Fruits of Labor

Fruits of labor

“The student is not above the teacher,

but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”

-Luke 6: 40

Vacation was near approaching for most of the students of Calamba, Laguna but it looks like that the Dominican Postulancy in the Pre-Novitiate House did not go with the flow. We were all wondering what to do in our continuing formation because this is the first time that we, the Brothers, had our semestral vacation all together. We asked ourselves if we are the guinea pigs for the upcoming formation years. I thought that it will be a lax vacation wherein we would not be pre-occupied by any activities. I do not like those moments because those make me think of escaping the seminary compound to go to the mall or any landmarks and parks. Thank God, there’s an answer to our prayer of avoiding boredom and that is our English Class with Mr. Melvin Hate (pronounced Ha-TEH).

I am fascinated with his stories from his childhood mainly on his experiences as a student. Can you believe that a kid who had a theme writing paper only he could understand will become an English teacher of the future leaders of the Church? That’s right! I believe in the spirit of “never giving up” and that manifested in Mr. Hate. He inspired me in some ways. His persuasive thoughts are secondary of my admiration to him. The primary reason? Well, he’s dedicated to his work and he encourages us to work harder if we want to discover our passion – the Eureka moments of our lives. Indeed, mind matters too. Whatever we are thinking was being shared in the class. He does not want the ideas to nest in our powerful organ, the brain. The motto of the Dominican Order, Veritas (Truth) was magnified when he asked us to voice out the truths that we believe in. I believe in three truths: 1.) God loves us all, 2.) we are all missionaries in our earthly life and lastly 3.) we are all unfairly blessed (The life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was His battle but ours is the glory). We thought that he would only ask us to read three of his essays but he never forgot the last one, The Spectrum of Humanity. According to William Shakespeare, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” We are all unique and our diversity as human beings makes life colorful. But behind all those essays and motivating words, who would forget his jolly smile and enthusiastic personality? He loves sharing with us stories too and listening to our autobiographies. The classroom was not used for lecture alone but as an entertainment area. In addition, the sala was also a place for learning. He was the first male teacher (from Letran-Calamba) who scheduled a “Maalaala Mo Kaya? (MMK)” session with us. Our female teachers act as mothers to us that’s why it’s no longer new to hear that ladies love listening to stories. But most of all, between you and me, he’s the teacher who also loves eating with us during lunch time. Just keep it a secret, alright! He might find out that I told you.

I know that time will come I could be like him or be better than him. He knows it too. That’s what he instills to us as his students. I guess every teacher will be proud if he/she would be able to produce a student or disciple better than he/she is. The only unsurpassable Teacher is Jesus Christ, of course! Tame your selves people! Do not defy God.  I appreciate Mr. Hate’s dedication for his work. He admits that he also gets tired after our three-hour class but he feels that it’s worth it. I told him that I want to become a teacher someday and he responded, “Really? Well, there’s no money in teaching. Only happiness.” And I answered him, “I know that, sir. I just want to be happy too.”

It has been a short while with him but he gave us lots of lessons in life which other teachers were not able to teach in the four corners of the classroom. So, to Mr. Melvin Hate, you might be reading this, sir. I will never forget you being a part of our lives as seminarians. May God bless you in your future endeavors. The storms may come any minute but “DON’T WORRY. THAT’S PART OF LIFE.” There is a poem that we used to chant in our Citizenship Advancement Training (CAT) when I was still a cadet officer:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Sir, you are one of the reasons why I should always think that I am lucky in life. I am not kidding. Having you as my teacher was a great opportunity. Our future essays, sonnets, poems, compositions, songs, etc. are fruits not only of our labor but also yours. Take care and may I be one with you in prayers.

DOMINI CANES (From Latin:Dogs of the Lord)

A Gospel Reflection for August 7, 2014

Matthew 16: 13-23

An art by Augusta Curelli

“ ‘But you, who so you say that I am?’ Peter answered,

‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.’ ”

-Mt. 16: 15-16

“Do not weep my children.

I shall be more use to you where I am going than I ever did in life.”

-St. Dominic de Guzman

These were the words of our Holy Father Dominic before he laid to rest. He was majestic, brilliant, joyful and humble even to his last breath. But who is really St. Dominic in our lives today as preachers of the Word of God?

I can remember the days when my batch mates and I were still aspirants and we had this subject “Saint Dominic and His Times” by Marie-Humbert Vicaire. It was a thick book composed of more than 20 chapters and you barely see photos between the pages. We consider it as the most effective “sleeping pill” of all time. It is a must for us to read it chapter-by-chapter or else we won’t be able to answer our professor’s quizzes. It may just be an elective course but it has been a blessing because I was able to know our founder better.

