Ayoko ng Garapal

When we were young, most of us would have heard some of our elders say cuss words. Of course, all of us would become curious what those words mean. One time, I asked my late aunt Mommy Rosie. All she told me was "Piet, ayoko ng garapal." (Piet, I do not like you to be flagrant.) I never heard Mommy say any foul language. Even when she was angry, she would not say any curses. 

A teacher way back home once admitted that it becomes more difficult nowadays to teach good manners and right conduct because young people are exposed to the President's foul language. I totally agree. Remember when he swore at the Pope for causing traffic when the latter visited the Philippines in 2015? Remember his many statements impregnated with vulgarity? As the youth witness how the President conducts himself, whatever and however he speaks and acts become good examples for them.

Ayoko ng garapal.

Lately, the President called God "stupid" in a speech. I could tolerate his foul language, but to call God stupid is highly uncalled for. This is not exercising his free speech, as some of his apologists would put it. It is actually an abuse of such freedom, because his remarks is plain blasphemy. 

Ayoko ng garapal.

It got me thinking why would he call God as such? Was he angry at God or perhaps he was angry with the men of God - bishops and priests of the Catholic Church - whom he has lambasted ever since assuming office? When Fr Mark Ventura of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao was killed, instead of conveying words of sympathy to the family and parishioners, what did Duterte say? He alleged that the priest had illicit affairs! 

Ayoko ng garapal.

Come June 30, it would be Duterte's second year as President. When he was sworn in, what were the last words of his oath? "So help me God" isn't it? As pater familias, he should have known better what invoking God's help meant. Asking for Divine Providence then and calling the same God stupid later is quite contradictory. Similar to his abhorrence to corruption and allowing Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the hallow grounds reserved for the nation's heroes or firing his dishonest friends from one government agency and appointing them to another after the issues against them cool down.

Ayoko ng garapal.

I join fellow Christians - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - in condemning the President's irresponsible remarks. As we condemn such act - we are not condemning the person, take note! - let us reflect on what God has done for us. Surely, there is a reason why we call Him loving, merciful, forgiving, generous, and so on and so forth. I'm sure it's what we experienced from Him. Did Mr Duterte not experience the goodness (or any other attributes) of God? I hope not. At any rate, let's pray that he would be enlightened and realize that there is more to know about God. Let's also become good role models for our youth through our gentle words and good actions. 

Let us remain steadfast in the faith, the way Saints Peter and Paul - whose feast day we are celebrating today - lived, defended, and laid their lives for it.

Gift of Touch

Have you ever experienced being lost for words when you came in front of someone you would like to converse with? It happened to me years ago when I attended a funeral Mass for a deceased relative. I wasn't able to speak to the bereaved family beforehand so I decided to approach the widow after I have received Holy Communion. Dressed in black with a matching black Spanish veil on her head, the widow was on her knees praying. As customary in the Philippines, I held her right hand and placed it on my forehead (a.k.a. Mano po). Strangely, as my eyes met hers, I couldn't say a word. I simply clutched her hand for a few minutes and then went back to my place.  

Years went on, we would bump into each other during special occasions. Those gatherings became a way for me to be in touch with her and her family every time I would visit their town. In 2005, during my first visit back to the Philippines since migrating to the UK, while in church, her youngest son who told me and the rest of my brood who were with me to come and visit her. Luckily, we saw her making her way to church after Mass. Incidentally, as she came in, the choir was singing "Viva Santo Niño", a song she composed for the parish which is sung during the feast of the Santo Niño. She was singing it too as she was walking to the altar to check on her statue of the Holy Child which was on display at that time. We followed and walked with her.  That was the last time I saw her. Returning to the England, I wrote her a letter expressing my delight to have seen her.

Unfortunately, I didn't had the chance to see her in my subsequent visits. As she aged, her memory, I was told, became weak. Later on, she became bedridden. Just after Christmas, she was hospitalized. I was hoping and praying that, if I would come home, I will be able to pay her a visit, to hold her hand, for a blessing and to tell her "I am here".  What I was pining for was shattered. Yesterday afternoon, she passed away.

Lola Urs, thank you for being such a loving and warm grandaunt to me. Thank you for touching my life through your active witnessing to the Lord and your love for culture. I am sorry I wasn't able to see you. I guess God has better plans for you up there. Perhaps a dance with Lolo Tony? Or a trio with Mommy Rosie and Lolo Bert, with Lolo Gusing conducting?  Whatever it is, you are now in a better place. You are now at home. May you rest in peace. May we be inspired by your example to touch the lives of those around us. We love you!

Bokasyon

Good Friday 1985.  Unable to bear the taunts of a few cousins, I cried to Mommy Rosie and told her that I will no longer join in the Pabasa during Holy Week. "Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?" ("Why would you stop when that is your vocation?")  Upon hearing those words, I stopped crying and continued my Lenten devotion until I moved to the UK. (Unfortunately, there are no Pabasa here, although some of us Pinoys have been toying this idea...)

Bokasyon. Vocation. Profession. However we name it, all of us have responded to its calling. Some of us have felt the calling to become priests, doctors, teachers, etc. Apart from one's job, some of us have also felt the calling to marriage or single blessedness. And still, some have also been called to be of service to the Church such as altar servers, lay ministers, choir members, catechists, etc. 

Living one's vocation has its peaks and troughs. At times, we are full of life and enthusiasm and people are cheering for us. But there have also been moments when our efforts seem fruitless or others denigrate us. And we want to bail out. 

Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?

There are also moments when vocation is eclipsed by personal ambition. Take for example our politicians whose calling is to serve the people, but have enriched themselves at the expense of the public. Or the clergy whose vocation is to tend the flock, but have sexually abused children who look up to them as their spiritual fathers. In our own lives, we may have experienced being torn between our calling and our own agenda. And we want to bury our heads in the sand.

