Will my world stop after this?

No, not really.

As long as you know how to trust, it's all that matters...

I still miss you, Ivandude! :( 

VID-VAD: Batalya sa Makati

TIWALA LANG, IVAN!

I know this little boy could still remember our antic at the bus on that lonely Monday morning. His cellphone was always ringing because it's already 12 MN and we're still on our way home from the Fiesta of the Reina de Cavite. 

"Kuya, paano iyan, tumatawag na ulit si mama. Patay na ako..."

I was silent for a few minutes.

"Naku. Alam naman siguro nilang nasa ayos ka lang, di ba? TIWALA LANG! MAY A-----WA ANG VIRGEN!!!"

We laughed after that. 

"Naku, kuya, kulang na ang pamasahe mo."

"TIWALA LANG! MAY A---WA ANG VIRGEN"

Someone approached us, asking for alms.

"Naku, boy, TIWALA LANG ang maibibigay namin sa iyo!"

Honestly, everyone inside that bus knew that we were the only noisy passengers that night. They just looked at us wildly, annoyed at the noise and laughter we were making.

Who cares, anyway?!

Now, he's facing the deepest challenge of his life. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. It's really hard for a 12-year old boy like him to face this, but I saw in his eyes the determination to fight.

This would be really tough, so I would personally ask for your prayers.

LABAN LANG, IVAN. TANDAAN MO YUNG TAWANAN NATIN SA BUS... NGAYON PA BA?

TIWALA LANG!!!!! 

PIC-PAC: Mag-MEME Tayo!

Been doing these lately. This is a very good way of spreading God's Word.

 

WELL, NOT REALLY.

CHECK OUT MAGNILAY TAYO FOR MORE OF THE HOLY MEMES!

http://facebook.com/MagnilayTayo

A PREACHER'S WORLD: Online and Offline (A Response to the First Dominican Social Media Summit)

And I consider myself as a Digital Native, and I know a lot of us are. But as we see the essence and need of reaching Jesus to everyone in the web, we are faced with a lot of struggles. Yet, we push through and bring the Fire of God's Love and Grace online and offline!

Among other IPLM members, I was chosen by a good Dominican Priest-friend to take part in the First Dominican Social Media Summit over the weekend. Being a participant in the Social Bloggers Meeting called for by the CBCP last June 2011, I have some ideas on what to be discussed on this Summit now called for by the Dominican Family Commission on Social Communication. Yet, the input we received from the speakers and the response I saw and heard from the participants are quite noticing and exciting.

First, the Input. The speakers gave different insights on the same Social Media. Since I was not able to record everything they said, I would just share some insights of what they shared with us. 

For Fr. Eric Salobir, OP, General Promoter for Social Communication of the Order, it's important to talk with the language of the present generation, to be geek with the geeks. They are bored with mere text anymore; they want something interesting - videos, pictures, etc. (something which I try to do lately.) There is also a challenge to be present, not being passive nor abrasive like the others, but leading others to Jesus like the Holy Father Dominic in a way that could easily catch their attention.

Prof. Christian Esguerra of the University of Santo Tomas, cited the essence of Social Communication in light of the Church Teachings, particularly Inter Mirifica and Communio et Proggresio. For him, citing CeP's words, Communication (...) is the giving of the self in love. He cited the need to provide the truth in everything we say and write on the web. There are the rising attacks of the Internet Trolls and the Social Mob, people who use the Social Networking Sites to bash and ridicule people, even if it should be a personal ideal. Once you post something on the web, it stays there forever, so we really should be careful with what we write, otherwise we should be silent.

Fr. Francis Lucas of the CBCP Office on Social Communications and Chairperson of the Catholic Media Network, took note of the Paradigm Shift which is happening lately on the online space. People nowadays are looking for answers to their questions, and so our job is not so easy at that. Sometimes, they are carried away by the people who are not for the REAL THING (which is Christ and his love) and instead join the wrong people which lead him to wrong ideals. He also said that even if we have the latest Social Networking Technology nowadays, it is still not a guarantee that we are doing good and right communication. In addition, we are gifts, and the Internet itself is a gift, so we should really use this gift with careful consideration on the dignity of the human person.

