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