Gift Wraps

We are in the season of gift-giving and gift-receiving. Like our Christmas gifts, Jesus may come wrapped this Christmas. On the first Christmas, He came inside another person, His mother Mary. This Christmas, He may come inside another person, and the wrapping will not be impressive. We will be tempted to throw the package away, assuming nothing of value is inside. Like Joseph, we will be tempted 'to divorce her quietly' (Mt 1:19). In doing that, we will unknowingly divorce Jesus and therefore Christmas.

The innkeeper made the same mistake (Lk 2:7). The Messiah came in the package of a man and his teenage wife. The innkeeper wouldn't accept it. Jesus may come to us inside a poor man. He may come inside a person whom we dislike. Like the innkeeper, people often reject Him in these. He comes wrapped in a fetus in a mother's womb, but he is not allowed to be born by abortionists and free choice advocates; worst, as a fetus he becomes good only as a source for stem-cells being researched by the embryonic stem-cell advocates.

He may come wrapped in the Bible, but we see people who divorce themselves from the Bible and most people do not have time to read it.

We always hear messages saying that Christmas should be celebrated everyday. We are already doing that because Jesus always comes wrapped in the Holy Mass. That's why it's called Christ-Mass.

Let us be careful that we may not throw away a package with Jesus inside.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!!!

Ride on no more!

(Photo taken from: http://www.gmanews.tv/images/topstories/1217f.jpg )

As expected, the Prayer Rally that was spearheaded by the CBCP yesterday was attended by the opposition stalwarts including Former President Cory Aquino. The good thing is that the Church-based organizers of the prayer rally insisted on a rule not to allow politicians on the stage, not to allow politicians to speak and not to display banners and streamers that have political connotations. This is something new. I hope that all “Prayer Rallies” will be done in that way so as not to taint purely prayerful purpose. It is high time that a line be drawn between a prayer rally and a political rally. The Church has accommodated politicians for the sake of common cause and clamors in the past. But recent developments have shown that politicians of both sides of the political sphere try to court the Church’s nod on issues that pertain to leadership and governance in the Philippines. The CBCP’s reluctance to heed the oppositions’ call for President GMA’s resignation drew a hush among those who expect the Church to lead another EDSA. On the other hand, there are bishops who deviate from the official stand of the CBCP on such issues and chose to assert their “independence” as individual prelates. It is good that there are only about five of them. I have said in a previous article that such defiant and deviant stance of some bishops send wrong signals and cause confusion among the faithful. The CBCP is on the right track with the latest Prayer Rally it organized, but it must also dissuade its members from defying its official stance and pronouncements.

Let us pray for consistency.

Duped?

With the announcement of House Speaker Jose de Venecia that the house majority is now in favor of ConCon (constitutional convention) instead of con-ass as a means of changing the Philippine Constitution, it seems that those (almost all senators, the CBCP, El Shaddai, etc.) who have vocally expressed their opposition to the con-ass mode of charter change were duped. They did not foresee a plan C after a failed plan a (people’s initiative) and plan b (con-ass without the senate) which earned public outrage. Through plan c (constitutional convention), Charter Change advocates seem to say to those who were against con-ass, “Ok, so you like concon? Let's do concon!!!” By such cunning move, Jose de Venecia proved that he is the quintessential TRAPO master spinner- ever ready to do “areglo” on everything.

Will the CBCP no longer oppose Charter Change through a concon? It must be noted that in a strongly worded press statement entitled “Please. No to Con-Ass, yes to Con-Con” issued by the CBCP President Archbishop Lagdameo on December 5, 2006, the good archbishop said: “We continue to believe that major shifts in the form of government require widespread participation of civilian society, and relative serenity allowing national discussion and debate. This is best done through a Constitutional Convention (CON-CON) where the members are elected by the people precisely for the purpose of framing a new Constitution. We have many illustrious and credible non-politicians who can help frame a new Constitution. A CON-CON might be very expensive, but it is worth spending much for something that is good for the greatest number. And so we say: YES, TO CHA-CHA through CON-CON.” (to read the entire statement, click this: http://www.cbcponline.net/presidents/pleasenotoconassyestoconcon.html )

The question now is whether or not those who opposed the other modes of charter change and favor a constitutional convention are really true to their word or did they merely flaunt what they thought will never be accepted by the charter change proponents? Credibility is at stake here for the CBCP. Never mind the senators, they are all politicians. Never mind the El Shaddai and the Iglesia ni Kristo for they have lost credibility by being partisan all the time. Villanueva’s Jesus is Lord Movement will never be a factor (he could not even muster the solid vote of his members in the last presidential election).

Let us wait and see.

9th Sacerdotal Anniversary

I was ordained to the priesthood 9 years ago today. I did a sort of self-evaluation on how far have I gone on my priesthood last night. I realized that a lot of things have happened in my life as a priest. There were triumphs and there were setbacks…. There were moments of motivation and there were moments of rejection. There were challenges solved but there were more left unsolved. Amidst these contrasting experiences I can only thank the Lord for the gift of vocation. Today, the words of my mother when she was given the chance to talk on the day of my ordination (as it was customary in our diocese) reverberates in my hearing: “My dear son, today marks the attainment of your aspirations. You are now standing by the altar of the Lord. We share in your blissfulness on this day. Allow me then to give you some parental advice before you are plunged into the real world. You must not be engrossed about having reached the top because the priesthood entails leading and serving at the same time. The priesthood is not a career where the success is gauged by fame, wealth and gain. Look at this moment as the beginning, not the fulfillment, for it is in how you will serve that your success will be seen. Moreover, you should not claim the success- for this belongs to God whom you shall serve all your life as his instrument. Be faithful to your vocation.”

n.b. I celebrated my 9th year in the Priesthood with a Eucharist in one of the Grotto Chapels at the Basilica of St. Peter early this morning. With me was my ever kind and thoughtful friend- Fr. Freddie Billanes.