Second, the response. There was a part in the Summit where the different members of the Order engaged in Mass Media and Social Media shared their ministry to the people present. Just as I thought that Radyo Manaoag and the Dominican Media Board are enough, there are still a good number of ministries that we do not yet know, like Radyo Maria, Apostles Filipino Catholic Community FB Page, Sunday Psalms and Sounds over Radyo Veritas, and the famous Dr. Love show of Bro. Jun Banaag. Some use the Social Media to bring the concerns of the Mission Areas to the people, like Fr. Joemar Sibug's advocacy for Camiguin del Norte. Indeed, we are involved, and we set the world on Fire!

When I was informed of the sisters who would also join this summit, I was confused whether or not they would understand the message that today's generation is bringing us. Come to think of it, the older members of our race are not really accepting the things which our generation has. It's hard for them to comprehend what we do, like simply making an FB account.

And yet, I saw the enthusiasm of our dear religious and laity, especially the Dominican Sisters of different congregations, on these ideals. Though they live a very contemplative life, they are also seen active in different forms of Mass Media - Radio in particular. Now, as they enter the world of Social Media, they also welcome this call to be the beacons of light in a wild wild world (www). It should also be noted that some of them, too, have FB accounts!

As for me, I really saw this need to be more consistent on my ministry. Being a blogger for six years and a Fanpage moderator for two years, it's really a hell of a challenge for me to continue and keep moving for what I do. I received a lot of positive and negative feedback along the way and it's really degrading at some, yet here I am still continuing what I usually do, and I just don't know where do these things come from.

People ask me, where do I get all these ideals which I share in Ur Dose, or the drive to move Ave and Magnilay forward, and I just answer, I don't know. Divine Providence perhaps. And yes, it is. I should have stopped way back if it is not the work of Divine Providence, yet it still is. As a part of this generation, I really see the dire need to face this www with Christ's Word in a way enticing to them.

SB@B, Ur Dose, AM and MT would still be there to heed to the Church's call of being a preacher in our times. I reaffirm my vow to the Church to defend it and to set the online world on the Fire of Christ. It would always be possible as long as the drive is there; as long as the grace is there, we will move on. In God's grace, we will always answer with the Dominican motto: Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare!

CUTIES IN CHARACTERS!

Check out these characters...

Cure, right?

What if we print them on your shirt?

YES, and it will be so irresistable!

CUTIES IN CHARACTERS!!!

 

Like their page to find out how you can get one of these lovely shirts...

fb.com/cutiesincharacters

 

 

Pagninilay sa LRT (A Post-Nazareno Special)

January 10, 2013
 

Samantalang nasa LRT ako papuntang trabaho kahapon, nasagi ng aking camera ang isang lalaki na naka-maroon na shirt, maong na pantalon at rubber shoes. Nakasalampak siya sa sahig, mistulang naging panandaliang kuwarto ang bahaging iyon ng tren. Makikita sa kanyang itsura na pagod na pagod siya buhat sa kanyang pinanggalingan. Sinamantala na niya ang panahon upang makatulog, makaidlip at maipahinga ang patang katawan.

Hindi lang naman siya nag-iisa, dahil sa aking paglingon ay nakakita pa ako ng mas marami pang  naka-maroon, pagod rin subalit halatang naging masaya sila sa kanilang pinagmulan. Para sa akin, iisa lamang ang nasa kanilang isip, nakatapos na naman sila ng isang taon ng pagdebosyon sa imaheng malapit na malapit sa puso ng Pilipino: ang NAZARENO.

