iTUNE: Grand Eucharistic Adoration 2014

It seems that this year would be filled with pilgrimages. Travels left and right occupy my once-vague weekends nowadays, and so I return to my blog to have them all recorded.

January 11, 2013

It was an exciting day, not because I can take a rest from the heavy week that was, but because I can go around again. Today, I went to Dom Bosco Technoligical Institute in Makati for the Second Grand Eucharistic Adoration. This program, under the Don Bosco Days with the Lord Movement, aims to bring Christ to the youth in a very authentic manner: that of adoring His Body in the Blessed sacrament.

It was preceded by a Youth Festival, featuring different youth groups. Like a cellphone app, the Festival was divided into different 'apps' which any pilgrim could 'download,' that is, experience and learn with.

Youth listen to the songs by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry

Youth serving youth: A volunteer shares the life of the saints
whose relics were exposed prior to the Adoration.

Leaving my own mark at the YouthPinoy! booth

At nighttime, the youth gathered around the Sacred Host, singing hymns and reciting prayers. It was like a special moment for everyone who wished to come HOME.

The Lord enthroned for adoration of his faithful.

One of the main highlights of the adoration is the activity,
'touching of the cloak.' Like the woman with hemorrhage who
touched the Lord's clothes and was healed, the people were given the rare chance
to touch the Lord's cloth and entrust to him the desires of their hearts.

In our society in dire need of comfort and solace, activities like this remind us of the One which we really need to provide us peace: Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!

Kudos to the Salesian Community for such a remarkable experience!

From a devotee to the devotees and everyone else.

Photo not mine.

A Hijo was heard to have said yesterday: NASASAKTAN NA ANG POON.

Really, after the image was hit to steel bars and almost dragged to the floor only for devotees to kiss. Really, after its cross was almost broken because of few who wished to wipe their towels to it while heading its way to the andas.

If only this image is actually Our Lord Jesus, it would have experienced more than what He experienced almost two thousand years ago. 

While it is true na I retract my words from last year, here we are confronted again by this situation where some devotees went wild just to get the procession started. People will never understand it until he becomes a devotee himself, but remember that devotion - and everything else for that matter - should lead us to the Holy Eucharist. It should NOT end in the image per se, but go deeper towards the Holy Mass.

People are saying, also, na Quiapo is not always full except on Fridays where Devotees come in. Uhm, did they even visit the church on a regular day? The number is less, yes, but you can never see a day where that church doesn't have any people inside, even at night.

Guys, instead of bashing, what if we ourselves join the initiative to help form the devotees, especially the newbies? It starts with us. Why do these things go on and on every year? The answer depends on us. The Quiapo Parish, I guess, is having its part on doing this, how about us?

Sorry, I respect every devotee, but please not to this level. Devotion to the image of the Nazarene must lead us to the total love for the Lord shown in the Holy Eucharist, and to a sincere love for our neighbor. No more, no less.

Proclamation of the Date of Easter on the Solemnity of Epiphany

On the Mass of the Solemnity of Epiphany, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo proclaimed the official dates of the major celebrations for the Liturgical Year. Here is the video, with subtitles.

Post by Weldann Lester Panganiban.

BIGLANG BIYAHE: Lolo Uweng(Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna)

Lolo Uweng of Landayan. Photo not mine.

January 03, 2013

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, First Friday of 2014 

On the First Friday of 2014, a sudden invitation came in to a certain place in Laguna, known for a miraculous image of the Lord Jesus in the Holy Sepulcher. As I didn't have any budget, I was hesitant to accept the invitation, but Kuya Leandro, the guy who invited me was more persuasive, so I saw myself going out on an ordinary Friday towards the wonderful place of Landayan.

There, I witnessed the love of the townsfolk for this sacred image. According to the annals of history, the image was seen after the World War II beside the Laguna de Bay in Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna. It was brought to the nearby chapel, in honor of St. Michael. Since then, it became a haven to devotees from Laguna and beyond, thus calling it the Quiapo of the South. It was so beloved that people call the image Lolo Uweng.

Our mission then was to sell calendars of the Works of the Saints for 2014. It is a different calendar because in it you can see different pictures of saints. At first it was hard to sell, but eventually, with God's grace and a little sales talk, people started to take notice and buy our calendars. At the end of the day, only seventeen calendars were left

While selling, my feet (or is it Lolo Uweng?) took me to the sacred well, all by myself. Inside this well is water said to have miraculous powers. In the annals, it was said that Lolo Uweng gets out of its urn every night to take a bath in this well. It is also potable and safe for drinking. Now, note that the lake beside it is composed of seawater, so it is really wonderful that the water of this well is good for the body.

