Ladies of the Rosary

As the year is about to end soon, it’s worth to recall what had happened in the past. It’s worth to remember! November, it has been said, is a month of remembrance – from saints (canonised or not) to souls of the departed; from those who died in the war (Here in the UK we celebrated “Remembrance Sunday” last 14th November) to those we consider as heroes (30th November is Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary).

Our Filipino Rosary Crusade here in Nottingham North gathered for many evenings last month to pray the Rosary. At the very end of our prayer sheets, are printed the names of women who have inspired me to love and promote the Rosary devotion in the neighbourhood. Although Rosary month is over, I’d like to devote this article to remember and celebrate the lives of these “ladies of the Rosary”.

The first lady on our list is Mrs Benjamina Valdes-Madamba. My paternal grandmother’s youngest sister, Lola Mining (as we call her) was known for her religiosity, particularly her devotion to the Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy. As a little boy, I saw how she took care of having this huge image of Our Lady of Fatima (which I think is now housed at the St Rita Hospital in Tondo) brought to our house (where the Rosary was prayed during the image’s visit). Although it seems ages ago, that event paved the way for me to know more about the house-to-house Rosary devotion (a.k.a. block rosary crusades). The last time I saw Lola Mining was in 2003 before leaving for the UK. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t manage to see her in 2005 when I made a short visit to the Philippines. We only talked over the phone. Months later, she passed away. If she were still alive, she would be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, 18th November.

The second and third ladies hailed from Kawit, Cavite where my siblings and I lived for two years. Mrs Anicia “Ti Annie” Andreus and Ms Julita “Ti Lita” Magadia were both active members of the parish. Ti Annie, as I have mentioned in a previous article, used to be a daily Mass participant and was Edwin’s (a former classmate) mother. I followed her good example! Ti Lita was our block rosary chairman. Every night in October 1985, rain or shine we will be bringing an old image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to houses along Tanggulan Street. Ti Lita, who was also a lector/commentator in church, would always guide whoever leads the prayer in that house while Ti Annie looks after the cassette radio which plays Marian songs during prayers and procession. When we returned to Manila, I still continued to get in touch with them and even joined in some rosary recitation when I can. If I am not mistaken Ti Lita passed away in 2005, while Ti Annie this year.

The last set of ladies were from Gagalangin, Tondo. When we moved back to Manila and resided in our current home, we met Mrs Purificacion “Auntie Puring” Montero (who lived just one house away from ours) who coordinated the block rosary in our barangay. An active member of the Legion of Mary (like Lola Mining), she provided us with guidance and support. When the Bible Outreach Programme (BOP) of Fr Bhong Guerrero came into being in 1993, a reorganisation of block rosaries took place with five families comprising one group. We belonged to a group which was led by Mrs Leonora “Tita Nora” Tudara, mother of Dindo, a former classmate in Letran. The first time an image of the Holy Family (a BOP amendment) was brought to our house, Mama was not around so it fell on my lap to lead the prayers. I thought that was it when Tita Nora asked me to read the Gospel reading for that coming Sunday AND share my reflection on it! I can’t remember exactly the reading, but it has something to do with Christ as Shepherd. In that prayer meeting, was Mrs Dominga “Inso” Viloria whom I have met on a number of occasions in parish events. I managed to share, thanks to divine inspiration! Inso really engaged me as she asked questions on what I was talking about. I think that occasion became a rebirth from me because during that time, I have “laid low” in terms of participating in church activities. For a number of months, I joined in the weekly rosaries meeting new members and being refreshed in prayer and reflection. Auntie Puring was also part of our group and would join us whenever she is in the Philippines.

Later on, Tita Nora turned over the leadership to Mama. I later succeeded Mama in looking after this devotion and was supported by many devotees especially by Inso and Auntie Puring. A few years after Tita Nora stepped down from the leadership, she passed away. In 2003, a few weeks before I left for the UK, Auntie Puring died. Inso soon returned to her true home a year later.

As I remember these ladies, I am full of thanks to God for giving them to me as my examples, as my spiritual mothers. I feel blessed to have been touched by how they bore witness to the faith. May God, through Our Lady of the Rosary, grant them a place in His kingdom!

