Innocence

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

-Matthew 18:3

There are few creations of God that will always attract my heart: the plants, the seas, and little children. I miss my childhood whenever I see kids. They are full of joy and very innocent, indeed. They are angels who share to me their heavenly smiles even if I look like a grumpy giant. And it has been an effective way to tame me.

I can still remember my high school days. I was a member of a so-called Rainbow Catering Club. It is a school organization which manages birthday parties for pre-school and grade school students. Unfortunately, I was always assigned as a mascot. I am big and the costume [sort of] fits me well but so far as I know it, I was not presentably adorable but the make-up worked like magic to make me look comic. I would carry the “pabitin” since there was no nylon provided. And even if I was dressed as a clown, the children were able to reveal my secret identity by simply pulling my wig together with the toys in the “pabitin”. The children would laugh at first and would tease me but after the party, I felt fulfilled because I was able to make children happy.

From these children, I learned how to have fun. Yes, back then, for me there was time for everything but I forgot about one thing-HAVING FUN. I was focusing my attention on my goals in academics and activities. Competition was serious and tough and the military discipline as a CAT officer has been part of my system. Until a friend of mine told me, “Vince, I think you are growing up so fast.” That woke me up. I contemplated that maturity should not be as serious as it sounds. That, it should not destroy the child within me. So I tried to change.

Until now, I can feel the transformation within me. To become child-like does not happen in a snap of a finger. We always have the decision whether to choose to become joyful preachers or not. You know, my friends, when God embraced humanity, it was a difficult life for Him but try to ponder on this, He shared His smiles with us like a child. Behind all the accusations, slaps and spits we gave Him was joy in His heart for He did not look at us as unworthy of His love. He was meek and innocent. He had already seen the joy which he prepared for us -- the victory of the Cross. Probably, when He was carrying the cross, he was not really in anguish. He could have been smiling and saying, “[Insert name here], hindi ito mabigat, mahal kita e!” (This is not heavy because I love you.)

Life should not be complicated. Life has to be meaningful. Maturity is learning without losing the kid within us. The crosses in our lives become bearable if we do it out of love and service, and most of all to glorify God. Because of God, I learned how to have fun. Let us not forget that our God is also a child who would love to play with us and say, “SMILE! I am here, my friend.”

-Vince Stanley Iñigo

A Christmas Prayer of a Young Person In Love

(Photo, Courtesy of darling petunia.blogspot.com)

Dear young lady,

As I was writing this work of art, you were the only person whom I was thinking of. I was planning to write a simple poem for you but I guess I cannot draw inspiration from my heart that was beating louder than your sweet voice whenever you sing. So, I decided to dedicate a prayer instead because this is where I work best.

Lord, make me, and this young lady, chaste and humble

We are young but we cannot deny the fact that you can make us fall in love

We still have a long way to journey in this life. Please guide us.

You entrusted us the wisdom to teach the world of Your love. Please enlighten us.

Lord, I love you and I am learning to love her.

She’s just one of a kind.

Sometimes I really have to blame You but I thank You that she is there.

Help us love without malice.

Help us be patient and understand more our duties as Your servant in this world.

Help us welcome others with a smile, the way Your advent had shone smile to humankind.

Help us make life meaningful.

I’ve got nothing else to ask from You this Christmas, Lord, except for You to touch my heart that I may change and inspire this young woman to also submit to Your Divine Will.

Love,

The young man

Batch Integration 2.0

Last Friday, August 30, 2013, we left with smiling faces from St. Albert the Great Seminary. This trip was originally scheduled August 23, 2013. But due to the weather conditions because of typhoon Maring and the monsoon, we did not push through. We still had classes with our beautiful professors, ma’am Ocenar for Chemistry and ma’am Bautista for Technical Writing before we departed.

Our first stop-over was at Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo in Pagsanjan. I think there were very few stores who have attempted to compete with that restaurant for so many years since 1933. To satisfy hunger, we ordered halo-halo and pancit guisado. We then proceeded to Panguil River Eco-Park to have an overnight camping with Fr. Lovell, Fr. Ogie and our drivers, kuya Pane and kuya Roger. There were team-building activities set for us. We have to work as a batch in order for us to accomplish the tasks. I’ve discovered more the attitudes of my brothers especially in leading the group. In the evening, we had our dinner. Sinigang and adobo was prepared for us by the cooks who work in the pavillon where we stayed. By the way, the camping was not fully “outdoor” because our tents were pitched inside the pavillon. We had roofs over our roofs. We roasted marshmallows and hotdogs afterwards and we shared stories about our experiences in the seminary. Love lives were also included. Most of us slept early. There were about 8 of us who were really strong in staying up until 12 midnight.

