10th Anniversary

(My Ordination Logo)

Today is the 10^th Anniversary of my Sacerdotal Ordination. I celebrated the Mass in joyful thanksgiving to God for the gift of Vocation at the Mother of Mercy Grotto beneath St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. My friends Fr. Gregory Gaston and Fr. Tony Ricarte concelebrated with me. I am sharing with you my mother’s speech after my ordination (my father died two years before I was ordained):

“My Only Son- Now A Priest”

Your Excellencies- Bishop Miguel Purugganan and Co-Adjutor Bishop Sergio Utleg, Rev. Monsignori, Rev. Fathers, Beloved Friends and Relatives, Good Morning.

Where should I begin…. I do not know how to start for I have diverse feelings as I stand before you this morning- a feeling of happiness and a feeling of pensiveness. On one hand, I am happy and full of eagerness because at long last, my son’s cherished dream of reaching the goal for which he has been called has been realized. On the other hand, I should say that contrasting this feeling of gladness is a lingering anxiety due to the conspicuous absence of my late husband on this momentous event in the life of our only son.

Twenty-seven years ago, my late husband and I were both very happy and filled with enthusiasm when I gave birth to a very healthy baby boy- our second child. Our old folks were then very exuberant- arguing among themselves whom the baby boy would be like. The first thing we did was to give him a name- we got his name from the calendar which was then customary at that time- interestingly, we gave him the name of a great Pope who became a saint- St. Gregory VII. Little did we know, he is going to live up literally closer to his name- Gregorio, which also comes from the Latin word grex- which means flock. As a priest, he will be tending and guiding a flock- the Lord’s flock.

Grevy, as he is fondly called, was brought up in an atmosphere wherein he was made aware of God’s presence and love as we opened his eyes into our faith. This, for us, is our greatest achievement as his parents. He grew up like any other normal boy- playful, active and full of excitement. At such an early age we already noticed in him the earlier manifestations of the seed of vocation. I do not know if Fr. Grevy could still remember- when he was barely five years old, there is one instance which has literally manifested such an inclination. As some of you could recall, my late Mother-in-law was then the one in-charge of the maintenance of the statues of santos and santas in this Church. There was a time when she brought home the garments of those statues for laundry. Little Grevy got a hand on one of them- a white one, and fitted it into himself like a small cassock. Then, he came out running- trying to steal everyone’s attention by saying “innadda bi- Fr. Uanan baddi nga(look at me I am little Fr. Uanan)- obviously inferring himself to his uncle, “Fr. Uanan dakal”- Fr. Pacoy. At that time, also another relative, his first cousin- Fr. Edwin Ramirez was still a seminarian.

What we have noticed were confirmed when, upon graduation from elementary, he intimated unto us that he wanted to study in the minor seminary- San Jacinto Seminary in Tuguegarao. He asked us something which we could not, in any way, refuse. Thus, my late husband and I agreed to send him in that school. Relatives and friends had mixed reactions upon learning that he is entering the seminary- some said that two priests in the clan is enough. Others were concerned that no one will propagate the family name, Grevy being the only son. Nevertheless, we allowed him to pursue what he desired. We did not, in any manner, force him into it. After all, who are we to force into him or to stand against- such a craving of the heart. After the minor seminary, he decided to continue. He entered the major seminary. Again, we did not stand on his way. Neither was his decision due to our propensity. It was his vocation, not ours. At that time we are sure about his conviction and we have accepted it. The least that we could do was to support and nurture his calling and pray for his success. This we did until he has reached his goal. We are, therefore, glad that he has reached this moment in his life.

My dear son, today marks the attainment of your aspiration. 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 advises 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.

Finally, as I wind up my message I would like to take the opportunity to thank the bishop and the co-adjutor bishop with the clergy of the diocese of Ilagan in welcoming my son into their fold. I did not lost a son, rather we have gained a larger family in you. To Fr. Pacoy(Fr. Uanan “dakal”) who has untiringly supported Fr. Grevy(Fr. Uanan “baddi”- no longer small literally speaking). To the seminary formators here present, who have guided my son during his seminary formation and to those who have helped my son reach his goal in one way or another, my deepest gratitude. To all of you dear friends and relatives who have graced this most awaited moment in the life of my son, Thank You Very Much!

To my dear friends on the net, please pray for me....