***

There is a seventh lady I wish to remember: Mrs Rosario “Sister Charing” Dungo who passed away recently. Sister Charing held a number of positions in the Gagalangin Parish. I must say that she “discovered” me as a potential lector/commentator. I just brushed aside the idea when she first mentioned it to me, but the second time she did I cannot say “No” – she has included me in the list for the Flores de Mayo celebration in 1992. Later on, she managed to give me and two other recruits – Richard Leyson and Ester Bunye – a schedule in the Sunday Masses. For some reason, I wasn’t able to thank Sister Charing for her kindness and support. I am still a Mass reader and perhaps the best way to really remember and thank her is to give my best in this ministry. Salamat po, Sister Charing! Rest in Christ’s peace!

The 14th Point

I feel really proud as I looked at photos taken during President Noynoy Aquino’s inaugural last week. I could feel that fresh hope pervading in the country now that it has a new (and duly elected) leader in the person of this unassuming son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, revered icons of our democracy.

On the same day that he was sworn into office, Catholic bishops released a 13-point that the newly-elected president needs to tackle during his administration.

I read through the list and found some very, very familiar areas of concern such as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with extension and reform (CARPer), the rejection of the Reproductive Health Bill, same-sex union, halting of mining and illegal logging, corruption, human rights, the poor’s access to quality education, etc.

I was expecting that they would include the cancellation of payments to debts incurred by the Marcos administration. It is no secret that these debts were immorally done as they did not benefit the nation, but Marcos and his minions.

Since 30 July 1977 (when the dictator signed into law Presidential Decree No. 1177), a part of our national budget has been automatically earmarked to pay the “principal and interest on public debt” (section 31 of PD 1177). Sadly, the late Cory Aquino honored these debts and so payments have been ongoing until now.

40% of our budget is allocated for debt servicing, thus depriving our country from further development, poor families from getting access to a better quality of life, public services such as hospitals, schools, and the like from being able to fully respond to clients’ needs, etc.

40% is 40%!

I agree that we Pinoys believe in the saying that “Ang utang ay dapat bayaran”, but if it was done not for our good and if paying it would prevent us from enjoying what we humans deserve, then it is immoral to pay them! It’s anti-life, if I can rejig a famous by-line from our Church leaders.

I agree that “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap”, but corruption isn’t the only enemy to alleviate poverty. To alleviate poverty, P-Noy must also make sure that funds are appropriated where they are badly needed. He must send marching orders to Congress, when he addresses them on 26 July 2010, to repeal that oppressive law and make strong representations with the IMF-World Bank putting a cap on debt servicing.

If this is done, then at least 3 (i.e. educating the poor, poverty alleviation, and food security) of the 13 points raised by our bishops would have already been sorted.

I am disappointed that our prelates have missed this item when this issue has been staring at them all this time, when they have often spoken in defense of the poor and proclaimed that we are a “Church of the Poor”.

Debt is ‘utang’ in Filipino. If the President does not do something on automatic debt payments, more and more people would be drowned in untold poverty and misery. From their mouths, ‘utang’ would metamorphose into another Filipino word, a curse actually, that P-Noy would not like to hear.

I may not be a bishop, but like them I am also P-Noy’s boss. And so, Mr President, my appeal is: please repudiate debt servicing!

***

I am very sorry to hear the sad news that Mrs Annie Andreus, a long-time friend, neighbour, and perhaps a distant relative in Kawit, Cavite, has passed away. Ti Annie, as we fondly call her (“Ti” is an honorific title Kawiteños use to address their elders such as uncles and aunts.), was an ex-classmate’s mother. When I lived in my aunt’s house (which is a few steps from Ti Annie’s home and sari-sari store), I used to pass by the church before proceeding to the nearby St Mary Magdalene School. I would always see her attending the daily Mass. Later on, I found myself getting up early everyday to participate in the Holy Eucharist – sitting next to her. I carried this practice when we moved back to Manila and whenever I would go to Kawit and attend Mass I was happy to be reunited with her.

If my paternal grandparents introduced me to the Mass, Ti Annie reinforced that practice by her good example and encouragement. Which is why I'm telling our brothers and sisters in the faith, especially the youth: don't get bored of the Mass. Welcome your elders' proddings as a call to prayer, to be in union with the Lord. And as you grow in that upbringing, you will not 'lose' it even if you move to another place.

Thank you, Ti Annie. You have been like a mom to me. May you now enjoy the happiness in the presence of our God whom you have encountered in the daily Mass.

To Edwin and his siblings (Christie, Donna, and Faye), my sincerest condolences.