La Madonnetta

La MadonnettaLa MadonnettaLa MadonnettaThe Offi cial Newsletter of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate-Philippines

AVANTI!ANDIAMO

vol IV | issue 1 May-November 2011

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Marian Devotion

Founder’sCorner

G. Seminarista

MARITAS Update

About the General

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Bro. John Michael Arquero, SHMIPrefect / La Madonnetta Adviser

This image is the icon of new hope for the congrega-tion of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate. He is the new superior general of the con-gregation. He will be general for 6-year term. The theme for this issue is “Andiamo’vanti” which means, “Let’s Go For-ward.

Bro. John Michael Arquero, SHMIPrefect / La Madonnetta Adviser

Editor-in-chief SEM. FRANCIS DOMINIC VERGARAManaging Editor SEM. JEROME BERJA

Informati on Executi ve Editor SEM. FERDIE DE LEONNews Editor POST. CARL ANDREW JURIDICO

Feature Editor POST. REINIER JUANNews Writer SEM ALVEN RODOL MAURICIO

News Writer SEM. CARY CAINCOYFeature Writer SEM. ALVIN QUE

SEM. CHRISTIAN YGOR ESCANDORCartoonist SEM. CHRISTOFFER DENZELL AQUINO

Photojournalist SEM. CHRISTOPHER BANIAGA

ContributorsSem. Ray Ylves Gaga-a

Sem. Neal Allen LaurenteSem. Bryant Cabreros

Sem. Jules Bernard FernandoSem. Lloyd Saladaga

Sem. John Blake NavarroSem. Benjun David

Sem. Aldwin CecilioSem. Jasnar Llanto

Bro. Glenn Reyes, SHMIBro. Bryan Jay Campo , SHMI

Rev. Fr. John Paulo Bauti sta,SHMI Rev. Fr. Dick Eslopor, SHMI

Rev. Fr. Eric Gonzales, SHMIRev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, SHMI

Rev. Fr. Allan Ybañez, SHMIMs. Rho CepedaMr. Des Tablate

Adviser BRO. JOHN MICHAEL ARQUERO, SHMIPublisher QUALITY CATHOLIC PUBLICATION

ABOUT THE COVER

Editor-in-chief SEM. FRANCIS DOMINIC VERGARAEditor-in-chief Editor-in-chief SEM. FRANCIS DOMINIC VERGARA

La MadonnettaEditorial Board

Greetings of Peace!

After sleepless nights of writing, editing and layouting, fi nally, this issue of La Madonnetta is presented to you. The theme for this is-sue is Andiamo Avanti! (Let’s Go Forward). This theme is with regards to the invitation of the Superior General, Fr. Roberto Amici SHMI, Coraggio fratelli cari! (Courage my dear brothers), this is to be found in his fi rst circular letter. Moving forward means taking courage, and taking cour-age means moving forward. Let’s move forward in the love of Christ!

Enjoy Reading!

2General Chapter

3Profession

3Fr. Tohoy’s Ordination

Sportsfest 2011

Pastoral Update

124

19

91324

24

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La Madonnetta EDITORIAL 1

Keep Moving Forward Nothing is constant in this world except “change” as far as the ancient philosopher Heraclitus is con-cern. Needless to say, everything in this finite reality we call Earth is changing: from being potential to actual. Three things come into our minds when we come across this reality called change: generation, deterioration and annihilation. Throughout our existence, things change visibly, though other remains and looks like what it was, but for sure it is not as it was: From nothing to something (ala ex nihilo), or from something to nothing, or from something to more than that something. A leaf may die, wither and fall from its branch, but for sure, another would bloom. The Vatican pro-nounced new prelates in the Philippines, in the Nunciature and in the Archdiocese of Manila. Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, D.D. hailed the new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines succeeding Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams, DD (the new Vatican Ambassador to Greece) and the former bishop of Imus, Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle, D.D. took the reins of the retired Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, as archbishop of Manila. The congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, like the Nunciature and the Archdiocese of Manila, has a new shepherd elected during the 18th General Chapter in the person of Fr. Roberto Amici, SHMI. The new Superior General of the congregation, succeeding Fr .Luigi Fain Binda, SHMI, who shep-herded the congregation for almost 27 years, is the youngest Superior General ever in the history of the congregation. He is just 42 years old. With him are his young councilors. New air is to be expected to enter the windows of SHMI having this young breed of leaders. Changes within the administrations of different communities are to be expected. This would mean that there would be an adjustment in every community. These changes would mean nothing when no one will participate. It is up to us if we gear this change for the better or for the worst. The congregation is not a one-man-ruled body. It is a family, where everyone functions. As such, family, we must ask ourselves what we can do for SHMI and never expect SHMI to do something for us. Where and what are we heading for: from something to nothing or from something to something better? Andiamo’vanti!

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2 NEWS La Madonnetta

TheChurchrequiresallPontificalReligiousCon-gregations,bothmaleandfemale,tocelebratetheGen-eralChaptereverysixyears.ThepurposeoftheGeneralChapter, as stated by ourConstitutions, is “to elect theGeneralCouncil, to renewand foster theCongregation,andtoupdatethelegislation.”ThefirstGeneralChapterinhistorywascelebratedbySt.BenedictattheMonasteryofMontecassinoinItaly,sothatthemonkscoulddiscussimportantissuesconcerningtheirspiritualityandcommu-nitylife.AttheendoftheChapter,St.Benedictwroteadocumentdividedinto“capi,”orchapters,meaning“ar-guments.”Fromthatmoment,allbooks– including theBible -weredivided intochapters, and themeetingsofmonkswerecalled“chapters.”TheGeneralChapterofSt.BenedictwassofruitfulthattheChurchdeclaredthatallOrdersandCongregationsshouldcelebrateitonaregularbasis. Accordingly, our belovedCongregationhas cel-ebrated the18thGeneralChapter inourGeneralHouseinRome, from July 11 to 29, 2011. Itwas attendedby32delegatesfromourcommunities inArgentina,Chile,Mexico,Italy,PhilippinesandPoland,whozealouslyful-filledtheirdutiesundertheinspirationoftheHolySpirit,theintercessionofMaryImmaculateandofourVenerableFounderJosephFrassinetti. OnJuly11,theCapitularFatherswentonpilgrim-agetotheBasilicaofSt.MaryMajor,whereFr.LuigiFainBinda presided a solemn concelebration in the PaolineChapel,whereitisveneratedthefirstMarianiconpaintedbySt.LuketheEvangelist.Thenextday,BishopFlavioRobertoCarrarogaveaconferencetotheCapitulars,ex-

plaining that theGeneralChaptershouldbe likeaNewPentecostfortheCongregation,torenewtheenthusiasmand discover new apostolic horizons. On the followingdays,werepresentedthereportsoftheGeneralFather,theGeneralEconomus, theDelegateofLatinAmerica,andtheresponsiblesoftheyouthministry,thevocationminis-try,andthehousesinMexicoandinthePhilippines. OnJuly20,afterasolemnconcelebrationtoinvoketheHolySpirit,thereweretheGeneralElections,withthefollowing results:GeneralSuperior: Fr.RobertoAmici;FirstCouncilorandVicargeneral:Fr.EnricoSpano;Sec-ondCouncilor:Fr.DominicTabal;ThirdCouncilor:Fr.MarioRoncella; Fourth Councilor: Fr. EduardoMonje.Generaleconomus:Fr.GilbertoPrincipessa.Allthereli-giousgavethankstoGodforthenewofficers–notablyveryyoungandenergetic-andpromisedtosustainthemwith love andprayer in their service for theCongrega-tion. Afterwards,thecommissionsontheRatioForma-tionis, VocationMinistry,Missions, Charism, Constitu-tionandDirectory,Cultures,andYouthMinistry,contin-uedtheirworks.TheGeneralChapterhappilyendedonJuly29,withasolemnthanksgivingMass.TheCapitularsreturnedtotheirrespectivecommunitiesfullwithjoyandzealforthegiftsthattheSpirithasbestowedonourCon-gregation.

The 18th General Chapter: A New Pentecost for the

CongregationRev.Fr.PaoloPirlo,SHMI

The Father General (at the center), his councilors (seated) and the capirtular fathers

The new superior general and the Generals Emeritus, Fr. Pisoni (left) and Fr. Binda (right)

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La Madonnetta NEWS 3

The Congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate once again was blessed with new priest in the person of Rev. Fr. Fritz Tohoy, SHMI. He was ordained to the dia-conate on March 31, 2010 at the Metropoli-tan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence in Genova (place of the founder) together with the or-dination to the priesthood of Rev. Fr. John Paulo Bautista, SHMI, through the laying of hands and prayer of consecration of Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genova and President of the Catholic Bishops Con-ference of Italy. Last April 30, 2011, Fr. Tohoy was ordained priest through the laying of hands and prayer of consecration of His Excel-lency Angel Lagdameo, D.D., Archbishop of Jaro in his hometown in Leon, Iloilo, at Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish. Some SHMI priests participated the said ordination.The seminarians who came served as the choir and the servers on the event and during his fi rst mass, which happened the afternoon of that same day. Fr. Tohoy, who was then Seminarian, Brother Fritz was considered as one of the intellectuals during his seminary years, and one of the favorites of the professors. Fr. Fritz is currently assigned in San-ta Maria Juana Coeli in Rome as a vice-su-perior, treasurer and parochial Vicar.

The Congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate once again was blessed

Now, Call Him FATHER!

ProfessionSem.JeromeR.Berja

Last May 31, 2011, Feast of the Visitati on, there was a big celebrati on in the whole community of Sons of Holy Mary Im-maculate. That day was the fi rst religious profession of Bro. Jhonny Pajarillo, Bro. Bryan Jay Campo and Bro. Jumar Llanto. It was held at the Mary Immaculate Parish, Bett erliving, Parañaque City. It was started with the celebrati on of the Holy Mass. The three brothers of the congregati on were received offi cially and pronounced their vows of chasti ty, poverty and obedience in front of Fr. Geussippe Ciconi, SHMI, a superior delegate. That very same day was also the entrance to the noviti ate of Nov. Dennis Aguilar, Nov. Robert Jomel Mendoza, Nov. Ulyses Rubia and Nov. Elmerson Sevilla. A sea of people att ended the celebrati on and they were very happy to see these young gentlemen wearing their black habit. Unending joy covered the whole ambiance of the feast and a cloud of gratefulness of these three professed brothers and new novices to their families, friends and benefactors exploded. These newly born “babies” of the congregati on are now nurturing and sti ll responding to God’s call. They are now in the dreamed-place of all—Italy, where they conti nue their studies and their spiritual journeys. Seminary formati on is like playing a com-puter game that has many steps and many levels to achieve on. As long as you play the game, the more hindrances and diffi culti es will trap your way but there is also a powerful weapon to fi ght them all and that is Prayer. Every one of us, being a seminarian, really dreamed and wish to go to the next level of our formati on but it takes ti me, courage and perseverance to do so. These newly pro-fessed brothers will always serve as our inspirati on and models in our journey in life.