They were just doing their job but…

The arrest of media people in the Failed Revolution at the Pen brought about so many questions that need to be answered. Is there a limit on journalists’ participation in such situation? Are they obstructionists or just doing their job? I surmise that in their zeal to fulfil their job they have unwittingly become human shields for the rebel soldiers. It was part of the perpetrators' game plan to have them stay inside the hotel. The military and the police were in a quandary as to how they could attack the “rebels” with the media people inside. They had to device a softer attack. There could have been bloodshed had the media people left the rebels and their civilian sympathizers led by an ageing political butterfly, an ageing street parliamentarian, an ageing bishop and a running priest. Trillanes and Lim could have been killed without them. Why would the perpetrators want the media to remain with them? Aside from media mileage, the perpetrators and any pundit knew the obvious- if media people have been hit by stray bullets, the international community will raise a howl and it will ignite a broader indignation from the people. Such scenario could have resulted into GMA’s downfall.

The media should follow a protocol in such situation (I do not know if there is an existing one) so as not to endanger their lives. Neither should they allow themselves to be used. They are intelligent people, they ought to know when they are being used or not.Their being handcuffed and arrested, though, were an overreaction by the police. The police could have just brought them for questioning at the Makati Police Headquarters instead of the long tedious ride to Bicutan. But of course, the authorities were sending a strong message to intimidate the seemingly partisan media (their threat now is “sue us and we will sue you too”). It is part of what they termed as “shock and awe” response.

There are no winners in this, only losers.

Media Sensationalism and the Church

The purported reason for the suicide of a young girl in Davao was proven to be an issue hyped-up by media sensationalism. At first the media projected that the young girl committed suicide because of poverty. The initial reports had her diary as a basis. As a result, a Bishop commented that her death is everybody’s fault, activists used the poor child’s name to put the blame on the government, Davao politicians blamed each other and one politician even cursed his political rival on television. All of these are consequences of the emerging trend of decadence in the quality of journalism in the Philippines. As the body of the child was exhumed, the medico-legal found out that there is evidence that the child has been raped. This is the real cause of the child’s suicide. It is horrible that the child, even in her death, has become a victim of media sensationalism all for the sake of a sure-hit banner story or headline that would sell newspapers and tabloids and draw the attention of tv viewers.

Most journalists could no longer separate raw news from a commentary. It is one thing to report the news per se. It is another thing to comment on the news. The Church is also a victim of such journalistic trend. For instance, every time a Bishop speaks, news items would refer to it as a “CBCP stand”. On television interviews, I have noticed on several instances that before they show the bishop being interviewed, the CBCP building in Intramuros is first shown. One bishop or a group of bishops is not the CBCP. Sometimes the Bishops are caught off guard and are pitted against each other (in one case, a bishop said that the Church condemns suicide, the other bishop says the Church has softened its stance and the headline for it came out as “Bishops divided on suicide”). Sadly, the bishops have unwittingly allowed themselves to be victims of media sensationalism. The CBCP media office should step in and put things in proper perspective so as not to mislead the laity on things that pertain to faith and morals.

ENOUGH!

Controversies and anomalies came one after another (this blog will sound like a handbook in criminal law if I write them all here), yet Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seemed not to care. She remains unperturbed because of her control of the lower house which assured her of protection from impeachment. The tipping point has now begun as yet another set of anomalies have tainted her governance. These things have proven only one thing- she is incorrigible! Her most recent blunder is the hurried granting of pardon to the convicted plunderer- Joseph Estrada only a month after his conviction. The granting of pardon at this time is besmirched with opportunistic motives as she is now on the edge of a cliff. She did it for political survival. By such actuation she now casts a dark shadow over the glimmer of hope for our justice system brought about by the conviction of Joseph Estrada for the crime of plunder last month.

When the “Hello Garci” controversy erupted, Mrs. Susan Roces said over national tv: “Ang mandaraya ay kapatid ng magnanakaw" (some people even made a text joke about it by saying that GMA's marriage to Mike Arroyo is null and void because they are 'magkapatid'). As GMA hastily granted pardon to Joseph Estrada, I can also say: ANG MAGNANAKAW, MADALING NAPAPATAWAD ANG KAPWA MAGNANAKAW!

While I have not joined those who called for GMA’s resignation in my previous blogs, I now join my voice to such clamor. My fear then was that there is no perceived alternative leader at that time. Her incorrigibility changed my mind- I now believe that her continued stay in office will further plunge our country into a quagmire of moral degradation.

On the Guilty Verdict on ERAP

As one of the convenors of the ERAP Resign Movement in Isabela Province in 2000, the guilty verdict on ERAP came to me as a triumph of justice and the Philippine Judicial System. As anticipated, there were different reactions to the verdict. I was particularly dismayed to hear Senator Villar say that he is disappointed because he hoped for ERAP’s acquittal. When asked by media people why was he for ERAP’s acquittal while as a matter of fact he was instrumental for the transmission of the impeachment case of ERAP from the House of Representatives to the Senate in 2000, he said that the impeachment was “not meant to convict but only to clarify certain matters”. Coming from a Senator and a senate president at that, such ignorance of the law is deplorable. Article XI section 2 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states: “The President, the Vice President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office, as provided by law, but not by impeachment.” Based on this, the impeachment proceeding is certainly not a mere “clarification of certain matters”. Obviously, Senator Villar said those words only to appease the Estradas and earn their support/endorsement in the 2010 Presidential Election. Should he be elected President in 2010, their wishes will be his command.

