short and lose sloppily. Florida Gators, the underdog, proved to be more agile, and hungrier for the title.

I have never understood American Football. How could fans came in the stadium with painted faces, wearing their team’s color and enjoy such the game of running and power? I have never understood it until now. Until I saw Gators slowly slaughtering my Buckeyes. It was unbelievable and I could not take it. By the time the first half ended, it was a 34-14 in favor of Gators. It was then that I shut off the TV and never wanted to watch it again. But even on bed, I can’t help but think of their defeat.

I would normally get a Tuesday newspaper, but this time, I opted not to. But who can escape from it. Hence, I resolved to see what happened. Indeed, the Gators won and we lost, 41 – 14. Although the Ohio coach and Troy Smith put up a face, yet the fact is, Gators won, and there is no doubt about it. They are now the no. 1 in college football this year.

But like a good fan, I say, see you next year. And God willing, we could get the most coveted BCS Championship trophy.

Understanding American Football, is understanding the American psyche. Understanding football is understanding the culture of the community. If you can’t dig it, then you will never dig the American psyche. And for me, well, I am slowly digging it.

But in the end, I say, GO BUCKEYES GO!

CHECKLIST FOR 2007 By Reynold Glenn Jaboneta, acm'88

2007-01-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

PART ONE

We welcome 2007 will hearts full of hope and may the year give all of us meaningful journey and significant encounters and deep friendships.

Kris Aquino and James Yap are making the headlines nowadays for the birth of their child this 2007. This will be the lucky year for them according to the experts on stars, yin and yang and all. In the Philippines it is the news.

On the other hand is the debate on the custody of the American soldier Daniel Smith, the May 2007 elections. We can be carried away by all these and miss out the essentials. After all, Exupery is saying what is essential is invisible to the eye.

This is the essential this 2007. This is about the VINCENTIAN VIRTUES PERSONAL CHECKLIST by Rev. Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M. He is currently the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. This February he will come to visit De Paul College and all the other Vincentian houses.

The personal checklist will make sense in our journey patterned after St. Vincent de Paul, as we embark into another story about life.

We start with HUMILITY. The Scriptural text is taken from the gospel of St. Luke 18: 9-14. This is the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector. “Two people went up to the Temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and said: I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give the tenth of all my income to the Temple.”

In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Let us see the movements of these characters. Both of them WENT UP to the temple to PRAY. Maybe it is like the journey from the house of Mang Garas or Mang Tony up to VHS to celebrate the Eucharist on a Sunday. In life we all journey uphill or in whatever terrain and lived a way of life on how to approach God, encounter God.

The Pharisee STOOD BY HIMSELF and SAID…I THANK YOU…I AM NOT like other people…or even like this tax collector. I FAST…I GIVE…the tenth of all MY INCOME.

What about the tax collector? STANDING FAR OFF, NOT EVEN LIFT HIS EYES, BEAT his breast...BE MERCIFUL TO ME, A SINNER.

The Pharisee is full of himself. I thank you, I am not like. I fast. I give.. My income. It was a litany of “I”. On the other hand the tax collector standing far off beat his breast. Be merciful to me, a sinner. This is what humble people do.

We can ask these questions as suggested by Fr. Gay. All the guide questions are taken from the checklist.

1. Do I recognize my dignity as a son/daughter of God, having the humility to see the gifts God has given me and do I use those gifts for His glory or for my own vanity?

2. Am I able to recognize my own limits, my weaknesses, my shortcomings, my failings before others?

3. Am I able to forgive others and ask forgiveness for my offenses?

hElLo bOgSie!

2006-11-06T00:20:00.001-08:00

Bogs: black out dto nagyon metro manila bec of d typhoon milenyo. lakas ng hangin kanina and suspended work and classes. abt u?
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: yap, I have been monitoring the storm, I think bikol is heavily dmaged. right now? am watching fr. gesties story. i was already up since 4 this morning, the 2 kids were quite fussy.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: i hope geran and lei are okay, we're quite anxious about them since we know that lei is supposed to give birth on october and not this month.
Bogs: ow. is that the one portrayed by bayani agbayani? its his first serious portrayal. send reply re-geran. btw, levi is here in mla for series of seminars til sat.
Bogs: CS siya parekoy. wasn't able to visit her in d hospital. but she's ok naman accdg to geran.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: yap, thats the one. are you going out? I saw the pics of the reunion, that was cool. i hope next year the group will grow and some of those who were there during its conception will come back.
Bogs: what do u mean going out? out of country? hopefully yes by next yr for a vacation, f everything turn out right with my job. have lots of things on hand. I share the same sentiments with u abt d ACM, just doing things to encourage others to see the benefits of being an ACM. I had d chance to tok to levi during d extended fellowship at "pork barrel" at congressional re- sentiments of neil, geran n odr batchmates. well he said, they stil have negative perception abt d org. brought up also the idea to regionalize the fellowship with the help of CM community as base ofc of ACM. ill bring the proposal during the planning conference on nov at cavite . what do u think?
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: just give us a ring when you are coming here. well, the neg percpt is always there (jst as dino expriencd b4). i thnk the group should focus to a next level of coming together, concrete and where everybody can relate. Try introducing the poor again. I like golf and badminton, but others may feel uncomfortable about it. Regionalization is oky but, i think that is too early.

Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: but of course, you can't control that, if that is what they want. it will create competition, which in both ways are good and bad.
Bogs: btw, had d chance to chat with fr benny last night during d fiesta celebration at svst. he is at ateneo rt now for "renewal course". sign off na ko. have a great day! and keep on writing in r blogspot. hopefully jong lomibao can write also.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: ok, yap, i will try. jim has opened a new blogspot. regards to the group.
Bogs: noted. I've already asked fr. rodge to list down all CM outreach program so an ACM can "volunteer" either as group or as an individual here in manila or in d provinces. last year during the annual recollection, vernon brought up d soup kitchen thing bt was deferred hopefully will push tru by dec or nxt yr. I guess regionalization is a long shot but its worth starting the foundation with the CM as their outreach program also.
Bogs is using a different version of AT&T Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Certain features may be unavailable.

Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: i know this org will succed for there are persistent people like you. it is not short with talents and ideas, so as idealism. I know what hinders most its propel to greatness is our lack of time and finances, both can be overcome though.

Bogs: parekoy di pa ako makatulog, as u were saying kanina it wil create competition among ACM f were going to regionalize it. well I think with d help of CM guidance, ACM vision and mission, and concrete plans on how to achieve it WE CAN avoid such things. I still believe that with experiences we've undergone for the past years we're able to overcome some of our hang ups in life which could lead to some level of maturity to work for a common ground.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: yap, ACM should set guidelines how to create regional chaptes and their work is always sanctioned and recognized. it is also good to regionalize for some can' t attend the grand reunions and we have a lot of seminarians in the provinces (Cebu, Iloilo and Bikol). with regionalization, all are bound by one common work and mission, that is the mission of ACM, everybody is doing the same. it is a big task, but worth taking.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: And ACM should elect or appoint a head that coordinates all the chapters. this should not be left alone to the President, for he has a lot of other things to do. ACM should focus also on raisng funds, not just coming from mandatory collection but from some other ways. Donors are good, but there is a donor fatigue.Now that you are in the finance sector, you could probably devise a plan to raise fund.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: one thing that I have noticed here in the US , they are very good in raising funds. From garage sale to silent auction and many more. but they are very good too in documenting/showing off their work. People tend to give more if they can see where theire money went.
Bogs: very well said, I'm optimistic that with the new sets of board namely: jef, dino, ambet, emoy, leo, me, forgot the other one. will have the time and look for ways and means to improve the ACM. kaw? how's work? heard saila s a manager in a water company? was applying nga for a swimming pool cleaner sa bahay nya he!he! any communications with her or jeje?
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: I think we are not short of that talent, we have a very bright future.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: I met saila last june when we went to florida , yap she is doing fine and you could apply as a pool cleaner, ala desperate housewife style baga. Jeje is enjoyng her baby and Claude wants to hav a new baby also.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: Jeje was very anxiuos also about what happened to lei.
Bogs: yah I know its a very tall order for us but with teamwork among the players with the support of the CM everythings is possible just like old times but with a level of maturity. gladly majority of those who attended the general assembly approved the membership fee of P100 a year. and its a challenge for the officers to collect and surface the benefits of being an ACM. like an accident insurance, hospitalization, discounts in adamson, newsletter, identification cards, website acces, job placement program and the like.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: bogs, i have asked jeff if he has a metrobank account. i could share some amount instantly. I'm sorry its not in the union bank) do you know somebody? where do you hold office, in Makati or in Alabang?
Bogs: i agree with u on d coordinator. I believe donors experience fatigue if they can't appreciate the direct benefits to them. and there are 2 types of it 1 is d ACM per se and 2 "FRIENDSTER" of ACM. for ACM benefits is subjective and 2 friendster, they should see where their money is going - primarily its objective. have shared some of the fund raising activities for ACM in my previous message. while for friendster, I guess we're now ready to hold tournament on a larger scale for the benefit of CM outreach programs which will now include regionalization of ACM. other funding can be sourced from ACM works eg emoys work and ians drawing. we can publish a book and sell it for the benefit of acm. hopefully we can open the acct already by next week to facilitate membership dues and donations coming in from abroad.
Bogs: yeah you're right garage sale - we can use the proceeds to sustain the organization n donate it to CM apostolate area.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: yap, you are right, people give if it has a direct effect on them. paintings and emoys work are good. Publishign a book is a good one too. Essays of seminairans or any title that is catchy is a sale.Y not agressively campaign on that. Many will submit for sure. All you need is an editor. Christian balis is there, Ronell can give comments, Noli can lay out a good cover, we can shell out its publication. Go for it.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: For a starter, you could ask a focus group on what is the best book to be sold or that is saleable, you have access to marketing strategy,then do it.
Bogs: I'm happy that we can still throw our ideas though we are miles a part. was just thinking of the times we lied down in the middle of downhill road of VHS wishfully thinking of the future. was not so sure f that was before or after revalida with felix or levi. well time happens so fast that u couldn't imagine that we've missed something else.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: the newsleter is one way of generating funds. I will send you an example on how the catholic parishes here use the newsletter in generating funds thru advertisement. Another thing is the mainstream newspaper. I don't know there but here newspapers are very generous to allocate 20 or 30 complimentary copies to parishes which in turn the parished sold to the parishiorers but the sale goes to them (not to the newspaper)
Bogs: great! you're keeping in touch with them. best regards, with hugs and kisses when u see sai, je, n claude again.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: perhaps you can check that out with ferdie maglalang, I think they are publshing more than what they are selling, why not ask it from them. anyway that is tax deductible to them, now since ACM is already incorporated, you can issue reciepts (to the newspaper/publisher) for their own tax deduction
Bogs: ow! u can tell her lei is doing ok accdg to geran.
Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: I am very fascinated of the enterprenueralship of the Americans. there is a store here called, "ONce upon a child.", a store where you can sell your baby stuff, not anymore being used in a very low price, then resold it to higher price but can be bought by the middle class or poor. I think there are a lot of these stuff from people living in Dasmarinas and Alabang. This is a big idea, but if ACM has the capital and resources, perhaps in the future, business like this can be considered.
Bogs: no problem! unionbank or metro, wats gud abt it is ur generosity to share ur blessings. well, hopefully we can also open a dollar acct for remittances abroad. but its d opening requirement is quite high. but will surely open one anytime next year. I'll c wat r d procedures n fees involved if ull deposit from metro to unionbank acct. my ofc is at ortigas pasig city where unionbank head office is located.

