Trip to Zamboanga!

It has been a while! I have been busy since the day I was told that ordination is close at hand. I was on a 6-day retreat last July 18-23 then went straight for Zamboanga dawn of July 24.

We left Cagayan de Oro around 5:00 in the morning. We took the longer route, via land travel. We need to pass through the cities of Iligan, Pagadian, Ipil, and Zamboanga City. Archbishop Ledesma, SJ and his driver Bossing Edwin took turns in this long drive. I volunteered myself to help them but was not given a chance, hehehe... Perhaps the Bishop knows that I don't know how to drive, hahaha!

Our first stop was around lunch time and took our lunch in the parish where Bishop Ledesma, SJ was first assigned as a new priest, at the parish of Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. He was an assistant parish priest way back before he was assigned in the academe. We were graciously and warmly welcomed by the Fr. Larry, the most light-hearted priest I have yet to met. His positive disposition is very contagious. You cannot think of pain, problem, and suffering when you are with him.

We arrived at our destination around 4:00 in the afternoon. You can only imagine those 11 long hours sitting down and watching panoramic views passing before us. Or was it us who passed by the scenery? We arrived safe and sound at the Silsilah Oasis of Dialogue Training Center, Harmony Village, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.

We then proceeded to thank God in the Eucharistic Celebration for the safe trip.

A Day With The Transforming Green Lanterns!

I spent my day last Sunday with my nephews Quinn2, Troy, Jboy, Badad, and King. Not seen in this photo is my niece Baby Jlou and another nephew on the way. Normally Quinn2 leads the way from our town to the city. But last Sunday, he was out early from home to join the XU-CIT Varsity try-outs. I didn't have the choice but to fetch my nephews from the city to Villanueva. They are still too young to travel to the city on their own with Troy and Badad with them.

We had pizza at BFB for our early lunch. Jboy and King were in shape to devouring the pizza. You can only imagine the six of us consuming the largest pizza they offered. And we had it cleaned out in less than 30 minutes, hahaha.

The kids were so excited of the Transforming Green Lanterns, hehehe. First, we watch Green Lantern and then transferred to the Transformers afterwards. I love spending my hours with these adorable monsters. Supposedly, we had scheduled to watch Green Lantern last week and The Transformer for this Sunday. But I was in Manila when Green Lantern was shown to theaters. So we decided to do a marathon!

After the movie marathon, they were all talking about their favorite scenes. They were like commentators of a basketball game talking all at the same time. It was a riot outside but it was just great fun. They loved the Transforming Green Lanterns!

As I was looking at them, I remembered that we used to be so small as a family. There were only 4 of us at home - my mama and my two sisters. Papa is normally out of the country for work. After 20 years, we have grown to be so large as a family. We have added 2 loving brothers-in-law, 5 noisy nephews, 1 sweet niece, and another angel on the way. Mama has to budget 2 Lechon Manoks and 3 Liempos for our dinner every time I am home.

Next stop - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2!

Provin on Sundays

Provin. Have a bite of one of the delicacies at the busy Gaston Park on Sundays. Just forget anything about health and hygiene. Have a taste of this Filipino Street Food, I'm sure you will love it.

Gaston Park is right outside the Cathedral of St. Augustine of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. On Sundays, this is one of the busiest parks in the city. Parishioners do have an all-in-one activity center in this park. They can start with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at anytime of the day. They have options as to the time they are to ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifttend the celebration. First Mass is at 4:00 in the morning and the last Mass is at 7:45 in the evening. After the mass, they can roam around and enjoy this eco-friendly park. I'm sure people will not go hungry in this part of the city. They can choose from the variety of food this place is offering.

I love provin (spelled this way?). This afternoon I had my stomach filled with great food and paid only P40. P20 for provin (P5 each), P10 for puso (rice wrapped in a coconut leaf @P5 each) and P10 for soft drinks.

So the next time you attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral of St. Augustine, please don't fail to have a taste of the street food offered outside. It goes both ways, you do have good food and a way of helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters. It does help our economy as well, hehehe.

Deacon na si Craig ug Posoi

It was such a joy to see the last lay members of the SAHA Batch ordained as Deacons at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Tagbilaran City last June 27, 2011. The Ordaining Prelate was the Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, His Excellency Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD. The ordination was attended in by a number of priests and deacons from the Dioceses of Tagbilaran, Talibon, and from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

The delegates from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary were Fr. Butch Zayas, Ate Venus Guibone, and Fr. Abet Uy. Among the SAHA batch, only Fr. Junjie, Rev. James, and myself were able to free our schedules to be with Craig and Posoi. The members of the SAHA batch who didn't make it were Frs. Ricky, Arniel, and Chris.

You could only imagine how Rev. James and myself manage to discuss a lot of things all throughout the celebration. We were whispering here and there. It was just a riot.

But the celebration ran smoothly the way the Liturgists wanted it to happen. Words cannot paint the happiness that Rev. Craig and Rev. Posoi felt that day.

