The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

The “Other Side” of Divisoria (Manila, Philippines)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

While Divisoria has always been known as the shoppers’ Mecca, especially, during Christmas, there is” another side” of it which I do not want to present as an image of poverty but that of perseverance, patience, and honest endeavor. This is the “other Divisoria” which many people just refuse to see as it might cause them to puke! The accompanying photos show how these honest Filipinos contentedly strive to live in sheer honesty.

 

The skeptics always say, “it is their fault for going to Manila and suffer deprivation”. These hypocrite skeptics have  TV, radio, and occasionally read newspapers, so they should know that the provinces from where these people who are eking out an honest living on the “other side” of Divisoria, are infested with NPAs, Abu Sayyaf, opportunistic landlords, and loan sharks. For the arrogant, the world is just for those who can afford to live decently. On the other hand, as these skeptics have not endured days of hunger, they may not understand how it is to make a difficult decision to live a hand-to-mouth life in Manila by scavenging in garbage dumps, rather than die of hunger and be in constant fear for dear life in the province.

 

It is true that the slums have been in existence for many decades now, but there would be no slums had the government ever since the time the nation has become independent, did not get infested with corrupt lawmakers and officials. The slums have been around since the time that deprivation and exploitation have been propagated by learned Filipinos who found their way in the halls of Congress and Senate, as well as, agencies, even at the helm of the government. Unfortunately, the seed of exploitation has grown into an uncontrollable proportion today, making corruption as wrongly and unfairly viewed to be always a part of the Filipino culture.

 

The striving people from the slums near Divisoria, and other districts of Manila, in this regard, may be viewed by the arrogant as akin to dogs and cats, because of their many children, oftentimes making them utter unsavory remark, such as, “they know they are poor, yet, they keep on having children”.

 

How I wish these skeptics can also openly, make biting remarks –

• to the corrupt politicians and government officials, such as, “they graduated from prestigious universities and colleges, yet, they do not know what is right or wrong”

 

• to the filthy rich, such as, “they have plenty of money, yet they can’t even throw a piece of bread to a beggar”

 

• to the stiff-necked Catholic priests, pastors, and other religious ministers such as, “they are supposed to be representatives of the Lord, but they can’t afford to take a look at the spiritually hungry”

 

Finally, compared to the disgusting hypocrites, loan sharks, corrupt government officials, arrogant “religious ministers” and conscienceless rich, who are supposed to be learned and intelligent, the people who honestly make a living such as those who belong to the “other side” of Divisoria, are worthy to be called creatures of God – true human beings…slum denizens who are viewed by aforementioned with utter repugnance.

 

(This blog will definitely, not hurt those who do not belong to the mentioned “classes” of loathsome Filipinos.)

 

 

Farewell…Eboy (for Eboy Jovida)

Farewell…Eboy

(for Eboy Jovida)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

In this world you’ve ceased to live

But in our heart and mind

You shall linger with a smile –

And, it shall never fade in time.

 

You’ve tried to be the best you could –

Husband, father… friend

In songs you have crooned

Even the calm you well feigned.

 

Farewell…to the best father, farewell!

Friend, you’re a delight

Ride on the glory of our love

As you journey towards that Light!

 

 

 

Bernard Fetalvero-de la Cruz at Ian Paredes-Atrero…naghuhubog ng mga kabataan ng Barangay Real Dos (Bacoor City)

Bernard Fetalvero- de la Cruz at Ian Paredes -Atrero

…naghuhubog ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos (Bacoor City)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kabataan pa lang niya ay nakitaan na si Bernard de la Cruz, 26 taong gulang ngayon, ng pagkahilig sa basketball, kaya hindi nakapagtataka ng naglaro siya sa koponan ng SFACS high school at sa college naman ay naging varsity player ng kanilang paaralan, ang Emilio Aguinaldo College. Nasa lahi nila ang pagiging basketbolista dahil ang kanyang tatay ay naging PBA player. Mapalad si Bernard dahil noong kabataan niya ay hindi pa uso ang computer at internet café kaya ang panahon niya ay nagugol sa paglaro ng basketball. Malaki ang pasasalamat niya kay Wilson “Bong” de Jesus sa paghubog sa kanya pati na ang iba pa niyang kababata sa paglaro ng basketball. Hindi naging maramot si Bong sa pagbahagi ng mga nalalaman niya sa larong ito, kaya maraming natutuhan si Bernard at ang iba pang mga kabataan. Natanim sa pagkatao ni Bernard ang disiplina kaya madali niyang natutunan ang iba’t ibang teknik sa paglaro tulad ng pag-“grind”.

