By Fr. Jim Mulroney

A Young worker chooses to suffer with her workmates rather than accept a bribe.

Several hours of following a trail of former addresses brought me to the font door of the home of Delma, her husband Rikki and their three children, I was in the middle of one of Manila’s largest squatter areas, and even on his hot, dry night, the soil oozed water my feet. Philsite is a swamp it cradles a shanty homes of 30,000 people. I entered their stuffy two room home and we spoke excitedly over the scream of mosquitoes. It was 13 years since I had last met Delma. She was then a 20 year old catechist at a community centre in a shanty town in another part of Manila. She had left her catechist job to work in a department store; her mother was sick so Delma needed a bigger income. Educated, intelligent and articulate she was promoted to section head. However, the staff saw her qualities, too. There been a long running dispute with the management about payment for overtime. Everyone had to work nine hours a day and were only paid eight. When they heard their union representative had been paid P160, 000 pesos for her resignation, they began to look towards Delma as one of their leaders.

Management had forbidden the employee to gather or organize in anyway Delma arranged for a cleaning lady to sit in the stall wash room and collect the signatures of 1,300 employees, enough to authorize industrial action. At a meeting held in the Sheraton Hotel that night, they legally registered their union and applied to the Philippine Law of Management Office for a legal ruling on their petition. They received a favourable reply. But the company refused to pay.

Delma and two other leaders were offered P30, 000 and cadetships in Canada for their resignations. But they did not betray the trust of their co-workers.

At a second large meeting at the hotel a resolution was passed to strike. As Delma left the hotel she saw a car pull up to the sidewalk. Four thugs jumped out and hit a young woman. People rushed to stop them and the woman who looked like Delma, escaped without much injury.

At a second meeting with management Delma and the two leaders were offered P160, 000 each for their resignations. They refused. “We are not fighting for this type of money, but for the welfare of all Filipino workers,” they replied.

Delma was harassed by the police in the picket line during the strike. But would not quit. She was encouraged by the fact that the public refused to buy anything at the plush store during the three day strike even though management was staffing the cash registers and the doors were wide open and easy access was given to the shop.

Eight years later, Delma is still a blacklisted worker. She and Rikki survive on part time work but they lose even that when Delma’s true identity is discovered. She holds no regret for refusing the offers of money and good employment, she says simply, “I may not have achieved much, but I served those who trusted me as best I could.”

As I walked home that night I wondered what other tales of heroism we hidden behind the walls of Philsite.

Fr. Efren de Guzman, SVD

January

January 12, Friday

One of our beloved lepers died. His name is Macupa, 39 years old. Our leper catechists read the psalm 116: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” During our shared homily, another leper said: “People usually think of the dark side of death. For us lepers, death is a blessing from God. For us lepers, death is not gloom but glory.”

13 Saturday

As usual we held formation for the youth. One of the main themes: “Fortune Favors the Bold: We do not normally plan to fail, we normally fail to plan.”

14 Sunday

Two Filipinos and two Englishmen were killed in a land mine explosion, one of them was the general manager of the company.

16 Tuesday

Meeting of the association of the fishermen in Santiago, 30 kilometers from Luanda. One old fishermen inspired us by his words: “One grain of sand at a time, one task at a time.

18-19 Thursday, Friday

I flew to Nzagi to celebrate mass for the victims of the land mine explosion. Some Filipino OCWs were really crying. One of them supposed to leave the following day for his home vacation. Other Filipinos commented: “We are ready to die for our families.” Some of their families had been begging them to come home. The biggest problem of the company is the government is not paying its debts. The police and the military deserters want the company out of the mining site. One Portuguese was hit by a sniper on the leg after the mass.

31 Wednesday

We visited the community that is engaged in the project of weaving. The Franciscan sisters who are managing the project gave this lesson: “Trust is like a thread; once it’s broken, it’s hard to join the broken ends again.”

February

8 Thursday

I was going to Funda (The Leper Colony) passing Casas Novas when people asked me to chase a trunk on which three children had climbed up at the back and were in danger of falling off. Two of them feel from the truck and got some minor injuries. I was able to overtake the truck and save the third child from falling. The driver didn’t know that the children had climbed onto the back of his truck

10 Saturday

After the formation of the catechists, I was invited to pray for the dick in Caxito, 65 kilometers from Luanda. Some members of the government controlled television arrived to witness the occasion. They wanted to interview me, but I refused, telling them to interview the parish priest instead. Later I gave in to their request after they interviewed the parish priest. We had the same answer: “It is the Lord who heals.” In John 10:10, Christ said, “I have come that you may have life and have it lived completely.” Christ wants us to be healed not only physically, but integrally.

12 Monday

We visited a widower who’s taking care of some of our orphans. His name is Madaleno. 54 years old. He shared with a paradox: God is really amazing. If you give up the need for security, you will be secured. God is a sure security.”

16 Friday

During the Landmine Seminar the following procedure were given –
First: Contact the specialist (who normally do not come). Second: Blow it up by putting a stone on it and pull it by a string. Third: Blow it by shooting at it from 30 meters. Never try removing a land mine. Blow it up!

I guess this all for now. May you be God’s instruments of Love, Joy, and Peace! God bless and best wishes.