Sem. Christopher Baniaga

From the left, Bro. Johnny, Fr. Allan, Bro. Jumar, Bro. Bryan

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4 PASTORAL UPDATE La Madonnetta

I am a member of a religious organization named Im-maculate Youth Ministry. Our group or should I say family was established eleven years ago by our founder Kuya Rey Rhett Maglinte and Ate Lovella Maglinte. I have been a member of this organization for almost seven years and during those times of truthful service to God, I have witnessed a lot of changes in our parish.

Mary Immaculate Parish was fi rst established as San Isidro Labrador Chapel here in Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cav-ite. Before as I remember, the masses were held every week in our chapel, it was only a small building made of raw materials such as coco lumbers and plywood. There were only few parish-ioners gathered to hear the message of God knowing that our barangay was the largest in Dasmariñas City; and most of the population in our area are Roman Catholics. Back then, on Sep-tember 8, 2003 our chapel was blessed as Mary Immaculate Par-ish headed by Rev. Fr. Nestor Escamis as our Parish Priest and Rev Fr. Lito Barber as the Assistant Parish Priest. They are from the congregation of Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate (SHMI). The congregation manage, develop and guide our church to be closer to God. Since then, our church started to progress, numbers of servers and parishioners increased in number and different ac-tivities such as Santa Cruzan, Station of the Cross during Holy Week and Fiestas were held in different villages and barrios to encourage other people to go to church. During that time, the only thing that we need was a large building which will serve as our main church because the population growing in number and that the fi rst chapel cannot accommodate us anymore. Because of that, SHMI fi nd ways and raised funds enough for constructing a new church. After the term of Fr. Nestor, the next Parish Priest ap-pointed in our Parish was Rev Fr. Michael Mata. He is also from the congregation of SHMI and also a good priest like Fr. Nestor. In his term, our dream to have a large church building was re-alized. As I recall, on the year 2005 the church that Fr. Nestor started to build has been completed. It was been blessed by Fr. Mike and Fr. Lito. During that time, many parishioners from differ-ent barangay started to go to mass held in our parish and also re-ligious organization and groups continue to grow. Different choirs have been formed and masters of ceremony such as knights of the altar, lay ministers, lectors and commentators, mother butler, greeters and collectors gathered more members as a preparation so that the ceremony of the mass will be more special. When the term of Fr. Mike ended, another priest was ap-pointed in our parish. His name is Rev Fr. Joseph Jerome Agno, a young, charming and smart looking priest. He is the present Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Parish. Together with our be-loved priests Rev Fr. Lito Barber, Rev Fr. Dick Eslopor, Rev Fr. Allan Ybañez and Rev Fr. Jennil Tonel, they made a great devel-opment in our parish. Before, the population of our church was only just about a thousand, but today it ranges from roughly three to fi ve thousand. It is so great to realize that our church has al-

ready gathered people who before does not even know God. It is so beautiful to see that during mass, many people are praying together with one vision and thoughts and that is to worship and praise God. During Fr. Jay’s term, the church has already one of the main choices for a wedding or baptismal ceremony since the church is so beautiful. Our parish is also having mass wedding and mass baptism for the poor. We as well do charity works such as gift giving by donating used clothes, food and toys to the people in dump site, Citio Malabon. During Holy Week, the Station of the Cross became more successful since many parishioners sacrifi ce themselves to participate in the procession, the same goes in the “Salubong” during Easter. During Advent Season, the church is so busy because there are many celebrations happening such as Feast for Mary Immaculate wherein the parish provides free food after the mass, and a mini concert is conducted together with Fireworks display. “Simbang Gabi” a tradition of Filipino is also an important occasion during Advent season wherein every morning before the sun rise, parishioners go to mass together with their family and friends; Christmas Eve Celebration, Parish Christmas Party and New Year’s Eve (Theotokos) Celebration are also the parochial activities. Fund raising moreover is part of Mary Immaculate Par-ish’s activities. Such as Battle of the Band, Band and Chorale Concert and also just by soliciting to those people who are willing to donate for the improvement of the church. I remember last year wherein the church had wood pews just by solicitation. It was a success because the community, though it is not surrounded by rich people, but they are willing to give for the church, for God. In behalf of the community of Barangay Salawag and to the Religious groups and organization, I am grateful to all the priests that contributed and still contributing for the development of our church community. We will forever treasure your love and kindness; and to the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, by support-ing us, guiding us and by showing us the way that leads to God. All of you will live in our hearts forever. God Bless!!!

I am a member of a religious organization named Im- ready gathered people who before does not even know God. It

A Progress in Community A Progress in Community A Progress in Community A Progress in Community A Progress in Community A Progress in Community and Spiritualityand Spiritualityand Spirituality

Mr. Des TablateMr. Des TablateMr. Des Tablateand Spirituality

Mr. Des Tablateand Spiritualityand Spiritualityand Spirituality

Mr. Des Tablateand Spirituality


Mr. Des Tablateand Spiritualityand Spiritualityand Spirituality


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La Madonnetta PASTORAL UPDATE 5

Months have passed since we began our missionary acti vi-ti es in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. What was thought to be a simple collaborati on became a formal and binding agreement. Archbishop Socrates Villegas, DD of Lingayen-Dagupan sent us an invitati on last January of this year and I can sti ll remember so well his expression “I came to you as a brother in need” that moved all my co-brother priests and I to decide to make an appointment and discuss for a possible collaborati on. On February 3, 2011 Fr. Paolo, Fr. Eric, Fr. Dick and I went to meet the Archbishop. During our meet-ing, the bishop was told that we couldn’t take any defi nite decision since the Congregati on was about to celebrate the General Chapter, thus we can only guarantee a simple collaborati on like the weekend celebrati ons of the Eucharist, unti l December of this year. The bishop brought us to the proposed place in the middle of the beauti ful rice fi elds, where Frs. Anthony and Fidelis Layug and some of the people of the area greeted us. During the conversati on I was shocked and totally in doubt whether it was worth or not to conti nue the said col-laborati on because it was said that during mass only 10 – 15 persons usually att end (!!!) and, on our part we have to travel from Paranaque to Pangasinan, a good 300 kms (!!!) only for 15 persons? My mind was then making its own calculati ons such as fi nancial, physical, emo-ti onal and spiritual sacrifi ces and profi ts. We went home a litt le bit reluctant but we decided to experiment. Two weeks later, February 19 we had our concelebrated mass presided by Archbishop Soc to present us to the people. Many people att ended, even our seminarians, catechists of MIP Salawag (Cavite) and some sisters from Paranaque. To my great surprise, a Decree of Erecti on into a Pastoral Stati on was read and followed by the Lett er of Installati on as Priest Director of no other than but me (!!!) with the faculty to celebrate sacraments and sacramentals with full autonomy from the Parish Church, though not having the Taber-nacle and the registry books. I was really shocked and dumbfounded because I knew very well that my installati on was against the Consti -tuti ons since I am the present Novice Master and it is prohibited to have other offi ces. I told myself “I must do all my best to make the One and Triune God and his mercy and love known to all the people of this place.” Aside from St. Joseph Chapel in Payas, we also started celebrati ng Mass in Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel in Patayak. Knowing that in the Pastoral Stati on there were diff erent sects present, I have decided to follow the footsteps of our Founder Fr. Joseph Frassinetti , that is, to be fi rm in our faith and to love Jesus Christ and His Church, thus, during the Feast of St. Joseph, exactly a month aft er we’ve started, we did a procession in two groups spear-headed by Fr. Cesar “Bobong” Telen in the front group with the elders and me at the back with the youth, passing in front of the diff erent sect churches and Assembly halls. Many people att ended young and old, men and women. It was a very beauti ful experience and every-body enjoyed a lot the whole day fi esta.

The number of the att endees was no longer ten but it be-came bigger and bigger most especially during the Lenten and Easter celebrati ons with its peak: the Paschal Triduum. It was their fi rst ti me to have complete celebrati ons and they were very enthusiasti c. There was not a celebrati on where we were few but always numerous to the point that the covered extension was fully occupied even outside. I was so lucky then because I have had a very collaborati ve faithful and the novices (Jumar, Johnny and Bryan who are now professed broth-ers and in Italy) who gave me their unti ring collaborati on and support even to the point of sleeping few hours a day. As ti me went by, new opportuniti es came like more bap-ti sms, confessions, anointi ng of the sick, house blessings, funerals, etc… By the month of July, we also started to celebrate in the Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel in Balingueo. With the help of the new group of novices (Robert, Dennis, Ulysses and Elmerson) the other ministries were also taken care of like the choir, Knights of the Altar and cateche-sis as they became numerous aside from the Lectors and Commenta-tors, Catechists and Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist The people became more aware of their Christi an catholic identi ty. It is very inspiring to see litt le by litt le whole families att end-ing mass and very eager to know and understand our faith to the point that they don’t want a very short mass but a longer one wherein they can take and bring something home to ponder upon. They also started extending their collaborati on not only within their individual chapels but also to the whole Pastoral Stati on. It is really beauti ful to see how they communicate, collaborate and encourage one and an-other. They love their Pastor and are very willing to listen and serve. With the thought that we might leave them alone once again and be dispersed like before, they started to pray more and more ask-ingfor the extension of our stay. On my part, honestly speaking, I used to think of quitti ng because of the sacrifi ces the missionary work asks but every ti me I think the number of those who came back home aft er years of wandering to and with the other religions and sects, I felt reinvigorated. The sacrifi ces that the novices and I do every week end are compensated with hundreds of contented, smiling and grate-ful faces; proud of the priests and novices of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate they met during these months who substi tuted during my absences (Fr. Paolo, Fr. Eric, Fr. Jennil, Fr. Lito, Fr. Jay and Fr. Dick). Seeing their sincerity, humility and eagerness, I can’t help but ask the Congregati on not to leave them for now otherwise it will be a betrayal to the challenge that God is giving us today. The ten of yesterday be-came hundreds today and, who knows, thousands tomorrow! Help us pray that this missionary acti vity may bear fruit of holiness to all and encourage the young towards priestly and religious life. May the name of the Lord be glorifi ed now and forever.

FromTentoHundredsPastoral Stati on of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Chapel

(Payas, Cablong, Carusucan, Patayak and Balingueo)Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan

Rev. Fr. Allan Ybañez, SHMI

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6 PASTORAL UPDATE La Madonnetta

Addressing my dear parishioners on the occa-sion of the First Anniversary of the Dedication of the Mary Immaculate Parish Church, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our God almighty for letting this signifi cant event happen to our Congregation’s his-tory in the Philippines, our second parish community after having blessed the fi rst Mary Immaculate Parish Church in Brgy. Salawag in Dasmarinas, Cavite on 2004. Re-echoing the message of the Holy Pon-tiff, Pope Benedict, to the world youth last summer in Spain: “Firm in the faith,” I want to extend also this spirit of zeal to our youth here in the parish. Mobilizing them once again to our pastoral activities and making them feel the importance of their presence in building our Church as spiritual stones that are the real foun-dation of the Church of Christ. Awakening in them the indispensable youthful spirit that has the potential of transforming the world of tomorrow to a better world, a world fi lled with Christ’s spirit . As we accompany our seminarians in their cho-sen vocation, on the other hand, we also instill in our youth their laical collaboration with the clergy of tomor-row. They are the youth of the world today and will be the molding factor of the world tomorrow. So, together with the Holy Father in inspiring them to be fi rm in the faith, let us imprint in the hearts of our kids the theme we have in the parish: Mary Immaculate our youth’s companion towards her son Jesus Christ. Long live in Christ our youth!