 

Ngayon, maliban sa pag-alaga ng nanay niyang na-stroke, full time din siyang Church worker na nagtitiyaga sa pagtuturo ng pag-unawa sa Bibliya sa mga kabataan ng barangay. Ayon sa kanya,

“…masaya na ako na gumagaling ang mga kabataan sa paglaro ng basketball at nalalayo sila sa masamang bisyo…nagiging responsible at disiplinado. At, naisi-share ko din yung faith ko kay Jesus Christ sa kanila….si Ian ang team mate ko na super solid brother ko in this life and the next ay nandiyan din na palagi kong katuwang.” Malaking bagay din ang pagiging magka-tandem nila ni Ian. Naging matatag ang spiritual foundation nito dahil sa naibabahagi niyang mga ispiritwal na bagay, lalo na ang pananalig sa Diyos.  Dahil sa tiwala nila sa isa’t isa, nabuo nila ang team ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos. Dagdag pa niya, “ang main goal talaga namin ni Ian sa pagtuturo ng basketball is to honor God, and to share our faith with the youth…guide them to become better persons on and off the court…kaya, lahat ng ginagawa namin is to honor God dahil sa paniniwala kong all glory belongs to Jesus, at lahat ng ginagawa namin ay in His name.”

 

Tulad ni Bernard, si Ian Atrero, na ngayon ay 25 taong gulang na, ay unang natutong maglaro ng basketball sa Perpetual Village 5 noong kabataan niya. Malaking bagay sa kanya ang mga natutunan niya dahil napasama siya sa Adamson Junior Falcons sa loob ng dalawang taon – 1969 at 1970. Napasama din siya sa coaching staff para sa “Camp and Play Basketball”  na pinangunahan noon ni Coach Dayong Mendoza, na coach din niya noong siya ay nasa high school. Si Mendoza ang naging inspirasyon ni Ian sa adbokasiyang paghubog ng mga kabataan ng Real Dos. Dahil sa inspirasyong nabigay ni coach Mendoza sa kanya, sumidhi ang pagpursige niya na lalong matuto sa larong ito.

 

Naging MVP siya ng BPO Classics, major league ng mga BPO companies. Nakamit niya ang karangalan sa murang gulang, kaya nasabi niyang, “… pag gusto mo ang isang bagay, magagawan mo ng paraan upang makamitt ito…minsan kasi choice lang lahat yan…kung choice mong mag-excel, eh, di sipagan mo…kung gusto mong maging tamad, eh, di choice mo pa rin yon”. Dagdag pa niya, “the choices we make today will determine our future…in personal matters, and in sports…I am a simple kid lang before na mahilig maglaro ng basketball sa village court kahit tanghaling tapat…nangarap at nagsipag para makasama din sa isang varsity team na natupad naman…nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong nagturo sa akin noong bata pa ako…una, dahil wala silang bayad at ang goal nila ay may matutunan ako at mga kababata ko, kasama ang pag-enhance ng skills na meron na kami…at, ang isa pang masasabi ko ay natuto ako dahil sa pagtitiyaga at pagsisipag ko na rin…naniniwala ako na kaya kong makipag-compete sa iba…I am not born talented but I am born with determination to work hard coupled with determination.” Nagtatrabaho si Ian ngayon bilang Learning and Development Analyst or e-Learning Developer, ngunit, ang talagang balak niya noon ay maging propesor.