“People usually think of the dark side of death. For us lepers, death is a blessing form God. For us lepers death is not gloom but glory.”

Someone in Distant Land

You may travel a thousand miles, leave your families and friend behind. But most important one you know is always in your mind. Giving you joy and smiles. The scene may change, climate, chill and warmth. In a strange and distant land, but still you fell the warmth of Someone who holds you in his hand.
You feel Him in the morning sun and in the even tide. And don’t feel so lonely. For He’s always at your side.

By Bo Sanchez

I’ve been traveling too much. I sometimes wake up in the morning wondering what city I’m in. Am I in Davao? Or Bacolod? Or Toronto. Or L.A.? Or Jakarta? Or Cebu?

Everything is a giant blur.

But at moment I step outside into the sunny day and inhale the heavy, poisonous, potent, mutant, radioactive, genetically –altering, tuberculosis-causing, cancer-inducing fumes of the air...

Ahhh...(Cough.)

Instantly, I know I’m back in Manila. This is my city. Where else are you forced to trust God every time you inhale? Only here.

And many people complain of its absurd, insane, foolish, traffic jams. (It’s phenomenal how we cause our own traffic, I think it ‘ll become one of our major tourist attractions.)

But I call it sweet traffic, this monstrosity causes me to do an extra fifteen decades of the rosary in the car. Cool, hmmm?

While doing so, I try to avoid a mad rush of death machines swerving left and right beside me. (Ummm, I think they were called public buses a few years ago.) I say a prayer for the crazy drivers, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...” My patience is tested and stretches, and little by little, my soul gets love-trained for Heaven

And when I walked through Megamall, and see the crowd that rivals the sands of Pinatubo – it becomes the perfect place for earnest intercession. I walked around, praying for that happy couple eating ice cream, that crying child on her mother’s breast, that bored saleslady, that punskin kid...

I pray for hundreds of people that day

Suddenly, God becomes very close to me. If given a choice, I can decide to live somewhere else – tomorrow if need be, I can escapes it all and move to Dumaguete. Or Palawan. Or Baguio. Or Canada.

I’d escapes the heat, the smog, the madness...

But deep in my heart, I believe God wants me here. In Manila. This is my mission place. And my home is where God is. And He’s here. I feel Him in every breath I take. (Cough)

P.S. Listen. Any place can be your home. It’s not the location. Or the ambiance. Or the scenery. It’s where God is calling you, pure and simple. Do you feel Him where you are? If not, you’re not yet at home. (Kerygma)

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Joe is the name

“What is in a name?” is a program watched on television. Then I recalled my own name history. At the seminary we were three Joe’s. They called me Joepay (shortened from of Joseph Panabang to distinguish me from the other two. Then at the basketball court, they called me “Magic Joe” alluding to my style of play. Then came the new soft drinks Mountain Dew and they called me “Mountain Joe” (referring to mountainous Kalinga where I come from). Next was my mission appointment to Ghana Africa, whereupon my classmates called the "Chief Joepay” as a joke. Then when I shared my experiences from Ghana in the magazine MISYON the editor called me Fr. Joe-ker. Pinoy in Ghana. So what’s my next name?

Marikina Mass

Just barely a week after I arrived back in the Philippines, I was sent to Marikina for Sunday mass. I gave the homily in Tagalong. After the mass, one parishioner commented, "Hindi Filipino ito, ah.” I looked at him with a smile. I must have become Ghanized.

Adam’s Apple

My nephew brought some real imported apples to Ga-ang my humble village. Before eating the fruit I warned my friends. “This is the fruit from the garden of Eden. So be careful. It might stuck in your throat. Like what happened to Adam – adam’s apple.”

Sorry, I’m Sick

One day, I couldn’t go with my catechists for our house to house visit. I was not feeling well. He then complained: “Sick again? Always sick, sick, sick. Why?" complained one catechist. “Because I am alive. Did you ever see a dead person getting sick?” I said ruefully and he laughed.

Smoking is Dangerous to you Health

Coming back from Kalinga in a trip over tortuous terrain filled with giant potholes on the road, a man from Pangol sitting on the luggage’s atop the jeepney was thrown off. I asked my nephew who was beside him how it happened. He said that the man was lighting his cigarettes when the jeep hit a deep bump. Then he was thrown off mercilessly. “See, smoking is dangerous to you health?" I told him.

No Free Breakfast

So excited and I in a hurry to return to the mission center one night, I forgot that the mass kit was on top of the car. From the mission center, I went back but could not find it. I could not sleep the whole night.

Early morning I went back but still in vain. Coming back the third time, our principal informed that a certain taxi driver found a black boy on the road with strange things inside but did not know what they were. So he brought them to the Ghana Private Road Transportation Union Office (GPRTU).

What a relief when I got them intact. But then at my office, an errand boy from the GPRTU came to remind me that I should have paid something before I took the mass kit. “Go and tell them that Jesus did not pay the Good Samaritan.” I said to the boy.

By Josefina Evidente, DC

I am Sr. Josefina Evidente, a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. I am working with three other Daughters of Charity, (one American, and two Filipinos) in this tiny island of Quemoy or Kinmen. Since this is a strategic place and because of the tensions between the two Chinas I have to limit my description of this beautiful mission to our apostolate here.