Purely Politics: Addition, not subtraction

When I was in high school I heard an old, cunning politician in our province say that “politics is addition, not subtraction” in his effort to forge a unique coalition of opposing parties which is done only in our province- Isabela. Little did I know that it was a ploy to corner the lucrative election funds from every party. The saying came back to my mind as the Philippines gears this early for its midterm elections on May 2007. Names are being floated. Unity coalitions are being suggested by spinners. Reading the names on the opposition’s senatorial slate makes me quiver. It is a mix up of the Anti-Erap and Pro-Erap personalities in the events that led to Edsa Dos. I have admired most of these politicians as they have shown hope for a principled politics in the past. But I no longer have the same regard for them now. It makes me ponder that for most of our politicians, politics is personal survival rather than principled advocacy and public service. Those who seemed to be principled in the past now go down to the level of kissing the hands of a leader known to be a womanizer, gambler and accused of plunder just to obtain his endorsement which, sadly, is still being adhered to by constituents whom I hate to call "the uneducated voters". By doing so, those politicians trampled upon their own principles, if they have principles at all.

Philippine politics remains, predominantly, a politics of “addition, not subtraction” and it will remain as such if we unwittingly continue to support that system. Such is bad politics. It is a politics devoid of principles. We should shun this kind of politics if we want to see a better Philippines.

Failed People’s Initiative: What went wrong?

I have always cherished what my spiritual director in the minor seminary kept on telling me when I was a minor seminarian: “Start everything right.” He elaborated that in basketball, a player couldn’t make a high percentage lay up if he takes off with the wrong foot and that in farming, good harvest is a result of proper preparation of the soil by cleaning and putting some fertilizer. He went on saying that every good result is a product of a good start.

Such adage was proven in the case of the "People’s Initiative". It was doomed from the very beginning because it took off on the wrong foot (deliberately by self-serving politicians). “People’s Initiative” is a misnomer at its best as most of those signatures were merely attendance sheets signed by people who attended meetings in the barangays. I am privy of such practice specially in the provinces. When I was on the Anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) campaign in the Philippines, we found out that most of those purported petitions by farmers calling for the approval of field tests were attendance sheets on barangay meetings which were later attached to the petition paper the contents of which majority of the farmers said they couldn't comprehend.

I am in favor of charter change, but not in such self-serving manner. Did we ever hear GMA talk about charter change before the Garci Tapes surfaced? NO! It was just one of the best escape routes concocted by Malacanang’s spin doctors. It was a win-win formula suggested by FVR with the advice that GMA should resign before it is implemented. But GMA was not amenable to it and so she insisted on CHACHA with her till 2010.

The "People’s Initiative" to change the constitution failed because it started wrongly, the signatures were obtained wrongly and it was motivated wrongly. The first line of Justice Antonio Carpio’s opinion says it bluntly: “The Lambino group miserably failed to comply with the basic requirements of the Constitution for conducting a people’s initiative.”

THE ABSURDITY OF ESCUDERO

I find it absurd that Congressman Escudero proposed the giving of a 1 peso instead of 31.9 million budget to the MTRCB simply because the MTRCB rated the biopic of Erap with an X. It is a politically motivated move from a supposedly well educated politician. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that “Escudero said he recommended the lowest budget for MTRCB because the opposition strongly disagreed with the board’s decision to give an X rating to the Estrada documentary film, to which they insisted the MTRCB had no jurisdiction over.” If that were the case, then why not question the MTRCB’s authority at the Supreme Court? What might become of the Philippine Senate if people like Escudero will become one of its members? Erap- lovers like him are the very reason why the Anti-GMA movements did not and will never succeed.

The UST Tigers are UAAP Basketball Champs Again: A Real Cinderella Finish

When I was in the Philippines last June, I met Fr. Franklin Beltran, OP on a plane from Tuguegarao City to Manila. Fr. Franklin was the most basketball-active Dominican when I was a seminarian at the UST Central Seminary. He is the former sports coordinator of Letran during the time of Samboy Lim and he was the PE Director of UST during the high school days of Marlou Aquino and EJ Feihl. When I played as a Varsity of the Central Seminary (known as ECCLE in the intramurals), he was the manager of the College of Education Varsity. When, I asked him about the UST Tigers' chances on this year’s UAAP Basketball, he said “they will surprise everybody”.

And so, the Tigers have, indeed, surprised everybody. From the cellar of the first round eliminations (they were at the bottom because one after the other, the great players were either sick or injured) they rose to 3rd for the final four. They have already made Thomasians like me proud by securing the no. 3 spot. At the Final Four play-offs, all the more they surprised everybody by beating the favored UE Warriors which enjoyed a twice to beat privilege. Reaching the Finals was already quite an achievement for a team that was never expected by experts to be part of the final four casts.

Game 1 showed the inexperience of the young squad as they bungled a won game with that last one second defensive lapse as they lost 73-72. But in game two, they have proven that they are in the Finals not by sheer luck by clobbering the Blue Eagles 87-71. The game 3 overtime win has proven all pundits wrong. They bagged the Crown with a 76-74 win over the Blue Eagles. This UAAP Championship will be one for the books. It has all the elements of a classic that basketball fans will savor years and decades from now. It was a real Cinderella finish for a young team with a Rookie coach- Pido Jarencio who during his time as a Goldie (the tigers were Goldies at that time) was not able to bring the gold as a lonesome hero of the then UST Goldies in 1984 in a classic match with UE’s Allan Caidic for the 1984 UAAP Finals.

The win brought back the old glory we savored during the four-peat years from1993-1996. I was lucky to be at the UST Central Seminary in those years. I remember going from one Dominican priest to another to ask for most sought after UAAP Championship tickets in all of those years. There was even a time when I had to buy a ringside ticket from the driver of Dennis Espino. But it was Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, OP, the UST Secretary-General at that time, who pampered us with ringside tickets.

