The Prayer…
By Apolinario Villalobos
The prayer should be said with heartfelt sincerity,
not only to ask for favor but also, thank Him with alacrity.
The prayer is a spiritual instrument for communication,
with Him in mind, it should be made with sincere intention.
The prayer need not be said loud as for others to hear,
as it is enough that we bow our head and say it in whisper.
The prayer may be short oozing with love and humility,
the better for it to be heard and appreciated by the Almighty.
Ang Mga Dapat Umiral sa Mga Paruko (Parishes)
Ng Pilipinas
Ni Apolinario Villalobos
Hindi ko maiwasang maglabas ng saloobin sa isyung ito dahil sa dami ng napuntahan kong mga paruko na ang mga simbahan ay gustong palakihin ng mayabang na kura paruko (parish priest), nalaman ko na ang resulta ay ang pagtiwangwang ng mga ito pag-alis ng mayayabang na pari na may limit o hangganan ang tour of duty. Ang kawawa ay ang mga parishioners na nagtitiis sa hindi natapos na pagpapalaki ng simbahan nilang maayos pa rin naman sana.
Sa isang bayan sa southern Luzon, ang isang mayabang na pari na gustong magpasikat ay umutang sa kanilang Archdiocese nang kung ilang milyong piso upang mapalaki ang dinatnang simbahan na maayos naman ang pagkagawa at hindi naman umaapaw kung Linggo. Ang kawawa ay ang mga parishioners na pinapatawan ng “assigned amount” na donation kuno. Palagi ring nagpa-fund raising at ang binebentahan ng mga tiket ay mga naghihirap din na mga parishioners. Ang masaklap pa, pati ang inutang sa Archdiocese ay pilit na binabayaran pa rin ng mga parishioners kahit umalis na ang pari.
Sa isa pang bayan sa central Mindanao, ang isang bahagi ng simbahan na kagagawa lang ay binakbak upang magkaroon ng extension…ang halaga ng project ay milyones! Sa inis ng maraming parishioners, tuloy pa rin silang nagsisimba pero hindi naman nagbibigay ng donation. Ang iba naman ay sa kabilang paruko na nagsisimba. Ang nakakabahala ay ang malaking utang na iiwanan ng mayabang na pari at ang nakatiwangwang na simbahan kapag umalis na ito.
Sa panahon ngayon, napapaghalata na nawala na ang pagka-ispirituwal NG ILANG mga pari na ang tour of duty ay kung ilang taon lang, na hindi inaabot ng sampung taon, isang indikasyon ng politicization ng sinasabing “vocation” or calling na ito….nagiging professional na. May kuwento tungkol sa mga bagong naitalagang mga pari sa kanilang parish, na ang ginagawa daw ay mag-apply agad ng “car plan” dahil pasok sa panahon ng installment period….hindi ko na sasabihin kung saan manggagaling ang pangbayad na installment. At hindi lang diyan nagtatapos ang joke, dahil nag-aagawan daw sila sa malalaking paruko na mayaman ang mga parishioners…Joke yan!
Pagdating sa mga proyekto, dapat ang umiral ay desisyon ng mga parishioners na may mga representative naman sa Parish Council….HINDI ANG SA NAKATALAGANG PARI NA PANSAMANTALA LANG ANG ITATAGAL.
Ang nabanggit na dahilan kung bakit nagsusulputan ang mga Christian Communities na binubuo ng mga dating Katoliko na tumiwalag dahil sa nakita nilang kaaliwaswasan ng mga paring baluktot ang pananaw at desisyon. DAPAT UNAWAIN NG MGA PARING ITO NA SILA AY ITINALAGA UPANG MAGMISA AT GUMAWA NG IBA PANG SPIRITUAL FUNCTIONS. MINISTERIAL LANG ANG KANILANG FUNCTION BILANG “PARISH PRIEST” DAHIL ANG MGA DESISYON SA LAHAT NG MGA PANGYAYARI SA PARUKO AY DAPAT IKINUKUNSULTA SA COUNCIL.