Mysterious Island

Eleven years ago, the Daughters of Charity came to this mission doing pastoral work in the towns and many villages of this island barely 150 square kms. Its nearest point to mainland China is merely 1.8 kilometers away. The Nationalist government took over the control of this island in 1949 when they left China in defiance of Communist rule. The island was developed into a modern tourist spot after martial law was lifted last 1992. This island was a place of mystery for any people of Taiwan. Only the natives of the place, soldiers, trainees, and official of the US Department of Defense entered it. This is why people of Taiwan now came by the hundred thousand to see this once –forbidden Isle.

The first Sisters assigned to come over to this island had a lot of trouble working on their permit entry. Their movements were under the surveillance. Thanks be to God our coming here last 1992 was not that difficult. Now, we go around the island with great freedom and we are always welcomed by the villagers and the government authorities.

Haven of Peace

Kinmen is a haven of peace where peace loving people live frugal lives till old age. Their houses mostly built hundreds of years and hundreds of years ago and handed down to them by their ancestors fascinate the tourists who come to the breathe fresh air and the sweet scent of tall eucalyptus and pine trees lining the avenues and lanes of the whole island. Thanks to the hard labor of farmer soldiers who came 47 years ago and of those who followed their footsteps in this island. We are now enjoying the shady and well- paved streets and lanes of this historical island. It’s a pity that many modern houses are built to meet the demands of families whose house are crumbling beyond repair. The sense of the antique is getting less and less as modern architecture is introduced.

Shellfish in Cold Winter Months

Several days a week, we Sister go by two’s to visit the sick and elderly in the home for the Aged and in the two big hospitals. We also help some poor students who need tutorial lessons in English. Through we are busy doing our household chores, we still find time to entertain friends who visit us. The people here are very kind and generous. They share with us anything they have – cooked food, products form their farm or delicacies they make for any occasion. A good lady used to gather sea shells or crabs in knee deep sticky mud even in cold winter months to give to us instead of selling these for a living Many acts of kindness such as these truly overwhelm us. They tell us that they do this because we are so good to the poor and to all who need our help. This is a good chance to them that we are good because God has sent us here to help them. They worry about us because we don’t get married like every woman in the island and who will take care of us when we become old and helpless. Well, we always take advantage to their concern for us to speak about God’s bountiful mercy and care for us. They shake their heads.

Keep Us in Your Prayers

We ask you and our readers of MISYON to pray for our safety and special protection because we are very much exposed to danger of war between two fighting lands. Only a MIRACLE can save us from the powerful enemy at the other side of the Strait. We try to remain calm and cheerful to boost the moral of our handful of Catholics and non-Catholic friends. When we go to retire at night, we pray to our Lord to be with us and allow us to see the new dawn. When we wake up, we ask him to be with us again and let us see the end of the new day. Now, more than ever, we think of an impending death and we place ourselves in God’s loving hands... in life or in death.

By Mario J. De los Reyes

I am an assistant to the Great Artist. I was only in the kindergarten in Letran when I realized I wanted to be a director. Whenever there was a show, a declamation contest for Christmas decoration contest, I was always assigned to be in Charge, even at the early age.

But my dream to be a director flourished because I lover the movies. I would sell macopa, the proceeds of which I used to watch double program movies of Sampaguita Pictures or LVN at Clover, Majestic in Recto and others. And then, when I entered the seminary, I continued to volunteer my services to the drama guild.

Twist of Fate

In high school, now out of the seminary upon the advice of my prefect, I joined PETA. I was supposed to be going to PWU because my mom had encouraged me to join the Bayanihan Dance Troup. But I boarded the wrong vehicle. Then I met a friend from the seminary who urged me to join in PETA where they still were in need of one actor.

That same night, I was already practicing with Cecille Guidote as our teacher. Inspired by my teacher, friends and sister and pushed on my dream, I took up Communication Arts in the University of the Philippines.

My thesis was about family planning and the theater teaching principle. From the show, “Itay, Kain na Tayo,” we would give questionnaire before and after the play to solicit awareness and understanding about family planning. This thesis was sent to Cecille Guidote who in turn sent it to the UNESCO International Woman’s Year in Mexico. I was invited to become a youth speakers to discuss how I could use the theater teaching principle. From Mexico I proceeded to New York to do my report and I asked them to give me a scholarship in International Theater Institute in Paris.

I got the certificate course on the theater in Paris and stayed there for a week or two. The theater group assigned me jobs like carpentry, ticketing, stage assistance, any thing, I finished it in six months. After which I went to Germany and Amsterdam. Theater groups have many connections that are why I got to travel around and search for whatever group that would accept me.

Can’t Stop It!

When I came back to the Philippines, I met Lupita Kashiwara who was starting a movie, Magandang Gabi sa Inyong Lahat with Guy and Pip with Premier Productions. She invited me to give a workshop for her film Alkitrang Dugo. I gave the workshop in which Eddie Villamayor and Nora Aunor joined, Guy asked me to direct her for the Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora.
Because of my background with kids in Alkitrang Dugo, I directed my first movie with Agrix, High School Circa 65, it was blood, sweat and tears! I cried because only then did I realize how hard it was to be in the movies. Just imagine directing 20 children, 10 adults and hundreds of supporting casts.