I can imagine the Thomasians having a grand victory party at the UST Grounds at this very moment. During the four-peat years, there were roasted calves and packed dinner in each victory celebration. As they celebrate, I am sure they are shouting these cheers over and over again till their voices become hoarse:

GO USTE
Go USTe! Go USTe! Go USTe!Go! Go! Go! Go! (4x)(2x clap) U(2x clap) S(2x clap) T(2x clap) UST Tigers! 1, 2, 3, 4(5x clap) U(5x clap) S(5x clap) T(5x clap) UST TIGERS!

BLACK GOLD BLACK WHITE
L - Black Gold, Black WhiteA - Black Gold, Black WhiteL - Black Gold, Black WhiteA - Black Gold, Black WhiteBlack Gold (clap 2x)Black White (clap 2x)Black Gold (clap), Black White (clap)Go Fight, Fight, FightGo Fight (clap 2x) and win (clap 2x) for U (clap) S(clap) T(clap 3x) FIGHT!

SANTO TOMAS SPELLING
L - Santo Tomas SpellingA - Santo Tomas SpellingL - Santo Tomas Spelling - Santo Tomas Spelling Ready 1, 2, 3 (clap)S-A-N-T-O T-O-M-A-S Santo Tomas Fight!

VIVA SANTO TOMAS
VIVA SANTO TOMAS!!
We are the Tigers the mighty, mighty TigersWe came to cheerAnd to win it with no fear (3x)We are the Tigers the mighty, mighty TigersWe came to cheer 1, 2, 3And to win it with no fear

P-P-O P-O-W-E-R the POWER the TIGER POWER Whooh!

And lastly they will be singing this Hymn with great pride:

UST HYMN
God of all nations

Merciful Lord of our restless being

Sweep with your golden lilies

This fountain of purest light

Trace with the sails of the galleons

The dream beyond our seeing

Touch with the flame of your kindness

The gloom of our darkest night

Keep us in beauty and truth and virtues impassioned embrace

Ever your valiant legions

Imbued with unending grace

Congratulations to coach Pido and the Tigers and also to the Tigresses for winning the women's championship too and to the Salinggawi Dance Troupe for winning the Cheering competion 5 times in a row.

Pope Benedict XVI: Wrongfully condemned and maligned

(Picture taken by GCU during the Consistory on March 2006)

I find it outrageous that most of our Muslim brothers condemn His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on account of a quotation he used in his lecture at the Aula Magna of the University of Regensburg on Tuesday (12 September 2006). The Pakistani Parliament condemned him. In India, he was likened to Hitler and Mussolini. Elsewhere, his effigy was burned. But, what did the Pope say exactly? He quoted from a book in which 14th-century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel II Paleologos and a Persian have a conversation about truths of Christianity and Islam. "'The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war,' Benedict said. 'He said, I quote, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." These were not the Pope’s words per se as he quoted them from an old book in an effort to venture upon the issue of understanding among religions as his lecture was on Faith and Reason. Does he deserve to be condemned for merely quoting that book?

They demand his apology. But, did they ever consider the context of his quotation? They who condemn him ought to read the Pope’s full lecture, otherwise they are pathetically reactionary and simply irrational. The complete text of his lecture can be read on the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html

REMEMBERRING 9/11: Man can be so cruel....

Five years ago today, I was watching CNN at about 8:50 P.M. Philippine time, when a newsflash showed that a “small” plane hit one of the buildings of the World Trade Center. They thought at first that it was indeed a small plane that hit. Then came the other plane hitting the other building. At that point, I thought of informing Bishop Utleg because at that time I was living with him at his Residence. I knocked at his door and told him that both buildings of the World Trade Center have been hit by terrorists. We prayed at the private chapel adjacent to his room.

Pondering upon that day of infamy, I realized how man can be so cruel to his fellowmen. Innocent people were killed. People of different races were in that building. It made me think how fragile life can be. Life is made fragile by people who seem to live only in order to hurt. When will such debauchery stop? When will the extremists realize that there is no such god that mandates the killing of innocent people?

G.C. UANAN
11 September 2006

"Nonna and Nonno, I think we are Good People"

I was invited to eat dinner at the house of an Italian couple here in Franklin Lakes, NJ last Sunday evening. It was a typical Italian dinner: tomato with mozzarella, salami di Milano, roasted pepper and olives for aperitifs, pasta for prima piatto and breaded chicken breast with salad for secunda piatto, apple pie with gelato, cappuccino and sambucha for antipasto. With us was their 12 year old granddaughter. After the antipasto, the wife packed some of the food and brought it to their neighbor who is a an 80 year old widow. When the wife returned, the granddaughter said "Nonna and Nonno (grandma and grandpa) I think we are good people because we share what we have with a neighbor". I was mesmerized. I remembered what my late father used to tell me- "Share your blessing with those who need it." The girl saw the goodness and kindness of her grandparents. I told her how lucky she is to have them as her grandparents and it's up to her and her cousins to continue that legacy- being good people. I hope that parents and grandparents all over the world would instill good value to their children and grandchildren through their example and not just through words.

G.C. UANAN
30 October 2006

The Devil's "that's all" is not all at all

After an impromptu get together with other Filipino priests at the Todai Japanese Restaurant in Manhattan last week, we went to the AMC movie house along 42nd Street. There were 20 movies in the offing. Three of us settled for “The Devil Wears Prada”. I was intrigued by the title (I didn’t read the novel and didn’t know that there is a novel with same title). It was literally about fashion as "Prada" denotes. The Movie revolves around the character of a fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Merry Streep) and her naive (at least in the beginning) secretary Andy (Anne Hathaway). The office staff were like models themselves with elegant outfit and “skinny bodies”. They would tremble and panic as soon as Miranda arrives the at the office. Miranda acts like “God” (or rather the Devil) as her wish is her staff’s command. Andy on the other hand was a simple journalism graduate who thought that she will be able to maximize her journalistic skills in the Fashion Magazine. Unfortunately, her work was confined into buying meals and coffee for her boss as well as answering the phone. In spite of her seemingly naiveté’s to fashion, she strived to be efficient and eventually became fashion savvy.

