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18 19 22
ACROSS THE NATION 19 When a tree falls: The Virgin
6 IFI clergy push on wood
for resumption of peace
talks
20
In the presence of Apo
Apang
7 Church helping in captive 22 Just like Magsaysay
soldier’s release, complain of Volume 3 Number 2 April-June 2015
military harassment
1500 Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines, 1000
NEWS
Ode to Mary on Belison
waters 5 IFI labor center extends
THE MOST REV. EPHRAIM S.
FAJUTAGANA, D.D.
assistance to workers
OIKOUMENE Editor in Chief
8 Church of Sweden-IFI
Social issues in Asia are focal
point in CCA event VAUGHN G. ALVIAR
celebrate 20th year of Managing Editor
concordat relations
14 Workers’ dignity
24
TCR holds first journalism
seminar DEE AYROSO
HANS PIERCE VERANO
FEATURE Cartoonists
10 From antipodes to a
25 Mayflower? Luna shows way
communion that spans the JUN VINCENT M. ALAY-AY
ends of the earth 26 Canonical Journey Editorial Assistant
I
f the heavens open before your naked is Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
eyes, you would keep talking about it
for days. The case perfectly captures Our church is filled with the majesty of
the amazement that the Apostles carried the Lord. It was built on inspiration, from
when they began spreading God’s truths. laborers and revolutionaries who sought Justice is yet to be served. A month
It inspired them to brave hardship, even for Filipinos their birthright; and it is still after the gruesome fire that killed
persecution carried out by powerful fueled by a God that liberates, that lauds 72 Kentex workers, relatives and
civilizations worshiping pantheons and the humble and cares for society’s most supporters offer food and candles.
god-kings. vulnerable. Photo by Manila Today
The inspiration also fueled those who Like Christianity worldwide, however, About the editorial
wrote on scrolls and tablets the narratives many followers of the independent cartoonist
from and about God. Awe brought Reina Catholic church in the Philippines have
Elena, Hari Constantino and countless lost their link to their heritage, or doubt
warriors on a crusade to find the Lord’s its dynamism as a Church. They think it
Cross. Strong faith manifested in those has been sleeping even when in truth it
who toiled that varying cultures may has only focused its capabilities on the
understand the Bible. grassroots, and veered from grandiose
and publicity. A few Independientes, like
Many of the inspired ones are now written myself, keep seeing and hearing the life of
about as martyrs, saints and historical the Church, although in a fashion far from
figures. Many are venerated in traditions, the meticulous systems of other sects.
referred back to for their acts. Contractualization is like a
For us so far, the liveliness is seen only in monstrous fire that consumes the
But thousands of years since the Lord snapshots, peeks and glimpses. It lacks a Filipino workers, as illustrated in
walked the Earth to show the Father’s centralizing force. This force is what we the Kentex blaze in Valenzuela,
majesty, many forget the prophecies, aim to become at The Christian Register. which killed at least 72 contractuals.
miracles and wisdoms he shared. We want to gather stories of beginnings, Forced to bear subhuman working
Churches lose their inspiration and instead present work and future undertakings conditions, contractuals earn by
find influence not in grace but in power, in from our readers. We want everyone to piecemeal, without any benefits or
possessions instead of godly wisdom. learn about the selfless theology that security of employment. By “endo,”
drives the free Church; the special faith or the end of contract on their fifth
These conditions change the context of that struggles with the oppressed. month, they are forced to sign a
the verse above, from human nature to a new contract to keep themselves
call for true Christians among us. TCR’s people have so far found this: The employed, or to look for another
Church faithfully and actively witnesses work.
I think this call is closer to the heart of the Lord’s will and thrives therein.
Filipinistas. To quell fear and doubt as we Our hardships are brought by the same Contractuals are estimated to
take on the challenge of evangelization, inspiration that began and sustained comprise majority of the employed
in the valiant ways of champions-turned- Christianity. We just “cannot stop labor force, who are forced to fight
heroes of Christianity, Filipinistas need speaking about what we have seen and for their right to employment, or to
not go far, because we have the grace that heard.” continue to be exploited.
to workers
S
indigenous and other vulnerable
OME 118 member organizations communities in Asia, upholding the
from across Asia convened in dignity and rights of children in Asia and
BY REV. DINDO RANOJO Jakarta, Indonesia, for the 14th overcoming discrimination and violence
General Assembly of the Christian
T
against women have been discussed.
