Simbang Gabi Goals

It's the 5th Night of Misa Aguinaldo (Anticipated Mass) and the school choir sang at the celebration.

After the mass, we dined at El Ronnie's Pizza. The night was still young so we strolled around rotunda and enjoyed the Christmas ambiance at the site.

The last JS Prom

K - 12 will have its grade 9 next year. The fourth year will be the only level outside the new curriculum. There would be no more JS then.

Niña gets married today

Just last month, Kuya Manny (Niña's father) told our choir that Niña was going to be wed, which was scheduled today. Our choir, the Interlude Family sang at the wedding liturgy. I did the responsorial psalm, Ps. 92: Lord, it is good to give you thanks. During the rite of marriage, I found it enjoying seeing Niña looking at her husband whenever he says his part. I thought she was so happy and I feel the same for her. I wish her all the joys and blessings that her new life could bring.

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Pamela Wooton

Today, the second day after Epiphany, is Papang's 2nd Death Anniversary

I woke up early and dressed in white polo. I was not supposed to be the cantor-organist but since the assigned group could not be present, I volunteered yesterday to take care of the mass hymns. I offered the mass for my father's eternal rest. Epiphany has always been linked to my father's death. He died January 7, 2012, the day before the Epiphany celebration. Before his death, I was praying with him to follow the star wherever it could go for it shall lead his way to the Savior's place. Last year, his first death anniversary, was the first day after Epiphany. I recalled the homily of Bishop Joy in last Sunday's Solemnity of Epiphany that says about emptying something from ourselves to offer to the LORD. I realized that it was the very life of my father that our family had to let go. It was indeed hefty to be given out. But just like the Magi, we felt the ease of pain and sorrow having seen the end of our father's suffering from his illness. We continue to pray that he may be given the greatest gift of all - eternal life.

A day with Spinolanian pioneering batch

Buluan island is truly mesmerizing. The island's cool, clean waters and the bright, cream sand continue to amaze me. Today, I was here with some of the first batch MSS (Marcelo Spinola School). As usual, we did funny things and talked nonsense stuffs. But it was worth spending my time. I enjoyed a lot and felt happy seeing my students succeed in life. The return trip wasn't good since it coincided with the low tide. We had to stop the pump boat at a distance offshore and walk through the muddy coast, around 200 m to get back to the mainland. The consolation was that the current wasn't that strong.

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

What does this year 2014 have for me?

Last year, I could say that I had a busier life. Teaching in the public high school and at an external studies unit of a university, training school choir, serving at St. Joseph's Cathedral parish through music ministry - all these highlighted the year that was. I would always jokingly sometimes ask my students, "what would you become after doing that thing?" Now, such question seriously follows after what I have been through 2013. What have I so far become? I should accept that I continue to gain insight in my teaching. I have become more compassionate although I really have to work hard on showing my concern for my students. There were still moments that I found it inevitable to become unfriendly with them. The choir in the school this past year has served in many events. There have been a lot of issues to tackle for the next batch. I would be more "choosy" to come up with a more improved choir. There were a lot of developments as to the church music ministry. Last month, all that serve in the music ministry were finally commissioned by our Bishop in the Diocese of Ipil.

Personally, I see myself to be as busy as last year. Yet there were a lot of times that I ask myself, "what other paths could I possibly trod? My life seemed to be programmed while my personality remained adventurous." There were a number of sacrifices that I have, just to serve the LORD. I wish I could just keep this to myself. Now this year begins already. God has blessed me at the start of the year through the prayers I participated with at the church on the first day of 2014. There are already lined up activities to be done. On January 5 is the Epiphany of our LORD. On the 6th, will be the opening of the school classes for 2014. My father's 2nd death anniversary will be on the 7th. I will be accompanying for a wedding liturgy on the 8th and it will be the Feast of the Black Nazarene on the 9th. Hopefully, January 10 is a holiday.

I look forward to a more adventurous year this time. I wish for some new things to unfold before me. I am not getting any younger; I pray that I will be situated somewhere here in the LORD's bounteous vineyard. For certain, it is the LORD who will guide me through the path I will follow this year.