Miranda has the penchant of saying “that’s all” without saying the details of what she wants to convey or done. That left Andy puzzled and terrified at first but it helped her strive to become efficient. Miranda’s “that’s all” symbolizes power, elegance and wealth. Andy was being gradually pulled into same trend of thought as her boyfriend Nate (Adrian Granier) says it all “you want to defeat her but you became like her (Miranda)”. But towards the end, it came into Andy’s senses that Miranda doesn’t care about people’s feelings. She doesn’t care if her actuations hurt others so long as she preserves the status of power, elegance and wealth at any cost. Andy realized that becoming like Miranda is becoming like a Devil dressed in Prada, Valentino, Versace, etc. It came into her senses that Miranda doesn’t care about other people’s lives. Thus, her “that’s all is not all at all. Her “that’s all” is limited to her everything. Her “that’s all” doesn’t include others. Her "that’s all" is egoistic rather than altruistic. Miranda knows this but she doesn’t mind so long as she is on top. Andy realizes this and made the right decision- there is more to life than power, elegance and wealth. Many people are like Miranda. Many people are like Andy, as well. The world has gone bad because of people like Miranda. Thus, we need more Andys. We must always bear in mind that a selfish all is not all at all.

If you can't seem to understand what I mean, just watch the movie.:)

G.C. UANAN
14 August 2006

Longing for Peace

What is happening to our world? There seems to be no end in war. People’s lives are set aside. Innocent non-combatants are killed helplessly. The warring sides seem to disregard the importance of life. In the midst of this, I wonder if a lasting peace is still possible. Yesterday, I had a conversation with an elderly Church-goer. He said that peace can still be attained if people focus on it. As I ponder on the wisdom of what he said, I realize that he is right. When the war between Hezbollah and Israel broke out two weeks ago, leaders of the most powerful nations were quick to point fingers on culprits. Not so many clamored for peaceful resolution. The immediate focus is punishment and retribution, not peace.

Does peace have a chance to reign in such situation? Certainly! There can be peace if both sides stop putting the blame on each other. There can be peace if the Lebanese Prime Minister will not allow Hezbollah to hold him and his government by the neck and order the Lebanese army with the help of UN to disarm Hezbollah. There can be peace if the United Nation leaders would stand firm and implement its resolution calling for the disarming of militias like Hezbollah in Lebanon.

DEAR GOD, please let there be PEACE.

G.C. UANAN
01 August 2006

OPPPSS HE DIT IT AGAIN!!!

Bishop Tobias admitted to have coddled the Magdalo soldiers who were fugitives from justice. No matter what his justifications are, he coddled FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE. What a shame! This Bishop cannot, in any way, justify such blunder or imprudent judgment. An Estrada scion quickly came to his aid saying that there is nothing wrong with what Tobias did because Chavit Singson was also coddled by the late Cardinal Sin at the height of his expose on jueteng. Holy Bananas! The Estrada scion may have forgotten or is simply naive of the fact that the Magdalo are fugitives while Chavit Singson was not.

It must be stressed that the Magdalo soldiers are on trial for the failed Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 which may have pushed back the Philippine economy to about 3 years backwards. They should not be confused with the group of Col. Ariel Querubin, Gen. Danny Lim and the others who attempted a "withdrawal of support” last February. By escaping, the Magdalo soldiers became fugitives from justice at the time when Bishop Tobias gave them sanctuary and brought them to different safe houses. In doing so, he may have unwittingly accepted violence as a means to overthrow the government as the MAGDALO espouses such means.

Bishop Tobias very well personifies the quintessential “partisan prelate”. Yes he did it again. The Bishop who said sorry “on behalf of the Church” to ERAP last April, did it again. With the rate he is going, he will do it again and again and again.

G.C. UANAN
20 July 2006

Ministry in the USA

We, Filipino Priests studying in Rome and residing at the Pontificio Collegio FIllipino, go for Ministry in the parishes of the Archidiocese of Newark in New Jersey during summer months of the year. This is my third year of summer ministry at the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. I arrived last June 29. I will serve here till the end of October.





On my first summer on this parish, a lot of impressions about the American culture (seen in the movies) were proven wrong. Before going to the US, I thought that American Catholics are free spirited liberals and would not give much heart on that which pertains to faith. Such wrong notion changed as soon is I got to know most of the parishioners attending the daily masses. It surprised me to see more Americans going to daily masses than in the Philippines (at least in my Diocese). But of course there are more people in Sunday masses in the Philippines.



In this parish, I have the privilege of working with Most Rev. John W. Flesey, DD (the Pastor and District Bishop for North Bergen County) and Rev. Michael Donovan (the assistant pastor).

Franklin Lakes is a high-end residential area. There are about 10 Filipino families here. But there are Filipino parishioners who come from nearby cities such as Glen Rock, N. Haledon and Wayne.

G.C. UANAN
18 July 2006

Moving On

The past month was both physically and emotionally exhausting to me. Physically, I had to go home to the Philippines for a minor surgery on my toe. Emotionally, I was depressed because of the brutal death of Mayor Jojo Albano (see previous blog). My toe has healed, but the emotional pain of losing a cherished friend and relative lingers on. I had sleepless nights pondering the happy moments I have spent with him and remembering his kindness and affection. I cope up with it by offering my daily masses for his eternal repose. I also pray that the mastermind and the assassins will be guilt ridden and surrender soon. My only regret is that I am not in the Philippines to personally sympathize with the bereaved family.

I am confident that God's justice will soon prevail. On my part, it is now time for me to move on. It is now time to go on with life and deal with its intricacies.

I hope that the bereaved family will find peace and hope in the Lord.