Addressing my dear parishioners on the occa-

ALetterFromtheDeskofthePastorFr. Eric P. Gonzales, SHMI

The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8th day of September is one of the important events for the congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immacu-late. On the same day, the congregation is having the ceremonials for the so called Postulancy. Postulancy is another stage of formation in the religious life. This is

One Step ForwardSem. Alven Rodol S. Mauricio

The postulants with their master

the time where a seminarian will start a new system of formation as postulant. Last September 08, 2011, the acceptance for Postulancy of Seminarians Reinier Juan, Carl Andrew Juridico and David Pereira was held in Mary Immacu-late Parish (MIP)-Paranaque. These three gentlemen were offi cially accepted by the Superior Delegate, Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, SHMI. The postulants were entrusted from that day on to the care of the Postulant Master, Rev. Fr. Eric P. Gonzales, SHMI. On the same day the two new paintings (Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Guadalupe) were unveiled by the novices, those were gifts of MIP-Parañaque parishioners to Mary on her Birthday. Rev. Fr. Alan Ybañez, SHMI also celebrated his 11th Sacerdotal An-niversary. A simple dinner was held in the seminary re-fectory after the ceremonial.

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ALetterFromtheDeskofthePastorFr. Eric P. Gonzales, SHMI

TheSHMICommunitiesinthePhilippineswouldliketocongratulate

VERY REV. FR. DOMINIC TABAL, SHMIforbeingtheFirstFilipinoGeneralCouncilor

oftheCongregation Fr. DominicTabal was born onNovember 4,1974.He is a Filipino by birth.He had his first Re-ligiousProfession in the congregationof theSonsofHolyMaryImmaculatelastJune6,1998.HefinishedhisPhilosophyandTheologyat theUniversityofUr-banianawith the grade SummaCumLaude.Hewasordained to thepriesthoodonSeptember4,2005.He

isveryactiveinyouthmovementsanddedicatedintheformationoftheKnightsoftheAltar.Hebelievesthatmajorityof thevocations topriesthood andreligiouslife come from these organizations. He was electedasthe2ndGeneralCouncilorduringthe18thGeneralChapterinRomelastJuly.HeisthefirstFilipinoGen-eralCounciloroftheSHMI.

JUNE: Seminarians went to Payas Pangasinan and celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose RizalJULY: Recollection with Rev. Fr. Jhoen Buenaventura on the “bodymindfeelingspirit” • Holy Hour Adoration for Religious and Priestly Vocation in the Soccer Field. • Lectio Divina in the Semi-nary Basketball Court. • Opening of the School of Music (Violin, Flute, Guitar & Piano) & Re-launching of the Anima Band.• Opening of the School of Driving. AUGUST: Recollection with Fr. John, SDB • Conference on Sacred Music with Sr. Belen Laurenaria, SFSC• Priests Day Celebration & Fr. Frassinetti Quiz Bee won by the juniors • Fun Run @ 5.30 am (Jogging along Multinational Village). • Seminary Cine Forum: Martin Luther. SEPTEMBER: Conference on the Liturgy of the Hours with Rev. Fr. Alan Ybanez, SHMI. OCTOBER: Vocation Campaign. NOVEMBER: First Aid Seminar • Postulants with Bro JM joined the Philo-Com Fest of the Society of St. Paul Seminary • Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara was interviewd by the Ayala Young Leaders Con-gress • Taekwondo & Boxing Class • Friendship Game (Basketball

OTHERHIGHLIGHTSIN2011Fr.JohnPauloBautista,SHMI

La Madonnetta UPDATES/ FEATURED ARTICLE 7

& Soccer) – SHMI vs. Youth of the Parish of San Agustin • Holy Mass and Refl ection by the Seminary Confessor for the S.Y.2011-2012 Fr. Estanislao San Luis, C.P. • Recollection with Fr. Ariel

DECEMBER: 20th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr. Paolo Pirlo, SHMI • 10th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr. Eric Gonzales, SHMI • Semi-nary Fiesta (4 in 1 combined celebrations – Family Day, benefac-tors Day, Alumni & friends of SHMI Day and Sportsfest Awarding Day) • Immaculate Conception Fiesta in Mary Immaculate Parish-Salawag and Betterliving. Maritas Christmas Party. Seminary Christmas Party.

Fr. Luis, CP • Fr. Pipo, SHMI • and Fr. Ariel, RCJ

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8 MARITAS UPDATES La Madonnetta

The aim of the Maritas Apostolate is not just to feed the catechumens spiritually, and physically, but also to form leaders; so this aim came into fulfi llment last July 30, 2011, Saturday, together with the Ignati ans (juniors), the Maritas Apostolate conducted the fi rst Leadership conference to the parents and youth cate-chumens. It was a whole aft ernoon event, held in the seminary’s study room. During the arrival of the parti ci-pants, they pledged by stamping their hand prints on the board with colorful paints, to symbolize the promise to serve. The conference was started with a paraliturgy, presided by the apostolate moderator, Fr. John Paulo S. Bauti sta, SHMI, at the seminary’s chapel. And followed by a simple talk by Professor Ronaldo Ofalia who elabo-

September3,2011, theseniorandfreshmensemi-nariansoftheFr.JosephFrassinettiSeminaryjoinedforcesforthefirstMaritasFriendshipDay.Thethemeofthesaideventwas“LakasatTlino,AtingPagtibayin;SalitangDi-yos,LiwanagatGabay.”Itwasawholedayfilledwithac-tivitiesintendedfortheyouthofMaritasapostolateandtheseminarygymnasiumwasfilledwithyouthfulenergy. TheactivitywasstartedwithaParaliturgyandfol-lowedbythelightingofthetorch.Theyouthweredividedrandomlyintoteams:YouthCool,Azkulitz,God’sArmyandSpirit,andSem.WavieAnthonyFuentes,Sem.ReyYlvesGaga-a,Sem.ChristianYgorEsscandorandSem.NealAl-lenLaurentestoodastheirleadersrespectively.Eachteammadetheirownbanner,andtheheadcommitteeonactivi-ties,Post.CarlAndrewJuridico,preparedgamesforthem,to enhance camaraderie and leadership: tallest towerwiththeuseofbroomsticks,puzzleandvolleyball. Sinceitwaslikeamini-Olympics,attheendofthefriendshipday,thewinnersineachcontestwereproclaimed:teamSpiritwontheBestIBanner,BestinExerciseandBestin Sportsmanship; teamAzkulitzwon theBestYell; teamGod’sArmywontheMostCooperativeandTallestTower;andteamYouthCoolwontheVolleyballgame.TeamSpiritwasproclaimedchampion followedbyYouthCool,God’sArmyandAzkulitz. Itwas the first time for theMaritasApostolate toholdsuchanactivity, indeedtheapostolate isprogressing.“Theyouthisthehopeofourchurch”(Bl.JohnPaulII)weneed to take care of them and even enhance their talents,skillsandunityamongthemselves.

MARITASFRIENDSHIPDAYSem.LloydSaladaga

rated the theme of the said event: “Iti nanim at Lumago kay Kristo, Pananampalataya…..” There was an open fo-rum aft er the talk, suggesti ons are being raised by the catechumens and were jutt ed down by the Sem. Reinier Juan, the president of the apostolate, to improve the apostolate. And within the open forum, the Ignati ans, who took part of the event, conducted a raffl e draw. The event was ended with a dance number ren-dered by the freshmen seminarians and with a small me-rienda at the gazebo while others were taking pictures. The Leadership conference does not end that day, but it was just a start to have a bett er and united Maritas, because Maritas Apostolate is not about the seminar-ians teaching catechisms, but it is about the parti cipa-ti on of the catechumens who are the main concern of the apostolate.

Maritas Forms LeadersSem. Aldwin Cecilio

Maritas’ Leaders after the conference

Sinceitwaslikeamini-Olympics,attheendofthefriendshipday,thewinnersineachcontestwereproclaimed:teamSpiritwontheBestIBanner,BestinExerciseandBest

Professor Ofalia delivering his lecture to the parents and youths

Youths of Maritas playing on the fi eld with Sem. Allen

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La Madonnetta MARIATS UPDATES 9

Every apostolate plays an important role for thegrowthofeveryseminarian’svocation.Oneofouraposto-latesintheseminaryisthesocalled“MARITAS”,fromtheLatinwords“Maria”and“Caritas”whichmeans“Mary’sCharity”.Thisapostolatereachesatourbrothersandsistersfromdifferent depressed areawithinParañaque.WeusedtoreachthemouteverySaturdayafternoontoteachthemcatechism,and ifwehaveenoughbudget,webring themsomethingtoeat.It isnotamatterofwhatwecandoforourselves,butitishowwecareaboutthem.Wedidourdutywithout expecting any thing in return, because every joy,everysmilethatcomesfromeachofthemsatisfiesusandthat’swhatweareafterfor. LastSeptember17,2011,markedtheUnitedGrandMaritas of the apostolate.This is a traditionwherein thebenefactors, through us, treat our dear catechumenswithawholedayactivity.Hand-in-hand,theseminariansspentsleeplessnights for thepreparationand thecelebration it-self. Thecatechumensarrivedattheseminaryataroundseven in themorning.Thedaywasstartedwithaparalit-urgyheadedbyFr.JohnPauloBautista,SHMI,at8:30AM.Itwasfollowedbyamassexerciseandaftersnackswereservedforthem.Parlorgameswerethenstarted,theparentshaditonthebasketballcourt,theyouthinthesoccerfieldandthekidswereentertainedbytheclownsinfrontoftheseminarybuilding. Everyonewasexhaustedandyetveryhappy.Lunchthenwas served andwhile having their lunch, theywereentertainedbythe“ANIMA”(AnakniMaria)band. Programwasresumedat1:30PM.Differentdancepresentationswerecateredbytheyouth-catechumens.Theclownsamazethecatechumenswiththeirmagictricksafterthedancenumbers. Before the program ended, the apostolate gaveplaqueofappreciationtotheUniversalRobinaCorporation(URC)andtoMs.Socorro“TitaRho”Cepedaforhelpingthe apostolate since 2004.After the giving of plaque,wedistributedthetokens(goods),thatourbenefactorsgavetous for the catechumens.The Parents recieve goods (rice,noodles, coffee, etc.); the youth recieved gift packs fromURC,whilethekidsrecievedlunchboxeswithcandiesandchocolates. The strong rainpouredout like theblessings thatthe MaritasApostolate is receiving from the benefactos,andlikethemeriendathattheseminarianspreparedforthecatechumens,whichmadeAlbert,ayouthfromAnnex40,shout:“Thisisthebestever!”Thoughtheseminariansweretired,stillwewerehappyseeingthemsmileandshoutforjoy.