HE OBISPO Maximo Tomas Conference of Asia (CCA) on May 20
Millamena (OMTAM) to 27, 2015. The outcomes of the deliberations in the
Labor Center in Iloilo City Sarasehan series were discussed for setting
has assisted eleven labor and legal The Iglesia Filipina Independiente’s priorities for CCA’s future programatic
complaints since its founding last Bishop Joselito T. Cruz, Jun Vincent M. involvement.
January. Alay-ay and Maria Teofilina Morales
joined more than 400 other Christians Other events in the five-day gathering
Apart from legal assistance, the labor from 100 churches and 17 councils in included program-evaluation sessions,
center also provided a hut-inspired venue reflecting on the theme “Living Together worship and prayer, and exposure to
for education, meeting, planning and in the Household of God,” at Mercure Indonesian cultures and traditions, as well
other activities of workers’ groups and Convention Center. as socialization.
trade unions. The center was inaugurated
last May 1, 2015. In a series of fora called Sarasehan – Rev. Rex Reyes, the conference’s president
the Indonesian word for “dialogue or and also the general secretary of the
Bayan Muna Representative Neri discussion” – the voting delegates and National Council of Churches in the
Colmenares joined the inauguration observers from 28 countries zeroed in on Philippines, presided over the Extra-
speaking on behalf of trade unionist and emerging issues relevant to the witness of Ordinary General Assembly for the
workers calling for the P16,000 minimum churches in Asia, including ecumenism, Amendments to the CCA Constitution.
wage increase nationwide. healthcare, environmental protection,
migration and human trafficking, and New members of the General Committee
The OMTAM Labor Center receives peace-building. were also elected and who will serve as
support from the Workers Assistance part of the decision-making body of the
Program of the Obispado Maximo. Issues about marginalization in CCA in the next five years.
resume peace talks in their annual contractualization of workers there, as A special GPH delegation met the NDFP
regional convocation in Cagayan de Oro well as the militarization of indigenous panel in October 2014 to look into the
City, held June 8 to 12. peoples’ communities and the toll of resumption of formal peace talks, but
large-scale mining on families and their during a meeting in February this year,
“This is the prerogative of the Church. A livelihood. the NDFP was told that Aquino was
just and lasting peace is what God would preoccupied by the Mamasapano fiasco,
want for His people,” said Bishop Rudy “It is our steadfast prayer that the ongoing a US-led botched police operation in
Juliada of the Diocese of Libertad. talks bear results beneficial to the Filipino Mamasapano town last Jan. 25 that killed
people; that the panels directly engage in 44 elite police, 18 Moro fighters and 7
Bishop Juliada is also the chairperson of the peace process with deepest sincerity civilians.
the Mindanao Bishops’ Conference or and purest desire for the well-being of
MinBisCon. the people,” the communiqué of the 12th The 188-strong MCC said: “We do not
Mindanao Clergy Convocation read. finger-point which one is causing the
The annual convocation was held at the difficulty of the talks, but [our aim is]
DCENT Center in Bulua, Cagayan de The GPH and the NDFP are set to instilling the betterment of our people
Oro City. It was attended by nearly 200 forge the Comprehensive Agreement on living free of violence and religiously
ordained ministers from 13 dioceses in Socio-Economic Reforms, which peace celebrating the goodness of God’s given
Mindanao. advocates believe would provide relief to gift of Shalom – prosperity, equality,
the marginalized Filipinos. However, the security, safety, tranquility and abundance
Bishop Juliada said it was high time peace negotiation has hardly moved an in life.”
TOP:
BISHOPS lead the Holy Mass during
the convocation.
LEFT:
MINDANAO clergy express hope that peace
talks would soon resume.
RIGHT:
PRIESTS lead the community building during
the convocation.
T
Departments and coordinated by the The CoS and IFI concordat panel meeting
HE CHURCH of Sweden Rev. Jennie Nordin and Rev. Fredrik agreed to strengthen relations through
(CoS) and the Iglesia Lautmann. a strengthened partnership in the areas
Filipina Independiente (IFI) of theological education, leadership
commemorated the 20th year of the The program for the nine-day visit put formation and training, pilgrimage
Concordat of Full Communion (1995- emphasis on encounters between leaders on justice and peace, youth exchange
2015) , highlighted by a nine-day visit of of the two Churches, and other activities program, sister-diocese partnership,
the IFI delegation to Sweden from May aimed at strengthening understanding and support for women priests, networking
17 to 25. cooperation. and publication.
