Vol. 20, No. 1 January-June 2012

ARCHBISHOP TAGLE CELEBRATES MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This year’s mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time by Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila.In his homily, Archbishop Tagle stressed the importance of the Holy Spirit in ones formation to the priesthood. He highlighted that it is through the Holy Spirit that a community becomes one. The Archbishop also warned about the abuse of power in the clergy, singling out the issue of monetary power. He advised that such must be rooted out in the person throughout his seminary formation.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit was attended by the seminary communities within the complex, namely San Carlos Seminary, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary and Lorenzo Mission Institute. Aside from those seminary communities, the community of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, Redemptoris Mater Mission Seminary, Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary of the Diocese of Imus, and various religious communities like the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the Order of the Servants of Mary, together with the staff and professors, (continued on page 2)

Most. Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle, the new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, headed for the first time the graduation rites of the San Carlos Seminary last March 18, 2012. Archbishop Tagle, before the graduation rites, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for the St. John of the Cross Class of the Philosophy Department and for the St. John Vianney Class of the Theology Department. A number of priests concelebrated the Mass, (continued on page 2)

SCS holdsCommencement Exercises

with the new Archbishop

Philippine Archbishops to Receive Pallium

Last June 29, 2012, Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, joining several other Archbishops from around the globe, four prelates from the Philippines received the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Basilica, namely: Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila, Archbishop Jose Advincula of the Archdiocese of Capiz, Archbishop John Du of the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte and Archbishop Romulo Valles of the Archdiocese of Davao.

The Pallium is reserved for the Pope and Archbishops as a sign of their office as shepherds of the Church. Worn by the Pope, it symbolizes the plenitudo pontificalis officii (i.e. “the plenitude of pontifical office”); worn by Archbishops, it signifies their participation in the supreme pastoral power of the Pope, who confers it on them for their respective church provinces. An Archbishop petitions the Pallium from the Pope, and the former may not exercise any ecclesiastical power over his province until he receives the Pallium. It is a liturgical garment worn over the chasuble and is a thin circular band around two inches wide with two pendants, one hanging in front and one behind. Decorated with six black crosses, it is woven from white wool supplied by lambs presented annually as a tax to the Chapter of St. John by the Lateran Canons Regular on the feast of St. Agnes.

Six more Karlistas were ordained; three to deaconate and three to presbyterate. While the new Archbishop of Manila, His Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle presided over his first Karlista ordination last March.Rev. Fr. John Paul del Rosario and Rev. Mariel Sarez of the Diocese of Parañaque were (continued on Page 2)

Six Karlistas Ordained; Archbishop Tagle

presided over his first Karlista Ordination

Kevin Joshua Cosme

FRUIT OF ARDENT LABOR Rev. Angelo Parlan receives his Academic Award from Archbishop Tagle.

DIAKONIA Rev. Lord Beltran answers the Archbishop during the Diaconal Ordination at the Lay Formation Center Chapel.

The San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex community launched ecological activities during the celebration of Independence Day. This formal launching concretized the vision of Msgr. Hernando Coronel regarding the significance of loving the environment and caring for creation. This includes programs for proper waste segregation and conservation of energy (water and electricity).

To formally put up a system for waste segregation, the RCAM Earthcare Services and Resource Recovery Center was opened and blessed by Msgr. Coronel.

Mrs. Lou Valencia-Arsenio, coordinator of the Ministry on Ecology of the Archdiocese of Manila, gave a whole-day seminar to prepare the seminarians and seminary personnel. Mrs. Arsenio strongly stressed the need for ecological conversion among Filipinos, which entails a change of lifestyle and a renewal of ecological concern. Mrs. Arsenio said, “We can discuss a lot of things about proper waste segregation but without ecological conversion, the attempt to pursue this noble project and concern for environment is bound to fail from the very start.” In between the workshop, video clips on the destruction of the Sierra Madre and the deterioration of Manila Bay were shown as situationer to the importance of ecological conversion.

In the afternoon session, Mrs. Arsenio led everyone to plan out ways to concretize the fruits of this ecologival conversion. Seminarians grouped together according to their formation houses for the planning. Finally, Mrs. Arsenio encouraged all to fulfill what they have planned.

The community of San Carlos Seminary culminated the School Year 2011-2012 as the seminarians, together with the seminary-formators, walked from San Carlos Seminary to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City last March 3, 2012. Recently, the San Carlos Seminary community started the School Year 2012-2013 with another pilgrimage to Antipolo just last June 23, 2012.

Traditionally, the pilgri-mage to Antipolo is done every last Saturday of June at the beginning of the School Year. However, due to the unstable weather last June 2011, the San Carlos priest-formators decided to pursue it on March 2012 as part of the Lenten sacrifices and the culmination of the School Year 2011-2012.

This Academic Year 2012-2013, the good weather of June 23, 2012 permitted the San Carlos Seminary community to hold its traditional pilgrimage to Antipolo at the beginning of the School Year.

As usual, the Marian Pilgrimage of the present School Year started with a paraliturgy which was led by Fr. Rey Anthony Yatco, the director of the College Department. In the short paraliturgy, Marion Noel Q. Bayaras, a fourth theology seminarian, gave his reflection and sharing about his experiences of this annual pilgrimage to Antipolo. He emphasized on his sharing the

significance of this spiritual activity in the life of every seminarian.

2 N e w sThe SCS Community 2012-2013

Eco-Activities launchedon Independence Day

Archbishop Tagle Celebrates... (from page 1)

SCS holds Commencement Excercises...(from page 1)

Six Karlistas Ordained...(from page 1)

were also present as the institution officially opened its school year.During the Eucharistic celebration, the formators and professors professed their faith in front of the Archbishop of Manila. This profession of faith reminded the formators and professors that what they teach are not their own but of the Holy Spirit. This entails that as they form the seminarians for the sacred orders, they should also fully submit themselves wilfully and intellectually to the teachings of the Roman Pontiff or the college of bishops. Before the final blessing, each seminary rector presented to Archbishop Tagle their respective communities.Along with this, Rev. Fr. Jose Vidamor Yu, LRMS, was installed rector of the Lorenzo Mission Institute replacing Msgr. Esteban Lo, LRMS who has served the seminary as its rector for more that a decade.

As San Carlos Seminary opened its school year, the community of disciples acknowledged the need of the Holy Spirit in responding fully to their seminary formation.

among them were the Priest-Formators of the San Carlos Seminary, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary and Lorenzo Mission Institute. Guest priests who were invited by the graduates also joined the Mass. This was also the first graduation rites that Archbishop Tagle presided as the new head of the Archdiocese of Manila, where San Carlos Seminary belongs. The Main Chapel was filled with the families, relatives, benefactors and friends of the graduates, including the guest-professors of the Seminary.

After the Mass, the Graduation Rites officially began with the march led by Rev. Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin, Dean of Studies of the Philosophy Department and Rev. Fr. Joel Jason, Dean of Studies of the Graduate School of Theology. At the beginning of the ceremonies, Msgr. Hernando Coronel, Rector of San Carlos Seminary, gave the opening remarks. Fr. Festin led the presentation of graduates for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, including two professionals who just finished their Philosophy Units as part of Ecclesiastical requirements. Fr. Jason led the presentation of graduates from the Graduate School of Theology. Three seminarians, namely, Sem. Francis Roi Madarang, Sem. Jayvann Carlo Olaguer and Sem. Jose Mari Villas received academic awards for the Philosophy Department. For the Graduate School of Theology, those who received academic awards were Rev. Victor Angelo Parlan (Summa Cum Laude) and Sem. Richard Lagos (Cum Laude). After the presentation of the graduates and the awardees, Sem. Jerome Bantog gave a Thanksgiving message on behalf of the Philosophy graduating class.

The Graduation rites concluded with the Pledge of Loyalty led by Sem. Francis Roi Madarang and Sem. Francis Mark Guzman. A reception followed at the Seminary gym and Theology parking lot.

ordained to presbyterate and deaconate respectively. His Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D, the bishop of their diocese, led the holy ordination that took place on December 3, 2011 at the Cathedral-Parish of St. Andrew. Fr. John Paul graduated from SCS Graduate School on 2008; however, Rev. Mariel finished his studies on 2009.

Abroad, two Vietnamese Karlistas Rev. Fr. Dominic Pham Minh Hanh and Rev. Fr. Joseph Doan Van Tinh received the sacrament of the Holy Orders as priests of the Diocese of Bui Chu, Vietnam last December 8, 2011. Both graduated from the SCS Graduate School of Theology in 2010.

On March 17, 2012, Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle presided his first diaconal ordination in San Carlos Seminary Complex held at the Lay Formation Center Main Chapel. His Excellency ordained two from San Carlos Seminary, Rev. Lord Kristoffer Beltran of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga and Rev. Victor Angelo Parlan of the Diocese of Cubao. In the same celebration, the Archbishop also ordained three from Holy Apostles’ Senior Seminary, one from Lorenzo Mission Institute and three from Redemptoris Mater Mission Seminary.

Jonathan Noel Mojica

Anthony Sibug

Ryan Adrian Aguinaldo

Redentor Lorenzo Bituin

Clyde Nolasco and Raemel Niklaus Leyretana

San Carlos Seminary opened the School Year 2012-2013 with 141 seminarians and 13 formators. The Formation Year (FY) Department consists of 14 seminarians and 2 formators, namely, Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia (Director) and Fr. Ramon Merino (Prefect of Discipline) who also serves as Procurator of the seminary.The Philosophy Department has 81 seminarians and 5 formators. The team of formators is composed of Fr. Rey Anthony Yatco (Director), Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin (Dean of Studies) and Fr. Yulito Ignacio, Fr. Albert Flores and Fr. Celestino Pascual (Spiritual Directors).The Theology Department has 42 seminarians guided by their 4 formators, namely, Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo (Director), Fr. Joel Jason (Dean of Studies), Msgr. Allen Aganon (Pastoral Director) and Fr. Joselito Buenafe (Spiritual Director). The Pastoral Spiritual Integration Year (PSIY) has 4 seminarians with Fr. Joselito Martin (Director).Fr. Rolando Garcia, Jr. serves as Professor and Spiritual Director and currently works as Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature. Now in his fifth year, Msgr. Hernando Coronel leads the community as Rector.