The next day, we woke up and had our breakfast. At 7:45 am, we went to the falls. The trekking took so long. There were three obstacles to cross. First, we swam at a raging stream. It was difficult because of the current. Second, we had to cross to the river while holding a bamboo log. Third, we had to cross to the falls using only a rope while swimming in the water. That was an unforgettable experience because I was afraid that I might bump my head or slice my leg on one of the big rocks. It was really fun though. We took photos of ourselves for us to put in the annual photo album. The next activity was rubber tubing, the salva vida were turned into a long boat. The feeling of thrill while you are riding there is like in the movies wherein the boats might turn over anytime. We still swam in the dam after that. The water current was very strong that it was starting a small whirlpool. We watched children jumping at a very high place. It was breath-taking. If only their parents were watching, it’s either they’ll be proud or angry of their children. We took a bath to clean ourselves and had lunch and proceeded to our next trip.

We went to San Pedro de Alcantara, a church in Paquil, Laguna famous for its yearly Turumba-dancing the Sorrowful Mother. The afternoon TV series “My Little Juan” was taping scenes but we arrived there during their break time. We went to another church in Paete, Laguna. Paete is known for the handicrafts of creative people who live there. They are really proud of their God-given gifts. I shared to some of my brothers that if it is their first time in a church they will enter, they should make a sincere wish and it will have big chances that it will be granted by God. We still strolled there. We went to the shops of carved images of Saints and other religious items. Those were really works of art.

We head back to Calamba but before that, we had snacks once again at Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo. We just can’t get enough of their specialty. I am not after the recipe though. I just hope that I will know the secret of their success once I will be able to have a chance to talk to the successors of the owner.

We arrived in St. Albert the Great where we can rest in peace. We were very tired but still we kept going and attended the Evening Prayer with the First Year Aspirants and the Postulants. As for myself, I still have the energy to meditate and thank the Lord for the happy memories. I kept learning a lot of things with the people I meet each day. And as I have said, I discovered more the attitude of my brothers. It is not the trip that was important to me. The bonding was unforgettable. Whether I continue to be with them forever or not, I will keep those precious moments of laughter and sorrow. And as challenges come our way, I only pray that we stick together as one family.

Mulier

Dark, expressive eyes, long, curly hair and infectious smile. These are the qualities that a special woman of my life possesses. She’s very beautiful not only on the outside but also on the inside. What makes her the apple of your eyes aren’t only her physical attributes but also her personality.

I was still small when I first met this best friend of mine. She loves praying for me especially in times that she wanted to remind me that I have to be strong. She is always there for me. She never gets tired loving me even if I had been committing the same mistakes over and over again. I really admire her for that. Her hands are fragrant because she cares endlessly. She’s soft-hearted and peaceful. You would rather choose not to sleep at night sharing with her your stories than tucking yourself under your covers after consuming all the pages of your diary. She will always lend you her shoulders to cry on. She brings joy when things aren’t on the right track. I love her and people who have met her do so too. If I were the Pope, I would canonize her Saint. But whether that canonization happens or not, I believe that God has reserved her seat among the saints in Heaven.

I consider her my mediatrix because she led me to the realization of my vocation. She was having second thoughts then of letting me go before I decided to respond to the “Call”. It hurts me too to accept that we have to part ways but we chose to surrender ourselves to God’s will. And that made both of us happy.

This woman is no other than my mother, a very wise parent who can be a father at the same time. She is my first teacher. She taught me to love everything God created. For me, she is the person whom I will always remember until the time that all my hair turn gray.

May Handaan Doon! Handa Na Ba Kayo? TARA! (August 22, 2013 Reflection)

Matthew 22: 1-14

Tayong mga Pilipinong Kristiyano ay binansagang nagdiriwang lamang ng Misa sa loob ng Simbahan tuwing “KLB”-Kasal, Libing, Binyag. Tuwing naririnig ko ito ay para bang gusto kong mainis pero hindi ko maiiwasang sumang-ayon. IT’S HURT, YA KNOW?