Obispo Maximo Ephraim Fajutagana led A meeting between Archbishop Antje CoS also hosted a special dinner
the delegation which includes this writer Jackelen, first woman head of the CoS, fellowship with the Friends of the IFI in
(CERIA), Dr. Lito Noroña (CTEOM), and the Obispo Maximo discussed how to Sweden. During the occasion, Bishop
Arnel Magpili (LIFI), Pearl Harder put more flesh to the concordat relations Jonas Jonson recalled how the concordat
(WOPIC), and Rev. Wilfredo Ruazol and and give more institutional expressions relations were first conceived during his
Pete Pico (Central Office staff). to the cooperation between the two visit to the Philippines, hosted by former
Churches. Obispo Maximo Tito Pasco.
A Holy Mass for the concordat celebration
was held on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, The delegation visited the Strangnas Rev. Per Kristiansson, who was assigned
at the historic Uppsala Cathedral. The Cathedral where a memorial for the Rev. to Aklan in the 1990s, emotionally
Right Rev. Sven-Bernhard Fast, bishop Narciso Pico, an IFI priest who was killed recalled the memories of martyred Obispo
of the Diocese of Visby and chair of the in defense of human rights in Negros Maximo Alberto Ramento. He mentioned
Ecumenical Department of the Church of Occidental, was included in the Martyrs that he was wearing the shirt printed with
Sweden, presided the service. Chapel dedicated to the martyrs of the the words “Serve the People,” which the
20th century. bishop gave him when he heard the news
In his homily, the Obispo Maximo about his brutal killing in October 2006.
lauded the concordat relations and the A concordat forum was held at the CoS
partnership between the two churches, Church Office in Uppsala where this Thanking the organizers of the
and the responsibilities that the concordat writer and Rev. Dr. Christopher from the celebration, the Obispo Maximo expressed
entailed in the work of justice and peace CoS delivered their lectures in response his “deep gratitude to the Church of
in the world. to the World Council of Churches’ Sweden and the recently achieved
documents “Together towards Life” milestones in the relationship” given
The activities were prepared by the and “The Church: Towards a Common expression in the 20th anniversary of the
CoS International and Ecumenical Vision.” concordat relations.
A
EUCHARISTIC service marked Institute in Cabadbaran and the St. Paul the extrajudicial killing of Bishop Alberto
the 50th anniversary of the Mission in Palawan. The partnership Ramento, a staunch supporter of striking
Concordat of Full Communion between the two churches also paved Hacienda Luisita farmers, nearly a decade
between the Old Catholic Church in the the way for scholarship grants to ACTS ago.
Union of Utrecht (OCC) and the Iglesia women students and faculty, and
Filipina Independiente (IFI) last June exchanges between OCC theologians and Archbishop Vercammen and former
13 at the Saint Gertrude Cathedral in IFI priests. Obispo Maximo Tomas Millamena
Utrecht, The Netherlands. were involved as third-party depository
“The concordat offers witness to the of the peace negotiations between the
“It is a journey that has given meaning catholicity of our Churches, not the kind Government of the Philippines (GPH)
to Christian commitment to witness to of catholicity that simply seeks to establish and the National Democratic Front of the
Christ in a world where God longs to be our identity as part of the universal Philippines (NDFP).
present. Our concordat manifests God’s Church of Christ, but one that seeks to be
presence in the world as we strengthen the of service to the world through witness “The challenges of catholicity and
bond of Christian unity and friendship to God’s rigtheousness,” Obispo Maximo globalization strengthened the bond
between our two Churches,” Obispo Fajutagana added. between the two Churches, knowing that
Maximo Ephraim Fajutagana said. they face a common challenge. Catholicity
On globalization and catholicity in the context of globalization means
Utrecht Archbishop and Primate of the working together. This is essential, for
Old Catholic Church Joris Vercammen Rev. Franz Segbers of OCC Germany we need to struggle together against
led the Eucharist. Obispo Maximo said the communion between the two imperialist globalization,” said Rev.