Karlistas walk to Antipolo to end S.Y. 2011-2012, to begin S.Y. 2012-2013

Franz Joseph Aquino

COMPANION IN OUR JOURNEY Every school year, the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo is visited by the seminary community to pray for her guidance.

LOVE FOR COUNTRY One way to celebrate Independence Day is to have concern for the environment. The SCS Complex community recently takes initiative on ecology.

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SCS Community: Viva! Sto. Niño!

NEW KARLISTAS IN THE MAKING

Liturgist discusses the New English Translation of the Roman Missal

On June 10, 2012, San Carlos Seminary joined the universal Church in celebrating the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. A morning mass was celebrated in the Main Chapel by Fr. Rolando Garcia, Jr. with the SCS community in attendance. Diverging from the “usual sermon about Corpus Christi” in his homily, Fr. Rolly expounded on the meaning of the English translation “And with your spirit” (Et cum spiritu tuo in Latin), the response to the priest’s greeting of “The Lord be with you” in the newly translated Roman Missal.

At the evening twilight, the priests and seminarians of San Carlos Seminary (SCS), Lorenzo Mission Institute (LMI) and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (HASS) held a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, a longstanding and venerable tradition upheld by the Church during Corpus Christi. The exposition and procession started in the SCS Main Chapel then proceeded to the San Carlos Theology Building, HASS and LMI before finally going back to the SCS Main Chapel, ending with Solemn Vespers and Benediction.

SCS Complex celebrates Corpus Christi

Kevin Joshua Cosme

Ron Mark Elarcosa

Raymund Acuña

John Alfred Casuga

Evening of June 12, 2012, the community with the team of the formators, held a welcome party for the new comers and returnees for the School Year 2012-2013 in the main refectory. After dinner, the program started with a simple opening number from the newcomers and returnees with an introduction of themselves. The exciting part of the program was when the new comers delivered their unique pick-up lines. The evening was also graced by pieces of advice from the priests of every department. Fr. Ramon Merino, FY formator, welcomed the Formation Year seminarians with great joy and hope for the vocation they have chosen. Fr. Rey Anthony Yatco, Philosophy Director, greeted the new members of the Philosophy Department and urged them to maximize their potentials with the help of the community. Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, Theology Director, reminded the new ones and also the returnees of the Theology Department to become active members of the community and not just mere observers.

Indeed, all had a great time celebrating the brotherhood and unity in the seminary as they received the new members of the community. The night was concluded with some inspiring words and the blessing from Msgr. Hernando Coronel, the seminary rector.

Fr. Carmelo Arada, Jr. explained the new English translation of the Roman Missal during the liturgical conference last February 29, 2012 at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium. It was attended by the three houses of formation inside San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, namely, San Carlos Seminary, Lorenzo Mission Institute and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary. Fr. Arada, a liturgist of the Archdiocese of Manila, illustrated the significance of this development on the liturgical celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The New English Translation of the Roman Missal is the result of the 10-year study and consultation made by Congregation for Divine Worship through the guidelines it issued entitled “Liturgiam Authenticam” which was released in March 28, 2001. The said document dealt with

the use of the vernacular language in the publication of the Roman Liturgy with a style of translation using formal correspondence to its original text.

The conference also aimed to prepare seminarians on using the new translation in the celebration in the Holy Eucharist. In the Philippines, the full implementation will take effect on the First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2012 as approved by the members of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Together with the entire Philippine Catholic Church, the San Carlos Seminary community shouted with joy, “Viva! Sto. Niño” during the celebration of its annual ati-atihan dance competition in honor of the Child Jesus, with the theme of Santo Niño: Huwaran ng tapat na pananampalataya, last January 15, 2012.

The event in honor of the Child Jesus began with an opening prayer which was followed by a parade within the vicinities of San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex. Afterwards, everyone gathered at the San Carlos Seminary Lobby to witness the opening of the competition. Rev. Fr. Yulito Ignacio, the head spiritual director of the Philosophy Department, gave the opening remarks. As part of his opening remarks, Fr. Ignacio let his Irish friend, Bro. Bernard, to talk about the significance of the Ati-Atihan Festival here in the Philippines.

The annual ati-atihan dance for this school year was participated by the two departments of the community; the Philosophy and the Theology Departments. Aside from the ati-atihan dance, two minor contests were done on this day namely; Andas-Making Contest and Body Painting Contest. The Theology Department won the Best in Body Painting. On the other hand, the college seminarians won as Over-all Champion for they got one major award, Best in Ati-atihan Dance, and and a minor award, Best in Andas-Making.

The formation year department did not join the Ati-atihan Dance Contest however; they joined in the two minor competitions. They presented a skit presentation which is in lined the theme of this celebration. To formally end the said event, Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel, the Rector of San Carlos Seminary, gave his closing remarks and final blessing.

The annual feast of the Santo Niño is celebrated every third week of January. This reminds us of Spain’s colonization to the lands of the Philippines in the 16th century. Tracing our history, the image of the Santo Niño became the symbol of the colonization and with it the spread of Catholicism in the country.

NEOPHYTES The new members of the community perform with a dance number. ALL SMILES Msgr. Ding poses with the newcomers.

SHOWCASE OF TALENTS Each department had their own bag of tricks for their much anticipated Sto. Niño Festival dance performance.

CHRIST TRULY PRESENT The seminary community makes a solemn procession of the Body of Christ around the San Carlos Formation Complex.

ADORATION The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in one of the seminaries within the seminary complex.

4 N e w s

The college department of San Carlos Seminary held its 8th annual Philosophy week with the theme History, Memory, Narrative: Exploring the Interpretative Dimension of Philosophy. The seminaries of San Carlos, Our Lady of the Pillar and Lorenzo Mission Institute enthusiastically participated on the week-long celebration.

The Philosophy Week 2012 opened with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist headed by Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin, the Dean of Studies of the Philosophy Department. This was followed with the ribbon cutting ceremony at the hallway beside the classrooms, which was decorated by mind-blowing exhibits displaying the theme of the event. As icing on the cake, the Dean of Studies delivered the first of the three symposia for the week. After their luncheon, the students gathered once again in the SCS Auditorium to witness the defense of the philosophical essays of the selected forth year students for the Aristotle Award. The Poster-Making Contest that was held at the Philosophy Recreation Hall marked the last contest of that day.

The next day, Wednesday, began with the poem declamation contest and was followed by another symposium given by Dr. Feorillo A. Demeterio III about a hermeneutical interpretation of Botong Francisco’s painting. A debate contest highlighted the second day of the Philosophy Week.

On the third day of the celebration, January 26, Fr. Raymun J. Festin, SVD gave the third symposium at the Big Classroom.

Looking best in their coats and ties, the concluding day of the 8th Philosophy week was wonderfully topped by the awarding ceremony. Fifteen-minute films, produced by each class and a film made by the OLPS philosophers were shown in the wide screen at the auditorium. The class of St. John of the Cross won, for the fourth time, the Zwaenepoel Award.

SCS PhiloWeek dwells on Hermenuetics

Ramon Mikhail Paulo Nicdao

Bp. Bancud admits Theology 1 Class to the Candidacy for the Priesthood

Diocesan Days storm SCS

Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud S.S.S., D.D., Bishop of Cabanatuan, solemnly presided over the Rite of Admission to the Candidacy for the Sacred Order of the Theology 1 Class, the St. Ignatius of Loyola Class. The rite of admission was officiated inside the Holy Mass of the 3rd SETA Family Day last February 12, 2012. In his homily, Bishop Bancud reminded the 12 seminarians admitted as candidates for the Sacred Order about the importance of reminiscing their own unique vocation story as they continue to respond to the call of God towards the priestly life. Along with this, Bishop Bancud stressed the significance of self-reflection or self-introspection regarding one’s motivation for staying inside the seminary. The seminarians who were admitted as candidates for the Sacred Order were as follows: Jonathan Mojica for the Archdiocese of Manila; Franz Joseph Aquino, Dean Jerome Cruz and Jereco Rebadejo for the Diocese of Cabanatuan; Frederick Carlo Narvasa, Fred Cristian Narvasa and Jover Domanico for the Diocese of Cubao; John Rommel Atienza for the Diocese of Alaminos; Florante Balderas for the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay; Niku Vicente for the Diocese of Pasig; Bon Andeo Navarro for the Diocese of Parañaque and Anthony Sibug for the Diocese of Balanga.After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the seminarians and their parents proceeded to the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium for the program and SETA Raffle Draw. The said program comprised some presentations from the Formation Year Department, College Department and Theology Department. The parents of the seminarians participated on the SETA Raffle Draw. Before the program ended, the seminarians offered a song for their parents as their tribute for them for the celebration of the Valentines’ Day.As the SETA Family Day came to its close in the afternoon, the Optimi Choir, headed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, had a vocation concert. Parents and some guests attended the said concert which aimed to promote the vocation to the priesthood as part of the intensive vocation promotion program of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The School Year 2011-2012 had ended with two more dioceses hosting the event. The Diocese of Antipolo brought with them the replica of Nuestra Señora Dela Paz y Buen Viaje last January 26. Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, D.D., Bishop of Antipolo, graced the celebration of the Eucharist at 6:30 in the evening. Fr. Joselito Santos (Secretary to the Bishop of Antipolo), Fr. Jeff Santos (Vocation Director), Fr. Joel Victorino of the host diocese and some seminary fathers were the concelebrants. In his homily, the bishop stressed the importance of prayer in the seminary formation. He also reminded the seminarians to be faithful with their meditation and spiritual reading. Having the theme, “Maglayag kasama si Maria,” the celebration was to encourage a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Diocese of Pasig hosted the last diocesan day of the year on February 16 with the theme, “Maria: kaPaseo tungo kay Kristo.” Fr. Loreto Sanchez, the Vocation Director of the diocese, presided over the Holy Mass in the evening. Fr. Sanchez shared in the homily about his vocation story and his love for music. He emphasized the role of Mary, the Mother of the Lord, in a seminarian’s journey to the priesthood.