Re-directing a Director

Aside from directing, I also teach directing and scriptwriting for television. It was during the height of height success that I tried drugs, sex and song. Thank heavens for my background. I would not be drowned by this search for new adventures. My colleague, Jake Tordesillas, was trying to introduce me to the Renewal Movement but I would always postpone attending the Life in the Spirit Seminar of the Oasis of Love.

That was the time I was directing Kapag Napagod ang Puso with Boyet de Leon and Snooky Serna. Boyet was hooked into drugs then and he would come to the set really height on drugs and I felt ready to give up. I though to myself, drugs make people crazy and I don’t want to handle him anymore. After that I talked to him. It was the lowest point in his career. He was down and no producer would take him anymore.

After a while I heard that he was into the Renewal. They organized the Oasis of Love. “Naku, totoo ba yan? “sino bang niloko n’yo,” I would say. Jake Tordesillas, my colleague joined in as Batch 3. They were inviting me but I didn’t see the need to attend since I used to be a seminarian and I knew Theology, the Bible and God. I didn’t have a problem and I always went to Mass on Sundays. The habits I learned from the Seminary I hadn’t forgotten, I didn’t have big sins. Or so I thought.

Every LSS they would invite me but I always gave the alibi that I had a shooting. But in Batch 6, Luz Valdez invited me and I joined them at Sta. Catalina Convent in Baguio City. October 17 was a triple celebration for me! My birthday, my spiritual birthday and my Moms birthday. When I went back to Manila, I felt it was more of a fine tuning if my spiritual life and relationship with the Lord. My communication with the Lord became clear, no more obstruction, no more static frequency.

I was assigned to be Batch leader together with Mother Lily Monteverde. Eventually I became one of the council of elders, in-charge of the education ministry. I was spiritually high then. I would line up in Bible studies and all the hinges like symposia, seminars and workshops. When we had a rotation, I was assigned with the youth.

I felt more secure about His love for me and my love for Him. I felt I was being trained and given workshop to stage another life in difficult situations. I learned now that it is working for others and God (more than working for oneself) that matters. I have wards or talents for my movie who take drugs and I have to take care of them and give them advice. I also take care of a person at the drug rehabilitation center. Later I realized that God is giving me the youth to give them guidance not only in their acting career but also about lovelife and on their spiritual direction. I feel I’m there for the as an elder brother or father.

A Light for Showbiz

There were times in my career that I didn’t like what I was doing. I thought of going back to the seminary. But the feedback I got from the brothers at the monastery was they liked the way I inculcated values and principles in the movies. I realized then that my calling was indeed to be a television and movie director.

Now I understand why I was sent out. Through its not easy to just give the word of god in movies, at least I tried to inject Christian values and principles in the movies I direct, I find it difficult, but I take it as the challenge.

I stood by the message I impart in my movies like in Surigao: May Bukas Pa, starred by Richard Gomez and others. Basically, my point is we cannot escape our past no matter where we go. The past will always haunt us. To forget it, we have to forgive all the people who have hurt us so we will be cleansed and purification will be total and continuo. Otherwise, it will haunt us forever.

The Two Sides of Showbiz

The good majority of the people in showbiz are maka-diyos, maka-tao, and are working silently for the betterment of the industry. We have stayed long with the industry because of the principle of spreading God’s work of salvation in more subtle ways, I , for one, have been with the industry for 19 years and I also meet people who earn there bread and butter the hard, clean way.

I feel disappointed for those who do it the easy, dirty way. The tendency for them is to get sensationalized in a sex scandal or movie scam. There are those pillars of the industry who are more respectable and still striving to develop and improve the industry. We pursue a career for that and we will not destroy our reputation. I just view it this way – Gods is not asleep. He knows what I am doing and I have to suffer the consequences of what I do. That also applies to other movie practitioners.

God created us with artistic talents, with a special eye for visuals, to tell story. If this was not for me, I would have long ago left showbiz. But I have to have a strong moral values. I have to take care of that. My strong faith in God and my fear of God, knows I believe would bring me to where He wants me to go. Just like in my any other business. Like in the Senate or Congress, in all sorts of business there are bad people and good ones. I pray that all those assigned leaders to every sector will not be blended and tempted by the lure of money and fame.

One thing I hate most is drugs. The devil works so strongly in drugs, why we are plagued with so much crime is because of the influence of drugs. When drug pushers enter the renewal in Oasis, we give them counseling, pray for them, send them to the rehabilitation center and conduct sports competitions for them. We have been successful in taking way drug dependency form these users. I myself was into drugs before, for the main reason that it was the “in” thing, but I was lucky enough through God’s grace that I got out of this. After three months of using, I had ruptures on my skin. I was so vain then, so I stopped taking drugs.

Being in the renewal helps me a lot in putting a stop and saying no to drugs. The strong moral values and Christian principles imparted through the teachings become my shield form these temptations. I know God is there to protect me.