Fajutagana, on the other hand, delivered Churches played a big role in their Wilfredo Ruazol of the IFI.
the homily. advocacy for global justice and peace. The
two Churches, he added, bravely spoke “Globalization is the monopolization of
“The Concordat of Full Communion on the challenges of globalization and the the world’s rich resources in the hands
acknowledges that we share the same universality of human dignity. of the few until nothing is left for the
faith,” said Archbishop Vercammen. He majority of the people of the world.
spoke about the concordat as a “gift from In the midst of globalization, Segbers Globalization, then, challenges the
God with which God is enriching our said that “Catholicity ... is the Churches to unite against this system of
lives and our world.” connectedness of the global and local oppression against the poor of the world,”
[churches] celebrated in the Eucharist. Rev. Ruazol added.
Bishop Dick Scoon of the Diocese of ... The Eucharistic vision is to transform
Harlem was also present in the occasion globalization and to prepare ourselves for Rev. Dr Martin Robra, senior adviser
together with other theologians, priests a self-giving sacrifice for justice, peace and to the WCC General Secretary, said the
and lay faithful from other dioceses of the abundant life for all.” “unjust worldwide economic structures,
Old Catholic Churches in Germany and disregard for the dignity of human
Switzerland, among others. The two Churches have also embarked beings and the integrity of creation are
on a dialogue on globalization and all impacting and undermining the lived
The seeds of concordat relations was first catholicity. Their advocacy on justice and catholicity of the communion of local
sown in 1903, when Obispo Maximo peace issues includes calling for justice for churches.”
Gregorio Aglipay wrote to then Bishop
Eduard Herzog of the Old Catholic
Church of Switzerland. The Concordat
of Full Communion was finally forged
between then Obispo Maximo Isabelo de
los Reyes, Jr. and Archbishop Andreas
Rinkel on Sept. 22, 1965.
LEFT:
BISHOP Ephraim Fajutagana gets
an HIV test.
T
HE IGLESIA Filipina of Priests and one of those who joined the
Independiente (IFI) joined the rally. aggression and plunder to the country.
commemoration of the country’s
Independence Day in a rally in front of The rally was organized by Bagong Members of the IFI also joined the protest
the Chinese Embassy and the United Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic action in Iloilo City, where President
States Embassy last June 12. Alliance) and Pilipinas Nagkakaisa para Benigno S. Aquino III was visiting for
sa Soberanya (P1NAS), a broad coalition the commemoration of the Independence
“We were never genuinely free. The same of academicians and former statesmen Day. Rev. Marco Sulayao said three
exploitative conditions remain, if not that has been conducting efforts to stir seminarians were hurt when the police
worsened, from the time the Church was patriotic fervor against China’s bullying violently dispersed the indignation rally.
proclaimed until this very day,” said Rev. over the maritime dispute in the West
Jonash Joyohoy, president of the Council Philippine Sea, and the US’ longtime Last year, the Supreme Council of
Bishops (SCB) issued a statement against
the Enhanced Development Cooperation
Agreement (EDCA).
R abbi.
Workers’ dignity
accumulates profit through the But workers today are confronted with
I
Africa, in a statement, acknowledged that at only 2,800 daily.
N A COUNTRY that deploys the country’s average economic growth
its people more than it generates was higher than some Southeast Asian In the face of such attacks on the rights
decent-paying local jobs, the fate countries, but he nevertheless noted that and welfare of Filipino workers, Obispo
of Mary Jane Veloso and at least 72 under the so-called “inclusive growth,” Maximo Ephraim Fajutagana said it was
Kentex workers are not isolated cases. the country has also recorded the highest the primary task of the Church to look
numbers in un- and underemployment – after them, especially those from the ranks
The 400-page Philippine Development 4.3 million and 7.9 million, respectively, as of the peasants and workers.
Plan 2011-2016, dubbed the “Social of 2014.
Contract with the Filipino People,” “It is the DNA of the Iglesia Filipina
acknowledged that majority of the Africa said: “...[T]his only highlights the Independiente (IFI),” the Supreme Bishop
Filipino people were not benefitting exclusionary character of the country’s said. “It is the very foundation of our
from economic growth. It declared that growth.” existence.”