MaritasinOurHeartsPost.ReinierJuan

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10 MARITAS UPDATES La Madonnetta

Greetings my dear constituents; During a semester of intense preparation, planning, sleepless nights and many more, my term as a Maritas President will definitely end today. A mixture of emotions is revolving around me. It may be hard for me to let go of my position but for almost one semester of service, I learned a lot from you and from our formators. I may not be the best president to handle our apostolate but I tried my very best with all my ability to lead and make this Maritas a memo-rable one for our catechumens. In our one semester of service together, we were able to share and change lives. It is we and not I who made this apostolate an iridescent one. It is we who worked hand in hand to give the less fortunate ones the realization that God does exist in this world. We orga-nized the first Maritas Leadership Con-ference intended to form future leaders and establish basic ecclesial community in the mission areas with the theme: “Tinanim at Lumago kay Kristo: Para sa Matatag na Pananampalataya” together with our guest speaker Mr. Ronaldo Ofa-lia. Through this conference, we were able to form responsible leaders who act and not just talk. Through these lead-ers, our work in coordinating became easier and through these leaders, we were able to work better. Secondly, we also organized Maritas Parents Fellow-ship with the theme: “Ikaw ang asin at ilaw ng mundo: Pag-aralan, Pagyamanin, Isabuhay, Ipamahagi ang Pananampal-ataya” with the speakers Mr. Jaime Tagle Jr. of the Couples for Christ and Mr. Red Padilla of the Gawad Kalinga foundation. It was indeed a great success and it also tests our organizational skills. Thirdly, we organized the first ever Maritas Youth Friendship Day intended for the youth of today. Given the theme: “Lakas at Talino ating pagyamanin: Salita ng Diyos, ating liwanag at gabay.” We were able to encourage more youth to attend our apostolate because they know now that the Maritas Apostolate is not a boring activity. But it is a mind opener for all

the youths that we know how to dance in their own music. We were able to jive with the things they want nowadays which are enjoyment and fun. Now our most awaited United Grand Maritas had just finished last Saturday and we were able to share smiles and laughter. With our theme: “Maria bilang taga-akay, li-wanag sa paglalakbay”. With the help of the Virgin Mary, we were able to help and share to others. Everyone went to their homes bringing sweet memories that they could share and replenish. All of them were satisfied. We could sim-ply look at their faces how they really

MaritasSemestralReportPost.ReinierJuan

enjoyed the day primarily dedicated for them. My dear brothers, we must ignite our burning zeal in our apostolate to learn, live and share the faith. Always re-member the things we could give to the seminary and not what the seminary can give us. May these things be contin-ued by our next maritas president and the future presidents to come. May he keep the blaze of enthusiasm be burning

in the hearts of every seminarian. Give him the support that is due to him and I gave him all my support. I will step down in my position happy and proud for all the things we’ve been through and he will be my president now. May the voice of the people be the voice of God. He will now continue all the things we had started that is why I am encouraging all of you my dear brothers to put all your trust and respect to him. May the next president continue on fostering the par-ents and specially the youth. We need to encourage more youth because they are the hope of our future. Now that we already established basic ecclesial com-munities in every area, it is proper now for him to focus on the spiritual nourish-ment of every catechumen. I am now delegating him the key that will change a lot of people’s lives. Join now our pre-decessors like Fr. Pipo, Bro. JM, Bro. Ray-mond, Bro. Glenn, Bro. Larry, Bro. Bryan, Bro. Ulysses, Bro. Dennis and the rest and be part of the maritas history. It is not a burden but rather it is a reward. May your presidency be filled with joy and happiness. I wish each one of you all the best so live long and prosper. Lastly before I end, let me ex-tend my earnest gratitude to our forma-tors who are always there to guide me in all my decisions. They are such a great help to me and to the maritas. A mil-lion thanks to all those who generously extended their help financially. To our major benefactors and sponsors in their untiring support for our apostolate. To the Maritas Committee Officers and to you my beloved brothers in Christ. To the Contact Persons of every area who untir-ingly help us in the recent United Grand Maritas. And last but not the least, to our Lord Jesus Christ who is the source of all my strength, faith and hope. It is we and not I who made this Maritas a memorable one. Let’s look forward to the future and continue our goal: “To bring the church to the people and the people to the church”. With this I finish, once again, thank you and GOD BLESS!

“... I learned a lot from you...”

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La Madonnetta MARITAS UPDATES 11

August20,2011,MaritasApostolate togetherwith the sopho-moreseminariansconductedafellowshipamongthecatechumens(par-ents)ofthesaidapostolate.Itwasanafternoonfilledwithactivities.ItwasstartedwithaparaliturgyheadedbyRev.Fr.JohnPauloBautista,SHMI,followedwithanicebreaker.Thenitwasfollowedbyacoupleof talks,whichwasgivenbyMr. JaimeTagle, Jr.of theCouples forChrist,andbyMr.RedPadillafromtheGawadKalingaFoundation. Theparentsfromdifferentmissionareasoftheapostolatewereunitedthroughtheactivitieswhichtheseminarianspreparedforthem.Thepurposeistohaveabasicecclesialcommunityamongthemandtoeducatethemonpracticalthingswhicharehappeninginthesociety.

MaritasFellowshipSem.CaryCaincoy

Parents showing their prizes Parents pose for paint-me-a-picture

Election, Appointment, Induction of Maritas

Officers

Post.ReinierJuanendedhistermas the president of Maritas Apostolatewithhissemestralreportaboutwhathadhappened in the apostolate for the firstsemesterofSY2011-2012intheeveningofSeptember28,2011. Indeed theapos-tolate leveledupanduntiedfromits tra-ditionofcatechismandGrandMaritasto catechism,friendshipday,conferencefel-lowshipandgrandmaritas. The following day, September29,2011, theelectionwasconductedforthenewmaritaspresident for thesecondsemester.Thevoteswere25-11infavourofPost.CarlAndrewJuridicooverPost.David John Periera. The newly electedpresident then and there appointed hisnewcabinetmemberswhowillhelphimmanage the activities of the apostolate;Sem.FrancisVergara,hisVP(ex-treasur-er),Sem.IanRannoco,hissec.AndSem.LloydSaladaga,histreasurer.Intheeve-ning , thenewofficers tooktheiroath infront of the newly appointedmoderator,Bro.JMArquero,SHMIat theseminaryrefectory,after itwastheturnoverof the“sagisag ng pangulo” of the apostolateandtheinauguralspeechofthepresident.

Good evening to all. Good evening Fathers. Good evening brother. Good evening my co-seminarians and good evening visitors. You know, it is hard for me to be here in front of you, with this formal attire, with this flamboyant ambiance and with this unconvinced inaugural. This morning, during the tally, your votes shattered my being, sending me into oblivion, making me question reality and making me ask myself if this is creation’s day or the end of the world. Like Simeon, I would like also to say: Lord, now let your servant go in peace… but I cannot! Because I cannot deny the reality that each vote of yours signifies trust. Trust cannot be bought but is earned. With that, I thank you… I thank you for adding weight into my cross. I thank you for trusting me carrying my cross because I know that your trusts are accompanied by a heart that is always ready to lend a hand. Let us make this Maritas of the second semester a successful one… let us help one another… All for one, one for all. Can I expect that from you?... (and they shouted: yes). So be it!

MARITASPresidentforthe2ndSemesterAcceptanceSpeech

Post.CarlAndrewJuridico

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...FRATERNAL SPIRIT IN SPORTS

One of the most prepared acti viti es in the seminary of Fr. Joseph Frassinetti is the sports fest. Sports fest aims to culti vate a certain theme. This year’s theme is “UNITY OF FRA-TERNAL SPIRIT IN SPORTS.” On August 29, 2011 was the Grand Opening of the 10th Sports Festi val 2011-2012 and all were ex-cited. In the morning of that day, we fi nished the week of prep-arati on and were enthusiasti c of what will happen in the aft er-noon’s aff air. Hours before the designated ti me, a rain came and we were almost in the state of dismay but the show must conti nue. All were waiti ng for the next decision when suddenly the door bell rang. It was the Augusti nians, our competi tor on the volleyball court. Another religious community came and it was the Concepti onists. Minutes later, the basketball team of Mary Immaculate Parish of Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite and the Rogati onists of the Heart of Jesus’ soccer team came into the scene. Then our rival on the soccer fi eld came; they were the Sti gmati nes. The hour came when the program was ready to start. As we marched past from the biggest Narra tree of the semi-nary to the gymnasium, we cracked our authenti c smiles to-gether with our muses. All were att enti ve with smiley faces as the whole crowd parti cipated in the acti vity. The invocati on

was done followed by the Philippine nati onal anthem and with the welcome remarks of Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, the sports fest was offi cially open. The torch was lighted by the team cap-tains, the seniors. Messages fi lled the whole gymnasium and pictures were taken from all the corners of the venue. All were waiti ng for the coming of the guest speaker when suddenly a big, tall, foreign man entered into the acti on and boomed! it was the guest speaker, Mr. Bobby Parks Sr. All were amazed of his six foot plus height and were ready to have a picture with him. The giving of the plaques and the bouquets were defi -nitely memorable to the guests, benefactors, and to the par-ti cipants of the said event. Aft er the whole atmosphere was fi lled with fl ashes from diff erent existi ng cameras, the game proper started. The basketball court was used to see the re-sult of the exciti ng match of the SHMI seminarians with the MIP Salawag basketball team. It was in the volleyball court of the Sacred Heart School where the SHMI seminarians and the Augusti nians showed their best in earning the invisible price, the comradeship. In the soccer fi eld of the seminary, the SHMI seminarians batt led against the beloved Sti gmati nes seminar-ians for the crown of glory, “the camaraderie” in the realm of football. It was in the middle of the soccer game when the

Post. Carl Andrew Juridico

12 FEATURED NEWS La Madonnetta

Untitled-2 14 12/13/2011 1:14:18 PM

mysterious presence of the Franciscan Conventuals arrived. From then on, there were miracles, from a score of 3-0 in the fi rst half, in favor of the Sti gmati nes, to the fi nal score of 6-4 in favor of the SHMI team. Aft er the basketball team of the SHMI won, the sec-ond game followed; they were the Augusti nians and the Con-cepti onists. When the Augusti nians triumphed over the SHMI volleyball team, the second game was played by the youth of MIP Salawag with the youth of MIP Bett er Living versus the Sti gmati nes seminarians. The second game in the soccer fi eld was played by the Rogati onists seminarians with the parti ci-pati on of some Franciscan Friars against some seminarians and ex-seminarians of the SHMI. Aft er the offi cial and recre-ati onal games, all the parti cipants earned their eternal crown of glory: the brotherhood and the unity of fraternal spirit which was always strengthen in the realm of sports. All the parti cipants were not ti red of playing that they used their last breath to batt le against the spectacular food in the table. All were full of joy including the vast storage of our nutriti on, sponsored by the Quota Internati onal. The hour came when our dearly loved guests departed from this ambiance, an am-biance of sports, but we always remember and cherish them in the subterranean of our hearts as ADELPHOI (brothers).

