Woman of the House

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. (Proverbs 14:1)

Tia Lils once told me that she used to work, but after getting married, she decided to give up her job to become a full-time housewife. While Tito Jimmy earned a living, she looked after their growing family. A woman with many talents, she cooked, sewed, crocheted, managed the family budget, adorned their home, etc.  

Living with them for almost a year, I have seen how my dear aunt "built" her house - not just the edifice, but her family first and foremost. And when I say family, this is not just her own children, but also her nephews, nieces, and other relatives who have been entrusted to her care. 

During my stay with them then and every time I pay them a visit, there was no distinction between my cousins and I. Everyone was treated fairly. Everyone sees and treats each other as kapatid (sibling). 

Here were some of the ways she built us up:

She inspired us to be rooted on God. A devout woman, she was a regular churchgoer - Sundays, first Fridays, first Saturdays, etc. She was also a lector/commentator. Her prayer before serving: "Panginoon, ipagkaloob mo sa akin ang Iyong Espiritu upang makapaglingkod ako sa Iyong sambayanan" (Lord, grant me Your Spirit that I may serve Your people.).

She inculcated in us the value of hard work. During weekends and holidays, after having breakfast, we have to do our household chores: fetching water, cleaning and scrubbing the floor, doing some errands, etc. No one's allowed to sit idle. 

She taught us how to live within our means. For her, it is important to save something for a rainy day. When she had enough savings, she had a bigger house built in 1985 which stands up to the present.

She trained us to be organized. Everything should have its proper place. We should only bring out those things that are needed. A cluttered space, in her book, is a no-no.

She exhorted us to be forgiving. She once remarked, with tears on her eyes, that nursing a grudge won't do you any good.

For zeal for Your house has consumed me... (Psalm 69:9)

In the early 90s, the Mother Butler Guild (MBG) was established in St Mary Magdalene Parish. This  organization takes charge of cleaning the church as well as preparing and maintaining liturgical vestments and other paraphernalia. With all my cousins having grown up, Tia Lils decided to join MBG. Every Saturday morning, she would join her confreres to clean the church. According to Eldin, her youngest, she would arrive ahead of the others so that she could clean the tabernacle.  Her reason? While cleaning the "Holy of holies", she was praying for all of us. 

In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

Tia Lils, a faithful wife, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a caring aunt, a loyal follower of Christ, passed away peacefully in the presence of her loved ones in the early hours of 13th February, two days after the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes of whom she was a devotee. At the prime of her life, she looked after her house and, later on, God's house. 

Tia Lils' life is indeed a journey. The many chapters of her life were but milestones of her pilgrimage to the Father.  Through the many ups and downs of her life, she soldiered on because she put her trust in the Lord. Having accomplished her mission on earth, I am hopeful that Jesus will welcome her in the New Jerusalem.

Tia Lils, thank you for everything that you have shared with us - your love, your wisdom, your life. We have been truly blessed through the many ways that you have touched our lives. Help us to be a blessing to others. As you have remembered us in prayer and service before the Blessed Sacrament, please continue to pray for us now that you are in the healing presence of God. We love you!

Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Lilia, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Our hearts go out to Manong Alvin, Erwin, Eldin, Tito Jimmy, and the rest of the family in this time of sorrow and bereavement.

The Three Wise Men of 2018

2018 was a challenging, if not tumultuous year in the Philippines. After 8 years, my family and I were blessed to have spent Christmas there last year. Looking back, there were personalities who stood out because of their wisdom. Without further ado, may I present to you who I think are my Three Wise Men of 2018: Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Maria Ressa, and Bishop Pablo David.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was one of my Three Wise Men of 2017. I am awarding him again for 2018 because he has shown professionalism and tact amidst the  controversies that have hounded and damaged the reputation of the Supreme Court, particularly the quo warranto case against Ma. Lourdes Sereno. Carpio could have joined the fray, after all he is the most senior magistrate and would benefit from such participation. But no, he has principles. His stand too against China's claim on our seas is excellent and has been against President Duterte's. I guess this was something that annoyed the President and prevented him from choosing Carpio for the top post in the Court. Carpio is the Chief Justice our country did not have. Be it as it may, we have him as our champion on the nation's claim on South China sea. In Carpio, I could see the wisdom of statesmanship; a rarity in the halls of public service.