President Aquino’s economic policies
and projects would be directed toward Add those figures to the meager daily The face of labor migration
“inclusive growth.” minimum wage – at only P481 in the
National Capital Region, a far cry from a Protesters were resting during the vigil
Years later, with less than a year to chief executive officer’s P194,521 – and outside the Indonesian Embassy in Makati
go before Aquino’s term ends, Ibon you see a country ripe for the diaspora. City at dawn, April 29. Some were lying
Foundation executive director Jose around, others sat on the ground and
Enrique Africa said in his testimony As of 2013, at least 10 percent of the gathered in small circles. But the standstill
before the International Peoples’ Tribunal country’s population was working abroad. was broken at around 2:00 a.m. by cheers
in Washington D.C. on July 17 that there With about 4,500 Filipinos leaving every and tears from protesters. Migrante
remained 66 million Filipinos struggling day, the Philippines has deployed more International chair Garry Martinez had
to survive with under P125 per day. Filipinos abroad than generated local jobs, just announced the stay of execution of
LEFT:
THE FAMILY of Mary Jane Veloso, a single
mother, continues to hope for her freedom.
RIGHT:
“ ...[I]t was the primary task of the Church
to look after them [Filipino workers],
especially those from the ranks of the “
VELOSO just became the face of OFW issues.
peasants and workers.
“
movement, both here and abroad.
Mary Jane’s ordeal has brought to the fore The Kentex fire ... showed the
the dire living conditions in the country.
“
help and solidarity to the grieving families
of the Kentex workers who died.
Nothing has changed. This is the reason the “
“It looked safe from possible thieves that Church continues its advocacy to serve workers
would be coming from the outside, but it
was really impossible for anyone to get out
and fight with them for their rights.
of that building,” said Rev. Dindo Ranojo,
program coordinator of the IFI Central
Office, when he visited the site of the fire.
Reports said that aside from disfunctional
fire exits, the windows were covered in
wires, so it was impossible for the workers
to escape through them.
L
newfound concept of nation was
ONG before the heyday of the muffled by shady American legislations,
three stars and a sun, many fair the Santacruzan found a new role in
ladies of the Iglesia Filipina spreading the word. The nationalist
Independiente have already worn their church used it as an instrument to show
nation in one of the most anticipated their transformed theology – one of a
traditions dotting the Catholic liberating Lord.
calendar.
Titles like Reina Hustisya and Reina de los
The Santacruzan has been scouting the Martires met nationalist fervor, and were
most beautiful women in town to parade indigenized to reflect Philippine struggles.
in gowns made of the most splendid
fabric, retelling yearly the successful In August 1907, when the American
crusade by Reina Elena and her son King goverment in the Philippines enacted
Constantine to track down and bring the Flag Law, denying Filipinos the right
Jesus’ Cross to Constantinople, the capital to use the flag waved in Kawit, Cavite,
of the nascent Catholic Church. among other emblems, the IFI took an
unequivocal stance that we fondly go back
The centerpiece among the sagala usually to today.
wears an immaculate white gown wrapped
in elaborate detailing of gold or silver. In disgust, the clergy wore flag-inspired
Composing her court are a lineup of vestments and placed the Philippine flag
Tondo, Manila
Biblical characters, and of the descriptions on the altar. Especially in the Tagalog
of the Virgin Mary, poetic or based on the region, devotion to the indigenized
Litany of Loreto – queen of the flowers, Birheng Balintawak only intensified.
of the seas, divine shepherdess and many
more. Then, one May, a woman puzzled and
later captivated onlookers, as she wore
Other ladies would represent the ideals of the red, blue and white colors of the
Christianity or aspects of the Philippine Philippine flag, with the sun and the three
culture – Reina Moro, Reina Fe and Reina stars finding their place on her gown – She
Caridad, for example. was Reyna Banderada. In other places,
she held the flag with her hands, or was
Many scholars speculate that the followed by a host of men bearing the
Santacruzan and other grand spectacles many flags of the Philippine Revolution.
like processions on the Holy Week or
patronal feasts had been used to lure This addition, still used by many parishes
natives into Christianity, thus becoming today, was a precursor for the infusion of
major tools for evangelization. other nationalist sagala, such as Reina
Balintawak and Reina ng Simbahang
The IFI adopted the tradition, believing Pilipino.
such pomp and pageantry was well
deserved by the woman who braved The Aglipayan Reina Banderada is a
judgment to bring to the earth the Savior vanguard of nationalism, who reminds us
of the World. that we should wear the three stars and a
sun on our sleeves, generations before we
But, when in the early 1900s, the learned to print them on clothing.