Alexander Franklin Joseph Enano: we are a little bit tight today, but i can share, i still have some amount in metrobank in Manila , the reason why I asked Jeff. I don't pay fees in metrobank for I do it online, in a minute, the money is already there, so please ask them and give me the accnt number.
Bogs: will take up my ideas and plans during the planning conference by nov. na-inspire lang ako magshare sa iyo about my vision. favor can u save a copy of our messages - and email it to me personally. want to see it again after a year and find out what we've accomplished. can do it kasing m using a wap tru celfon.
Bogs: that's a gud idea! thanks for tips, wil surely take note of it

THE BEATITUDES AT ITS BEST

2006-10-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

The horrible event last week in Lancaster, Pennsylvania shocked the nation and once again brought to great notice how safe America for children. The violence in the school was so ironically brought right in the doorstep of the most peaceful loving community in America, the Amish. As soon as the stories of the images of the massacre started coming into the homes of Americans, they have rightly comprehended how shocking it was.

While the newspapers and televisions ran different lines about the story, some were wondering how the community would be able to handle the aftermath of the tragedy. Others doubted Amish’s ability to handle such grief. For how would the pacifist Amish handle such encroachment from the outside world?

While most of us were angered and wondered, the Amish showed us how to handle it. Of course there were tears and show of grief. But most of all there was a loud silence. A deafening silence of hatred and violence. Instead there was the abundance of forgiveness and mercy.

The grandfather of one of the girls who was murdered said “We must not think evil of this man.”
According to the news, the Amish have reached out to Roberts' family and an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.
And it was reported that out of the more than 75 person that went to Robert’s Funeral, more than half of it were Amish.

It is said that forgiveness is woven into the very life of the Amish; and is more than just a gesture.

Last week was the Beatitudes at its best. And it was real.

Honestly, I could have handled it differently. Or we could have handled it differently.

Blessed are the meek.

Blessed are the merciful and...

Blessed are the Amish who showed us how to be peacemakers.

PIS GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING- HULING TAGAY

2006-10-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

by Reynold Glenn Jaboneta

Bro. Joey C. Enriquez, C.M. professed brother of the Congregation of the Mission told me recently of the plan to close the Pre-Internal Seminary in Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City. Bro. Joey is currently assigned here in De Paul College as Finance Director.

He attended one of the meetings for the programs and plans to be carried out for the closure. He told me of the plan for a grand reunion of all those seminarians who had lived and experienced formation in the PIS. The reunion is set next year by March. I will keep you posted of the details.

I am informing all those people who were once made PIS their home. It is because this early you can already make your arrangements and travel to Iloilo for the grand reunion. This means asking permission from your superiors and all vis-à-vis your work. I am told of the plan to invite your former students to attend the reunion.

De Paul College will be one of the venues for the said gathering.

See you guys on that day.

In our batch, we have Jim, Enca, Bonz, Alex, Bay, Levi, Noli, Dupet, Fr. Vhoung, I hope this list is complete.

Our former formators too will be present. In our case Fr. Johnny.

COCO'S COMING

2006-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

From nine months to nine days… or less. That’s the amount of time we have to wait before Coco comes. Except for anything that is out of our hand, everything is ready. Two weeks ago we have “remodeled” the other room to suit his coming. Zach and I transferred to another shack and made a room for ourselves. The crib and all its bling-bling was set, newborn diapers purchased, baby clothes and colognes readied, cleaned and installed the infant seat to Sienna. Sitting beside Coco’s backpack are our separates bags, ready to be grabbed once Jaz breaks her water bag.

But still the anxiety remains there. Who has not experienced this? Coco’s coming maybe is Jaz’s second but he is not just like popping out like hen’s egg. It entails a lot of “ one, two, three push and breath, and push and breath and pray”. Unlike giving birth in Bulacao, where one can’t see the graphic symbolism of contraction in the monitor, here, it is very different. Although the technology reveals to you what is going on, yet sometimes it adds to the horror of giving birth. Good if the monitor shows the wave-like graphics of contraction, but that is only the beginning. Once the monitor shows the sharp edged-electric-like graphics that is the sign for you to be serious. Although we have attended a child birth class last time, yet in the end, Jaz ended up asking for the most sought after pain killer “epidural”.

So, anything can happen and we would only pray for the best. (We even checked the probability of Coco’s sex after one of my co-worker told me the story of her friend’s baby whom they thought to be a boy [as what the ultrasound said] but came out as a baby girl). To be honest, all we got for now is a name for a baby boy, Xandrei. We only hope that the ultrasound is right.

Far from home, with only the two of us, here we are again venturing into the life of addition. But as the saying goes, “you have do what you gonna do.”

What can you do? Pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

Mang Romy: The Barber

2006-09-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

by Emiliano Dumalaog

There was no one who could strike fear in the hearts of minor seminarians more than the sight of Mang Romy peddling his bike to his usual spot by the garage. You would be amazed by the lengths the seminarians went through to escape the scissors of Mang Romy.

Mang Romy had the unenviable task of cutting the hair of minor seminarians. Although we had reasons to doubt his aesthetics sense, there was no questionning his efficiency in the way he performed his job. He could finish a cut in two or three minutes (except for the ocassional cuts from his razor, we survived the ordeal remarkably unscathed). As I recall those days of youthful innocence, how I wish i could enjoy once again the simple pleasures like a haircut even if it is from Mang Romy.

flickrphoto: http://www.flickr.com/people/jimenezarthur

Salamat, Fr. Monty!

2006-09-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

ni Emiliano Dumalaog

Hindi ko na matandaan kung anu-ano ang mga pinagusapan namin noon ni Fr. Montanana. Nasa 4th year ako ng minor seminary sa Tandang Sora kung saan namalagi si Fr. Monty (palayaw ni Fr. Leandro Montanana) pagkatapos mag-retiro bilang Presidente ng Adamson University. Nakaugalian na ni Fr. Monty na maglakad-lakad pagkatapos maghapunan at kadalasan sinasamahan namin siya sa kanyang paglalakad. Nalilibang siya sa aming " un poquito" na kaalaman sa wikang kastila at namamangha siya sa aming bihasang pagsasalita ng Ingles ( siyempre, may journalistic license ako mag-embellish the truth. Kuwento ko ito,eh!)

Naging mahalaga para sa akin ang ala-ala ni Fr. Monty kasi kahit malaki ang agwat namin sa kaalaman at karanasan, ni minsan hindi niya binalewala ang aking opinyon o minaliit ang aking kaalaman.Naging bukas siya sa aming pananaw.

Fr. Monty, salamat sa magagandang ala-ala!

THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF HUGGIES AND OTHER DIAPERS

2006-08-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

For married couples, the clashing of parental authorities always occurs in any dimension of married life, sometimes in the most unexpected realm. But you would not always surrender your wounded ego until you have seen how stupid have you become by holding on to your resolved of untested belief. My story happened on our way back to Ohio from Florida.

Minutes from boarding our last plane from Charlotte when Jaz “suggested” to me of changing Zach’s diaper. Feeling tired from running after Zach, who felt ecstatic in riding the airport’s walkalator (we probably made 5 trips), I reasoned out the shortness of flight in declining Jaz’s “suggestion” (it will take us only 45 minutes to reach Canton, Ohio).

The boarding was very on time and we were able to settle on our seats minutes after boarding. Zach was very silent and enjoyed the sight of passengers boarding the plane. Soon the plane slowly taxiing the tarmac and I was very excited to rest while waiting from the flight attendant’s water and peanuts (and you say this is America), Then all of a sudden the Captain broke the silence with his chilling news, “we will not be able to take off for the next 45 minutes.” “There goes my rest”, I told myself, while looking for Zach’s wandering eyes.

As I was praying that Zach would not take advantage of the very sensitive situation, there he was starting to look for something that would entertain him.

When you are a parent, you should be “very creative” to device a tool (any tool) of entertainment. And so we thought. We started from showing him the clouds’ formation (span of attention – 40 seconds), other planes taking off (2 minutes), fire truck (1 minute), window shutting up and down (30 seconds), singing Elmo ( 2 minutes) videocam (5 minutes). Thanks that before I started making myself funny in front of Zach, the plane started to move forward again and with God’s grace, took off. We were relieved.

However, 20 minutes after take off, Zach started “complaining” again. We tried deciphering his “concern” but we were not lucky. Soon he stared wailing, and soon after the passengers around us were giving us the stares and smiles of “could you make him shut”. Not long after, the bitch old lady in seat no. 2 started looking back at us in a very consistent and timely manner.

Although we took turns of cuddling him, yet Zach would not stop. Jaz “suggested” me to stand up and walk with Zach on the plane. I was on my way to stand up (Zach was with me), when Zach threw up, all over my right shoulder and in my seat. Fortunately, Jaz was fast enough to clean the “mess” and doused the “ohhss and ahhhsss” of the passengers near us.

I immediately walked out of our seat and went to the flight attendant’s quarter where I was able to walk Zach a little and got a little breather. But he continued to whine and cry.

Soon Jaz started reminding me of her diaper’s suggestion while we were still in the lounge. Amenable as I was, yet my arms are tied this time, I can’t go the restroom, (the way was blocked by the flight attendant who was still distributing “refreshments). Feeling helpless and tired (from the stares of the passengers), I went back to my seat, held Zach firmly and changed his diaper right then and there. Seconds after, Zach stopped crying, asked for his milk (which he doesn’t want to drink a while ago), and doused off.

For the next minutes, I was very relieved. Jaz was brimming with smile, as if telling me, “I told you so!” Point taken.

Communications sometimes are so subtle but the after effect is so huge. Listen even if you don’t want to. Little did I realize that Zach’s comfort would be our comfort too!

Bro. Estelito Leva, CM: Isang Institusyon sa Paglilingkod

2006-08-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

ni Emiliano Dumalaog

Matanda na si Bro. Leva. Gumagamit na siya ng tungkod sa paglalakad. Kahit sa katandaan ay patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtupad ng kanyang tungkulin bilang isang Vincentian Lay Brother, ang tungkuling maglingkod. Hindi siya kumuha ng MBA o nagpakadalubhasa sa Pilosopiya o Theolohiya, pero taglay niya ang pinakamahalagang kaalaman na natututunan ng tao sa kanyang pagsasaliksik ng karunungan: ang takot sa Diyos. "Mapapalad ang mga mapagkamababang-loob at ang may takot sa Diyos sapagkat sa kanila ang kaharian ng Diyos."

Bro. Leva, salamat po sa aral at halimbawa mo.

(photos by Efren Dancel)

Charting My Career

2006-08-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

From: Officemate
Date: 8/17/06 7:56 am

stay humble, be faithful, offer hope, work diligently, fight fairly, live simply, love deeply, give generously. then, say: "TANG INA, KAYA KO BA 'TO?"

I've just signed my performance appraisal report this week, which marked my 3rd permanent job. After 13 years of working, from a real estate broker, stockbroker and mutual fund mgt backroom employee, sales staff to corporate account executive, and finally branch network manager. If I would prepare a line graph with my career ladder, I can imagine starting at the point between x and y axis, slowly moving up in the learning curve to point b from 1993 to 1997; then I experienced a steep decline from 1997 to 2001; after consolidating at the bottom I built the confidence to relate to people, developed my knowledge, talent and skills, which spiked the line graph to point c from 2001 to 2006; and now maintaining that equilibrium to reach point d. You may want to stop for a while, get a pen, think where you are now, ask, "how long have I've been working?"; "what was my last job when ended up where I'm now?" I assure you you will have fun charting it!