Saint Dominic is a man of great virtue and zeal to the Gospel. His missionary spirit lifted up the self-esteem of the brothers of the Order of Preachers as he inspired them in his way of life even to this day. We can relate Saint Dominic to St. Peter whom Christ had chosen to be the “Rock” from where He will build His Church (Mt 13:18). Saint Dominic was born at the time when the Church was coming near to its great fall because of the Albigensian heresy spreading all over Europe. It was a very big challenge for him to enlighten people who seem to be closing their minds to the Truth. But his preaching was a very big gift to the Church because as St. Peter who became the “Rock”, Saint Dominic who saw the Church being divided came as the “Rebuilder”.

“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in Heaven.” (Mt 13: 19) would not only speak about the sinners who do not repent or reconcile with God but would also speak about the Truth which we must unravel or proclaim instead of being hidden or being bounded. During the vocation promotions or recruitment of brothers aspiring to enter as Dominicans, they would be told about the Four Pillars of Dominican Life namely: Prayer, Study, Community and Apostolate. All these four are interrelated to one another. Taking one away would distort our understanding of the Truth that we are here in the Dominican Order praying together as one community composed of brothers who journey with us in our apostolic missions by yearning, studying, discovering the Truth for the salvation of the souls of God’s people. [All rights reserved! I’m proud that the Holy Spirit is guiding me proclaim. Thank you, Father Dominic for your prayers!]

There are interesting stories about Saint Dominic. First, is his journey to different countries on foot to the point that he would even travel barefooted with calloused and wounded sole. And funny to know that considering that not wearing his shoes is his own penance, he would cry because he has to wear the pair during rainy seasons. His prayers are very much appreciated for the salvation of souls. He did not consider this as “an obstacle in his path” (Mt 13: 23) because he gave himself up to the will of God. We are also invited to give ourselves up to God’s will. Yes, it is easier said than done but God never forgets His promise that He told us “not to be afraid, for I, myself, will be with you.” Second, is selling his books for the victims of war in which case his companions in the monastery reprimanded him. But then he replied that he “cannot study on dead skins while living skins are dying.” As Dominicans, we are not required to do the same because we need the books for our studies for preaching but there is a clear message in this act of kindness which Saint Dominic showed to those people. He wanted his sons and daughters in the Order to treat their studies as leisure and mortification. That we study not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others. And last but not the least, is the conversion of the Cathar Perfect, a heretic, whom he engaged with in a whole-night debate. We, as preachers, are not expected to be able to win souls for the Catholic Church but to be able to win souls for the One True God. Saint Dominic, who was fasting and tired, did not give up on that man. So we must also never back out if by chance we won’t be able to “make the lame walk, the blind see or the deaf hear” (Mt 11: 5). Keep on persevering and love this vocation as instruments of the Gospel.

Domini Canes – The Dogs of the Lord. Indeed, that is our duty as Dominicans. Because the Shepherd must be accompanied by his dogs in leading the flock. We are God’s companions and heralds. Our Holy Father Dominic did so to bring the people out of darkness and with that he is known today as the “Light of the Church” and he did not betray us with his promise that he will be more use to us in Heaven than he ever did in this life.

Kapatid, who do people say you are? You are a “Dog of the Lord”. Let us journey together as Dominicans and go by the motto VERITAS!

O, That Beauty!

“There in their presence he was transfigured:

his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.”

–Matthew 17: 2

“O, that beauty!” (Grabe! Angganda!) That word comes out of my mouth whenever I see the person who makes my heart beat faster and the temperature of my body higher. I know that I’m not alone; you also do. Am I right? But what more if we see before us the source of Beauty himself? It will be eye-popping expressions of “O, MY GOD!” for sure.

Of course it does not end there! We do our best to know the person better. It will start from smiling at each other, acquaintance, sharing of stories, revelation of interests, friendship, intimacy and once you know each other very well it will be up to you if you want to pursue that lovely lady or gentleman who was once a wallflower. Same goes to our friends and brothers. We dig deeper to discover who they really are as we listen to them and accept them.

The transfiguration of the Lord revealed his Divine Nature to His apostles Peter, James and John. Have you asked yourselves why there are only three out of the twelve? Aside from Jesus does not want to show a lot of people whom he knows will be surprised, it is because He chooses people who would open themselves up to witness this beatific vision. He knew these three very well and so he made them witnesses. For Christ, he knew that it’s time for them to see Him not in his human flesh but in his Glorified Body as God. “O, that beauty!” [Even if those apostles cannot fully comprehend.]