For the current School Year 2012-2013, the Archdiocese of Manila hosted the first diocesan day last June 28 with the theme, “KASAMA: Kasama sa paglalakbay, Kasama si Poong Hesus Nazareno.” The highlight of the celebration was the visit of the Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno of Quiapo.

Most Rev. Bernard Cortez D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at 6:30 in the morning. In his homily, Bishop Cortez reflected on the connection between the Filipino devotion to the Nazareno and the priesthood. He said that priests must faithfully bear their crosses in life like the Black Nazarene.

Franz Joseph Aquino

Jason Alde

CROWD FACTOR Seminarians cheer for their classmates during the debate proper of the 8th Philosophy Week.

ALL OUT Philosophers prepare the art materials for their beautiful exhibits. At the start of the Philosophy Week, each class puts up their artistic work along the classroom corridors. The exhibits are philosophical interpretations expressed through different forms of art in line with the PhiloWeek theme.

ONE STEP The Theology 1 seminarians are officially admitted to the Candidacy for the Sacred Orders, which is an initial requirement for ordination.

VIVA NAZARENO! The highlight of the first Diocesan Day for this school year is the visit of the image of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo.

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Theology Leaders Undergo Training

College One Orientation culminates in Sariaya

“Happy to Serve!”

Every year, part of the seminary program is to train and prepare the leaders of the community. All the members of the theology council and the committee chairpersons usually attend a leadership training program held after the recently ended school year or before the start of the coming school year. Last March 19-21, the Theology Council members and committee chairmen had their Leadership Training Seminar which was given by Mrs. Eileen L. de Guzman, who works in a parish in the Diocese of Pasig. She was also the same person who gave the leadership training programs for the previous batches of Theology community leaders.

The inputs of Mrs. Eileen guided the council members and committee chairpersons in constructing their plans and how to come up with goals of each committee for the coming School Year 2012-2013. As leaders, the council is expected to bring all the members of the community together, and to be united in accomplishing their goals and plans. They should also help other members to get involved in managing the

community. Different activities were given to facilitate the discussion. Practical application and situations were presented to about understanding of the ideas given in the talk.

On the last day, the last part of the leadership training program was assigned for the committee chairpersons

to conduct a planning of the different activities for the coming school year. The three main concerns and thrusts of the plan of activities for SY 2012-2013, such as Vocation Promotion, Ecology, and Mission, were given special attention. The leaders tried to create their plan of activities in relation to these three concerns. There were also evaluations of the activities of the past school year to determine which of them were helpful and effective and which were in need of improvement. Some activities of the previous school year were still included for the list of activities and new programs were also added. After the

planning, the seminarians went home for their summer vacation.

After a weeklong orientation to college seminary formation, the First year college seminarians went on a community outing at the Paraiso Beach Resort, Sariaya, Quezon last May 31, 2012.

The twenty-five college freshmen, together with Kevin Cosme and Jorenz Gancia, were headed by their class adviser, Fr. Albert A. Flores. They enjoyed exchanging stories and laughters, singing, playing outdoor games and quality bonding moment in Paraiso Beach Resort.

At the end of this activity, the First Year College seminarians hope to be truly marked with the genuine spirit of brotherhood, fraternity and camaraderie in the guidance and intercessions of St. Thomas Aquinas, their class patron saint.

San Carlos Seminary welcomed the new sets of officers for the School Year 2012-2013. Both the Philosophy and Theology Department elected their new officers who will be the head of their respective community.

The Pantasan Council members of the Philosophy Department are as follows: Fernando Pendon, Jr. (President), Xavier Paul Jacome (Vice President), Philippe Garcia (Secretary), Kurt Tesalona (Assistant Secretary), Rommel Cruz (Treasurer), and Greg Turqueza (Assistant Treasurer). The council aims to lead and inspire each member of the community to be an agent of responsible brotherhood for each other.

On the other hand, the Executive Council of the Theology Department are as follows: Tejay Samsom (President), Fred Cristian Narvasa (Secretary), and Florante Balderas (Treasurer). These new set of officers will be the leaders of the community. By means of their leadership and service to the community, they are called to be like Christ to be the servant of many and not to be served.

This year, they will also lead the community in promoting ecological and environmental activities as stressed by the rector, Msgr. Hernando Coronel.

Fred Cristian Narvasa

Raemel Niklaus Leyretana

Justine Pabalan and Norman Trambulo

KAPATIRAN 2012 GATHERS HUNDREDS OF SEMINARIANS

Kali Pietre Llamado

Diverse in charism, united in mission.

Almost six hundred participants composed of diocesan theology seminarians with their formators from different theological seminaries throughout the country came together on February 4, 2012 for the yearly KAPATIRAN meet. This year’s event was hosted by the Tagaytay cluster of seminaries namely: Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, the theological seminary of the Diocese of Imus; San Pablo Theological Seminary of the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna; St. Augustine Major Seminary of the Diocese of Mindoro; and the Mission Society of the Philippines Theological Seminary. KAPATIRAN 2012 has as its theme: AMARE ET SERVIRE, The Diocesan Spirituality and Mission.

This year’s KAPATIRAN focused on the cultivation of the seminarians’ spirituality as future diocesan priests. Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D., who just months before was the Bishop of the Tagaytay cluster, gave an in-depth reflection on the topic during his homily at the opening mass. Amid the laughs of seminarians and priests during the cheerful Archbishop’s talk, Tagle reminded the participants that they should become instruments of unity and harmony even while still inside the seminary community, or else he said, “lumabas ka na lang!”

The organizers also prepared time for sharings and workshops by year level. This was an opportunity for seminarians to mingle with their “batchmates” from other seminaries and form a closer bond among the “theologians” who in a matter of few years would be serving the local church in the presbyterium.

The Focolare Movement also facilitated a workshop on Spirituality and was held on their Terra Moi center also in Tagaytay.

The event was capped by a dinner with program in the evening. The theology seminarians of San Carlos Seminary were given an opportunity to perform a song number during the said evening program. They sang, to the delight of the other seminaries, a mash up of the songs Umbrella by Rihanna and the traditional Latin chant Vidi Aquam.

The KAPATIRAN is a yearly general assembly of the members of the Seminarians’ Network of the Philippines (SEMNET) which is composed of diocesan theological seminaries from all over the country. It is alternately hosted by the member seminaries each year. San Carlos Seminary together with Holy Apostles Senior Seminary and Lorenzo Mission Institute hosted the KAPATIRAN in 2003 with the theme DIVERSE IN CHARISM UNITED IN MISSION, and just recently in 2010 with the theme WE ARE FOR CHANGE, WE ARE FOR CHRIST, coinciding with the national elections held that year.

Next year’s KAPATIRAN will be held in Mother of Good Counsel Seminary in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“I AM STILL MORE” (2 Cor 11:23). St. Paul in dealing with the Corinthians, acknowledged his own weaknesses. Though he was weak, he boasted of himself by saying, “I am still more.” He was aware that labors, sufferings and persecutions would come in his life, but he was still able to do something more for the sake of Jesus.

For the School Year 2012-2013, “I AM STILL MORE” is the theme of the Theology Department. The theme encourages everyone to go beyond the minimum demands of daily life. This means they are to go out of their comfort zones and enhance a way of life that is self-giving. Living this out will facilitate a holistic seminary formation and a venue to be a better person.

Through this theme, every seminarian can promote a greater sense of loving concern for others. They shall be bearers of the love of Christ in the community and in apostolate areas.

Theology Community Strives for More

Tejay Samson

DIOCESAN SPIRITUALITY Seminarians share snacks in one of the events during SEMNET 2012. Fraternal communion is one distinct character of the diocesan priesthood.

PANTASAN COUNCIL The leaders of the Philo community are (from left) Kurt Tesalona, Philippe Garcia, PJ Pendon, Xavier Jacome, Rommel Cruz, and Greg Turqueza.

PLANNING Tejay Samson, president of the Theology Council, facilitates the making of the plan of activities for SY 2012-2013. Fr. Carlo joins the leaders in the planning session.

6 O p i n i o n

SEMINARY FORMATION NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIVE to the challenges of the times. Seminary formation flourishes and grows in a milieu of the Church within the context of society. If the priesthood is to be relevant to the times, seminary formation cannot be isolationist and confined to a shell. Seminary formation needs to interact with laity formation and the ongoing clergy formation; all of these are preparatory bearing in mind the overall pastoral development of the Archdiocese. We cannot live in an ecclesiastical vacuum oblivious to the programs on ecology, mission, human development and other ongoing ecclesial innovations.This means listening. This means interacting. This means discovering the charism in other ministries

and seeing if there is a common ground for collaboration. The “ivory tower attitude” has to be abandoned. The seminary ministry needs to see

itself as joining other ministries so that formation of the future priests would be integral and complete.

It is acknowledged that basics are to be enforced and essentials have to be instilled: a community life that lives out the Gospel values with a humanity that is integral, an intellect equipped to explain the faith, a pastoral thrust to be a servant-leader, and a spirituality centered on the Eucharist.

Yet in so many dimensions of formation, we need to look at mission-orientedness. The priesthood is a gift as well as a response to spread the Gospel as mission to the rest of Asia. According to the Updated Philippine Program for Priestly Formation, “priestly spirituality is missionary.” Seminary formation does

not just add the mission ministry as a tai-end priority. Inherently, the priest is a reflection of Jesus who is sent into a mission of salvation by the Father. The divine life, the inner life of the Trinity, involves the mission of the Incarnation of the Son. Indeed, the core spirituality of the priest is a mirror of the joy of a God in mission.

In practice, the seminary ministry and the mission ministry of the Archdiocese need to interface to discover and renew their unitive soul. This consists not just of mission collection and invitation of missionary priests as speakers; rather it is an exposure to the world of mission with all its hues, colors, aspects, and diversities. This is a challenge for San Carlos Seminary in the coming years as the charism of the new archbishop stresses the responsibility of the Philippines to Asia.