Well, just also this week, I had the chance to peek the office of the president and chairman of our company. Wow! they have different taste of design, modern minimalist and the other one mix of old and modern. Pardon me, because I don't know the lingo of architects. What strucked me most was the charts posted in a pannel board of the president's office. If you are fun of charts, the line can easily show you where have you been and direction you are going. The most tedious part in the prep is the source, more particularly the accurateness of data. I said to myself, I will also do the same thing with my workplace. You know what? It motivated me to do my pending jobs one at a time. Try doing it with your monthly expenses and it will surely will you cut your costs. But of course, the guarantee lies in your hand not mine.

I really like to finish this topic and share some of my experiences, but of my best friend from Davao have just texted me and asking me what time would I meet the "Barbarians" and other gimik places to go here in Manila. So, don't worry this is just a part of a series of sharing. I hope you learn something out of my insights. Thank God It's Friday (TGIF)!

(flickr photo: http://www.flickr.com/people/jimenezarthur/)

Al Novelero: Isang Paggunita

2006-08-17T21:46:00.001-07:00

ni Emiliano Dumalaog

Nasa huling taon kami ng minor seminary noon. Ka-klase ko si Al Novelero. Katulad ng nakagawian taun-taon, nagkaroon ng try-out para sa bakanteng slot sa varsity team sa basketball. Kasama na ako sa Varsity team noon at isa si Al sa nag-tryout. Si Al ay medyo may kabagalan , katabaan at hindi naman kataasan, mga katangian para sa iba ay limitasyon pero hindi para sa kanya. Sa try-out, ipinakita niya ang ibang klaseng sipag at determinasyon. Ngunit para sa isang laro na kung saan ang taas at bilis ay napakahalaga, kapansin-pansin ang kanyang mga pagkukulang.

Dahil sa pagpili noon ay ginagawa ng mga natitirang varsity players , pinilit kong maisama si Al sa team. Sinabi ko sa mga teammates ko kung gaano kahalaga kay Al ang maging miyembro ng varsity dahil huling taon na niya noon sa St. Vincent's, samantala ang iba naman ay may pagkakataon pa sa susunod. Pumayag naman ang mga teammates ko dahil karamihan sa kanila ay ka-klase rin ni Al. Ang saya-saya ni Al nang malaman niyang kasama siya sa Varsity team. Hindi niya akalain na mapipili siya. Natupad ang isa sa mga simple niyang pangarap.

Naging maigsi ang buhay ni Al dahil nasawi siya sa isang aksidente noong taon ring iyun. Pero lagi siyang mananatiling buhay sa ala-ala ko.

(flickr photo: http://www.flickr.com/people/jimenezarthur/ )

THANKS TO ALL "FATHERS"

2006-06-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

Last week, June 18, we celebrated Father's day. One my best friend texted me about a Father. He is:

1% funny
2% sweet
3% caring
4% loving
90% Babaero

We'll maybe a lot of our batchmates who are now fathers (father of a family, fathered a child, or a father of the Church) have also received different kinds of messages recognizing their hardwork, patience, and accomplishments. You all need a one hell of a special day. Hopefully will have siblings' day? Paging GMA.

I went to EDSA Shangrila last week to have my pants tapered and have my shoes fix. While inside the mall, I went on a window shopping in the shoe stores. I noticed that most of the dads were the "king" that day. The wife and kids followed their daddy from one shoe store to the other. In one store that I happened to dropped by, a man, who is in his mid 40 to 50s, immediately grabbed the casual shoes that I've just returned from its display, and requested the salesperson, "size 10 nga". I overheard the wife said to his husband, "Hon, bagay sa iyo yan". "Oo nga dad", sip-sip naman ng kids. There were 2 things I asked myself: (1) is my taste gearing towards that of a father or the father just want to be a groovy father?; (2) are the wife and kids telling the truth or were they just impatient with shopping thing?

Speaking of a groovy father, last Monday I went to Cebu with my colleague for an official business. He was in his 40 to 50s, dresarsed very cool in his short sleeves polo shirt, Marks and Spencer's Harbour brand, jeans, and black casual shoes. At night, he sported a colored t-shirt and jeans. It really fits his looks and personality. But what is likeable about this dad was his pride for the achievement of his son, who is a Wesleyan University scholar. We had the chance to browse the schools virtual tour through my laptop and free wi-fi, courtesy of the hotel where we're staying. I was amazed that we can view his son's regular schedule from bio-researcher student, musician, accapela artist, and in-charge of orienting new students. Wow! what a versatile child. Like father, like son! We too have experienced the same traits or skills of our fathers have or have developed it for better.

I was planning to write a tribute to my dad before Father's day because of the article I read from Youngblood in the Inquirer about her "tribute to her Nanay". Similar to Alex's article. However, I really don't know where to start, because I have never seen my biological father. I guess I'm thankful for giving me life in this world as well as that of my step brother and sisters. We had our chance to see each other face to face when I was in grade school but I guess I was not ready at that time. I have lots of biases in my mind because of the stories I've heard with my mom and nanay (yaya). Stories like, he was a great liar because he already had a family when he met my mom; would always hurt my mom whenever they quarrelled; never provided me with milk; threatened cab drivers to give him money or else their car would be impounded and many other negative stories that you could imagine. I never saw him until he passed away last February 1986. Will I despise him now for what he did? I believe NO. Because God is so good that He gave me the opportunity to heal my wounded past while inside the seminary. I forgave him for all the things he did to me and I look forward to meeting and embracing him after my earthly mission is done. While there is pain, there are no regrets in my heart whenever I think of him because I have a Father in heaven who provides and takes care of me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following persons who have given me a "father image" in their own little way:
1. Reynaldo Padua, my step dad and who lent his surname for me from pre-school to college;
2. Joaquin Tan, who brought out the anger within me;
3. Fr. Modesto Lopez, who have been my highschool father and shaped my values in life;
4. Jess Dawisan, my uncle who always believes in my capabilities;
5. Jess Liao, who taught me the chiness way of doing business;
6. Greg Chua, who have been my mentor at Insular life, cool guy under pressure;
7. Fr. Rey Garcia, who is a spiritual director, friend, brother;
8. Fr. Rufo Dino, who paved the way to appreciate life outside the seminary;
9. Fr. Armando Litana, who have been a spiritual director and friend when I was outside of the seminary.

May all the batchmates "fathers" bring inspiration to the ACM and VAI and the rest of the world!

(flickr photo: http://www.flickr.com/people/jimenezarthur/)

ANGONO MOTHERS: A Tribute to the Mothers of Angon (VHS)

2006-05-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is maybe a late recognition. But heck, there was no blog then.

Your Angono philosophical sojourn is incomplete if you have not met and been nurtured by Angono Mothers.

For sure, nobody can forget Ate Goyie. She would slowly trek the hills of Hail Mary just to give blessings. She has a peculiar way of taking care of one. Unfortunately, we were not able to enjoy much of her company because of age gap. But, you should not miss when she invites you to Angono Fiesta.

Others have known and been close to Ate Nene Tolentino, especially the batch of Fr. Kiko and Andoy. There was even a story that Andoy was sent by her to a dermatologist for fear that his pimples will ruin his face if untreated.

And who can forget Ate Pina (technically and biologically, she may not be a mother). Devoid of the physical and cultural substance to be called a mother, yet he was essentially a mother not only to Gundo, Lourdes, Tess and Tina, but to some of us also. Untiringly, she sewed for our sotana.

The closest Angono mother to me was Ate Minyang. She was brought to us through the Patrician talks, but she stayed in our memory even until her death. Although supposed to pre-occupy herself to Mang Beloy, Abel and her daughter, yet she extended herself not only to VHS but to the parish of St. Clement.

She is dear to me. She stood as my foster parent during my graduation in college. Brimming with smile, she was there beside me, marching and having a great time. I still have our picture.

There were still other mothers that came along during our last year in Angono. Ate Lerma and Mommy were there, so as Judge, so as the mother of Che, (nice bai, remember your bday?)

When we came to De Paul, we were blessed to have Tess, Susan and of course, Aling Flor.

I know there were others, the point is: mothers are always there with us.

Happy Mother's Day then!

(Oppss, I never included here, the daughters who became mothers, because of some of us)

PIS PICS

2006-04-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

We all have glorious moments of seminary life. Moments that we forever cherished. Experiences that we proudly kept in our memories. Ecstatic poses of life encapsulated in glossy "kodak" pictures (long before the advent of digital camera).

We were the 3rd batch of the PIS (Pre-Internal Seminary). The blessed batch, I should say. If some seminarians feared Fr. Johnny's "negotiable and non-negotiable" principles, we lived by it. It gave us more freedom and responsibility to be outselves. It showed us the true Fr. Johnny...and we were blessed to experience that.

Last March, during my short visit, I gathered some of the pictures of our journey in the PIS with Fr. Johnny. I revisited Iloilo and found three of my classmates seriously immersed in the Ilongo way of life; Felix Sareno is the current Director for Student Affairs, Glen Jaboneta and Fr. Danny Failadona were very much involved in the revitalizaton of De Paul College.

Below are some pics of our batch...some of our glorious moments.

On the way to Bacolod with Fr. Benny Enano

At the Bacolod Cathedral

The Hike to the 7th Falls

This is it!

Tatagal ka ba? (Sabi ng bato)

Brrrr..., lamiiig!

Ano pa ang mahihiling mo!!

Fr. Johnny, let us build our tents here!

Ang ligaya ng dasal

At ang lasa ng almusal (ano kaya ang niluto ni Sister?)

Pagdaong sa Cebu (ano ginagawa mo dito Archie?)

At paglutang sa laot (di ka ba lulutang sa laki ng tyan mo?) Felix, hinga naman jan.

Samahang walang kupas. Wala munang personalan, sa susunod na session naman.

Sinong makakalimot sa puso' at inihaw na manok (pauwi na sa Iloilo, sa loob ng Trans-Asia)

At pusoy dos, balato naman jan Noli G.

Ang 'alang pakialam na si Bro. Bong (ngayon ay Fr. Vhoung na)

The Montaniettos sa Roxas City (gusto naman namin karne, puro na lang sugpo at alimango)

Sa Montanietta - ang aming Mt. Sinai. (Salamat sa dalaw Bro. Jim)

That is all, see you next time.

PAGPUPUGAY SA BATINGAW - BATCH 1993

2006-03-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

I was given the rare privilege of joining two batches in college. On 1992, after a short medical rest in Bicol, I was given the go signal of Fr. Diño and company to join the batch of Bons. Short bonding as it may for some of us (most of them left after graduation) but our friendships remains today as strong as before.

Below is our journey chronicled in pictures.

LABATIBA - washing day nina Bogs, Bong, Rico, Lxs at Danny.

Value of the Month Preparation (4th year dorm) - Felix, Brian, Lxs, Egay, Chops (ba?), Totep at anong ginagawa mo dyan Mr. Vidal, balik ka nga dun sa kwarto ni Glen?. Totep, baloon ba yang nabili mo o C----m? Kaw talaga, pasimuno ka talaga jan ng pagka-u----n mo.

Liga ng Katotohanan (Sportsmanship Oath) 4th year-2nd sem - Simula ng liga sa hapon (masaya kami dahil amin lahat ng basketball courts, nasa Adamson ang mga magugulo). Nasaan na ba ngayon si Bons at Enca?