Bakit ka titigil eh bokasyon mo yun?

A story goes that when the Christians in Rome were being harshly persecuted, St Peter tried to flee.  Along the way, he met Christ and he asked the Lord "Quo vadis, Domine?" (Where are you going, Lord?) To which, Jesus replied " "Romam eo iterum crucifigi ("I am going to Rome to be crucified again").  Upon hearing the Lord's response, St Peter came to his senses and went back to Rome where he met his end.  He could have ignored the Lord, he could have ditched his mission and go back to become a fisherman, but he didn't. Why? Because Jesus called him to be a fisher of people!

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, let us draw inspiration from these two big brothers of the Church who never stopped in listening to their calling "in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword".

As most of you may already know, this great feast coincides with my beloved aunt's death anniversary. Mommy Rosie, I couldn't thank you enough for posing to me that question. Whenever I feel down, that question motivates me to soldier on.  May God, who called you to be a loving mom to us all, call you now to enjoy His grace and peace in heaven.  We love you!

Post-referendum Thoughts

Last Thursday night, my eyes were eagerly glued on the telly as the results of the EU referendum in the UK begin to unravel. Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on the southern end of the Iberian peninsula, delivered its votes with 95% in favour of remain. Then came a few local government units in the country with results still favouring remain. Until it was Sunderland's turn to deliver its votes. I switched off the telly without any clue of who will win. Morning came with Leave votes garnering 51.9% vs. Remain votes with 48.1%.

A domino effect followed: David Cameron announced that he is stepping down as Prime Minister, the pound plunged against its counterparts (i.e. dollars, euros, etc.), the Conservative and Labour Parties (two main political parties here) are in turmoil, and Scotland and Northern Ireland (who both voted Remain) reignited their cause for independence. Worse of all, an atmosphere of hatred has been fostered by some quarters who took the referendum results as a license to demonstrate their bigotry. I think this was fuelled by the Leave campaigners capitalising on the EU immigration/free movement issue policy.

There's a news item about a Polish centre being vandalised by still unidentified bigots. Then there's this group of men ganging up on a Muslim woman shouting "Out, out, out!". Still another story of someone saying in a patronising way how sorry he is that the person next to him is leaving the country. On telly, I saw a man getting out of his car - in the middle of the road, mind you!- just to tell another man from an ethnic minority group to get out of the country. The other man retorted that he is a British citizen. The racist countered that the other man's accent isn't British! 

In my former job, many years back, I had a phone caller who didn't believe that I was based in Nottingham for the absurd reason that my accent wasn't Nottingham. Still, I maintained my composure throughout the call, but reported it to my manager afterwards. My manager told me to make a note of it and put the call through to him if this racist customer calls again and doesn't behave himself.

Cameron will soon have his successor. Ditto Jeremy Corbyn (Labour Party Leader). The pound and UK shares are currently showing signs of progression which is good. However, racism is an issue that we should keep an eye on.  What I loved in the UK ever since I came here 13 years ago was that its people welcomed and valued those from ethnic minorities. Unless such racist acts are tackled head-on, the country will end up in oblivion.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, writes: "Racism and hatred must never be tolerated, but there is no need for fear...We need to grasp again our basic sense of purpose; in living together, creating together and fashioning a society. It is that sense of purpose that we may have lost focus of; believing that the purpose of politics is to manipulate power; the purpose of business is simply to make profit for a few. This challenge has been with us for a while now.  Our purpose must be our common good, the good of all with no one excluded. Our politicians have to deal with their issues, businessmen and banks with their issues, but the fundamental purpose is to build a world in which strength is used for service and no one is excluded."

I learned that the referendum results is mere advisory and that withdrawal of the UK from the EU is in the hands of Parliament by repealing the 1972 European Communities Act. This is the law which took UK to be part of the EU. By the looks of it, a general election I think seems to be in order, to start afresh if you like since, as one politician confessed "They (i.e. the public) don't believe us". Whether that will happen or not, I hope and pray that our leaders in government would have the wisdom and courage to think of what is best for the country in the aftermath of this historical referendum. As Cardinal Nichols would put it: "The great challenge for those leading the nation now is to speak for everyone. If a victory in a referendum remains a point of division, then we become weaker and weaker as a nation and not play a part in the international scene tackling the world’s problem, which are great and challenging."

In these challenging times, my late grandmother's exhortation comes into fore: "Hanapin mo ang kalooban ng Diyos. Sabihin mo lagi 'Panginoon, ituro mo sa akin ang kalooban Mo'". (Search for the will of God. Always say, 'Lord teach me Your will').

***

Best wishes to my aunt Lilia Reyes who will be celebrating her 83rd birthday tomorrow!  In my book, Tia Lils is an apostle of Mercy. During those troubling times of my childhood, she welcomed my siblings and I into their home and treated us as her own. The years we stayed with them are memorable and inspiring.  I look forward to see her and her family soon. God bless you, Tia Lils! We love you!

***

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the late Norma Quevedo-Javier and Tita Almeida.

Auntie Norma belonged to the first batch of Midwifery students who graduated from St Rita Hospital in the early 50s. She would later work in the Accounting Department (in the same institution) until she retired in 1993. A soft spoken, hardworking, and religious lady, we would often chat about the intricacies of life. "Never attack a priest," was one of her advice to me. When I was coordinating the religious activities of the hospital, she gave me the moral support I needed. She passed away yesterday.