From among the topnotch lawyers of ERAP it was only Estelito Mendoza who gave a logical reaction based on the verdict and based on law. Others, most notably Rene Saguisag, were fallacious. He showed a book to prove that all special courts like that of the special Sandiganbayan Court that tried ERAP were created to convict the accused. It was like saying that they (ERAP’s lawyers) knew from the very beginning that he will be convicted as guilty. If that was the case, then why did they still argue in the said court for six long years? They also continued to pound on the credibility of Chavit Singson. I think that Chavit Singson was right when he said that ERAP’s lawyers are to blame because instead of presenting evidences to prove ERAP’s innocence, they used media propaganda to counter the prosecutors’ various witnesses and voluminous documentary evidences.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada and some of his father’s lawyers have questioned the conviction on the basis of Jueteng Payola and the kick back on the Bell Corporation stocks sold to to GSIS and SSS. They said that these are not government money as if to impute that the plunder case is confined to public funds. I am a Canon Lawyer not a civil lawyer. But, one does not have to be a civil lawyer to be able to understand the following Provisions of Section 1, d no. 2 of the Republic Act No. 7080 (An act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder) which states: “By receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickbacks or any other form of pecuniary benefit from any person and/or entity in connection with any government contract or project or by reason of the office or position of the public officer concerned;”

Others have also reacted and said that there are more government officials (GMA included) who should be charged with plunder. To them, I say, gather evidences and file cases. If there is something good that should come out from the guilty verdict on ERAP aside from the triumph of our judicial system, it should be that it stands as a warning to those who hold power and use it to enrich themselves because no matter how powerful they are, the long arms of law will eventually catch them. Our justice system should now be consistent in punishing the guilty no matter how powerful he/she is and no matter how unpopular the decision may be. Dura lex, sed lex.

An Inspiration from Former President Nixon

In his final speech to the White House staff before he resigned, Former President Nixon said:
"Always give your best, never get discouraged, never be petty; always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself."

In the midst of my most recent debacle with some unscrupulous individuals, these words have inspired me aside from the Bible and from my friends' support and comforting words. Indeed, there is no need for me to be discouraged and be continously distraught for in so doing, those people will only win and it will only lead me towards self-destruction.

Taming the Tongue

When I was a little boy my grandmother spiced up our conversation with wise sayings like "Keep your tongue between your teeth" and "Think twice before you speak once." The Scottish people would put it this way: "Keep your tongue a prisoner and your body will go free" and "A long tongue shortens friendships." My mother would also tell us, "Remember, one day you'll answer to God for every word you say."

The Bible mentions many kinds of tongues:
a flattering tongue (Psalm 5:9)
a proud tongue (Psalm 12:3; 73:9)
a lying tongue (Psalm 109:2; Prov. 6:17)
a deceitful tongue (Psalm 120:2)
a perverted tongue (Prov. 10:31; 17:20)
a soothing tongue (Prov. 15:4)
a healing tongue (Prov. 12:18)
a destructive tongue (Prov. 17:4)
a mischievous and wicked tongue (Psalm 10:7)
a soft tongue (Prov. 25:15)
a backbiting tongue (Prov. 25:23)

St. James also talks about the tongue. He says it's a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. He calls the tongue a fire, the very world of iniquity. James says it is untamable, a restless evil full of deadly poison, used both to bless God and to curse men. But James also told us that a man who doesn't stumble in what he says is a perfect(James 3:2-10) man.

I wonder how startled James would be today to find out how much man has "conquered." We've put men into big, fancy tin cans, and shot them off into space. We've sent men into submarines without coming up to the surface for months. Man has had the moon under his feet and he's left his footprints on the ocean floor as well. We've also put some fantastic canisters up into the sky, bouncing our voices off these satellites to countries around the world. Look at how we've harnessed the wind with giant windmills, and made the rivers and waterfalls drive our turbines. What incredible power man has over his world! And yet, he has still not conquered his own tongue.

In James 3: 6 the tongue is called "a sword." This sword has certainly damaged, bruised, wounded, and killed more people than all the swords in all the wars since history began. You've seen it many times. That newly married couple - so lovey-dovey for days and days on end. But one day the fellow lost his temper and slashed into the heart and affections of his wife with uncontrollable anger and with words he might regret forever. But it was said. The damage was done. How often we need to remember that old saying: We cannot call back the arrow we've shot into the air, the water under the bridge, or the spoken word, the bag full of feathers we threw into the air.