One Saturday morning, I met with my cousin to fulfill a promise of helping her for a requirement in one of her classes in the university. I was concentrating on the work when out of the blue, she asked me “Nico, anong stand mo doon sa gawa ni Mideo? Na-offend ka ba?” She posed the question in such a manner that I knew right away the answer she was expecting. Well, her expectation was right.

Just when debates over the controversial RH Bill are intensely searing their way up in the public spheres, here comes another polemic issue that, just as expected, stirred up contentions under the national spotlight. These contentions sprang from religious beliefs, but are nonetheless supported by legal mandates. Catholic groups have cited Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code to argue that this is an issue of upholding public morals and societal order.

Here is a backgrounder: Last June, the Cultural Center of the Philippines launched an art exhibit entitled Kulo, wherein one of the displays, a work called “Poletiesmo” done by a certain artist named Mideo Cruz, suffered the “hot seat” from offended Catholics and many other Christian denominations across the country due to its sacrilegious portrayals of the Lord and our Lady.

I grinned at my cousin’s asking, as if to give her a hint that her guess was right. “Honestly, oo. Na-offend ako.”  To some people, especially artists, the work was merely one’s expression of artistic views and a pure exercise of freedom of expression; thus, it wasn’t really blasphemy for them. It seems that their view of the matter is that they are not the villains in the story but the victims. They argued that the closing down of the exhibit in CCP was a violation of their freedom of expression. And the old debate on freedom of expression versus censorship was again brought to life. However, one national artist by the name of F. Sionil Jose requested that artists should “stop claiming freedom of expression all the time when they are criticized”. But that debate is for another time.

To us Catholics, on the other hand, the art work was a pure disgrace of our Faith, of our Lord and the Blessed Mother and more so, of our being Filipinos.

We cannot simply dismiss the art work as just a personal expression of art. Its being an art is even contentious, in that, as National Artist F. Sionil Cruz puts it, it “lacks the use of imagination, craftsmanship and originality.”

Contrary to the mission-vision of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cruz’ art does not “nurture and promote artistic excellence” when it lacked craftsmanship and originality. Where is excellence in mere copies? It does not “nurture and promote Filipino aesthetics and identity and a positive cultural values towards a humanistic global society” when all it brought was uproar, anger and division among the people. I cannot claim mastery of CCP’s definition of a “humanistic global society” but perhaps, it is safe to infer that this humanistic society is one where mutual respect is promoted. And certainly, respect is lacking in the exhibit of Cruz’ art. Yes, it made the people respond and react. Yes, it awakened impassioned spirits. Yes, it triggered intellectual debate. And yes, it certainly put art on the spotlight. But it did all those at the expense of offending Filipino Catholics, and perhaps even Catholics from other countries. Looking at online discussions, it is not surprising that even some non-believers are against the exhibit. For this is more than just an issue of protecting the freedom of artists from censorship or from pressure of powerful religious views. It is also more than an issue of religious rights violated by the abuse of democracy. It is more than an issue of what art is and what art is for. Rather, this is a fight for respect.

According to Cruz, it was his way of twitching the mind and that his work’s prime objective was to mirror the Filipino society. He even said that if we look at his work and close our eyes, there’s more to see than what is perceived by the naked eye. On this, I beg to disagree. For nowhere in his work did I find anything significant to our society except, perhaps, the growing immorality in the country (and his “art” attests to this).

Is it a Filipino value to bash other people’s religion or their beliefs? Does disrespect form part of our distinct Filipino culture and identity? I don’t think so. Yet, how come the CCP, a national institution mandated by the law to showcase the best of Philippine culture, allowed for its installation? This is yet to be answered and is something for which the CCP should be held seriously liable.

From the view of the Church, what the artist did was a grave misconduct against God and a stern insult against the Catholic faithful. If you identify yourself with any organization or group, (perhaps you are a supporter of an intellectual politician, a member of a celebrity fans’ club, a child of a father), would you not feel offended when the image of that person you put in a pedestal is stained, mocked and dishonored? Now, how much more would you react if it were your God who is being dishonored?

Indeed, it is so much pain for a Catholic to see the images of his Lord, of his life and all—desecrated, mocked and dishonored. But it is also agonizing for a Catholic to see his fellow human being blinded by worldly convictions and beliefs. It may be true that in some parts of the world, some priests have fathered a child, some priests are enjoying a hearty meal, and it may be true as well that some lay Catholics engage in pre-marital sex, some slave at work for their desire for more money, some engage in under the table transactions to rise to higher power, but these does not make Catholicism imperfect. It’s the people who are imperfect. It does not make the belief wrong. It does not make the Lord less of a God. And so whatever emotion the art provoked on its audience, it does not make the art serve the society or its common good.

