The Fourth K

What could have prevented the two disciples from recognizing the Lord on their way to Emmaus? Perhaps the experience of Jesus' shameful death on the cross was still fresh in their minds. Perhaps the loss of such a good friend and Master was still painful deep inside. 

The experience of these disciples was similar to that of Mary Magdalene when she thought of the Risen Lord as a gardener (John 20:11-18). As Mary Magdalene recognized the Lord when He called her name, the disciples would later recognize their travel companion in the breaking of bread.

The month of May is a time when fiestas occur in many parts of the Philippines. And when we talk about fiestas, the first thing that comes to our minds is sharing a meal with others.  Here in the UK, our group of friends gather for a meal every now and then, especially after our monthly Mass and Novena in the parish. Sharing a meal is an opportune time to the endless three Ks: kumustahan (greeting), kuwentuhan (storytelling), and katuwaan (banter). Sharing a meal breaks loose our stifled spirits, our stressed out minds, our restless hearts. I guess those three Ks were present during that evening meal in Emmaus. And it was made more special, more meaningful because of the fourth K: Kristo (Christ)!

As we share a meal with family, friends, and even strangers, as we share that great meal in church called the Mass, may we recognize the Risen Jesus' presence in our midst and bear witness to that presence wherever we may go.

Talking about the Mass, Pope Francis tells us "There is always a Word of God that gives us guidance when we slip; and through our weariness and disappointments there is always a Bread that is broken that keeps us going on the journey." 

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May brings to mind two of my heavenly patrons: the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph. May is Mary's month and so we bring her flowers to express our love and gratitude. Interestingly, the first day of this merry month is dedicated to her husband.  For me, it tells us one thing: if we would like to know more about Mary, if we would like to love her, if we would like to follow her footsteps, we have to go to Joseph! If anyone (apart from Jesus) would have known, loved, and followed her it would be St Joe. This year is really special because we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary when Mary appeared in Fatima. In one of those apparitions, St Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus blessing the world. So let's ask St Joseph to help us in becoming good children of Mary, of becoming doers of "whatever Jesus tells us" (cf. John 2:5).

Vlad

Mike Flores, Richard Leyson, and I formed a triumvirate in the Lectors/Commentators Group in Gagalangin ages ago.  In one of our gatherings (or drinking sprees?), Pareng Richard would often mention Vladimir, his high school classmate and friend.  Mike and I would keep on asking him about this guy.  (Don't know why. Perhaps because of his uncommon name!) One day in early 1993, he brought us to Vlad's place along Juan Luna Street, a few houses away from the church.  On seeing me, he told me how often I would walk past their house. Indeed, I wouldn't miss his place as I have friends and acquaintances who live nearby.  

Summertime of the same year, Tanghalang Anluwage (TA) went for an outing in Batangas courtesy of our friend Fr Romy Antimano who was then a guest priest in the parish. The outing seemed oversubscribed that a few of us were unable to ride on the hired jeepney. Vlad and I and (I think) two more members have to commute. No idea where we're heading, but we carried on. Luckily, we made it!

When I assumed the Editorship of Ang Pahayagang Anluwage, there was a need for someone to look after the newsletter's funds.  I tapped Vlad who willingly accepted the role. It was a blessing that Vlad was appointed because as we were getting ready for our December issue, we received more advertisement sponsors than expected.

Vlad also had the skills in electronics and have often been in-charge of the lights and sounds aspect of any TA or parish sanctioned event such as the Easter Vigil Mass, the various awards ceremonies, etc.

But I think Vlad got a break when his artistic side came about.  The first breaks came about when he composed some songs for the "Pitong Hapis, Pitong Tuwa (Ang Dula ng Buhay ni San Jose)" in 1997 and 1998 and when he became Director of "Kasalan sa Likod ng Simbahan" (a play written by Bienvenido Noriega) in December 1997.  These were followed by other directing and acting roles in TA. I enjoyed working with him in most of these 'breaks', particularly when I wrote the script for Pitong Hapis and performed as Mang Ponso in Kasalan.

I vividly remember those times when he remarked how 'talkative' was St Joseph in Pitong Hapis when the he didn't utter a single word in the Bible.  (When I performed as St Joseph in the Maytinis celebration in the States, I also had a similar observation - St Joseph had more to sing in the script than the Virgin Mary!).  Looking back, those works of art deliberately embellished St Joseph's character to make up for the scarcity in Sacred Scriptures.

