At the Middle of the Sea

It was my first time to be in cruising ship bound to Cagayan de Oro City for a youth conference. There at the ship deck, I had the chance for sight seeing. Enjoying seeing those islands we passed by, some aquamarine life floating on water and some species of fish swimming in the deep blue sea. It was unforgettable experience but the most memorable one when darkness covered the sea with its sands of stars shining brightly over us but no moon was sighted. We are at the middle of the sea with no ships passing by. The wind blows gently in its coldness. Beyond the horizon were lighthouses with their flickering lights from the distance serving as night compass to those navigating on the sea.

Though at first I was scared to get aboard in a ship for the possibility that it will sink but fear faded suddenly when all the magnificent scene that evening shown before my very eyes. It was truly a majestic show that God for us that night. That was God's sign for me to assure that there's nothing to fear or worry about because He is with us in the midst of navigation. It's a splendid evening indeed!

The First Seminary

I was very eagered to enter the seminary when I was young but when I graduated from high school I was able to enter. Living in the seminary may be difficult and struggling but once you've been from the first seminary, everything will be alright. What's the first seminary I'm referring to?

Though some of us (like myself) who is eager to live in the seminary, you're already are in it! Our home is the first seminary where we first learn to pray with our parents who serve as our first rector, prefects and our teachers. It is from our home where we first learn how to work in a meaningful way, the first seminary where we develop our personality and the first seminary we realize our vocation that God called us to. We owe our home this unique formation, for what we are and what we'll become.

Paghahandog Ng Sarili (A Reflection)

One of the best-loved religious song that’s very memorable to me is the song composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ and Jandi Arboleda, putting a haunting hymn to the immortal prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s “Take and Receive” (from the Spiritual Exercises). Aside from the fact that this song was the first piece I played on the piano, the song inspired my journey to where I am now. Yes, to become a priest of His service to His flock.

The song’s melody puts oneself into deep and revered prayer of thanks and consolation that God lovingly bestowed upon. The lyrics (which translated to Filipino by Fr. Timoteo Ofrasio, SJ) puts meaning to selfless sacrfice to forego whatever riches, power or selfish ambition we have.

“Paghahandog Ng Sarili” is not also a simple Offertory song we sing in masses. It is a prayer. A prayer of self-surrending everything that flaggelates our inner being. The difficulty of letting go is the most challenging part of foregoing for the sake of vocation. The song reminds me that there’s nothing in this world that could be most valuable than the unconditional love of God that touched my heart. Riches and power may offer securities but the love of God sustains life and gives happiness that outpours!

“Paghahandog Ng Sarili” invites everyone to be like Christ, which he himself puts the best example of giving selflessly of one’sself to God. It’s an invitation. Jesus had done this to his cross, why should we not also do this to our own crosses? Oftentimes we put complains about the weight of our crosses when it is actually a moment where we should give ourselves according to one’s capacity of loving as equal to the weight our crosses we bear.

Whenever you sing “Paghahandog Ng Sarili”, let us be reminded what things should we let go for the sake of attaining God’s love. As for myself, I am continuously reflecting on things that I should let go. Letting go is not a one-time process, it is continuous process of learning to accept with humility that we as human beings, tainted with sins, but coping to be as creature loved unconditonally by God.

The Big Stone and the Villagers

There was a road that leads to a village where nobody seems to care. This is the only road that is accessible for the people. One day, a big stone from nowhere blocked the road. The villagers begun to murmur of who amongst them will remove the stone but nobody seems to care. A merchant was passing by and saw the stone. He climbed over it and goes on his way to the village. A soldier was also passing by and saw the same stone, but instead of climbing, he went the other way by going around the stone and away he proceeds to the village. Then a farmer from a nearby village was about to pass by, he used his rope and tie around the stone and pulls it with the help of his cart and carabao from the center. The villagers saw what the farmer is doing. They felt ashamed of themselves. Suddenly, the villagers are now helping the farmer to pull the stone and they succeed! Yes the stone has been removed from the road because they were united. From that day on, everybody starts to care.

The Hardest Thing

All of us may agree that the hardest thing you'll ever do is bidding farewell to a friend, a place and even to your family. I don't recount anymore how many times I did that, so far in this life: bidding farewell to my family when I first entered the seminary, my exodus from three seminaries I have been with, etc. I hate saying goodbye but the reality is, it is part of life's continuing journey and also part of God's divine plan.