NITO LAMANG BUWAN NG HUNYO, ipinagdiwang ng ating bansa ang ika-isangdaan at

labing-apat na taong pagiging malaya mula sa mga kamay ng Espanyol. Natapos ang pamumuno ng Espanya nang unang iwagayway ang watawat ng Pilipinas sa Kawit, Cavite noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Pinamunuan ito ng bagong tatag na Republika sa pamamagitan ni Heneral Emilio F. Aguinaldo, ang hinirang na unang Pangulo ng ating bansa. Hindi natin makalilimutan ang araw na ito sapagkat isa ito sa mga pangyayari sa ating kasaysayan

na patuloy na nagbibigay pag-asa at inspirasyon sa ating bayan mula noong panahong iyon hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Ang okasyong gaya nito ay isang pagpupugay sa pag-aalay ng sarili at buhay ng ating mga bayani. Katulad na lamang ng ginawa ni Dr. José Rizal at ang kagitingan ng mga sundalo sa “Death March” sa Bataan. O kaya naman ang pagkamatay ni Ninoy Aquino na sinundan pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, ng makasaysayang Unang Rebolusyon sa EDSA noong 1986. Hindi ba’t kapag naaalala natin ang mga ito ay nagkakaroon tayong muli ng pag-asa at inspirasyon bilang isang bayan bagamat hindi pa rin talaga natatapos ang ating kahirapan. Ngunit kung titingnan natin ang ating mga sarili, tayo kaya bilang Pilipino, ay nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob at pag-asa sa ating kapwa Pilipino? O sarili lang

talaga ang lagi nating pinapahalagahan? Kung ganoon, nagkakaroon pa ba ng saysay ang ating kasaysayan? O sadyang nananatili lang itong nakasulat na kuwento sa ating mga aklat ng kasaysayan at marahil isang selebrasyon at pag-aalaala na wala naman talagang kabuluhan o ibinubunga sa atin.

Hindi maipagkakaila na ang Araw ng Kasarinlan ay isa na lamang selebrasyon at masayang araw dahil una sa lahat, wala tayong pasok. Maaalala natin na sa nakaraang administrasiyon, ang lahat ng mga makasaysayang petsa ng Pilipinas ay inililipat kung hindi sa araw ng Lunes ay sa Biyernes. Sa ganitong kalagayan, ang ginhawang ibinibigay ng mahabang araw na walang pasok o holiday ay naaayon lamang sa praktikal na pag-iisip ng mga tao. Kung magdiriwang nga naman tayo at walang pasok, bakit hindi pa sa mas komportableng paraan? Oo, masaya ang lahat ngunit nakalulungkot na natakpan

at hindi totoong napapahalagahan ang tunay na diwa ng isang m a h a l a g a n g araw sa ating kasaysayan.

Idagdag pa rito na makakalimutin talaga tayong mga Pilipino. Sinong mag-aakalang nakalimutan agad ng ating mga mamamayan ang pandarambong ng dating pangulo, at nang mapatawad at mapalaya sa kulungan, tumakbo pang muli ito sa pagkapangulo. Muntik pa siyang manalo dahil pumangalawa pa siya sa eleksiyon noong 2010. Patunay ito na mabilis nga tayong makalimot at nakakaligtaan ang mga bagay-bagay lalo na ang patungkol sa mga mahahalagang aspekto at detalye ng mga ito.

Nais nating umunlad bilang bansa ngunit hindi naman tayo natututo. Kailan pa kaya tayo matututo? Walang iba pang panahon… kundi ngayon! Kaya’t

magsumikap tayong maging mabuti. Matuto tayong magmalasakit, maging disiplinado at sumunod lagi sa tama para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Matuto tayo sa mga pagkakamali ng nakaraan at bigyang halaga ang tunay na diwa ng kasaysayan.

Ngayon ay malaya tayo dahil sa pagsusumikap ng ating mga ninuno. Pamana nila ito sa atin, kaya naman tayo ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa kanilang pag-aalay ng sarili sa bayan; atin itong pakaingatan.

Ngayong tayong mga Pilipino ay malaya na, patuloy na binubuhay ang nakaraan hanggang sa kasalukuyan dahil ito ang nararapat sa ating paglago bilang tao at iisang bayan. Naka-ugat tayo sa tunay na pagka-Pilipinong ipinamalas ng ating mga nagmalasakit na mga ninuno at mga bayani. Tunay ngang nagkakaroon ng saysay ang kasaysayan sa pamamagitan ng ating pagpapanibago ng mga sarili at aktibong pakikilahok sa mga adhikain at gawain tungo sa pagkakaroon ng tunay na kalayaan.

Ang SAYSAY ng KASAYSAYAN

A RESPONSE FORMATION

Eat all you can…The Corona impeachment hullabaloo was many things. It was a machination. It was a weeding out of corruption. It was a venue for reconciliation. It was a moment of resurrection (yeur huener...). It was a period of intellectual gymnastics (we seek enlightenment, your honor). It was a chance of redemption (uhhh..... proceed). It was an opportunity for painful revelations (spoiled brat po siya). It was the field of a family feud. It was an area for privilege speeches (I thought I had unlimited time...). It was an arena for some sour-graping (ako din po ay biktima ng media...), a few wonderful and at times comical orations and quotable quotes. (Wah!) In other words, the impeachment was a political version of Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors. More than historic, it was histrionic. The whole thing is a mixture of drama, suspense, mystery, action and comedy (Wah…Wah!). And these point to one thing; it’s more fun in the Philippines. What other country has the benefit of watching an actual telenovela, courtesy of the government?For forty-four days, reporters kept yapping that this impeachment would go down in history books. However, I think course of the proceedings would better go in with the works of Homer than the contributions of Venerable Bede. There’s a lot of grey area that our grey matter can’t peer through.Even the origin of this “machination” or “cleansing of the temple” stands on wobbly stilts. One story says the guy ought to be impeached for his assignment was part of GMA’s plan of escaping the jaws of justice. He was to act as the woman’s shield from the lady justice’s flaming sword. It makes a lot of sense. Only the highest magistrate of the land could tilt the scales to anyone’s favor since he alone has the privilege of an absolute interpretation of the law. The other version of the story goes like this: the Chief Justice is crucified because he dared to cross the path of the “Hacienderong Presidente” et al. The ruin of his life was payback for the ruin of their stocks. Sadly, both sides remain today as opinions. To add more irony to the drama, Corona’s fate emerged from neither nests. He fell because of his perversion of truth, not perversion of office. Additionally, there were debates on whether the guy was really a midnight appointee. When the word got out that there was a new CJ in town, some people immediately shouted “Henchman!” For these men, it was obvious. The guy was there to pervert our sacred laws. Yet, there are also others who contended that the seat of the magistrate was vacant for ninety days and that the Constitution demanded the appointment of a Magistrate there and then. But the arguments on these issues go on. Some asked, “Why didn’t he have the delicadeza to refuse the office?” And many unsolicited answers have sprung from foreign mouths. Pero palasyo ba si Corona at ang dami niyang spokesperson? (Is Corona Malacañang to have spokesperson?) All we have is chismis.Furthermore, the nation should be proud of the chefs who served the half-baked impeachment cake to the upper house. How did they ever receive a degree in college? How could they pass something so premature? They’re educated men. It dumbfounds the imagination. It’s as if they signed a paper whose contents they never knew. Di lang pala hustisya ang bulag. Pati pala yung gumagawa ng batas. (Lady justice isn’t the only one blind. The law makers are too.) It was only during the impeachment that the real articles of impeachment were formed. The very act makes one think of the phrase, “the show must go on.” Perhaps this whole thing was just an on-the-spot skit and these guys were only compelled to keep the show going; otherwise the whole thing would be a waste of time. The prosecution had to do double time to find holes and even drill a few just to rock the foundations of the defense. The only question is, “Who’s holding the strings?” Miriam Defensor, at least in my opinion, had all the reasons (let’s not talk about rights) to go ballistic as it was obvious (continued on page 9)

O p i n i o n 7

SCSInFormation is the official bulletin of San Carlos Seminary. Comments, suggestions, reactions or request for subscription may be addressed to

SCS InFormation, San Carlos Seminary Publications, San Carlos Seminary, EDSA, Guadalupe Viejo, MCPO Box 1414, 1254 Makati City. Telephone Number: 02 8958855 f Fax Number: 02 890 9563.

PublisherMANILA ARCHDIOCESAN SEMINARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION,

INC. (MASSFI)Moderator

REV. MSGR. HERNANDO CORONELDirector

REV. FR. LORENZ MOISES FESTINEditor-in-Chief

BON ANDEO NAVARROAssociate Editors

JONATHAN NOEL MOJICAFRANCIS ROI MADARANG

FRANZ JOSEPH AQUINOResearch Team

PAL JADEN PAGUERGANDANIEL DOMINGUEZ

KEVIN COSMEALFORD MOLINA

Graphics and Lay-out ArtistsDEAN JEROME CRUZ

MARVIN CRUZKRISTOFFER DUQUE

EDRIANNE BERSAMINA

PhotographersCLYDE ERICSON NOLASCOFRED CRISTIAN NARVASA

PHILIPPE GARCIAGREG TURQUEZA

CirculationsANTHONY SIBUG

PAUL JEFFREY TOGUAY NORMAN TRAMBULO

WritersNIKKO LEYRETANA, PAULO NICDAO, ALFRED CASUGA, JASON ALDE, JONATHAN CADIZ, XAVIER PAUL JACOME, JONATHAN CAÑETE, RYAN AGUINALDO, JOKO PLURAD, KALI PIETRE LLAMADO, RAYMUND ACUÑA, ROMMEL CRUZ, ROLANDO DIAZ, JUSTINE PABALAN, JOHN VICTOR BACLOR, MARVIN VINUYA, KIM VALLADORES, JOMARI ECHANO, RON MARK ELARCOSA, GUILLER OMNES, TEJAY SAMSON, REDENTOR BITUIN, BENEDICT JARLEGO

Archbishop Chito Tagle and the Task of Building up

the Faith of the Church in Manila

BETTER AFTERARCHBISHOP CHITO TAGLE’S APPOINTMENT to the Archdiocese of Manila did not come as a surprise to many. After all he is one of the most recognizable figures not only in the local Church but even internationally, especially among theologians. A theologian himself, Archbishop Chito has spoken both to experts and to the most ordinary of the faithful. Who hasn’t heard of his name? And who hasn’t had the chance to listen to one of his inspiring talks?