My Life’s an Offering

My sexuality is a continuous struggle for me. But when I joined the Oasis of, I stopped going to bars and I can now say no to actors who offer themselves to me in exchange for building them up. I no longer allow myself to be tempted. It’s just like going to malls. When I didn’t have money, I go window shopping; but when I see something worth buying, I develop a desire to have it. I’d rather not entertain that desire by not going to those places where my desire would heighten.

God also helped me through Divine intervention. Once, when I was about to fall, a visitor came and the consummation of the sexual act was thwarted. I’m surrounded by people who truly love me at the Oasis of Love and we have fellowships, worshipping God together, this keeps me away from temptation. At the LSS, I am always asked to talk to people with this sexual identify problem. And what I always tell them is that God is generous with His mercy. I tell them about the parable of the land owner who hired workers for different hours of the day. God emphasized on the generosity of His mercy.

A light in the darkness is all I hope to be. Yes, I am Director, but I prefer to say that I’m just the instrument of the Greatest Director – the Lord, my God, my Boss.

By Raymund Tilos Santes

On behalf of the Tilos Family, I would like to thank the Columban Fathers, especially Fr. Des, lay missionaries in Pakistan and to the Pakistanis as well for giving Sr. Pilar a very beautiful funeral. And the people of Hinobaan for proving once again that friends are friends –near or far, here or gone away.

When I was about 7 years old, things that most parents would probably not want their children to do were my favorites going to the beach alone, climbing trees, rooftops and even flagpoles, playing in the streets and going out with the big boys.

Our house is almost 50 meters away from my grandfolks but since ours is a quite town, I can hear the voices of people living there –my lolo, my lola, my uncle, some of my cousins and tita Pilar.

There used to be a very big star apple tree next to my lolo’s house and the most graceful branch of the tree extends up to Tita Pilar’s room and we don’t go beyond that point. During the star apple’s season, we picked fruits and eat them on the tree, sometimes sold then in the market. This of course, was without the knowledge of my lolo. My cousins and I felt some kind of victory when we satisfy our taste buds and had some money out of the star apple as well. One day, I discovered a bunch of ripe fruits, but I had doubts if I’d be able to get it. Why? Because its there in the most dangerous branch. I knew what would happen if Tita Pilar would see me up there. I didn’t know what made me decide to go and get it. Maybe my appetite for the fruit and the idea of having some money drove me, and I climbed.

“Creek...creek....”

The next time I knew it, tita Pilar’s window opened.

“You,” said that very commanding voice. “What are you doing up there? Get down, get down fast.”

I climbed down as fast as I could, but she’s faster than me, Tita Pilar was already at the foot of the tree holding a broom when I got down, of course , I knew where she’d used it. We’re all afraid of Tita Pilar because her voice alone commanded authority.

“Do you know what would happen to you if you fell down form that tree? Now who told you that you can get star apples there?
When you are guilty, better keep quite.

“If I catch you the next time, see that? Pointing to the long bamboo that that holds the fine string for drying clothes, “That will kiss your ass!” when you’re only 7 years old that warning is as scary as a death threat.

Tita Pilar is Miss Tilos in school. She’s something special because her subject is everybody’s favorite – Physical Education. She’s a good dancer. She knows a lot of games, and she never ran out of ideas, but kids don’t normally talk to Miss Tilos.

When you’re 30 years old and you don’t have a wife or a husband, it’s kind of “standard” for kids to think that you are strict person. And Tita Pilar was.

Almost every Sunday, after the 7:30 AM mass, Miss Tilos would take us to the beach. There are only two reasons why I love going to beach. The sand and those little creatures that crawl in the sand and dig holes very fast, nothing more. I don’t like the water – it’s so cold and it has waves.

“When you swim, think you’re a feather. Don’t hold the water, let the water hold you.” That’s what Miss Tilos told me – my first swimming instruction! She held my jaw and I began to make strikes hoping it will end soon. I didn’t like it, I’m scared that I’ll fall down. But Miss Tilos didn’t give up on me.

Many Sundays passed. I was learning how to swim. But slow. One time she took us for a ride in a boat. When we were about 25 meters from the shore she held me up and without any notice she threw me out into the deep water. I could hardly breathe. My eyes closed, I paddled my feet towards the boat. Closer and ooops! I could feel the boats body at last! “Whooh, thank God! What a relief. When I opened my eyes I saw Tita Pilar clapping her hands.

I couldn’t believe she was enjoying the watching me die. But I was shocked when she said, “very good! So you can swim now.” “That was it? I thought. Yes! I learned how to swim the hard way –Miss Tilos way. She may not noticed how scared I was that time, But deep inside I learned one thing – believe. There’s no obstacle that you can’t hurdle when you just believe. If at first you think that you can’t, then your really can’t. I believed I could get closer to the boat. And I did.

Today I can swim – freestore, backstroke, butterfly, maybe I can swim better than Miss Tilos, but it can never be denied that she taught me the basics.

My lolo’s house is at the corner of the National Road and the road going to the plaza so everybody’s knows it. If you’re new to the place and you ask for Miss Tilos house, everybody could show you the way.

Tita Pilar was very much involved with the church, in fact she asked me if I could serve during the mass. I couldn’t say NO to her, so I did. I even joined the Legion of Mary and also sand in the choir. Sometimes I watch her speak in front of many people. They also pray and eat together like a very big family. This time they call her Sr. Pilar.

