"Is this the little girl I carried..."

I am not 100% sure but I think that was the first line of a song from the musical "Fiddler on the Roof." And again if I am not mistaken that was sung by a father upon seeing his daughter who was about to get married. I am sure Jobelle's father could relate very well to that song when he saw her wearing her bridal gown last January 30. I wasn't there when Jobelle was a little baby so I never got the chance to carry her. But somehow, when I saw her walking down the aisle, I felt I was his father too. Mixed emotions ...

I have known Jobelle for almost eight years now. I remember her as the sweet and petite girl applying as lector/commentator together with her "sisters" Millette and Jerdi. Shy but very smart. People thought that she was masungit because of her overarching eyebrows. That was what I thought too. But as the friendship developed, I got to know the deeper and more beautiful side of her personality. I cannot count anymore the many times she told me or wrote to me how thankful she is to have me as a father and brother in one.

Jay-R and Jobelle's wedding was simple yet solemn. There was so much happiness in both their faces. I could sense their excitement as they entered a new chapter in their life together. But just like any couple I also know there were gnawing questions and uncertainties in their hearts as to the future of their relationship. But with deep faith in God, they also know that God will never abandon them.

Jay-R and Jobelle, rest assured of our prayers for you. As I shared during your wedding, every act of God is an act of love and therefore a miracle. He was the one who brought you together. And just like what He did for the couple at Cana, He will be more than willing to do more miracles for you if you will allow Him because he loves you that much. Stay happy!

In Memoriam: Sis. Cely Siyang

Katatapos lamang ng funeral mass ni Sis. Cely. Nandito ako ngayon sa kwarto ko at hanggang ngayon ay nakakatanggap ng mensahe mula sa iba't ibang tao tungkol kay Sis. Cely at kung ano ang mga matatamis na alaala nila tungkol sa kanya. Kanina sa homilya, sinabi ko, hindi kumpleto ang kasaysayan ng parokyang ito kung hindi babanggitin ang pangalang "Sis. Siyang."

Alam ko na lahat naman ay sasang-ayon dito. Noong mamatay si Sis. Cely marami ang nalungkot. Naalala ng iba na noong bata sila, si Sis. Cely ang umaakay sa kanila upang magdasal ng rosaryo sa bahay-bahay dito sa Comembo. Si Sis. Cely daw ang nagturo sa kanila na magdasal. May nag-text pa sa akin, noong bata daw sila si Sis. Cely ang katekista nila at tinuro sa kanila ang novena sa Sto. Nino upang tulungan daw sila sa kanilang pag-aaral. Sabi niya, hanggang high school at college, hanggang matapos siya sa pag-aaral dinadasal niya ang novena na itinuro ni Sis. Cely. At sino ang makakalimot sa larawan ng isang Sis. Cely na naglalakad papunta sa simbahan, may tungkod at alam mong nahihirapan, pero hindi magpapa-awat makapaglingkod lamang sa altar ng Panginoon?

Salamat sa inspirasyon Sis. Cely. Nais ko sanang tawagin kang "Parishioner of the Month" o "Parishioner of the Year", subalit alam kong kulang iyon upang parangalan ka. Halos apat na dekada ang buong pusong paglilingkod mo sa parokyang ito. Isang uri ng paglilingkod na sumasalamin sa paglilingkod na itinuro ni Hesus, paglilingkod na walang hininging kapalit. Naniniwala ako na iyon ang sukatan ng pagiging isang tunay na mamamayan ng Comembo. Hindi kapirasong papel ang sukatan ng pagiging mamamayan, nasa puso ito, nasa isip, nasa kaluluwa. Salamat at matatamis ang alaalang iniwan mo. Kanina nakakalungkot ang awit nang matapos ang misa. Pero iyon ang mga salitang nais naming ulit-ulitin sa iyo Sis. Cely:

"Sa bawat pag-ikot ng ating buhay
May oras kailangan na maghiwalay
Puso'y lumaban man walang magagawa
Saan ka, kailan ka, muling mahahagkan

Magkulang man sa atin itong sandali
Alam ko na tayo'y magkikitang muli
Hangga't may umaga pa na haharapin
Ikaw lang ang mamahalin..."

Adios Chiquito. Hola Panchito!