I could also recall how we have to rehearse the script in one corner of the Rotonda or internalize how it is to be an old man carrying his beloved (an old woman) as they went up the stage.

As director, and later as President of the group, Vlad treated us as adults. His common expression was "Matatanda na kayo, hindi na ninyo kailangang turuan" (or words to that effect). Although there is that degree of trust that he gave us, he didn't spare us some tongue-lashing when we made one stinking performance in Kasalan. 

Vlad later branched out of Gagalangin by serving as a lector/commentator at the Manila Cathedral since 2002.  He would later become elected as coordinator for the group. I feel proud that he has remained in the ministry in my beloved church in spite us  - Richard, Art Reyes, Al Reyes, and I - going abroad after serving there.

Above all the titles, positions, and responsibilities he held, Vlad is my friend. Through the years we have been in Anluwage, that friendship developed. We shared some similarities such as being both Taurus and avid listeners of classical music. We were also both devotees of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval de Manila. I am thankful that he keeps me updated with videos and photos taken during the annual fiesta on the second of October. I feel as though I was in Santo Domingo Church all along!

As a friend, Vlad  is someone I could open up to; someone who would offer me a bike ride when I got stuck somewhere in the metropolis; someone I could barge into even in the dead of the night; someone who would tell me if I am right, wrong, or stupid without any qualms. 

Vlad, I am blessed to have you as my friend. I wish you all the best as you turn 40. It's not that scary, believe me! You just have to look after yourself: choose to be happy, pray more, expect less, be grateful, enjoy life!  Keep up the good work! God bless you!

Jon

"Dapat ginaya ko si Cory (Aquino) noong nagspeech ako!," he quipped as we huddled almost 29 years ago in the Principal's Office during Boys' Day in Letran (Elementary Department). We all laughed.  "OK pala itong si De la Llana!", I told myself.  For a few months back, he came across as a fierce student leader quelling the commotion in our classroom and showing  zero tolerance to one student who was pasaway.

It took another year for us get to know more of each other though.  During break times, he would frequent our classroom to see his friends such as Jose Mari Balugay, Pedro Diaz, and Lamberto “Gary” Ramos. Unknown to me then, Jonathan (a.k.a. Jon or Tobi) also lives in Gagalangin.  In our conversations, I discovered that he was religious and was attending liturgical services in the parish.  About that time, I was already introduced into the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).  Also, a new (and younger) parish priest was assigned in Gagalangin. When asked if he would be interested to join this group, he gave me the affirmative.  Hence, on June 9, 1988 we were both invested with the AP scapular. The following months saw us immersed in the life of the parish through the choir (5:30am Friday, 6:30pm first Friday, and 7:30am Sunday  Masses), Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, collections during the 4pm Sunday Mass, AP meetings in the parish and elsewhere, etc. (not to mention our evening strolls along the quiet streets and alleys near Hermosa Street). Jon later recruited me in the Samahang Birhen ng Medalla Milagrosa and the Cofradia de San Jose. I just realized now that our devotion can be summed up as follows: Jesus, Maria y Josep.

Getting to know the other young members of the AP, we started to congregate at their house along Benita Street. That small band became the core group of the AP-Youth.  By January 1989, in a snap election called for by the AP Elders, AP-Youth had its set of officers: I was elected President; Jon, Vice President. Jon utilised and developed his skills and talents for the good of the group.  At the APY, he also served as PRO, Education Chairman, and President. For years, he designed the altar during APY’s annual pabasa, as well as the altar and carroza decorations for the feasts of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady, and St Joseph. He was also a founding member of the Tanghalang Anluwage serving as its first Artistic Director.

All along, our friendship grew. Apart from being almost every day in church (A teacher once chided “Tulog pa ang Diyos nasa simbahan na kayo!”.), we belong to the same section in second year high school. Jon came across as a humble, generous, broad-minded, thoughtful, and considerate person. One Christmas, someone in the parish gave him 2 leather wallets as gifts for him and I. He waited to see me to ask which color I prefer – one was black and the other, brown. When I chose black, he took the remaining wallet.  Whenever he had plans for the APY, he would make it a point to consult me.  He was the first classmate, friend, and colleague who called me Manong. That went viral – almost all members in the APY and then later in Anluwage have (fondly) called me Manong.