DAPAT DIN AY MAY TRANSPARENCY SA MGA EXPENSES SA PAMAMAGITAN NG NAGPAPASKIL O PAGLAGAY NG NOTICE SA BULLETIN BOARD TUNGKOL SA LAHAT NG MGA PINAGGASTUSAN NG PERANG INABULOY NG MGA NAGSISIMBA. KAPAG HINDI GINAWA YAN NG NAKAUPONG PARISH PRIEST, NANGANGAHULUGANG IBINULSA NIYA ANG PERA!…NAKAKAHIYA SIYA!
Gusto ko lang linawin na hindi lahat ng parish priest ay mala-demonyo ang ugali. Marami sa kanila ay mababait. Pero hindi talaga maitatago ng puting sotana ang maitim na budhi at kawalan ng kaluluwa ng ilan sa kanila….DAHIL TAO LANG RIN SILA!
Ang Kapistahan ng Imahen ng Patron Saint
Ni Apolinario Villalobos
Suggestions kung ano SANA ang mangyari sa isang kapistahan ng patron ng isang barangay, bayan, o lunsod:
Sana ay matakot sa Diyos ang mga taong ang iniisip para sa kapistahan ng isang patron saint na DAPAT ay payak o simple pero ginagawang parang pista ng mga pagano.
Understanding the Muslim Filipinos
By Apolinario Villalobos
Christian Filipinos should not abhor their brother Muslims in view of the turmoil in Marawi perpetrated by the terroristic Maute Group. A terroristic group or any group with an intention of sowing destruction may arise from among the Christians, too. Unfortunately, many Christian Filipinos have yet to understand their brother Muslims beyond their porkless diet. By culture and religion, there are differences between the two, but they emanated from the same Malayan race, and by geography, they both belong to Asia.
Centuries before the Spanish arrival, Islam was well-entrenched in strategic islands of the archipelago, having been introduced in Sulu by Sharif Makdum, a Muslim missionary from Malacca. The first mosque which he built could still be found at Tubig-Indagan, on the island of Simunul. He died in Sibutu where a simple shrine was built in his honor. Makdum was followed by Raha Baginda who arrived in Sulu in 1390, and in 1450, Abu Bkr arrived from Johore who married Princess Paramisuli, daughter of Raha Baginda. Their marriage marked the founding of the Sulu Sultanate.
In Mindanao, the first Muslim leader to arrive was Sharif Kabungsuwan, who reached Cotabato (today, part of Maguindanao province) in 1475. He converted the natives into Islam and married the local princess, Putri Tuῆina. Eventually, he became the first Sultan of Maguindanao and his wife, the first Sultana.
At the time of the Spanish arrival, many parts of the archipelago were inhabited by Muslims, such as Batangas, Pampanga, Mindoro, Catanduanes and part of what is today, Metro Manila, particularly those along the Pasig River. When Legazpi arrived in 1571, the recognized Muslim “king” of Manila by the natives was Raha Sulayman, while in Tondo, it was Lakan Dula.
The Spaniards used the word “Moros” to refer to the fierce inhabitants who resisted their intrusion. The word is derived from the “Moors” who were their primary adversaries in Spain. It was the “fierceness” albeit, intended for the Spanish intruders, that unfortunately, had a negative impression in the mind of Filipino Christians. But, thanks to the later generations of Muslim Filipinos, for today, the reference which has been shortened to “Moro” connotes respectability. Contrary to what many non-Muslims believe, “Mohammedanism” is not a religion because Muhammad, himself, did not claim to have founded a religion. The counterpart of the Bible in Islam is the Koran or Qu’ran.