Kung babalikan ninyo ang status ko sa Facebook noong nakaraang mga araw, sinabi kong hindi ako deboto ng Poon, at totoo naman ito sa maraming mga dahilan. Hindi ko trip ang kanilang paggigitgitan tuwing prusisyon. Ayoko na may nagbubuwis ng buhay samantalang ginaganap ang Translacion. Hindi ko rin gusto yung gawi ng iba na matapos ang prusisyon o panata ay balik sa pagka-"asal-hayop" na parang walang nangyari.

Para sa akin, hindi lamang kasi sa imahe nagtatapos ang pamimintuho kay Kristo; ito ay nagpapatuloy sa araw-araw na pakikisalamuha sa kapwa. Ito ay lumalalim sa pagdiriwang ng Eukaristiya at pagdulog sa Kumpisal. Ang kababawan ng debosyon ay dapat na magbunsod sa atin na palalimin pa ang ating pananampalataya ayon sa turo ng Salita ng Diyos at ng Simbahan.

Subalit sa aking pagmasid sa mga nangyayari, natanong ko rin ang aking sarili, bakit nga ba hindi matapos-tapos at mapatid-patid ang pagmamahal ng Pilipino sa Nazareno? Sabi nila, nakaugnay ang buhay ng Pinoy sa Nazareno, sapagkat nasasalamin sa imaheng ito ang hirap ng bawat isang dumudulog sa kanya. Nakikita rito ang hinagpis ng ating mga giliw sa araw-araw na pagharap sa buhay.

Kung ang La Naval ay tinaguriang Pista ng mga Alta Sociedad, ang tawag sa Pista ng Nazareno ay Pista ng Masa dahil lahat ay tanggap at welcome dito. Wala lang sa karaniwang deboto ang hirap at pagod upang maganap ang kanilang panata o debosyon sa Poong Naghirap para sa atin.

 

 

Sabi nga ng isang kaibigan ko, 'Sa grupo ng mga mamamasan, walang siraan, lahat nagtutulungan, lahat nagbibigayan.' Kung sa bagay, hindi naman silang lahat ay mga walang-hiya o basagulero, karamihan ay buhat talaga sa iba't-ibang lugar, dala-dala ang mga problema sa buhay at nagbabakasakaling mapakinggan ng Poong Nazareno. Damayan ang nararamdaman nila dahil alam nilang may Diyos na makikinig sa kanila. Pagtutulungan na maiangat ang pagmamahal sa Diyos higit sa lahat.

Subalit, sa kabilang banda, nariyan rin ang mga mapagsamantala na ginagamit ang pagkakataon, hindi upang ibahagi ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa iba, kundi upang maghasik ng lagim sa kasalanang kanilang ginagawa. Yung iba na nagmamarunong na magaling daw sa pag-salya subalit mamali-mali rin ang ginagawa at nakakasakit ng iba. At nariyan rin ang ibang ginagawang status symbol ang pagiging mamamasan upang sabihing nasa Simbahan sila, kahit na sa totoo ay panay kalokohan pa rin ang nasa isipan nila.

Dito papasok ang aking tanong: Hanggang panlabas nga lang ba tayo sa pamimintuho sa Poon? Kung ganito, ay walang pinagkaiba ang gawi natin sa mga paganong sinasanto ang rebulto at hindi naman talaga isinasabuhay ang ginagawang pagdebosyon, basta ang mahalaga ay nagawa nila ang gusto nilang gawin at iyun na.

Subalit para sa taong nagdedebosyon at talagang nagpapalalim pa ng pananampalataya niya, yung sumasama sa mga ganitong okasyon at hindi humihinto rito kundi palaging dumudulog sa Diyos sa Banal na Misa at iba
pang gawaing ispirituwal, tulad nga ng sinabi ni Hesus, 'Nalalapit nang maghari sa iyo ang Kaharian ng Diyos.' Ang imahen ng Poong Nazareno ay dapat na magdala sa atin sa lalong pagpapakilala ng Pananampalataya na siya mismo ang nagpakilala sa atin. Sa kanyang paghihirap ay ating nakamit ang kaligtasan, na ating ipinagbubunyi bilang isang Simbahan.

