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Various activities on the anni-versary of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) are set to be held on Sat-urday, November 8, 2014 at Gui-uan, Eastern Samar. The said su-per typhoon left more than 6,000 dead and brought devastation and desolation in the twin islands of Leyte and Samar last November.

The theme for the first year commemoration is “The Chal-lenge of Yolanda: the Courage to Hope,” and are dedicated to those who died, for those who survived and as a form of thanksgiving to those who helped in the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts in the affected communi-ties.

A Mass presided by Most Rev Crispin Varquez, DD, Bishop of Borongan, will be held at 4:00 in the afternoon at the town plaza of Guiuan, one of the places severely devastated by Yolanda. The said mass will be offered for the “eter-nal repose of Yolanda casualties, continued hope and courage for all typhoon survivors, and grati-tude and blessings for donors and

Borongan City Airport relaunches Manila flightsMa. Natividad Bagas

Volume. 2 No. 9September-October 2014

Borongan diocese commemoratesYolanda

Photo taken one year ago in Balangkayan, one ot the areas first hit by typhoon Yolanda

After careful preparations and exten-sive information campaign, SeaAir airline’s maiden flight to Borongan City took place last October 29, 2014. The plane arrived at Borongan City Airport located at Brgy. Punta Maria, about eight kilometers north from the city proper. The newly constructed airport, with the full completion of its new terminal building, is classified as a feeder airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Currently, the airline operates a 32-seater Dornier 328 plane. It can land in short runways like Borongan City airport’s 1.2 kilometer runway and can connect pas-sengers from Borongan to Manila and is-lands in the Philippines.

The inauguration started with a Mass celebration and blessing of the airport facil-ities. Among the passengers of the 6:00am flight from Manila to Borongan were Gov-ernor Conrado Nicart Jr. and some local

officials.The flights to and from Borongan

would at first be chartered flights until the flights would be commercially sustainable. The chartered flights to and from Borongan City are paid in full by the government ac-cording to the aircraft’s seat capacity.

In an interview, Mayor Fe Abunda con-firmed that the aircraft will definitely fly with or without passengers. “For me, it’s normal that passengers are not many for the first few flights because it’s new. Once people learned about the aircraft in Borongan City airport fly every week, they will eventually come. The passengers from Eastern Samar and from nearby towns will no longer have to travel to Tacloban, Calbayog, Catarman or Cebu just to take a plane,” Mayor Abun-da said.

Mayor Abunda further stated that she

SMCB hosts Vocation Jamboree 2014

CFC Eastern Samar turns 20

Ma. Natividad Bagas

Photo by: Alren Jerome Beronio

Vatican finally releases English translation of official Synod reportCatholic World News

Right to life is foundation of all human rights, Vatican envoy tells UNCatholic World News

Vatican to host major conference on traditional marriageCatholic World News

The Vatican has released the final report from the October meeting of the Synod of Bishops, in multiple transla-tions.

Although the Italian-language origi-nal of the final document had been re-leased nearly two weeks earlier, official translations were not made available until October 30. The office of the Synod of Bishops released English, French, Span-ish, German, and Portuguese transla-tions.

The delay in publishing translations of the final report had prompted criticism, particularly in light of the fact that an in-terim report, containing controversial passages that were not approved by the

At an October 29 UN meeting devot-ed to human rights, the Holy See’s Per-manent Observer said that “the right to life as enshrined in natural law and pro-tected by international human rights laws lies at the foundation of all human rights.”

The Vatican envoy’s address went on to call for abolition of the death penal-ty. The speech did not mention abortion.

“The Holy See reaffirms that all life must be fully protected in all its stages from conception until natural death,”

The Vatican will host a 3-day con-ference on traditional marriage later this month, with Pope Francis scheduled to address the opening session.

The conference on “Complementar-ity of Man and Woman,” which has been in preparation for the past year, will fea-ture an international array of speakers including Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia; Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former chief Rabbi of Britain; Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Conven-tion; and megachurch Evangelical pastor

bishops participating in the Synod, had been made available in multiple languag-es within hours after it was released.

The final report adopts a more mod-erate tone than the interim document, reflecting the sharp criticism that some Synod fathers had leveled against the earlier document. After the release of the interim report, Pope Francis had ap-pointed two new bishops to the commit-tee charged with drafting the final report.

The final report, known as the Relatio Synodi, retains a few controversial para-graphs that failed to gain the two-thirds support necessary for formal adoption by the Synod. These paragraphs are none-theless included in text, although an ap-

said Archbishop Bernardito Auza. “In this regard, my delegation welcomes the re-duction in the last two years of the re-course to the death penalty around the globe.”

After calling for improved prison conditions and the abolition of life impris-onment, Archbishop Auza emphasized threats to religious freedom.

“Along with the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion continues to face serious chal-

Rick Warren. Representatives of the Jew-ish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu tradi-tions will also speak.

The conference, to be held Novem-ber 17 to 19, is co-sponsored by the sev-eral Vatican dicasteries: the Congrega-tion for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and Pontifical Council for the Family, and the Pontifical council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the prefect of the CDF, was reportedly instru-mental in suggesting the conference.

pendix, showing the votes for each para-graph, will help careful readers to discern that the passages—on pastoral outreach to homosexuals and on the possibility of allowing divorced and remarried Catho-lics to receive Communion—were not approved.

These passages—paragraphs 52 through 55 in the final report—were less provocative than the equivalent passag-es in the interim report. However they still failed to gain the necessary support from the body of bishops participating in the Synod.

Regarding the question of divorce and Communion, the final report sug-gested that “further theological study.”

Some 74 Synod fathers voted against one paragraph in that section, and 64 op-posed another—suggesting that a large contingent of bishops did not agree that the “Kasper proposal” merits further con-sideration.

Father Antonio Spadaro, the editor of the influential Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica, offered a different interpreta-tion of the Synod votes. Regarding the rejection of the Kasper proposal, he ar-gued that “it is as if 74 out of 183 fathers didn’t want the discussion to be record-ed, pretending it had never even taken place.”

Mother Butler Liturgical Center

We sell at reasonable prices: Religious Icons, Hosts, Mass Wine, Bibles, Yukaristiya, Anawim, Candles,

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Cathedral Compound, Borongan City 6800 Eastern Samar

ESTE! News2 VATICAN September-October 2014

volunteers.”Guiuan folks, representatives of

various Borongan parishes, government officials and local and international non-government organizations (NGOs) are expected to attend the Mass.

Also, at exactly 6:00 p.m. on the said day, there will be a simultaneous pealing of church bells in all parish churches and barangay chapels nationwide.

The faithful are also requested to

Borongan Diocese...(from p.1)

Borongan City...(from p.1)

is to discuss with other airlines in Manila the prospect of having commercial flights in Borongan City Airport that will require a big-ger aircraft. However, the Civil Aviation Au-thority of the Philippines (CAAP) said only 72-seater propeller planes can land at the Borongan City airport’s runway.

Mayor Abunda confirmed that the air-craft will definitely fly with or without pas-sengers. “For me, its normal that passen-gers are not many for the first few flights because we’ve only just began. Once the people know about the aircraft that fly ev-ery week, they will eventually come espe-cially that it’s difficult to travel far just to

take a plane. The passengers from Eastern Samar and from nearby towns in Northern Samar will no longer have to travel to Taclo-ban, Calbayog, Catarman or Cebu,” Mayor Abunda said.

Mayor Abunda further encourages the locals and tourists to support the flights. The more passengers that will fly the Ma-nila-Borongan-Manila route, the higher the possibility of Borongan route to be com-mercially profitable.

Booking of flights is temporarily avail-able at Pashada Travel Agency located at Brgy. Taboc, Borongan City. A ticketing of-fice in Borongan City Airport will be placed soon.

lenges around the world. In some regions, violations against religious freedom have multiplied and intensified in their brutal-ity, in particular against religious minori-ties,” he said. “My delegation insists that these ruthless violations must not only be seen as violence against ethnic and re-ligious minorities, but first and foremost must be condemned as blatant violations of fundamental human rights, and must be dealt with accordingly.”