G.C. UANAN
10 July 2006

MAYOR DELFINITO "JOJO" ALBANO: MAN OF THE MASSES BRUTALLY MURDERED BY COWARDS

It pained me to hear about the gruesome murder of Mayor Jojo Albano a day after I arrived from the Philippines. I was shocked in reading my mom's text message informing me of the mayor's ambush on that fateful night. I did not believe it at first. Not until I opened my laptop, searched the web and found out that the sad news was true. When his remains were brought back to Ilagan, I cried and sobbed no end at the sight of the thousands of people along the highway from Tuguegarao Airport to Ilagan who showered flowers at his casket (I watched through 24 Oras on inq7.net). Such is a manifestation of the Albano legacy in public service started by Lolo Delfin Albano (Congressman of the Lone District of Isabela in the 50's through the early 60's) continued by Tito Rudy, Kuya Rodito, Ate Millet, Kuya Tonypet (who, although not in public office, shares his blessings to those in need) and Uncle Jojo.

Before I first met Uncle Jojo, I heard from relatives that he looked like Kuya Rodito, his nephew (Congressman of the 1st District of Isabela). I also heard that he's got the charisma and kindness of Lolo Delfin (his father). I met him for the first time when I was already a priest in 1998. He was, at that time, the one incharge of the Ilagan campaign of Kuya Rodito for congress. I observed that he was really a man of the masses as people from all walks of life love him.

When he became the Mayor of Ilagan in 2001, the Town was transformed into one of the cleanest municipalities in the Philippines. I remember seeing him lead the street cleaners as early as 5:30 am while I was going to the sports center for my daily brisk walk. As the Director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Ilagan, I have witnessed his love and concern for the poor and the oppressed. He lived a simple life. He is the type of man who will give his last centavo to those in need. He uses cheaper "subic" second hand vehicles rather than buy brand new expensive vehicles like those used by other politicians. His political rivals who never got even a third of the number of his votes concocted lots of issues against him but they never had the balls to bring him to court for such malicious allegations.

More than relatives, we became the best of friends. He would always seek my advices on things that pertain to social justice. I felt flattered having been always consulted by such a great man. When I left for my doctoral studies in Rome, he continued to serve the poor and the oppressed. He is not the perfect politician but he can very well be the best mayor Isabela ever had.

He was brutally murdered. He was alone, unarmed and unable to defend himself. Only cowards would do such thing! I join his family, friends and constituents in demanding justice!

He was buried this morning in Ilagan, Isabela (I was informed that thousands came to bid their last farewell to him).

Goodbye My Dear Uncle, My Dear Friend, Man of the Masses. With God on your side, justice will prevail!!!

G.C. UANAN
06 July 2006

Celebration of Life

To celebrate one�s day of birth is to celebrate life itself. It is a great event. It is a momentous occasion. It is a time of joy and thanksgiving. However, there is a need to look back at those years that have passed to be able to traverse the road of the future. I was born 36 years ago yesterday.

Looking back at those years, I experienced failures and successes, defeats and victories, triumphs and pains, happiness and sadness. There were moments of motivation and there were moments of humiliation. There were challenges solved but there were more left unsolved. Amidst these contrasting experiences I can only thank the Lord for the gift of life. These contrasting experiences have sculptured my personhood. There constantly emerged a new person each year.

I do not claim perfection for it belongs to the one from whom I received the gift of life. Neither do I claim fulfillment for it remains to be seen. But one thing I can be proud of is that I constantly try to live my life to its fullest. Endowed with the gift of vocation, my being was given a new dimension- my life became a life I can no longer claim to the confines of the self. There emerged a conviction for the service of others.

To my brother priests at the PCF, thanks for the greetings and for gracing the "canto" party last night. To my friends and relatives, thanks for the presents and greetings too.

G.C. UANAN
26 May 2006

ERAP ADMITS SIGNING AS JOSE VELARDE

If memory serves me right, the allegation that the then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada signed as Jose Velarde on an Equitable-PCI Bank account was one of the things that were vehemently denied and defended by his phalanx of defense lawyer�s during his impeachment trial in late 2000 and early 2001. Then Rep.Joker Arroyo even used a 500 peso bill to illustrate the similarity between Erap's signature and the one who signed the Jose Velarde account. Today, in his testimony at the Sandigan Bayan, Erap admitted that he signed as Jose Velarde . I will reserve my comments for the future lest I may be cited in contempt for discussing something that is already sub judice. I just want to remind my readers that the Jose Velarde account is one of the things that triggered EDSA DOS.

G.C. UANAN
24 May 2006

The Da Vinci Code "Ho-hum" Movie

I watched the Da Vinci Code movie with the thought that I will be better prepared to to answer the questions of those who are intrigued by it. The movie turned out to be "ho-hum" two and a half-hour long. I was amused at how the Opus Dei "Monk" was portrayed. He is dressed like a Franciscan (the Franciscans must be laughing no end). It is absurd! There is no such thing as an Opus Dei "Monk" and neither is there a self flagellation being done by the members of the prelature to atone for sins committed. How Dan Brown’s characters- Langdon and Teabing were so convinced about the Christ and Mary Magdalene relationship without any credible historical evidence is despicable. Even as Dan Brown claims to have based his allusion to the purported wedding of Christ to Mary Magdalene in the apocryphal “gospels” of Philip and Mary Magdalene, there is nothing in such writings that refer to the wedding theory. I do not think the film will have that faith-shaking effect anticipated by the modern day Judases who sell Jesus once more (this time for millions of dollars) to publishers and film-makers and unassuming readers with the hope of misguiding them as Fr. Cantalamesa (the Papal Preacher) said in his homily on Good Friday.

My impression on the movie? It is a PURE FICTION which lacks the convincing power of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST which is based on the GOSPELS--- our real source of the TRUTH. But even if it is merely a fiction the novel/movie should be subject to our critical judgement. What if it were a case of a fiction depicting Hitler as a Saint? We cannot just take it sitting down and be lame duck Christians. The Opus Dei should file a defamatory case against the author, publishers and producers of the novel/movie. I think they have a strong case because they were portrayed wrongly and maliciously. For our part, rather than call for the banning or boycott of the movie or go on a book-burning spree (which will make bigots out of us), we have to take it as an opportunity to educate our people on the Divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord.