Tumungo tayo sa kasaysayan ng Kasal. Ang kasal kahit noong panahon ni Kristo ay itinuturing nang banal, iba lang ang praktis. Ang lalaki at babae ay pipirma ng “marriage contract”, iyon ay seal na kinasal na sila. Ngunit, ang babae ay kailangan munang bumalik sa kanyang mga magulang at manirahan habang ang lalaki ay babalik rin sa kanyang lugar at magtatayo ng sariling bahay kung saan niya itataguyod ang kanyang tahanan. Kukunin muli ng lalaki ang babae at dadalhin sa kanyang “palasyo” at doon na mamumunga ang kanilang pagmamahalan.

Sa panahon ngayon ay mas binibigyang kahulugan ang reception kaysa sa kasalan. Kung fiesta naman ay mas kapansin-pansin ang litson kaysa sa mga tao. Aba e sa probinsya nga namin ay kahit hindi mo kakilala ang bagong kasal ay hindi ka mapaghahalatang nakikikain lang. Nagsipunta sila sa inyong tahanan dahil may “handaan”. HANDAAN, mga kapatid, HANDAAN! Maging dito sa Aspirancy ay mas napapansin ang ice cream kaysa sa nag-celebrate ng birthday.

Ang Ebanghelyo sa araw na ito ay tungkol sa Piging sa Kasalan. Ang kasalan ay may piging, feast, HANDAAN! Ang salitang “handâ” na tinutukoy ko diyan ay yung may mga pagkain. Mayroon pang isang salita sa Filipino na “handa” na halos kasintunog na rin niya pero ang ibig sabihin ay “ready.” Ito po ang LEAST na natatandaan natin. Ang mag-handa. Bakit nga ba? Ay alam ko na! Kasi nga, minsan nakakatamad. Hindi po ba? Bawat araw sa ating buhay ay isang paghahanda-getting and being ready. Kaya dapat tayo rin ay naghahanda-celebrating a feast. Kahit ako minsan may pag-aangal din lalo na kung walang tulog. Pero mas mabuti na ata yung walang tulog kaysa walang gising. Walang araw sa ating buhay na bumangon tayo para sa sarili lang natin. Ito ay iniaalay natin sa ibang tao kahit na hinihila pa tayo ng kama 5-minutes before Invitatory Prayers o classes. Parang piging lang iyan, isang pag-aalay sa kapwa.

Today, we are commemorating the Queenship of Mary. She was the one who uttered the words, “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum (Be it done to me according to Your Word).” Si Maria ang pinakamagandang halimbawa ng taong naghanda. Kung inyong iisipin, bata pa noon si Maria. Malamang may pangarap siya na magkaroon ng sariling pamilya, saganang pamumuhay at makilala ng buong komunidad. A bright future was waiting for her! Ngunit inihanda niya ang kanyang sarili sa mas magandang bagay at iyon ay ang pagtanggap na maging ina ng Panginoon. Handa na siya hindi upang maging ina ni Kristo kundi sa pagtanggap sa anumang plano ng Diyos dahil malakas ang kanyang pananalig. Hindi kagaya ng taong dumalo sa Wedding Feast na hindi maayos ang kasuotan. Siya ay pinalayas dahil kahit imbitado siya ay parang hindi siya willing na magdiwang kasama ang mga tao. Kung sa panahon natin iyan nangyayari ay malamang sasabihin ng taong bihis-na-bihis na “UNFAIR NAMAN!” dahil naghanda siya pero siya pala yung hindi invited.

One passage was shared to us by our Math teacher when I was in 2^nd year high school and it goes like this, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Kung ating iisipin ay may mga pagkakataon sa buhay nating hindi talaga natin mapaghahandaan dahil hindi inaasahan. Malamang si Maria rin ay nagulat na biglang pinadala ng Diyos si Anghel Gabriel upang ipahayag na siya’y malilihi’t manganganak ng isang lalaki na tatawagin niyang Hesus. The preparation which this passage would like to stress is the preparation of our character’s strength whenever we receive either a good or bad news. Pero may mga bagay naman na kayang-kaya talaga nating paghandaan lalung-lalo na school works, seminary activities at duties and responsibilities sa offices. Nakakalimutan lang po natin. Sometimes, we value the time so much that we forget to manage it. Or the other way around! We manage our time so much that we forget to value it. “Chronos” is the time we manage, while “Kairos”, on the other hand, is the time we value. They should come together and that is a test to every one of us.