To say 'goodbye' may be the literal word for 'parting is such a sweet sorrow' by William Shakespeare but the sweetness of memories we experienced will forever be sketch in our hearts and mind. To say 'goodbye' may close a door of fond memory but will become the key to unlock a brand new experience that life will bring. To say 'goodbye' is a challenge for us to be strong and firm. It is important that while we still alive and breathing, we must love the persons around us as much as possible and enjoy and cherish every moment that God gives us.

The Acacia Tree in Our Parish

Our acacia tree in our nearby parish is the only surviving tree around the premise that became the living witness of our town;s history. It is one of our treasured heritage in our place because it exists for more than centuries! It surely has gone a long way of our history. Unfortunately, it could not speak nor recount to us what really happened during those chaotic times in the pages of our history. People in our town tend to repeat again the error of our forefathers did in the past.

If only the acacia tree would be able to speak, it would remind us all over again the mistakes that our forefathers have done that we today have really never learned about. During our town's fiesta, our city government gave recognition to that acacia tree hailing as a living mute witness to our history. Today, that tree still stands in its glorious splendor. It serves us a living reminder to all the people who pass by in our church that we should never forget our past, present and even our future.

The Old Church of Sta.Ana in Taguig...photo taken in 18th century, the young acacia tree

stands in front of the church

Our church today and the acacia tree which is more than 400 years of existence

Vocation Journey Series: A Chance to Serve (A Reflection from my Installation)

In a typical lunch in the seminary when our rector announced and reminded us First and Second Year Theologians to prepare ourselves for our upcoming Installation to the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte on August. Our rector’s announcement was also the start of writing our petition letters to our respective bishops and reading again the guidelines ‘Motu Propio’ of Pope Paul VI. A scheduled seminar on the lectorate and acolytate will be conducted again either by Fr. Tim Ofrasio, SJ or Fr. Gene Diwa. Preparations such as purchasing albs for our class, making invitations and liturgy practices for the Installation are one of those busy days which we can write in journal of our seminary life.

But more to the preparations (materially if you may want to call it), what we are preparing is not simply an installation rite but rather a more meaningful and different level of service most especially the ministry that we are receiving: the Ministry of Acolyte. Why is this meaningful?

Before the installation day, I had a Spiritual direction with my Spiritual Director, (a fitting way to prepare for an installation!). He asked me that question and I answered, ‘because I waited for a year to finally receive the ministry’. The answer that I have given may not sound too convincing but we went in-depth. Perhaps, synonymous to the question of ‘Why is this meaningful?’ is the question ’How special is this ministry that I am going to receive?’. Amidst of excitement that I felt before the installation day, mixed emotions were felt; joy, fear, unworthiness…

It was then through spiritual direction that I came up with a realization that it was God’s grace that makes it so special…the grace of sharing the Body of Christ to the people. I also become the minister who assists in giving communion and the privileged to give the body of Christ to the people is a special gift that the ministry of acolyte can impart. A special gift that can truly be treasured. This is another chance for me to serve him in a manner more profound and honored. But there’s a feeling of unworthiness…unworthy in the sense that I am not the person qualified for that job but still I am called to serve. Despite my weakenesses, He has called me to this level of service…that’s another grace from God!

And it was during our Installation to the Ministry of Acolyte that I really felt something extraordinary and understood so much the meaning and joy of being called to this service despite unworthiness.

The hope that I prayed when I received the chalice and paten from the installing prelate…

Lord here I am, ready to serve and love you, give me the grace to love you even more despite my frailties and grant me the strength to fervently serve you with my entire life!

Vocation Journey Series: Typical Day in the Seminary

In case you’re wondering how’s my day goes in the seminary, well, here’s a little crash course on a day-to-day life in the seminary. Our day starts around 5:30am or earlier to prepare ourselves for the community, BEC or personal morning prayer or the Holy Mass which usually starts at 6:00am then followed by breakfast at 7am. After breakfast, we prepare ourselves for academic activities by going to our theological school, which is Loyola School of Theology. A 5-minute walk from San Jose Seminary which is both located inside the campus of Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.

Our studies run from 2 to 3 hours which has 15-minute break interval. Depending on our class schedule, there were days that we have free time in the morning or afternoon which does not mean to say that you are free from obligation to study, well…it’s really a self-discipline habit to develop: either you study or get flank. The choice is really ours. After class hours, we go back to our seminary for lunch at 12nn and before taking lunch, we have to say our Angelus.