Auntie Tita lived a few house away from ours in Gagalangin. We learned more about her through the Rosary devotion in our barangay. At first she came across as a reserved person, but gradually she participated more and more in the devotion. Eventually, she was voted Treasurer of the Queen of Families Rosary Group. She once told my mother and I that she would have preferred to be an ordinary member, but she couldn't say no to our perseverance. She passed away on 11 June.

May God bless their kind souls.

***

I dedicate my final note to my late aunt Mommy Rosie Samaniego whose 18th death anniversary occurs today. Mommy Rosie's love for her nephews and nieces knew no bounds. I happily recall her kind words and actions especially as we celebrate the Year of Mercy. I pray for her soul's eternal repose, full of hope in the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7).







A Sunday with the Pope

Being in Rome, for me, would be incomplete without seeing the Pope.  During our first trip to the Eternal City, we didn't get that chance to see Pope Benedict XVI - we arrived a day after the general audience and then we heard that he was on a pastoral visit in another part of Italy.  

The papacy has been an important part of our Christian faith.  It traces its roots from St Peter the Apostle who was chosen to lead His Church.  Because of his role as our spiritual leader, we Catholics fondly call the Pope as Holy Father.  

February 23, a day after the Consistory.  I woke up at 5:30am. After having a light breakfast, we made our way to St Peter's Basilica.  We met  some aunts and a lone uncle from the Valdes Family along the way. Tia Dulce Valdes-Barangan and I were teasing each other for we came early this time! There was already a queue at the piazza. My uncle and godfather Noel Valdes looked for some relatives who may already be lining up. Chiara went with him.  Just a few minutes and he was waving his hand to us.  People were in a huddle as we all waited for the doors of the church to be open.  Chiara was enjoying her time with her great uncles, great aunts, and other relatives.  Nidz, Jackie, and I were next to another uncle (and godfather) Paulino "Sonny" Albano, Papa's oldest brother, the patriarch of the Valdes-Albano clan.  Ninong Sonny was recalling stories of how he heard about Tito Orly's appointment as a cardinal.  I asked him how we became related with the Cardinal as I thought it was through the Beltran side (Cardinal Quevedo's middle name is Beltran; the same surname as my great great grandmother's when she was still single). My uncle explained that it was through the Edralin-Estavillo side; his grandmother (Hilaria Estavillo-Albano) and the Cardinal's grandmother were cousins.

Men smartly dressed approached all those in the queue to remind them of their tickets.  Some of the guests such as Ninong Sonny and his wife Ninang Noemi had special tickets. They were asked to follow the men as they have reserved seats in the basilica. 

The church doors were now open. People slowly made their way passing through security checks. As we entered the basilica, I was pointing Chiara to some statues and pictures.  Ushers were distributing Mass booklets for all churchgoers.  We chose seats near the aisle to have a good view of the Pope. We were quite near the statue of St Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of Nurses. (Just a few days before this occasion, we visited his mortal remains at the Church of St Mary Magdalene situated near the Pantheon.) Filipinos from Cotabato, Tito Orly's archdiocese, sat next to us. For some reason, I didn't see Papa, my sisters Nicola and Kristina, and some other relatives from where we were. I later managed to see my 2 sisters who were sat near to us.

Cardinals and bishops started to arrive. Tito Orly approached a few of us before making his way to the sacristy. In preparation for the Mass, the Rosary was recited. Each mystery was announced in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. The prayers though were in Latin.  Afterwards, the choir led in singing the Salve Regina.  Chiara, with a prodding from her mom, joined in the singing - this caught the attention of my aunt Ching Valdes-Aran and an Italian woman who were both sat in front of us.  Towards the last few lines of the song, I suddenly remembered Lolo Paul, Lola Piling, and Mommy Rosie - all three taught me how to sing this song. I couldn't sing any more.  I just felt my eyes wet.

Mass followed immediately.  I held my breath as well as Nidz's mobile phone while waiting for Pope Francis walk along the aisle. Altar servers, cardinal-concelebrants, and finally the Holy Father.  Pope Francis came across as a simple man. His green vestments and miter were not as ornate as his predecessor's. These simple apparel were matched by the papal ferula - a silver cross used by Pope Paul VI. As he walked past us, I made the sign of the cross. I felt blessed! 

On the right hand side of the basilica, I could see the statue of St Peter sat on a chair. One of the feet of this statue is worn out because of the many pilgrims touching it. During the Consistory, the statue was dressed like a medieval pope with a tiara and cape.  Personally, I would prefer an undressed statue.  First of all, St Peter would not have dressed like that. Second, let's keep things consistent with Pope Francis' simplicity.

The Mass was in Latin, but the booklet has provided English and Italian translations. (I wish though that the Mass was said in Italian. Ditto the Rosary. Italian, unlike Latin, is a living language.) Some readings and prayers were in other languages. The verses of the Psalm were in English. One of the prayers in the Prayer of the Faithful was in Filipino!  The Pope, having only 1 lung, recited all the presidential prayers.  In spite of that, his homily - although in Italian - was full of power. He spoke about the Holy Spirit, underscoring our calling to listen to Him "...who enlivens the Church".  He also mentioned the importance of holiness in the ministry of a cardinal. Furthermore, he reminded that cardinals enter the Church of Rome and not a royal court. To illustrate his point, he enjoined all cardinals to "...avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality". Towards the end of the homily, he asked everyone for prayers "that the College of Cardinals may always be ever more fervent in pastoral charity and filled with holiness, in order to serve the Gospel and to help the Church radiate Christ’s love in our world".

After the Mass, we once again huddled near the aisle again to catch a glimpse of the Pope.  As he got nearer to us, some from the crowd shouted "Papa! Papa! Papa!".  This caught his attention and he smiled! 