Maria Ressa, a veteran Filipino journalist and co-founder of Rappler, is my second awardee. At a time when freedom of expression not only in our country but across the world seems to be in danger, when conscientious journalists' lives are at stake just to present the truth,  when fake news abound and are being believed in by the gullible in society, Ressa stands out as a good example.  In her, I could see the wisdom of conviction.

Bishop Pablo David has been prelate of the vast Kalookan Diocese for 3 years. The youthful bishop is an excellent preacher, but what stood out was his being an outspoken critic of extrajudicial killing; most of these killings have occurred in his diocese. His pronouncements earned the President's ire. Towards the end of last year, Duterte even accused him of being a thief which David vehemently denied. In moments when the easier way is just to lay low, David has chosen the harder, scarier way. In him, I could see the wisdom of pastoral care.

Carpio, Ressa, and David are outstanding personalities who, like the Three Wise Men of old, have taken a new way which, unfortunately, not everyone would find attractive. Yet their determination is focused for the good of the people. As we welcome 2019, may we take their wisdom on board. Happy New Year!

The Three Wise Men of 2015

And so, it's this time of year when I share with you my Three Wise Men. I must confess that I wasn't able to choose those for 2014 not because there were no wise people around, but because I was unable to make my output.  I am reviving this now and hopefully, it will continue in the next years to come.

My three wise men have all come from the Philippines, by the way.

Joker Arroyo (5 January 1927 - 5 October 2015) was a freedom fighter during the Marcos dictatorship. A lawyer by profession, Joker was the first among his peers to question the legality of Martial Law before the Supreme Court.  Apart from that, he participated in the trials of political detainees like Benigno Aquino Jr, Eugenio Lopez Sr, and Sergio Osmena III. During the 1986 snap elections, he served as counsel to Cory Aquino and would later become the first Executive Secretary in her administration.  He was elected congressman in 1992 and became Lead Prosecutor during Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial in 2000. He became senator in 2001 and retired in 2013.  He passed away in October after an unsuccessful heart operation in the States.

Mr Arroyo offers us the wisdom of service to the people regardless of the consequences. It was said that he suffered in the hands of the military.  How many of us would take the risk in order to stand up for the poor and defenseless?  Now when the Marcoses and their minions (e.g. Estradas, Binays, etc.) would once again run for public office, are we going to keep our guard down? 

Dr Florentino Hornedo (16 October 1938 - 9 December 2015) was a scholar, professor, and cultural studies pioneer in Ivatan culture. A CCP Gawad Para sa Sining for Cultural Research, he was lauded for choosing "to take a prodigious path to inquire and theorize about the breadth, depth, and complexities of the Filipino mind and identity." Furthermore, he expounded on the term "Filipinicity" and was of the view that Philippine folk and popular literature was the result of forces such as significant events in our history as a nation. When I was still in UST, I had the privilege of listening to his talk. I think it was about history. In one of the discussions he mentioned  the root cause of the fight between Spain and Portugal in their conquests: spices.  "Ano bang mayroon sa sili at pinag-awayan ito ng Spain at Portugal?" he asked which drew laughter from the audience.

Dr Hornedo offers us the wisdom of one's roots.  His scholarly works were focused on our country and, more particularly on the Ivatan culture since he was an Ivatan.  How many of us still pay back the country of our birth or at least the community we used to or currently belong to?

Fr Pedro Traquena, OP (2 December 1919 - 9 December 2015) was the oldest Dominican in the Philippines. He was involved in the National Association of the Holy Name Society  as its national promoter in the Babuyan Islands. He later served as chaplain of the UST Hospital.  I have frequently seen Fr Traquena in the UST Hospital when I was studying and teaching there.  He comes across as a humble servant to those who are sick.  Word has it that he was still serving until his demise.  