There are schedules in the afternoon for studies, or siesta or personal activities, again, it depends upon the schedule of the seminary. Sometimes, we have community sports in the afternoon, either you play basketball or volleyball or badminton. We have a huge covered court which homed these sports. If we do have free time in the afternoon, we could go out from the seminary and run some errands for our needs, or visiting a benefactor or emergency appointment which needs to attend.

At 5pm, quiet begins then silence and preparation for Community Mass begins. The Community Mass gathers the theology and philosophy department as well as our formators. Then at 7pm, we eat our dinner together, afterwards, we do some recreation at 7:20pm and by 8pm, if there are meetings and conferences we proceed to our multi-purpose hall underneath the St. Ignatius Building. At 9pm, we do our studies and 10pm…if we want, lights off follows.

On weekends, we have apostolate of each BECs to our respective apostolate areas. Our BEC apostolate area is in Libis, Quezon City. We sleep there on Saturday night and return to the seminary the following day, Sunday.

That’s how our day-to-day life in the seminary works.

Vocation Journey Series: That Feeling in the Seminary

Why Am I Here in the Seminary?

This question oftentimes I asked myself whenever I wake up in the morning and retiring to bed in the evening. I have told you about my decision to go back in the seminary despite of good and modest position I had in my previous company. Yes, for some it is dismaying to know that I exchanged my work just to be back in the seminary. I don’t blame their sentiments, for they are just expressing their views. On the other hand, some were happy for what I have decided because I have found already what my heart desires throughout the years that I spent outside the seminary.

Whenever I wake up in the morning, I still can’t believe that I am back in the seminary and that, I am following again certain schedule for a day. It’s a good feeling though because I have missed this kind of life five years ago. When I came here last May 9, 2008, there were mixed emotions I have felt; excited, fear, nervous, happy, etc. I can’t believe I am in the seminary again. Later that day, we had our first mass together as a batch of new seminarians in San Jose, I felt an unexplainable feeling that time! It seems that both of my feet were cold, my heartbeat is fast pulsating, my muscles pounding. I have never imagine to feel again the same feeling that I have felt when I first entered the seminary. Bumabalik na nga ang dati kong buhay na nakagawian ko…
Even until today, the feeling is still there. How I wish I could describe more vividly to you this kind of feeling that I am now experiencing. This perhaps, a way of God’s love is being channeled through me and I want this to share it to others.
A friend have asked me this question, ‘Do you have any regrets of going back to the seminary?’ , I just simply told my friend, ‘No regrets. I am happy to where I am now.’

Vocation Journey Series: From PSMBFI to San Jose Seminary

After a year na hindi ako nakapagsulat dito sa blog ko, at last, nagkaroon na rin ako ng time to update my blog. Anyway, marami na rin ang nangyari since the last blog na sinulat ko dito. To keep you updated, I resigned from my work as a Marketing and Leasing Clerk from my former company in PSMBFI somewhere in Crame. Most of my co-workers were sad because I am resigning soon especially that I am already a probationary employee, less than 2 months I will become a regular employee in the company. I have decided to re-enter again the seminary and this time at San Jose seminary inside Ateneo de Manila University. Some of my friends were quite shock about my decision but others, they are expecting it already because I have confided them my on-going reflections that time. Even my parents didn’t expect my sudden turn-about decision to re-enter the seminary again.

What happened is that, they were expecting some sort of explanations from me but I told them an honest decision to be back in the seminary which, in the first place, my first love. I have been in the outside world for 5 years (since I went out from the seminary in 2002) and I think, those 5 meaningful years were enough to say that I have been through a lot of challenges and it’s time for me to come back. I am so grateful for five years living in the world where reality of life is being experienced. I had 4 different jobs that I have been with 4 different companies. I experienced how to toil hard and sweat my eyebrows for the sake of earning a living. I do not say this because I had enough of work for five years, I am still continue learning the facts of life and its lessons and even up to this day. Although I am now in San Jose Seminary, the securities are back and harder studies has just begun, I am praying that I may endure these challenges which once again test my perseverance of my vocation and the faith that I am holding on to God. I would like you to join with me in this conquest…

Unlocking the Mystery of Life: An Introduction to my Blog

I am finally here at Blogger.com and I am so happy to share with you some of my articles, reflections and other write-ups that I wrote. Writing is one of my hobby and I am enjoying it because it gives me a place to channel my thoughts and ideas on a certain and relevant topic. I have started blogging in Friendster, where most of my articles here were posted...

I hope you enjoy reading my articles and hoping too to journey with me as we continue to unlock the mystery of life as Robert Langdon did from his adventure of solving and deciphering codes that waiting to unravel...