The prelate added:

In other parts of the world, reli-gious freedom faces legal barriers put by public authorities and experiences condescending if not outright discrim-inatory behavior of some in society. Some authorities seek to restrict reli-gious observance to the private realm and impose legal obligations that con-flict with personal conscience and re-ligious beliefs.

recite an “Oratio Imperata” after each Mass in all parishes and chapels of the diocese for nine consecutive days from October 30 to November 8.

In dictionary form, Oratio Imperata is a Latin word means an obligatory prayer. It is a set of invocative prayer — prayer of deliverance from calamities — which the lay people or prelate of the church publicly pray.

Bishops, businessmen ‘fully support’ coco farmers’ 71-day marchOliver Samson/CBCPNews

Philippine cardinal: Western media perspective was dominant at SynodCatholic World News

The Bishops-Businessmen’s Con-ference for Human Development (BBC) announced in a statement on Monday its “full support” of Kilusan para sa Ugnayan ng mga Samahang Magniniyog (Kilus Magniniyog)’s 71-day march to pressure Malacañang to prioritize legislation for the P71 billion trust fund for coconut farmers.

Signed by BBC national co-chair-men Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D. and Meneleo J. Carlos Jr., the mil-lions of small farmers across the country have not yet received any assistance re-garding a P17 billion payment given two years ago by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to the government, the statement said.

‘Not a single peso’

Reflecting on the recently concluded Synod of Bishops on the family, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila said that la-bels such as liberal and conservative are “not very useful,” according to an AsiaN-ews report.

“To say that a bishop is conserva-

“Two years have lapsed, but the Aquino administration has been quiet on coco levy issue, and not a single peso has been drawn and spent to benefit the small coconut farmers,” the BBC pointed out.

Quoting Pope Francis, the confer-ence described the coconut levy fund as a glass promising to quench the poor once it gets full, but nothing comes out for them even when it overflows.

In 1971, RA 6260, otherwise known as the Coconut Investment Act, was en-acted for the creation of the Coconut Investment Company to run the Coco-nut Industry Investment Fund, which re-quired a P0.55 levy for every sale of 100 kilos of copra.

tive, liberal, or traditionalist is a way of preventing true listening,” he said. “If we already fit those in front of us into a given category, we end up hearing what they say in a biased way. And this is very harmful.”

Media coverage “focused on some

issues, such as same-sex unions and di-vorced people, which are not always at the center of the debate,” he continued. “Coverage of the synod was still domi-nated by the West.”

“The Christian tradition but also the Word of God and the teachings of the

Church, over time, have shown their rich-ness,” Cardinal Tagle added. “They are not monochromatic or dull. Those that seem different opinions may instead be different facets of the same reality.”

ESTE! News 3September-October 2014 CBCP

Church ‘most trusted institution’ communicates hope – priestRaymond A. Sebastián/CBCPNews

A Catholic priest says the results of a recent proprietary study tagging the Church as the Philippines’ “most trusted institution” is not surprising at all be-cause the Church has always communi-cated hope.

“…The church is seen as a commu-nicator of hope. She not only preaches about it but does something concrete like building homes, providing scholarship and livelihood, and organizing the poor in pursuit of their rights,” said Fr.Jerome R. Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phil-ippines (CBCP)’s Permanent Committee on Public Affairs (PCPA)

According to the priest, “when people feel hopeless and helpless, they count on God and see the Church as their sanctuary.”

‘People’s ally’“In the Church, people see an ally

who would take up the cudgels for them,” the priest stressed in an interview Tueday, Oct. 28.

Secillano, who also heads the Nues-tra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro in Sam-paloc, Manila, remarked that the Church is seen as an institution that “assails cor-ruption, injustice and oppression”.

“These are issues that adversely af-fect the majority of Filipinos, and to have an institution that sides with them, gives them a voice that is heard, and that stings the powers that be in our government [is good],” he explained.

While the priest admits there are some who frown upon the Church’s “meddling” in the secular sphere, few doubt her divine origin.

“The trust the Church enjoys is may-be due to the religious nature of Filipinos. Even if there are faithful who are critical of the Church herself, still they view the latter as Christ’s concrete presence in the world,” Secillano shared.

75% trust ratingThe results of the 3rd Philippine Trust

Index (PTI), a proprietary study made by EON Stakeholder Relations, reveals the Church is still the “most trusted institu-tion” among the general public at 75% rating,” followed by the Academe (53%), Media (33%), Business (13%), and NGOs (12%).

The Government comes last with a trust level of 11% among the general public.

To read the entire PTI, click on www.eon.com.ph/philippinetrustindex.

Coco levy funds were “placed at the disposition of COCOFED,” as decided by the Supreme Court (SC) on Jan. 24, 2012.

Uphold coco farmers’ rightsPart of the funds “went directly or

indirectly to various projects and/or was converted into different assets or invest-ments, acquisition of the First United Bank (later renamed United Coconut Planters Bank or UCPB), the acquisi-tion by UCPB of a large block of SMC shares,” the SC said.

The shares of stock from the coco levy fund (a total of 33, 133, 266 as of 1983) and all its dividends and incre-ments are “owned by the government to

be used only for the benefit of all coconut farmers and for the development of co-conut industry,” the SC declared.

Aquino’s silence on the coco levy fund prompted 71 Kilus Magniniyog co-conut farmers to embark on a 7,150-kilo-meter march that kicked off in Davao City on Sept. 21 and is expected to end at the Malacañang Palace on Nov. 26.

The conference called on execu-tive and legislative branches to “uphold the rights” of small coconut farmers and “promote their human development” and prioritize the creation of the coconut trust fund.

“Give farmers what rightly belongs to them,” the BBC told government.

EDITORIAL:

The Padul-ong Festival (OF Borongan, East-ern Samar)--A Cultic Aetiology?

ANTIGOMsGr. LOpe C. rObredILLO, VG

THE GOOD GOD & “EVIL” YOLANDA

bIsHOp CrIspIN b. VArQUeZ, ddsIMpLe & HUMbLe THOUGHTs

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Fr. Neil TenefranciaMa. Natividad BagasFrancis Dave PanaguitonAlren Jerome BeronioFred Kevin AbenisS. Lilyfe Cagas, LGCLimbert DulfoElvin Sanchez

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Diocesan Commission on Mass Media & Social Communications

FAMILY: FOCAL POINT OF EVAN-GELIZATION

The family is a domestic church, the basic unit of the Church, not only of the society. Kung matatag ang pamilya, matatag din ang simbahan, pamayanan at bansa. Kaya dapat pangalagaan ang kabanalan ng pamilya. Pangalagaan ang maganda at malalim na samahan ng mag-asawa, ang haligi ng pamilya. Dapat ibalik ang ginagawa ng mga tra-ditional families like eating together, praying together, celebrating the mass together during Sundays and holy days of obligation. Revive family outing, mak-ing common schedules for any manual work in the house such as cleaning the house together. If you are a farmer, bring your family to work together in the farm and do other things together. With these activities done together, closeness and bonding are enhanced. Let us help make every family a heavenly sanctuary of Hu-man Life on earth. Gawin mo ang iyong

People who believe in a good, just, and loving God can take three posi-tions when confronted with the presence of overwhelming evil. First, they can explain away Evil as a reality in their lives through some forms of reasoning. Evil, then, becomes a mere illusion. This position is called refutation.

Second, they can propose some defenses by arguing that there may be rea-sons for evils in the world which are beyond our human understanding. There may be explanations for evils but we cannot know them beforehand.

Third, they can formulate some theodicies by providing specific justifica-tions for the presence of evil by alluding to some known qualities or attributes of God or his project concerning human beings.

Some of these theodicies are: evils are necessary in God’s “soul-making” project. Without evils, including natural evils, man will not have the neces-sary stimulus for the development and purification of his character; evils are necessary reminders of the imperfection of created reality. Without evils, man will not long for that world without calamities- life with God, and; horren-dous evils are ultimately outweighed by the joys and glories of post-mortem beatific vision. This “pie-in-the-sky-when-we-die” will then effectively remove any ground for any complaint against God.