If Mideo Cruz thinks that his art would tell us Catholics of our imperfections and all that we lack as Catholics, Christians and Filipinos, he may be correct. But we don’t need to invent cruel images to reflect the negative side of humanity; for if there’s anything that would remind Catholics of human imperfection, I believe it is ultimately captured in none other than the Cross. The cross is enough to remind us of our wretchedness and frailties. And, only such symbol can powerfully turn these infirmities into a pure and lively faith.

Undeniably, Cruz’ work was a complete assault on our Faith. But never did he realize that such work of his own has much more to impact on his being. For no matter how much we debate whether it’s art or not, one thing will always be certain: the work of an artist reflects the artist. With this said, isn’t it so much of a pity for somebody to represent himself in so bad a work? Do we not deserve to give ourselves a much better image? The logic is simple: What we create is what we are, and, what we think we are is a great accountability to the One who created us. Isn’t it so much a shame then to represent ourselves into something God is not? This we must consider as our battleground for life. That is, to mirror God in all our endeavors, in our lives, in our very being.

- Nico Lorenz Panlican

With Christmas songs playing the airwaves as early as September and the yuletide decorations up before you can even blink your eyes, you would think it’s already Christmas. And we don’t mind at all. Not a few of us want to be reminded about the festive and joyous season of Christmas as early as possible. Such constant barrage on our consciousness of the coming of Christmas really is more to convince us about shopping early and finding the best bargain, instead of reminding us of the real reason why we should anticipate for Christmas!
Not wanting to sound like a Scrooge, one has to be reminded that the build up and preparation for Christmas can be something more. Before the commercial Christmas steals the child in the manger and the “Happy holidays” greeting replaces “Merry Christmas,” let’s place things in their proper order.

The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of a faith community. It’s our way of saying our God is so near to us we can feel his breath! That’s why Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is Emmanuel, God-with-us. For us to breathe the hope-filled air of Christmas, we have to acclimatize ourselves first in the ambiance of Advent.

Unfortunately, Advent, as a season of preparation, has been a perennial casualty in the battle for our time and attention during this time of the year that is meant to truly prepare us for a Christmas celebration that is meaningful—one that is beyond the usual secular Christmas. What does Advent offer us?

This year, 2010, Advent gives us 27 days, from November 28 to December 24. Usually, it has four Sundays in a four week period. The novena masses of Simbang Gabi fall within this time. The whole spirit of Advent is to invite the Lord to come to us and for us to be ready to welcome him in our lives. There is a certainty that the Lord comes to us. It is the same certainty of God coming to Mary and Joseph despite their situation in life and amidst their personal doubts and uncertainties. It is the same certainty of God allowing himself to be born in a humble situation of a stable with all the filthy animals and other unsavory characters. But are we ready to welcome and embrace him when he does come? To welcome and embrace God is the first thing we need to do during the first week of Advent. So, we need not make ourselves clean first before God can come to us. We just have to welcome the saving gift he brings to us at his coming.

Next, we have to realize our present situation. If God entered our humanity where it was, amidst its darkness and sinfulness, and not where he wants it to be, we need to do the same at Advent time. Are we at the height of our selfishness? Are we at the lowest of lustful desires? Are we at the apex of our arrogance and egoistic pride? That’s where your Advent must start. That’s where God wants to come into your life and save you. So, if God started where his saving love was needed the most, we who are in need of that saving love should begin within. Where we are weakest, where it is most dark, where we resist and struggle the most, that’s where our Advent season should begin.

When we have done this, it’s time to be quiet and listen. If the Lord is to come to us, his word proclaimed in the Eucharist is a sure way that we can experience his presence. The readings during the Masses of the four weeks of Advent will not only remind us of God’s saving love but will enlighten our mind and guide our steps where we need to go and what we have to do. It will show us that the Lord who comes to us has chosen the best way to be among us: to be one like us in our struggles, to be at our darkest place and yet bring his own light to it. That’s the first Christmas, God being born, taking on our humanity. Needless to say, such quiet listening is prayer. This Advent, the only mantra we have to repeat is: Halina, Hesus halina.” First, Advent. Then, Christmas.

May “K” Ka Ba? was the theme of the 2010 Barangay Elections Candidates’ Forum held on October 16, 2010 at the Delaney Hall. The forum was organized by the Public Affairs Ministry to promote honest and responsible leadership and to enable the residents of Brgy. UP Campus to get to know the candidates and their respective platforms. Each candidate discussed his/her position on issues pertaining to or affecting peace and order, health and sanitation, and family and community. Take a look at what each of them has to say:

Belen Gravidez

On Health and Sanitation: The ‘From Womb to Tomb’ program will provide free check-up at health centers every Wednesday. Additional day care centers will be opened. The youth will be educated about abortion.