Archbishop Chito’s ability to inspire may be partly explained by his gift of humor. He can effortlessly hold the attention of his audience by his witty anecdotes and funny quips. But what really keeps people seek him again and again as speaker is his knack for leading his listeners to deeper insight. In the clarity and simplicity of his words, one cannot but be moved to experience the joy and vivacity of our Christian faith.

Now that he is Shepherd of Manila, the Archbishop’s task hasn’t changed much. It only became more intense. For his mission is to lead us to encounter Jesus in the experience of our faith. And this the Archbishop can very well do by inspiring us with his words–which is exactly what he has been doing ever since he became a priest, for the Word he proclaims is no less than Jesus himself, the Word Incarnate.

Of course, people nowadays are more visual than aural, which means they are less likely going to listen to mere words. They are rather more inclined to use their eyes. You ask, which of the five sense functions they’d rather not lose, and very often the most preferred is the sight.

That’s quite understandable. Ours is a world that engages our sense of sight more than ever. But the downside of it is disastrous. We get stuck with the external and the superficial, to the effect that we become less reflective and introspective–which only makes the task of proclaiming God’s Word more challenging.

But that’s the nature of faith. There’s something invisible to it. No wonder then faith comes not so much through seeing as through hearing. Surely, the act of listening happens in the enigma of the hidden. You’d be pretty well aware if a person stares at you, but there’s no way of telling whether the person you’re talking to is really listening to you or not. Listening just happens in secret.

Archbishop Chito’s thought about Easter very well articulates such interiority distinctive of the Christian

faith. Reflecting on the disciples’ Easter experience at the clergy excursion last April 23, 2012, the Archbishop points out how the joy of Easter quite differs from that of Christmas. He asks, “Who can’t be happy in the presence of a newly born baby?” But the gladness Easter brings is more subtle, he argues. For one has to turn back into one’s interiority to recognize the Lord from within.

Such was the disciples’ experience after the Resurrection. Recognizing the risen Lord involves more than the act of seeing, which might even be the reason for our failure to do so. Often it is in the act of

hearing his voice that we come to know that it’s him.

Thus the two disciples at Emmaus had to hear Jesus speak before they could recognize him at the breaking of the bread. They asked, “Were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke to us along the way?” And Mary Magdalene, mistaking Jesus for a gardener, had first to hear Jesus call out her name “Mary!” before she realized it was the Lord.

Now we can understand why Archbishop Chito has chosen the very words of the beloved disciple as motto when he became a bishop: “It is the Lord!” I guess that’s how the good Archbishop sees his mission as shepherd–to enable us his flock to discern the Lord’s presence in this world gone out of touch with the very source of its life and existence. And this the Archbishop most effectively does every time he exposes to us the Word.

Upon his appointment as Shepherd of Manila, Archbishop Chito said, “I face this heavy responsibility with much trepidation […] But faith in the gracious Lord and the love of the Church give me strength.” Now the Archbishop’s main task is to confirm the faith of his brethren in the Archdiocese of Manila.

I still remember the lyrics of one old Tagalog song. It quite describes how we can know the Lord. It says, “Hesus na aking kapatid, sa lupa nami’y bumalik. Iyong mukha’y ibang-iba. Hindi kita nakikilala […] Hesus na aking kapatid, putikin man ang ‘yong sapin. Punit-punit ang ‘yong damit. Nawa ika’y mapasaakin. Tulutan mong aking matang mamulat sa katotohanan. Ikaw Poon makikilala sa taong mapagkumbaba.”Indeed, recognizing the Lord in our midst requires more than seeing. We are so fortunate that we have a bishop who with his words can help us realize, “It is the Lord!”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article also appeared in SOWER 2012.

EXACTLY FOUR YEARS AGO, my classmates and I had received our white cassocks. It was the most awaited event of our seminary life then because for the first time, we could finally wear the cassocks that we had been dreaming of to put on. During that occasion, I was also given the privilege to deliver the thanksgiving speech on behalf of my classmates. I shared about an insight based on the spirituality and pursuit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, our class patron saint. To convey our saint’s belief and at the same time make it interesting to people, I shared about the “best before” label commonly found in food products.Every time people buy food products in the market or in grocery stores, I have noticed most of them if not all, would always check the print on the food packaging that says “best before.” In relation to this, I thought of the phrase, “better after.” It was the obvious opposite of “best before,” which indicates the expiry date.Applying that in the context of seminary formation, I realized that the label “better after,” and not “best before,” means that we are like some kind of “food” that is offered for all. As Christians, we become food like Jesus, the Bread of Life –blessed, broken and shared to everyone. If we did give our best in doing our responsibilities before, we are now challenged to perform better, after the trials we have undergone. We also try to be better persons after learning from the many mistakes in the past. We always do better because that is the way we are all called to be.St. Ignatius of Loyola’s desire for magis, which means more, inspired me to live life by doing more in everything I do. As I continue my journey in the priestly formation for almost ten years now, I wish to look deeper into my commitment and struggles for magis. In that sense, what’s the point then of doing better after all these years of responding to God’s call?If we pursue what we want to achieve, we have to work hard for it. We attain it by giving our best. However, we do not stop there. We continue to find meaning and strive for more, for something better. Of course, to be the best is the highest degree but doing this by means of our efforts is only a reminder that pertains to someone who is eternally the Best and the Greatest. Our God is perfect. He is the best. I know we cannot reach that level on our own. Nevertheless, we can share in that perfection by becoming connected and committed to that spirit of aiming higher, being more, and doing better.So what is being better? It means that we must not be contented with the achievements we already have. It means that we must pursue aiming for the magis as life progresses. Renowned athletes today never stay satisfied with their present success, championship awards, or world records. Our very own Manny Pacquiao is the example of this although he lost just recently in a controversial split decision against Timothy Bradley. Without a doubt, Manny is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. But he still remains eager and keeps on preparing for more fights. We know that he has outdone himself not only because he desires for more accomplishments, but because being better has become his routine and way of life as a boxer. Besides, Pacquiao’s wanting for more is the way he has expressed his love for boxing.Just like Manny, the desire to become better, after many triumphs and sometimes defeats, makes us grow as a person. It also leads us to acquire a certain habit and a greater value to treasure in life. Such habit and value is the invitation of Jesus to go the extra mile rather than fulfilling only what is required from us. Being more and doing better is not only performing the minimum but also sharing and growing more in love. When I was still young, I wanted to be a great basketball player. It was my dream to be someone like my idol then in basketball, the great Michael Jordan, or a successful artist, the other Michael, Mr. Jackson. Indeed, more than a dozen years had passed since the time I thought of that dream and here I am, still not like those personalities and not even the best basketball player. I wish to be such perfect person but I cannot be because it is just the way life goes for me and there’s a reason for it. The point is that I cannot just be contented with the present status even though I may have reached my goal of being the best. I do not stop there and I cannot just feel good about being successful because I can be stagnant with this disposition. Above all, my wholeness and happiness will never depend on the achievement of my goals. We must not end to strive to become the best. The only way to do this is to continue to do things better at every endeavour. As God’s people, our true happiness comes into reality because of faith, hard work, and patient endurance. At the end of our journey, heaven is but the only perfect state of life that we have been longing for ever since. It is only in God’s presence and eternal joy that we can find fulfilment of all the best things here on earth. It is in His kingdom that the best is finally realized.Learning from the past and having a glimpse of the perfect life to come, how can we be more and do better now?

8 N e w sSCS Embraces Ash Wednesday

Philosophers Invade Bataan

Philosophy Summer Exposure

Theology and Formation Year Join Goods for Garage Sale

The San Carlos Seminary community welcomed the start of the Lenten Season as they celebrated Ash Wednesday last February 22, 2012. It started with a Holy Eucharist at 6:30 am at the Main Chapel presided over by the seminary rector, Msgr. Hernando Coronel.

The Holy Mass was attended by the seminarians and both the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the seminary.

The message of the liturgical celebration was for the faithful to repent and believe in the Gospel in order to remember that they were from ashes and to it they will return. A mark of the cross using the ashes was put on their foreheads as a sign of repentance and commemoration as they start the Lenten Season awaiting for Christ’s Resurrection.

Last January, the San Carlos Seminary Philosophy community held their annual departmental outing at Fajardo beach in Bagac, Bataan. The outing was filled with excitement as the college seminarians were able to explore the beauty of nature as they prayed their vespers in front of the sunset during their first day on the venue. This spirit remained in their hearts up to the last day of the excursion.

The collegians enjoyed the company not only of their brothers in the department but also of their formators.

The leaders of the community prepared some exciting games such as sand castle making contest, tag of war, and group jumping rope to have bonding for each buklurans, committees and class.

The philosophers also visited famous sites in Bataan, namely the Bataan Cave, the white beach, and the historical Mt. Samat, where the Filipinos and Americans fought the Japanese forces with great courage.

After the conclusion of the school year, the Philosophy Department went to Daet, Camarines Norte for the annual apostolate and pastoral exposure.

Leaving the seminary on March 20, they travelled eight hours to reach the Parish of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in the main district of Daet. There they met with Fr. Augusto Angeles for some few reminders and orientation. Then they immediately left for their assigned places in Labo, Paracale, Mercedes, San Lorenzo, San Vicente, Capalongga, and Daet Proper. The rural apostolate was to form their hearts after the heart of the Good Shepherd.

The two week exposure ended on Palm Sunday (April 1) in an audience with the Bishop of Daet, Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera D.D. He shared thoughts and insights about the faith, hope and devotion of the people in his diocese.