Our Christian faith, however, points out that “There is not a single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the question of evil” (CCC, 309).

When God became a human being like us, he too became vulnerable to the natural elements and the whims of physical phenomena. He too became sub-ject to the laws of nature. And without this vulnerability, without this capacity to suffer, there would be no basis for the acclamation “Christ has died.”

Interestingly, the day Jesus died- the day the natural elements seemed to triumph over the invincible and impassable deity is called “Good” Friday. His suffering and death are, despite appearances to the contrary, ultimately

pamilya na kahit nasa lupa man ay ma-giging langit na rin.

ON DENGUE PROBLEMI heard that many children and even

adults in Eastern Samar have fallen vic-tims to dengue. We all know that dengue is an illness brought by mosquitoes. The community has a big role in preventing the spread of mosquitoes which are car-riers of dengue. Aside from spraying in-secticides to kill the mosquitoes, each one should maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings. There should be no stagnant water around. Ang dengue ay sakit para sa mahirap at mayaman. Wala itong pinipili. Kaya magtulungan tayo para maiwasan ang dengue.

A YEAR AFTER YOLANDA Sa November 8, one year na mata-

pos dumaan ang supertyphoon Yolan-da sa ating area. Nakakatakot balikan at alalahanin ang ating karanasan kay

PART 2

(A paper read by the author during the “Padul-ong Conference” at the Provincial Governor’s Office Conference Hall, Provincial Capitol, Borongan, Eastern Samar, on June 23, 2002)

A RELIGIO-HISTORICAL CRITICISM OF PADUL-ONG

Such is the Padul-ong story. But—the question may be asked—how are we to con-sider this account? I have not heard a native of Borongan question the authenticity of the narrative. Most Boronganons, I think, assume that it preserves an actual event that hap-pened in a specific period and place. I am not an iconoclast, but such an assumption raises questions that cast doubts on its historicity.

A. Internal EvidenceLet me begin with the internal evidence.

Sad to say, the story is replete with inconsis-tencies and improbabilities. A few examples may be cited from the details. (1) Is there really such a place as port of Portugal? There is cer-

tainly a port of Lisbon, but to say port of Por-tugal is like saying that there is such a place of port of the Philippines. (2) Was there re-ally a ship that sailed from Portugal and came to Borongan, when thebungto was already a parish? Though the bull of Pope Alexander VI,Inter caetera, issued in 1493 and the trea-ty of Tordesillas in 1494 between Spain and Portugal theoretically make it a possibility,[5] the fact that the Philippines was under Spain make it an improbability. (3) What type was the vessel? The account does not tell us; but Ladera’s recounting of the story describes it as a galleon. But this is improbable, because the Philippines had no galleon trade with Por-tugal! (4) However, assuming for the sake of argument that, since our version says that all those on board—except the woman—were men, the ship was not a galleon, but could have been something like a cargo ship, still, one wonders whether such a vessel ever plied between Philippines and Portugal. Was it a pirate ship? It is most likely, but the way its

“good.”Natural evils- the

realities that most of us fear like typhoons, earthquakes, tsuna-mis, volcanic erup-tions, etc. are never outside the ambit of the mystery of Re-demption.

But without God, all natural evils will be purely evil, simply malignant, lethal, and destructive. The forces of nature will have the final say in our lives.

But that is not so for a Christian. With Jesus- only with Jesus and always with Jesus, Good Friday will be-come “Good” Friday. “Evil” Yolanda will be-come “good” Yolanda.

ESTE! News4 September-October 2014

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING! Tungod hit kapobresan?

Galing Sa Magnanakaw for SALE!!!

Sorting Out—Sort Of

bALIK bALAYsArAH MAbANsAG pUNO

LeGAL INsIderATTY. MAU ObON

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THOUGHT FOr THOUGHTreV. eUTIQUIO ‘eULY’ b. beLIZAr, Jr., sThd

LITURGY UPDATECHANGES IN THE NEW ORDER OF MASS (Part 8)

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION AFTER THE CONSECRATIONa. Old(1973) Version After the consecration, the priest genuflects and announces, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” Although the 1973 English Missal provides four options of the acclama-tion by the people, the most popular, no doubt because of its brevity and forcefulness, was: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” The three others were hardly used.b. New (2012) Version In the new Roman Missal, this popular acclamation no longer appears and is therefore no longer to be used. Instead, the community has to choose one option of the three other acclamations in their new English versions. The priest gives the announcement in its literal translation—“The mystery of faith”:

1. “We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.”

2. “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.”

3. “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.”

The family is a special gift of God to everyone . It is through the family that everyone comes to this world. Special it is, epitomized by Jesus Christ coming to this world through a family. The family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, enjoyed the tranquility of a home in spite of their sim-ple and humble condition. It is because of the presence of God in this home. If God reigns, love reigns and the family en-dures all and always thinks that God is in control. Even in the darkest night, there is always hope for a bright tomorrow.

The family in a home is the seedbed that nurtures vocation. It nourishes beau-tiful dreams to its realization. This home is the stronghold that allows everyone to face trials and challenges with courage in this journey of life. If every family will be

Jose was the owner of forty-four (44) Firestone truck tires as evidenced by the sales invoice in his possession. The se-rial numbers of the tires were stated in the sales invoice. After marking the tires using a piece of chalk he stored them inside the warehouse owned by his relative.

Several days later, Jose learned that thirty-eight (38) truck tires were stolen from the warehouse. The incident was im-mediately reported to the police.

Pending the police investigation, Jose canvassed from numerous busi-ness establishments in an attempt to lo-cate the stolen tires. After a few days, he chanced upon Jong’s Marketing, a store selling tires in Paco, Manila. He inquired from Jong, the owner, if he was selling any Model T494 1100 by 20 by 14 ply Fires-tone tires, to which the latter replied in the affirmative. Jong brought out a tire fitting the description, which Jose recognized as one of the tires stolen from his warehouse, based on the chalk marking and the se-rial number thereon. Jose asked Jong if he had any more of such tires in stock, which was again answered in the affirma-tive. Jose then left the store and reported the matter to the police.

A few days later, the police conduct-ed a buy-bust operation on Jong’s store and was able to recover 13 tires belonging to Jose.

Jong in his defense stated that he had been engaged in the business of buy-

in a home and be reigned by love, then all will be with GOD now and forever and that is God’s plan for everyone.

But the king of deception and de-struction, Satan is not happy with this. His main mission is to separate every-one from God. And the best thing to do is to destroy the stronghold, the homes, breaking up families causing the desper-ation of every member that may result to the perdition of the soul.

This clever destroyer and his soldiers work more than how much we pray and do good deeds. They ride- on our weak-nesses, confusing us, and alluring us of the false and passing pleasures of the world: FAME, HONOR, POWER, TREA-SURES, and VICES.

ing and selling tires for twenty-four (24) years and denied that he had any knowl-edge that he was selling stolen tires. He said that a certain Ramon sold to him the tires for he which he was issued a receipt.

Can Jong be held liable for selling stolen property? Yes he can be held liable under the Anti-Fencing Law (P.D.1612).

Fencing is defined in Section 2(a) of P.D. 1612 as the “act of any person who, with intent to gain for himself or for anoth-er, shall buy, receive, possess, keep, ac-quire, conceal, sell or dispose of, or shall buy and sell, or in any manner deal in any article, item, object or anything of value which he knows, or should be known to him, to have been derived from the pro-ceeds of the crime of robbery or theft.”

It was established that the serial num-bers of stolen tires corresponds to those found in Jong’s possession. Having been engaged in the business of buy and sell of tires for 24 years, Jong knew or should have known that the tires have been de-rived from the proceeds of the crime of robbery or theft.

Jose admitted that Ramon ap-proached him and offered to sell the thirteen (13) tires and he did not even ask for proof of ownership of the tires. The entire transaction, from the proposal to the purchase until the delivery of the merchandise happened in just one day. His experience from the business should

Philippine bishops spearheading an-ti-pork barrel campaign.