On Family and Community: An information campaign on Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) will be launched and free counseling will be provided to victims of violence.

Mrs. Gravidez also proposed tie-ups with various government agencies, the local government, and civic organizations for livelihood programs for the residents.

Doc Borjal

On Peace and Order: The BPSO will be front-liners. Satellites will be installed in critical areas.

On Health and Sanitation: The first step towards prevention of any illness is timely and up-to-date information dissemination.
On Family and Community: One of the ways to instill discipline in the youth is through a catechism program. In addition, bells will be installed to remind families to pray together.

Eric Encina

On Peace and Order: The main solution to the challenge of peace and order is having law-abiding citizens. A ‘K-9’ team will also be formed in every Area who will identify challenges, issues, and problems, and propose solutions relative thereto.

On Health and Sanitation: A full-service health center and ambulance will be ensured.

On Family and Community: Regular interaction among families will be held through various activities in order to promote camaraderie.
Mr. Encina committed to be a hands-on barangay captain, if elected, as well as the construction of the necessary infrastructure facilities.

Tito Pelaez

On Peace and Order: To ensure maximum performance by the BSDO, special seminars and trainings will be given to them. The benefits that they receive will also be reviewed to make sure that the benefits received are commensurate with service rendered. The trust in the Katarungang Pambarangay will be restored.

On Health and Sanitation: Proper trainings will be provided to health center workers. The garbage segregation and zero-waste management will be strictly implemented.

On Family and Community: Partnerships with the public and private sector will be formed for feeding and livelihood programs.
Mr. Pelaez’ vision is a transparent, democratic, and participative government.

All in all, the forum did not only give the residents of UP an opportunity to learn about the candidates’ platform. More importantly, it provided them an avenue to bring to the candidates’ attention the pressing issues affecting them as residents of UP. Through this activity, it is hoped by the Parish, that the constituents were informed and responsible voters. The barangay election was held last Monday, October 25 at the UP Integrated School High School building.

- By Grace Yumul and Doris Yumul

People always come and go. But when they go, it’s always for the better.

Most of us know him as the singing priest. Last December 2008, the parish community welcomed Fr. Serge Maniba, together with Fr. Anil and Fr. Mike, serving as a guest priest in the parish.
Fr. Serge recently finished his Masters in Theology, Major in Missiology at Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) along Tandang Sora Avenue and his Licentiate in Theology, Major in Missiology at the University of Santo Tomas.

Fr. Serge however, has to return to his service in Antique. And so, last October 17, 2010, the community had said their goodbyes to Fr. Serge during a Despedida Party given by the Parish Pastoral Council with the help of the BEC.

When he was asked to enumerate the things/events that he will not forget during his stay at PHS, his answer is this: “Nothing so extraordinary had happened to me in the parish but I have simple but great memories that I will bring with me when I leave” These simple but great memories include “the daily celebration of the Eucharist with the people, sitting in the confessionals and listening to the people unburden themselves to God through us ministers where I was able to enter into the deepest part of each penitent struggling to be good despite their weaknesses and how they experience relief through the mercy of God, (listening to them and being God’s humble servant I also experience my own weakness and God’s mercy as well), relating to the great men and women of the parish —PPC, Choirs, Catechists, Parish Staff, Area Coordinators, Lectors, Lay Ministers, Mother Butler, Tuesday Circle, Teachers of the Pre-school, the poor at the parking area, Youth, Campus Ministry and many more. Walking in silence around U.P. for exercise had also been great moments for the body as well as for the soul.”

Below is his message to the UP PHS parishioners:

Dear People of God in U.P Parish,
Life they say is a series of hellos and goodbyes. You welcome me last year with warm hello. Now it’s my time to say goodbye. My one year and ten months stay in the parish had been one of a great personal journey and pilgrimage. I had not only served you but you had served me as well. I may not have met all of you up-close and personal, but every Eucharist we had celebrated had made us closer beyond what we can think of and deeper than what we could ever experience: that is what faith tells us: in Christ present in the Eucharist, we are all one. I hope this become clearer someday when we meet each other in heaven with Christ as our priest celebrating the heavenly banquet himself. For all that has been: my deepest gratitude. For all my faults and shortcomings due to my weakness, my deepest apology as well. My deepest prayer for all of you is that you continue to discover yourselves and one another deeply in the Lord, especially in the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar; that we all belong to each other because we all belong to Jesus and Jesus belongs to God. May the U.P community be truly a community where God reigns and where the poor are served as an expression of your love for God. Please do pray for me. You are all welcome at Antique.