Going back to Manila, the seminarians brought with them lessons and memorable experiences being with the people. Truly, these are treasures that will contribute to their formation as future shepherds of the Church.

Last February 2-3, 2012, the Theology Department together with the help of the Formation Year Department launched their annual Garage Sale. The Pastoral Committee collected from the seminary formators and seminarians their donated clothes, shoes and other items to be sold at the event. The two-day sale of donated goods attracted many buyers because of the affordable prices and it was considered sold out in the end. The proceeds will be used for the Pastoral Committee’s apostolate such as necessary aid for old and sick priests of near Dioceses and scholarships for deserving students outside the seminary.

The event also served as an opportunity for both departments to bond and create a better sense of brotherhood. The work attached to it was worth doing because it did not only promote camaraderie but it also expressed the value of detachment which the community showed by the initiative of the priest formators. San Carlos Seminary excitedly looks forward for best-selling merchandises and most importantly, virtues that everyone could acquire on the next garage sale.

Ronaldo Diaz

Joko Rheinsen Plurad

Joko Rheinsen Plurad

Guiler Van Omnes

THE SAVING CROSS The Cross is a profound symbol of the observance Lent.

FOR A GREATER CAUSE Garage Sale in the seminary is an apostolate of generosity and charity.

BONDING TIME The beautiful beach of Bagac, Bataan was a nice place for enjoyment, friendship and relaxation for the Philosophy community.

PHILOSOPHERS IN DAET The college seminarians enjoy the company of the foster families and parish priests in their respective areas in Daet, Camarines Norte. The rural apostolate of the Philosophy Department is the last seminary activity of the school year before going for summer vacation.

N e w s 9

Last March 27, 2012, the Philosophy Department paid tribute to their graduating seniors before the Graduation Day. The program began with a pleasurable sharing of supper. Afterwards, each bukluran gave heartwarming and amusing messages to their respective seniors. They also cherished the best things that ever happened in that year. Some stories touched the hearts of the seminarians and some were humorous. Those messages filled the refectory with laughter, gratitude and forgiveness. Some seniors are described as jokey, exemplary, patient, supportive and prayerful. They were good leaders in our department. The seniors also shared their unforgettable memories and overflowing gratitude to the community. Gifts for the seniors also came together with the letters of their bukluran. Awarding for the winners of Intramurals led by the formators also took place. Fr. Rey Anthony Yatco, the Philosophy Director, announced the new leaders, which were the committee chairmen, bukluran leaders and Pantasan officers, for the following school year. As a final tribute for the fourth year, a video led everyone for the community singing. Everyone greeted each other with smiles, tears, gratitude, forgiveness and farewell to those who would follow a different road. The formators expressed their gratefulness to the community for performing excellently in the past school year. They also bid farewell to the seniors. As a finale, each class and bukluran enthusiastically and happily danced “I Love Philosophy” which is the theme song of the department. The year-ender program might not be enough to sum up all the unexplainable and memorable experiences of the department but it is a good beginning for a new school year.

Theology seminarians gave tribute to their seniors with a theme, “Happy Days” to let them reminiscence their memorable and unforgettable experiences in their five year stay in the Theology Department. March 18, 2012 marked a memorable day for the St. John Ma. Vianney Class for it was their graduation day in the morning and a special tribute for their class in the evening. Tradition has it in the Theology Department to offer a tribute to the graduating class on the last day of their stay in the department. The program commenced at the Theology Refectory at 8:30 in the evening. The said tribute comprised messages from the formators, videos to honor each fourth year in each Kapatiran. There were also games of recalling and remembering, and lastly, messages from each fourth year as their final words of wisdom, gratitude, and appreciation for the community. The program capped with the toast of wine to wish everyone good luck and perseverance for the precious gift of vocation God had given us.

Philosophy bids Seniors Farewell

Theo Department remembers their “Happy

Days” with their Seniors

Rommel Cruz

Ral Jaden Paguergan

Theology Building Marks its Silver Anniversary

The building of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology marks its 25th anniversary this School Year. It was blessed and inaugurated on June 29, 1987. Years passed and the building has created its own history and legacy. In order to celebrate the silver anniversary of the building, the theologians are making some preparations for this grace-filled event.

Last summer vacation, through the initiative of Fr. Carlo Magno S. Marcelo, Director of the Theology Department, the rooms within the building were all repainted. Fr. Marcelo encouraged all the theology seminarians to be part of this momentous celebration. He asked every seminarian to choose a picture which will be framed and will be placed on the wall of his own room. Moreover, on June 29, 2012 new crosses will be blessed to symbolize the Silver Jubilee of the Theology building. The silver crosses and the pictures will serve as a reminder to the future occupants of the rooms about the significant event of celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Theology building.

Indeed, the preparations of the theology department seem so minimal for a celebration like this but Fr. Marcelo stressed that what is important is the history and legacy that the building offers to the seminarians. This building is an existing witness to the lives of many seminarians and priests, therefore it is but fitting to celebrate this wonderful event. Francis Roi Madarang

that even the prosecution had no clear vision of their arguments. Even a geriatric Enrile exercised a great deal of patience saying, “Counsel, I am very lenient with you...” When such is the case, one can’t help but contemplate of machination or power play.Another mind boggling thing concerns the decisions of our honourable old men. It is for the Senate to pass on laws. It is for the Supreme Court to provide its interpretation. But what about Enrile’s interpretation? He argues, “The so-called conflict of laws between R. A. Nos. 6713 (SALN) and 6426 (Foreign Currency Law) is more illusory than real. Section 8 of R.A. No 6426 merely prohibits the examination, inquiry, or looking into a foreign currency deposit account by an entity or person other than the depositor himself. But there is nothing in R.A. No. 6426 which prohibits the depositor from making a declaration on his own of such foreign currency funds, especially in this case where the Constitution mandates the depositor who is a public officer to declare all assets under oath.” Are we, therefore, to consider this as an infallible doctrine or an opinion of a fallible mortal? I do not know.

Lastly, the judgment rendered to the Chief Justice was brought about neither by the brilliant arguments of the Prosecution nor by the negligence of the Defence. Conchita Morales may have dropped a bombshell but her statements were as questionable as the Nagasaki bombing. She released the AMLC report without a court order and “publicized” what to Corona she said was confidential. Corona also didn’t provide any supporting documents for his three-hour statement. In short, the sentence emerged from the union of unverified testimonies and personal opinions. “Konsensya lang po ang ginagamit ko dito...” (I’m only using my conscience) said one Senator. Sadly, his data stood on sandy ground. Conscience can go a long way but with dubious data it will doubtlessly stray.In the end, our quest for enlightenment has led us more into the valley of darkness than the plains of illumination as we stand on pure speculation. This is not the place of Venerable Bede’s woks of History. This is for Homer’s mythical stories.And so, in our desire to know the truth we have bitten more than we could chew. We have eaten more than what our stomachs could hold. In gastronomical terms: Impacho.

Karlo Marko Valladores

Eat All You Can...(from page 6)

25 YEARS The Theology building has been a home since 1987 for many seminarians who are now priests.

10 N e w s

GOD’S GENEROSITY IN THE LIVES

OF OLD PRIESTS

Jonathan Cadiz

“To give and not to count the cost…to labor and ask not for reward.” These words taken from the Prayer for Generosity of St. Ignatius of Loyola resounded in our experience of visiting old and retired priests.Last January 21, the Pastoral Committee of the Theology Department, in coordination with Ephesus Ministry, organized the Dalaw Pari apostolate. The community was divided into several groups wherein each group, accompanied by an Ephesus volunteer, was assigned to visit old and retired priests in their homes. Our group was assigned to visit one retired bishop and two priests residing in Parañaque area: Most Rev. Pedro Dean, Fr. Jesus Estrada and Msgr. Danilo Pascual. Bishop Dean is the Archbishop Emeritus of Palo; Fr. Estrada is a retired priest from the Diocese of Parañaque; and Msgr. Pascual is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Manila. All of them were not in good medical condition. Archbishop Dean is suffering from diabetes. Fr. Jesus has cancer. Msgr. Dan is bedridden after suffering from stroke. Despite of these, we were still grateful for their mere presence in entertaining us as their visitors during that day. Bishop Pedro shared with us his seminary experiences. Fr. Jesus shared with us his life during his active ministry. Msgr. Dan, because of his difficulty in speaking, expressed his appreciation for our visit through his body language. He swayed his toes to the beat of the songs we happily rendered for him.

Upon reflecting on this experience, I realized that Bishop Dean, Fr. Jesus and Msgr. Dan were living witnesses of the generous offering of their whole lives for the service of God. As someone who is aspiring to become a priest, I am reminded by this enriching experience that priesthood is not about the mentality of what profit I can gain from the ministry. Rather, it is about giving without counting the cost, serving the people without expecting any reward. It is about trusting God who Himself is our ultimate reward. In other words, priesthood is about one’s generosity in offering his life for the service of God.God in turn did not leave them alone. Hearing their stories, I was able to recognize God’s providence actively working in their lives, even at the very weak moments of their ministry. Fr. Jesus told us that a certain parishioner, upon knowing that he is suffering from cancer, offered one of their rental houses for free. Bishop Pedro and Msgr. Danilo are under the care of the people who look after and provide their needs. Indeed, the faithfulness of God never fails. God always remains to be generous to us unconditionally. God gives without counting the cost. God works without expecting any reward. This is God’s unconditional generosity which moves me to be also generous in responding to His call.

Theology Spends A Day of Sabbath in Puerto Galera

Theo builds A Community of Love

Theology Annual Retreat Gears towards Counter-culture

In the Theology Department, a Sabbath day is always observed every Monday. It is a day meant for physical rest, personal prayer and recreation. It is in this spirit that theologians spent the duration of their excursion in Puerto Galera.

Last January 22-23, the Theology community together with its priest formators went to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. They stayed overnight at the elegant yet affordable Tamaraw Beach Resort. The peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of the place provided them the opportunity to enjoy the sceneries of the beach since the area was relatively away from the party-filled and noisy portion of Puerto Galera.