The reason? In both physical health and governance, pork is unhealthy.

Politicians heatedly engage in mud-slinging ahead of 2016 polls.

No wonder they constantly lose ground.

Item: Pope Francis to share a meal with Super Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

It is not clear if the meal is to be eked out of relief goods.

Item: October 31, 2014, the Presi-dent finally approves Yolanda Rehabilita-tion Plan (eleven months and just eight days shy of one year after Yolanda).

Who was it who said there is no proof to the charge of slow government re-sponse to Yolanda?

Malacañang: Laude’s killing alleg-edly by Pemberton not enough reason to scrap VFA.

Is one human life lost not enough reason? Wouldn’t we eliminate one more occasion for such killing and other future

crimes if we were without VFA?Item: Evardone clueless about P62

M DAP.Reality: Eastern Samareños are clue-

less about his clueless-ness.Don’t we search the house when we

lose a mere five-peso coin? How come we don’t hear too much noise about the P 62 M? But what do we do, you ask.

Looking into Somebody’s lifestyle and (true) SAL-N is a good start.

Item: Bishop warns of mining-related violence in Manicani.

Mining did violence to Manicani first. Look at the giant craters, ravaged envi-ronment and shattered relationships, if not human lives, it left behind in the island.

Question: Why is Borongan’s “Padul-ong” ironic?

Answer: Doing it every year begs the question, “Has it arrived yet?”

They promised Eastern Samar “world-class roads”.

Just curious: Which “world” did they

ESTE! News 5September-October 2014

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ESTE! News6 September-October 2014

With Help from the U.S. Embassy, Guiuan Church to be Given New LifeEmbassy of the United States in the Philippines

27th SIPPAD in Catarman highlights Peace-building & DevelopmentAlberto Antonio, Jr.

Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg vis-ited the centuries-old Church of the Im-maculate Conception in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, which was destroyed during Ty-phoon Yolanda. Thanks to U.S. Embassy Manila, the church is to receive a PhP13 million (USD $300,000) grant for recon-struction.

“Historic landmarks like this are im-portant to the community. The U.S. Em-

bassy believes it is important to preserve cultural sites for future generations to en-joy,” said Ambassador Goldberg during his October 20 tour of the site.

Through a grant from the U.S. Am-bassadors Fund for Cultural Preserva-tion (AFCP), the United States Embassy in Manila partnered with the National Museum of the Philippines for the initial restoration of the church, which began

construction in 1596 and was completed in 1768. It is the only shell-decorated church in the world.

The AFCP supports the preserva-tion of cultural sites, cultural objects and forms of traditional cultural expression in more than 100 developing countries around the world. AFCP-supported proj-ects include the restoration of ancient and historic buildings, assessment and

conservation of rare manuscripts and museum collections, preservation and protection of important archaeological sites and the documentation of vanish-ing traditional craft techniques and indig-enous languages. Cultural heritage en-dures as a reminder of the contributions and historical experiences of humanity. By taking a leading role in efforts to pre-serve cultural heritage, the U.S. shows its respect for all cultures.

Held last September 19, the Samar Island Partnership For Peace and Devel-opment, or SIPPAD, launched its 27th convention with the theme “Inter-Pro-vincial Peace-building Efforts and Road Connectivity for Peace and Development in Samar Island, in Commemoration with the National Peace Consciousness Month.” Hosted by the Diocese of Cat-arman, this 3rd of the quarterly SIPPAD convention aimed to provide a venue for different stakeholders from different affili-ations to freely express ideas and opin-ions on pertinent issues of the Samar Is-land. As Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, Bishop of Calbayog puts it, SIPPAD al-lows “all of us to show our concerns on graft and corruption and to fight it, know-ing that we are…guided in the same faith.”

In celebration of September as the national month of peace, held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, the morning session was filled with presen-tations from the students of St. Michael Academy. Messages of peace were giv-en by Msgr. Walter A. Cerbito, Vicor Gen-eral of Diocese of Catarman, Hon. Jose L. Ong Jr., Governor of Northern Samar and Hon. Imelda C. Bonifcacio, Area Manager of the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Peace Process (OPAPP). Our very own Most Rev. Crispin B. Varquez, DD, was the homilist of the mass cel-ebration. “Kung kilala ng tao ang Diyos, kilala ng tao and kapayapaan,” mentions

Bp. Crispin in his homily. In the afternoon, the conference

session of SIPPAD took place at the Iba-bao Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Cat-arman. Aside from the above mentioned names, other distinguished guests in-cluded Engr. Rolando M. Asis, Regional Director of DPWH; Hon. Ronald P. Aqui-no, City Mayor of Calbayog; Col. Hermin-igildo Francisco C. Aquino, 803rd Brigade Commander; Hon. Timoteo Capoquian, Municipal Mayor of Gamay; Hon. Gary M. Lavin, Vice Governor of Northern Sa-mar; among others. While Msgr. Cerbito and Hon. Ong gave the welcoming mes-sage, it was Engr. Asis from DPWH and Ms. Bonifacio from OPARR that were the privileged speakers of the event.

Talking about the importance of road connectivity for peace and development, Engr. Asis states the different initiatives of DPWH for Region VIII, including access roads to airports and seaports, resiliency programs for bridges, school buildings, hospitals and other infrastructures, and he announces that information on par-ticulars of these improvements are avail-able in district offices and their website.

Another highlight of the occasion was the representative of OPAPP Secre-tary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Ms. Bonifa-cio. Primary to her updates are the cur-rent situations of peace negotiations with insurgencies in Samar Islands, prioritiza-tion of Bangsamoro Basic Law for the current administration and the launch-

ing of PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) which is a benefit-program for internally displaced persons in areas of conflict; Eastern Samar, according to her, will be given more funding for their PAMANA initiative. She reminds the con-ference that though the Armed Forces of the Philippines plays an active role for peace processes, CSOs are needed for third-party monitoring, and local peace dialogues in Samar, above all else, inte-gral. Just as DPWH, regular updates are found in OPAPP and PAMANA websites. She ended her talk in pointing out that if

one were to be a critique to the govern-ment, armed conflict is never an option.

Facilitated by Bp. Crispin, an open forum towards the end allowed the par-ticipants from various organizations and agencies to raise questions, concerns and suggestions to the key speakers. Bp. Abarquez gave the closing message, which was followed by Bp. Varquez in leading the closing prayer.

The 28th SIPPAD will be hosted by the Diocese of Borongan this coming De-cember.

Yolanda. Pero marami tayong natuklasan sa ating buhay tulad ng kahalagahan ng ating pananampalataya at pagtitiwala sa Diyos at ng pagtutulungan sa bawat isa. Nakita natin na basta patuloy na umaasa, ang tao ay makakaraos din.

DEVELOP RESILIENCE Due to the effects of global warm-

ing, we expect many calamities to hit our place. The community must be resilient to mitigate the effects of disasters. Re-

siliency cannot happen like a magic. It needs a lot of information dissemination and education on the part of the people. Even forms of livelihood must be resilient. A lot of creativity and innovation on the part of the community is very important.

We pray that God will give us all of us a creative mind so that it may become easy for the people to adapt anything new to become a resilient community.

Simple and Humble...(from p.4)

have given him doubt as to the legitimate ownership of the tires considering that it was his first time to transact with Ramon and the manner it was sold is as if Ramon was just peddling the thirteen (13) tires in the streets.

What are the signs to look out for so as to avoid buying a stolen property?

In the case of Dela Torre v. COME-LEC, 327 Phil 1144 (1996), this Supreme Court stated that:

Circumstances normally exist to fore-warn, for instance, a reasonably vigilant buyer that the object of the sale may have

ESTE! News 7PROVINCESeptember-October 2014

Borongan Diocese holds Congress of the LaityMa. Natividad Bagas

Samar road project almost complete says MCA-PMa. Natividad Bagas

SMCB hosts Vocation Jamboree 2014 Ma. Natividad Bagas

The Diocesan Congress of the Laity held last October 11, 2014 at Borongan Capitol Gym was attended by various Catholic faith communities, members of the clergy and Bishop Crispin Varquez. The guest speakers include Msgr. Lope Robredillo, SThD, Atty. Sam Inocencio and Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad.