Presents from Bishop Joy

I was shopping at NOVO when my younger sister Daylin sent a text message that I have a package from Bishop Tonel. It is something that makes me wonder specially that never have I received any gift from the church for the past 8 years of my service at the music ministry. On the way home, I was thinking what the package would be. I had in mind that it could be music books. As soon as I got home, I found out that it was a "noche buena" gift pack with Diocesan Ordo brought by the Bishop's scholars. It was truly a pleasant surprise. It made me feel happy knowing that the Parish office extended gestures to show their love for us.

With this wonderful gift, I think I would be spending a lot less for New Year's dinner.

My mother asked for the Ordo. Well, it is definitely hard to refuse our mother. Jesus did not even refuse the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also serves at our Chapel here in Sanito and she surely would need a copy of liturgical guide.

Angel tops again in her class

Angeline Louise certainly deserves a treat today. She once again obtained a rank in the top 10 (this second grading). I gave her a Jolibee treat last grading period since she was also in the top 10.

Mamang together with Joshua and Nonoy also joined in the snacks at Jolibee.

All souls' day

Happy Fiesta Señor San Jose, the Worker

     Photo courtesy of Pamela S. Wooton

My birthday this year

Falling on the day of the Easter Octave for 2013, I celebrated my birthday with my Interlude Family at St. Joseph's Cathedral. We sang for the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday's morning prayer and second and third Masses. My student-choir joined in the third mass. We then proceeded to the rectory's kitchen where we took our breakfast.

In the afternoon, some of my co-teachers came home and we enjoyed a simple dinner with lechon. Later some students and alumni of the school where I teach also came. My friends at WMSU - Ipil also arrived.

My young buddies, Efren, Royce and Fredrick and I roamed around Sanito until the break of dawn. We looked for a coffee stall. We found one at the Ipil Provincial Hospital. We took pictures there. When it was about 4 am, we went to the airport and there, we waited for the sunrise. We had another coffee break at Ma'am Tess's house then we parted our ways.

Ang Payag ni Narciso

Narciso has been telling us (my young buddies) many stories about his nipa hut (Payag) near their small fish pond. Since this day is holiday, we decided to go to the Payag to have some good time, enjoying each other's presence. There we sang, chat, grilled pork and took our lunch. Some of his classmates also joined in. We even went farther. We walked along the dikes of nearby ponds and took a bath at a "cleaner" area. This is another day to remember. I have become closer to many of this year's graduating batch.

A Night with ZSNHS Batch '07

This batch has the students, who first occupied campus B in 2003-2004 school year. The campus was established due to the growing student population of the school. They experienced many challenges as the school buildings were make-shifts in nature. But they were steadfast and finished their first year level at the campus. They studied the rest of their high school years at the old campus (campus A.)

Tonight, I met some of the batch's alumni near a hotel. They invited me to join in a dinner that would be financed by Julius Latoza, who now works there in Makati. And so we indeed met. I was so happy to see my former students. We dined at Casa Mea and then proceeded to Underground Disco at Sibugay Grand Plaza. It was also Julius who sponsored the event. Though I enjoyed partying with the youngsters, I had to leave earlier for by tomorrow, I shall be the church organist in the 6 am mass.

One of the fulfilling times a teacher can have is seeing his students succeed in their chosen career. This meeting with the batch '07 gave me that sense of fulfillment, as I saw some of my students earning for a living already, and even helping their families.

Ely's Birthday

Ely is one of my cool young buddies. I usually get close to my students but it has been years that I opted to just be a teacher and a friend of my peers. It just happened that we have enjoyed each others' (his classmates) presence, so here we are. I bought some stuff to eat. Ely spent for the drinks. We went to the beach in Palid. I always love beaches. There, we cooked fish and enjoyed each others' company. We told jokes and whatever stories, swam, played in the cool waters and took pictures of all these crazy things we do.

Ely's birthday has brought me closer to at least some of the kids. We should have done this one even along time ago. But then again, things just happen without us planning them to occur. 

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Pax Tecum

The Prince of Peace, Word of God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is born! He is the Emmanuel - God with us. And today, he comes to our dwelling. His visit through altar servers Sean, Edward Jr., and Grabrielo reminded me of my father, who was still living when the image of the Child Jesus came to our home last year. The kids (Dimple, Nonoy and Angel) and my sister Daday kissed the Little Mighty Lord after the Pax Tecum prayer was said. Indeed, He is our peace. He comes to console our sadness and to bring the joy of salvation to all humanity. 