The entire duration of the excursion was indeed a day of rest from various seminary activities. Everyone was given the chance to spend quality time for bonding and relaxation with their kapatirans and classmates. It was also a day of recreation as they happily enjoyed playing beach volleyball under the heat of the sun while some took a plunge into the pristine waters of the beach. It was also a day of personal prayer as they encounter God through their direct contact with nature. The excursion began with a spirit of excitement and ended with a spirit of thanksgiving during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Theology Oratory.

“We can never build memories of tomorrow… enjoy the present moment” was one of the main points of Dra. Gaines Rosario when she facilitated the community building workshop of Theology seminarians of San Carlos Seminary held at the new Layforce Auditorium last June 11 and 18, 2012. The main the theme of the said event was “Building a community of Love.”

The two-day workshop stressed the importance of respect and love as avenues towards building a community.

For almost a week, the San Carlos Seminary theology community entered the annual retreat from the evening of May 27, 2012, Sunday, until the morning of June 1, 2012, Friday. Fr. Andrew Recepcion, the parish priest of Our Lady of Penafrancia Parish in Naga City of the Archdiocese of Caceres and president of the Philippine Missiology Society, facilitated the said retreat.

Fr. Recepcion, a missiologist, addressed to the community the importance of the adaptation of evangelical cultures as a response to the prevailing materialistic-consumerist cultures present in the society. Through this awareness, he led the community to discover the value of the Gospel teachings as evangelical cultures that can be applied in the seminary formation. He challenged the community to respond to the call of the times. He also stressed that the holy priest

is formed not when a candidate becomes a priest.

Fr. Recepcion focused on the preparation of the self, his relationship to the Divine and his dreams for the community to build its goal and vision for this school year.

Fr. Joselito Buenafe assisted Fr. Recepcion in the beginning of the retreat as he gave a talk on the importance silence to this spiritual exercise. On the other hand, Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo introduced to the community a documentary film on the life of Francis Xavier Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a known Vietnamese prelate who underwent imprisonment for 13 years, but best remembered as a man of silence and a witness of hope.

Bon Andeo Navarro

Clyde Ericson Nolasco

Raymund Acuña

MINDORO BREEZE Theology seminarians with their formators arrive in Puerto Galera after a cool boat ride.

ALREADY BUT NOT YET Fr. Andrew Recepcion guides the Theology seminarians in their four-day retreat at the start of SY 2012-2013. He points out repeatedly that the life of a seminarian is a life of the priest “already but not yet.”

MOMENT OF GRACE Dra. Gaines emphasizes the importance building good relationships in accepting and loving one another .

R e v i e w s 1 1

THE JUNGLE BOOK

Dean Jerome Cruz

John Victor Baclor

Jomari Echano

Sparks did it again

In Time

“How can you explain something that you yourself don’t even understand?” - Logan Thibault (Zac Efron)

Last summer, a novel of a well-known author, Nicholas Sparks, was put into a motion picture. Sparks, known as the writer of overemotional romance, had just added this novel The Lucky One to his great collection of writings last 2008.

The novel, which was published during the time when American was attacking Iraq, was centered on the life and experiences of a soldier stationed in Iraq, which would add a government touch to the romantic plot.

Logan Thibault (ZacEfron) is a former Marine, who had just returned from a tour in Iraq. While he was stationed in the Middle East, Logan discovered a lost picture with a beautiful woman in which the background is at a fair in North Carolina. After the discovery, he asked if someone owns it. When no one claims the picture, he then decided to keep it. Eventually, after keeping the picture he began to experience a streak of good luck.

After sometime he returned back to the States and there he found out that it was hard to return to his former life in Colorado, so he decided to have a new life. In order to fulfil this purpose, he backpacked and began to find the woman in the picture. Along his journey, he experienced and endured many challenges just to find the girl.

After a long journey, he found his way to Hampton, North Carolina and there he met Elizabeth Green (Taylor Schilling), a single mother and teacher living with her grandmother and the girl who is in the picture. Logan, at that point, lost the chance to tell the story about picture but in the end Elizabeth found out about the story of the photo.

This movie is so moving that in fact it can’t just be about romance and political at all but you can also relate it to what is happening right now with you.

The guy, Logan Thibault, has faced many other challenges on his way to find the girl. Would we take it all too? Would we face all the challenges that would come just to get what we want to achieve? Can we make through it all?

The movie “In Time” has a twist where everyone is craving and eager to have more time to live because who in the world would not want to live longer than much of expected in humans’ lifetime? People’s life in the movie is controlled only by numbers in the form of time. Numbers nowadays are the most powerful things that control the earth because they give certainty to quantitative elementss such as time, amount and size. They give exactness to things and eventually become the measure of things. Before, man is the measure, but now it is different. The currency is no longer money or tangible matter but it is already time.

Indeed, it is an inspiring movie because with time, one has changed the order of everyone’s life. Will Sallas (Justin Timberlake) was given a century to live by someone whom he does not really know and he has been given a task to make a great change. That change is a dare given that he had acquired a century time to live (where in the real world we cannot do) means he was given a great responsibility and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

In my situation, the movie can be connected to the allegory of the cave by Plato because in the movie there is this great search for the truth. The truth that they seek has been hiding from them for a long time. In quest to know the truth, they must live longer equipped with all the knowledge and the skills while they unravel the lies that has been blinding everyone for a long period of time. The Filipino signage “Bawal tumambay dito” gave me an idea that I must seize the day. Every second, every minute, every hour counts and it is very precious for every person who has a limited time just like the people in the film “In Time.”

Having a million of years is like having a life that is eternal. In the movie there was a pack of time in the vault of one of the richest person who owns one of the largest and most corrupt “times lending company.” It is corrupt because they are charging much of what is expected from those who are in dire need of time. Time is an essential thing in life and the characters did everything just to have more time.

The film was similar to “Robin Hood” in the way that the protagonist steals from banks’ time to be given to those unfortunate people who cannot afford to return the time they owe from banks when they are borrowing time.

How can one live longer? That is still uncertain, but everything will be answered in time.

Have you ever dreamt of spending your vacation along the sandy shores of Boracay? Or on the cool mountaintop of Baguio? How about in a jungle? Enter Seeonee Jungle, abode of wolf packs, gigantic elephants, frightening pythons, and Mowgli, the man cub. The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling revolves on the story of Mowgli, a child abandoned on the Seeonee jungle and raised by the wolves. In his adventures, Mowgli meets the phyton Kaa, the tiger Shere Khan, the elephant Hathi, the wolf Akela and many more. Composed of two volumes, The Jungle Books does not only feature a jungle-centered Tarzan story, but it also contains the stories of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Toomai, Kotuko and others. The Jungle Books tells stories of courage, heroism, brotherhood, love for nature and many more.While waiting for the next vacation to come, why not peer into the jungle and create an adventure of own? Good hunting to all!

“God is the biggest one there is. And he really really loves us, Dad. You can’t believe how much he loves us!”Heaven is for Real is a book written by Todd Burpo, the father of a little boy who had an “astounding story of his trip to heaven and back.” After miraculously surviving a ruptured appendix, a three-year old child Colton Burpo of Nebraska describes an extraordinary experience he had in heaven. He details to his parents how he left his body during the surgery and the way the angels sang before him while he was in the hospital. Colton describes what his parents were exactly doing in different rooms while he was in the surgery bed. He described how beautiful heaven is and how welcoming the people in heaven are. There he met his grandfather and sister who died even before he was born. “In heaven, nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.” He narrates stories about things which had actually happened prior to his birth. In heaven, met Jesus whom he described having very beautiful eyes and who “really really

loves children.” He has even encountered the Holy Spirit during his short stay in heaven. The Holy Spirit “shoots down” power to his father while he talks in church. Colton’s simple and innocent words to his parents offered them a glimpse of heaven. The book Heaven is for Real stirs the heart of the

readers to think and rethink their view on heaven and eternity. Seminarians may have very sophisticated idea of what heaven is really like and what it is like to be there. However, the innocent story of Colton puts this fundamental truth in a simple yet profound statement. It is that heaven, indeed, is for real!

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Benedict Jarlego

For nine summers, since I entered the seminary in 2004, I have experienced the so-called summer apostolate for seminarians in the Diocese of Antipolo; be it parish based apostolate or immersion apostolate; and from all types of places in the jurisdiction of the diocese – rural, urban, and rurban. I have been in the two farthest places of the diocese – the two boundaries: Jala-jala (where many seminarians get married after their apostolate) and Montalban (where relocation sites are); to the Solid Cement (where it is dust free) and to Antipolo Cathedral (where there are a multitude of car blessings); to SSS Marikina (where almost all parishioners have their own missals) and to Tañong, Marikina (where my job was to walk with the mammoth Rottweiler dog of the Jesuit Pastor); to Tanay (where traditions are rich) and to the Bishop’s House (where I became more acquainted with my bishop); and finally, my last apostolate, to a nearby parish in our home, at Our Lady of Light Parish, Cainta, Rizal, under the guidance of Rev. Msgr. Arnel F. Lagarejos. Though it was my last summer apostolate, still, I have had many “first time experiences.” It was my first time to act as the Master of Ceremonies during the Holy Week services; my first time to sing the exultet and the litany of saints; my first time to bless a number of fetus; my first time to share my reflections in the Bibliarasal; my first time to give an allocutio in the Legion of Mary; and my first time to deliver a homily in the presence of the Parish Priest who is a good preacher himself and who uses power point presentations in his sermon. As I look back, I can say that each and every apostolate is unique because it offered me first-time experiences as a seminarian. Secondly, in all my apostolates, I had been praying to be partnered with someone who is elder than I or even as old as I am; but in all those nine years of apostolates, I have been the elder of the group. I have accompanied 9 younger seminarians who are first timers in the apostolate realm – a minor seminarian or a formation year seminarian. Though it was the case, it challenged me to guide them all the more, especially in mentoring and forming them as better seminarians doing an apostolate. It was also a time for me to share experiences and stories with them in order to help my younger companion to be a better seminarian especially with high emphasis in the spiritual aspect of the apostolate but not disregarding its pastoral and intellectual aspect. Last of all, it was not just a time to remind myself that “there is no vacation for my vocation” but it was my first time to “find my vocation in my vacation,” meaning, it was an opportunity for me to grow more in my vocation even it is vacation because of the formation the apostolate had given me. The apostolate made me reflect on what can I give to the Church in the present moment – would I be an asset or a liability to her? Thanks be to the grace of God, I feel that God had showered me the choicest blessing I needed whenever I am in the apostolate, sharing myself to others and manifesting to them the love for the gift of vocation God had given me.