Again I reiterate that the following online articles should be read especially by those who have read the novel or watched the movie:

http://www.catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp

www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/dvh_excerpts1_jan06.asp

G.C. UANAN
22 May 2006

Year of Social Concerns

The declaration of the CBCP for a Year of Social Concerns in the Philippines is well-timed as the country is presently plunged in a political turmoil stemming up from a dubious presidential mandate that has been the bone of contention and the cause of disunity among our political leaders for almost a year. It is my ardent hope that the Social Concern catechesis would deal with the very issue of why the Catholic Church sets foot into the domain of politics. Explanations should be made in words that are palatable to the “masa” who comprise majority of our people. There were previous publications by CBCP such as the “Pastoral Exhortation of Philippine Politics” (1997) and the “Catechism on the Church and Politics” (1998), but they were too highly-worded for the masa and were not widely circulated to reach the grassroots.

The issue on the Church’s involvement in politics has been debated upon and rehashed for ages. Those who have been admonished by the Church would cry out that it is an intrusion, a violation of the separation of Church and State. On the other hand, for those who seem to have benefited from the Church’s pronouncements, the Church has the right to deal with the morality of politics.

Aside from declarations and exhortations, the Bishops must also put their acts together. It is disgusting to note that there were instances (quite a lot) wherein the CBCP issues its Pastoral Statement on a certain socio-political issue and on the very next day there are a handful of bishops who would tend to speak or do things contrary to such pronouncements. Such actuations send confusing signals to the laity. Dissenting opinions by individual bishops should be confined to their plenary assembly and not addressed through what seems to be self-aggrandizement through the media.

G.C. UANAN
13 May 2006

OF SPOON AND FORK

“Mommy, I don't want to eat anymore. My teacher is telling me that eating with a spoon and fork is yucky and disgusting.” These were the words of seven year old Luc Cagadoc to her mother. From what I have read from an article from the The Chronicle online ( http://www.westislandchronicle.com/pages/article.php?noArticle=6063 ), Luc is transferred by his school's lunch monitor to a table isolated from other kids whenever he is “caught” eating with spoon and fork. When the mother confronted the lunch monitor and complained to the principal. She was shocked to hear the principal’s reply: “Madame, you are in Canada. Here in Canada you should eat the way Canadians eat.” And when she asked about the punishment of isolating Luc in a table, the principal remarked: “If your son eats like a pig he has to go to another table because this is the way we do it and how we’re going to do it every time.”

Is there anything wrong with using both fork and spoon? When I was a kid, I was taught by my mother how to properly use spoon and fork. When I entered the seminary, I learned the more gracious way of using both utensils through our “social graces” seminar. Using fork and spoon in eating is a cultural mores just like the use of chopsticks in other Asian countries. Saying that such manner of eating is wrong is like saying that our culture is wrong. How much more if they see us Filipinos eat “kamayan” style? I love to eat with my bare hands especially when sumptuous native meal is served (that would be tuyo, daing or salted egg with kamatis). Does that make me a pig or lesser human? Certainly not!

Four years ago, Bishop Eijk of the Diocese of Groningen, Netherlands (communio partner of our diocese) paid a visit to our diocese. Among the many affairs he attended was the Diocesan Youth Day. We ate “kamayan” style as it was a barrio-fiesta type of celebration. The couple who were part of Bishop Eijk’s entourage were betting whether or not he would use his hands to eat as it was anathema to do so in Netherlands. They were surpirsed when he began to wash his hands and he ate with his bare hands. I admired him for his flexibility and respect to a tradition. He did not feel degraded to eat with his hands and more so, he did not hesitate to do what was anathema in his homeland. More so, during meals at the Bishop’s Residence, he ate with both spoon and fork.

Punishing Luc for using spoon and fork is wrong. Saying that his manner of eating is disgusting is worst. It is plain discrimination under the guise of instilling table etiquette into Luc. I pity the child because the sad experience seems to have traumatized him.

Does using spoon and fork turn us into lower beings and turn the Canadians who eat with fork and knife into higher beings? NO!!!!

I hope that this is just an isolated case. Otherwise, some Canadians are bigots and racists.

G.C. UANAN
8 May 2006

FOR HOW LONG CAN SHE HOLD ON?

Since June 2005, the Philippines was plunged into a quagmire of political bickering and debacle. I have written in a previous blog that in the end it is the common Pinoy that will suffer while politicians would just shrug it off and go abroad if the situation gets bad or worst if revolution erupts. Such situation would not have much effect to politicians who can still buy the basic necessities even if the prices would have doubled because of the political tension. When there is a change in leadership, it would be easy for politicians to just throw their support to the new leader if ever the president resigns and there will be status quo of the benefits they enjoy at the expense of the people. But the poor....God help us, our politicians are feeding us to the dogs!

Almost a year from thence, the bickering continues. After the failed impeachment and a hodgepodge of expose' and hearings-in-aid-of-legislation and rallies that failed to attract multitudes, the opposition remained divided and unable to gather much footing from the masses and the decisive middle class. More so, they seemed to be busy only with criticism and fault-finding. Military adventurists tried but failed to “withdraw” their support. GMA seems to have an answer to everything thrown at her. I see the hands of a master political operator in everything that GMA used: the NO-EL scenario which appeared attractive to self-serving politicians, the EO 464, the CPR, the Proclamation 1017 and the much ballyhooed People’s Initiative for charter change. These schemes were designed to divert attention from the real issue of whether or not GMA cheated in the 2004 elections. There is a tell-tale sign on all of these schemes- there are gray areas on their constitutionality. But GMA’s political operator’s motto seemed to be that “these schemes are constitutional unless proven otherwise”. They put the burden on those who challenge the constitutionality of such schemes. GMA has succeeded in using such diversionary schemes pending the resolution of their constitutionality. The Supreme Court have so far decided against EO 464 and CPR and upheld Proclamation 1017 with certain caution on abuses. But by then, they have already served their purpose- to intimidate and to temporarily divert attention. The question is: How far can she sustain? I do not think such schemes have totally removed the cloud of doubt about her victory. Her defiant stance will only further plunge our beloved country into uncertainty as impeachment season begins come July. The semblance of economic recovery highlighted by the stronger peso which they have projected is superficial for it is based from the peak months of remittances from OFWs.