The best of the bud.

"Jessric, basketball to, 'ndi pelota."

Senior Retreat - Baguio with Fr. Danny P, Sr. Em at ibpa

"Ba't ba siksikan kayo jan kay hermanita? Nsan na nga ba ngayon si Hermanita?"

Kahit saan, kahit kelan, pag-andun si Mang Maning, parating BAGYO yan. "Dasal naman dyan para sa amin Mang Maning."

PASYALAN NA!!!- Mine's View Park (Dito pa lang alam mo nang lalabas na si Rico)

Bagay kay Glen (parang sanay na sya magsuot nito, opps no offense meant pls.)

Enca: "You can lean on me Noli, as much as you want."

PMA - Katulad din 'to ng seminaryo, masalimuot, may pagkakapatiran at dapat ikaw'y palaban.

Ferdie A. at Christian B - Eto ba ang sinasabi nyong, BUGA-BUGA?

Totep, please wag na magpasikat, mababalian ka lang, alam naman natin yan.

POST TRIBUNAL - Paalaman na, nasusulat sa t-shirt ni Bogs ang mga katotohanan at pambobola ng ating pagsasamahan at pagkakaibigan. Nasaan na kaya ang ilan?

Enca - Gapo (?)

Jessric - Negros (?)

Fr. Vhoung - Bundok Lagawe (dito tlaga sya nakatakda, kasi noong nsa Roxas kami, sya yong puro-LAGAW ba?).

Glen J. - De Paul College (Indespensable Asst. to the Vice Rector)

Bogs - Union Bank - Makati

Fr. Danny Fai - De Paul College (Vice Rector)

Totep - DAR - Sorsogon (Kaibigan ng mga NPA minsan)

Lxs - Dito lang, baby sitter

PANGHULI

Pasensya na sa mga kapsyon ng pictures kung ang iba ay nakasakit ng puso, ala akong intensyon na ganun. Ituring nu na lang na ito ay isang FREEDOM BOARD, medyo moderno nga lang at alam nu kung sino ang may gawa.

Buti pa kayo anjan sa reunion, samantalang ako, makikibasa na lang sa email nu at makikibalita sa text na padala nu.

Sana next time anjan na din ako o kami ng pamilya ko.

PAGPUPUGAY SA BATINGAW - BATCH 1992 (?)

2006-03-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

All of us have images of our Angono days. And everybody captured his own favorite and kept it in his heart. To reminisce the moment/s and to recapture the glorious old days I am posting some pictures of "the way we were."

Sa Kwarto ni Jim (Fr. John, Guts, Delfs, Lxs, Jim, Ian and Fr. Dennis)

2nd yr - After the play (si emoy, a.ka, joey marquez)

With Ms. Santos (Sanaysay at Sining) - After the Play

2nd Year - Sa Veranda, bago magmisa. "Nasan na ba ngayon si Bok-bok?"

3rd yr. - Bday ni Fr. Danny Pilario - True Orange Commercial (Delfs, Rowen and Lxs)

Para kay Ide (as timoy would put it)

GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING

2006-02-06T00:28:00.000-08:00

“BATINGAW”… bell na parekoy para sa PINOY BIG BROTHER Vincentian edition (A Grand Alumni Homecoming) on March 25-26 at the Vincentian Hills Seminary (overnight stay) and St. Vincent Seminary. No Eviction! O ano? Register na at 9394361; 9268063; 4537457. Look for Ms. Bilog Bautista or Bro. Rowen Carlos.

BIRTHDAY BOGS

2006-01-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOGS (SA JANUARY 14), INUMAN NA!!!!, PERO ANTAYIN MO KO, PAG-UWI KO NA PARA NAMAN MAKIKILASING AKO SA INYO.

2005-12-28T22:55:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!! SANA DUMAMI PA ANG LAHI MO.

2005-12-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT, SA MGA ANAK AT APO NI SAN VICENTE!!!

Pasko, Paksiw, Pasko, Paksiw

2005-12-12T04:23:00.000-08:00

On this side of the globe, neither PASKO nor PAKSIW exists. They have Christmas Trees, Lights, decors and other stuff alright.. all these external manifestations add to the christmassy feeling.. all for the love of western culture. I wonder if people here suffer from indigestion due to the fact that they would devour anything that comes in a western package... Ecce commercialism!!

Don't be surprised if your Christmas decors all come from here.. With the snow and stuff, one can feel the season without having to shred and shake Perla soap until it foams.

Well, the challenge remains.. How to let the students go deeper into the real meaning of this season.. The job will surely be easier since the externals point to the reality that Christmas is indeed a season to reckon with. Christmas Tree? Holiday Tree? anyone..

PASKO at ANGONO

2005-12-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

by Glen Jaboneta

"There were shepherds camping in the countryside, keeping watch over the flocks by night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the glory of the Lord shining around them. As they were terrified, the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid: I am here to give you Good News, great joy for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you in David's town; he is the Messiah and the Lord. Let this be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Just then the angel was surrounded by more angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth for God is blessing humankind."(Luke 2:8-14)

Vincentian Hills Seminary in Angono in my time was a countryside. There was one Christmas I remembered so well in the Hill. Inside the room of Fr.Rivere were goods. Good souls, to celebrate Christmas donated the goods for us to distribute to the people. People then would mean the ones who celebrated the season without anything-without the gifts, apples to bite, cakes to slice, wines to drink. The only treasure they got was the spirit of the season.

On the 24th of that month, those of us who were in VHS that time went our way to distribute the goods. Sa mga tahanang pinagtagpi-tagping yero at plywood, sako at karton...ang tawag ay bahay. Bahay at the foot of the hill. One old woman, maybe out of surprise or too much gratitude in her heart embraced me and in tears said, "Salamat mga brod, naalala nyo na naman kami."

Maybe they were shepherds camping out of VHS. The Lukan account of the infancy is saying there were shepherds camping in the countryside. They were terrified but the Good News was given them. A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger-He is the Messiah and the Lord.

Maybe we were angels then bringing them the joy of the season. I was under formation then with a goal of a life totally dedicated to the Lord in the footsteps of Vincent de Paul. There was so much joy then. Today, if I recall the encounter Monalisa's smile is a non-entity compared to my own rendition of smile. It is because it springs from a joyful heart.

Today, the first of December and more than 20 days before the Day of Christ. I feel it is a good way to remember my one Christmas in VHS. I feel that the reality of the Good News still holds. I feel that the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger is a reality that continues to confront me.

In the context of Vincent de Paul that baby will grow up and will proclaim also a Lukan account, "I have come to liberate the prisoners...and bring good tidings to the poor. Now it is fulfilled."

What then is the season trying to say to me?

I have a model in the life lived by Vincent de Paul. Redemption comes in many ways. Vincent in his life was an angel to the tired bodies of the galley-slaves. I can be an angel to you and vice-versa. Let us be an encounter of liberation, of redemption to one another.

So that at the end, "Salamat mga brod, naalala nyo na naman kami."

Makakalimutin

2005-11-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

TRIVIA
ni Arbs Saniel

Adamson
Tanong: ano ang ipinapahid sa ilalim ng upuan ng Adamson na aksidenteng nakita ni Timoy at paulit ulit na kuwento ni Christian Balis jr? (Iyong mga pasimpleng pahid. Maliit lang siya at malambot)
*********
T Bar? Balawis?
*********
Sa batis na kung tawagin ay gripo
San Marcelino
Kapag pumunta ka sa San Marcelino
Hindi mo siya mapansin.
Ang gripo bago pumasok sa tagiliran ng simbahan.
(Maliban na lang kung ikaw ay isang brader.)
**********
Itik
Angono
May Kasabihan ang magiinum “Lintek, ang lakas uminum, parang itik!”
Sa iba kasabihan iyon sa Angono totoo. Sa Angono ka lang mamamakita ng itik na marunong mag beer at marunong makinig.
(Kung nakapunta ka ng Angono at hindi mo nakita ang itik kung sinasabi, lumapit ka lang kay Fr. Dino, hindi ka mabibigo.)
**********
Si Buldog
Angono
Naalala ko pa nong kalakasan pa ni Buldog, lahat gusto sa kanya, lahat ng brader nag uunahan. Pero kagaya ng lahat, tumatanda rin si Buldog. Hindi na siya kasing bilis ng dati. Nasa nobisyo ako noon (2000) buhay pa si buldog, hindi na siya lapitin. Mabagal na kase at masakitin. Mang Garas, nasaan na si buldog?
**********
Tandang Sora
Wala akong matandaan kung hindi ang salitang “PUSANG KANO”
Kayo ba meron?

*Salamat ulit kay Arbs.

Kwento Lang

2005-11-15T17:50:00.000-08:00

ni Arbs Saniel

last 2002 nakapasok ako sa website ng adamson university. sino ba naman ang makakalimot sa adamson kahit na hindi nakapunta sa gulod ng VHS,
saksi si mang tony sa lahat.

sino ang makakalimot, si brader magdadala ng almosal at kumain sa adamson pagkatapos ng misa. (itanong mo kay acebo at naval)

sino ang makakalimot, si brader nagsisipilyo sa likod ng simbahan, doon sa pinto papasok sa altar. (pareng robert encinas, jynty, rex fortes et al.)

sino ang makakalimot, sa falcon na hati hati ang order ng ulam para mas marami (Itanong ninyo kay alex at noli galgana.) Baka may sobrang ticket pahingi naman...diyan...

sino ang makakalimot, sa bus, nakahubad si brader, nagsisiesta. pawis na pawis
(itanong mo kay francis cruz kung ano ang baon niya araw araw sa adamson? o kaya sa NBI agent natin.)

Sino ang makakalimot ng singaw ng bus kapag pauwi na sa Angono at umuulan. sarado lahat ang bintana. (parang sardinas.)

OOOOOHHHHHHH angooonoooooo!!!!!!OOOOOOOanghonooooo....ooooooHHHHH
angonooooo....... (makakalimutan mo ba yan?)

Tuwing fiesta sa angono, sino ang makakalimot kay Christian Balis na Junior (hindi iyong tatay ha) padamihan ng nakainan. Ilan? hula hula brader? si kim jo last at doon mag kita kitz!

walang makakalimot niyan kase ang bus ng adamson doon maghihintay, kung hindi maglalakad ka pauwi sa gulod!

hindi mo makakalimutan ang angono bus at adamson (isama mo pa ang mga sisters natin doon. (itanong mo kay arvin na kaklase ni julius m.)

eto ang siste....

nakalimutan tayo ng adamson. walang alumni na philosophy. makakapamili ka from engineering to pharmacy, wala philosophy. buti pa political science meron.

tayo wala. Bakit?

*Salamat kay Arbs na pumayag i-post ang email nya sa ACMPhil. Ka-batch sya ni Naval, Acebo, Pisat... (tama ba?)

VHS Batch 1993

2005-11-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

2005-11-15T03:01:00.000-08:00

If you look closely, you can see the current workplace of one of our batchmates.. Some of us worked here during our one-year exposure..

2005-11-15T02:59:00.000-08:00

The strait... once we crossed here aboard a ferry.. during our community tour...

2005-11-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

Can you remember?... From a distance, you can see jeeps plying the CPU- VV route..

Mga Bayani sa Gulod

2005-11-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

Hindi makukumpleto ang alaala ng buhay sa Gulod kung wala ang mga taong naturingan nating STAFF o Worker... Sila, sa kanilang munting pamamaraan, ang nagpatakbo ng buhay natin sa loob ng bakuran ng VHS..