I would like to inform the Chiquito fans that I decided to return Chiquito to his breeder. The doctor said there is no certainty he will recover from the parasite. Anyway, the breeder was good enough to replace the puppy. And so from the original black and white Chiquito, I now have a brown and choco chihuahua (chi for short). Mi perro se llama Panchito. Panchito es mas bonito y mas listo que Chiquito. Panchito tiene dos meses y tambien tiene una hermana, se llama Chestnut. Chestnut es la segunda hija de Ariel.

Oops, I got carried away. Chihuahuas, for those who do not know yet, originate from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico (por eso, hablo espanol), where it was discovered in 1850. Up until now, it is considered the smallest breed of dog. Chi's are classified as toy dogs. Generally they are described as courageous, extremely lively, proud, enterprising, bold, saucy, strong-willed, intensely loyal, jealous, suspicious and dog-aggressive. They are considered very safe, but not for little children. According to one internet article, they are good companions for grandparents, for the oldies who are left behind at home with nothing to do. After reading that, I began to wonder why I chose a chi for a pet dog. I'm not that old yet.

I think I was 9 when I last had a pet dog. His name was Ringo. Ringo was an askal. Askals are the cheapest breed of dogs. Hehehe. Anyway, I hope Panchito will stay free from any parasite or virus. Otherwise, I will have to start filling up my aquariums once again.

Chiquito and Christmas Party

I promised to introduce Chiquito, the latest addition to the MMJP family. Chiquito is my pet dog. He is two months old. He is a chihuahua. But right now he is sick. So I don't want to talk about him right now. I am sad.



Kaya yung Christmas Party muna ang pag-usapan natin. Mas masayang usapan upang sandaling makalimot sa karamdaman ni Chiquito (bawal muna dumalaw kay Chiquito, under medication siya). Unahin natin ang Youth Christmas Party noong December 28 ng gabi, na ginanap sa Multi-Purpose Hall (sa fiesta ay officially papangalanan na nating Cardinal Sin Hall or Hall of Sin in honor of the Cardinal who established our parish). Masaya ang hinandang program ni Ate Jackie at ng mga kabataan. Ebidensya dito ang pagyanig ng buong building dahil sa lakas ng tawanan at sigawan sa mga very exciting na parlor games. Nakita ko ang mga miyembro ng iba't ibang youth organizations sa parish, HPC, LOM, Lectors, Altar Servers, Canticle, Youth Choir at syempre ang matibay na Core Group. Masaya sila dahil marami akong binigay na cakes, na marami din ay expired na (may sumakit ba ang tiyan?).

Kinabukasan, maaga namang naghanda ang iba't ibang organizations at ministries ng parokya para sa Parish Christmas Party na ginanap din sa Hall of Sin. Pot luck ang usapan sa pagkain at may dala din ang mga organizations na prizes para sa raffle at parlor games. May games para sa senior citizens, merong para sa mga bata, merong para sa lahat, at merong isang exclusive para sa pari. Mali daw ang sagot ko sa 6th commandment (sabi ko "Thou shall not steal") na sinang-ayunan ni Bheng, Millet, Bro. Johnny, etc. Sabi ni Ate Nor mali daw, "Thou shall not commit adultery daw." Nakakahiya. Tinanong ko si Fr. Albert kung ano ang 6th commandment, sabi niya "Thou shall not kill." Hehehe. Nakakadulot pala ng memory gap ang pasko. Anyway, wala na kayong magagawa. Ang protesta ay ginawa noong tapos na ang game at party kaya no bearing na, panalo na ako. Yehey! Belat!


Masaya ang naging pagdiriwang ng Pasko sa ating parokya. Sana isang tanda at hudyat na magiging maganda rin ang taong 2008. Sama-sama pa rin tayo sa paglilingkod sa Bayang Tinawag ng Ama tungo sa Kaganapan ng Buhay.

Support the Sumilao March

When I read about the story of the Sumilao farmers for the first time a few months ago, I took interest right away and thought of a way to help them out in their cause and struggle. Maybe because Bukidnon has a special place in my heart. I was a Jesuit Volunteer in Bukidnon 15 years ago. The memories of the warmth, sincerity and simplicity of the people of Bukidnon are still fresh. My sweet Bukidnon home...