- By Doris Yumul

Since its inception, the objective of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice’ Social Development Program has been to address the needs of the most indigent parishioners from a holistic perspective. In 2008, Kaloob Karunungan or KaKa, the Parish’s scholarship program, commenced. To date, from thirty scholars, there are now 35 scholars and 5 children have graduated from grade school because of KaKa. In 2009, Hapag-Asa, the Parish’s feeding program was launched. The Parish believes in the necessity of not only providing the most basic needs of the most indigent parishioners but more importantly, in upholding these parishioners’ dignity and self-respect. Thus, in October this year, the Parish will launch the third and final part of its Social Development Program, a livelihood program.

One of the Five-Point Priority Agenda of the Diocese of Cubao is to implement a sustainable resource mobilization guided by the spirituality of stewardship. In line with this, the Parish, through the Social Services and Development Ministry, formulated a specific goal in its three-year plan for the period covering 2009 – 2012: to provide social services and developmental projects to 2,000 parishioners. To implement this goal and in relation to the scholarship and feeding sub-programs, the Parish believes that there is a need to make the parents or guardian of the KaKa scholars self-sufficient in order that other indigent parishioners may benefit from the resources of the sub-programs. Consequently, the target participants in the livelihood program are the parents or guardians of the KaKa scholars. A profiling of the KaKa parents will be done by Chie Lumbre in preparation for their participation in the livelihood program. A questionnaire which aims to reveal the parents’ interest and availability in undergoing the program will be used.

The preliminary work on the livelihood program will include the identification of the specific activities as well as of the resource persons for these activities. Discussions with regulatory agencies and partnerships with people’s organizations are currently being looked into. A project or feasibility study will then be prepared by some volunteer parishioners to guide the establishment of the program. Once the specific activities under the program are approved by the Parish Pastoral Council, a manual on the program will be prepared. A pilot-testing of the approved activities will be conducted before the manual is finalized and the program implemented.
At the end of the day, it is hoped that the most indigent parishioners will be transformed empowered, educated, and esteemed individuals.

If you want to volunteer in establishing the Parish’s first livelihood program by becoming a donor, resource person, or even an encoder of the feasibility study or manual of the program, you may get in touch through the parish office. Any form of help will be most appreciated.

-Grace Yumul (with Josie Gonzales as resource person)

Last September of 2009, the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice involved the top 2 officers of each ministry and organization in the Evaluation and Planning Workshop with the aim of evaluating the ministries’ and organizations’ performance in accomplishing its targeted goals, re-assessing which goals to detach from and which to further pursue, adopting the Diocese of Cubao’s 5 Point Priority Agenda as the principal goals to which all parish activities moving forward will be anchored on, and finally, planning the actions and programs of each ministry and organization for the years 2009-2012.

This August 21-22, 2010, the Parish’s top officers were again gathered for another Evaluation and Planning Workshop, held in St. John Mary Vianney’s Retreat House in Norzagaray, Bulacan, no longer to assess old goals or to formulate new ones, but to follow up on the action plans formulated in the planning workshop last year and to improve the formulation of the action plans already started, so as to ensure better realization of the target programs.

The following items where taken into consideration in the making of the action plans. First, an evaluation of the communication process, alignment of programs with the ministry or parish goals, skills and accountability of the point persons handling the program and the measurabiliy of the program itself was done by asking what they have done well and what they could have done better in the mentioned aspects. After, the programs formulated last year were assessed as whether they were accomplshed, partially accomplished or not accomplished.

With these 2 evaluations in mind, the participants formulated their ministry’s or organization’s action plans for implemenation in the year 2010-2011. The action plan form accomplished asks for the following data: objective or proposed program, its tracking method, the steps or procedures in implenting the program, the targeted date or dates when the program is to be executed, the accountable persons and the proposed funds to be allocated in the execution of the programs.

The SMART criteria had to be considered in creating the objective. The objective must be Specific so as not to be vague, Measurable so as it can be evaluated in a systematic manner, attainable or realistic, relevant so as it answers the needs of the entire parish community.

After the action plan has been formulated, it was presented to the body for critique and approval. The ministry and organization heads will then edit the plan, taking into consideration the critique and suggestions of the body. The final action plans will be compiled into a manual which will be used as reference for the ministries and organizations in their activities throughout the year.