Every second we are living in this world, we are invited to celebrate like we celebrate in a Wedding Feast. Yung tipong ayaw na natin umalis dahil masaya tayong nakikita ang mga taong sumusoporta sa bagong kasal. Natural iyon! Honeymoon stage e. Kahit naman syempre sa pagpapari ay nararanasan iyan. Every day that we are invited to join this Wedding Feast of the Lamb, we are also called for renewal of ourselves--dying (renouncing things) to uplift others. One requisite for us is to be ready. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na handa tayo ay bawat bahid ng dumi sa ating pagkatao ay kailangang alisin, pero wala namang mawawala sa atin kung ating gagawin ang pagbabago ng taos-puso. If we change for the better, mga kapatid, you will see that people will love you more. We should willingly enjoy the Wedding Feast as if no one can stop us. That is the true essence of “handaan” or “piging”. Ang Handaan ay pinaghandaan. And people will appreciate something that has been prepared for them if it came from the heart.

Sa totoo lang, itong Gospel reflection kong ito ay isang linggo kong pinaghandaan. Ako’y nagnilay-nilay kung ano ba ang maganda kong maipapahayag sa inyo, mga kapatid. Kaya ang hiling ko lang ay sana na-appreciate ninyo ang aking paghahanda.

Ang akin na lamang paghahandaan ngayon ay kung paano ako babatikusin ng publiko sa sinulat kong ito.

God bless everyone! ENJOY LIFE!

Dominican Province of the Philippines welcomes the new novices

The New Dominican Novices

Left to Right: Agustinus Hermawan (Indonesia), Sandy Alerta (North Cotabato), Jaymar Godalle (Bulacan),  Ralph Jarino (Batangas), Ed Estrada (Pangasinan), Alexander Seno (Laguna), Jeffrey Pagaduan (Camiguin), Aris Kung (Indonesia), Adrian Siayngco (Lucena City)

Last March 23, 2013, 9 new Novices were vested with the Dominican Habit. The habits were donned by the Dominican Friars as the parents of the candidates turn-over their children during the Vestition Rites. The Prior Provincial of the Philippine Province Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP gave the Homily and message for the Novices. Fr. Cecilio Vladimir Magboo, OP gave the closing remarks for the people who attended the solemn ceremony.

Movie Critic: Passion of the Christ

Lenten Observance: Passion of the Christ

As a remembrance of Christ’s passion and death and as a Lenten observation, I would like to share to you my reflection about the movie Passion of the Christ which was directed by Mel Gibson and starred by Jim Caviezel (the Christ).

I was still 10 years old when I first watched the movie. So far as I can remember, I wasn’t paying attention too much that time because I was afraid of seeing Jesus beaten up and crucified. When I got to 3^rd year High School, I started watching the film every year, more so, over and over again. I do this because the movie inspires me and at the same time, I feel that I become closer to God.

The movie itself is really nice. It is very dramatic in a sense that you will really feel that you are in their situation seeing Jesus suffering and enduring all those wounds which cause pain- a very deep explanation of pain may be used because it is very indescribable. The movie had shown that Christ really became part of us. It is not only because of the historical figures and personalities rather it showed the depiction of the history of Salvation in the Holy Scriptures. Like what the late Pope John Paul II said, “It is, as it was.” It might be quite exaggerated and bloody but that is what really happened to Christ.

The first scene shows the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. At this point of His life, He was having second thoughts of continuing His mission which the Father had sent Him for. “If only you can take this cup of sufferings away.”- The line associated with that event. In life, we also experience this. Sometimes, we are at the point of giving up even if we are very close to our achievements. The way to our goal seems very far. And whenever we will feel this, we have our parents by our side telling us “Anak, nariyan ka na. Ituloy mo na. (You’re already there, my child. Just keep going).” The movie depicted this as if Jesus’ pores had opened because of intense emotional pain that he was already sweating blood.

The next scenes show that Judas Iscariot, whom Christ had foreseen as His betrayer, was already out of his mind. He was guilty, he had gone crazy. He threw the silver he earned for obeying the orders of telling the High Priests and soldiers who Jesus was. He didn’t know that what the High Priests and soldiers will do is to crucify Jesus till death. So again, he was full of guilt and the movie depicted it that he was seeing the devils around him. The children laugh at him as if he can see the face of a demon mocking him.And shaken by his conscience, he hanged himself and died. What Judas has committed is a very grieve sin. It was denial of the Holy Spirit- thinking that he will never be forgiven. We should take this in mind that in our life, though we are sinful, God loves and is ready to forgive us.