One day our town was like a battleground. For the first time in my life I saw a real war tank. It was very scary. I asked my tatay what was happening but his answer was to warn me. From that moment we were prohibited from playing in the road. I observed we seldom laughed and people seemed to look serious and worse we had to go to bed early. We can’t even watch television for pit the volume of the radio very loud like we used to.

I heard new words like massacre, red alert and NPA. I really didn’t care what these words meant but I had a feeling that they spell danger. On some other nights I could hear “bang –bang” and the following day everybody was already talking about a dead body. 1982 was a very chaotic year. Murder was the favorite topic of the topics. Usual victims were farmers - poor farmers.

One morning when I went to my lolo’s house I saw a lot of soldiers in uniform walking here and there as if they’re waiting for someone. I wanted to run, but I never did because I thought they’d kill me I did. I learned from my mother that they are looking Tita Pilar, so I asked why.

“Why would they be looking for her?” I asked. My mother replied, “They suspect your Tita is an NPA.” “What is an NPA?” I asked curiously. “An NPA is an enemy of the military.” My mother explained. I wondered why would she be an enemy to the military, she’s a woman.

Thirteen years later, Tita Pilar gave me a book by F. Niall O’ Brian entitled Revolution from the Heart and it was only then that I fully understood why she was believed to be a NPA. When you work with people, poor people, you are an NPA. Those poor people who were abused by the military, robbed of their rights and stripped of their dignity. How can your teach these people love if they don’t receive love? How can your show them the way to god when their family is murdered? They might even question you the existence of God. Nobody cared but fortunately there were some who took time out to analyze the root of the problem and consoled these people. And Tita Pilar was one of them. She and Kristyanong Katilingban joined hands to achieve the most basic of all human needs: love. They fought unarmed against oppression, slavery and injustice. Just prayers and faith for their cause.

They succeed. After EDSA Revolution our town has slowly gone back to normal. Time flies so fast. Tita Pilar, Miss Tilos or Sr. Pilar was “ordained” as lay missionary to the Order of St. Columban. Her first assignment took her to Pakistan where as her letter would tell me – she just continues what she really wanted to do.

I wondered why a person would give so much dedication to sever other people. But I guess I already found the answer – Love of God. Matthew 25:30 says: “What do you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me.” her immeasurable love of God brought her to a country of different faith, of different creed and of different culture because for her to be closer to God is to be closer to people. And she even laid down her life to them.

I’ll miss her, that’s for sure. But thinking where she probably is now is already a consolation and a reason not to grieve anymore.

By Bro. Mario G. Dorado, OFMCap

Bro. Mario Dorado joins the native dancing and discovers a new way to inculturation.

Singing our History

Recently we had a youth rally for the five highland regions of Papua New Guinea. Before the rally, the youth asked me to join them in their “Singsing” – their way of dancing and singing the different parts of their history and culture. I did not have any second thoughts about is because I believe that’s’ one way of winning the youth. And I was correct.

Tedious Work

I stood for almost three hours and allowed to decorate my body, especially the face. I wore their own clothes which consisted of grasses, bark of a tree, feathers and plant leaves. The last part pf the decoration was the pouring of oil. It was nice that they used the cooking oil because before they were using the used motor oil! I felt a new person when I looked at myself in the mirror. Dancing to the rhythm of the drums and their loud voices, I felt so mesmerized and really out of myself. We spent the whole morning singing and dancing to the enjoyment of all the youth and the people who witnessed the celebration.

The culminating part of the day was the Mass wherein I was the main celebrant. In the homily, I told them that God has given us so many gifts, So let us love our own culture as God’s gift and may we learn to praise and thank God for everything, especially our own culture.

By Sr. Remedios de los Reyes, OSB

Sr. M. Remedios left the Philippines and went to Africa to respond to God’s call of becoming a Missionary Benedictine Sister. Here she shares with us her life in Namibia as a teacher.

Off to Africa

In March 9, 1993, I was sent to Africa as Missionary Benedictine Sister. Namibia is very beautiful. Windhoek is the capital city. Afrikaans and English are the official languages and German is the local language. The African populations follow traditional animistic beliefs. However, many have been converted to Christianity. Education has become available to all since the country gained its independence in March 21, 1990.

Religious Vows

I professed my vows here in Namibia with my religious community in Windhoek. The missionary Benedictine Sisters. My religious community here is very understanding and supportive. I love them very much.

Ora et Labore

The happiness I experience in Ora et Labore (Pray and Work) is from the deep peace of my heart – confident in God’s loving guidance. After my first confession, I began my school apostolate at Holy Cross Primary School. I taught English, Math and Bible there for one year. Simultaneously I assisted our postulant and aspirants in Basic English and Bible classes inside the convent.

In January 1996, I started teaching at St. Paul’s college where I teach Religious Education and Music, moderate the college choir and organize Chapel Services. These are my contribution to the growing 100 years old Catholic Church in Namibia.

Thank You, Lord

I wake up every morning thanking the Lord for all the blessings He has given me. I hold my head up high to the rising Sun and feel God’s presence. At the end of each day. I would also write my Thank you to Him for all the man ‘miraculous’ and memorable experiences which would not be possible without Him.