I must admit that in the past 10 months I have been against GMA stepping down because I dreaded the return of ERAP (as advocated by his sons and blind supporters). Nevertheless, after observing the ill-effects of GMA's obscure mandate, I am now one with those who clamor for SNAP ELECTION. To those who think that there are no visible alternative from among the opposition I say: Does the next president need to be an oppositionist? Have they ever considered the admirable meekness of a Magsaysay or the economics savvy of a Roxas? Does it have to be a Ping, an Erap or even a Susan? Besides, GMA can still run and if she really have the support of the majority then she can have a fresh mandate.

G. C. UANAN
3 May 2006

The Gospel of Judas: Is it really faith-shaking?

The Gospel of Judas was hyped by the media (those with the hidden agenda of undermining the truths of our Catholic Faith) as something that would shake the faith of its readers specifically on the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The showing of the documentary on the said gospel over the National Geographic Channel was obviously deliberately timed to coincide with the Catholic Church's Palm Sunday celebration to add more sense of relativity. A brother priest sent me a copy of the said Gospel of Judas. It has seven pages on PDF format. I read it and found nothing faith-shaking.

The said gospel is believed to have been written by the Gnostics which is described by the Catholic Encyclopedia as those who believe in the "doctrine of salvation by knowledge. This definition, based on the etymology of the word (gnosis "knowledge", gnostikos, "good at knowing"), is correct as far as it goes, but it gives only one, though perhaps the predominant, characteristic of Gnostic systems of thought. Whereas Judaism and Christianity, and almost all pagan systems, hold that the soul attains its proper end by obedience of mind and will to the Supreme Power, i.e. by faith and works, it is markedly peculiar to Gnosticism that it places the salvation of the soul merely in the possession of a quasi-intuitive knowledge of the mysteries of the universe and of magic formulae indicative of that knowledge. Gnostics regard themselves as "people who knew", and their knowledge at once constituted them a superior class of beings, whose present and future status was essentially different from that of those who, for whatever reason, did not know."

Gnosticism is a heresy. Projecting the Gospel of Judas as historically true is tantamount to reviving a doctrine of the Gnostic heresy. Those who brought it up have an agenda. They point out that the Gnostic Gospels were not included in the Canonical Books that would comprise the Bible because mainstream Crhistianity wanted to silence Gnosticism. My sacred scriptures professor in UST, Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP contends in an interview that "the Gospel of Judas and other Gnostic writings such as the supposed Gospel of Mary Magdalene were excluded from the final canon of the New Testament not because the Catholic Church was trying to silence other Christian groups, but because their authenticity and fidelity to the teachings of Christ were suspect right from the start." (cf. http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=72478 ).

The peddlers of the Gospel of Judas try to project that Christ has mandated his own betrayal and that Judas facilitated the salvation of the world by his act of betrayal. One passage quotes Jesus telling Judas, "For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me." I only have one argument against such claim that Judas merely obeyed our Lord Jesus Christ in betraying Him: If that was the case, why did he feel the guilt and committed suicide???

The Gospel of Judas failed its peddlers for it did not snowball faith-shaking doubt from believers. The text itself is incomplete, there were missing lines as the manuscript has deteriorated.

I conclude by quoting James Martin in his article "Betrayal or devotion?: No revelations in Gospel of Judas": "The Gospel of Judas will continue to be fodder for television shows, magazine covers and lunchtime conversations. But the answer to the question raised every Good Friday remains the same. Why did Judas do it? Because Judas, like many of us, wanted to make God in his own image- rather than the other way round." (cf. The international Herald Tribune, April 12, 2006, p. 8 )

G. C. UANAN
23 April 2006

ON THE DA VINCI CODE

Dear Friends,

The Da Vince Code movie will be shown next month. Some people tend to take it as a true story rather than a mere fiction. I can give you some files that I have compiled which may be of help in enlightening them on the TRUTH. If you would like to be furnished with those files, feel free to email me on this email address: grevy_05@yahoo.com. You can also access some writings that would prove that the Da Vinci Code is a HOAX on these websites:

http://www.catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp

www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/dvh_excerpts1_jan06.asp

Please send them to your friends. Let us help those being deceived realize that a HALF truth is a WHOLE LIE!

G. C. UANAN
22 April 2006

ON BISHOP TOBIAS' APOLOGY TO ERAP

I was shocked, having watched over the GMA-7's "24 ORAS" Bishop Tobias' apology to ERAP in his Homily on the Eucharistic celebration for ERAP'S birthday. I first read the writing about it and when the news clip was not yet available online I ardently hoped it was just another misquotation by the seemingly sensationalist Philippine media. But when I watched the clip, I was dismayed to hear these words from the Bishop of Novaliches to Erap: "I hope you can forgive the Catholic Church for what happened to you." He reaffirmed such stance by saying on an interview by a reporter of GMA-7 saying, "Nag apologize ako kay former President dahil isang sama ng kanyang loob ay nag-umpisa siya sa politika sa pagsusundot ng simbahan at in the end, ang simbahan din at ito ay ang mga katoliko lalong lalo na ang mga Obispo ang nakapaalis sa kanya." The Bishop should not have apologized on behalf of the entire Catholic Church for I am sure his thoughts are not shared by majority of the Catholic Church. Much more, he could not apologize on behalf of the other Bishops, most of whom issued their own pastoral statements calling for ERAP'S resignation in 2000. The most that he could have said is to ask ERAP'S forgiveness for his "personal participation" in EDSA 2. The Catholic Church Hierarchy (or should i say overwhelming majority of it) went against ERAP after feeling the pulse of the masses. But here is a Bishop apologizing on behalf of the multitudes of Catholics who joined EDSA 2. That is a travesty!!!! I was at EDSA 2 and I do not feel the need to apologize to ERAP. Bishop Tobias cannot apologize for me! Neither can he apologize for the multitudes of Catholics- religious and laity alike who called for ERAP'S resignation.