1. Mang Tony - taga-Isabela, Simple, tahimik, Tatay, drayber, asawa ni Aling Christy.. Imadyin, ang bus na ginamit nung panahon pa ni kopong-kopong, dahil sa galing nyang magmaintain, nagamit hanggang pa sa panahon natin. Twing Martes at Hwebes, Adamson days, maagang umaakyat si Mang Tony... magkakape, kakain, magpupunas ng bus. Bus at Mang Tony.. Mang Tony at bus...

2. Mang Garas - taga-Iloilo, Maskulado kabubuhat, mapagbiro... Meditation time, patakbong umakyat pasan ang malaking timba para sa kaning baboy... nagkikita kami sa kusina kasi meditation pa lang, nagkakape na ako.. Pagkatapos ng unang klase sa umaga, unahan na kay Mang Garas kasi andyan na ang fiera galing sa palengke.. Dala na ni Mang Garas ang sulat para kay brader...

3. Mang Ely - Balingkinitan, palangiti, minsan korny ang jokes.. ulirang ama.. asawa ni Aling Josie... bitbit ang plastik ng tinapay.. minsan pan de kokong super tuyo ang laman.. minsan naman cheese roll na super sarap.. o minsan mamon na di mo maintindihan kung mamon o toasted bread.. puting t-shirt at light blue at grey na pantalon ang kadalasang suot nya..

4. Mang Tino - taga-Iloilo, single, maki-manok, taga-luto at nagaalaga ng gubat.. obyus na siya ang nagsasalita dahil sa PI na ginagawang period.. kakamot.. dadahak.. naka-short, sukbit ang itak, suot ang sumbrero...

5. Mang Maning (RIP) - taga-Isabela, kapatid ni Mang Tony.. may pagka-playboy.. matangkad.. magaling magsalita... huli kong balita, sumakabilang-buhay na..

6. Mang Albert - hardinero, maopinyon, palabiro, radikal.. laging tumatagal ang pakikipagusap ko sa kanya lalo na nung may Contemporary Philo tayo kay Pads Danny..

Sila ang mga taong nagalaga at tumugon sa ating mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. Huling dalaw ko sa VHS.. Wala na karamihan sa kanila... Nakakalungkot isipin.. Dasal ko lang, sana nasa mabuti silang kalagayan... Sana malusog at masaya sila saan man sila naroroon...

BIRTHDAYS, DIRECTORY AND OTHER BLOG CONCERNS

2005-11-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

As suggested by Levi, I have tried creating our directory and list of birthdays. You may give me (magnuslex@yahoo.com)your current address and "preferred" birthday and I will post it myself. You may access it through http://acmvai.blogspot.com Please see the LINK also to access.

Please do not subscribe to any add (Google and others) for it destroys the beauty of our template.

If you want to post a blog, please give me your email address and I will send you an invite. Accept the invitation to be considered as a contributor. As you may noticed there are only four official contributors listed, Bogs, Levi, Jim and Myself. We are more than happy to welcome you in the group. Glen, Brian I am sending you an invitation, please accept it.

If you have noticed, the articles that are coming now are of excellent quality. Keep it coming and keep it on fire.

Mabalos

IKAW NA NA?

2005-11-09T06:05:00.000-08:00

Is that you? The answer to the question breeds physical description. "Nagputi kuno ko" as the commercial is saying. It is telling us to use this particular soap because it can whiten the dark tone of one's skin. It very well reminds of our memories in "gusali kang itinatag ng Diyos"-VHS.

I am certain of this Ramil Bona had "ching san tsu" for his face. I do not know who else had. Jessric had Nivea cream. Eskinol for some. Noli had this soap of natural compounds his secret for a flawless skin. He had shared some to Rico. I don't know if it had a radical effect on the skin tone of Rico out of its natural state. Safeguard had made its way to some of us. Niel Piesta had Perla. I even incidentally had used it to laundry my underwear. He had it for his face. Geran, I know had Johnson's baby shampoo the no more tears formula for his hair. The last time I met Geran he had less hair. That was in 1997. It is 2005 now. I know Bogs had good skin. Good is an understatement. Because of the animosity between us I never had the chance to unravel his ritual for good skin. What I am certain then was his signature fashion sense-Bench.

Why am I remembering all these physical attributes? By the way, Levi of Gubat, I met him recently in Iloilo. He is a better version of James Yap, the boyfriend of Kris Aquino. It is because I am now 34 years old. Old to the standards of Starstruck or Star Circle. Some of us now are fathers. Alex is one. Rico, Jessric, Joel, Lucio are fathers. Fr. Herminio Navarro,C.M. Bong then, today Vhoung. I do not know the history of the name game. On fatherhood, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, "If someone does not have a good father, he should acquire one." Maybe this is an invitation to be one so that in the end we are blessed because we become worthy of our title and responsibilities as fathers in whatever form it takes.

On the other side of the story. I met Jessric years back in Bacolod. Brian, we are through e-mail and mobile phone exhanging stories. Jim through Levi the two of us bolted in again. Geran and Alex, all my crises I shared with them. I heard Geran is getting married. I was able to call up Neil Q. and Niel P. the last time I made a trip to Manila. Felix, I met him on few occasions. Danifai is in De Paul. Totep, I learned through Levi got a scholarship grant. Jeff? Recently, I was at the funeral of the father of my classmate in highschool. That classmate of mine is now based in Baguio and married to a woman up north. Our batch on our memory sharing one night and in the middle of our conversation the wife said she is a faculty of St. Louis University. I snapped, I know someone from SLU, Jeffrey. The wife told me that Jeff is a heartrob, the "Sam of Pinoy Big Brother". What can I say? nakasama, kaibigan sa bahay ni enteng.

We are not yet in the geriatric age group. Demographers offer us the following:64-74 the young old, 75-84 middle old, 85 to 94 the old old, 95-114 years super old, 115 years to infinity the biblical old. An Inquirer columnist has this thought, "And when the physical is deficient, or past its prime, then it behooves one to develop the intangibles, qualities that time can neither wrinkle nor sag."

Jim, Levi, Vhong, Jessric,Brian,Bona,Rico, Perez Ian And Totep, Neil Q., Niel P.,Enca, Geran, Lucio,Joel, Bogs,Punk,Jeff,Danifai,Alex,Felix,Albert,Julius,James, Jay, Ryan,Ato, Jonathan, R-Jay and the other faces in my memory whose names I need to remember.

The next questions, where do you work? How much do you earn? What position do you hold?

Nick Guiritan on the 25th Special Literary Issue of Vinscientiana retorted, "Now I am still standing here with fortified soil of charity as I continue to plant that charity to others who are not in the fold wishing to get a fruitful harvest in the future."

FOOLS ON A HILL by Brian Raagas

2005-11-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Coming from a one year regency in St. Vincent Minor Seminary (I was made against my will to take a leave of absence by Fr. Rolly Santos and took 4th year high school in St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan, Bulacan), I went back to formation and VHS became my home for four years. That was in 1989 when Fra Lippo Lippi, Rick Ashley, Bryan Adams, Orchestra Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD), Milli Vanilli, Bananarama and others conquer the air waves. Of course, music radios and cassettes were allowed in VHS almost anytime and in any event during house cleaning, laundry time in wash rooms, study period (so long as it doesn’t disturb your neighbors and you use an earphone). I remember Jessric Naria, a music lover, who even at night can’t sleep without it. Parang SM department store ang dorm natin nung 3rd yr kasi 24/7 we have a radio on.

There was this “Tawag ng Kampon”, a sort of initiation for the freshmen where hell breaks loose. We were subjected to all kinds of mockery in the spirit of fun and camaraderie (sabi nila ang purpose daw ay para malaman ni fr. dino ang voicing natin). I did my version of Randy Santiago’s “At Hindi Magbabago”. “Bababaero” sana ang kakantahin ko kaso di makapa ni Nicky Borabo sa piano. There was Nonoy Magdaong who approached some of us and make “punas” of our faces of pawis as if we were singing in “That’s Entertainment”. Who could ever forget the version of Lucio Binalla’s “Yiiiisterdiiy (by the Beatles)? Or the serious version of Julius of “Take Me Out of the Dark” by Gary Valenciano?

In our first year, ang dami natin noon. During the 1st two weeks, my bed was directly below the bulletin board and my cabinet was 20 meters away from my bed. We occupied what used to be a pasillo. In our 2nd year, during the killer quake that shook Baguio, collapsed Hyatt Terrace and took the life of Bok-Bok’s brother while in transit to UP in Kennon Road, some of us were caught with our pants down and ran downstairs to the quadrangle practically with only a towel or a bath robe on. I can’t exactly remember who. It may be Levi Pura or Bogs Dancel (Padua pa sya noon) who was answering call of nature sitting on the throne while the event took place. The seriousness of the calamity never occurred to me instantly because I remember that night during nationwide blackout, Levi was running away from me. I was trying to kiss him. Talagang ayaw magpa-kiss ni Levi kasi ang layo ng natakbo namin. From our dormitory sa 3rd floor nakarating kami sa corridor ng rooms ng mga 3rd years. We were making noise with our running and stamping feet while the people were hooting us to stop.

(To be continued)

CELEBRATING ANGONO

2005-11-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

Orientation Year, that was the year I was formally introduced to the vein of seminary life. Alex as far as my memory serves me well was present when we were asked to showcase our talents on that special night of entertainment. I did a rendition of "My Way" the master of ceremony stopped me because my body shook and could barely sing. I got sick after that. I feel I need to remember the song because on many instances "My Way" struck a fatal blow to all those who missed the right tune and notes. I feel to remember that moment is a gesture of humility. The belief is a seminarian is a good singer. Thanks to Fr. Dino... music everyday. I made it as part of the choir Base 1 in fact on that great celebration of "Tahanan ng Diyos, Tahanan ng Dukha" 25th year. Lucio San Pedro the national artist for music was present on that day and we had the rendition under his baton.That day must be recorded in the history of our national artist. When that day shall come our names will be written in the pages of history.

First year in Adamson University...Our sleeping quarters was separated by study tables and was arranged alphabetically as per space, bed and to some creative minds an addition of plants to beautify the space alloted us. In our row I was near the comfort room in fact just outside of the comfort room. Our group included Raul Encarnacion, Ryan from Cebu, then a vacant bed, Julius Gonzales and my own space. Since I was new with the group,them coming from the St. Vincent's Seminary in Tandang Sora so I asked who will occupy the vacant bed. The answer I got was James Fajardo.Up to this time no one can equal James.

I know some of us went to Bicol for a summer mission. But the year after that I joined the mission in Payatas. I remember a Vincentian brother who was with us who died in Payatas in the service of the poor. I cannot recall his name. Philippine Daily Inquirer had a beautiful piece about him written by one of its columnists. John Era, Fr. Gestie, Clod, Greg the Korean and a D.C. sister composed our team.

Angono fiesta...Alrey Estillore would bring me to the houses of his adoring fans. Later, I remember watching a film with Brian in Manuela...Ghost of Demi Moore. Edsa celebration, I remember too was malling and a day to visit relatives and friends. It was Jay Liza's tenure as class dean that time he asked who watched a movie on that time meant for Edsa celebration. I told him I did. Fr. Vic called me up in his room and asked me the same question and with an addendum who were my companions. Meek as a lamb I told Fr. Vic I was in the company of Bokbok and Sacdalan. I do not know what happened to them. But Fr. Vic told me not to do it again.