 

Dahil magkasama na mula noong bata pa sila, nag-usap sina Bernard at Ian tungkol sa kaya nilang gawin upang makatulong sa mga kabataan ng barangay Real Dos, at tulad ng inaasahan, sumentro ang usapan sa basketball na pareho nilang hilig. Ang unang pangarap ni Ian na maging propesor ay magagamit sa “pagturo” na animo ay titser, ng mga kabataan sa larangan ng basketball, na tatapatan naman ng pagiging maka-Diyos ni Bernard isang full-time Church worker ngayon, upang ang matutunan ng mga kabataan ay hindi “magaspang” na uri ng paglaro.

 

Nagtugma ang kanilang mga adhikain dahil para sa kanila, napapanahon na ang pagpasa ng mga natutunan nila…kung baga ay, “it’s payback time”, ayon na rin sa kanila. Hindi nila pwedeng bayaran ang mga nagturo sa kanila noon, kaya ang utang na loob ay ipapasa na lang nila sa iba. Naantig ang damdamin nila habang  pinapanood noon ang mga kabataan na nagpipilit na matutong mag-shoot ng bola at kumilos ayon sa hinihingi ng larong nabanggit. Walang technicalities at systematic organization. Umiral siguro ang mental telepathy sa pagitan nilang dalawa kaya sandal lang ay nakabuo agad sila ng mga plano. Inuna nila ang “inspirational stage” kaya nag-share sila ng mga karanasan nila sa mga kabataan upang matanim sa kanilang isipan na ang laro ay hindi lang pag-shoot o pagpasa ng bola. Ibinahagi nila ang dinanas nilang hirap at sarap upang matuto. Sumunod ay ang paggawa ng iskedyul – tuwing Sabado habang may pasukan sa eskwela, pero babaguhin pagdating ng bakasyon.

 

Sa ngayon, lahat ng gastos ay hinuhugot nina Bernard at Ian sa kani-kanilang bulsa, kasama na ang para sa paminsan-minsang snacks na kapalit ng magandang performance ng mga tinuturuan nila sa pag-practice. Hindi kasubuan ang turing nina Bernard at Ian sa pinasok nilang adhikain kaya handa sila sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kanilang sinimulan, tulad ng mga pinangarap na cones, bola, uniporme at iba pa. Hindi madaling sabihing pag-iipunan nila ang mga ito, na nakatanim sa kanilang isipan dahil sa laki ng halagang kakailanganin. Subalit tulad ng sinabi ni Ian sa unang bahagi nitong sanaysay, “kung gugustuhin ay talagang magagawan ng paraan”.

 

Naniniwala ako sa  “milagro” dahil isa ito sa mga ginagamit ng Diyos na paraan upang makapagbukas ng isipan ng tao upang siya magbago. At ang “milagro” ay nangyayari nang hindi inaasahan kung minsan, kahit hindi hinihingi ang isang bagay. Malay natin….may matanggap na “grasya” sina Bernard at Ian, ang dalawang taga-hubog ng kabataan ng Real Dos, na pondo upang magamit sa pagbili ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan, at susundan pa ng magagamit naman sa pagbili ng iba pa? Manalig lang sa kapangyarihan ng Diyos, wika nga ni Bernard!…at magsikap din, wika naman ni Ian!

 

Sa pamamagitan nitong isinulat ko, nanawagan ako sa mga may gintong puso at gustong tumulong sa adhikain nina Bernard at Ian.

 

rnard Fetalvero- de la Cruz at Ian Paredes -Atrero

…naghuh

 

Joery Falloria: Surviving Typhoon Yolanda and Life’s Excruciating Challenges (…unsung hero of Philippine Airlines)

Joery Falloria: Surviving Typhoon Yolanda

And Life’s Excruciating Challenges

(…unsung hero of Philippine Airlines)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Just like most of Philippine Airline marketing and airport personnel, Joery started his career at the lowest rung of the airline’s corporate ladder which is his case was as a porter. Although, the trainings involved courses on cargo handling, passenger check in, basic domestic ticketing, and customer handling, the employee of “long ago” cannot say no, if he was assigned at the airport to haul carry checked-in baggage and cargoes on tow carts from the terminal to the aircraft. This was what Joery experienced when he joined the airline.