May my father Uldarico's soul rest in eternal peace with Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this bright season. May we, who are still journeying here on earth, merit the peace of Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen.

Celebrating the Canonization of Pedro Calungsod

Image of St. Pedro Calungsod at St. Joseph's Cathedral
Parish of the Ipil Diocese

It wasn't easy to find time to practice with the choir some hymns for Pedro Calungsod, who is canonized today as the second Filipino saint. There were periodic tests, teachers' conference and preparations for the celebration of our school baranga's founding anniversary. But my perseverance won. Just a few days before Sunday, the kids mastered hymns like "St. Pedro Calungsod (Percival Cacanindin), San Pedro Calungsod (Fr. Tim Ofrasio, SJ) and Kuya Pedro (Jamie Rivera)" after our few practices. In one of our rehearsals, one of my students really cried when she saw the video of Calunsod's story. Some of my students were interested to have the mp3 amd mp4 copies of the hymns so they can practice at home. 

This Sunday, also the World Mission Sunday, coincides with the canonization of 7 beatified individuals at St. Peter's Basilica. Here in our cathedral, our school choir joined the Interlude Choir in the singing for the second mass (8 am) and sang during the third mass (9:30 am), which are both in English medium. On both celebrations the hymn for St. Pedro Calungsod by Percival Cacanindin and San Pedro by Fr. Tim were sand during the entrance and offertory processions, respectively. The choir sang Kuya Pedro as post communion in the 3rd mass. 

Saint Pedro Calungsod is such a special saint. I heard about him as "blessed," but when I learned about his life as a young evangelist who bravely died, protecting Fr. Diego (blessed) and defending our Catholic faith, I believe deep in my heart, that he truly is a saint. He is a Visayan, just like me. He too eagerly served the Church - the passion that I have in me. There have been times that I sought for his intercession and though the prayers were that simple, they were answered. Now, faithfully I would always pray: "San Pedro Calungsod, ig-ampo mo kami."

The story behind this new gadget

Last October 15, we were strolling around SM North Wing. In-in was very playful that she kept on running away in the mall and wanting me to follow her. I was with Jonas when we went on different way. Mamang, Dyan and Daylin with kids Dhanna and Dodot were busy finding for the kids' shoes. I was already tired of following after In-in. When I received a text from Daylin, the phone I was using got drained of its battery. I told Jonas that we buy a cheap phone so we can make a call. We window shopped at the Cyberzone area. We also tried to find our location. Jonas even told me, "we are so lost." It took us some time to finally decide on buying a phone. In-in was very tired and sleepy then. We went to an ATM machine and got some cash to buy the phone LG e400. As soon as the SIM card was inserted, I readily received a call from Daylin, who was so worried about us. They went to where we were (at Earophone), where they found In-in sleeping on my arms.

I would have bought a Samsung unit of similar price but LG's internet page is better and it has great features. I will have bought a phone on a scheduled trip next week, but here it is with me now. The phone, not really that expensive is a gadget great to have.

Dining at Chika-an @ SM City Cebu

This very day is Dhanna's birthday. My sister Dyan treated us with delicious lunch in one of the restaurants in SM City Cebu. At Chika-an, we ordered pinakbet, crispy pata, baked scallop, lumpia shanghai, kare-kare and clam soup. The ambiance of the location is good with added view of Radisson Blu Hotel nearby. The treat really got me stuffed. I thought we should have ordered fewer serves. Anyway, it was one great lunch worth telling in this blog.

Dhanna's 3rd Birthday

The first destination of the day was to attend the celebration of the 28th Sunday of the Ordinary Time. We attended the Holy Mass at Consolacion Church here in Cebu. Then Dhanna was given a birthday party at Jollibee. She was thrilled by what was to happen. The party was attended by Dhanna's parents' friends. Her birthday on October 15 was celebrated in advance. Her mother's (Dyan) birthday would also be on the 17th.

The kids enjoyed the party with some parlor games, fun challenges and dance showdown. Here are some of the videos and pictures: