By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD
Somo wrestler
During one of my home leave vacations, Fr. Jake Ferrer, SVD of Pangasinan also came for his vacation from Japan to Christ the King Seminary, Manila. Looking almost like a Somo wrestler, an official at the customs counter in the airport said, “Aba, itong Hapon, marunong magtagalog.”
“JoJo Manlapaz”
At Tagaytay City, Sr. Evelyn, SSPS, a former missionary to Ghana, invited an SVD ex-seminarian Jojo Manlapaz as speaker for their workers’ recollection at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center. She told the Portress (an older Sister) that as soon as Jojo comes, she should let him in immediately for the retreatnants had been waiting.
On the same day I went to visit Sr. Evelyn. As soon as I told the Portress, “I am Father Joe”, she ushered me at once into conference room “Sister,” she called aloud, “Jojo is here!” with all the retreatants standing to welcome me, I could not hide my surprise and innocence. Unable to refuse Sr. Evelyn’s request, who was by now laughing more than anyone else with no one suspecting what is going on, I gave them a laughing session on the spot. The retreatants too did not know Jojo Manlapaz but it was their turn to laugh when the real Jojo Manlapaz appeared.
Bishop Rolando Tirona
I attended the Silver Jubilee of Sr. Lourdes Pilapil, RVM in Santo Domingo, Quezon City. The main celebrant was Bishop Rolando Tirona who disclosed that it was his first Silver Jubilee occasion since he was made Bishop. When he was about to give his homily, he said, “My principle is: short homily moves the heart; long homily that almost moved both heart and the chair.
I must have changed!
“When did you arrive?” a certain visitor, named Jayson, at Christ the King Seminary asked me, “I arrived in February,” I answered. “Only February!” he exclaimed. “And you are already very good in Tagalog. Which part of Indonesia are you from?” You should have seen his apologetic face when I told him I come from Kalinga in Northern Philippines.
Identity Crisis
Seated at my right was Fr. Agripino de la Cruz, SVD. One by one he was introducing the nationality of some SVD priests invited for the Silver Jubilee of RVM Sisters in Santo Domingo. Then one RVM Sister, pointing to me, interjected, “How about him, is he also a Filipino.
What’ll they think?
At the side of the entrance to the Italian Embassy in Manila is a beauty parlor with a veranda wide enough to sit while waiting. With me was Sr. Sonia Go, a member of Benedictine Sisters of Divine Love, assigned in Rome. She was narrating all her inconveniences at he embassy. She become so emotional that she said, “I want to cry,” “Not here Sister,” I pleaded. They might think I am courting you.” That was enough to lighten her burden.