We proceeded to the piazza for the Sunday Angelus led by the Pope. We met Nicola there as well as Ninong Sonny and Ninang Noemi. While waiting for the Angelus, Chiara had a photo op with an Asian bishop.

When the clock struck 12, we saw the Pope from a far distance (in a window on the papal apartments).  I think the location where the Holy Father leads this Marian prayer should be changed to make him more nearer the people. Being on a window of the apartment where he doesn't reside still shows trappings of medieval power. Why not the balcony of the basilica?

In his message, the Pope mentioned that "in Jesus Christ we are all children of God!" and that "Those who have received a ministry to lead, preach and administer the Sacraments should not consider themselves as possessing special powers, as masters; rather, they should place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to pursue the path of holiness with joy". He later asked people to assist the new cardinals through their prayers: "Pray for us, that we might be good servants: good servants, not good masters!" All of us together....must offer the witness of a Church that is faithful to Christ, animated by the desire to serve the brethren, and ready to go out with prophetic courage to meet the expectations and spiritual needs of the men and women of our time".

It's almost a year when Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope by his brother cardinals.  His first act was to ask people to pray for him.  Let's renew our support to the Holy Father - he really needs it considering the many challenges he is facing: clergy sexual abuse, role of women in the Church, reform of the Roman Curia, family life, to name a few.

Heartfelt greetings, prayers, and best wishes, Pope Francis on the occasion of the first anniversary of your pontificate!  May the Good Shepherd continue to strengthen you so that you may "Feed my lambs...Take care of my sheep...Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17). Viva il Papa Francesco! Noi ti amiamo!

When the Donkey Gets the Spotlight

Part of our vacation in California this Christmas was to participate in the Maytinis celebration in Chula Vista on December 14, 2013.  Kawit natives who have migrated to South California have brought with them cherished home town traditions such as the Maytinis. It is the annual Christmas Eve celebration in Kawit having as its main feature the Panunuluyan - Mary and Joseph's unfruitful search for a place where to give birth to Jesus.  The lyrics of the Panunuluyan are sung by its perfomers - Joseph, Mary, the kaseros (landlords), and the angel.

Chiara was invited by my first cousin Mr. Robert "Manong Bob" Shroder to perform as one of the angels who will sing the "Coros Villancicos" (a Spanish Christmas carol) on stage.  Manong Bob has been the Musical Director of the Maytinis since he moved to the States.  Prior to that, he held the same position in Kawit, Cavite which he inherited from our grandfather the late Augusto “Lolo Gusing” Samaniego Sr.

Months before out trip, I taught the song to my unica hija. It was a bit challenging for both of us because this was her first time to sing in Spanish.  I was amazed that she learned the song quickly!

During the rehearsal at the Rancho del Rey Middle School, I brought Chiara to Mrs. Aida ‘Ti Aida’ Bautista, the Artistic Director.    Ti Aida told me and Chiara to take our seats and she'll call Chiara when it's her time to practice.  While seated I felt that something would happen.  I just don't know what.

Manong Bob arrived shortly and had a chat with Ti Aida.  I was sat next to my uncle Augusto Samaniego Jr. when my cousin called me in front. He asked if I could perform as Joseph because the person who was supposed to do it has been unable to do so.  At first I was hesitant, but through my cousin's prodding and encouragement, I finally gave my fiat.  Ti Aida handed me a copy of the script and introduced me to Miss Ashley Zaveyan who will be performing as Mary.  Ashley was very supportive and easy to work with. I learned that she has been doing this role for a few years already.  

Our rehearsal began.  Although I have learned the tune since I was a boy - thanks to Manong Bob's mom and my aunt, the late Mommy Rosie (who used to be the Cantora Mayor of the Maytinis in Kawit) - I haven't learned how to syllabicate the lyrics properly. Manong Bob patiently guided me. Ashley suggested that I use a pen to highlight lyrics on my script.  After the practice, I asked St. Joseph's help that I may do justice to the role.  I also read through the script and highlighted lyrics where the stress is required.

Then came the big day.  The school auditorium was teeming with life. Manong Bob was already rehearsing with the band when I arrived.  He later asked me and Ashley if we could have a final dry run.  As there were still some song numbers performed before the Maytinis, I sat in one corner internalizing my role.  My wife helped me out with my costume.  A few people approached me to give words of encouragement or appreciation.  I also met some relatives or friends whom I have not seen for ages.  Hours later, it was show time!  

It was a humbling experience to ask for shelter and then to be turned down by the kaseros.  I was about to shed tears.  After being rejected, the angel led me and my partner to a stable. There, we would be in front of a statue of the Baby Jesus.  I fixed my gaze on that statue, thanking the Lord for being born for us and for guiding all performers in this event.  I couldn't see Chiara from where I was located - she was actually just a few steps from me. However, I could hear her wonderful voice and that made me one such proud dad!

Christmas came with a surprise for me.  Portraying the role of my patron saint was too lofty for me. I prefer to be Joseph's donkey (or his toolbox).   During the Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent (Dec. 22), the priest mentioned in his homily that we should not be afraid, but believe and trust God (just like Joseph and Mary) in any undertaking He calls us. During the Mass on the feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 29), our parish priest mentioned Joseph's openness and humility to do God's will. Regardless if we are donkeys or whatever names we call ourselves, God believes us! Let's get rid of what holds us back from serving Him. To Him be the glory!

I'm thankful for my family, Manong Bob, Ti Aida, Ashley, and other co-performers for their support to me and Chiara.  This would surely be an event we'll treasure in our hearts forever.

Thank you too Mommy Rosie and Lolo Gusing.  Through the exposure they have provided when I was a boy, they have prepared me for this role.  May God bless their kind souls.  Long live Maytinis!