Fr Traquena offer us the wisdom of living life to the full.  In his old age, he could have opted for a retirement in the confines of the convent.  And yet, he decided to minister to those in need.  When life becomes a struggle for us, are we going to throw in the towel or is it still full steam ahead?

May God, the source of all wisdom, be The Reward for these three great and wise men. May their wisdom and legacy continue to thrive in our midst!

Three Wise Men of 2013

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Hope you all had a wonderful season.  Like in the previous year, I have picked my wise men of the year. Two have unfortunately passed away towards the end of last year. Without further ado, here's my Three Wise Men of 2013!

Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013) was the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Known as the first black president of his country, Mandela was instrumental in dismantling apartheid (a system of racial segregation). He did so by tackling racism, poverty, and inequality and by fostering racial reconciliation.  Regarded as "the father of the nation" and "the founding father of democracy" in his country, he wasn't spared from criticisms such as his friendship with known dictators (e.g. Fidel Castro and Muammar Gaddafi).  He had a number of quotes.  For me, one stood out.   "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Mandela's legacy is the wisdom of being free and working side by side with others regardless of race, color, or creed.

June Keithley-Castro (10 March 1947- 24 November 2013) was a Filipina actress, broadcast journalist, and wife of the late broadcast journalist Angelo Castro Jr. A mentee of the late Fr James Reuter, she had a key role during the final days of the Marcos dictatorship. Working for 14 long hours in Radio Veritas and later in Radyo Bandido (when Veritas was bombed by Marcos' henchmen), she appealed on her countrymen to go to EDSA to protect the mutineers.  In grateful recognition, she was accorded the Philippine Legion of Honor during the time of President Corazon Aquino.  She later received the EDSA Spirit Award from President Benigno Aquino III. A known Marian devotee, Castro hosted a documentary on the Virgin Mary's apparition in Lipa, Batangas entitled "A Woman Clothed with the Sun". Lately, she was diagnosed with cancer.  During an interview she told Tina Monzon-Palma how cancer has spread in her body and commented "At that point he (God) has taken away all fear...he has given me great peace. I knew he was in control."

Castro teaches us the wisdom of being brave to face, speak, and stand for the truth without counting the cost. 

Pope Francis has been our reigning pope since 13 March 2013.  From then on, he has wowing us with his many gestures and pronouncements: from living at the hostel instead of the papal apartments to wearing black shoes instead of the traditional red; from washing the feet of youth prisoners during last Maundy Thursday to embracing a man totally disfigured due to a genetic disease; from speaking against frivolous spending by the Church (read: He suspended German bishop who spent $3M on a marble courtyard) to redirecting Vatican employee bonus to charity; from acknowledging atheists as good people to denouncing judgment against homosexuals ("If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good intentions, who am I to judge?"); from inviting some homeless men to his birthday meal to amending Vatican law to make sexual child abuse a crime; from condemning the violence in Syria to speaking against the Church's 'obsession' with abortion, gay marriage, and contraception.  Recognized as Time's Person of the Year 2013, the Holy Father has been seen as a blessing for the Church that has been rocked with scandals during the time of his 2 predecessors.  

Ever since becoming bishop, he has chosen "Miserando atque eligendo" (lowly but chosen) as motto.  He has retained this for his coat of arms as pope. No wonder he has taken to heart these words in his ministry such as the examples mentioned earlier.

This beloved pontiff imparts us with the wisdom of being humble - a true hallmark of a servant whose heart is after that Jesus the Good Shepherd - so that those humbled (e.g. the poor, the outcast, the sick, etc.) may have hope.

These three wise men have left or, as in the case of Pope Francis, has been giving us gems of wisdom for us to take.  As we usher in the New Year, let us follow their example. Have a wisdom-filled 2014!