- Kristine Turado

Achieving a happy match between the person and the job is a well-known principle to practitioners and students of Human Resource Development and Management. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao subscribes to the same principle as it consults the laity in the forthcoming transfer of parish assignments of the Diocesan clergy in January 2012. The innovation is attributed to Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, who, in the interest of empowerment of the laity, initiated the practice since 2005. However, this is the very first time that the process is being conducted systematically. Rev Msgr Antonio SJ Mortillero, Head of the Diocesan Personnel Board, has engaged the services of Mr Jojo Sumpaico, an established HRD Consultant and his wife, Ms Ditsy Sumpaico, a retired school administrator of the Loyola Schools of Ateneo de Manila University to conduct the consultation.

The Sumpaicos met the members of the Parish Pastoral Council executive committee on Sunday morning, 26 September 2010.

The Sumpaico couple has the unenviable task of visiting (and submitting their report within 6 weeks) 36 parishes, interviewing members of the parish pastoral councils to “validate” their responses to a set of questionnaires. Ten questions probed into the situation of the parish by gathering demographic data like the Catholic population, the number of families, zones and BECs, chapels, ministries and organizations, and number of children attending catechetical classes and sacramental data on number and schedule of masses, number of baptisms and number of first communicants in the past 5 years. The questionnaire further sought the PPC members’ perceptions of the parish situation, what were its strengths and what needed improvement, their opinion of the parish priest’s role as pastor, what type of parish is recommended for his next assignment, and, finally, what type of priest is deemed most suitable to replace him.

Indeed, this new practice seems to be without precedent with regard to the assignment of priests. There was a time when parish priests served for more than a decade, or some served less than a year. The new system of periodic consultations with the laity is expected to produce a rational basis for rotating priests within the diocese, prescribing a term of three years (minimum) and six years (maximum) beginning 2012.

The current consultation is also deemed to be an improvement of past practice, wherein after questionnaires are sent out and answered, a parish is suddenly assigned a new priest. The new feature of validation assures the laity that their sentiments reach the Personnel Board and the Bishop. Most important, they played an important role in the selection of their parish priest.

- Nestor Pilar

Ang buwan ng Oktubre ay buwan ng Santo Rosaryo. Ipinagdiriwang ito upang ipagdangal ang Birheng Maria. Dalawang taon na ang nakararaan simula nang ilunsad and Rosaryo sa Kapit-bahayan sa ating parokya. Nilalayon nitong pasiglahin ang Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC) na kung saan ang ating pakikipag-isa sa Diyos ay ang ating isinasabuhay sa pamamagitan ng ating pakikipag-isa sa ating kapwa o kapit-bahay sa pamamagitan ng pagdarasal ng Santo Rosaryo sa bawat sambahayan.

Isang beses sa isang linggo kung magtipon ang mga miyembro ng BEC sa iba’t ibang Area ng parokya. Isinasagawa ang pagdarasal sa bawat tahanan kung saan inililipat ang imahe ng Birheng Maria. Ang ipinamahagi ng Diyosesis ng Cubao na reflection guide ukol sa pagdarasal ng santo rosary na naka-angkla sa Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas at sa paghiging isang mabuting Pilipino ay binabasa dito. Matapos basahin ay mayroong pagkakataon na magmuni-muni at magbahagi ng kanilang karanasan na maaring mai-ugnay sa nabasang repleksyon. Nagkakaroon ng mumunting salo-salo ang bawat ugnayan at sa ganitong paraan mas nabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng interaksyon at makilala ang kanilang mga nakakasama sa komunidad.

Sa darating na ika-23 ng Oktubre, Sabado, sa ganap na Ika-4:30 ng hapon nakatakdang gawin ang Living Rosary sa parokya. Ang mga miyembro ng BEC ang siyang magbibigay ng pagninilay sa araw na ito na susundan ng pagdiriwang ng banal na misa sa ika-6 ng gabi.

Isaisip natin na ang pagdarasal ng Santo Rosaryo ay isang banal na pag-aalay ng papuri at pasasalamat hindi lamang sa Mahal na Birheng Maria kundi sa Poong Maykapal. Ang debosyong ito ay ating panatilihin, at tingnan ang pagdarasal ng Santo Rosaryo hindi bilang isang obligasyon ngunit isang matamis na pag-aalay ng mga dalangin sa Panginoon.

- Doris Yumul

“Hosanna!” ang naging maluwalhating bungad ng ating paggunita ng Semana Santa. Bagama’t hindi opisyal na kasama sa Semana Santa, ang Visita Iglesia na isinagawa noong Marso 27, isang araw bago ang Linggo ng Palaspas, ay isang mahalagang paghahanda para sa pagdating nito.  Ika-anim ng umaga ng araw na iyon nang umalis ang grupo mula sa parokya lulan ng isang bus at mga pribadong sasakyan.  Mahigit sa 60 rin ang sumama at karamihan dito ay kasapi ng mga ministry o may katungkulan sa mga area.  Ngunit may may mga parokyano rin na kahit walang katungkulan sa parokya ay nakita ang kagandahan at kabutihang maidudulot ng Visita Iglesia lalo na sa kanilang paghahanda para sa Semana Santa, kung kaya’t pinili rin nilang sumama.