The Five Pillars of the Islamic Faith are: the profession of Faith; praying five times a day facing Mecca; giving alms called “zakah” to the poor; fasting during the month of Ramadan; and pilgrimage to Mecca. Polygamy is allowed, hence, a Muslim may have 4 wives for as long as he can afford to support them and divorce is also permitted.
Pigs are considered unclean, hence, pork is detested by Muslims. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed. It is for this reason that prior to the arrival of Christians in Mindanao, vinegar was concocted from banana. When migrants from the Visayas and Luzon came, tuba (coconut wine) and basi (sugarcane wine) were introduced but only the Christian settlers imbibed them.
Many Biblical personages are also mentioned in Koran, the most popular of which are Jesus, Abraham and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is interesting to note that during Christmastime, some Muslim stalls in Quiapo display Christmas lanterns and Christmas trees. They also practice gift giving to live up with the season.
Finally, in the Philippines, politics laced with greed ruined the good relationship between the Christians and Muslims to some extent…
Dasal para sa Eid Il Fitr…
Taimtim na Dasal
…bukod-tanging natira nating pag-asa
Ni Apolinario Villalobos
Sa pabago-bagong panahong dulot ay pinsala
sa halip na biyaya…
Sa harap ng kagutumang ating nararanasan –
walang katapusan…
At, sa harap ng mga kinatatakutang krimen –
‘wag munang tapusin ang dasal ng “amen”.
Magdasal pa tayo ng marubdob at taimtim
‘wag maging sakim…
Sa panahong ang patayan ay kalat sa mundo
piliting ‘wag masiphayo…
basta’t namumutawi ang dasal sa ating bibig –
sa pag-asa, tayo’y nakahilig!
Holding On to Dear Faith
By Apolinario Villalobos
Tears may fall in anguish
Hearts may break in sorrow
Dignity may be lost in hunger
But always, despite all these –
Something is left of our faith.
Questions may be mumbled
Doubts may raise eyebrows
Whimpers may lessen the pain
Despair may block our sight
But always, faith gives us light!
The Prayer
By Apolinario Villalobos
First of all, it must be known that there are many forms of prayers or ways by which a prayer can be expressed, such as, silently, loudly, and by sign language. But generally, the prayer can be classified into just three, such as, memorized, read, and extemporaneously expressed straight from the heart.
The Roman Catholic Church has hundreds of prepared or printed prayers with specific intentions, such as, those for the dead, for Christening, for the wedding, for the sick, for job hunting, for wooing a woman, for damning an enemy, etc. One will just have to go to Quiapo to see piles of printed prayer books sold like candies outside the cathedral. These prayers become more effective according to the vendors if candles are being burned while specific prayers are mumbled, till the candle completely melts. Some “faithful” even hire a “praying professional”- a person who prays for a fee. Each candle is distinguished for a particular intention by their color.
The voodooistic practices are being done right under the very nose of the Catholic priests, and while the amplified Mass is going on inside the massive historic structure where the Black Nazarene is enshrined. If these are wrong, why can’t the Church authorities put a stop to them? Why can’t announcements be made during the Mass so that even those outside the church will hear them? Why can’t this simple act of correcting a wrong right within their community is not being done, while Catholic bishops are against and very vocal about the killing of drug personalities who are criminals?
Many Roman Catholic prayers are outright funny, especially, those which have not been “updated”, having been written during the heyday of fanaticism, particularly during the later part of the Spanish colonization. The prayers are full of outright ignorance as regards to what prayers are supposed to be about. For this, one just has to check the “marathon prayer” or “chant” used during the “pabasa” of the Lenten season. These supposedly solemn prayers are “updated” using hip-hop tunes, to purportedly encourage the youth to participate. Also, for other interesting discoveries, one may check the prayer being chanted by sleepy “faithful” Roman Catholics during the “pasiyam” of the dead brethren in which the “tower of David” is mentioned. Every night it is done for the duration of the nine-day wake. I would like to make it clear that I have nothing against these prayers of the Roman Catholic Church…I am just sharing what I know about them.
For me, the best prayers are those that are extemporaneously said by New Christians as they are obviously coming from their heart….not read from “prayer books”….that is my personal opinion and nobody should question that.
ANG MGA AKALA NA PWEDENG MALI PALA…
Ni Apolinario Villalobos
Dahil palaging nagsisimba ang isang tao, mabait siya sa kapwa.
Dahil palaging may hawak na Bibliya ang isang tao, malawak na ang kaalaman niya dito.
Dahil may Bibliyang naka-display sa bahay, ito ay binabasa.
Dahil may Encyclopedia na naka-display sa bahay, ito ay binabasa.
Dahil pari o Obispo, hindi na masisilaw sa salapi o tahimik na maniac.
Dahil nagtapos sa unibersidad ang isang tao, matalino na siya.
Dahil nagmumura ang isang tao kapag galit, siya ay masama na.
Dahil naka-shorts at t-shirt lang ang isang tao, siya ay naghihikahos na.
Dahil maganda ang isang babae, siya ay walang anghit o bad breath.
Dahil guwapo ang isang lalaki, siya ay walang eczema o anghit.
Dahil magandang tingnan ang pagkaayos ng pagkain, ito ay masarap na.
Dahil mahal ang isang pagkain, ito ay masustansiya na.
Dahil malinis sa paningin ang gulay, ito ay ligtas nang kainin.
Dahil hindi namumula ang mata ng isda, ito ay sariwa.
Dahil nakatira sa ibang bansa ang isa tao, siya ay mayaman na.
Dahil matangkad ang isang tao, magaling na siyang mag-basketball.
Dahil maganda ang balat ng prutas, wala na itong uod.
Dahil kaibigan ang isang tao, siya ay mapagkakatiwalaan na.
Dahil doctor, hindi na magkakasakit
Dahil dentista, walang sirang ngipin.
Dahil pulis, matapang na.
Dahil pangit, masama ang ugali.
Dahil walang makapal na ulap, hindi na uulan.
Dahil kumikinang at kulay dilaw, ginto na.
Dahil mayaman, galante na.
Dahil may tag ng kilalang brand, original na.
Ang “Love Offering” sa Misa ng Romano Katoliko
(with translation)
By Apolinario Villalobos
May mga parish priest na hindi alam kung anong mga barangay o subdivisions ang sakop nila. Ang tawag nila sa mga Multi-purpose Hall na pinagdadausan nila ng misa ay “chapel” upang makontrol nila. Pinalagyan ng santo ang Multi-purpose Hall, patron daw, kaya dapat tawagin na itong “chapel”…ibig bang sabihin ba ay “chapel” din ang bahay na may malaking rebulto ng santo? Iyan ang kabulastugan na animo ay pangangamkam ng mga ungas na paring ito sa mga Multi-purpose Hall na pinaghirapang itayo ng mga homeowners!
Ang masama pa, pagkatapos mag-misa sa mga Multi-purpose Halls, wala man lang iniiwang pera para sa pondo ng asosasyon na mgagamit sa maintenance. Lahat ng perang ibinigay ng mga dumalo sa misa ay tinatawag na “love offering”, ganoong “quota” naman talaga. Kapag mahina ang koleksiyon, nagpaparinig sila na hindi maka-Diyos ang mga dumadalo sa misa!
May kaibigan akong pari na umaming ang maliit niyang electric car ay hinuhulug-hulugan niya ng perang galing sa “love offering”. Walang masama diyan, basta huwag lang maging ipokrito kaya dapat nilang aminin na sila ay taong may mga pangangailangan…. kaya kailangan nila ng pera. Huwag na nilang sabihing ang pera ay “offering” ng mga tao na nagla-“love” sa Diyos! KUNG TAPAT SILA AT HINDI SINUNGALING, ITO ANG AMININ NILA SA MISA SA HALIP NA MAGBASA NG PASTORAL LETTER TUNGKOL SA MGA PATAYANG BINIBINTANG KAY DUTERTE ….BIBILIB PA SA KANILA ANG MGA TAGA-SUNOD NILA!