The long wait is over. They have come to the end of the long journey. They are now part of the Ordained Ministers.

Craig and Posoi, the best is yet to come... See you soon for our Alumni Homecoming!

A Tale 15 years in the making

It was a great day spent with long lost brothers and friends. I spent my day with Mark (kiko) and Rondie (dodo) walking around the city looking for nice t-shirts and affordable printing houses. We are the ones entrusted for the preparation of our batch reunion - the 15th year anniversary - which will be this coming July 1 - 2, 2011.

15 years ago, 26 young men from different parishes in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Diocese of Surigao met and lived together as brothers in the community for the Spirituality Formation Year of San Jose de Mindanao Seminary batch 1996. We started with the casual high and hellos, turned great buddies, occasional foes, drinking partners, confidante, trusted friend...

Let me introduce the seminarians of SFY -SJMS 1996. We lived in 7 different rooms, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John, St. Paul, St. John Vianney, and San Lorenzo Ruiz. These were the occupants of the old SFY house. Max Ceballos from Gusa, Roy Barros from Claveria, Jessie Namocot from NHA - CDO, Vicente Ricacho from Villanueva, Ramon Francis Burlat from Alubijid, Gino Jumawid from Villanueva, Michael Alcantara from Bugo, Rondie Felizilda from Balulang, Stephen Dacubor from Villanueva, Jimmy Duhaylungsod Jr. from Tagoloan, Tirso Lisbos from Bacuag, Surigao, Erdman Pandero from Villanueva, Rex Javier from Mahinog, Samson Abao from Mahinog, Jefferson Naraja from Gigaquit, Surigao, Philip Adran from Medina, Nicanor Saguibo from Malitbog, Brian Racines from Gusa, Hawthorne Galas from Mahinog, Mark Francisco from Macabalan, Ronan Ravelo from Gen.Luma, Surigao, Mark Anthony Zambrano from Medina, Orlando Montalban from Baliwagan, Jonel Jorta from Gigaquit, Surigao, Julian Guinit, San Juan, Siquijor (Cugman), and Jayniel Casino from Claveria.

15 years after... we have gone a long way ahead... We have taken different routes, followed branching out roads, lived different lives...

Our goal then was to end up as priests, Fr. Macky is now the Director of a School in El Salvador, Fr. Roy an Parish Administrator for Barra, Opol, Fr. Jessie the Parish Priest of Balingoan, Fr. Jong2 the Parochial vicar of Initao, Frs. Bobong and Juls Parochial Vicars of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Augustine, Fr. Ronan the Spiritual Director of Marajao na Magbalantay Seminary, Rev. Dodong the Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bro. Iko awaiting his letter of release from his religious congregation and be back as a diocesan seminarian.

I will have time to reconnect with the rest the next few days and share with you what happen with the rest 15 years hence.

Our batch will be spending our July 1 and 2 together, to reminisce the good old days, to relive the beautiful memories, to reconnect our lost friends, to rebuild each other, to comfort one another, and again to simply be there for each other.

I will have more about them in the next few days...

Republika ng Pilipinas - Pasaporte

I love traveling. I love backpacking. I love the seas and I love the mountains. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, sleeping in different hotels and pension houses. I traveled a lot, but only inside my beloved Philippines. Why? Well, I didn't have my passport.

I had my three years hiatus in Cebu. I worked as a Call Center Agent and as a Publishing Consultant. I had the capacity to travel that time. My wallet was thick enough to support my passion to see places but my Birth Certificate chained me and forced me to enjoy the locals instead. Most of my friends would schedule their vacations abroad and grabbed that Cebu Pacific discounted fares. I would simply wish that the local midwife in our place back in 1978 was kind enough to check if my record was really that of my parents'. Or better yet, my parents could have doubled-check it. But the truth remained, I was recorded not with the Maiden Name of my mother.

So there I was, stuck and could not file any passport. I didn't have the time to visit the NSO to make the necessary changes and applications. It did not stop me though from traveling. Up north in Luzon, I went to Baguio City, Tagaytay City, Lipa City, Manila and all other cities in between even farther down Marinduque. Down in Visayas, I traveled from Bohol, Cebu, Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, and the beautiful island of Boracay. Here in Mindanao, the only region I haven't been is the region comprising Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-tawi. I was everywhere. Perhaps, God wants me to see and have a taste of the Philippine travels before embarking on a trip worldwide, nyaks...

And God answered my prayers. I just received today, after months of preparing for corrections and other stuff from my Birth Certificate, my PASAPORTE. It only means one thing... set back and join me... as I will have to bring you with me to my travels...

I know, it will not happen tomorrow or the next few days. But it will happen soon I tell you. And before that happens, I will content myself to revisiting the places I had been, to remember the people I met, relish the food I ate, relive the hotels I was into, the boats that took me farther from the shores, and the planes that brought to my heights.