Pitong simbahan sa Rizal at Laguna ang binisita ng grupo.  Sa bawat simbahan, nagbabasa ng dalawang istasyon sa Banal na Daan ng Krus at ito’y pinagninilay-nilayan habang namamangha sa disenyo at arkitektura ng mga lumang simbahan.  Ang unang binisita ay ang simbahan ng Parokya ng San Ildefonso sa Tanay. Dito sinimulan ang Visita Iglesia sa pamamagitan ng isang misa na pinangunahan ni Fr. Raymond Arre.  Sunod na binisita ang magkalapit na simbahan ng Pakil at Paete sa Laguna.  Sapagkat medyo malayo ang kasunod na simbahan ng Magdalena, inaliw ng tour guide na si Alan Navida, na siya ring nag organisa sa paglalakbay, ang grupo sa pamamagitan ng mga kuwento tungkol sa kasaysayan ng mga lugar at simbahang binisita at bibisitahin.  Sa Magdalena nananghalian ang grupo sa mga kubong matatagpuan sa labas ng simbahan.  Mas mahaba naman ang panahong iniukol sa bayan ng Liliw sapagkat bukod sa pagdalaw at pagdarasal sa simbahan, namili rin ang grupo ng mga tsinelas at sapatos kung saan naging kilala ang nasabing bayan.  Namangha naman ang lahat sa ganda ng simbahan ng Nagcarlan.  Kapansin-pansin ang mahaba nitong pasilyo, ang mga mala-gintong retablo at ang lumang arkitektura na siyang nagpatanyag dito.  Marahil ito ang naging dahilan sa pagpili ng naturang simbahan na maging lokasyon para sa teleseryeng “Kampanerang Kuba”.  Dumaan din ang grupo sa underground cemetery ng Nagcarlan at nalaman mula sa tagapagbantay ang kasaysayan nito.  Sa simbahan ng Pila natapos ang Visita Iglesia.  Dito binasa na ang panglabing tatlo at panglabing apat na istasyon ng Banal na Daan ng Krus.

Magtatakipsilim na ng magsimulang umuwi ang mga sumama at gabi na ng dumating sa parokya ng Banal na Sakripisyo.  Bagamat pagod sa mahabang biyahe bakas naman sa mga mukha nila ang sayang nadarama nang samahan nila si Hesus sa Kanyang mga naging karanasan – mula sa Kanyang paghihirap at pagkamatay hanggang sa Kanyang muling pagkabuhay.

Nang sumunod na araw ipinagdiwang naman ang Linggo ng Palaspas na kinapalooban ng prusisyon mula sa UP College of Engineering kung saan nagbasbas ng mga palaspas. Lalong napasigla ng pagkalansing ng tamburin ang prusisyon nang ito’y sinalubong ng mga benepisyaryo ng KaKa Scholarship Fund. Ang pagtatapos ng prusisyon ay siyang simula ng pangunahing misa sa Linggo ng Palaspas na pinamunuan ng ating Kura Paroko.

Tunay nga namang angkop ang panahon ng Semana Santa upang pagyamanin at palalimin ang ating pananampalataya at ang ating pagpapahalaga sa misteryo ng kuwaresma. Napatungkol dito ang Lenten Recollection na pinamunuan ni Fr. Baltazar Obico, ang Minister Provincial ng mga Franciscans. Nagbuhat sa mga pagninilay na tampok sa recollection noong Lunes at Martes Santo ang higit na pagbuti ng pag-unawa sa atedg ng Kuwaresma at sa Pasko ng Pagkabuhay.

Pinakamahalagang bahagi na marahil ng mga paghahanda para sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan ang pagkilala at pagtanggap sa ating pangangailangan ng kapatawaran mula sa Diyos. Ating tinugunan ang tawag ng Panginoon na magbalik-loob kung kaya’t ating isinagawa ang Kumpisalang Bayan noong Miyerkules Santo kasama ang walong pari, ang iba sa kanila’y mula ated mga karatig na simbahan. Upang lalong maging makabuluhan ang Sakramento ng Pakikipagkasundo, pinangunahan ito ng isang simpleng liturhiya ng pagbasa at pagdasal kung saan inilarawan ang pagbabagong-buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagpatay ng mga kandilang nagsasagisag sa iba’t-ibang uri ng kasalanan.