***

Christmas is a time to be with the family.  We have been blessed this year to have spend it with my mother, my uncle Augusto and his family, and Manong Bob and his family.  The last time I saw my uncle was 15 years ago and we spent a considerable number of enjoyable and fun days in their home in San Diego.  Chiara told me before she went to sleep how she misses them, especially my cousins Zyrille and Melanie Samaniego.  I share the same feeling. I look forward to be reunited with them soon.

I'm also grateful for Jackie and Ernie Rapada and family who have welcomed us in their place in Long Beach and who have taken us to various places during our holiday.  Thanks too to Mama Cora Rapada (Ernie's mom) and family as well as Lyn and Noel Domanguera and family who were our hosts in Las Vegas.  

May God bless you all!  Till we meet again!

***

Happy Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!  May all families possess Jesus' unconditional love and humility, Mary's strong faith, and Joseph's reliable obedience!

Saan Ka Man Naroroon

Devotion to the Faithful Departed (a.k.a. Holy Souls) has been embedded in our faith as Catholic Christians. We offer Masses and other prayers for the dead. We visit our loved ones' graves on special occasions.  For Catholic Pinoys, Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day), is a spectacle as we flock to cemeteries to pay tribute to the dead in a festive way.

I recall the many childhood years when my late aunt Mommy Rosie Samaniego would tag me along to 2 religious events devoted to the dead.  The first one is the Rosario Cantada, an old practice in Kawit, Cavite which some families would offer for their dead on occasions such as the pasiyam (Novena for the dead) or 40 days.  (This practice per se is not only held for the dead.  The outgoing Ina, during those days, would have the Rosario Cantada in her house on the night before she and the Ama turn over their responsibilities to their successors.) 

As the name suggests, Mommy and her fellow cantoras (lady singers) would chant the Rosary.  Musical accompaniment is provided by Lolo Gusing and his colleagues.  I don't recall exactly the lyrics, but I have a gut feeling that they were in Latin.  Due to migration abroad and/or death of singers or musicians, I think this devotion became defunct. I wish this could be revived.

Another act of piety which Mommy used to do was to sing during the Funeral Masses in Kawit. Her favourite song was "Saan Ka Man Naroroon" (Wherever You Are), a Tagalog kundiman (love song) composed by National Artist Levi Celerio.  This song was sung during Communion or when people are placing flowers on the casket, as what has been the practice before the burial.  Mommy would change the word sinta from time to time.  If the dead is an elder male, she would use the word "Itay" or "Ama". If it is an elder female, it is "Inay" or "Ina".  There were, as far as I could remember, two funerals when Mommy didn't sing it: during the Mass for Tito Carling (her younger brother) and Lolo Gusing.

Apart from this beautiful song, I was also exposed to the beauty of Kawit's liturgy for the dead such as the priest welcoming the dead and their bereaved at the door of the church, the incensing of the casket, and (during the late Msgr Hernando Godoy's time) the chanting of Requiem aeternam (Eternal rest). I learned the responses by heart so much so that during Mommy's wake, I managed to respond to Msgr Godoy's Latin prayers. 

I was told that there were other good practices for the dead (such as the priest joining the procession to the church and to the cemetery) that used to be in vogue, but have been put in the back burner.  I'm thankful that Mommy showed me what remains of such wonderful tradition.

After the Mass, we would join the rest of the mourners to the cemetery in Barangay Wakas on foot.  There was one incident that I won't forget one time we attended a funeral.  The neighbourhood barber passed away.  During the interment, it rained that the cemetery was muddy.  I saw some kids bigger than me stepped on a big slab of stone. So I followed them. Because of our weight, the slab broke!  Meanwhile,the sepultureros (gravediggers) were looking for a slab that was needed to seal the grave.  They have already cemented 2 together. Suddenly, someone noticed us stepping on the missing slab!  Mommy was so embarrassed and apologised profusely for our naughtiness.

In the family bereavements, Mommy wasn't the weepy type of person.  Though I may have seen her shed and wipe a tear, she exuded confidence and strength of character.  I've also seen her comfort those who are mourning, not thinking so much of her own grief.

Watching the videos that Manong Bob (her only son) took during her last moments on earth, she faced death with calmness and grace drawn from the Risen Lord Jesus. 

Saan ka man naroon, Mommy, thank you for being such a good example of how we should be devoted to those who have gone before us.  May we also show them the love and gratitude you have rendered them.

Here's a tribute to you on your birth anniversary this November 11. May you rest in peace!

LOL!

One evening, Chiara and I were at the dining room. She was busy watching some kids' show through her BlackBerry Tablet while I was concentrating on a article for the web. Suddenly, she laughed quite loudly.  At first, I was annoyed, but thought to myself: "When was the last time I laughed out loud?". I realized I haven't been laughing as frequently as I used to be.

Filipinos are usually a happy people.  We smile, we laugh, we make jokes out of almost anything to the point that it can become offensive to individuals and other cultures. There was a joke during the Martial Law years that went like this. There were two people on board a plane. One of them said to the other, "Throw money from the plane so that people would be happy." "No," said the other, "Throw Marcos out of the plane and that will make the people happy!"

As a people we have a funny bone that could easily be tickled by the likes of Dolphy (RIP), TVJ (Tito, Vic, and Joey), Vice Ganda, etc. Making us laugh, I found out isn't just comedians' job. Even politicians and men of the cloth have devised ways to draw laughter from their audience. What's this on Facebook about a joke made by the feisty Senator Mirian Defensor-Santiago? "Kung mahal mo ang isang tao, ipaglaban mo. Kung dalawa ang mahal mo, paglabanin mo."