Luna, Isabela
with an image of the Virgin Mary “The image of the Birhen Maulawin
holding the infant Jesus in her arms. embodies an affirmation of the IFI
The image has been called the Birhen as a Church fighting for the Filipinos,
Maulawin (Virgin of Maulawin). especially for the poor,” Rev. Dindo
Ranojo, a priest of the Diocese of Laguna,
Stories tell of a strong typhoon in 1909 told The Christian Register.
that caused a Maulawin tree to fall to the
ground. The lumber was transported from Rev. Ranojo added that “the Blessed
the hills to the village for carpentry. But to Mother has repeatedly appeared to
everyone’s astonishment, the image of the different generations, appearing each
Blessed Mother and the Infant Jesus was time with a different face to God’s
discovered on the trunk when the log was people, throughout Christian history.
sawn. When the trunk was photographed, The Birhen Maulawin disclosed herself
a sharper, clearer image of the Blessed to Filipinos at a time when their right to
Virgin and the Infant Jesus appeared. self-determination and independence had
been violently snatched by the colonial
Poor people as they were, the owners or Catholic Church and imperialistic US
caretakers of the piece of wood presented government.”
it to the newly established Iglesia Filipina
Independiente (IFI) – or Aglipayan For the Rev. Dante Camingawan, former
Church – in Santa Cruz, which people parish priest of the Santa Cruz parish,
called the “Church of the poor.” the Birhen Maulawin is a sign of God’s
protest against oppression and injustice in
On June 4, 1911, a huge number of the world. “The significance of the lady
“
Aglipayan devotees gathered for a on wood can be seen as carrying God’s
thanksgiving Mass in honor of the Blessed message that the Filipino people’s struggle
Virgin. The date soon became the feast for independence is a rigtheous struggle The story of the
Birhen Maulawin
day of the Birhen Maulawin, patroness against political domination and social
of the IFI in Laguna. Though the years, and racial discrimation.”
thousands of devotees testify about having
miraculous experiences of healing from Far from espousing fanaticism and tells and reflects
sickness and answered prayers with the
help of the Birhen Maulawin.
religious superstition, Rev. Ranojo sees
the Birhen Maulawin as a religious icon the story of people
“Santa Cruz Cathedral, which is
and symbol that gives expression to God’s
concern for the common people.
who find their
home to the Birhen Maulawin, has
become a pilgrim site to those who seek “The story of the Birhen Maulawin tells
living through the
God’s goodness through the motherly
intercession of the Blessed Virgin,” said
Rev. Richard Arroyo, dean of the Santa
and reflects the story of people who find
their living through the humble work of
their hands,” Rev. Ranojo said. “Miracle their hands.
“
humble work of
Cruz parish. is God acting in human history. The
true miracle of the Birhen Maulawin is
“Miracles happen when God breaks in giving hope and courage to people,
into history, be it about our personal or strengthening their faith and knowing that
communal experience of God’s saving whatever happens, God will always be
love,” he added. with them.”
In the presence
THE FOLLOWING of Apo Apang grew from
the Aetas that saw her in the wilderness to
millions.
N
O DETAILED history “The flames gutted the house instead,”
surrounds the image of the said Cariño. “The image was unburnt
Holy Mother enshrined in the and ... the wife got burns.”
Iglesia Filipina Independiente’s Loob
Bunga church in Botolan, Zambales. In repentance, she touched the image
and was miraculously healed, he said.
The date of arrival, or even the “That began the belief that touching Ina
exact date of make, may have been would help solve one’s afflictions.”
documented for many images of the
Virgin Mary, but not this one, with a The natives built a shrine in their place,
skeletal history of only 28 words. Poon Bato, the entrance of which had
big rocks, thus the name.
“Unang nagpakita ang Ina ng Poonbato sa
mga katutubong Ayta sa silong ng mayabong When the Augustinian Recollects began
[na] punong kahoy at may malaking bato sa their mission in Zambales in 1607, they
silong nito sa bundok ng Botolan, Zambales heared about the worship, historical
(Ina ng Poon Bato first appeared to the documents note. They soon located
native Aeta under the shade of a lush Poon Bato and were agog to see that
tree, under which was a boulder),” says a what they had dismissed as pagan ritual
marker just in front of the church. had a Marian centerpiece.
“Call her Ina ng Poon Bato,” devotee “Until now, no one can say how old the
Franklin Cariño said, taking off from image is,” said Cariño.
that. He went on to explain that the
more popular name Ina Poon Bato was
an erroneous shortcut.
RIGHT:
BELIEVERS generously provide gems and
fabric to adorn their beloved image of the
Virgin Mary.