Ang napipintong kasukdulan ng Semana Santa ay lalong napahayag sa paggunita ng Huling Hapunan ng Panginoon noong Huwebes Santo. Tinampok sa pagdiriwang ng Misa sa gabing iyon ang paghugas ng mga paa ng mga apostoles na kinatawan ng mga magulang ng mga iskolar ng KaKa. Ani Fr. Anil sa kanyang homiliya, tanda ng ating pakikiisa sa Diyos ang ating pagdamay at pagsilbi sa kapwa. Hayag sa paghuhugas ng paa ang tawag ng Panginoong dumamay at magsilbi. At sa paanyayang samahan rin ang Panginoon sa gabi ng Kanyang pagtangis, ating itinugon ang pagsamba sa Santisimo Sakramento na kahanga-hangang idinambana sa Hardin ng Pamilya.

Sa mismong araw ng paggunita ng pagpapakasakit at pagkamatay ng Panginoon, Biyernes Santo, at sa ganap na ika-tatlo ng hapon, ang oras ng Kanyang pagpanaw, dama sa buong simbahan ang damdamin ng lungkot at lumbay. Tila tanda ng pakikiisa sa madamdaming mga pangyayari ang pagkamaalinsangan ng panahon. Ang altar, nanatiling walang gayak; ang prusisyon, walang kasabay na ni anong awit; ang mga mamumunong pari, dumapa lamang sa altar bilang tanda ng masidhing paggalang sa Panginoong kapapanaw lamang. Tunay ngang simbolo ng ating kaligtasan at pananampalataya ang krus na siyang pinagpakuan ng ating Diyos. Kung kaya’t sentro ng liturhiya ng Biyernes Santo ang pagsamba sa krus. Matapos ang mga pagbasa at ang mga panalangin, itinampok ni Fr. Mike, ang siyang punong pari noon, ang krus at ihinayag ang anyayang, “Ito ang kahoy na krus!” Atin namang itinugon, “Purihin at sambahin!” Sumunod na rito ang paghalik sa krus bilang tanda ng ating ating pagsamba. Matapos ang komunyon ay nagtuloy na tayo sa prusisyon ng Santo Entierro, tanda rin ng ating pagdamay sa Birheng Dolorosa sa gitna ng kanyang pagtatangis.

Kung anong lungkot ng nagdaang araw ay siya namang sigla ng Sabado de Gloria, ang gabi ng paggunita sa muling pagkabuhay ng Diyos. Sa pangunguna ni Fr. Raymond, binasbasan ang isang bagong apoy, simbolo ng tagumpay ng nabuhay na Diyos laban sa kadilimang idinulot ng kasalanan. Napakaganda nga namang ated, na mula sa isang kandilang itinanghal kasabay ng mga katagang, “This is the light of Christ!”  nabasag ang dilim sa simbahan ng mga kandilang nagsindihan kasabay ang tugon na, “Thanks be to God!” Anong ganda nga naman ng pagkasagisag ng pagtagumpay ng ilaw ng Panginoon laban sa kadiliman ng kasalanan! Hayag sa pag-awit ng Exsultet ang pagkagalak ng buong simbahan sa muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Sa limang pagbasa, muli nating ginunita ang kuwento ng ating kaligtasan. Matapos ang mga iyon, muling inawit ang Gloria na tila kay tagal nang ‘di natin naulinigan. Sa maluwalhating paggunita, sinindihan ang mga ilaw ng simbahan at doo’y namalas ng lahat ang dambanang lubusang ginanyakan ng atedg tela, mga halaman, at mga bulaklak. Tampok rin sa gabing iyon ang pagbinyag, pagkumpil, at pagtanggap ng unang komunyon ng kapatid nating si Geneva Malinao. Kasunod nito ay muli nating ipinagtibay at ipinahayag ang ating pananampalataya. Ani nga ni Fr. Raymond sa kanyang homiliya, nabuhay nang muli ang Panginoon at marapat lamang ng ikasiya natin ito at tugunan ng ating pagsasabuhay ng bagong buhay  mula sa pagkamakasalanan at kawalan ng pag-asa.

Tanto natin na ang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay ay siyang pinakamahal sa mga mahal na araw sapagkat dito’y naipamalas ng Panginoon ang Kanyang tagumpay laban sa kamatayan. Naging bahagi ng ating pagdiriwang ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay ang pagsama kina Hesus at Birheng Maria sa kanilang Salubong. Ating tinunghayan ang pagtanggal ng anghel ng itim na belo ni Maria na tanda ng kalungkutang hindi na dapat niya, maging natin din, danasin. Kay-angkop rin na idinaos sa Sunken Garden ang Misa sapagkat nalahad sa mga panahong iyon ang pagbukang-liwayway na akmang sumabay sa pagpapahayag ni Fr. Serge sa kanyang homiliya na dapat tayo’y gumising na’t mamulat sa pag-asang dala ng muling pagka-buhay ng Diyos. Naging bahagi rin ng ating pagsasaya ang Easter egg hunt at ang Easter picnic noong araw na iyon.