What strucked me most was the scourging at the pillar. It gives a very big impact to me as a Christian. The movie might have presented it as if Jesus is literally being torn piece by piece. You can see that his whole body was covered with wounds and his blood splatting on the floor. The movie had shown a great action of whipping. This became the climax of the movie. What I’ve heard from one of the brothers, Jim Caviezel took some hits in order for the movie to look real. This part of the movie showed me that even though we delivered Christ to death, seems that he was slaughtered like a pig, He’s there taking all the most painful wounds for our sake. We gave Him a crown of thorns but He reshaped this to a heart to show His love for us.

There was also a depiction of Mary remembering Jesus’ childhood when she saw that He stumbled while carrying the cross. I believe that all of us love our mothers. And this also has a great impact to all of us if we will be able to watch the film. The movie showed that a mother will remember all the moments that she is with her child. The scene was about Mary remembering that the child Jesus tripped during his childhood. This maybe because the child was playing. They have shown the motherly instinct that she was ready to protect her child. She grabbed the kid and embraced Him like she never wanted the whole world to hurt Him. But, on Jesus’ way to the cross, the promise has to be fulfilled. Christ said in the movie, “I will make all things new.” She wants to redeem her son from the hands of the oppressors yet she has to accept in silence that her son needs to go through intense pain because he has a really big mission of saving us.

I can say that the best scene in the entire movie is the Crucifixion itself. I am quite curious of what and how the director decided to nail the actor on the cross. It might be traumatic to others especially the children. I’ve heard that there were also viewers before who experienced hyperventilation because they were touched by the movie too much. But, so much with the story, this completed everything not only the movie but also and most of all our faith. God has given up His life for us. It may be an accomplishment of the movie, yes, but this is the best way we can picture out how God has fulfilled the Scriptures.

It is very difficult to be a Christian if we do not know how to obey God. Christ became man not only for our Salvation but to show us the examples of being truly human. He became man. He also laughed, he cried, he was tempted, he loved and he endured pain. Sometimes we complain that God do not understand us. “E hindi naman ako naiintindihan ng Panginoon e.” For those people who would say this, let us give them the answer, “Syempre naiintindihan ka Niya dahil pinagdaanan din Niya lahat niyang pinagdadaanan mo.”

May our Lenten Season become memorable by giving our whole self to God’s will and rejoice for He, our Lord Jesus Christ, has come to bring us to Eternal Life.

PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL! J

My Vocation Campaign

I keep on hoping that this will be the Vocation Promotion which we will be using for our

Albertine Publication this Formation Year

Fasting with Courage, Integrity and Loyalty

Fasting with Courage, Integrity and Loyalty

We are aware of what fasting is (in Filipino, pag-aayuno). I admire this kind of discipline in Catholics. It is sacrifice and at the same time a form of mortification to share our sufferings with Christ.

In the Gospel today, the Evil One did everything to make Jesus fall into temptation. Satan asked Jesus to turn the stones into bread, to test the Father to send His angels to rescue him and worst, to worship Satan and his evil ways. Isn’t it surprising that Satan was able to test God? He does not have any rights to do so. But again, it is a great manifestation that Christ was fully human.

We human beings have lots of limitations. No matter how holy we are or how holy we want to be, the Devil will always whisper to us “worship me.” Satan will never show up in an ugly form. Especially in our age, we totally have lots of temptations around us. Let us face reality people! Who do you think the girl will answer: the handsome man or the ugly guy?

We human beings are easily tempted by Satan. He knows when and how to manipulate our minds. Fasting is one way that we can get rid of the temptations of the Devil. Whenever we fast, we can focus our minds better and we can feel that we are inspired by the Holy Spirit. I say this because I had experienced it. I wasn’t able to focus myself on prayers during one of the nights we had scheduled our Benediction because I ate 15 minutes before the said time. But let us be reminded that fasting should never be limited to food alone. Fasting should be more of spiritual. We should fast and abstain from committing sins again and again. Think of this, my friends, which do you prefer-A man who fasts during Lent yet in his mind and actions he is very sinful? Or a man who eats meat on Fridays yet he is loving and generous to others?

Jesus is fully divine and fully human. He was tempted and so are we. But what is the BIG difference? He had never fallen into temptation. And what he had taught is that we can also do it even if we are human beings. Kayang-kaya ng tao maging tulad ng Diyos!

God never makes Satan’s Army disappear in an instance simply because God knows that we can do it ourselves if we choose to love and worship Him rather than worshipping Satan. Remember the motto of the Philippine Military Academy: Courage, Integrity and Loyalty. No need to expound those three words. Put our trust in God and not our stomach to the food. We are soldiers of Christ remember?

Cadets, brothers and sisters in Christ, countrymen: Together we proclaim!

If God is with me, no one is against me!