 

The kind of exposure that an employee gets has been actually designed to toughen and prepare him for more responsibilities ahead as he advances in his career. It makes the employee some kind of a well-rounded guy – an airline man who can later handle responsibilities as manager. Joery has marshaled incoming aircrafts to guide them to their slot in the tarmac, computed weights to be loaded for safe flight,  which included those of cargoes, checked-in and carry-on baggage, as well as passengers that also include the crew and paying ones.

 

Along the way, he was also trained to handle PAL customers, be they walk-ins who would like to make inquiries or purchase tickets. To cap this particular training, he was also fed with knowledge on values and attitudes to maintain the high quality of service standards that his person should exude. It was a long journey for Joery from the airport ramp as loader to his present managerial position as Head of the Tacloban Station. It was a journey beset with financial difficulty and emotional pressure. But he made it….on August 15, 2015, he was designated as Officer-In-Charge of Tacloban Station, a managerial position.

 

It was while navigating his challenging career path that he met Pomela Corni Tan who eventually became his wife, and who gave him two offspring, Anthony who is now a registered Nurse working with the Davao Doctors’ Hospital, and Mary Rose, on her second year of Veterinary Medicine course at the VISCA in Baybay City.

 

The typhoon Yolanda devastated Tacloban to the maximum, and recovery was even more challenging, as Joery and his local PAL team, worked hard to rise from such disheartening situation. To make PAL operational again, he had to coordinate with concerned government agencies and the head office in Manila for replacement of lost equipment and office supplies, as well as, reconstruct destroyed records. The story of recovery that was woven around the effort of the PAL Team, with Joery at the helm, was just one of the many that inspired many people around the world.

 

With Tacloban City propped back to normalcy, Joery resumes his overall administration of the whole Tacloban station that includes routine calls on travel agents, issuance of tickets and airport operation. His free time is spent on spiritual-related activities of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, being a Lay Minister. He is also an active officer of their homeowners’ association.

 

Over a simple lunch at the canteen of SSS near the PAL Administrative Offices in PNB building, he confided that he feels blessed for working with the airline. And, as the company is in its recovery stage, he has committed himself to do his best as part of the team. In a way, Joery has survived the various changes at the top management of the airline…just like the survival that he experienced when typhoon Yolanda devastated their city.

True Faith Does Not Need a Grandiose House of Worship

True Faith Does Not Need a Grandiose House of Worship

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

True faith regardless of leaning is found in one’s heart and not impressed upon a person by ceremonies in a grandiose house of worship. One need not go to an impressive church or cathedral full of antique icons to show that he or she has a strong faith in God.  If God is All Knowing… in other words, Omnipotent, He should be able to hear the faithful who prays even under a tree while resting after toiling his rice field, or out in a field while harvesting vegetables, or out in the open sea, while casting his net.

 

Instead of spending money for the expansion of an already comfortable house of worship that could accommodate the faithful, these “representatives of God on earth”, should instead build chapels in far-flung villages for an effective effort on spiritual outreach, as this is what God wants in the first place. As implied in the Bible, the shepherd is supposed to be herding the flock which can only be done if he goes to them, and not the other way around, in which the flock goes to the shepherd.

 

As regards the effort of the “shepherd” in going to the “flock”, this is true in the case of the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches. They have simply-built chapels in the midst of the less privileged such as slums and villages. Their house of worship is a simple chapel made of light materials. On the other hand, the “shepherds” of the “other churches” conduct spiritual service in the chapels and multi-purpose halls of subdivisions that are conveniently and comfortably visited in a car. Commendable also is the effort of New Christian evangelists who make do with open spaces, vacant stalls that saw good old days as stores, old garage, etc. which they convert into house of worship.

 

Along this line, “shepherding of flocks” should result to closeness between the “shepherd” and the “flocks” for better spiritual administration. But how can some of these supposedly “shepherds” develop close affinity with their “flocks” if they are pulled out from their assigned “religious territory” after a certain number of years of “duty” which is akin to a wordly or temporal corporate operation? Is not “shepherding of flocks” supposed to be a spiritual advocacy? How can these “fathers” be able to effectively reach out to their “children” if after a certain number of years, there is a switching of posts? Questions…questions…questions…that can lead one into asking more, but which hypocrites view as signs of faithlessness.