Atin nang ginunita ang Semana Santa at atin na ring ikinasiya ang muling pagkabuhay ng ating Panginoon. Nawa’y manatili tayo sa liwanag at pag-asang ated ng Paskong ating ipinagdiwang.

- By Kiboy Tabada and Michelle Rubio

I was in a bus when I saw in the street a 40 year old man in dirty rubber shoes, stomping his feet upon an empty plastic bottle. Next to him was a sack of what appeared to be 20 or so flattened empty plastic bottles. And on his other side is a pile of empty plastic bottles yet to be squashed by his dirty rubber shoes. And then a thought saddened me.  I thought of how much or rather how little he would earn for his huge effort of stomping on those bottles. Let us do some math here. Suppose he can flatten 7 bottles in one minute. In one hour, he would have 420 flattened plastic bottles! That is a good number of plastic bottles. But would he earn enough from selling them to put food on his table? It sure is a hard life especially if you compare it with the life of a person working in the office, earning P400 for half a day’s work.

Here is another scenario. I bet at least once in your life, you were able to cross paths with a person rolling a wooden cart containing used bottles and old newspapers taken from the garbage dumpsters outside your house or somewhere near your street.  Now let me ask, have you ever wondered why they endure the heat of the sun, the polluted air and the tiring long walks, just so they can earn a living? I’m sure somehow you thought, maybe they can do better with a more convenient job. There are a number of other alternatives. But as any job applicant knows, qualification is a necessary consideration. How can they apply to better paying jobs when they have not even finished high school? How can they finish high school when they have to work since they were little, in order to support their family’s needs?

I am sharing these tidbits of everyday scenarios to make you remember the reality of our nation. In a statement given last April 25, 2010, by Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), he asserts that “The country is in a critical situation.”

All these tidbits of news above are just accurate incidents showing the truth of Bishop Odchimar’s assertions that there are “the need of true moral and social transformation”, “an erosion of moral values” and a “truly widespread corruption and dishonesty all around us.”

However, a change in leadership in the government is a chance for some transformation in this country. And so, for this coming election, he calls for us Filipinos to unite “in self-sacrifice and in hope for our great people, and our beloved land”. Let us be one in pursuing the “realization of [an] integrally free, clean and honest election.”

Now it may be true that political strategies have already been established to promote corruption and dishonesty in the election results. But as our truly Filipino quote says, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, sa tao ang gawa.” Thus, Bishop Odchimar claims, “there must be first a turning to God in prayer.”

“This is why the Catholic Bishops’ conference of the Philippines, endorse the urgent novena addressed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, interceding our Father in heaven, for the realization of integrally free, clean and honest election.” Bishop Odchimar calls for a novena, as proposed by His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila starting May 01 to May 09.

The novena is for God’s “awa”, deciding wisely on who to vote is our share of “gawa” in bringing about a transformation in our country.

In a pastoral statement of Archbishop Fernando Capalla written in the year 2004 when he was then the President of the CBCP, he enumerated 3 criteria to consider in choosing the candidate to elect to office. These are as follows: a person of competence, of conscience and of commitment. We see a person’s competence by looking at his record while in office. What was he able to accomplish? How did he use his power in order to serve his people? What situations showed his leadership abilities? A person of conscience is one who promotes respect for human rights. What did he do to combat prostitution, drugs or child abuse? Has he been transparent in all his transactions while in office? Has he had any issues regarding abuse of power and how did he address these scandals? A person of commitment is one who is active in pursuing a vision for a better nation.

Media has been very active in providing us with many programs that help us get a glimpse of the running candidates — what their views are, how they think and how they react. It is our duty not just as citizens of this nation but as Christians as well, to ponder on who we will vote in order to provide this country with a respectable and capable leader.

If we add this kind of leader to a community of people with the right attitude and values we would have less saddening scenarios. Hopefully, we would have better laws protecting people from abuses from those who are in power. Hopefully, we would have better educational system to cater to the less fortunate population so that they would have better chances at getting themselves respectable jobs which would not require their risking their health. Hopefully, our nation will be changed, even just by a little bit.

As Bishop Odchimar puts it accurately, “the success of the election is significant to the country’s political and economic stability while its failure could further the suffering of many poor people.”

Your vote would mean less saddening everyday scenarios and more amazing stories happening here in our country. Don’t you want a better society for yourself and for your fellow Filipinos?

- By Kristine Turado