I was also able to get a bottle of oil with a portion of Lolo Uweng's cloth, also said to have miraculous attributes. I heard Lynch's testimony when  he cannot move his neck a few years ago. He was cured, thanks to prayers to Lolo Uweng, as well as the use of the Holy Water and Sacred Oil.

Of course, after a long day, I got a chance of touching the revered image, entrusting to Our Lord my coming year and everything that I will encounter. I also prayed for everyone so dear to me, that blessings may also be abundant for them this 2014.

It was really an overwhelming experience. It can be a foreshadow of what 2014 has in store for me, but nevertheless, I know that these pilgrimages on earth will take me closer to my goal: that of Heaven!

Two things I learned from this adventure:

> Never go out without proper planning.

> But then, never resist if the Lord's calling you.

First Scenes of 2014

Just as the past year ended with much memories and adventures, the New Year came in with a great headstart, with the best people around me! Here are some photos...

I always start the New Year with my family.
Seen here is my mom, my sister Ajie, and our Shih Tzu, Kobe.

As the first day of the year progressed, I had heard my First Mass at
Santo Domingo. There, I entrusted to Nanay the year ahead. What is coming,
I don't know, but I know she will certainly guide me.

Also, on that day, the Church in the Extraordinary Form
celebrated the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. To note Fr. Jojo in his homily,
it is not the fireworks or the noise that can dispel the evil spirits; only the blood
of Jesus shed for the remission of sins.

The next day, we had our Pasalamat for the wonderful year it was,
and for my passing in the Licensure exams. Among the good people who dropped by
were Bro. Lynch Flores of the Works of the Saints Apostolate,
and Rev. James Anthony del Rosario who blessed our house on that day.

As the year started well, I do pray that the it may proceed in God's grace and end with all the blessings from up above! HAPPY NEW YEAR! ^^

2014: Tuloy ang Biyaya!

ISANG TAON ANG LUMIPAS, SA ATI’Y NAGDAAN

PAGSUBOK MA’Y DINANAS, BIYAYA’Y DI NAKALTAS!

LINDOL, GIYERA, BAGYONG MABAGSIK

HINDI TAYO NATINAG, PATULOY NA LUMABAN!

SINABI NATIN, HINDI NA NATIN KAYA, SUSUKO NA

PERO ANO NGA BA’T DITO NASUBOK ANG ATING TIWALA?

HINDI SUMUKO, PATULOY NA NAKIBAKA;

HINDI MAN ALAM ANG PATUTUNGUHAN, SUMUNOD SA LIWANAG.

SALAMAT SA DIYOS, NA HINDI NAGPAPABAYA,

PAMILYA’T KAIBIGANG NANATILI AT HINDI NANG-IWAN.

NANG DAHIL SA INYO, NA TUMULONG AT GUMABAY ,

NGAYO’Y NAGPAPATULOY, KARIMLAN MA’Y TINATAHAK!

MAY LUHA, IIWANAN ANG MGA ALAALA’T KARANASAN;

MAY NGITI, HAHARAP SA PAGSUBOK NA NAKALAAN.

KINABUKASA’Y SISILAY NA, SUMUKO’Y HUWAG GAWIN.

MARAMI PANG DARATING, MAGPAKATATAG MANDIN!

AKING KAIBIGAN, SA HIRAP AT DUSA,

TUWA AT TAGUMPAY, TAYO AY MAGKARAMAY!

HUWAG MAG-ATUBILI, PATULOY NA MAGTIWALA,

KASAMA ANG DIYOS, KAYA TULOY ANG BIYAYA!!!

 

Oath-taking galore....

Last time, I announced here my passing at the Licensure Exams. After a few days, it was time for the Oath-taking ceremonies!

With Edward beside me, we sat on the most comfortable place in Cuneta Astrodome, that is in the highest seats just next to the bleachers. From our seats, we can see everything that's happening during the oath-taking.

Grabe, being there in the sea of hundreds of new professional teachers really makes you feel like you're entering a new dimension, a new world where I must show my guts to be who I must be... a teacher, mentor and father to today's youth.

With me during this momentous event is no-less than my mom, who supported me through thick and thin, and never gave up on me on my journey towards professionalism. If there would be any person who's more happier than I am, it would certainly be her. After I said my oath, I offered the parchment paper to her, a sign of gratitude for everything she did for me to be where I am now.