Of course, like any friendship we were not spared from those galit-bati moments typical of any teenager.  What strikes me is how Jon would often make the first step to say sorry. There was one occasion when he and another colleague went to our house. I was then cleaning the living room when he saw me (through the screen door) and said in a rather jolly tune: “Hello. We have come in peace!”. Now, whose heart won’t melt at that gesture? 

Jon was the life of the party.  On my 18^th birthday, I fell ill. Jon, along with Art Reyes, Sis. Mely Co and her daughter Rushelle paid me a visit and had dinner with us.  Amidst lighted candles around the house – blackouts were frequent that year – we had a great time. I felt uplifted!  A few weeks later, APY celebrated its anniversary. There was no planned program, just a simple salu-salo. But here comes Jon dancing and singing while Arnold Vidar played his guitar to the enjoyment of everyone!

Even when we parted ways in college, we still kept in touch. I’m happy to be able to get in touch with him through Friendster and then later in Facebook. He used to write “Stopovers”, an opinion column in the web, and contributed too in “The Nine Gifts” and “The Seven Last Words” projects. Last New Year's Day, when I sent him a message on the web’s 10^th anniversary, he expressed willingness to help. “Just keep me posted”, he told me. 

In his last article in “Stopovers”, Jon wrote “Has it ever occurred in your life that you had an encounter with another person totally not known to you yet has been significant?”.  Looking back, I could unequivocally say yes. Yes I have encountered someone who has been significant, someone who may have walked along the path of life once, but has touched me and others with his warmth, openness, passion, and faith.

Jon, you are that person.  I thank the Lord for that gift of encounter. Thank you for your friendship and love.  It’s hard for me to accept that you are no longer with us.  I felt there’s still more to learn from and work with you. As you have encountered us and treated us as siblings or friends, as someone significant in your life, enjoy now the much sought for encounter with the Lord.  Vaya con Dios, bro!

Making Friends With

Thursday this week saw us having a sunny weather.  It was already early evening, but the sun was still up.  As we were preparing dinner, Chiara was outside the garden playing. Later on she began to sing "Let it go" (a famous song from the movie "Frozen"). As she was belting out the song, the little girl from next door happened to be outside their garden too. As she heard Chiara singing, she sang too albeit struggling to enunciate some of the lyrics.  Chiara sang even louder. The little girl didn't let her guard down.  

A few minutes later, they began to talk to each other in spite the tall hedge which separates them.  Chiara volunteered to go to the neighbor's garden, although she expressed her reservations as she was scared of their dog.  Later on, we found Chiara and the girl (her name is Siena and is of the same age as our daughter) playing in the swing in our garden.  Chiara found a new friend. 

How do we make friends? It seems that as we age, befriending gets more difficult.  We have reservations for various reasons. Perhaps some would have told us something negative about this person. Probably we're happy with our comfort zone and any 'disturbances' aren't welcome. Or we just don't want to.

Seven years ago, our parish had a new parish priest.  Like any parishioner, there were  some 'fears' in me. A few thoughts crossed my mind. Will the new person be good? Will he effect any changes? If so, will these be beneficial to us? What will he do with what has been the 'norm' in the parish?

In his first Mass, Fr Paul Newman dispelled those fears.  He came across as a friendly and accommodating person.  This impression became more evident as days, weeks, months, and years went along.  There have been moments that I have expressed delight, gratitude, fear, or concern to him and in all of these he listened and gave words of encouragement and comfort. He was also a man who was generous in giving praise and appreciation to people's contributions to the community. Because of the respect and care he showed to parishioners, they in turn supported him. Bulwell and Bestwood parishes, in my book, found a friend in him. 

The last time I saw Fr Paul was in May last year when there was a diaconal ordination in the parish. I was on the queue where he was distributing Holy Communion.  As I received the Body of Christ, I felt his touch. A touch of a friend whom I missed a lot.

Fr Paul may have left us (in 2011), but the friendship that he made with me and my family remains cherished in my heart. I am sure fellow parishioners share the same view. Tomorrow, 20 July, he will be celebrating his 25th year as a priest!

May God bless you, Fr Paul, as you reach a new milestone in your priestly vocation. Remain trustful in Jesus who called His disciples (that includes you!) as friends, not servants (John 15:15).  Continue to be a blessing to others, wherever the Lord of the harvest sends you. Keep up the good work of affirming people's faith, reassuring their hope, and kindling their charity. It's a shame we won't be in Chaddesden to join the celebration, but you would be one in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you, my friend!