 

Lack of “shepherds” is not a plausible alibi why it is necessary to centralize the worship in a parish church or cathedral. Why not train volunteer catechists in villages, so that even simple sharing of the Words can be made? On the other hand, while “religious groups” are practically teeming in any parish, they are observed to be occupied only in social bonding and prayer meetings, as well as, attendance of church activities. For any one or two, or several members of these “religious groups” to have even attempted to conduct catechism in a slum or a barrio is a big question.

 

Again, there is a nagging question as to who among these supposedly “shepherds” or church “heads” are willing to do the task of reaching out to their far-flung “flocks” when they even consider the one day/week rest a necessity since, as they insist, they are only humans who need to rest. But why not come up with a schedule for a 7 days/week “duty”, such that while the “leader” takes a day- off on a certain day, the “assistant”, can take his on another day…thereby, leaving no gap in the their spiritual administration? Why must the two take their day off at the same day?

 

I was prompted to write this blog after a friend told me that she “loves” to attend a Mass in the Cathedral near their home because the “ambience” is very different…very captivating, and that by just closing her eyes makes her cry!  By the way, this lady friend hired a fourteen-year old girl from their province, and whom she pays one thousand five hundred pesos a month wage. The housegirl serves the family of six – the woman and her husband, and their four children. The woman also “lovingly” calls the housegirl “punyeta” and “tanga”, which I heard when I visited her several times.  One time, the housegirl told me discreetly that she has no day off. So there’s our “faithful” woman who cries a river inside a cathedral because of its ambience…what a faith!

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Allan: Taho Vendor na Nag-aruga at Nagmahal

Ng Batang Anak sa Pagkakasala ng Misis

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Madaling araw nang makasakay ko si Allan Recato sa jeep papuntang Baclaran.  Masuwerte siya at pinasakay siya ng drayber ng jeep dahil ang iba ay ayaw sa mga magtataho na ang dalawang timbẳ ay kumakain ng malaking espasyo na ayaw ng ibang pasahero. Galing Cavite ang jeep na iilan lang ang sakay. Dahil magkaharap kami, naramdaman ko ang ang mainit na singaw ng taho mula sa timbẳ nitong stainless na ang bigat ay mahigit 30 kilo.

 

Payat si Allan kaya hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong magtanong kung okey lang siya. Nakangiti siyang sumagot na okey lang naman dahil mahigit 18 taon na niyang pinagtitiyagaan ang pinagkikitaan niyang ito. Sa kabubusisi ko ay nalaman kong apat ang anak niya pero nang tanungin ko kung ano ang trabaho ng misis niya, hindi agad siya sumagot. Bandang huli ay sinabi niyang “inabandona” sila ng misis niya dahil nakakita na ng bagong asawa sa abroad…sa Gitnang Silangan. Wala na silang kontak sa isa’t isa.

 

Naging palagay yata ang loob niya sa akin kaya tuluy-tuloy lang ang pagbigay niya ng impormasyon tungkol sa pamilya niya kaya nalaman ko rin na ang panganay niya ay 17 taong gulang na at ang gusto ay maging nurse. Ang sumunod na dalawa, 13 at 12 taong gulang ay inabot ng K-12 program kaya pinag-iipunan naman niya ang pang-matrikula. At, ang bunsong 6 na taong gulang ay nasa elementarya pa. Habang nagsasalita siya ay kinunan ko siya ng litrato dahil pumayag naman, pero bago yon ay talagang inamin kong balak kong isulat ang makulay niyang buhay. Naputol ang usapan namin nang bumaba ako sa kanto ng MIA Road.

 

Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa bahay ng kaibigan kong nakaratay upag hatiran ng mga pagkain at diaper, ay naalala kong hindi pala kami nagpalitan ng celfon number, lalo pa at naramdaman kong parang may gusto pa akong dapat malaman.