Another celebration...we had a celebration that night. But the following day all of us who were taking our CMT had to go down over Fort Bonifacio for the military training. The bus was parked and was visible from the stage where we are situated. Darwin Cuyos made his supreme sacrifice he offered his butt for all of us to see. He was under the spell of LBM. By noon many from our group were already scouting for houses within the fort because of LBM. On my part, I made it through VHS. I rushed to the comfort room upon our arrival. Without on my mind with me the needed materials to make my stay in the comfort room comfortable. Good thing Totep passed by. I asked him to go into my room for my towel and toilet paper.

War zone...I witnessed the challenged of Bona to Bola for a fight. We had then our review for the tribunals. I went up our rooms first then I heard strong words being uttered. It was Bona and Bola. Maybe because I am a peaceful person and my charm I was able to abort the war. Korean versus Thais. Korean versus Filipinos. Plus the showbiz stars within the community they too had their own wars.

I missed fried itik and the many stories that went with it. More will I share...till then.

"From the Goddess of Iloilo"

REVISITING ANGONO

2005-11-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

Who would forget Angono fiesta. We had always a good time celebrating it. The day of celebration starts from Ate Pina's house and ends it at Kim Joe's mansion (normally with a dessert). Some takes it seriously to visit the homes of VHS friends. As I can recall, Christian Balis would even draw a map of dinner conquest. I don't know if somebody was able to break his record of 20+ houses. I know we tried breaking it, but a the end of our 12th house, all we could do was to say Hi and Hello to the host. Our sense of smell failed to function. The aroma of food simply would not register to our senses even how beautifully it was presented. We kept wondering how did Christian made it to number 20.

The images of Higantes, Pagoda, and street dancing may have evolved. There maybe a creeping of commercialization, but I know the spirit of San Clemente will always remain.

We did not only enjoy the food, but we cherish the people whom we love as we celebrate the Angono Fiesta. If you are physically joining the celebration this year please don't forget Ate Minyang, Tina Liit, Ate Goye, Pops, ATe Pina's Family and all the rest of people of Angono.

REMEMBERING EDDIE MENDEZ ET AL.

2005-11-04T04:10:00.000-08:00

November is a special month for the Vincentians. It is not only for the Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine or for the birthday of Fr. Frank Vargas. Nor it is for the pompous celebration of Angono Fiesta. It becomes more special today in remembrance of the departed Vincentians seminarians and priests.

In special way, we would like to remember EDICHAR MENDEZ, or popularly known EDDIE, or IDE (for Timoy C.)

I met him when I came in on 1997. He was a skinny high school student but with a soft touch for 3 points and acrobatic lay up. His deep baritone voice though would compensate his built.

Since both of us don’t go usually go home during Christmas we had always a great time celebrating the season in Angono. We indulged in basketball till dawn and entertained ourselves with seminary stories under the starry nights at the roof top.

He was a simple man, bragging only a little about himself except his prowess in basketball. You can’t beat him if he has the space for 3 points and a line for a la good lay up. He glides like a wind to the hoop and sprints like a cheetah for a fast break. Don’t dare challenging him if he has the ball, he will beat you to death.

There was one story of him worth telling now. It happened one Christmas vacation in Angono. We were probably third year then. Most of the time, the Cebuanos and Bikolanos would gather among themselves after supper. The power was down that time and made it more compelling to find your space. I remembered them (Cebuanos – Ryan, Dong Taladua, Felix Bai and Eddie) going to the roof top. But I didn’t recall them bringing something to spice up their conversation. A little less than 12 midnight, I saw Bai, rushing from the stairs, very disturbed and guilty. As always open as he is (he can’t keep a lie), he told me that something happened in the roof top. Somebody puked hard and he was red as tomatoes because of allergy. And he can’t walk.

I asked him why, and what did they do?

Bai told me it was probably the Mompo they took from the sacristy (we have a lot of it during Christmas, getting one would be hardly noticed) Or it could be the can of Sky flakes they used as “pulutan”. Suddenly I saw Eddie coming down. With him was a “paralyzed – red faced” Ryan whose arms barely held from Eddies not so broad shoulders. Ryan was in a very bad shape that they even thought of bringing him to the most dreaded Angono District Hospital. Had not Ryan puked more and drank more water, he could have ended in the hospital.

But I have not seen a face as disturbed, horrified and afraid as the faces of Eddie and Bai. They were the most senior in the group. Had Fr.Diño found it, they could have been long out of the seminary when Christmas vacation is over.

After I was asked to take a regency for health reason (Hepa), I never saw Eddie again. Except for some trickling news from Cebu, I never heard anything again about him until the day somebody from our class sent me a text informing us the passing of Eddie. That he died of heart attach. heart attack. With that kind of built? A built that I could not even find bad cholesterol. How could that happened? Indeed, heart attack is a silent killer that even Eddie was not spared.

And I began to look at myself, my habit it eating or devouring food, may habit of eating chocolate, of sitsaron, of lechon kawali, of sinigang na baboy, of ginataang alimango. Eddie brought me to my senses of putting myself to a halt from eating irresponsibly. And getting into a regular exercise too. Which unfortunately, to date, I have not faithfully followed.

To EDDIE MENDEZ, ALEX PUERTO, NOVI, FRs. CAVANNA and MONTAÑANA, and all those who have gone ahead of us, may you find peace in the presence of the Lord’s banquet in heaven.

n.b. you may remember in special way your batchmate in the seminary. forgive my exclusion of them. i only happened to recall these guys.

Ang Nuno

2005-10-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sadjestyon ni Alex, ito daw ang tema this November... Kalat-kalat na Alaala ng Angono Days... Ito ang po ang pumasok sa utak ko:

1. Bayan sa Tabing-Lawa, Kanlungan ng Kultura't Sining.

Kilala ang Angono sa larangan ng sining. Nalaman ko yun lalo na nung magtour ang buong VHS community sa mga galleries. Academic Ministry yata nagsponsor nun. Syempre nung simula maraming braders.. aba, habang lumilipat sa mga gallery, bakit paunti nang paunti ang tao? Saan napadpad.. either Sta. Lucia or SM Mega.

Tuwing pyesta, makikita mo ang Higantes pati ang parihadora galing sa lawa. Viva San Clemente!!! Sabuyan ng tubig.. Pahiran ng Putik... Martsa.. Paramihan ng makakainang bahay.. Teka, si Qhris Balis ang winner, tama ba? or si Alex yata or si Mandy Pangilinan kasi si Alex at Levi nasa SM Mega pagkakain ng breakfast kay Ate Pina. Unang stop kina Tita Minyang at Kuya Beloy malapit sa APHS.. tapos kanya kanya na... Kina at Ghoyie, KimJoe, Ate Pina, Farmacia Magdalena, Ate Chona d Miss Violet, Ate Bheng.. Bumabaha ng pagkain.. Ube, Leche flan, chicken salad, sinigang na isda, kare-kare... ah basta, ang alam ko, ako.. pagkakain sa isang bahay, diretso agad sa sm mega.. levi, neil, bogs, minsan nanood tayo ng sine from opening hanggang 5pm.. then umuwi tayo just on time for supper sa bahay ni KimJoe kasi ang bus ni Mang Tony naghihintay.. sabay-sabay uuwi wid da prayles...

Kilala rin ang Angono dahil sa easter celebration.. kaso bakasyon yun kaya walang masyadong maraming braders.. naalala ko, kami lang yata ni Neil Piesta ang hindi umuuwi. Maganda ang celebration sa Parokya ni Pads Pasty...

2. Ang Sarap ng Balut at Itik (pati na rin Hopia at Chocolait sa canteen ni Kuya Val Jovero).

Pagkatapos ng supper, diretso agad sa canteen para kunin ang ipinareserve na balut kay Kuya Val. Kadalasan lista.. Minsan naman cash.. Dati, opening ng canteen, meron pang ribbon-cutting.. ayun, nilusob at naglahong parang bula ang mga paninda.. lugi ang canteen... Naalala ko rin ang hopiang monggo..

Pinaka da best ang balut, fried itik at mixed nuts tuwing may class party or sharing hindi lang dahil masarap kundi dahil nagiging intstrumento ng pagbabahaginan. Kadalasan sa rooftop ang venue pero minsan naman sa casita or sa kubo.. nung 2nd year tayo kadalasan dun tayo sa mini-veranda taas ng salita.. tagayan ng punch habang nagshasharing..

3. Victoria Secrets, Graceville Pantiliners

Martes or Hwebes, pagkagaling ng Adamson.. pagliko ng bus galing sa highway papasok sa Guido, nagigising lahat... bakit kaya? ang iba nagtatapon ng tinapay sa mga batang naghihintay kay brader.. ang iba, nagtatapon ng sulyap kasi pagdaan ng Victoria at Graceville andun ang mga tagahanga. kaway lang ni brader kumpleto na ang araw.. kilig to da bones... oopppsss...

4. Midday Payanig ng Concrete Aggregates

Hindi kumpleto kung walang jeep ng crasher na aakyat ng lunch time.. hindi kumpleto kung walang sasabog twing tanghali... Minsan, naalala ko, nabutas ang bubong sa dorm ng OY sa taas ng Library.. OY nun sila Pabs.. Si Jervy de Guzman yata ang andun sa dorm nila nang biglang sumabog at bumagsak ang malaking tipak ng bato sa dorm..

5. Pyesta sa Kapilya ng Pinagpala 2-B

Twing pyesta sa bundok, simple lang pero ang saya.. may banderitas, may handaan, may misa. makikita mo ang karisma ni brader... makikita mo ang mga taong nabibigyang pagasa... konting ngiti lang ni brader.. konting tapik sa balikat ni ate didang at konting salita ni brader gumagaan na ang pasanin nya

Ay teka, di ba dati nagkaron din ng time na nagkaron ng Christmas Party sa bundok.. marami nasolicit sa SM kaya nagkaroon ng mga give-aways..

6. Unishoppe

Wala namang ibang shoppingan na malapit kundi ang Unishoppe.. malapit sa terminal ng tricycle at jeep.. dito tayo bumibili ng lucky me pancit canton pati na rin century tuna at pork and beans.. pang-meryenda pati na rin ulam pag di masarap ang luto ni Mang Ely o Mang Tino.. Pag nagpaalam puntang Unishoppe after lunch, well, diretso na rin sa pagbili ng Abante.. sino nga yung kilala sa koleksyon ng Abante at Hot Copy?

7. Angono Golden-Girls at mga Chuwariwariwap

Ay, nararamdaman ang presence ng mga Golden Girls at Chuwariwariwap twing Reunion (January at September).. Usually, sa food committee sila tumutulong.. Dahil naging procurator rin ako, nakasama ko si Ate Noli mamalengke sa Pasig. Nakatulong rin si Ate Ghoyie sa Friday special meryenda. Nakakamiss rin si Tita Minyang.. Sya nanay ko nung Recognition Day natin.. sad to say, she passed away because of cancer... Nadalaw ko pa sya.. kahit alam ko hirap sya dahil sa chemo, kita ko pa rin ang peace of mind nya.. Pero kahit na wala na sya, nakapamyesta rin ako sa bahay nila bago ako lumipad ng Tsina. Andun pa rin si Abel at Marit pati na rin si Kuya Beloy...

Teka, di ba sila Cathy, Ana, Owie, Ate Bheng at ang iba pang mga lectors nagpaparamdam din twing may okasyon? Pati na rin Chris Sicam...

