Today, Ash Wednesday

Now, on this day of the opening of the Lenten season, I take this time to post something.

What's with having my forehead marked with ash? In this morning's mass, the priest had us told that it is the start of our journey in this season of Lent. The celebrant added that though it is marked with reflective and solemn mood, it is supposed to be also a time to be joyous about the assurance of Jesus of our salvation through his great love and mercy.

In the school, a fellow is apprehensive about having marked with ash for one might not be able to follow the "obligations" during Lent. Humans as we are, it is inevitable for us to commit sin, at any time of the year. For one thing, having the thought that one might find it difficult to do fasting and abstinence, is never an excuse not to attend to Holy Masses. On the other hand, one should not be comfortable about sinning, knowing that God is compassionate anyway.

For sure, God does not want us to live a miserable life. Every day, we struggle for living. What the Lord wills us to do is along the way of our living, we sow justice, make peace and give love. Doing these will surely give us that feeling of happiness. That when we close our eyes at night, we are joyed that on this day, we have seen the face of God in those whom we have extended our help and love.

Erica Nessa's 6th Birthday

John Ric, Angeline and Mamang pose with the celebrator.

A simple but "well attended by neighbors" dinner for In-in's 6th birthday is celebrated at home today. In-in's lola Bebing and aunt Joy from Zamboanga were also present.

The Rite of Opening of the Jubilee Door of Mercy

It was only on the night before the celebration of the opening of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy that we rehearsed with Bishop Julius Tonel, D.D. and I learned that the procession would be accompanied by the singing of the Litany of Saints. There would also be a hymn before the Door of Mercy is opened. I took my self charged of those parts since there was no time to practice some cantors.

December 14, 2015 - the day of the Opening of the Jubilee Door. The rite was well-attended since aside ftom some mass goers and Marian College students, the WMSU students were also there as it was their regular institutional mass schedule. The archbishop of Zamboanga concelebrated the mass and he was also the homilist. We sang at the procession "Misericordes sicut Pater," "Be Merciful as the Father is merciful" and "The Great Jubilee Hymn" as the recessional.

4th Death Anniversary of Papang

"Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him," is our prayer for Papang, who on this day breathed his last, four years ago. What consoles us is having realized that his union with the Creator ended his earthly pain. 

We truly miss you, Pang. Please pray for us too. We love you truly.

On Papang's tomb at Autumn Woods, Taway, Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay.

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.