 

Kagustuhan yata ng Diyos na maisulat ko talaga ng maayos ang buhay ni Allan dahil pagkagaling ko sa kaibigan ko at sumakay ng jeep papuntang Baclaran, nadatnan ko siyang nakatayo malapit sa LRT station. Upang hindi na magkalimutan, nagpalitan agad kami ng numero, at noon ko nalaman na hindi pala talaga siya taga-Las Piἧas, kundi taga-Pasay. Pumupunta lang pala siya sa Las Piἧas tuwing madaling araw upang humango ng taho upang ibenta, at ginagawa niya ito dalawang beses sa maghapon. Pagbaba niya ng Baclaran ay naglalakad na siya papuntang Taft Avenue sa Pasay hanggang makarating sa Vito Cruz, sa Malate na bahagi na ng Maynila.

 

Sa pag-uusap namin uli, humingi siya ng tulong kung paanong matunton ang misis niya na ang pagkaalam niya ay kung ilang beses na nagpalit ng pangalan. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang larawan ng misis niya at lalaking kinakasama nito. Walang kagatul-gatol ding inamin niyang ang bunso niyang anak ay hindi niya talagang tunay na anak kundi anak ng misis niya sa bagong lalaking kinakasama. Umuwi lang pala ito noon nang mabuntis at upang sa Pilipinas isilang ang anak niya sa pagkakasala. Akala ni Allan ay magbabago ang misis niya pagkatapos maisilang ang bata, subalit, nang mailuwal ay iniwan na silang tuluyan. Masakit man, ay tinanggap na lang niya ang kanyang kapalaran. Pinipilit na lamang niyang igapang ang pangangailangan nilang mag-aama, pero para sa kursong nursing ng kanyang panganay, hihingi daw siya ng tulong sa kanyang dalawang kapatid.

 

Kaya pala noong sa jeep pa lang kami nag-uusap, parang may gusto pang sasabihin si Allan sa akin subalit bigla akong bumaba. Mabuti na lang din at parang may lakas na tumugaygay sa akin patungo sa LRT kung saan siya nakapuwesto na parang hinintay lang ako, dahil pagkatapos naming mag-usap ay umalis na rin siya upang ituloy ang paglako ng taho. Sa Ingles, ang tawag yata sa ganoong uri ng lakas  ay “Divine Providence”.

 

Sa gulang na 41 taon, bakas sa mukha ni Allan ang mga hagupit ng kapalaran kaya sa biglang tingin ay mukha siyang mahigit nang 60 taong gulang, lalo pa’t halos puti na rin ang kanyang buhok. Nang maghiwalay kami uli ay pinalakas ko ang kanyang loob at nangakong magkikita uli kami upang makilala rin ang kanyang mga anak. Habang naglalakad akong palayo ay pinagdasal ko na lang na sana ay huwag siyang magkasakit dahil ang tingin ko ay parang bumabagsak na ang kanyang katawan na nakikita sa sobra niyang kapayatan.

 

 

 

Fr. Eric I. Santos of the Eastern Catholic Church Preaches Where He is Needed Most

Fr. Eric I. Santos of the Eastern Catholic Church

Preaches Where He is Needed Most

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Fr. Eric is “Fr. Ericson I. Santos, D.D.”, an Eastern Catholic priest who established an “oasis of faith” in the heart of Malumot, a depressed area of Panapaan 7 in Bacoor City. The young priest has gone through trials that saw him start his spiritual career as an Aglipayan priest.

 

He finished his studies in Batac, Ilocos Norte, and in 1999 was ordained as an Aglipayan priest. His first assignment brought him to Olongapo, particularly, the Sta. Rita parish where he preached until 2004. On that same year until 2008, he covered the whole of Zambales and Cavite. In October of 2008, he was elected as Bishop for southern Tagalog diocese. For his consecration, no less than, Bayani Fernando, the popular head of the Metro Manila Development Authority stood as his sponsor, with Bishop Romualdo Badni officiating. The following year, 2009, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Zambales.