8. Ang Swimming Pool at Kubo

Nung first year tayo, yun na rin yata yung last year na nakapag-enjoy tayo sa swimming pool malapit sa bahay nila Aling Josie.. Kasi, nung sumunod na taon, nagkaroon na ng mudflow dahil sa Golf Course sa bundok....

Twing siesta, enjoy sa hiking pababa sa kubo tapos sabay ligo sa pool..

9. Bloopers...

Hindi rin makakalimutan:
* "Pagbasa sa aklat ni PROPETA KORINTO.."
* ang Adoracion Sisters of the Foreskin founded ni Venson V
* mga pakulo ng bawat ministry at klase.. sumayaw kami ng EL BIMBO ni Neil Piesta sa orientation nila Rodge kasi kami ang inassign ng Social Minister.. nagparihadora kami for the Wednesday Special, nagMs.Universe sila Josaphat Gacoscosim, Allan Escoto, Francis Escandor..
* pagkatapos ng outside work, iniwan ang mga walis at dustpan kasi unahan na sa basketball, tennis at pelota court.. nagalit si bhonz minsan kasi sya ang outside work director
* mga pelota queens at princess.. pagalingan ng hataw at bagsak ng katawan pagkalipad sa ere.. bagsak with poise at finesse.. well, salamat sa training ni Pads Leonard naging pelota princess rin ako..
* si Pads Leonard, nahuli ng pulis dala ang Fiera.. hindi sya tumigil so hinabol ng pulis.. yun pala hindi dala ang lisensya so kinuha pa sa kwarto nya saka pinakita sa pulis..

yun lang siguro.. if may maidadagdag kayo, mas mainam.. Mabuhay ang mga Anak ni Enteng!!

2005-10-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Reminiscing Iloilo.. Hala Bira!!!

“AS THE DEER THAT YEARNS…”

2005-10-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite passages in the breviary during vespers. But it does not become real once you got to experience it. I mean the DEER EXPERIENCE.

Last night, on my way to work, when I was about to exit to Alliance, I was running confidently at 65 mph (as always), suddenly two deer came in front of me. Startled and shocked I suddenly got confused what to do, whether to break or hit the deers. I tried hitting the break but in a 65 mph, all I was courting was more disaster. Swerving a little, I was good of not hitting the first bigger deer on my right. But the second one was not lucky enough. Suddenly a BUMP and CRASH sounds. Next came the flying debris of my bumper. I had no idea at first what were broken, but I suspected it would be my left headlights.

After I stopped Green Mile (our van) at Wal-Mart parking lot, I found out that it was not only my headlights that were busted. My radiator (broken was also broken, my grill halved into two and my side is dented. All that was left were dangling wires, dangling bumper, broken grill, broken/busted glasses and a lot of deer hairs. Green Mile is half-shattered, busted and I can’t believe it. When I heard a gushing and hissing sound, I hopped in back, hit the gas and headed home fearing that I may not get a chance to drive her home..

It was when I parked Green Mile in the car port that I was able to see the full extent of the damage.

Fearing the police may found out what happened, I tried calling Louisville station. But Jaz, reading back again and again the Ohio manual for driving suggested that it was not in the provision that we report it unless we need it for insurance purposes and/or if we wanted to have the carcass of the deer. Since I didn’t know what exactly happened to the deer, I opted not to call the police.

So now, after getting a quotation from a body shop here in Louisville, Green Mile is going for a $600.00 makeover. When Christmas is on the air and a plan of going home is in the offing, this is hard to digest.

But life must go on. And as the saying goes, “you gonna do what you gonna do.”

…AND SO MY SOUL IS THIRSTING FOR YOU OH GOD!.”

PADUA to DANCEL

2005-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Good evening! Levi, Felix, Jabonets and good morning! Alex and Jim. I believe these are the last philosophers who are actively browsing the blogspot.Anyway, I just want to give you a background about the change of my surname from Padua to Dancel.Is it true that only women who get married change their surname? Generally, yes, but there are cases like mine, which after I secured my birth certificate from the NSO as one of the graduation requirements, eventually found out that my surname is DANCEL with the same birthmonth/date/year, father and mother's name.

What was my reaction? I was happy because my deceased father acknowledged me even if I am an illegitimate child.

Later, I had known when my mother was still alive, that Mr. Padua, step dad, changed my birth certificate to easily comply with the school requirements.Do I have to file a case in court? No more, because NSO did not initiate any change in their file. Adamson required my mother to submit an affidavit that Efren Padua and Dancel are same and one person.I hope this will clarify things for the moment.

Thanks and have a great day always!

The Last Philosophers

2005-10-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to recall the list of the last philosphers from 1989-1993:
1. Alex ENANO, nasa abroad, balita ko may part-time job, busy sa baby
2. Levi PURA, nasa Bicol, kanang kamay ng Mayor, ikakasal na sa December, busy sa tennis
3. Atty. Lucio BINALLA, CA nagwo-work, kasal sa abogada
4. Glenn JABONETA, text ng text, tawag ng tawag, may sorry email pa, Ok accepted.
5. Mandy PANGILINAN, last time kung nakita sa Adamson, pamilyado na, patay pa rin ata ang kuko
6. Felix SERRANO, abogado na ata, sa Cebu o Ilo-ilo based
7. Joseph PEREZ, sa bikol ata
8. Rico CRUZ, sa pharma nagwo-work, nakita ko once sa jupiter makati, nakalimutan ko kunin mobile
9. Danny FAILADONA, sa probinsya nakaassign, very accommodating as adamson officer
10. Jessric NARIA, sa ubix bacolod
11. Manolito GALGANA, tech company
12. Geran Antonio BUENDIA, ikakasal na December sabay pa sila ni Levi
13. Raul ENCARNACION, abroad ata
14. Joel JALLORES, Nestle Laguna or na-reassign
15. Arthur JIMENEZ, sa china, haba buhok ah!
16. Jonathan LOMIBAO, engineer sa CA email nyo jlomibao@boyleengineering.com
17. Jay LIZA, bum pa rin daw
18. Reynaldo LUZADA, pumapayat sa Sandigan o Congress nawo-work
19. Fr. Herminio NAVARRO, sa Tuguegarao naka destino
20. Efren PADUA(DANCEL), single pa rin
21. Neil PIESTA, sa pier ata
22. Albert QUIRANTE, aboitiz
23. Neil QUIRANTE, busy masyado sa work, baka maboljak ako! tanungin ninyo na lang siya
24. Brian Emmanuel RAAGAS, pagdasal ninyo finals niya ngayon sa law school, shipping company
25. Edgar RAMIREZ, no com
26. Ramil BONA, kita once sa SM makati pero nagmamadali
27. Raul ALCALDE, no com

Did I miss somebody? I'm looking forward to organizing a reunion, aba 15 years na tayong graduate! If you have something to add, please do. Maraming salamat!

Musings... Memories.. Motives...

2005-10-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Before joining blogs, orgs, and groups of sorts, it will surely be worth one's while to ponder about personal motives, both said and unsaid... But though there are unsaid motives, it becomes apparent through words, written and said.. cryptic huh.. Now, what could be some reasons why one joins the CM-related blogs, orgs and group of sorts?

1. it´s a good way to renew ties and bonding... magkakasama tayo before.. we've had a good time together.. we've grown together... but now we can´t be together like before.. we can only have glimpses of the past... so we join our CM bros once in a while.. and we even let our families know each other.. pati mga apo ni enteng nagkakakila-kilala.. parang sa peter pan.. our moments together are happy thoughts that can make us fly..

2. networking... business plain and simple.. this org, group or blog can make my market wider... bringing about potential clients... hence increasing sales opp.

3. a support group... through this, may audience ka lagi na makikinig, magbabasa sa mga scattered thoughts mo.. problems, hinaing.. or plain kakornihan.. mga brader mo na nagtyatyaga sa yo... gaya ngayon, binabasa nyo ito.. haha

4. wala lang.. wala ka maisip gawin so join ka na lang kasi mga klasmeyt mo andyan.. hahaha.. parang naalala ko ang lecture ni pads dannyP on human maturity.. kasi sinabi ng nanay. ng tatay.. ng klasmeyt..

wala na ako maisip... pero personally, i always join CM-related blogs and groups coz in one way or another it helps me know where I stand in life... It makes me realize I belong to a community of dear friends who try to make a difference in a world of uncertainties... It makes me rooted to the things that really matter... I've learned about it when i was together with you... for 9 years sa bakuran ni apo enteng... memories bring happy thoughts that make me fly and soar to unknown skies...

eh kayo ba?

ROAD TO GLORY

2005-10-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

p>Thanks, Levi for updating me of this site and patiently texting me on how to go about it. I would just like to update you of my recent accomplishment. I will be glad to offer my services to our batch for FREE!

34 EARN IARFC’S FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS DESIGNATION

A total of 34 graduates earned their Registered Financial Consultants (RFC) designation during their conferment rites last September 2 at the Mandarin Oriental.Of the 34, six graduated with distinction. They are: Marinet Quigao, Faith de Vera, Grace de Vera Escobar, Ida Sheng-Jacob, Joel Bustos, and Maria Rosanna Sevilla. The other graduates are: SVP and Sales Operations Head Marietta C. Gorrez, Sr. Asst. Vice President and Worksite Marketing Head Aileen R. Beltrano, Manager and Agency Training Head Sandy J. Bustos, Supervisors Lisa Marie del Rosario and Efren Dancel, Aida Betita, Carmen Yap, Patrick Serios, Lina Abrantes, Elizabeth Lim, Nanette Ferreria, Teresita Dada, Hannah Pearl Isleta, Elton Cerna, Marygen Serrona, Ariel Serrona, Jonathan Ramos, Ma. Lourdes Isorena, Paul Polintan, Theresita Valenzuela, Raul Mabanag, Elizabeth Baylon, Teresita Ragos, Remedios Viloria, Rosanna Pangue, Leticia Querquez, Marilou de la Cruz, and Rosario Tuason. The RFC Conversion Course is being offered by the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC), a non-stock, non-profit organization of financial professionals formed to promote the financial planning profession, help financial advisors exchange planning techniques, and give deserved recognition to practitioners who are committed to ethical standards and continuing professional education. IARFC Philippines, Inc. conducts five-day financial planning conversion courses, training, seminars, and fora.The 34 took their RFC Conversion Course last May 24-28, 2005, and for the next two months, underwent training on actual financial plan construction.

Vincentian Philosophers Found

2005-09-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend two Vincentian Philosophers were found in the US. Both of them are married already, and are "philosophizing with their wives.

Nonoi Libutan, from Naga, now lives in Seattle. He is maarried to Neneng, of Sucat, Paranaque. They have two kids. Nonoi works in USPS and he is in the US for more than 6 years already. You can reach him through nonoi_seattle@hotmail.com. I guess he is a batchmate of Fr. Lito Sarabia. If you know Nonoi, please email him. His complete address is;

1867 171st ave.
Renton, WA 98058-8808
Tel.(425)-9173094

Tofe, or Christopher Escoto, of Gubat Sorsogon is in Houston, Texas. He too has a kid now and is married to a Filipina. He works in a dialysis center just a stone throw away from his home. He is in the US for more than 10 years already.