Wherever we are, our silent walking with God is the secret of true peace. As a Benedictine Sister, I live my daily life listening to God’s Words and doing them silently in humility, and obedience to His will through my Superior.

Through Namibia is surrounded by the Kalahari and Namib deserts, I feel like a growing three facing the sun for its nourishment, praying to the great Light of God who is my Father.
Educating students in the classroom of St. Paul’s college is not an easy task. But my fervent prayers keep me peaceful and young here in Africa. Before I start my class, I always cross my lips and pray for God’s enlightment that I may preach His Gospel faithfully.

By Fr. Rudy Ramos, CICM

Suru

On the playground of Sao Martinho, a six year old child is crying alone. Her name is Luciana but everybody calls her Suru. She has just quarreled with her friends in kindergarten. On her shoulder is the mark of the burns. They told me that year ago her mother had heated a spoon and hit the shoulder of Suru. The mother was drunk. Three years before her husband had left her. 

Luciana has five brothers and sisters much older than her. Each one has a different father. Angela, the mother, has no fixed husband. It is the children who suffer.

Sao Matinho Nursery

Luciana has been in the nursery of Sao Martinho for already two years. The Nursery is being maintained by the parish of Sao Francisco de Assis, Diocese of Nova Aguacu, Brazil. I am the parish priest here. I pitied this little girl and gave her a home at the nursery. I am the parish priest here, I pitied this little girl and gave her a home at the nursery. There are 24 girls and boys who enter everyday from AM to 4:00 PM. They are age from 3 to 6 years old.. Almost all are the children of women left by their husbands. Their mothers are obliged to work outside the house to maintain their families. Some work as cooks; other work as labanderas; some are streetcleaners; other sell bread early in the morning; one or two are prostitutes.

Exodus

The majority came from other states of Brazil. They escaped from the poverty of the rural areas to fall into the misery of the big city. They came to Nova Iguacu, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. They squatted in vacant areas. Overnight they constructed sheds covered by plastic and carton and installed the little things they had. It was not easy. The municipal government tried to expel them.

 There were threats, fights and expulsions and the sheds constructed by them were burned. A few days later they returned and reconstructed what remained of their dwellings.

There was no place else to go But this time there was the support of the Church, the Catholic Caritas and the Commission of Human Rights. In the end they stayed and had their piece of land legalized.

Working Mothers

It was here that the struggle for survival started. They had to acquire jobs to make a decent house and to sustain their family. It was here that the idea of having a children’s nursery started. It was to help the mothers to work and earn some money for survival. The children could not stay alone in the house. At this point the Catholic Caritas constructed a community center with a kitchen, hall, and playground. From this a nursery was organized with a small health center. For six year Caritas was responsible for the nursery. They the nursery was turned over to the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi.

It is not easy to maintain a nursery in a poor place like Nova Iguacu. But when we see the children playing singing and laughing, the feelings we have are so good that we forget the problems.

Dawning of a new life

Our nursery hopes to educate the mothers also through their children. Every month the mothers are invited to a meeting. The nursery serves also for the work of conscientization for the parish of St. Francis of Assisi. I appealed to the whole parish to help maintain the needs of the nursery through campaigns for food, milk and other things. Little by little the parishioners understood that to be a Christian is more than going to Mass on Sundays.

This new social awareness is beginning to show some fruits. At present we have enough food supply to maintain the nursery. Different groups have been organized to handle different needs. We still depend on the help of people to cover other expenses such as the salaried of the personnel and electric and water bills.

Despite all these difficulties, is the smile of a child not worth it?

By Fr. Michael Montoya

Father Michael Montoya, a native of the Philippines, was sent to the US Province after his novitiate in 1990 for his theological formation. Ordained in 1994, he has been working in St. Joseph the Worker Parish since then.

Salt of the Earth...
Light of the World

The fire on the wicked of the candle dances briskly and brightly, giving a sparkling effect to the grains of salt on the platter next to it. A bible lies open at the Gospel of Matthew announcing, “You are the salt of the earth...the light of the world.”

It is a typical evening when a comunidad de base (basic ecclesial community) is gathered. A symbol is placed in the middle of the gathered group to remind them of the theme of the readings. And what a symbol it is during the night! It does not only lead them to a deeper reflection on the readings, but symbolizes who they really are in the community.

Why are we different?

St. Joseph the Worker Parish is one of the bigger parishes in the Diocese of Brownville. It is located in South McAllen, about seven miles away from Reynosa, a border city of Mexico. Its parishioners are comprised mostly of Mexican- Americans. As we always say, “It is 99.9 percent. Hispanics...the 0.1 percent being Bart Flaat, Albert Lelo, and me.” (All CICMers)

One of the main characteristics of the parish, that differentiated it from most parishes in the US, is the presence of a growing number of the Basic Ecclesial Communities, also known as comunidades de base. There are 35 communities at the moment, with an average of 15 members. They gather at last once a week to reflect on the Gospel reading of the coming Sunday and plan an action as a community for that week.

Their meetings are held in the houses of the members of the community. It is a time for prayer, singing, exchanging news, reflection, and convivencia. Each one is given an opportunity to share one’s own in faith life.

El Orgullo de la Raza

One of many problems facing the Mexican American on this side of the valley is the question of identity and belonging. In one family, an abuelo (grandfather) may be able to speak both Spanish and English, the father and mother speak both Spanish and English. As a result, a “new language” arises: Tex-Mex! Children are taught school the “American way of life” and go home eating tacos, tamales, tortillas, and frijoles.

This seeing contradiction can be seen in the different areas of life. On one hand, Mexican- Americans are not rally considered Mexican by those living in Mexico, although their roots may be from Mexico. On the other hand, they are not really a accepted in the mainstream US because of their “weird and unusual customs” or their different” way of speaking.

The comunidad de base has been instrumental in helping its members reclaim their pride in the customs and traditions, the religious practices, and language of their culture. Through various activities in the parish such as novenarios in the barrios and fiesta de la Virgin de Guadalupe, las posadas, la pastorela. El via crusis, or any big event that encourages them to dress in their best Mexican attire, sing songs in their language, have a fiesta with pin-ata and mariachis, pray in their own way of praying, celebrate in their own way of celebrating, they are bringing back the pride of their roots, of their tradition, of their culture.

This uniqueness in their religiosity and way of celebrating is one of the most important contributions that they can make to the American church, to which they belong.
In the comunidad de base, we encourage the members to appreciate their identity... that it is okay to be Mexican – Americans, that is okay to speak Spanish (or Tex-Mex, for that matter), that it is okay to do novenas and processions, that it is okay to be themselves!

Fountain of Leadership

through the comunidades de base, we reach out to those in the countryside and to people who normally do not go the parish center. I have personally witnessed the growth in commitment and leadership on the part of a lot of people. Liturgies, become more meaningful. One can feel the life and familial atmosphere in the celebration of the Eucharist. Because of the comunidades de base the Sunday liturgy becomes a celebration of people who know each other’s stories and can call each other by name. This sense of belonging and welcome has already been started in their own neighborhood why they gather. Seeing the dame people in the church allows even freer and more active participation.

Out of these basic ecclesial communities have risen leaders in the different areas of the parish. Leaders whose concerns is not simply personal nor “spiritual” but a wholistic and communal development – socio - political, economic, cultural, spiritual. Yes, it can be done!

One of the most effective processes of renewing the Church to its very basic entity is the formation on the basic of the basic ecclesial communities.

It is the church in its smallest form with the foal to keep alive the Christian faith through an active living out of the Gospel in the community. It responds to the different concerns of the people, where the people’s identify, experience, history, culture are the staring points and bases for living their faith life.

Or experience at St. Joseph the Worker Parish is a proof that our struggle for justice and peace, for personal and communal growth, for the total well-being of each person can be facilitated through an organized effort of a community that lives and celebrates its faith.

By Fr. Welfredo L. Lañete, SVD

Surrounded by Water

El Banco is a historic town in the province of Magdalena, Colombia. It is surrounded by water yet suffers lack of water. At El Banco is the confluence of two big rivers of Colombia – the Magdalena and the Cesar rivers. To the northeast of El Banco is the big lake called Zapatosa. On the other side is another lake called Chilloa. With this water situation, the majority of the people of El Banco are fisherman and farmers.

Always a Risk

During the dry season, the people plant their crops. They usually plant short-term crops. For them it is a long dry season, for sure all the crops will perish because of the high temperature. If there is a long rainy season, the rivers and lakes overflow and for sure floods make havoc among their crops and the low lying villages.

No Potable Water

In the beginning of this year the dry season created a problem among the villages. Besides the scarcity of water for their crops and animals there was no potable water for them. Everyone was looking for water but there was none. It was a very emotional and heartbreaking situation when in spite of the common effort to dig a deep well still they could not find the solution to their problem.

First Rain

In the middle of May the first drop of water came. The people took the opportunity to plant crops – corn, tubers, beans, and others. Those who planted early harvested enough to sustain their daily needs. They where content with the result. But now came really heavy rain. It lasted for so many days. It was a desperate moment in their life when after having prepared the soil and planted their crops came the flood. Sometimes they think God has forgotten them. They could not understand the way God is treating them. He seems to send his message through natural calamity.

Parish Campaign

Now the situation has become worse. It is not only the crops that are underwater, their houses are, too. The local authority lacks resources to solve this immediate problem. There is no place to evacuate the people or resettle them. Our parish, for its part, made a campaign to help the villagers. We asked for the help of small local businessman and we started to collect relief goods for these suffering people/ we asked the parishioners to donate their used clothes and anything that could be of help to them.

Breakfast in Boat

In his early pastoral visit, we invited our Bishop Ugo Puccini Banfi, a Colombian, to see the place and the situation of the people. It was around nine o’clock in the morning when we reached the place. We met one family taking breakfast in their fishing boat, 25 meters from their house which itself was underwater. It so happened that our new Provincial superior, Fr. Armando Escurel, a Filipino, was with us visiting our local SVD community. Together with the bishop we talked with the people and saw the urgency of helping them.

Indeed we cannot live without water, but neither can we live with too much of it. Water can be a solution and at the same time a problem.