La Madonnetta MARITAS UPDATES/NEWS 13

SHMIOfficiallyWelcomestheFreshmen

Yearly the seminary is having, the so called Ginoong seminarista, it is the initi ati on program for freshmen semi-narians. The Ginoong seminasta was held last July 29, 2011. It was held at the seminary gymnasium. The freshmen started to ramp on stage at six in the evening and danced their opening salvo “Waka waka.” Then, they conti nually ramped their diff erent costumes, and they also boost their talents out, as Ygor Escandor hailed best in talent. A small dinner followed aft er the talent porti on, and Ms. Paola Cuneta rendered songs. The questi on and answer followed. Aft er which was the awarding where Sem . John Blake Navarro hailed as the Ginoong Seminarista 2011 fol-lowed by Sem, Alvin Que, and Sem. Ygor Escandor . Between the intervals of every category, there was a raffl e promo which was sponsored by Ms. Thess Alcan-tara-Taylor. She also gave Timex watches as tokens to the seminarians before the program ended. The acti vity makes the freshmen to be more confi -dent and be more sociable with their co-seminarians.

Sem.ChristianYgorEscandor

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Seminarians are in adoration for Religious Vocation at the field

Seminarians jump into the pool in San Fabian beach resort during the Rizal’s 150th Birth Anniversay Holiday

Semianrians at the Hermita Hill in Aurora

Choir singing at MIP-Betterliving

The Religious during their retreat

The Rector with Mr. Bobby Parks, Sr. during the Sports Fest

Youths of MIP-Betterliving with Mr. Bobby Parks, Sr.

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La Madonnetta 15Taken at the Oasis of Prayer in Silang, Cavite

Lights Off! (hehehhe!)

Youth of MIP-Salawag during the Sports Fest

Officers of Maritas for the 2nd Semester with the new appointed moderator during the induction ceremonyChoir singing at MIP-Betterliving

The Seminarians with the Community of believers in Payas, Pangasinan

Youths of MIP-Betterliving with Mr. Bobby Parks, Sr.

At the Ampire in Baler

packing goods for the United Grand Maritas

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Sons of Holy Mary

Untitled-2 18 12/13/2011 1:15:00 PM

Immaculate-Philippines

Untitled-2 19 12/13/2011 1:15:05 PM

DuringthefirstcanonicalvisitoftheMostReverendFatherRobertoAmici,SHMIin thePhilippines, the seminarians scheduledameetingwithhim.ThiswasrealizedlastNo-vember24,2011.Thestudyhallofthesemi-narywas filledwith joy, and questionswerereadybefore theSuperiorGeneral enter.Theforumwasstartedatsixthirtyintheevening.Rev. Fr. John PauloBautista, SHMIwas theofficialtranslatorofthegeneralthattime. He said before the seminarians askhimquestions: I am glad to hear your ques-tions, and answer them as well.He added, I have experiences as general, but it is still lack-ing because it is just for few months, I need more questions, and more answers…but my life really changed, but it is better.Healsosaidthathewasnotbeen toanyGeneralChapterand it was his first time to join, he is still aneophytewithregardstothisposition.Furtherhesaid: I accepted the task because the gen-eral said [Fr. Binda] ‘The Lord chooses those who are imperfect. That even in the Bible, God chose those who are weak, Moses for example was chosen by the Lord, but then helped him; David was a sinner, but still, he was chosen by God. God works on these people on, their weaknesses; Jesus even chose those who are sinner. Don’t forget, though we are weak, God will help us, God is there always with us, keep in touch with him through our prayers.

Post. David John Pereira was thefirstonetoaskthegeneral,andheaskedaboutonhowcanaseminariannourishhisvocationwiththesetrendsoftechnologies—postmod-ernism.General: It’s a beautiful query which I am also is challenged… there is no magic recipe to answer that question especially with the re-ality that we are experiencing; the fi rst thing you must do is to leave everything to God. If you would only see our strengths, we can see instead our failures and diffi culties in life. Through in our prayers, we ask God to work with us. We can see not just in our personali-ties but also in the biblical images, example, St. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians he said, “when I am weak, then I am strong”, Why? “…because, When I see my experiences and capacity, I cannot see the possibility to run away from this way of life… so I need to surrender to God, and God will triumph over me.” What else? There are instruments that the church gave us and for sure you experience some of these… seminary, … the Eucharist, the Word of God. You just need to listen to the Word of God. … Another is your community life, it is important, because it is not an invention of the church but it is a command of Christ, in the 1st letter of Saint John, there said: “If I cannot

love my neighbor whom I can see, how can I love God, which I cannot see”, thus the love of God is seen in the love of neighbors.’ We are called for richness interiorly in this com-munity.

Sem.ClentReyAbian:What is the worst struggle that you encountered in the seminary? General: … probably which gave me more pain was when I was counting my weaknesses and strengths, one of these is the diffi culty to love my co-brothers, because, it is diffi cult to love someone when someone thinks that you are invading his personal life. Another is to accept the other which is the opposite of you; there is a diffi culty in reconciling these things.

Sem.DenzellAquino:What inspires you to enter the SHMI given that there are a lot of congregations In Italy?

The Encounter with the General

18 THE GENERAL La Madonnetta

“...he doesn’t know how to work alone ...

always with another ...”

General:Certainly, I don’t have an experience inside the SHMI before, I lived with the diocesan parishes, and the Lord let me re-alize that I am for religious life. The diocesan priests… expect me to be with them … but I have chosen the SHMI, when some of its reli-gious seminarians came to my parish to ani-mate and I was impressed with thei: 1) simplic-ity of life; 2) the fraternal affection that I have seen with the congregation; 3) the charism, esp. for the youth.

Sem.JasnarLlanto:Nowadays, I no-ticed that there are too many youths who are lost, maybe that is because of the worldly al-lurements, I would like to ask for tips, on how to let them go back to the church, to God.General: In this case, again, there is no a magic recipe for this, it varies on culture, case, etc. Your question is interesting. We can only say that we must wait for the seeds which God gave them to bloom; we need to give our tes-timony, experiences, witnessing which must be credible, what you believe: do it. What you can do is be close to them, because they can see priests who doesn’t do what they say, we need to ask God that we may be the instruments for them. What is then most important is to love the youth in particular give them attention

without judging them.

Sem. JulesBernard Fernando:Now that you are the newly elected superior gener-al, what are your goals, vision, mission, plans, etc.?General: I will assure you something, that I am not alone, I have my council who will help me and will always be in communion with me. The decisions that I will make soon are not just from my consciousness, but also from them… 1st attention: is the formation which we have in Rome… we assign an effective formation team … the second is the formation here in the Philippines where we sent Bro. JM and Fr. Pipo, together with you is Fr. Paolo. The main attention is in the formation. 2nd is the community which focuses on the youth, to en-courage the youth… and the greatest desire in my heart, that we can open an educational center for them. Now we are … reviewing this project. But we need to strengthen this direc-tion, because there must be someone to work with this project, I wish in my six years term… from this I would like to ask you to study…. Study… study… Fr. John Lucas has said this morning “SHMI is better than the Rogation-ist”, and I am proud of you and for the priests, now, please continue. Congratulations to all of you!

PostReinierJuan: In which way that new technologies will affect your leadership as the new superior general of the congregation by being a part of this post modernism?

General:The technology is not bringing you out, what is important is how you use the tech-nology, It rather helps you in evangelization, to reach people, to catechize them, and reach them. During the general chapter, we modifi ed the article which refers to technology … tech-nology must be used prudently.

Sem. Alven Rodol Mauricio: Can you give us a good example so that we can be inspired in our formation?General: What struck me in Frassinetti’s life is that he doesn’t work alone, he has collabo-rators; he doesn’t know how to work alone, but always with another. As we can see and verify, in his fi rst parish, where the youth grew in number and more strengthen, there … when Frassinetti died, his collaborators went away, because of that, the parish became stagnant, that means that team work is important to pro-duce more fruits, that’s what we ask for the religious, to work not alone but in team. That attracts me most and that must how our com-munity will run;andthatinspiredmemost.

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La Madonnetta THE GENERAL 19

1969 Rev. Fr. Roberto Amici, SHMI was born in Rome, Italy1990-1991 He was an aspirant and student of Philosophy in Mascherone.1991-1992 He was transfered in Porto and continued as an aspirant and student of philosophy.1992-1993 He entered the Novitiate in Poiano Verona. 1993 He made his fi rst Religious Profession1993-1996 He was student of Theology in Porto.1996-1997 He went to Manila, Philippines for his pastoral year.1997-1999 He continued his theological studies and fi nished his licentiate in Biblical Theology. He was ordained to the diaconate. He was assigned as prefect of professed brothers in Porto. 1999 He was ordained priest.1999-2000 He was assigned as vice rector of the professed brothers in Porto and became assistant professor of the subject New Testament in Pontifi cal University of Urbaniana. He took his doctorate in Biblical Theology.2001-2002 He was assigned as parochial vicar of Santa Maria Madre della Provvidenza in Mascherone.2002-2004 He was also assigned as parochial vicar in S. Maria Janua Coeli and was a chaplain of the Ancelle del Boun Pastore in Montespaccato.2004-2005 He was assigned as rector of the institute in Macherone and general vice postulator. He was also assigned as chaplain in Figlie di S. Joseph.2005-2006 In Mascherone, while he was an assistant professor of New Testament in Pontifi cal University of Ubaniana, he was fulltime professor of Old Testament in l’Istituto Superiore di Scienza ReligioseDell’ Aquila and of Bible and Liturgy in Pontifi cal University of the Holy Cross.2006-2007 Again in Mascherone, He was assigned as superior and rector of the institute. He was also the rector of the church of S. Caterina da Siena (Via Giulia). 2007-2010 He was the general vice postulator. He was professor of Biblical Theology in the two well-known prestigious pontifi cal universities in Rome the Pontifi cal University of Urbaniana and Pontifi cal University of Holy Cross. 2011 He was elected as the new Superior General of the Pontifi cal Congregation of Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate.

Most Rev. Fr. Roberto Amici, SHMI

Superior General of the Congregation of the

Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate

Curriculum Vitae

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20 THE GENERAL La Madonnetta

The Most Rev. Fr. Roberto Amici, SHMI, the new Superior General of the Congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate made his fi rst Pastoral Visit to the Philippines last November 24 to December 3, 2011. Fr. Roberto arrived at around ten in the morning on November 23, 2011. When Fr. Paolo and Bro. JM were on their way to the airport, the good general brought himself to the seminary with a taxi, and thus, Fr. Paolo and Bro. JM missed him. On the evening of that very same day, he celebrated high mass at the seminary chapel concelebrated with Fr. John Paulo Bautista, the vice rector of the seminary. After the said mass, an offi cial welcome party was held at the gymna-sium, seminarians rendered him song and dance numbers. Fr. Roberto gave his fi rst speech and it was translated by Fr. Dick Eslopor. The following day, together with the semi-narians, he went to the Rogationist Seminary-Manila. He concelebrated the mass there and at the same time checked the education that the seminarians are having. On the evening of the same day, November 24, the seminarians were gathered in the study hall and raised some ques-tions to the good general (refer to page 18 for the whole story), afterwards, he presided the solemn vespers. On November 25, the General, with Fr. Alan and Fr. Eric, visited Saint Joseph Chapel in Payas, Santa Barbara, Pangasinan. The following day, the Children’s Joy Foundation Inc. Chorale sere-naded the General together with the whole semi-nary community at the Garden of the Madonna.