There is an incident that happened when I was a teenager that still makes me laugh out loud every time I remember it:

Mommy Rosie paid her older sister Tia Lils a visit.  When she was about to leave, Tia Lils asked us 4 boys -- my brother Gio, my cousins Erwin and Eldin (Tia Lils' sons), and I - to get Mommy a tricycle as she needs to go to another place.  No one seemed interested to go out and walk about 40-45 yards away to get a tricycle. Besides, it was quite a sunny, hot afternoon.  Later, I realized nothing's going to happen if all of us would ignore my aunt's request. So I walked to the tricycle station and got a vehicle for my aunt.  As I was approaching the house, I saw Tia Lils outside. When I got down from the tricycle, she told me that Mommy has left - riding a tricycle that someone else brought (I think it was Gio or Erwin who beat us to it!). She wasn't finished talking when we saw another tricycle making its way to the house with Eldin on it!  Instead of being crossed, my aunt and us just laughed at our folly!

It has been said that "Laughter is the best medicine".  If it is, then we should have more of it, otherwise life would be an unbearable burden. 

***

A few days ago, I received a letter from Sr. Mary Francis O'Connor, a nun from the Convent of Poor Clares in Arundel. She used to be Mother Mary Francis when she was the Abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery in Bulwell. I printed her a copy of my article last week. She wrote:

"It was good to hear of all you are doing on your...is it 'web site', it must be helping many people. May God bless and help you in your work for Him. There is so much harmful rubbish published today."

Thanks, Sister!

Tito Otie

"Maaalalahanin ang kapatid kong yan" (My sibling is really thoughtful.), Mommy Rosie told a colleague. She was referring to her older brother, Rustico "Tito Otie" Samaniego.  She further explained that Tito Otie would often travel from Caloocan (and later from Las Pinas when his brood moved there) to Kawit just to check how his folks (i.e. father, siblings, etc.) were doing.

When we were kids, we feared Tito Otie because he comes across as a strict and serious uncle.  I remember one time we went to Bataan for the town fiesta. He was my room mate.  At the middle of the night, I suddenly woke up because he sneezed.  I laughed until he told me to pack it in.

We used to visit their place in Morning Breeze Subdivision in Caloocan since it's quite near to Tondo.  I think I would spend the weekend with him, Tita Erling, and their kids - Manong Don, Manang Mae, and Manang Ping.  Mommy Rosie and Manong Bob also lived with them.  Christmas is a perfect time to be there, for me, because he loves to display the Belen (Nativity Scene) in their living room.  One could see how creative he is as to how this traditional religious Christmas décor comes alive. I saw Tito Otie's human side when he got sick and told me that he might not be able to put up the Belen.  As a kid, I kept wondering and asked if others could do it.  He did get well and was able to continue the tradition.  In our latest visit at home in 2010, I was happy to see his Belen  when we paid him and Tita Erling a visit.

Tito Otie is not an extravagant type of person.  He once told me that it's not how much you earn that is important; it's how much you save. And that saving will see us through when the going gets tough.

As I see it, he is a faithful lover and disciple of history.  He can trace how we are related to this or that person.  He is affiliated too with the Kawit Historical Society.  He values culture which is why during big events in Kawit such as Maytinis or Holy Week, you'd expect him to be there. During Maytinis, particularly when the Coros Villancicos is sung, he would play his batingting (triangle). 

One can also engage with him in discussions on culture, current events and other issues besetting society. There was a time I heard him sharing his thoughts with the late Fr Luciano Paguiligan (former parish priest of Kawit) on how we could prevent any mishaps in church while the Belen is displayed there - he once had a first hand experience of how the Belen in church would have been razed to the ground had he not seen smoke coming from the stable due to an electrical fault!    

I have developed an interest in a few of his areas of interest (e.g. history, culture, social issues, theology, etc.), except for dancing of which he is the master!

Tito Otie is a conscientious family man.  Together with Tita Erling, they nurtured their children to the best of their abilities.  He also is a doting grandfather and I loved to watch him as he cradled in his arms Abby and Elaine years ago. 

It was his initiative that, every time we gather for the Noche Buena after the Midnight Mass, he would give distribute his pamasko to everyone.  When Lolo Gusing (his dad) was still alive, Tito Otie would ask him to distribute the gifts. When we were in our late teens, I felt a bit ashamed to receive my gift, but Tito Otie made me, my brother Gio, and cousins Erwin and Eldin at ease. 

When I was about to graduate in UST, he paid for my graduation portrait as his gift for me.  I could see the happiness and pride in his face as he shook my hands to congratulate me.  

I later found out how complimentary Tito Otie is.  When he hears how anyone of nephews and nieces were good in school, he would say "(A)ba!" (Wow).  He shows the same attitude to other people.  This affirmation I witnessed again when he made a sign of the cross on Nidz and I a few weeks after our wedding. He did it again when he proudly showed our aguinaldo to others in one our Christmas visits in the Philippines. I felt humbled by his gesture. 

Tito Otie is truly a father who journeyed with me and with the rest of the clan through thick and thin.  I learned a lot from that journey. Disciplining us when we were kids, Tito Otie pruned us. As we grew up, he is still there not as much as a disciplinarian, but as an advocate, an inspiration, a source of strength and wisdom saying: "Be fruitful!".

Happy 82nd birthday, Tito Otie! Thank you for being such a thoughtful uncle to me.  Your words of wisdom and care are much appreciated.  May God bless you always! We love you!

Lola Urs

The rich heritage and faith of the St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Kawit, Cavite would not be complete without mentioning the name of Ursula V. Tria Tirona-Castro whose natal day will be celebrated on June 18.