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There are parish priests who do not even know the barangays and subdivisions that are within their “territory”. They call the Multi-purpose Halls where they hold Mass as “chapel” with the ulterior motive of controlling them. They require the local parishioners to display a statue of their patron in the Multi-purpose Hall to qualify it as a chapel…does it mean that homes with big statues of saints should also be called “chapels”? That is how deceitful some of these priests are in their effort to snatch the Multi-purpose Halls from the homeowners who painstakingly built them!
Worse, after the Mass, the priests do not even leave any amount for the fund of the homeowners to be used for future repairs. All of the money shelled out by those who attended the Mass, they call “love offering” which in reality, is “quota”. If the collection is meager, the priest chides the attendees as not faithful enough.
I have a priest-friend who admitted that the money he uses for the monthly installment of his small electric car is from the “love offering”. Nothing is wrong with that, for as long as priests should do away with hypocrisy and admit that as human beings they also have needs…hence, they need money. They should stop insisting that the “offering” is from those who “love” God! IF THEY ARE HONEST AND NOT LIARS, THEY SHOULD BOLDLY ADMIT THAT DURING THE MASS INSTEAD OF READING THE PASTORAL LETTER ABOUT THE KILLINGS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO DUTERTE….AND, THEIR FOLLOWERS WILL SURELY ADMIRE THEM!
On the Counting of Blessings
By Apolinario Villalobos
Many who thought they are “successful” because of earned scholastic degree from prestigious learning institution or in position of wealth that they are enjoying, but amassed by their parents, unfortunately, do not know how to ”count” their blessings. We find these people in the high-end business districts of the city surrounded by hundreds of their staff; in government halls, occupying top and sensitive positions; and ritzy subdivisions as they immerse themselves in luxury. Surprisingly, many of them are far from being satisfied as their thoughts are occupied with schemes on how to earn more money – at all cost.
It is this selfish desire on the part of business moguls to get richer that made them forget the plight of those who sacrificed to build their pedestal of affluence. They forgot to return the favor, so that while they are wallowing in prosperity, those who are responsible for their wealth subsist on sub-standard wages.
Many government officials who became influential and those elected by the people forgot that their wages come from the pocket of ordinary citizens. Instead of being grateful and do their best for the benefit of those who voted for them, they rob the government coffer, or worse, act as if they are the master of those who put them where they are.
Instead of counting their blessings and be grateful to God for what they already have, many people still want more at the expense of others. That is the simple logic why the world is convulsing with strife today. Take away selfishness and what takes place is compassion. Take away greed and what takes place is altruism. Take away exploitation and what takes place is care. Take away hatred and what remains is love. But these are just suppositions, as in unfortunate reality, greed prevails among men.
Counting our blessings will not take hundreds of fingers unless we include the spoons, forks, cups, beddings, clothes, and everything inside our home. That is not what I mean. Blessings can be translated into the comfort in life relative to the situation where we are. If we are in the city, comfort is viewed differently from the one being enjoyed in the countryside. Most importantly, we should not compare ourselves with others, as their blessings are definitely different from ours, if we base what we have gained on the standards that man, himself, has invented.
Blessings may not always be tangible or recognized. They can be felt such as satisfaction in life that cannot be described but can be translated into happiness, yet they can be counted if we are diligent enough to count the days when we are happy or sad. But nobody wants to do that, instead, we just do not give a damn if it is a Monday or a Tuesday or a Wednesday when we had been joyful or sad.
For as long as we are happy, let us just be in such state and be thankful that we still breathe. WE SHOULD LEARN HOW TO COUNT OUR BLESSINGS, INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR MORE. LET THE OTHER BLESSINGS BE ENJOYED BY OTHERS!
penpowersong 