This year’s theme “The Laity: Called to be holy, to evangelize and to transform the world” was the main attention of the event. It covers three conferences which includes talk proper and open forums. The Diocesan Congress was formally in-troduced by Rev. Fr. Joberto Picardal.

Samar Secondary National Road Development Project (SNRDP) funded by the US Millennium Challenge Cor-poration (MCC) is almost finished, ac-cording to the Millennium Challenge Ac-count-Philippines (MCA-P) report during a press briefing last October 17, 2014. All contract packages are scheduled for completion by 2016.

Among the attendees of the press briefing were the officers and officials from MCA-P, Rudy Arias, Project Director and Ma Victoria, Managing Director and CEO, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officers, project con-sultant managers from different contract

More than a thousand delegates from different religious congregations filled the Gymnasium of Saint Mary’s College (SMC) in Borongan City for the Diocesan Vocation Jamboree last October 26-27, 2014. This year’s theme “Vocation, Wit-ness to the Truth” conveys that our voca-tion should lead us to be a true witness of God.

The Diocesan Vocation Jamboree is an annual program of the Commission on

The first conference was led by Sena-tor Kit Tatad. He delivered his talk on The Transformative Role of the Laity in Phil-ippine Politics. He stressed that like the clergy and the religious, our mission is ‘to reveal God to men’ and that we can transform society by transforming our politics, but we can transform politics only by transforming ourselves and we cannot talk of transforming our politics without considering our personal quest for holi-ness.

“For sinners that we are, we are all called to be holy. We must be prepared to choose what is right and good at all

packages (CP2, CP3, and CP4), settle-ment implementation support service team leader and PMC officers.

MCA-P reports, as of Septem-ber 2014 the progress of each contract packages. CP1 (Buray Junction to Para-nas) have been handed-over and com-pleted last March 2014 with a total area of 16.36 km. The remaining 300 meters, which is a landslide section happened last June, was deleted from the scope of contractor. The bidding for recupera-tion of the area is expected before end of this year. Implementation of the project is expected during the dry season early next year. CP2 (Paranas to Sulat), which

Vocation with Father Dale Perez as the Vocation Director. It is a way for religious congregations and diocesan seminaries in Borongan to campaign for vocations, mainly for priesthood and religious life. The program runs with a group sharing, presentations, praise and worship and holy hour.

Team Ministry Moderator, Father Le-roy Geli and SMC Directress, Sister Fe welcomed the delegates and thanked

times” Senator Tatad added.Atty. Sam Inocencio, on the sec-

ond conference, talked about “The Role of the Laity in the Promotion of Human Dignity: Advocacy Against Human Traf-ficking – Legal Perspective”. He revealed that close to 30 million human beings live as slaves worldwide, 2013 Global Slavery Index; 20 million are trafficked globally, 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report; and nearly 2 million children are exploited in global commercial sex trade, UNICEF.

Msgr. Lope Robredillo discussed “The Call of the Laity to Holiness”. He said that the laity is called to be holy by constant

has 63.78 km scope with an exemption of 13.23 km, has 50% completion, while the CP3 (Sulat to Llorente), with a total area of 64.58 km is expected to be com-pleted on March 2016. CP4 (Llorente to Guiuan) has a total of 77.1 km, 37% of which has been completed. The rehabili-tation works in the Guiuan are targeted to be completed by April 2016.

MCA-P said that they will prioritized the road rehabilitation and bridge con-structions in coordination with the DPWH and road contractors particularly in the towns devastated by Yolanda like Her-nani, Balangkayan and Guiuan.

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg led

them for their enthusiasm to be part of the jamboree. They also acknowledged the visiting and resident religious congre-gations, clergy and visitors.

Father Felix Ebacitas, Priest Exor-cist of the Diocese of Palo, encouraged the delegates to pray enable for them to know their vocations. He said “The end of all prayer is the Eucharist. If you love the Lord with all your mind, heart and soul, you will receive the Eucharist every day

teaching of the church, in fullness of char-ity and fullness of love as he stressed a bible verse taken from 1 Corinthians 6:10. It says: “Neither thieves nor the greedy will inherit the kingdom of God”.

This successful event was made pos-sible with the collective support and stir-ring efforts of the Diocesan Commission on the Laity Executive Committee com-posed by Msgr. Lope Robredillo, Vicar General – Chancellor; Rev. Fr. Joberto Picardal, Chair, Diocesan Commission on the Laity; Roger Chua, Vice President, Di-ocesan Commission on the Laity; and its members.

the ceremonial groundbreaking of CP4 in Brgy. Surok, Guiuan on October 20. The project was granted to the joint venture of Yakal Construction and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. Gui-uan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzale, Ma Victoria Añonuevo, MCC Resident Country Director John Polk, and other officials from MCC, MCA-P, contractors, NGOs and national and local govern-ments was also present in the ceremony. Goldberg once again he affirmed the US government’s commitment to assist in the rehabilitation of the typhoon-hit areas of the Philippines.

because Jesus is there.”“A prayerful person loves the Eucha-

rist. If you don’t go to Church, you are not prayerful” Father Ebacitas added.

A delegate and mission volunteer at CFC Singles for Christ, Ma. Cresty To-menio shared how she felt about the jam-boree. She said “After I heard what Father Ebacitas had to say in his talk, I had the conviction to receive the Eucharist every-day as a way of showing my love for the Lord.”

been derived from the proceeds of rob-bery or theft. Such circumstances include:

a. The time and place of the sale, both of which may not be in accord with the usual practices of commerce.

b. The nature and condition of the goods sold, and

c. The fact that the seller is not regu-larly engaged in the business of selling goods may likewise suggest the illegality of their source, and therefore should cau-tion the buyer.

This justifies the presumption found in Section 5 of P.D. No. 1612 that “mere

possession of any goods, . . ., object or anything of value which has been the sub-ject of robbery or thievery shall be prima facie evidence of fencing” — a presump-tion that is, according to the Court, “rea-sonable for no other natural or logical inference can arise from the established fact of . . . possession of the proceeds of the crime of robbery or theft.” xxx.

What if the goods being sold are sec-ond hand items?

Section 6 of P.D. 1612 requires stores, establishments or entities dealing in the buying and selling of any good, ar-

ticle, item, object or anything else of value obtained from an unlicensed dealer or supplier thereof to secure the necessary clearance or permit from the station com-mander of the Integrated National Police in the town or city where that store, estab-lishment or entity is located before offer-ing the item for sale to the public.

Source: ONG, vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES (G.R. No. 190475; April 10, 2013)

*Caveat: This article is for general information only and NOT a legal ad-vice.

Legal Insider...(from p.5)

Couples for Christ (CFC) of Eastern Samar province celebrated its 20th anni-versary last September 27, 2014 in Capitol Gym, Borongan City, adapting this year’s CFC international theme “Alter Christus, Nurtured by Mary”. The event was at-tended by over 600 CFC members from different municipalities of Eastern Samar.

Guest speakers of the event were Bro Neil Balite, Provincial Area Director of Bohol and member of the International Council of CFC and Ben Cabahug, Pro-vincial Area Head of Western Samar. Both have traveled far to attend the celebration with their wives.

The first part of the program started with a parade from Baybay Boulevard headed to the venue, Borongan Capitol Gym. All cluster delegations were ac-knowledged before the kids praise as an opening worship led CFC-Kids for Christ. The singing of the National anthem was led by Sis Aster Alde, Singles for Christ Provincial Coordinator. The Welcome address was given by Bro Roger Chua, Eastern Samar Provincial Area Director. All clusters were represented and liven up with several intermission numbers by dif-ferent ministries of CFC.