In the morning of November 27, Sunday, Fr. Roberto and the Postulants went to Mary Immac-ulate Parish (MIP) Salawag. He presided the 8am mass concelebrated with Fr. Joseph Jerome “Jay” Agno and Fr. Jennil Tonel. Afterwards, he talked with the Immaculate Youth Ministry and with the Knights of the Altars. On the evening, he delivered the hom-ily during the 7pm mass at the MIP-Betterliving. A simple dinner followed at the seminary with some benefactors. Monday, November 28, the religious were gathered at MIP Salawag. Amici conducted meeting with them. On November 29, the Archbishop Guisseppe Pinto, D.D., the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, invited Fr. Amici for lunch at the Nunciature together with him was Fr. Paolo (One of the secretaries of the Nuncio) and Fr. Eric. On Decemebr 1, the General visited the Holy Mary Novitiate House in Merville Park, Parañaque. He talked with the Novice Master, Fr. Alan Ybañez and the four novices. He also took his lunch there and celebrated a holy mass. On December 2, a despedida was given for the general. The dinner was prepared and spon-sored by the Novitiate community and some bene-factors. On the 3rd day of December, practically the last day of the general’s visit, he presided the Holy Mass at the Seminary’s Chapel. Let’s move forward in the love of Jesus and Mary!

MABUHAY FATHER GENERAL!

First Canonical Visit of the Superior General to the Philippines

Rev.Fr.JohnPauloBautista,SHMI

from the left: Fr. Allan , Abp. Soc, Fr. Roberto Amici and Fr. Eric Fr. Amici with the religious at MIP Salawag

Fr. Amici with the papal nuncio to the Philip-pines, Abp. Guisseppe Pinto(at the center)

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La Madonnetta PHOTOS 21

The Arrival of Fr. Roberto, with Nov. Sadam and P. Pipo

Fr. Roberto with Fr. Dick and Bro. JM during the welcome party

Fr. General with the seminarians at MIP Betterliving

Fr. Roberto with the Children’s Joy Founda-tion Chorale and with the seminarians

Fr. Roberto at the church of MIP Salawag with the parishioners

Fr. Roberto with the Youth of MIP Salawag Fr. General During hi “Presscon”

with the seminariansFr. General during the Mass at Rogationist Seminary College

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Eversince,ithasbeenatraditionofourseminarytohavea“despidida”partybeforeweleaveforoursemestralbreak (forvocationcampaign)or summervacation.Whenourfinalexamswereover,(sigh...finally)theairwasfilledwithmixedemotions.Somewereveryexcitedandhastytogohomeandtobewith theirfamily.Forsome, theywereveryanxiousandnotateasetohavetheirvacationbecauseofunfinishedschoolrequirements,andiftheyhavepassedthereexams,especiallythosewhoweretakingmetaphysics(haha!). ItwasintheeveofOctober1whenwestartedour“OctoberFest”withabarbequepartyplusvideoke.Ween-joyedoneanother’scompany—singing, laughingandpos-ingforpicturestobepostedonFacebook.Weateanddrankuntilourheart’scontent.Allofushadfunthatnight.Whentheclockstruckatteno’clock,thefuntimewasover.Ev-erybodywasbusyfixingandcleaning.Afterfifteenminutes,“Lightsoff!”–10:15! Thefollowingmorning,allofuswerebusycleaningourownrespectiveroomsandpackingourthingsforvoca-tioncampaign.Intheafternoon,wecontinuedour“OctoberFest”with a set of games.We played “HumanChess”. Itwasagamebetweenthe“GreenArchers”–Fr.Eric’steamagainstthe“BlueEagles”–Fr.Paolo’steam.Allofusweredresseduplikerealchesspieces.Thoughwelookhilariouswithourcostumes,wehadsomuchfun.Atfirst,thegamewasjustevenuntilFr.EricandFr.Paoloweregettingseri-ous.Thegamewasaclosefight,andthenitbecameafiercebattle.Whenthebattlewasnearatitsend,the“GreenAr-chers”surrenderedtotheclevernessofthe“BlueEagles”.“Blowingofthecone”wasthenextgameinline.Itwasakindofgameinwhichastringistiedbetweentwopoleswithapaperconeonit.Themechanicsofthegameistoblowthepaperconeasfastasyoucanfromonepoletotheotherand

blowitbackagaintothestartingpoint.Thistime,itwasthe“GreenArchers”whowon.Forthe“BlueEagles”,wholost,theywereaskedtopickanumberwitheachcorrespondstoaspecificconsequence.Theconsequencetheypickedmadethemateabowlofampalaya.(Tastyisn’tit?...hehe) The next game was “Hula Bira”. It is a game inwhichamemberoftheteammustpickacardwithawordwrittenonit,andtobeguessedbyhis teammates.Hecanonlymakesomegesturesforthehints.Eachcorrectguessisapoint.Theteamwhocouldhavethemostnumberofpointswithin sixty secondswins the game.And once again, the“GreenArchers”whippedoutthe“BlueEagles”(GoGreenArchers!)toobadforthe“BlueEagles”,theydrankashotglassofvinegar(twothumbsup!). Forourfinalgame,“KambalTuko”,it isweirdbutafunnykindofgame.Itsmechanicsislikearelay,thefast-est teamwins.Whoa!It’sa tie!The“BlueEagles”issureonetoughopponent.Ohno!The“GreenArchers”drankonepitcherofwaterwithNaCl(salt)–yuck! Thestandingwas2-2,itistimeforalittletiebreak-er.The two teamswere just gettingwarmed up.The realbattlewasjustbeginning.Thetiebreakerwas“HulaBira”.Thegamewasgettinghotterandhotter.Whodoyouthinkwonthefinalmatch?Finally,thebattleended.Everyonehadexhaustedalltheirstrength.Theyshowedalltheirdetermin-ism and cooperation in order towin.But theremust onlyonewinner.Thearrowofthe“GreenArchers”didnotstandagainsttheclawsofthe“BlueEagles”.The“BlueEagles”provedtheirmightandintellectoverthe“GreenArchers”. Our“OctoberFest”wasnotonlyaboutfun,enjoy-ment andwinning.But theobjectiveof our activitieswasall about community building and to solidify the spirit offraternity.

OctoberfestSem.JulesFernando

22 FEATURED NEWS La Madonnetta

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First of all, I would like to thank the Editorial Staff represented by Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara, for inviting me a second time to write an article for La Madonnetta. I was requested to write about the Maritas Apostolate. This is my story.I don’t remember exactly when, but I first learned about the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Congregation from Sis. Bing Dalmacio, a friend from the Mary Help of Christians Prayer Community. Back then, I didn’t realize that God must have al-ready planted the seed of love in my heart for this congrega-tion which has become a special part of my life. Looking back, it was in December 2003, when another friend, Cathy Volante, requested me to help former seminarian, Romulo Sagun, the Maritas President then, to solicit goodies for the Christmas Party of the Maritas apostolate. With this, I was eventually in-troduced to Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo. This started URC’s and my own love affair with Maritas. It has been eight years and by God’s grace, there is no more turning back. I cannot thank Him enough for making my employer, Universal Robina Corpora-tion, His instrument in helping this praiseworthy apostolate. All praise and glory belongs to Him. MARITAS, the catechetical apostolate of the SHMI seminar-ians in nine developing communities, is an eye opener for me. Years back, I was blest to be a part of the regular Saturday catechism classes in several of the areas. Every encounter with our brothers and sisters taught me lessons in humility, selflessness and generosity. I will never forget a little girl who I noticed, was not eating the goodies that were given to her. I approached her and asked why she was not eating and if she was not hungry. Her answer overwhelmed me, she said “Nagugutom po pero hindi ko po kakainin kasi iuuwi ko po para sa kapatid ko”. Such selflessness and generosity com-ing from a very young kid made me realize my own selfish-ness and self-centeredness and has served as an inspiration to me until today. I also heard the same from mothers who

opted to take home their goodies to their kids. In all the areas I visited, I saw joy on their faces amidst the heat and stench in very small shanties with the sand as their floor, separated from each other only by a wall, inside a cramped area where you cannot see the sunlight. Until now, I can recall vividly in my mind, the happy disposition of a young girl left alone to take care of her baby sister while her parents were away at work, in a small shanty beside a river filled with garbage. She was in high spirits and didn’t seem to mind the stench coming from the filth. Unknowingly, this young girl taught me a very meaningful lesson in gracefulness and simplicity. I am also in awe at how appreciative they are. God allowed me to spend one of my birthdays with the kids from Boracay, a former cat-echetical community. Several years after, in one of the Maritas fellowships in the seminary, I was approached by a young boy who I no longer recognized, and he said “Naaalala ko po kayo, magkasama po tayo nuong araw sa birthday ninyo”. I was floored because he could even remember exactly where we celebrated my birthday. I couldn’t help but shed tears of joy re-alizing the immensity of this young boy’s thoughtfulness. I am filled with mixed emotions of joyfulness and nostalgia as I write this article recalling all the beautiful memories from my pre-cious bonding moments with them. I praise and thank God for allowing and giving me the grace to be a part of their lives no matter how small. I regret that I was not able to continue join-ing the regular Saturday apostolate and I pray that by God’s grace, He will lead me back.I would like to thank the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Congre-gation for giving our company, Universal Robina Corporation, the opportunity to share its blessings to the Maritas aposto-late. May God continue to bless your congregation abundantly for your kindness and generosity in making a big difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the developing commu-nities. I praise and thank God for you.

My Love Affair with Maritas

TheSHMISeminaryandtheMARITASApostolate,wouldliketothankUNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATIONforhelpingthe

Apostolateforalmostadecade.THANKYOUURC!