The fifth child and second daughter of Carlos Tria Tirona and Rosalia "Lola Chaling" Vida (Lola Chaling was my great grandmother Valentina "Lola Tinay" Samaniego's first cousin), Lola Urs (as we call her) was a church organist who looked after the parish's Schola Cantorum.  In collaboration with the late Fr. San Juan, Lola Urs composed the "Awit kay Santa Maria Magdalena" which has been sung on Thursdays (the day of devotion to the saint) and in July (when the patronal feast is held). She is also the composer of other religious songs such as "Viva Santo Niño" (sung in January) and "Matamis na Birhen" (sung in May).  Together with Dr Ching Alto-Agahan, she translated the "Coros Villancicos" (sung during Maytinis) into Tagalog. 

Lola Urs was also an active member/officer of a number of church organizations such as the Cofradia Sagrada Familia which is responsible for the annual Maytinis celebrations. She was the "Ina" (Female Principal Sponsor) in 1973 (I was still in my mother's womb then!).   

When I began to watch and later help out in the Panunuluyan (Maytinis' main attraction) with my aunt Mommy Rosie, I always saw Lola Urs serving as Commentator for the Midnight Mass (In those times, she was the commentator whenever the Cofradia hosts the Mass).  She was excellent in giving instructions to people, encouraging them to sing, and in supporting those doing the readings (e.g. the Ama't Ina).  There were moments when she would literally stay next to the readers (or if they're in a different lectern, stay on the mic and act as prompter) as some of them seem to have altar fright! (I remember one Ama asking her something, unmindful that he is already being heard by a host of churchgoers. Or an Ina who read something that Lola Urs has already done - it was actually an introduction to the reading!)  

One summer long time ago, after the Mass, my mother and I went near the sanctuary to pray for our departed relatives (There is a long standing custom in Kawit that right after Mass there is an opportunity for people to gather and pray for their dead loved ones). Lola Urs, bringing the prayer booklet, suddenly announced "Pietro is going to lead us today". As this was my first time to lead, I struggled to enunciate the prayer, let alone 'compete' with those who knew the prayer by heart that they recite it as though they're on a horse ride.  She stood by my side patiently and slowly recited the prayer to keep me at ease.

An alumna of the Far Eastern University Conservatory of Music, Lola Urs is a Lyric Coloratura which, according to her youngest son Sancho "...is a finer differentiation among sopranos". Tito Sancho also told me that she participated in vaudeville programs in theaters in Manila during the Japanese Occupation as well as sang Japanese songs in radio shows. She was the "ghost singer" for post war movie actresses such as Susan Magalona and Dina Valle.

What fascinated me most with Lola Urs was not  so much her religious fervour nor her musical prowess, although these used to be what I admire about her.  Tito Sancho recalled that she had a promising career right in front of her when she decided to give it up to be a full time mother of 7 children.   Indeed, there comes a time when each of us are faced with similar situations. Which one will be our top priority?

There are 2 important values that we could learn from Lola Urs:

1.  Family first.  There is a temptation nowadays where we tend to be magaling to other people, but not to our own.  Lola Urs' sacrifice has bore fruit - all her children are professionals and have been serving the Church/community in many ways.  Her first daughter, Sr Caritas Maria belongs to the famous Pink Sisters. Others such as Tita Paulyn, Tita Stella, and Tito Sancho are lectors/commentators in the parish.

2. Performers are good, but we need nurturers.  You may be talented, highly skilled, or religious, but if you don't nurture those around you, what's the point of having these attributes? "Faith without action is dead", wrote St James.  Mommy Rosie, when she was still alive, related to me the moments how Lola Urs supported her as a choir member of Schola Cantorum. She was close to Lola Urs who once intimated to her husband Lolo Tony how she loved Mommy. I think Schola became a training ground for Mommy so she could later assume the role of Cantora Mayor for the Maytinis and Holy Week celebrations.

Happy 90th Birthday, Lola Urs! To have reached such a venerable age is truly a blessing.  May you continue to nurture us so that we may become authentic witnesses of the Lord, singing together His praises forever! God bless you more! We love you!

Me Time

It's just a day before Holy Week as I write this piece. Amidst the snow that has been pouring unabatedly from the skies since the wee hours of the morning,  I read with interest today's Gospel reading wherein Jesus hid Himself in a place called Ephraim before proceeding to Jersulem to be hailed as King on Palm Sunday and condemned as a criminal on Good Friday. As He hid in the desert before His public ministry, so He hid in Ephraim (which so happened to be near the desert) before the start of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

 

In spite of being a busy, itinerant preacher cum healer, Jesus made sure He had that 'me time'. Jesus was always in communion with His Father.  His disciples would attest how they found Him in a deserted place praying or how He Himself encouraged them to go to a deserted place to rest. For Jesus, rest is important even if it's a brief one. 

 

During my first retreat ages ago, the retreat master explained to us that  just as soldiers in war retreat to assess themselves and make a better plan of action, so must we examine ourselves and make better our conduct in life. By going 'on retreat' to Ephraim, Jesus wanted to give a closer and harder look at what He has already done and how He could have made it better so as to fulfill the Father's will. 

 

For a couple of Thursdays, I have been visiting the Blessed Sacrament at the St Barnabas Cathedral, a few minutes' walk from where I work.  The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for a few hours and then towards the end of the vigil, a basket full of pieces of paper with names of sick and dying persons is placed near the altar.  Once this is done, the Rosary is recited. 

 

On the first Thursday that I made the visit, I was a bit hesitant to stay on. I was thinking that I need to have my lunch. I was thinking of the long list I have to do in the office. My mind was trying to go somewhere else.  Yet, for some reason, the lovely countenance of the exposed Blessed Sacrament held me to stay put.  When the sacred host was put back in the tabernacle, I left the cathedral refreshed.