We can relate to the Lord’s transfiguration in our everyday lives as well. Have you realized how you are growing as a better and nicer person? Have you discovered talents or gifts which you’ve never expected that were in you? Have you seen Jesus in every person, both rich and poor, whom you rise up for just to serve them each day? If all these, you can say “yes”, you are friends with Jesus and are witnesses of the Transfiguration yourselves because you are changing. O, my God, that Beauty!

“If you, yourselves, have realized how you are growing as a better and nicer person, have discovered your core gifts that you never expected in you, and have seen Jesus in every person, both rich and poor, to whom you rise up for to serve each day, you are friends with Jesus and are witnesses of the Transfiguration yourselves because you are changing.

O, that Beauty!”

What I've Been Looking For

Is there something that you discovered in yourself lately? Something you did not expect that you’ll be able to do? At first you might find those extraordinary and far beyond your reach, talents, skills, abilities, you name them! I bet your absorbent mind when you were a child is still continuing its journey of leading you to your passion.

Art is my hobby as a kid. I would draw anything that catches my interest even until now. I do not practice it so much but it is a God-given talent which from birth I was able to appreciate. I have been trained as a public speaker under the tutelage of Aphrodite de Guzman. She’s so great and she made me perform on stage with bizarre facial expressions to merit myself a standing ovation. I was able to develop this talent in speaking and it became my training ground for preaching, catechizing and giving recollections to young people like me. But the most unforgettable thing that Aphrodite de Guzman taught me is how to seek my passion. As I was growing up with this teacher of mine, I always listened to her pieces of advice. Her wisdom can even surpass that of some theologians’. In fact, she told me that if she were a guy she would become a priest but she’s contented with her life right now and a very proud mother of three beautiful children. The Eureka moment of my life does not end in that story. My greatest achievement so far is that I found out that I can give love and give justice to others especially to the poor and the humble. Aphrodite must have handed down to me what she learned from her Rabbi, Jesus Christ.

My awards in my high school and college will be useless today if I did not find in the depths of my heart god’s greatest gift to us – LOVE. Yes, that is my passion, to give justice and love especially to the poor, the humble, the oppressed and the silenced. Although I am still guilty that I do not carry out that charity every time I am doing my best to show to my neighbors that God’s love dwells in the hearts of each and every one of us.

So lonely before, I finally found what I’ve been looking for.

Pangarap ng Mahirap

“At walang sinuman sa kanila ang nangailangan sapagkat ipinagbili ng lahat na may mga tinatangkilik na mga lupa o mga bahay ang kanilang pag-aari. Kanilang dinala ang mga halaga ng mga bagay na ipinagbili.”

–Gawa 4:34

Noong Ika-21 ng Pebrero ay napanood namin ang dalawa sa hindi mapantayang dokumentaryo ng i-Witness na “Boy Pusit” at “Iskwater”. Nababasa ko lamang sa mga pahayagan at ilang mga artikulo sa internet ang tungkol sa mga mangingisda. Wala akong kaalam-alam masyado sa kanilang buhay dahil sa Maynila ay iilan lang naman sila. Hindi gaya ng iskwater na bawat sulok ata ng Kamaynilaa’y sila ang matatanaw.

Habang pinapanood ang mga nasabing dokumentaryo ay halos maluha ako. Hindi ko alam kung may pinapahiwatig ba ang Panginoon na kinakailangan kong makita ang realidad ng buhay na mas maswerte ako sa iba ngunit marami pa rin akong reklamo. Ang mga batang naglalayag sa karagatan upang makahuli ng mga pusit na kanilang ibinibenta ay may mga matataas na pangarap tulad ko. Ang kaibahan nga lang naming ay mas madali kong maaabot ang akin. Paano ba naman kasi? Hindi na sila makapag-aral dahil kinakailangan nilang maghanap-buhay. Ang mga iskwater naman ay nakakaawa ding tignan. Hindi ko magawang makita ang sitwasyon ng isang pamilya na sasampung piso (P 10.00) lamang ang budget upang makakain ng hapunan. Habang ang lahat ay nagpapahinga sa kani-kanilang tahanan at nagsasaya na walang pasok tuwing bumabagyo, ang mga iskwater ay walang laban na magmamatyag na lamang ng mga rumaragasang tubig dahil wala silang masisilungan. Mahirap man sila ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Ngiting nagdadala ng pag-asa na may dahilang bumangon pa sila kinabukasan. Kung sana lang ay maging sensitibo ang bawat isa sa atin sa mga pangangailangan ng mga tao sa ating paligid.