Tita Rho Cepeda with the catechumens holding their gifts

La Madonnetta FROM THE LAITY 23

Ms.RhoCepeda

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Ten years had passed when I had my fi rst encounter with the world of magic.It was December 5, 2001 and I was nine then; I watched the fi rst movie of the book series Harry Potter (HP). That time I was so weak, disappointed in life and was so lonely because my grandmother left me in this corporate world eight days earlier (November 27). Even though I felt that way, still, I was amazed with the movie, that from that day onwards, until now, Hogwarts is the best place for me. Hermi-one, Ron and me, (ooops!) I mean, Harry, is the best circle of friends (It may be a funny thing, but I often see myself as the young Potter, I never compare, because it’s always in my mind: that Harry is me, so there is no point of comparison.) This fantasyis really ridiculous that I cannot get over it. During my high school days, I used to call the school as Hogwarts and the intramurals Quidditch; and when-ever I join interschool competition, I was thinking of the Quidditch Cup on the fourth book Goblet of Fire. On my senior year, I was so domineering that I won the bet in naming the batch Ravenclaw (Gryffi ndor was used three years earlier). March 2009, my high school life came to an end, and I even told myself to stop the fantasy of HP, since college life would be really different from that of high school; more seriousness is needed. May of that same year, I entered the seminary and fi nally buried my fanta-sy of the magical world. I was so serious with my studies, with my spiritual growth, with my physical and emotional develop-ment. Until, my Hogwarts, like a zombie, came out from its tomb and start eating my imagination again. November 2010, my silence about the magical world was disturbed. My eyes, my mind, and my heart were opened again for the world of magic. I began to realize that seminary is pretty much alike with Hogwarts; seminary is indeed a Hog-warts. In Hogwarts, young magicians were trained to do magic, Harry was one of them, to crush the bad creatures, the black magic and the devil.So as in the

then; I watched the fi rst movie of the book

Ten years had passed when I had my fi rst encounter with the world of magic.It was December 5, 2001 and I was nine then; I watched the fi rst movie of the book

HogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwarts Ten years had passed when I had

Hogwarts Ten years had passed when I had


Hogwarts Ten years had passed when I had my fi rst encounter with the world of magic.

Hogwartsmy fi rst encounter with the world of magic.


Hogwartsmy fi rst encounter with the world of magic.It was December 5, 2001 and I was nine

HogwartsIt was December 5, 2001 and I was nine



HogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsthen; I watched the fi rst movie of the book It was December 5, 2001 and I was nine then; I watched the fi rst movie of the book

HogwartsHogwartsHogwarts Ten years had passed when I had









HogwartsIt was December 5, 2001 and I was nine It was December 5, 2001 and I was nine

HogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwartsHogwarts Ten years had passed when I had










Sem Francis Dominic Vergara

seminary, young gentlemen, I am one of them, are being taught with a lot things in order for us to be holy, to be intelligent, and to be a good leader, so that in the future also, we can crush the head of he-who-must-not-be-named, and to protect the people; and may do “magic” on the altars. Magical lessons in Hogwarts is equivalent to the philosophical lessons we have in school; if for Ron magical formulations are diffi cult, so as to my companions, they have the diffi culties, even me, in stirring our wands to make charms and magic over Philosophy. Quidditch? Here inside we have the annual sports fest, where each group will compete with one another; if Harry needs to catch the snitch, me too needs to kick the ball to the goal. Owl? Though it is not an animal, but it is also a three letter word—LBC, through this, our love ones can send us things we need. Dormito-ries? Of course! But our stairs are not moving. If they have Hogwarts Express, here we have the so called Blue Angel (our school bus). Dumble-dore? Yes we have: the priests who are fi lled with wisdom. Voldemort? (shhhhhh!) He-who-must-not-be-named?no comment! Snape and McGo-nagall? They are the professors. Hagrid? Our elder brothers. There are Draco Malfoys. Cho Changs and Ginnies are outside the walls. Bel-latrix, Cedric, Ron, name it all, we have it here. Indeed seminary is a Hogwarts. In Hogwarts, I repeat, young magicians are being trained, so as in the seminary, but not all are expected to become priest or religious. At the middle of the journey inside the seminary, some will feel the call outside, some will remain and some will feel like in limbo. In Hogwarts, though I consider it as the perfect place, magicians are not off the hook with problems, trials and so on; so as the seminarians are not exempted with the waves of life. Dementors may come and go. Now, HP came to an end, Daniel Radcliff took his fi nal bow from the world of JK Rowling, it was a happy ending, but my journey is not yet done. I am still struggling, fi ghting with the de-mentors; can I be strong like Harry, fi ghting till the last Avada Kedavra I know? Or, I will end this journey, like others did? I cannot really contain the Dracos and “You-know-who” anymore. I do not have Ginny here. Dumbledore is so busy that he cannot accommodate me. Where should I go? Why I am here? Where did I come from? Am I from here? Am I for here? These are the queries of the Harry throughout his fantasy as witch. I do not know how to end this essay of mine; everything for me now seems so great yet so confusing; I will now just quote Rowling’s last words in her last book: “All was well.”

24 FEATURE ARTICLE La Madonnetta

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La Madonnetta FEATURE ARTICLES 25

Philosophy of education is not another branch of philosophy. It is the philosophical study of education and its complex prob-lems. Its central subject matter is in their speculations. Plato il-lustrated his views on education in The Republic. Aristotle be-lieved that men need education in order to achieve a balance of soul and body. St. Augustine thought that education’s main purpose is to let men realize their union with God. St. Thomas Aquinas believed that education could help men discover God through observation and study. Modern and contemporary phi-losophers were also vocal in their stand a propos of education. Jean-Jacques Rousseau maintained that education should be natural. John Dewey believed that education is growth and that students have appropriate role in their own education. How about the Philippines? Do we have philosophy and philosophers of education? The answer is a definite yes! One of the outstanding figures of Filipino philosophers of education is Jose Rizal, our national hero. Rizal was complaining that the backwardness of the Philippines during his time was due to the kind of education offered by the Spanish authorities:

Instead of novena…and mysteries that serve neither to foment or awaken faith nor to make one Christian in the true mean-ing of the word, if it is desired to make of him not the friend of praying and murmuring words without reflecting on them or be-lieving in them, but the man who believes, works and loves his fellowmen; instead of these textbooks, we repeat, could they not give to the child simple books on morals, on the geography and the history of the Philippines and above all a good treatise on agriculture but written in the language he speaks, since the immense majority of the people are engaged in working and cultivating the soil and raising cattle, inasmuch as the country is very suitable for these? ( La Instruccion).

According to Manuel L. Quezon, education should be for the Filipinos’ better citizenship and means of livelihood. Jorge Bacobo opined that education helps every citizen to have sound and noble outlook in life. Camilo Osias reminds us that institu-tions for higher education should strive to produce graduates who can think logically, scientifically, and creatively. For Rafael Palma, education must produce citizens who will be useful to themselves and to the society. We can still add more names to the list of Filipinos who engaged on philosophical investigation concerning education in our country. Issues and problems concerning the quality of education in our country today are the common subject of debates and con-ferences. Everyone is asking what happened to our education system. Why are we not producing highly competent graduates anymore? Where is the problem? What are the solutions? These are the issues to be investigated by the philosophy of educa-tion. We can say that education is of quality when its result cor-responds to the question- ‘What is the purpose of education?’

This question would depend on the philosophy of education be-ing upheld by the state. And, the philosophy of education shapes the mission- vision of the state education. What is the philosophy of education in the Philippines? The Philippine Constitution upholds the right to education of all citi-zens (Article XVI). It also stresses that this education should be relevant to the needs of the people and the society. According to Josefina Cortes, the purpose of the Philippine education is to inculcate patriotism, foster love of humanity and respect for hu-man rights, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethnical and spiritual values, develop moral character, personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden sci-entific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency. As we can see, progressivism, realism, idealism, prag-matism, and other philosophies are accommodated. Having this philosophy of education, Philippine education’s mission and mission would be the vehicles through which the above educational goals are desired to be attained. The national curriculum should be developed in accord with the purposes of education as stated by the Constitution and the philosophy im-plied by it. The appraisal of the quality of our education would depend on how the constitutionally mandated purposes of education are met by the whole education system in the country. Aside from the primary aims of national education, our education system should also consider the global trends of education and economy. The new economy is knowledge and skills driven. It is also characterized by accelerating pace of the change. Does our present education give the students knowledge and skills they need to find a good job? Are they equipped with what they need to cope with the rapid changes occurring today? The whole education system needs urgent re- structuring before we lag far behind our Asian neighbors. We need to apply “System Analysis” in order to see what went wrong and what remedies can be done. We need to review if the primary pur-poses of education are being met by our present system. If the system fails, there is a need to change it. To do this, we need to investigate the input, process, and the output of the entire sys-tem, this is a complicated task to be done by expert educators, philosophers, government agencies and all the stakeholders. We must have unambiguous government policies that support every endeavor to improve the quality of education in our country.

A Call for an Apposite Philosophy of Education

Fr. Dick Eslopor, SHMI

Fr. Dick finished his Masters in Education at the University of Santo Tomas last April 2011, with the grade, Magna Cum Laude

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Everything Happens

for a ReasonKicks Butowski

You gave it to me…And it helps me a lot,‘coz it consoles me,

And I realized many things…‘coz of it.

And now…You take it back,

I don’t know why.

I prayed.

And I realized…

That I must stand by my ownAnd have only You.

Eternal WaitingBro. Bryan Jay Campo, SHMI

OnelankynightIliebeyondmydoor,

itseemssoquiet,sodim,unclad,thehauntingpainistearingmeapart,sinceyou’veleftmytormentedheart.

Foreternityiswithmeturnmyworldpatiently.

I’llwaitforyouherelikeastone;I’llwaitforyourreturn,fromdusk‘tildawn.

In You my Lord…Sem.JohnBlakeNavarro

It was a cold, dark and windy nightWhen I felt the warmth of your embraceOh, Lord it’s you hugging me so tight;

Letting me know that you’re always thereAnd to feel that you’re mercy,

comfort and love.

You called me with my weaknessesAnd I said: “I shall follow your way;

Even though I stumble and fall,I’ll stand up and stay with the day

I’ll walk straight and unceasingly pray.

For God, I put my trust in you,In you I put my heart

In you I lift up my soulIn you I shall say: “I am yours;

In you my Lord I shall remain forever.

Lights-Off...@10:15 PM...

tok . tok . tok .Hey! ....... .... ....

And there was silence.

� at if ?Sem.NealAllenLaurente

What if destruction is everywhere?And goodness is not there?What if furious people attack,And stab their enemies from the back?

What if chaos is inevitable?Chasing the poor and the nobleTo anywhere it can happen,And becomes threat among men.

What if love resists,And disorder persists?Untying you from love,Crying mercy from above.

What if this poem became the truth?Can you unfold it from its root?But don’t forget,And don’t regret,Do not be afraid,Because God’s love doesn’t fade!

Sa Tangi Kong SintaSem. Ray Ylves T. Gaga-a

Tulang ‘toy alay ko sayoSimple lang at di kumplikado

Di man kagandaha’y sana’y magustuhan moPagkat puso ko mismo nagdikta nitong liriko

Araw’y kay gandaMasilayan kang una sa umaga

Araw’y buong buo naDahil magdamag ikaw ang kasama

Mangyari man ang kung anoAko’y kailanma’y ‘di mo binigo

Handa akong damayan lagiKahit na minsa’y di hiningi

Sa luha’t ligaya’y ikaw ang kasaloMabuhay kapiling mo’y isa nang panalo

Umulan o umaraw ikaw ang kasamaPagkat puso ko ikaw lagi ang dala

Mahal kita at aking sinisintaKailanma’y di pagpapalit sa iba

Ikaw lang talaga nagiisaNagpatibok muli ng puso ko Inang Maria

26 LITERARY ATTEMPTS La Madonnetta

Untitled-2 28 12/13/2011 1:15:57 PM

SeminaryOSem.JeromeR.Berja

May mga nagtatanongKung ano nga ba ang naibulong

Dito sa mga kabataangPagpapari ang pinasukan.