You can reach Tofe at

KRISTOFFER ESCOTO
8903 Sage Place Dr
Houston, TX 77071-3271
(713) 995-4388

The Vincentian Alumni outside of the Philippines will be having their regular reunion on June 2006 in Chicago. If you know some Vincentian Alumni both (in or out)they are most welcome to attend. If you know a classmate of yours who are here in the US they can contact Fr. Kiko Magnaye at ACMPhil@yahoogroups.com.

The President

2005-09-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

The President, Jeff Baquiran delivering his speech during the meeting. (Maraming naghahabol ng taga Roxas City dyan. He,he,he.)

(Fore)HEAD TURNERS

2005-09-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

Taken during the reunion at De Paul House, Tandang Sora on September 25, 2005. Atty Lucio Binalla (in yellow shirt), Brian Raagas (noo lang ang nakita), Fr. Rhey Garcia (noo kitang kita) and Bogs Dancel (loverboy)

The Caring Cardinal and His Alluring Acolytes

2005-09-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Cardinal and his acolytes

Celebrating Saint Vincent De Paul!

2005-09-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

We join today the Vincentian Family as they celebrate the feast day of their founder St. Vincent De Paul. The ACM, together with the CM Philippine Province, started the celebration last sunday. It is good to note that according to Leo Gellor, they had a very successful celebration. We commend, with great respect, my classmate and friend Fr. Rhey Garcia, who spearheaded the celebration. We know how great is it to lead such a big celebration.

Although we have long left the seminary, yet, like them, we too celebrate SVP's feast day. SVP's life is more than a saint for some people. In France, he is celebrated as a hero. In Canada, a town was name after him. Here in Ohio, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SSVP), is very alive, sending so many donations to the hurricane victims, not counting the soup kitchen they manage for the elderly and homeless in Ohio.

SVP's example clearly affected so many lives around the globe. Happy feast day and keep on acting in SVP's mission of Evangelizare Pauperibus Misit Me.

Our greetings to the men and women of the Congregation of the Mission and Daughters of Charity. It is worth mentioning them: Happy Feast day to

Bro. Henry Escurel, Fr. Rufo Dino, Fr. Danny Pilario, Frs. Johnny Zulueta and Vic Pacheco, Fr. Benny Enano and all those in the mission in Thailand. Keep the fire burning Fr. Rhey Garcia, John Era, Rodge Cardenas, Bernie, Nonoy M, Vhoung. Sige lang Padre Aldrin Suan, Timoy, Budoy and Joey.

Saludo kami sa inyo Dandy, Thirdie, Uthai, Dominic, Kreg at Michael. Magningas ka Fr. Roland T, Dario, Kiko, Popo at Gerry V.

Happy Feast day din kina Sr. Heide Villareal, Bonnie Escoto, Rose Sison, Fe at Rita Enano.

Sa muli, isigaw at ibantayog ang buhay ni Enteng.

say Ahhhhhhh!!!!

2005-08-25T00:40:00.000-07:00

Teka, sino-sino ba ang members nitong blog na 'to? Am wond'ring sinu-sino ang readers.. kasi baka may minor pa.. hindi pwede ang toot-toot... censored na writings.. hahaha sinu-sino ba? say "Ahhhhhhh!!!" nga...

2005-08-18T00:56:00.000-07:00

Jim with other pinoys in China. Remember Tina Clarete from Angono (the lady in blue stripes shirt), sister sya ni Ate Pina. Kasama din daw sya sa mga teachers-volunters sa China.

2005-08-18T00:47:00.000-07:00

Dandy and Jim with their friends in China

Glenn's Masterpiece

2005-08-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

February of this year was declared National Arts Month. Glenn was one of the winners in the essay writing category. He is sharing with us his winning piece.

Among those who judged his work were national artist for literature alejandro roces, writer and critic isagani cruz. The theme of the essay writing contest is "how to combat graft and corruption". Awarding rites were held in malacanang palace.

Here is Glenn's masterpiece...the title ONE STORY...THREE LESSONS

My father manages a sari-sari store in our place. Sometimes it serves as a venue for gathering of peoples. One day, my father asked me to keep my watch over it. Two grade one students were there. They were throwing questions to one another with the central theme on our national identifications. Questions about our national hero, national flower,national costume, and so on. Until this one question moved me to intervene in their question and answer way of trying to deepen their knowledge. The boy asked the girl about our national animal. With all confidence the girl retorted to the question with the word dog. The boy accepted it as truth. On that precise moment I came into the picture and raised the same question to them. I could feel they were puzzled by my question. I asked them the same question again, At this time they question the truth of their claim. Until the girl remembered something and humbly accepted her mistake and gave the right answer. Carabao, is our national animal she confidently corrected herself.

Here are some lessons I learned on that day.

Lesson One: On honesty. The dog in the story is connected with the daily realities in the lives of the children. It is the closest thing to the truth. They are everywhere. But it is not the truth. Sometimes children easily take things and realities outside of them as their truths. It is our responsibility, be it in home, school and community to point out to them the great divide between truth and falsity.

Lesson Two: On humility. At the end by saying it is not the dog indeed but a carabao is a gesture of humility. In the midst of her claim she was humble enough to accept her mistake. Sometimes being humble is not only accepting mistakes. Being humble is also accepting the consequences of our mistakes and not by covering them.

Lesson Three: On sharing. Share what you know, what you think. Simply share, whatever is your resources. Just like the boy and the girl in my story they were just simply there to share the fruit of their days in school. In a wider perspective, when we share our resources, time and talents with others there is less tendency to acquire more, to be more than others.

One moment of spending my time in the store of my father is the one story I encountered on that day with the children with three lessons.

How do I make sense out of it?

My encounter with the children is offering us hope. Graft and corruption in our society can be lessened if not eradicated.

How? By way of applying the three lessons I learned from them.

Be honest. Someone named Dennis Torrecampo has this to say, "Defend truth. Even if others cannot and even if it is not the popular thing to do. Justice dies every time we succumb to the lure of money, fame and legal technicalities. Justice perverted damages a country permanently. It makes our souls rot and leaves an indelible scar on our lives." His piece was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on June 30, 2001, Youngblood Section.

Be humble. Ninoy Aquino in his letter to Cory writes, "Early on I knew I was not meant to make money so I won't be able to leave anything to the children. I did what I thought I could do best which is public service and I hope our people in time will appreciate my sacrifices. This would be my legacy to the children. I may not bequeath them material wealth but I leave them a tradition which is priceless." There is so much humility in the heart of Ninoy. It is a statement rejecting the acquisition of material wealth, a strong statement against greed. We stop graft and corruption by being humble because by then we ceased being greedy.

Learn to share. Mr. Torrecampo again has this thought on sharing. "Give back by paying forward. Rewards multiply faster when shared. Seek no compensation:that you can give is a reward in itself. There is no nobler cause, no better way to repay those who helped you along the way than guiding and helping others who are on their way."

Remember my story. It contains three lessons.

Be honest by defending truth.

Be humbe. It terminates greed.

Share...your time, presence and resources.

One story with three lessons which is giving us hope on our revolution against graft and corruption.

2005-08-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Fr. Danny Failadona is presently assigned at De Paul College; Felix is teaching in Sagrado(He is still searching for his soulmate in Iloilo. I just hope it is not a nun. He,he,he); while Glenn is taking his masters degree (major in parlor management) in San Agustin.

2005-08-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

Taken during my visit at DePaul College, Jaro, Iloilo City

lagi na lang aku..

2005-08-16T01:21:00.000-07:00

lex, ako ba dapat magsimula.. hahaha.. sige.. unang tagay... tutal.. ako naman procurator.. buy tayo ng balut sa angono.. pati fried itik.. samahan natin ng mani at green peas pati na rin cornick.. eh ang gilbeys haluan na lang natin ng delmonte pineapple-orange... o ready na? sa rooftop na lang ang venue kasi alangan namang dumayo pa tayo sa baloy beach or sa kubo...

ang taytol ng kwento ko.. my life after vhs... abangan... kelangan ba iemail sa yo, lex or pwede diretso na dito?

2005-07-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Nasan Na B'ang Barkada Ngayon?

Mate, musta na? It has been more than 10 years since we parted our ways. Some went to PIS, others went to SIP (Sa Ibang Pugad). A few were able to survived Theology, but one, and only was given the gift of priesthood and he triumphantly embraced it(others embraced anybody else).

If my memory serves me right Vhoung is in Bondoc Lagawe, Joel is in Cavite, Levi is in Gubat, Rico is in Bikol, Totep is affiliated with DAR in Sorsogon (kasama ng mga NPA), Noli works in Paranaque, Bryan studies law at Adamson U, Mars is in Pasig, Jabonets is in Iloilo, Bogs works in Makati, Neil takes care of his own shipping related business, Jim is in China, I am here in Ohio, Jessric is in sales business, , Lucio is now a lawyer (Appeals court), Geran works in Makati, Bons is NOWHERE to be found and Felix is STILL in Iloilo ( he is the remnant of PIS).

If you happen not to see your name, my apology. But you can do us/me a favor by telling us what have you become after you left Angono. The more intriguing, the crispier the story, the better.

If you want to post your story yourself, please contact me (magnuslex@yahoo.com) and I will give you the username and password so that you can post your story. If you have pictures during our seminary years PLEASE DO SEND them to me.

So what's holding you back, c'mon, tell us your story.

Jabonets o Jim, ba't di nu simulan?

2005-07-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Ika-3 taon ng dekada 90, hindi lang kami abala sa paghahanda sa nalalapit na taunang "tribunal", kundi nasusuong din kami sa isang malaking pagsubok at hamon: ang Handog Pasasalamat ng Vincentian Hills Seminary. Dalawang hamong dapat maisakatuparan ng may kagandahan at katangitanging resulta. Dalawang hamong alam namin aming nalampasan at naging bahagi ng aming buhay, bilang pari, abogado, guro, OFW, pulitiko, inhinyero, profesyunal at tatay.

Ang Vincentian Hills Seminary (VHS) ay hindi lamang simbolo ng maalab na pagtugon sa hamon ng bokasyon, kundi ito ay bantayog nang pagpupunyagi ng mga seminaristang gawin at tularan ang buhay ni San Vicente de Paul. Alam nya ang kwento ng bawat isang seminarista na pumasok dito, umalis o naging pari. Mga kwento na nakaukit sa diwa ng kanyang walang kupas na pag-aaruga. Alam nya ang buod ng mga katagang "go on at regency." Kilala nya ang mga umiyak, gustong tumalon sa rooftop, naglakad ng paluhod sa chapel, naglasing, naglakad ng hubo, at sumigaw ng "Pusang kano, I want to become a vincetian", maiparating lamang sa mga formators na gusto nilang maging isang pari, paring vincentiano.

Si VHS din ay alam at tanto kung paanong tayo ay tuwang tuwa pag-andyan na si Mang Garas. Si Mang Garas na dala ang sulat na tanging koneksyon natin sa labas. Koneksyon na nagpapatibay ng ating paninindigan na maging kananaisnais na tagasilbi sa dambana ng Diyos.

Kaya ganun na lamang ang pagpapahalaga ko (namin) na simulan ang pagdugtong ng aming mga buhay buhay gamit ang imahen ng dambana ng VHS. Dito kami nanggaling, ito ang aming pinangalingan. 'Di lang ako literal na lilingon sa dambana nito, maganda ring itanong na "ano na kaya ang nangyari sa batchmates namin sa VHS?"

Sabi nga ni Fr. Auger, "balik-ugat, balik-tanaw"

Hindi lang siguro dapat itanong ang "nasaan na ba kayo kundi, kumusta na kayo? "