Samantalang nakatingin ako sa kanya habang umuusad ang LRT papuntang Cubao, nabakas ko sa pagod ng matandang lalaking iyon na masaya siya na naganap niya ang dapat niyang gawin. At alam kong ito ang nagbigay sa kanya ng higit na pagkilala bilang isang Kristiyano. Hindi pa dito magtatapos, dalangin ko, ang mga pagpapalang ibibigay sa kanya ng Poong Nazareno.

 

 

TIWALA LANG SA 2013!!!

SAMA-SAMA SA SAYA AT LUHA, 

BIYAYA NG PANGINOON LAGING MATATANGGAP!

ANUMANG PAGSUBOK ANG HARAPIN, 

BAGYO AT BAHANG MATINDI,

KAKAYANIN, BASTA MAGTUTULUNGAN 

AT MALAKAS ANG PANANALIG!

PAGPAPALA NG DIYOS AY HIGIT NA DI-TULAD

SA MGA PROBLEMANG HINAHARAP.

HINDI NATIN MAKAKALIMUTAN ANG PAGDADAMAYAN,

SAMA-SAMA SA HIRAP AT GINHAWA!

HUWAG MATAKOT SA DADAANING HIRAP,

MAGING MATATAG SA LAHAT NG DUSA!

DAHIL KAPAG KASAMA NATIN SI HESUS, SI MARIA, AT ANG BAWAT ISA,

LAGI NATING MASASABI, 

KERI LANG! 

KAYA IYAN! 

TIWALA LANG!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!!!

***The poem was actually written impromptu along with the countdown for 2013. Each line was written separately during the course of the one-hour countdown.

What's to be thankful for? (SB@B Year-ender 2012)

And just like that, 2012 is about to end!

I tagged this year (the second in a row) as the Year of Opportunities, as its days became a silent witness to  everything I underwent, giving me a new identity from being a student to being a young professional. Actually, as I write this down, I could not imagine how far did I go since day 01 of this ending year.

And indeed, everything came to pass! 2012, in one way or another, has been good to me because of these events which shaped my personality as of now. These would certainly be the reasons why I thank God for not ending this world for me to continue relishing his gifts.

Now, what should I thank God for? They were so many that I would just give out the significant ones. 

2012 saw me succeed in academics... AT LAST! After toasting myself over hot coals and burning my eyebrows, I graduated last March as a... simple student. No awards as I said then, but what's more important are the memories and bonding I shared with my classmates, professors and students. Five years of study and adventure would never be matched nor forgotten. Aside from that, my graduation showed me another reality, that even if I run away with my diploma or career, I would always go back to CMU where I learned everything I am doing right now.

2012 saw me move to a new family where I can be more productive as a preacher. There's always time to go forward and move on, so they say. It became more strong for me this year. From my simple devotion, Nanay paved the way for me to enter the Institute of Preaching Lay Missionaries at Santo Domingo. At first, I was aloft of continuing, since I have no idea what do they do and I don't have the guts to do it, but in the long run I met new friends, shared ideas with them, and with them are being formed into being a preacher of God's Love like Holy Father Dominic. It made me more committed to the service which I give to the Church.

Along with my entrance to IPLM, 2012 also saw me go inside the radio booth. Oh yes, this is one of the highlights of the year, when I was given the surprise chance of visiting Our Lady of Manaoag and hosting a radio show there. At first, I really felt scared that I would not be good enough like co-preachers who are doing this for quite some time, but in the long run, it made me discover that I could be more than what I knew I am. I really never saw myself doing this, but God's will prevailed after all.

Of course, 2012 saw me have my first job. NeungYule is a blessing for me, rather than a job. Though far from my place, I always consider going to work to continue living my goal of sharing a piece of me with everyone else, be they my Filipino co-employees or my Korean students. It is also now that I realize how great my family needs me, and I always say that I'm proud of being here in this center, while waiting for the fulfillment of my dreams.