Noong ako’y bata pa lamang ay lagi akong pinaaalalahanan ng aking ina na kung ako’y maging mayaman ay huwag na huwag kong kalilimutang tumulong sa mga mahihirap. Ginawa daw kaming kasangkapan o instrument ng Diyos na magkaroon ng salapi upang ipamahagi sa iba.

Gaya nga ng nakasaad sa Panalangin ng Panginoon (The Lord’s Prayer), “Bigyan Niyo po kami ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw…(Give us this day our daily bread)” Ang hinihingi lang natin ay ang pang-araw-araw at kung may lalabis man ay hindi dapat tayo maging sakim. Nagmula rin sa mahirap ng pamilya ang Diyos upang maipakita sa atin na tayo’y napupuno ng kayamanan. Kung lahat tayo ay matututo magbahagi ng kayamanan, kasiyahan, biyaya at pagmamahal, wala nang sakim sa mundo. At malamang ang Ama sa Langit ay nakangiting sasabihing, “Mahal ko kayong mga anak ko.”

Huwag sana natin kalimutan ang mga mahihirap na gaya nila. Ang bawat sakripisyo ay ialay nating dasal para sa mga taong nagbabanat din ng mga buto sa araw-araw at walang sinuman sa kanila ang mangangailangan pa.

Ang Natatanging "Siya"

“Ano nanaman iyan? Babae?” and sikat na linya ng mga seminarista tuwing makikita nilang nagmumuni-muni ang isa sa mga kapatid sa seminaryo na tila may gustong malutas na problema. Paano naman kasi, totoo ngang may inspirasyon ang mga tulad namin. Marunong din kaming humanga sa babae dahil natural iyon sa pagiging lalaki namin. Ngunit hindi naman lahat ng mga seminarista ay masasabing ang inspirasyon sa buhay ay si Eva.

Para sa akin, may natatanging “siya”. Malapit ako sa Diyos. Hindi kayo nagkakamali, si Kristo nga ang tinutukoy kong inspirasyon lalung-lalo na sa mga oras na nalulungkot ako at gusto ko nang bumigay. Nasasabi ko nga minsan sa Kanya, “Ano ba iyan? Ang hirap mong sundan. Salamat at mahal mo ako kaya ko nagagawa ang lahat ng mga gusto mong ipagawa sa akin.” Si Kristo bilang inspirasyon ko ay napapamalas sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin tulad ng aking ina. Sa aking bokasyong pagpapari, isa sa mga sisisihin at ipagmamalaki ng ibang tao ay ang aking ina. Noong siya’y hayskul pa lamang ay gusto raw niyang pumasok ng seminaryo, kaso unang kahilingan pa lang ay hindi na niya nakamit dahil nga babae siya. Kung naging lalaki nga lang daw siya ay nagpatuloy siyang maging pari. Pero ito ang nakakatuwang pangyayari sa buhay niya. Lahat ng mga napuntahan niyang lugar ay hindi raw niya akalaing magiging tahanan ko sa hinaharap tulad ng Novice House sa Manaoag, Pangasinan, Sto. Domingo Convent at ang Unibersidad de Santo Tomas kung saan siya nag-kolehiyo. May “foreshadowing” sa mga oras na iyon sa kanyang buhay.

Sa buong buhay ko, kalinga ng ina ang tangi kong nasilayan. Napapansin ko na hindi na siya bibili ng magagarang damit upang maipasuot lamang sa amin ang mga mamahalin at kilala sa tatak na mga kasuotan. Ipagpapalit niya ang bagay na kinawiwilian niya kung makikita niyang mas magiging masaya kaming mga anak niya. Isa siya sa mga masasabi kong “superwomen” ng buhay ko. Daig pa nga niya si Darna hindi lang sa ganda kundi pati na rin sa kalakasan. Kaya nga niyang magsilbing parehong nanay at tatay. Kung may mga oportunidad lang na ganoon sa mga naghahanap-buhay ay malamang pasok na siya. Pangit nga lang ay may shifting iyon at iyon ang bagay na hindi magagawa ng aking ina. Nanay siya kahit saan siya mapunta, malapit man ang mga anak o malayo, pasaway man kami o hindi, at kahit gabi man o umaga.