The highpoint of the program was the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fa-ther Leroy Geli, Team Moderator of the Di-ocese of Borongan accompanied by Llor-

CFC Eastern Samar turns 20Ma. Natividad Bagas

Almost a year after Yolanda, the Di-ocese of Borongan, headed by Bishop Crispin Varquez, recently released a prog-ress report on its two-phase program for Yolanda-affected communities.

According to the Diocese’s Commis-sion on Social Action, Justice, and Peace (DCSA-JP), the first phase of the program involved emergency response, and was implemented from December 2013 to March 2014, providing survivors their ba-sic needs.

Some 3,000 food packs, courtesy of the Diocese of Naga, and 9,000 non-food item packs containing wash kits, thermal kits, and kitchen utensils were given to devastated communities.

Moreover, unconditional cash grants amounting to P2.5 million benefited as many as 3,500 families, while 2,250 re-ceived materials for backyard farming like seeds and agricultural tools.

The DCSA-JP office received and dispensed relief goods and monetary do-nations from different parts of the world to Yolanda-affected communities.

Once the emergency response was in place, the Borongan see focused on the program’s second phase, recovery and rehabilitation, which started in April 2014 and is expected to run for the next three to five years.

With its partner organizations, the program seeks to provide transitional

shelters to 780 households; full latrines to 600, fishing boats and gear to 380 fisher-men; farming implements and seedlings to 400 beneficiaries; poultry animals to 300; alternative livelihood opportunities like small businesses to 240; and 100 hogs and 100 goats to various household groups.

Among these partner organizations are the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s National Sec-retariat for Social Action, Justice, and Peace (NASSA), Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Germany, Don Bosco, Manos Unidas, Kolping, and LUPPA.

The Borongan Diocese and Don Bosco have since built some 180 transi-tional shelters in the towns of Mercedes and Salcedos, while in Balangiga, each family in seven barangays received con-struction materials.

To help survivors earn a living, 160 fishing boats were donated to Yolanda-hit Eastern Samar municipalities.

Furthermore, the diocese plans to conduct interventions for building disas-ter-resilient communities.

Leadership development programs for community leaders are also set to strengthen capacities of community groups like livelihood associations and sector groups, as well as to support par-ish efforts.

Borongan diocese outs ‘Yolanda’ program reportRaymond A. Sebastián/CBCPNews

journey to the Philippines is described rules it out. In other words, there seems to be no ship that fits its description.

(5) Moreover, where was the ship really going? If indeed it went from one port to an-other just to unload the cargo, did it have a destination? Even that of a buccaneer does not make such erratic voyage. (6) What makes the lady’s luggage so unusual that the moment the ship reaches a port, the crew could only try to unload it without success? (7) If the ship were as big as, say, the Doña Angelina of the Carlos Go Thong Company in the l970s, it is possible that the captain might not have mind-ed about the woman. But in a ship so small like the flagship of Magellan, would a captain ever forget his passenger—considering that it took months to cross the Pacific Ocean? (8) Moreover, in an all-male ship, could any man forget a woman? In an age of chivalry, would the crew missed to feed her? (9) If indeed the woman had a box that contained the image of the Virgin, would the custom have allowed its loading without inspection? It should be noted that cargoes had to be accounted for. In the natural course of things, it would be un-likely that no one from the staff of the captain knew anything about its content.. (9) Also, would the captain allow a woman to board his ship without knowing her identity and destina-tion? (10) Other questions may be asked. It is alleged that the captain asked about the name of the place upon landing on Punta Maria. But why did the people reply “Borongan”, and not “Guintaguican,” which should have been the most logical answer? (11) If it were true that the image was unloaded in Guintaguican, why did the people allow it to be transferred to Bo-rongan? In those days, and probably today, the transfer of an image venerated in a par-ticular place is not an easy matter to do.[6]B. External Evidence

If we now turn our inquiry to the external evidence, we encounter various questions. (1) The main problem about the historicity of the account is that, even if it were internally con-sistent, there is no document to corroborate it. I have read the references to Borongan in the 55-volume work of Blair and Robertson,[7] and in the multi-volume collection of primary documents of S. Zaide, but I could not find any single reference to it. (2) Also, in an age when people considered miraculous some-thing that is perceived to be extraordinary, the first missionaries usually wrote about almost anything that seemed beyond human control or natural explanation. In an article I wrote on

the Jesuit mission in Guiuan, I mentioned two “miraculous” events that people attributed to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of Guiuan.[8] And these were re-corded. If indeed, the story of the shipment of the image was miraculous, how come none of the Jesuit reports, or the Franciscan reports for that matter, mentioned it? (3) Equally im-portant, it is strange that the Church, if the story were a factual historical account, did not give importance to it, for all its popularity among Boronganons, nor, to my recollection, acknowledged its miraculous origins in docu-ment. Does this not indicate that the Church considered it as something other than histori-cal?

(4) In 1951, President Quirino issued Ex-ecutive Order No. 486, instructing teachers of compile historical and cultural data of the towns in the country, and those in Eastern Sa-mar complied with it. The collection is called Historical Data Papers,[9] kept at the National Library. For Borongan, for example, Fidel An-acta wrote that included in the compilation are “historical and cultural data of the municipality of Borongan and its barrios [that] may serve to perpetuate the social and cultural heritage of the place,”[10] but if the story of the Virgin were historical, why did Anacta and his co-teachers not include it in the historical part? (5) In my conversation with some Boronga-nons, I was told that the Natividad became the patroness of the town precisely because of its miraculous journey to the pueblo. This idea, however, runs counter to the manner in which a patron/ess is selected at the time of the Jesuit missionaries, and it was ordinarily something like this: having gathered the peo-ple, the Jesuit asked them to choose an advo-cate before God who would protect them from natural and supernatural calamities. They were instructed to consider several names of saints, write them on paper, fold them, and place them into an urn. Then, the one whose name had been drawn by lot was named their patron.[11]

Thus, both internal and external facts demonstrate that there is a wide gulf between the Padul-ong account and actual historical experience. But if they show that the story cannot be regarded as historical, how are we to treat it? I suggest that the best way is to look at it from the point of view of literary criti-cism; after all, the account is clearly an oral tradition.

Antigo...(from p.4)

ente CFC Music Ministry. Father Leroy, in his homily, addressed the audience that if we want to go to the Kingdom of God, we should follow and obey his will like how Jesus’ life of humbleness and patience, doing the will of the father.

“Life is full of struggle. Struggle be-tween what we want in life and what God wants in our life. In life, we seek for plea-sure, money and power but God wants us to live a humble life and learn to do the will of God”, Father Leroy concluded.

A Leader’s Conference was also held a day before the anniversary celebration as a part of the program, participated by more than 100 leaders of the CFC minis-tries all over the province aiming to em-power the leaders that serve as pillars of the CFC community. The talk entitled “Laity as Co-responsible with the Clergy in Evangelization” was delivered by Rev. Msgr. Lope Robredillo, Vicar General of Dioceses of Borongan.

The CFC would like to thank the gen-erous sponsors for their help and support for the success of the event, namely: Gov. & Mrs. Conrado Nicart, Jr.; Vice Gov & Mrs. Marcelo “Dindo” Picardal; Bro. Ro-lito & Sis Nenita Avila; Ablaze Communi-cations; Bro. Paul Oliva, Chinabank Bo-rongan; Philippine National Bank, c/o Mrs. Felisa Pomajeros; Atty & Mrs Celestino Cabato; and Dra Editha Raagas.

ESTE! News8 COMMUNITY September-October 2014

mean? First World? Second World? Third World? Or Fourth World?

Eastern Samar commuters: Road builders are insensitive to commuters in not fixing craters while doing road rehab.

Maybe they are sensitive to the roads…

Item: Eastern Samar Representative called Makabayan Representative a DAP beneficiary; Makabayan Representative called Eastern Samar Representative a ‘GMA boy’ turned ‘PNOY man’ but “not balimbing”…

A case of the kettle calling the pot black?

Claim: “Borongan is Paradise in the East”.