 

This day opened a new chapter in my life, a great shift from being a kid to a man, from nobody to somebody. This will give me more challenges in the future, but hey, why not face them? After all, It's God's will and my perseverance molded to be one of the great events in my life.

This is it! Deo Gratias!

#ProfessionalTEACHER na si #SirBITOY!!! ^^

A Pilgrimage of Thanks

There were five non working days which ICPS had observed from December 6-10, in-line with the celebration of Malabon Teachers' Day, and the 3-day observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Parish in Malabon City.

I took advantage of these five days to go and take a roadtrip around the churches I had visited before, and there to give thanks for letting me pass the Board. I took with me some good friends to join me in the journey.

DEO GRATIAS!!!

So the story goes like this.

I attended Mass at Santo Domingo today, as my own vigil for Christ the King. Like all the past weeks, I cried in front of Nanay, asking her to grant my intentions. I'm certain at one point that everything will be alright, I just need to cry my needs.

On my way home after our studies, I received a text message from a friend saying that the results are already out, and that he already passed the LET. Anxiety entered in, I don't know what to do. I kept on praying and begging the Lord to show his mercy on me.

That is until a text message came in.

I have heard that all hard work paid off ^_^

CONGRATULATIONS FOR PASSING THE LICENSURE EXAM FOR TEACHERS!!! ^_^

Thank you, Lord, and Nanay, for this wonderful grace!

Thanks also to my family who always supported me through thick and thin.

To my teachers and professors who believed in me, to my students, past and present, who always let me show my guts, and to everyone else who prayed for me, Marami pong salamat!

Then a student, now a TEACHER...

What then, not now...

This is taken in 2006, the only
photo of me wearing a school uniform.

On my past posts, you may have seen a piece of me as an EX-ICPSian. I do remember my Birthday Essay in 2010, recounting the way I had encountered every bully and jeer, as well as every praise and hard work done. It was not a perfect moment because, as said before, it was a mix of tears and joys. At one point, I was considered as the pet, then at another, I was a nobody.

Back then, I was a part of the Publication Team, though my article was seen only once. I did not really participate in Journalism just as others did. I remember Mrs. Peralta (my former English teacher) assisted by men from the printing press in lay-outing our newspaper using Manila Paper, glue and the hard copies of the articles. I can still remember our little Office in front of the Faculty Room where I sneaked during lunch break just to eat alone (they only use the office during meetings).

I don't know how life in ICPS was after I graduated. For some, seeing our batch leave was a breath of fresh air, because with us will leave another batch of students face a new tomorrow.full of hope. Of course, students came in and out of the school which I considered as my second home for many years.

Perhaps, because of the love and inspiration I received, I decided to be a teacher. I want to take part in molding their minds, and so I began knowing the art of teaching, though it is hard to be one in reality. 

I graduated after five years I (well, you know why), and proceeded to having my first job as an English Instructor at a Korean Company in Eastwood. There my speaking skills were honed, while I faced the greatest shock of my life, that shift from a student to an employee.

Later on, I realized that my workstation was too small for me, and my heart was not for this kind of work, facing foreign people in a virtual setup just to learn speaking the language. I decided to go to the real field, where I can not only face but hold and form students the way they should be.

With the present Editorial Board of The Crown

The first thing that came to my mind was my alma mater, ICPS. Immediately after Ivan's death, I saw myself applying for a job at the school which formed me. They accepted me, and welcomed me back to my second family.

To my surprise, the offer they gave me is being the School Paper Moderator. At that moment, everything returned to me, and at a blink of an eye, what was then a simple writer turned to an adviser for the official body of the school. I was given an office which serves as a haven for the present Editorial Board. With the publication of the first issue, the birth pangs began to lessen. In just a matter of months, I saw myself with my students competing on different writing competitions, even reaching the Regional Level as of the moment.

The ALBERTeens!

I was also given a bunch of students for me to lead as their adviser. Perhaps IV-St. Albert is the wackiest gift God gave me ever since Field Study 1. I admit I always lack in being a father figure to these kids, yet their joy is enough. Siguro nga, hindi lang talaga sila magaling sa English, siguro nga sadyang pasaway sila, but they always prove that in their simple ways, a student's life is way beyond compare.

With these and together with my students who are not different from me in attitude as well as skills, I realized that I already touched ground. What I was then is totally different from who I am now. I am not anymore a student who should be trigger-happy; I am a teacher entrusted with a special task to lead these students to better heights.

Perhaps, ICPS would always serve as a home, a haven, a sanctuary to me. I don't know how long would I stay in this institution, but as God wills, everything will be fine.