Dumating ang oras na ako’y natuto ring manligaw. Hindi tatay ang nagturo sa akin, nanay ko. Mas maganda yung ganoon kasi mas alam niya kung paano makukuha ang kiliti ng babae. Nagtampo ang nanay ko. Ako ang may kasalanan. Para kasing binigyan ko ng panahon ang pag-ibig na iyon kaysa sa aking ina. Nakapag-regalo ako sa babae noong dumating ang Araw ng mga Puso tapos sa nanay ko hindi. Laking lungkot ko rin noon dahil nasaktan ko nanay ko. Mas naipakita ko pang espesyal yung babae. Napagtanto ko lang talaga kamakailan na ang tanging babaeng magmamahal sa akin ay ang aking ina. Kinakailangan kong makipaghiwalay noon sa aking iniirog dahil gusto kong mabigyang hustisya ang desisyon ko na pumasok sa pagpapari. Masakit yung mga araw na iyon. Sobrang sakit! Tanging nanay ko ang tumulong sa aking hilumin ang sugat na iyon. Hindi ako nagiging madrama. Mahirap kasi talaga yung desisyon lalo na kung inaasahan ng mga tao na mas nararapat kang maging abugado, sundalo o pulitiko. Tanging nanay ko ang kauna-kaunahang sumuporta sa akin na abutin ko ang aking mga pangarap. Tuwing ako’y nagkakamali, pinapapatawad niya ako. Gaya rin ng Inang Birhen noong nangumpisal si Pedro na tumanggi siyang kasama niya si Hesus. Mabait nga raw akong anak kahit na medyo masungit ako sa ibang tao. Magaling magpakalma ng init ng ulo ko ang aking ina tuwing kakwentuhan ko siya sa mga bagay na kinaiinisan ko. Hindi na ako nagdadalawang-isip kung kailangang umiyak sa harap niya o kaya sa linya ng telepono dahil handa siya laging makinig sa akin.

Kung ako ay magpatuloy sa pagpapari at naibigay ko ang huling Sakramento sa aking ina, ay tiyak isa sa mga pangarap ko ay nakamit. Gusto ko kasi kung mawawala na ang babaeng nagbigay inspirasyon sa akin ay sa tahimik at mapayapang lugar siya mapupunta kasama ang Diyos. Sa kasalukuyan kong edad na 18, marunong pa rin akong ma-“in love” pero wala pa ring tutulad kay Kristo, kay Mama Mary, San Jose at sa aking ina. Pumuti man lahat ng buhok ko, hinding-hindi kukupas ang alaala na mga taong nagmamahal at nagdarasal para sa akin.

Ecce Homo! (John 19:5)

The first inhabitants in the world were not human beings but unicellular organisms evolving to prokaryotes and eukaryotes. One thing that caught my attention when we went on a field trip in the Mind Museum in Global City, Taguig was the evolution of man which we watched in 3-D. but as I was saying, there were living being which appeared before man. They are gargantuan and miniscule reptiles. If you were thinking of the dinosaurs, then you have guessed it right. But why didn’t these creatures live the same time with the human beings?

The theory behind the beginning of the Solar System is the Big Bang theory-a massive explosion which divided atoms forming galaxies, stars and planets. When the earth was formed, it was just a single piece of land called Pangaea until the time when the movement of tectonic plates separated it into two, namely, Eurasia and Gwandanaland. There were animals which inhabited the sea and the land and flyers which dominated the air. But the most feared of all were the dinosaurs. They were on top of the food chain but they also devour one another including their offspring. It is because they have brains only the size of a walnut which is incapable of reasoning even if the time of famine comes.

65 million years ago, these dinosaurs came to extinction because of the meteor shower. They had nowhere to migrate into that would keep them alive. When they were gone, human beings appeared but they were just quite similar to apes. They are called Australopithecus afarensis. Their foreheads were wide because they were adapting to their nature of reasoning. Man evolved and was able to stand upright. He learned how to make tools for him to hunt for animals as food. A new set of men called Homo erectus appeared. Finally, man discovered a lot of things to survive in this material world. He hunted animals not only for food but also for their fur to be used as clothing. He discovered fire to be used in his everyday living. He started and developed his territories which later on would become civilizations. He is now a wise man-Homo sapien sapiens.

Man still evolves through time. He seeks answers for his inquiries. He gives himself pleasure when his mind is being fed with new information. He continues learning new things, changing these from primitive to modern doctrines. Though he is gifted with the intellect and the will, he still has a little knowledge of everything compared to the Omniscient Being which is God. God is so intelligent that He made dinosaurs disappear before us. He prepared the environment for us to fulfill His command “to have dominion over all.” Indeed, the beauty of creation which science could hardly explain.