Good name. Unfortunately it threat-ens to become Milton’s “Paradise Lost” (considering the continuing lack of oppor-

tunities, unemployment, garbage prob-lem, environmental degradation [example: over-quarrying of Suribao River], extreme rural poverty [example: ‘Panalugon’ ago-ny]).

Item: Typhoon Mario responsible for the worst flooding since Ondoy.

Typhoon Mario: I was just doing what was expected of me. (To LGUs and civilian residents) Were you doing what was expected of you?

Item: Cardinal Tagle joins “Walk For Climate Change”.

Eminence, are you sure you are “for” it?

Item: Jamie Rivera’s song “We Are All God’s Children” is chosen theme song for Pope Francis’ visit.

Thanks, Jamie. Now we know what we don’t show too much and, hence, suf-fer the consequences from.

Thought for Thought...(from p.5)

Emergency Response and Prepara-tions on the Road to Recovery

Immediately after Super Typhoon Yolanda made its devastating impact on November 8, 2013, mostly in the southern municipalities of the Province of Eastern Samar, and two others in its central part, the Local Church of Diocese of Borongan immediately tapped whatever she had – materials, funds, and most importantly her people – and provided immediate aid to the victims. Linking with the provincial government and some other groups within the locality, the diocese reached out to as many victims and survivors as she could to provide immediate relief – mainly food assistance, and at the same time, actively participated in setting up order in the prov-ince in addressing issues on connectivity and communication, spiraling costs of ba-sic necessities, peace and order among others. At every twist and turn, the Bishop of Borongan, Most Reverend Crispin B. Varquez, DD has always been at the fore-front in leading the diocese with his hands-on approach to the situation. With a core group of priests, religious and lay volun-teers, he transformed the whole diocesan structure – social action commission, chancery, social communication, seminar-ies among others – into one emergency response unit with four core functions – operations, finance, communication and networking, with each made as a sub-unit and an assigned focal person.

When aid from outside came, the dio-cese, somehow, had already set up the ba-sic systems and structure for an expected surge of support coming from different do-nors, both local and international. Among the first things to be organized was a team that conducted a rapid assessment in all the affected parishes and communities in the diocese. Thanks, largely to the parish volunteers even though they themselves were victims, they contributed greatly in coming up with a very substantive body of information that supported the plans craft-ed by the diocese. With the information gathered from the ground the diocese of Borongan was able to identify four major areas of concern, among a myriad of con-cerns, which it deemed capable of doing namely: shelter and WASH (Water, Sani-tation, & Hygiene), livelihood, education, and restoration of churches, chapels and schools destroyed by the typhoon. The diocese was also able to establish a net-work of donors, partners and collaborators both institutions and private individual that

supported the various interventions it set out to do.

Shelter InterventionThe disaster that visited us has also

brought to the province of Eastern Samar many humanitarian actors both institution-al and individual whose efforts to provide relief to the plight of the people made a great impact on the lives of the people. One of the concerns that was immediately looked into was the provision of shelters to the people who were rendered home-less by the typhoon. The diocese did its share in this effort. It played a unique role of an implementing actor and at the same time the facilitator pointing the other ac-tors that linked with the diocese to the specific areas where their interventions are much needed. A large portion of the do-nation received by the diocese was allot-ted for its own diocesan shelter program and at the same time, it collaborated with the CBCP-NASSA and Caritas Germany in the construction of transitional shelters for the survivors. At the moment the dio-cese has completed transitional shelters in Our Lady of Salvation Parish in Buabua, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mercedes, St. Isidore Parish in Salcedo, Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Giporlos, St, Lawrence Martyr Parish in Balangiga, St John the Baptist Parish in Homonhon. Some ongo-ing shelter program for other parishes are still underway. Due to its limited sources compared to other shelter programs, it took the strategy to ‘gap intervention’ wherein it caters to those needs who are inevitably not meet by other actor for vari-ous reasons. Notwithstanding our limited resources we set our sights in building up to nine hundred (900) transitional shelters.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Intervention

The need for stable and safe source our water cannot be over emphasized as this is one of the most basic need of a person. Cognizant of this need, the dio-cese has also allotted some funds for the restoration of safe potable water sources and for the construction of water closets and other forms of hygiene facilities. This project is to be in tandem with the shelter interventions of the diocese.

Livelihood InterventionThe Diocese has adopted a ‘two

pronged’ approach in its livelihood inter-ventions that reflects to two basic sources of livelihood of the people namely fishing and farming. While there were so many ac-tors that took active role in the restoration

DIOCESE OF BORONGAN: A YEAR AFTER YOLANDA/HAIYAN A Journey Towards Recovery

ESTE! News 9FEATURESeptember-October 2014

of the fishing livelihood of the people large-ly because the badly hit areas were mostly fishing communities, the farming scene paints a different picture as there were few interventions in this area. The diocese has so far have distributed more or less three hundred motorized and non-motorized boat and some are still in the process of fabrication. Our projection is to distribute eight hundred boats to fishermen from the different parishes. It has also allocated a big chunk of donations received to the farming sector and has so far distributed various seeds and seedlings as well as farm implements and livestock to farm-ers. The Diocese has also strengthened its small enterprises program to provide alter-native livelihood who people whose means of livelihoods depend on the season and weather condition of the area.

Education Intervention The scholarship program is a unique

form of intervention that the diocesan has undertaken. This is an aspect of the restor-ative interventions that is almost neglected by the various humanitarian actors. There is hardly any takers in this field, hence the diocese took the initiative to crafting a scholarship program that provides an op-portunity to the students affected by the typhoon who face the prospect of having their education interrupted due to finan-cial constraints to continue their studies. To date there are more than two hundred fifty (250) college students mostly from the southern part of the diocese that are benefiting from the scholarship program of the diocese which consists of tuition fee grants, monthly transportation allowance and textbook allowance and other miscel-laneous expenses. Hopefully, with continu-ing donations from kindhearted people, this will evolve into a permanent program to answer the perennial problem of scar-city of opportunity for higher education of the young people belonging to the low income bracket families which is exploited by some politicians as a tool for their self-serving ends.

Repair of Churches and Rectories and school buildings

Thanks to various donors who have not forgotten need to restore our churches and rectories, the diocese was able to fund the repairs of the churches, some of which needed to be totally reconstructed, and the rectories. Materials for the chapel repairs and reconstruction were also purchased. In the case of chapel repairs, the people volunteered to work for free so that they

can have once again their place of worship and prayer. The churches are almost done except for the heritage church of Immacu-late Conception Parish in Guiuan which was completely ruined and the church of Our Lady of Salvation Parish in Buabua that needs major restorative intervention. The construction of the historic church of St. Lawrence of Balangiga was taken by the US Conference of Bishop. The diocese has also set out to repair school buildings for the three church-run schools and it is also facilitating the construction of pub-lic school buildings in the island parishes through the help some donors.

Soft InterventionIndeed Yolanda wrought havoc in the

Diocese of Borongan, yet we believe we have not seen the last of its kind. With this in mind, the diocese of has taken steps in-still a sense disaster preparedness in the minds of the people through the various Disaster Risk Reduction Trainings and Ca-pacity Building Seminars that were given by the diocese through its social action commission.

Road to RecoveryThe road to recovery is intricate and

full of complexities, but it is also full of hope and opportunities for real development to happen in Eastern Samar, which apparent-ly was not evident prior to Yolanda. Thus the greater challenge, is how, these God-given gifts can be harnessed as the dio-cese and other interveners moves towards real recovery and rehabilitation often heard in a catchy phrase, “build back better.”

Expression of GratitudeWe are immensely grateful to the

countless donors who helped us in our time of need. You will always be in our memory and prayers.