 

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances that brought about some enlightenment, Fr. Eric made a crucial decision to join the Holy Eastern Catholic Church, particularly, the Metropolitan See of the Philippines and All Asia. From then on, what he started in Malumot began to prosper as he found the community deserving of such spiritual attention.

 

A young spiritual shepherd at the age of 36, Fr. Eric, has been consistent in his advocacy by attending to the needs of the Catholics around the area, reaching out to them, using a motorcycle. He confides that the spiritual offerings of the faithful are in a way “returned” to them through the affordable improvements of the chapel. He derives his personal financial support from being the chaplain of Bacoor city which makes the government then, afford to extend not only the temporal assistance for the constituents, but the spiritual as well. He became known among the people of Bacoor as the priest who dispenses spiritual help with much ease, in spite of distance and time.

 

When I visited Fr. Eric, it was a Holy Thursday during which I witnessed a “pabasa” in their humble chapel. He was a picture of a “true shepherd” who melds with the faithful around him, in his shorts and t-shirt. While we were conversing, groups of children would stop by to kiss his hand or put it on their forehead as a sign of respect. We had an iced chocolate that he bought in the food stall nearby to counter the terrible heat of the early afternoon sun. Just like any Catholic “father” of the parish, he dreams of having the present chapel renovated for the necessary second floor.

 

Malumot is “catch basin” during flood days since time immemorial as it is situated beside a river that easily gets overflowed. Fr. Eric experienced the waist-deep flood since the first day he lived among the people of this area but his resolve was never deterred. He could have just lived comfortably in any subdivision near the area and just conduct regular service in the chapel, but such decision never entered his mind.

Without saying, his act implies that he should suffer with his flock according to his vow of poverty…indeed, an act of a true Catholic priest or Christian shepherd for that matter. May other Christian leaders emulate your ways, Fr. Eric..or, Bishop Eric!…Bacoor City is fortunate to have you!

 

Ang Pagpapaubaya at Pagpapakumbaba

Ang Pagpapaubaya at Pagpapakumbaba

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang pinakamahirap gawin ng isang tao lalo na ang may masyadong bilib sa sarili ay ang magpaubaya at magpakumbaba. Hindi matanggap ng isang taong masyado ang pagkabilib sa sarili ang basta na lang yumuko sa ugali o kagustuhan ng iba, lalo na kung pareho sila ng ugali. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, ang panalo sana ay ang taong magpapaubaya at magpapakumbaba, dahil lalabas na mas malawak ang kanyang pananaw. Ang girian na nangyari dahil lamang sa tinatawag na pride o pagkabilib sa mga sarili nila ay walang katapusan, hangga’t walang yumuko. Sa mata ng ibang tao, lalo na ng Diyos,  ang gagawa nito ay nakakabilib. Sa pagkatanggal ng galit sa kanyang dibdib, para na rin siyang natanggalan ng tinik at bigat sa kanyang balikat, dahil nawala ang inaalala niyang hidwaan na para sa kanya ay tapos na. Kadalasan, ang hindi yumuko ay nakokonsiyensiya pa!

 

May mga pagkakataong ang girian ay sa pagitan ng mag-asawa. Dahil sa tradisyong hindi dapat sinasaktan ang babae, ang dapat na magpaubaya ay ang asawang lalaki. Umiwas na lang hanggang lumamig ang ulo ng asawa niya. Kung sa pagitan ng magulang at anak, dapat lawakan pa ng magulang ang pang-unawa at pagpasensiya. Dapat niyang isipin na kung maaga niyang dinisiplina ang anak, hindi ito magkakaroon ng ugaling barumbado. Dapat aminin ng magulang ang kapabayaang ito na pagsisihan man niya ay huli na. Ang ganyang kaisipan ang dapat magpakalma sa kanya – isang kaisipang may pagsisisi. Hindi naman bulag ang Diyos para hindi makita ang ginagawa niya – yan na lang ang konsuwelo niya.