T
HE IGLESIA Filipina held by Janness Ellao, a writer for both
Independiente’s official TCR and Bulatlat.com, and Dee Ayroso,
“ ... [N]othing
publication held on May 22 and an editor of Bulatlat.com, respectively.
23 its first-ever journalism seminar,
The two-day seminar included The participants also joined the issue
newswriting and feature writing lectures, planning for this second quarter, covering
T HE AGLIPAYAN Church
in Luna, Isabela, joined
municipal festivities that
amplify the pomp and pagentry of the
Mayflower, dubbed Flores de Luna.
The celebration concluded on the last day
of May with a street-dance parade,
participated in by all barangays and the
two churches.
“
The essence
of sharing
M OST people think the
seminarians’ four-year-
long challenge of study
and formation culminates in the
“We had differrent sets of teachers so we
learned a lot from SPTS seminarians and
vice versa.” he explained. “We shared
what we learned from our classrooms.”
Aglipayanos celebrate
II were given on the third, fourth, fifth and
sixth day, respectively. Seminarians spent
Bacoor
their morning reviewing in smaller groups
as exams were given in the afternoons. culture, unity
BY JAYSON TANJUAKIO
T
“The exam was difficult,” said Br. Mardy BY PATRICK JOSEPH C. BUGAY
HE TRADITIONAL Senakulo
A
Fernando of the Diocese of Bataan and is a major theatrical attraction
Bulacan, from ACTS. “The questions GLIPAYAN faithful in
Samal town, Bataan, on on Semana Santa, but the
were unexpected.”
April 24 assembled at the Diocese of Cavite would add its Live
town’s covered court to celebrate Via Crusis.
“Isa sa mga tanong ay kung paano namin ika-
counsel ang isang magulang ng isang biktima through dance the 374th founding
In cooperation with the parish in San
sa Mamasapano Massacre,” he added. anniversary of the town.
Antonio, Cavite City – which traditionally
holds the practice – the Bacoor cathedral’s
“Actually, when we opened our test Members of the Parish of St. Catherine
outstation in Piñahan village held a local
papers, magkahalong tuwa at kaba ’yung of Siena – including the parish council,
version of the Live Via Crusis, which
naramdaman namin – tuwa dahil essay WOPIC, Layman, YIFI and the IFI
dramatizes the Stations of the Cross,
type ’yung questions, kaba dahil practical Senior Choir – shone in varying
instead of the Senakulo’s life and death of
applications, hindi mo alam kung acceptable concepts and costumes in the Aglipayan
Jesus Christ.
na answer sa perspective ng canonical Cultural Night, themed “Sari-saring
chaplains ’yung sagot mo o hindi,” said Sr. Sayaw, Sama-samang Galaw.”
The reenactment started with the Last
Shiela Mei Faderogao of the Diocese of
Supper, with scenes acted out in different
Romblon and Mindoros. Mayor Generosa Malibiran Dela Fuente
venues.
threw in her support to the activity, in a
“Pero ... lahat ng takot, kaba at hindi message and a special ballroom dance,
People lined the streets to watch each
kasiguraduhan ... nalabanan talaga namin one of many by special guests that night.
and every scene, all coupled with sound
’yon sa pamamagitan ng ugnayan, damayan
effects, costumes, props and superb
at tulungan sa pagitan ng mga seminarista The youth of the parish also performed
acting by alreay professional senakulista.
mula sa dalawang seminaryo, said Brother in a theatrical production the history
Following the procession was a form of
Mamorbor. “Sabi nga ni Br. Jade Mark of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente,
penance for them.
Dodoyco ng SPTS, ‘Ang ACTS at SPTS in the end echoing the message of the
[seminarians], malakas ang chemistry.’” program: “Sa sama-sama at nagkakaisang
Community and church members
Aglipayano, nakasalalay ang pagpapatuloy
participated as Roman Soldiers with
What we learned is this: Hardships and ng simbahang maka-Pilipino.”
colorful painted masks and armors.
challenges could be overcome through
nurturing interrelatedness, mutual The Samal church is under Rev. Jaime
They roamed the streets of Piñahan,
responsibility and interdependence. H. Enriquez.
Dulong-Bayan and Mabolo 1 and 2 with
local drummers to announce the activity,
A SNAPSHOT of the Live Via Crusis in Bacoor. held in the afternoon.