 

I'm very grateful to the Lord for giving me the chance to visit Him. I felt that this is one of the devotions that I have neglected for a number of years already.  I wish to carry it on, with God's grace and blessing. It was indeed a 'Me Time' for me. A chance to present my poor, humble self to the Lord and allow Him to clothe me in His love.  Though we are sinners, it is still His love that conquers all. It's His love that matters!

 

God keeps on calling us no matter what or when.  He's there in the quiet of our hearts. As we usher in Holy Week, let's be more attentive to the Lord's invitation. One with Jesus, our Saviour and King, let's return to the Father's embrace and be empowered so that we may lovingly welcome the Judas, Barabas, Hestas (if I may borrow Dona Delila's common expression) in our midst, fearlessly face the mob that is eager to devour us, and patiently carry our crosses.

 

***

 

Today marks the 44th death anniversary of a grandmother that I have never known, save for some accounts told and retold by my elders: Laureana "Lola Osay" Samaniego, my mother's mother.  I was told that Lola Osay used to chant the Pasyong Mahal in the village chapel in Wakas, Kawit, Cavite.  That was a devotion she passed on to Mommy Rosie (Mama's older sister). Mommy Rosie would later pass it on to me.  In a way, her faith continues to thrive in her heirs.  May God bless your kind soul, Lola Osay! We love you.

 

 

 

Abiding Gaze

Chiara wasn't feeling well these past few days and this may be due to the side effects of her most recent vaccine.  Gone were the days when she was a little baby that her Mom could hold and won't move but just cry when pricked by the injection. She's now more sensible - by the time she sat on her Mom's lap and I hold on her thigh, she started to say "No!"
Early this morning, she woke up crying, looking for her Mom (who was on night duty).  I have to cuddle her so she could go back to sleep.  For some reason, I couldn't sleep even when she was already snoring!  I suddenly recalled what my own mother once told me. When I was still a little boy and was ill, my late aunt Rosalina 'Mommy Rosie' Samaniego looked after me.  What touched my heart was that, according to my Mom, Mommy Rosie didn't sleep the whole time she was there for me! How she managed that is something I couldn't make sense of the first time I heard of it.  Incidentally, today is her 14th Death Anniversary.

Mommy Rosie's sterling dedication, not only in that incident, but in the many other incidents that perhaps I must have written in previous articles, reminded me of two great men called to look after the community of Jesus' believers, the Church: the Apostles Peter and Paul whose feastday is also celebrated today.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter led the Church as its first pope while Paul was its ambassador spreading the Good News through the many countries he travelled to. Their formidable tandem has been instrumental in the life of the early Church and even in our present times. They were human beings with their own frailties, but because they put their trust in God they faithfully carried out their roles till the end.

In at least two churches I've seen in the Philippines (one in the parish church of Kawit, Cavite and another in Sta Cruz, Manila), the statues of Saints Peter and Paul stand on each side of the church's patron as though they were its honour guards or trustworthy companions.  (I once dreamed of having their statues put on each side of St Joseph's statue in the main altar of Gagalangin.  Imagine the two princes of the Church flanking the patron of the Universal Church!)

Mommy Rosie has kept a watchful eye on her family to the point of forgetting herself.  She was always there for us, a help close at hand.  She didn't rely on her own efforts, but more so on the grace of the Lord that she has served faithfully.  I'm pretty much sure we could count on her abiding gaze now that she is enjoying the bliss called heaven.

Keeping Up the Faith

Latin and Music. These were two things I have learned from Mommy Rosie. I learned Latin from her not because she was an expert in that dead language, but she had a missal which was in vogue years ago (even before I was born) when the Mass was said in Latin. So words like “Dominus vobiscum” and “Deo gratias” come to mind. Furthermore, some prayers that she would say were in Latin such as the Requiem Aeternam (“Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord…”) and the Gloria Patri (“Glory to the Father…”). My appreciation of Latin was enriched further through the songs she would either sing or teach others to sing. You see, Mommy was the Cantora Mayor in St Mary Magdalene Parish in Kawit, Cavite years ago. As such, she would train the singers (acting as Virgin Mary, St Joseph, or angels) during the Christmas or Holy Week celebration. Songs such as the Hosanna Filio David (“Hosanna to the Son of David”), being sung during Palm Sunday (in many variations); Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”), during the Salubong; or Salve Regina (“Hail Holy Queen”), during the Flores de Mayo all come to mind. I might have told you, in one previous article perhaps, that one Salubong, I joined my voice to those girls dressed as angels as they sang the Regina Caeli!

There is something in Latin that I like. It could be its elegance, its sacredness, its ability perhaps to lift up one’s heart! Whatever the reason, I’m happy that Mommy gave me a glimpse of how things were when the Mass wasn’t yet in the vernacular and how that language has survived in liturgical celebrations of the Church in spite of the changes brought about by Vatican II.

And yet, sadly our hierarchy has decided to amend once again the translation of the English Mass by making it more faithful to the Latin text. I don’t see any problem with that, but please not at the expense of making the vernacular sound horrible. Until now I am struggling to say “And with your spirit” or “consubtantial with the Father”. Apart from controversial, these changes ignored that each language has its own nuances and if you literally translate one from the other, you won’t be able to impart clearly the message from the original language.

I’ll make a detour now before I go on and on with my ranting (Baka magalit sa akin si Mommy!)

Mommy, as far as I’m concerned, was such a great member of the Church because of how she used her skills and talent in singing and in participating at Mass – first in Latin and then in the vernacular – for God’s glory and the good of His people. Her good example is an inspiration for us to keep up the faith especially in these trying times.

Happy 75th birthday, Mommy Rosie! May God bless your kind soul! We love you!