 

Walang masama sa pagiging mapagpaubaya basta ang pinagbigyan nito ay hindi naman abusado. May iba kasing tao, lalo na mga magulang, na maipakita lang ang kanilang poder o kapangyarihan, ay hindi pinagbibigyan ang hiling ng anak kahit nasa ayos naman. Palagi lang sana nilang paalalahanan ang anak na bilang mga magulang, hindi sila nagkulang, upang pagdating ng panahon hindi sila masumbatan o makonsiyensiya sa pag-isip na nagkamali sila sa pagpalaki ng kanilang anak.

 

Madaling sabihin subali’t mahirap gawin…yan ang siguradong reaksiyon sa sinulat na ito. Subali’t sa ibabaw ng mundo, wala namang imposibleng gawin. Dapat lang alalahanin na kung ipipilit gawin ang isang bagay, may paraan palagi. Ang balakid lang dito ay ang “pride” o masyadong pagkabilib sa sarili.

Just Keep Quiet and Pray

Just Keep Quiet and Pray

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

If you cannot part with your coins as your neighbor does who reaches out to others with gladness in their heart…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

If you cannot speak for the sake of others, though you know you can, but still refuse, while others do with boldness in their heart…jut keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

If you cannot afford to open your heart to others so that you may feel for them with compassion, as others do without hesitance…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

If you cannot stand for Jesus’ words, and Whose legacy is a bunch of virtues that can be lived so that they may prosper while emulated and shared…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

Don’t hold others back as they move on while waving the standard of charity, for if you don’t want to join the throng…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

Don’t utter discouragements in an effort to douse the enthusiasm of others who want to brighten up the gloomy world with love…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

Don’t taunt the courage of others in treading on strange paths that lead to where the neglected are huddled, for if you cannot do it…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

Don’ jeer at the sympathy that others show to the less privileged because for you, it’s none of their business…better step aside…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

You can help others who want to make the world a pleasant place to live in…just keep quiet and for them…pray.

 

May the Lord bless you a million fold…this for you, I pray!

 

Amen!

Ang Maging Saksi ni Hesus sa Mundo ay Obligasyong 24/7

Paalala para sa Banal na Linngo…

 

Ang Maging Saksi ni Hesus sa Mundo

Ay Obligasyong 24/7

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Akala ng iba, ang pagtayo bilang saksi ni Hesus sa mundo ay nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa dinaluhang Misa, pagbasa ng Bibliya sa harap ng maraming tao, o pagbigay ng agarang tulong lamang. Ang pagiging saksi ni Hesus ay nangangahulugang bahagi Siya ng buhay ng tumatayong saksi kaya bahagi din Siya ng lahat ng kilos, pati sa paghinga nito sa lahat ng sandali.

 

May ilang tao na pinagyayabang pa ang kanilang pagiging active member daw ng kung ano-anong religious group, at ng mga nauusong “kongregasyon” ng “Bagong Kristiyano” at nakikibahagi pa ng kaalaman nila sa Bibliya, subalit, ni hindi man lang makabati o makangiti sa mga nakakasalubong na kapitbahay. Saan ngayon si Hesus sa mga pinapakita nila sa kanilang kapwa? Gusto nilang masabing Kristiyano pero sa pangalan lang pala, hindi sa kilos at isip, at lalong hindi sa puso.

 

Hindi kailangang magpapako sa krus tulad ng nangyari kay Hesus upang masabi ng iba na sila ay nagmamahal sa Kanya, kung bugbog-sarado naman pala sa kanila ang kanilang misis at kung sipain ang mga anak ay ganoon na lang tuwing sila ay malasing. Yong iba naman ay milyones ang dino-donate sa mga simbahan dahil mahal daw nila si Hesus, yon pala ang pera ay ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan.

 

Sa darating na Banal na Linggo, dadagsa sa kalye ang mga “saksi” ni Hesus, mga magkakakawag  upang palabasing sinaniban daw sila ng ispiritu Niya o ng kung sinong santo. Ang iba ay magka-camping sa harap ng Quiapo church at naka-costume pa na hango sa Bibliya, at marami pang ibang paraang pagpapakita ng pagiging saksi daw nila. Sa mga araw na yon…kung kumidlat man, sana ay walang tamaan!