Karamiha’y nagtatakaAt iba’y nangangamba

Kung sino pa ‘tong may itsuraSiya pang ‘di mag-aasawa.

Ano nga ba ang misteryongNakabalot sa seminaryO?Ano nga ba ang mayroon

At sila’y nandoon?

Ayon sa consensus na aking nakuhaMga seminarista’y may kanikaniyang istoryaBut they all boiled down sa isang konklusyonNa gusto nilang sundan yapak ng Panginoon...

Buhay sa seminaryo’y sadyang kakaibaKung iyong ihahalintulad dyan sa iba

Pagpapari’y pinasukanAt nangangarap na masutanahan.

Buhay sa loobMinsa’y puno ng kulog

Kung ika’y magkukunwariTiyak ika’y mayayari!

But most of the timesMay mga happy moments din naman

Kwentuhan ,kantahanHalakhak at asaran.

Ika’y magtataka sa lingo ng examAng iba talaga’y nag-aaral ng mainam

Gabi-gabi’y Nagsusunog ng kilayMasagutan lamang mahihirap na katanungan.

Thesis, research paperPinaghahandaa’t pinagpupuyatan

Cramming to the maxSolusyon ng karamihan!

Napakarami ngang bagay sa seminaryo’y matutunan

Na hindi halos alam ng karamihanKaya’t ipagdasal nalamang itong mga kabataan

Mga seminarista sa loob na nangangarap na maordinahan...

OrasSem.ByantCabreros

Ang oras sa seminaryoAy mabilisan‘Di mo namamalayan“Time” na naman

May oras ng pagdarasalAt may oras ng pag-aaralMay oras ng pag-lalaroAt oras ng paliligo

May oras sa paglilinisNa kailangang mabilisKailangang pulidoTrabaho sa seminaryo

Sa oras na “10:15”Kailangan mo lang patayinAng ilaw na nakasindiBaka roommates mo ikaw pa masisi

Ang buhay seminaryo ay parang orasanNa buong maghapon ay paikot-ikot lang‘Wag kang papahuli’t ika’y pagagalitanKailangan nasa oras lagi puso mo’t isipan

Timex parating tingnanNang ika’y ‘di mapagalitanAt biglang ito’y aking napagtantoBiglang sumagi sa isip ko

Ang oras ba ay totoo?Tanong ng isang pilosopoO kathang isip lamang ba itoNg naglalarong utak ng tao.

ToYouIWanttoFollowSem.JasnarLlantoIntro:C-Am-F-GC FIwanttofollowyoumyLordDm GCToserveandloveyouwithmyallF Em AmButsomeofthemcannotunderstandG F G-G7Thewayyoucalledme.

C FIwanttoserveYouOhmyLordDm GC-C7LikeMelchezedekofoldF EmButsometimesIfeelI’mweakAmI’msorrymyLord, F GForI’veforgetyou. F GForI’veforgetyou.

Chorus: AmButwhenIcryF GYoucomfortmeAm F GWhenI’mlost,youguidemeAm F GAmWhenI’maloneyou’realwaysbesidemeF GI’mlikeachild,alittlechild CWhowantstoserveYou.(Intro.)C FIwanttoloveYou,OhmyLordDm G That’swhatIwantedsincefromtheC-C7 F EmStart,andsometimesIcannotAm FGUnderstand,thewayyouloveme.FGThewayyouloveme.

Intro:C-Am-F-G(2)Coda:Ohoooohhhaoh(Repeatchorus)

F GEnding:I’mlikeachild,alittlechild CWhowantstoserveyou....

La Madonnetta LITERARY ATTEMPTS 27

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28 FEATURE ARTICLE La Madonnetta

In life we need to have only two answers in every question, it is either a “yes” or a “no”. ‘Yes’ is being affi r-mative to something and ‘No’ to disallow a fate. In some cases, these words can change the course of history for-ever. Over two thousand years ago, A woman in the town of Nazareth in Galilee made a decision her life, in an offer she could not resist, that is to be the mother of a child who would do ‘great’ things for the world. She accepted the offer and it did change the course of history. Her name was Mary; she became the mother of the Christ. That ‘Yes’ brought both joys and tears in her life, seeing her child’s fi rst steps up to the point of seeing her son slowly walk-ing towards Golgotha carrying the cross and even see Him dying on the cross, but she made that choice thinking it would be the best for the whole mankind. “All or nothing at all?”In the call of God, we also have to decide whether to follow or not.It is on our hands whatever answer it would be, but we must think of what would be the effect of it in our lives and in others’. If we decide and choose by our own, how are we sure that we could change things better than it were around us? Mary is leading us in choosing the right decision: “Do whateverHe tells you.” Yes, we may experience trials and diffi culties, but isn’t that worth the price of glory that is waiting for us somewhere in time?

Mary choose to say ‘Yes’ to God amidst all the trials that would come her way but she was rewarded to become the Queen of Heaven and Earth. How about us? What would be our answers? Would we dare to say Yes or No? Mary was once like us and she surpassed all those trials and we could also do the same. Maybe if we also say ‘Yes’, we could also change the course of history, forever…

A “Yes” that changed � e WorldSem.ChristofferDenzellAquino

identity for it doesn’t only give us a place for building up ourselves but it also gave a way for the poor men to have a chance to embrace priesthood despite of their problem fi nancially. All these things that he did for our brothers and sisters were all made possible through the intercession and the assis-tance of our Immaculate Mother, the Virgin Mary, and through his fervor to reach out inasmuch as our brothers and sisters were in need. Though he is not yet a saint on earth, I’m sure that in heaven, he is.

Founder’s CornerSem.AlvinQue

Being a founder is not only by name but also in words and actions. A person is not named as such because he’s the one who pioneered the community, in a much broader sense; it is for the reason that he contrib-uted more than enough for the betterment of the community in which he is part. Venerable Fr. Joseph Frassinetti did the very same thing that people expected him to do. He showed his care for the youth and instilled in their minds the teach-ings of the church through his catechisms and created in them a strong character and a solid faith from which he inspired many young men to become priests and intensifi ed the zeal that they had from within. Prior to the event of being a founder, he was at fi rst an ordinary priest that touched the hearts of the prison-ers, workers, fallen girls, ladies of rank, and of the youth. He was able to bring the church to the people and the people to the church through his teachings. He became a turning point of their society from a world that was full of sin and immo-rality brought out to a world of perfection and of fi rm faith. He also became a formator of many young men who were aspiring to become priests during his time and later handed over to the diocese. He was a role model to all the priests of his time until today, because he built a community really conducive for young men and a home that was abounding in love and rich in formation. Once he said, “Make the seminary your home and your home a seminary.” This saying of his shows that this seminary of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate is far much better than other seminaries despite of its young

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Blessed John Paul II: Bro. Glenn C. Reyes, SHMI

La Madonnetta FEATURE ARTICLE 29

“… Auctoritate Nostra Apostolica facul-tatem facimus ut Venerabilis Servus Dei Ioannes Paulus II, papa, Beati nomine in posterum appelletur… In nom-ine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.” Withthesewords,theHolyFatherBenedictXVIhadthejoyofraisingintothealtarsasBlessedhisbelovedpredecessor, JohnPaul II.Thosewordswere respondedbyanoverwhelming“Amen”comingfromboththechoirandthepeoplegatheredinSt.Peter’sSquare.Itwasfol-lowedbytheunveilingofthepictureofthenewlybeati-fied,by thechoir singing“Open thedoors toChrist,donotbeafraid…”athunderingapplausewhichmighthavelasted for anhour, thewavingof all theflags thatwerebrought for the occasion andmost of all, of smiles andtearsofjoyandthanksgivingfromamongallthepresent.Wewereverythankfulindeedbecausewehadthegraceofparticipating thismostmemorableevent.Thatparticularmoment of the rite of beatification took away the tired-nessbroughtbyasleeplessnightofsongs,witnessingandprayers,ofwaitingandstanding(andifImayinclude,ofpushingandbeingpushed)forsixhoursjusttobeinsidetheSquarefortheHolyMass(wedidmanagetosecureaplaceinsidetheSquare,anyway).ThathappyandfineSundayofMay1,2011,whenthesunwasshininginitsrelaxing springwarmth, thePilgrimPope, JohnPaul II,wasofficiallybeatified. Icannothelpbuttoexpressmypersonaldifficultyinwritingthisarticle.Iconsideritveryhardtowritesome-thingaboutaverywell-knownfigureliketheBlessedJohnPaulII,whoselifehasbeentoldandnarratedforthenthtimeandwhosethoughtsandwritingshavebeen(andstillbeing)studiedandexpounded.Nevertheless,inapersonlikehim,Ibelievethatonecanalwaysfindsomethingtowrite, since, likeSt.Paulwrote inoneofhis letters,hebecameallforall. During his inaugural mass as a newly electedpope,theBlessedJohnPaulIIsaidatthetopofhislungs(orifyouwant,youmaythinkhimasshouting):“Donotbeafraid!Open,openwidethedoorstoChrist!”Andany-onecaneasilythinkthathelivedthesehisveryownwordsuntil the very last moment of his earthly life. Like hischamberlain Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz narrated, evenasaconciliarmemberoftheSecondVaticanCouncil,thethenBishop(andlateron,Archbishop)KarolWojtyładidnothaveanyfearfornewthings.Yesindeed,thePolishpopeknewverywellthefoundationsofourCatholicfaith.

ButtheseveryfoundationsofourCatholicfaithgavehimtheimpetusandthecouragetocrossandpenetrateallthepossiblebarriersandfrontiersthatcouldpossiblyhindermantohisfullrealizationasapersonandencounterGod.PopeBenedictXVIplacedtheseideasinanutshellinhishomilyforthatoccasion:hehelpedusnottofearthetruthbecausetruthistheguarantyofliberty…Hegaveusthestrength tobelieve inChrist,becauseChrist is the ‘Re-demptorhominis,’ theRedeemer ofman.The initiativesoftheBlessedJohnPaulIIhelpedmantohaveawiderhorizonwhereinhecanmovefreelyandrealizehimselffully,meethisRedeemer,andliveinfullcommunionandsolidaritywithhisRedeemerandhisfellowmen. WritingaboutBlessedJohnPaulIIwouldbein-completewithouthavingawordabouthisfilialloveanddevotiontotheBlessedVirginMary.Hehasbeenareal“sonofMary”fromear-lyinhislifeuntilitsveryend.Mary,the model of faith, has been hisconstanthelpandguidinghand,up to thepoint that hehimselfhas been living that very faithoftheMotherofGod.AndsincePopeBenedictXVIhasdeclaredthisyeartobetheYearofFaith,itwouldbefittingforustodayto lookupon thefigureof thisman of greater visions andwider horizons, sothatwemayallbe led to theRedempto-rhomin i s ,Christ Jesus.

Greater Visions and Wider Horizons

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