2012 also gave me the chance to enjoy life as a youth. It was a big decision for me to give up Magnificat Choirsters - my last committment in my parish - for Mukha AD, a youth group of the Dominican Student-brothers. For me, it was a big slap not only for them but for me who served there for almost a decade. But the MAD experiences that I would have would tell me that I made the good decision after all. Mukha AD for me is more than a group; it is my family and barkada, rolled into one Sunday afternoon habit. It made me realize that I would never be a grown-up unless I enjoy and relish the young life as God's child.

2012 saw me guarding the Queen. Another highlight of this year happened during the LN Festivities, when I was given the rare chance of being a Guardia de Honor of Our Lady of La Naval. It gave me deep chills, to the point that I kept on telling myself that I am super unworthy. But Nanay and Kuya was so good to me that they let me walk with them during the procession to see how the devotees love her as much as I do. It's a great honor for me to become her Guardia, and I would always be as a thanksgiving for all the graces God gave me. 

2012 took me to places where I didn't even think I would visit. Not only was I given a chance to visit Manaoag on a frequent basis, but also my feet took me to other places I never thought of visiting. One good example of that was Cavite City for the Fiesta of Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga, where I saw how immense is the Caviteños' love for their Queen. Also included here was my return to the Cubao Cathedral to venerate the Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. And let me add here the chance to be a part of the catechetical Video of Cardinal Tagle in relation to the Translation of the Roman Missal, and the chance of attending the Mass in its Extraordinary Form at Holy Family Parish, which, on its own, was a point of discovery for me when it comes to true appreciation of the Sacred. Well, there were lots more...

These, and a lot more, are more than enough reasons to thank God for this wonderful year. My life this year was indeed a great transformation from a student to a professional, from a devotee to a Guardia, from a host to a radio announcer. This year is a proof that God's will prevails over all, and that His providence is more than what I ever saw myself at the beginning of this year. Like, hindi ko talaga inaasahan ang lahat ng ito!

I entered this year as a simple graduating student.

After twelve months, I will end it as an online teacher-slash-radio announcer-slash-Mukha Ader-slash-Giliw-slash-Guardia de Honor.

Truly, I can say that this year had been a YEAR OF OPPORTUNITIES, not only for me but for everyone I met and had been a part of my life. The people I met, I places I went, everyone and everything will always be a part of a truly memorable and colorful year that was 2012.

For all these, I say, 

SALAMAT SA DIYOS! 

SALAMAT MARIA! 

Salamat rin po sa inyong lahat!

TIWALA LANG SA 2013! ^^

U-Speak Trip.......

Though battered by a heavy cold for two weeks, I was still able to host a very nice presentation of U-Speak at Manaoag Shrine  last Saturday. I can't tell the story in full detail as of this time, and yet as I did before, I will let the pictures speak from themselves. Here are some shots...

The first thing I saw upon arriving at the church on a super-early Saturday morning was  the Star...

The star is made of fiberglass and was lit by four fluorescent lamps. It has the effect of being suspended in the air, giving it a more dramatic impression to the onlooker - including me.

One of the things I did on my recent visit was to take a trek inside the Rosary Garden.  It is so magnificent, and has a very conducive environment for praying.  Perhaps when I come back next year, I will provide shots of each of the mysteries.

My air time. This is my last time to visit the Shrine and host U-Speak, perhaps for this year.

In the evening, the Nativity Scene was all set-up for the start of the Missa de Gallo at the Shrine.

The Lady's Shrine all prepped-up for the Christmas Season. This was the most magnificent look of the  Shrine I ever seen yet! Truly, Christmas is already in the air.

The Lady of the Beads. I regret that I did not heed to her call of hosting the program last December 08 because of my busy schedule. Because of that, I suffered from intense cold. Miraculously, it was lost in a few days after the visit. Well, kung si Nanay na ang tumawag, wag nang tumanggi. Sagutin na siya, dalawin na siya, paglingkuran na siya at ang kanyang Anak!