G. C. UANAN
21 April 2006

THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II AND ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI: REVISITING MY DIARY ENTRIES

It has been a year since the death of Pope John Paul the Great and the Election of Pope Benedict the XVI. I would like to share my diary entries on those historical events to my readers especially to my relatives and friends :


THE DEATH OF JOHN PAUL THE GREAT

April 1, 2005
> 8:00 PM- I joined the Rosary vigil for the dying Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square

April 2, 2005
> 9:00 PM- I, together with Fr. Rey Adalid, OP, Fr. Arlou Buslon and Fr. Edison Escario, joined the rosary vigil for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square . At around 10:03 PM, it was announced that Pope John Paul II died at 9:37 PM (at that moment, we were singing the litany of the saints). Apparently the last words uttered by the late pope were: "I have looked for you. Now you have come to me. And I thank you."

April 4, 2005
>11:00 AM- The day allotted for the religious to view the remains of Pope John Paul II. Together with Fr. Robbie Gaa and Fr. Jimel Valera, I paid homage to the remains of Pope John Paul II at the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. It took us three hours before seeing him.
>5:00 PM- I was at the St. Peter's square and witnessed the transfer of the remains of Pope John Paul II to the Basilica

April 6, 2005
>10-Hour Line to see the remains of Pope John Paul II: I decided to see once more the remains of Pope John Paul II. This time, I have to experience waiting in line for 10- hours even though we priests could have entered through the back door by showing our Vicariate of Rome Celebret to the Swiss Guards. With me were Fr. Raul Dael, Fr. Jess Layug, Fr. Edison Escario, Fr. Dodong Billones, Sr. Eliza, Sr. Daisy and Sr. Lerma. We joined the line along Borgo Pio at 4:40 AM and we were able to enter the Basilica at 2:30 PM. I must admit that i wanted to quit when we seem to be moving only a few meters per hour. I was, however, inspired at the sight of a Polish Bishop who decided to join the Polish Pilgrims with him, although he could easily get inside the Basilica because bishop's and priests were allowed to enter through the back door. I don't have any regrets though. When we were about to enter St. Peter's Square about 8 and a half hours later, Bombo Radyo Philippines called me through my cellular phone and i became an instant reporter for them- describing the sea of humanity who came to say thanks to a great man who inspired the whole world. I learned from tv news in the evening that there were 1.5 million people on that day.

April 7, 2005
>9:00 AM- Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II at the Basilica. Among the PCF priests with me were Fr. Jimel Valera, Fr. Freddie Billanes, Fr. Jojo Buenafe and Fr. Edison Escario. Once more, we were able to pay homage to the remains of Pope John Paul II.
>7:30 PM- Mass of Filipinos for Pope John Paul II at the Basilica of Mary Major. The main celebrant was Archbishop Capalla. He was joined by Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and Auxiliary Bishop Cortez of Manila. Cardinal Bernard Law welcomed President GMA and other delegates.

April 8, 2005
>10:00 AM- Funeral of Pope John Paul II. We left PCF at 4:00 AM. We were able to enter St. Peter's Square at 7:30 AM. We wore black cassock with surplice and red stole. The main celebrant and homilist was the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His homily was applauded for more than 30 times. He ended his homily with these words: "None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi. We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father's house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." After the Mass, when the coffin of John Paul the Great was raised facing the crowd, two giant streamers were unfurled bearing the inscription "SANTO SUBITO" (Saint Immediately). We were all in tears as the Sedieri Petri carrying the coffin entered the Basilica.

April 12, 2005
>Sede Vacante 2005 Stamps were made available

April 13, 2005
>I was able to buy the three sets (10 each) of the Sede Vacante 2005 Stamps and have them marked at the Vatican Post Office.


CONCLAVE 2005

April 16, 2005
>The PCF community had a picture taking session with His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the lone Filipino cardinal to participate in the 2005 conclave

April 18, 2005
> First Day of Conclave 2005- I went to St. Peter's Square together with Fr. Edison, Fr. Giovanni, Sr. Eliza and Sr. Estella at around 4:00 PM. We watched the solemn entrance and beginning of the Conclave at the video walls of the square. There was only one balloting- black smoke came out of the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 8:03 PM

April 19, 2005
>Second Day of Conclave 2005- We went to the St. Peter's Square at 9:30 AM. We brought Philippine flags and Vatican flags. The flags attracted the media- they asked us from which country we came from and they interviewed us about our views on the conclave and the papacy. The result of the first balloting (2nd overall) was a black smoke at 11:51 AM. Then shortly at 12:01, the result of the second balloting (3rd overall) was also black smoke.
>Habemus Papam- A group of Filipinos joined us because they saw us waving two big Philippine Flags in the afternoon. Then at around 5:49 PM, white smoke came out of the chimney over the Sistine chapel. And shortly at 6:05 PM the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began ringing, thereby confirming that a new pope has been elected. Everybody became ecstatic, it was a very festive atmosphere. At 6:43 PM Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, the senior cardinal-deacon (Proto-deacon) came out to the center balcony of the basilica announcing these words: "Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum, Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Iosephum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedictum XVI." Then, the people shouted Ratzinger! Ratzinger! then Benedetto! Benedetto! With that I became all the more ecstatic and jubilant for I somehow predicted that the new Pope would be Ratzinger and his name will be Benedict! I thought that if there is somebody who could assure continuity of Pope John Paul II's legacy, it would be Ratzinger. At 6:48 PM, Pope benedict XVI, preceded by the Cross appeared at the center balcony waving at the crowds, making the joined-hands clasped thanks gesture as well as the open hands gesture and then delivered his first ever Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) address as follows:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
"After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.
Let us move forward in the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you."

I brought out the 12 rosaries I just bought and waved them to be blessed when the new pope gave us his blessing. We were also interviewed by Vicky Morales of GMA-7 when the crowd began to disperse.

April 24, 2005
>Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, 10:00 AM at St. Peter's Basilica. I was fortunate to be one of those who distributed Holy Communion.