The Village Auntie

It was a busy 4th of July in Cargohaus many years ago.  Apart from that, it was quite humid that one wanted to dash back to the air conditioned office. As I entered, I saw a number of people inside the Accounting Department's office.  There were 2-3 1/2 gallons of ice cream and a box or two of ice cream cones on one table. One lady was inviting people to have a bite.  Asked what was the occasion, she said "It's Cargohaus Friendship Day!" (4th of July has been known in the Philippines as Philippine American Friendship Day since the time of President Diosdado Macapagal). That lady was Ms. Lucita Lina, one of our company consultants.

Ms. Lina, a.k.a. Tita Luz, worked as a Chemist at the Bureau of Soils until her retirement in the late 90s.  When she retired, her nephew Alberto Lina (Chairman of the Lina Group of Companies) was looking for a chemist who will take charge of the proper storage and disposal of chemicals and other similar materials (classified as 'dangerous goods' or DG) stored in Cargaohaus, a custom-bonded warehouse he owns. Tita Luz didn't look far - she called me (We both lived in Barangay 170 - she in Fidel Street, me in T. Earnshaw Street). Having just graduated from college, the prospect of a job was a blessing I have been praying for. I expressed interest in her proposal. In a few weeks, I was called for an interview and test.  Later on, I got the job and started to hit the ground running. 

I worked with Tita Luz and together we made reports and recommendations to the management on how we could improve our service to clients.  We also coordinated with the Operations Team on the proper handling of cargoes -  the company was receiving complaints and claims from some disgruntled customers that time - and the Bureau of Customs on the disposal of cargoes particularly those that have already expired.

Having been familiar with words such as density, volume, molarity, etc. we both got used to terms such as Airway Bill and Master Number - two important references used to identify cargoes.

Although, she is related to the company's owner, she remained friendly, kwela, and down-to-earth (work colleagues as well as those in the Bureau of Customs whose office are in the same building as ours would attest to these) and even forbade those who call her 'Tita' (including her relatives) not to greet her with a kiss when they see her in the office. 

One time, while sat in the office, a colleague approached her and asked if she was a customer. With a smile on her face, she said "I'm Luz Lina, Cargohaus Consultant." That colleague was embarrassed and apologized. Later on, she and Tita Luz got along well.

Tita Luz used to drive a red Toyota Corolla (a 70s or 80s model? My brother Gio used to tell me how durable this model was. Indeed, it was a good car!) and when she goes to and from the office (located near the NAIA in Paranaque), she would offer me or other people a lift.  One evening, I suggested that she drives through Pier and then to Capulong Street (Velasquez, Tondo) as it was much easier then to use that route going home.  After  her experience there, she told me that she preferred to drive through Ongpin (Binondo) instead.  It was only during my latest visit home that I realized how horrible it is to drive through Pier from the airport. Apart from poorly-lit roads, the trucks and jeepneys overlord each other to the point of using the lanes from the opposite side of the road!  It took us hours before reaching Gagalangin!

I enjoyed working in that company - meeting a lot of people, being involved with what we called as  the "Operations Team" which meet every Tuesday morning over breakfast, communicating with a wide range of people.  I must say that the skills, knowledge, andexperience I gained there were transferrable in my other jobs.  

When I left Cargohaus, I felt ashamed and sorry for Tita Luz.  For her part, she understood my reasons and we continued to get in touch through our rosary devotion in the barangay. She is currently the President of the Queen of Families Rosary Group in our village, a post she has held since 2003.  In my last 2 visits home, she hosted a party for me and my family. 

A year or so before I migrated to the UK we had a rosary recitation in one home.  Part of our devotion was the reading of the Gospel for that Sunday and a sharing of reflection from devotees.  The Beatitudes was the Gospel that was read that evening and the topic for reflection was "How fulfilled are you?".  As a number of devotees were parents, they shared how blessed they were to have children who are now professionals, etc.  When it was Tita Luz's turn to have the floor, she said that even if she didn't marry and have kids, she sees herself as someone fulfilled because of the people she cared for as though they were her own children.  True, people in the barangay especially those affiliated with the rosary group, regard her as a spiritual mother, an effective leader, a friend. She is the Village Auntie!

I am blessed to be one of her spiritual kids.

Thank you, Tita Luz for your friendship and support, for your wisdom and love, for your motherly care and service to the community.  May the good Lord, the Great Chemist, bless you more and more!

Belated happy 83rd birthday! We love you!