(Sgd.) REV. FR. JUDERICK PAUL C. CALUMPIANO - Chairperson, Diocesan Commission on Social Action (DCSA)

(Sgd. ) REV. FR. INOCENTES B. ABUDA JR - Associate Director for Finance – DCSA

(Sgd. )MARIO IAN MOSQUISA - Associ-ate Director for Operation – DCSA

(Sgd. )REV. FR, MICHAEL VINCENT BORMATE - Human Resource Officer – DCSA

(Sgd. ) MOST REV. CRISPIN B. VARQUEZ, DD - Bishop of Borongan

Balik balay...(from p.5)

Surely this special place called home will be weakened against the forces of evil if it will not be shielded with prayers, word of God, sacraments and service to God and man. Now a days many homes are weak and many are broken because of “busyness” with not so essential things such as technology dependency resulting to sterile, and affectionless re-lationships with no true communication and connectedness.

If this happens the devil fines a crack to penetrate the home by offering plea-sure that would draw the weak to his weaknesses inspired by the influence of

technological evil to wallow in sin. And once enjoyed, he will seek more and more of it until the dignity of the home is ruined.

A concrete example of destroyers of the homes, who are soldiers of the devil are the HUMAN TRAFFICKERS. Who are these servants of darkness? They are the perpetrators who take advantage of pleasure seeking single men/ women, and married men/women seeking sexual pleasure outside of marriage. Taking ad-vantage more of their victims’ vulnerabil-ity, that they just consider as commodi-ties not human beings, exploiting them

repeatedly until they last. The worst thing is, in order to last longer they are “duped “, they are taught how to use and enjoy illegal drugs so the stimulating action of the drug will remove inhibitions, give strength, numb their bodies from pain and even forget hunger.

Why is HUMAN TRAFFICKING get-ting rampant here in Borongan? Eastern Samar? Kay siyudad naman it Borongan! Kay kapobresan gad hit Eastern Samar!

Is it really the cause ? For the perpe-trators, are they really poor? Aren’t they doing this for their vices, their pleasure, luxury and GREED? Are all the victims

who are deceived, forced and enslaved really poor? But there are also willing vic-tims! Are they all really poor?

Do we need money to accept God as the King of our lives, of our homes? Do we need money to pray? Parents do we need money to teach our children about God? Do we need money to teach moral values to our children, to teach what is right and what is wrong? Do we need money to teach how to live simply and to teach them to live according to our means?

Is it really POVERTY that causes HU-MAN TRAFFICKING? To be continued…

No. Sitios Barangay Municipality1 Marasal Bolosao Lawaan2 Canwara Guinob-an Lawaan3 Gaas Campesao Borongan4 Bukhason Bugas Borongan5 Pag-asa Maypangdan Borongan6 Talisay Naubay Llorente7 Kakulapnitan 7 Quinapondan8 Lunang 15 Dolores9 Purok 6 Campesao Borongan

10 Purok 7 Balud Borongan11 Fishport Sabang South Borongan12 Talisay Dapdap Dolores13 Purok 2 2 Dolores14 Binongto-an 2 Dolores15 Tabok Naubay Llorente16 Buraobod Naubay Llorente17 Hanigan Bua-Bua Salcedo18 Bagong Bario Naparaan Salcedo19 Maykurot Trinidad Oras20 Baras Balud Borongan21 Lobo Locso-on Borongan22 Purok 4 A Borongan23 Purok 1 Balud Borongan24 Sabang Naubay Llorente25 Kalubian Paypayon Oras26 Monbon Tawagan Guiuan27 Ibabaw Butak Guiuan28 Purok 3 Lupok Guiuan29 Purok 3 Campoyong Guiuan30 Purok 3 Holywood Guiuan31 Purok 2 2 Guiuan32 Purok 2 Panamitan Guiuan33 Purok 2 Baras Guiuan34 Casabahan 4 Mercedes35 Purok 1 Baras Guiuan36 Alang-Alang Surok Guiuan37 Sapao Anuron Mercedes38 Ilawod Maca-anga Llorente39 Purok 1 6 Guiuan40 Campo 6 San Rafael Taft

EASTERN SAMAR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ESAMELCO)

Brgy. Cabong, Borongan City, Eastern Samar

ESTE! News10 VATICAN September-October 2014

BARANGAY AND SITIOS ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM

LIST OF 12 ISLAND BARANGAYSDUE FOR ENERGIZATION ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 31, 2015

1. Tikling Isaland, Dolores, E. Samar2. Suluan Island, Guiuan, E. Samar3. Sta. Monica, Oras, E. Samar4. Hilaba-an Island, Dolores, E. Samar5. Bita-ogan Island, Dolores, E. Samar6. Habag, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar7. Inapulangan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar8. Casuguran, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar9. Canawayon, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar10. Cagusu-an, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar11. Culasi, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar12. Pagbabangnan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan, E. Samar

SITIO ELECTRIFICATIOPN PROGRAM (SEP)DUE FOR ENERGIZATION ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 3, 2014

Dra. Evelyn Asebias, M.D.Dra. Jovita Pabello

Hon Byron M. SuyotLucy Foronda

DONORS

1. Alexius & Renzy Abella2. Alyson Gil Operario3. Antonio & Becky Campomanes4. Arnulfo & Doris Cajegas5. Celeste Dahlia Tabayocyoc6. Celso & Thelma Tabayocyoc7. Christopher Duran8. Crudua Family9. Dr. Macario Felicen Jr.10. Dra. Lerma Badiola-Romero11. Dyane, Andrei and Althea Chua12. Edgardo Juaban13. Enriqueta Rodeles14. Epifania de Veyra15. Isabel Ariaso, Novy Navares & Children Abelyn, Vincent & Kieth16. Japeth & Jahzeel Abrugar17. Joseph & Penny Kruse18. Kier Andrie Gloria19. Kristine Prestoza20. Lilibeth Baris21. Maria Grace Mirador

BENEFACTORS22. Mary Ann Sabadlab23. Milagros Cabalonga24. Ms. Megan Molina25. Mr. & Mrs. Arnel Balbin26. Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Mabansag27. Mr. & Mrs. Joaquin Lumagbas Sr.28. Mr. & Mrs. Joel Macapanas29. Mr. & Mrs. Rey Dadios30. Mr. & Mrs. Ruby Ann Balbin31. Mr. & Mrs. Sherwin Aquino32. Mrs. Beatrize Egargo33. Mrs. Condordia Luma-in34. Mrs. Eva Diaz35. Mrs. Gregoria Calumpiano36. Mrs. Mary Grace Soraya37. Mrs. Myrna Isaig & Family38. Mrs. Sharon Abrera39. Patrocinia Canites40. Pudente & Fielcing Baleña41. Rolly & Lorna Capito42. Ruperto & Shiela Ilaya43. Yolanda Tiozon

KAPAWASinurat ni: Tuyaw Nga Idro

Ha kasaysayan hinin kalibutan, ha listahan han mga katalagman

Gikukusugi nga bagyo aton nasaksihan, Yolanda an iya ngaran

Hitabo nga diri hingangalimtan, lumabay man an mga katuigan

Nagbilin hin halarum nga kasamdan, waray pagkapa-ra nga tigaman.

Yukot-yukot nga kinabuhi an ginkuha, mga kaurup-dan ug kapamilya

Ha kasubo nanhibul-os kita, waray sukol an pag-antos gin-abat ta

Natabigis an panuro an luha, daw nabungkag an bug-os nga planeta

Pero naglabay an mga takna, ha usa katuig kita ini naninindog pa.

Mga sangkay aton la ginpakita, mga waraynon diri madali matumba

Ha hinay-hinay kita maursa, bis’ an dalan nga ginsul-sog tipasagka

Usa katuig magsasalin-urog kita, ha kadalanan dag-kot hin kandila

Pasidungog hadto’n nagkawara, an mga kalag mata-gan hin kapawa.

Nobiembre Ocho aton dumdumon, andam han mga pangadyi-on

Ha luyo han aton kamasulob-on, inin dughan nga duro kabug-on

Ha hunahuna aton santupon, ha pagsalin-urog kita magmalaumon

Masirum man an kagab-ihon, magpupunias an adlaw ha kaagahon.

ESTE! News 11September-October 2014

“The environment is God’s gift to everyone; and in our use of it,

we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.”

-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Sunrise at Baybay BoulevardBorongan City

ESTE! News12 September-October 2014