Who are the Sumilao farmers? October 9, 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of their hunger strike. These farmers renewed their struggle in reclaiming the land (144 hectares in all) that was taken from them ten years ago. Fifty five of them started walking on October 10, 2007 from Bukidnon and hoping to reach Manila on December 10, International Human Rights Day. And they did. After braving 1,700kms, crossing, not only towns, but provinces and islands and not to forget the alternating rains, sunshine and storms, they reached their target destination where they are hoping against hope to receive justice.


This march is their non-violent way to voice out and demand their rights over their lands which belong to them and their ancestors. Their act should awaken the whole nation and make us understand the importance of the agrarian reform. They represent not only the struggle of the farmers of Sumilao but the thousands of farmers all over the country.

Yesterday I went to their camp site in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) together with some 25 parishioners. We were invited by San Jose Seminary to help feed the farmers since they are running out of budget and the decision of the DAR secretary seems to be taking longer than needed. As early as 5:30 in the morning our volunteers were already preparing the food that we were supposed to bring to the farmers. It seemed like another one of those out-of-town activities where everyone was excited to join. But when we reached the site in front of the DAR building and the farmers started arriving after another march, our parishioners knew they were face to face with some serious business. The first thing we noticed was the parol hanging outside their camp made up of all the slippers they used during their 2-month walk. The gloomy and tired faces of the farmers moved us. They held on to the gates of the DAR begging and crying for justice. Some women were already suffering from fever and colds and even succumbed to fainting. Their feet aching with sores and bruises. And yet their determination was unfaltering, unwavering. "Ihatag ang yuta sa Sumilao." (Give the land to Sumilao.)



I know deep in their hearts my parishioners realized they received more than they gave. They gave food and water, and in return they were given some lessons about life. I was really determined to bring along parishioners to join the Sumilao farmers for them to realize that sometimes we become too parochial in our concerns. We fight about petty things, we quarrel about irrelevant matters, and we give up when faced with problems. These farmers are not just fighting for a piece of land. They are fighting for their ancestors, for their rights, for their dignity as human beings. They were fighting for what remains of the things they can really call their own.

When we joined them for lunch, I felt I was transported back to Bukidnon. I felt once again their sincerity and admired once again their simplicity. Yet more than that, their determination and hope inspired me. The first lines of their anthem started to ring back ...

"Wherever I may roam,
the distant land to see
I long to be with you
My sweet Bukidnon home..."

Bataan Pilgrimage 2007

Youth Pilgrimage 2007

The Archdiocesan Parish Youth Ministry (APYM) of Makati District (Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, San Juan) is organizing a Youth Pilgrimage to Bataan. It will be on November 30, 2007. Bishop Soc Villegas earlier promised to be the pilgrimage guide himself if his schedule would allow him to do so. It is just sad that only two participants per parish ( a total of 110 participants to load the two buses) can join the said pilgrimage as our budget would allow. Bishop Soc already told me that we shall visit the Churches in Balanga, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Abucay, and Orani.

Why do Christians go on pilgrimage? Allow me to quote some excerpts from the book "The Way of the Lord" by Tom Wright:

"First, pilgrimage to holy places has a valuable role within the Church's teaching ministry... You might, in principle, have learnt such things [i.e. about the pilgrimage sites] from books, lectures and television; but there is something about simply being there which, for most people, goes to the heart of things.

"Second, pilgrimage to holy places is a stimulus and an invitation to prayer. Those who, like me, share the privilege of worshiping and praying regularly in an ancient holy place know well how those who come are regularly moved to pray by such a building... I cannot describe the sense of intimacy this evoked.

"Third, pilgrimage to holy places, though neither necessary nor sufficient for Christian living, can be for many a time for real growth and depth in discipleship. This may have something to do with the sheer fact of traveling away from home, looking for something we don't yet know about.

"My hope and prayer, then, for all who go on pilgrimage, is that thay may make right use of their time of journeying: to learn new things, yes; to pray new prayers, yes; but most of all to take fresh steps along the road of discipleship that leads from the earthly city to the city that is to come, whose builder and maker is God." (pp. 9-11)

I hope the youth pilgrimage to Bataan become a fruitful journey for the youth.