After my two-year regency, I experience God intensely in various situations of my life. The following are

the meaningful experiences and realizations I had with the many people I have met from the day I left the seminary. I consider them gifts from Jesus which guided and helped me acknowledge God’s presence in my life.I devoted my first year of regency in deepening my relationship with God by adopting and learning the life of love and communion espoused by the Focolare Movement. Indeed, living with individuals with different personalities was difficult yet possible in the name of love. Being with the community, I saw my own selfishness and bad habits and experienced losing myself for others. It was quite challenging and a continuous struggle from within. The invitation for conversion was strong and compelling as the spirituality of communion summons oneself to always go for an extra mile in loving.I was in the kitchen then, working with a Chinese deacon. We were the ones deciding what to cook and when to buy the ingredients for our meals. He had his own ideas and I had mine too. There were times that we agreed on what to do. But there were times that we disagreed. It was an experience of give-and-take relationship. It measured my patience and understanding. Nevertheless, it was a great deal to love the person. To see Jesus in others and being the first one to love was my means to overcome myself. I always prayed for every one that Jesus might be our teacher in living the life of communion. Then suddenly, an ordinary kitchen work turned to be a beautiful place to express our love for Jesus through our neighbors. The house also became my purgatory. Since we were responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and earning money to support a part of our daily needs in the house, I could not avoid to compare and to judge everyone’s negligence of their duty. I was deluded with so much expectation. I became lax with my assignments and self-centered in regard with my priorities. Then, one of our meditations called my attention for a change. It was a meditation on the death of Jesus that is for the salvation of everyone, both good and bad people.This meditation challenged me to face my unsettled relationship with my father. Since he failed to do his duties to us as our father, we were not also close to one another. Our relationship is superficial and empty. He is just my father and I am his son. Of course, it is not the will of God to treat my father that way. There might be reasons behind his mistakes. And the right thing to do is to love him. Loving him is difficult yet possible in the name of love. Our spirituality says that love conquers everything and Chiara Lubich testified to this many times.Fortunately, the priests in Tagaytay guided me to disclose myself in the grace and mercy of God to forgive my father. It was tough but relieving. I realized that it was not too late to start again and create a harmonious relationship with him. At present, he lives with another woman, but we feel that the connection with me is already there and is going strong.Since then, I felt close to God. I have learned that life is, indeed, a choice and continuously choosing. Dedication to serve God is rooted in love and humility. And our neighbor could also be our way to heaven, to become holy and true servant of God. I have learned so much about optimism in life and a new way of looking at God. The community’s way of living out the Gospel had an inspiring call to a holy life, which is suited for everyone. Then, I began to absorb the spirituality and practice the art of loving. The art of loving was an expression of the golden rule, suggesting ways how to live out the word of God always. It required dedication and love for Jesus. Thus, I began to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus while improving also my love for my neighbor. Then, March of the present year, I went down and stay with my foster family (Yabut family) in Angono, Rizal. I decided to extend my regency program to experience work outside and to settle remaining issues on my family life. I was afraid then but they accepted it wholeheartedly. Again, I felt blessed for this beautiful opportunity to grow as a person.It took a little while for me to find a job. Indeed, I stayed quite some time waiting at home. On the other hand, I did not waste my time; instead, I reviewed my English grammar and planned out my schedule during the day while finding a job. At home, I dedicated my time doing different house chores every day. During the week, I scheduled what to clean and what to arrange at home. I did them one at a time. I started clearing the garage and arranged stuffs neatly. I sometimes felt obliged to do these things because I owe to them much love and generosity. However, I never felt that way anymore because I could feel their sincerity and kindness as part of their family.

First-time... in my Last Apostolate

Ral Jaden Paguergan

12 F e a t u r eI am deeply touched and moved by their love. Living together with them reminds me of my life learned in Tagaytay. It is an experience no one can take away from me and I will continue to hold on it as I journey in this life. During our weekends where everyone is at home, we share together our experiences the past days. We had shared many special occasions in the family. No words can describe my deepest joy and thanksgiving to them and to our Lord Jesus Christ. Having this opportunity reminds me how blessed and loved I am. I will never take this for granted because of my selfishness.Shortly during the middle of July, I was accepted as a message clerk at Malayan Insurance in Binondo, Manila. Neither I expect this work to come nor see myself working a bit far from Angono. First two weeks, I was with my mentor. Then, on the succeeding weeks I was on my own. The process of

my application was done in a matter of week. I took the exam on a Wednesday, and then Friday they called me up for an interview on Monday of the following week. After the interview, I got hired. The

nature of my work is to receive and record all the inbound and outbound mails of the company. I am also tasked to renew the registrations of all company cars and paying all the real state of the company. Once a month, I am expected to do fire safety inspection of the whole building. When I heard all of this stuff, I uttered unto myself, please help me God. I had a hard time adjusting with my work. It was busy and tedious. Though busy or tiresome it was, I still reflected every experience that I had during the day. I knew God was telling me something through these experiences. He would never put me here, if there was no purpose. Therefore, every day I prayed for guidance and openness to welcome all the good and painful experiences as I met different kinds of people in the office, in the streets, and in the train. And, lo and behold, it is true, for there are significant experiences I learned to treasure in my heart.For example, I realize when somebody asked me a question about the Trinity and historical birth of Jesus. I felt ashamed; first she knew that I was in the seminary, second I was confused and could not compose myself to answer her questions. I tried to recall everything I studied. I knew that we had discussed it in class before, but I failed to convince her with my answers. Since then, I realized the importance of studying our lessons well and learning them by heart.Another experience was in the office. It was a fair morning when I received a call from one of the departments in the company, complaining about delay of a document going to Cebu. It contains a bond that costs 5 million pesos. The client is demanding to receive the bond on that very day but it was almost impossible unless we pay for an extra charge. I started to shake when the client is warning us to bring her concern to the chairman of the company and withdraw her transactions in the company if she will not receive the bond that day. If this happens, then it is a loss. We would not like to end up that way. We might lose our job too. The whole department was busy the

whole morning trying to find out the best solution. I am started to blame myself because I am the person who should release the document. Fortunately, the assistant manager gave the best answer and document had reached Cebu within the day. Then, later in the afternoon, my boss called me, talked to me and told me to remember always this experience to avoid problems in the

future. I was relieved when she encourages me to work hard more and keep my eyes wide open for possible problem.I am offering all of these experiences to the Lord. My strength is the love of God. Constant visit to the Blessed Sacrament and prayer sustain my day. Though I could not afford to hear the mass every day, I am entrusting everything to the Lord all Sunday masses. And of course, Mary is always my companion in my daily trip. Rosary, rosary, rosary… Indeed, the reason why I would like to come back in the seminary is that I believe love begets love. Though I may be wounded, God is my healer. Though I may be vulnerable, God is my strength. Without him I am nothing.

Ron Mark Elarcosa

Looking at My Vocation with New Eyes

RETURNING REGENT Two years outside the seminary gave Ron Mark many realizations.

HANDS ON Diocesan summer apostolate is a time of direct encounter with people and an experience of unexpected things such as living and working like the people in the areas.

Any Karlista who has taken the classes that he handles in both the Philosophy and Theology Department would surely have a lot of exciting stories and memories to share about the man and how he handled his classes from the balasa system to the dreaded bungo (skull, i.e. a failing mark), and much more, the knee-trembling Golgotha or Lugar ng mga Bungo (if ever you give a barrage of unsatisfactory answers and earn a lot of failing marks in his subjects), one would surely await the utterance of that sweet word, that one favorable word in his class: moksa which could either mean rest or salvation in Indian Philosophy (this means class dismissed for us). Furthermore, who would be able to forget that almost immortalized PUB, Pascual Liner and Cobra Energy Drink that by merely mentioning them in class have become mantra-like.Rev. Fr. Jose Vidamor B. Yu, LRMS surely has a lot of things up his sleeves to make his classes both entertaining and impressive at the same time.Life, Vocation and OthersFr. Jose Vidamor Yu, more commonly known as Fr. Jo Yu, is the only child of Rogelio Yu and Gresilda Baybay. He was born in Cebu City on August 24, 1966. He finished his primary and secondary education at the Holy Cross of Kalinan School in Davao City. Studying in a Catholic School, the young Jo Yu was not at all unaware about Church affairs. The school

itself, which was run by the Presentation of Mary Sisters, played a vital role in his vocation.When asked about how his vocation started, Fr.

Jo was very simple and straightforward in his answer. He told me that it all started when he was asked to join the Flores de Mayo celebration in his parish when he was just 10 yrs. old, then he joined a charismatic group which he said “further nourished his vocation.”After his high school graduation in 1987, Fr. Jo immediately entered St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Davao where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in

Philosophy. He went to Manila and entered the Lorenzo Mission Institute (LMI), then finished his Theological Studies at the San Carlos Graduate School of Theology.It was in Davao where he learned about the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society (LRMS). A certain Msgr. Paul Lu, PME, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Obrero, Davao City, acquainted him with the Society. So after being a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Davao, Fr. Jo started to

embark on his missionary journey as part of LRMS.He was ordained as deacon on March 25, 1992, and shortly after he was sent to Hsinchu, Taiwan where he spent six months of missionary work. He then went back to the Philippines and was ordained by Cardinal Sin to the priesthood on January 17, 1993.His assignments after ordination were as follows: Queen of Peace Parish, Bacolod City for three months and Sacred Heart Parish, Davao City for one year and seven months. Cardinal Sin then sent him to Rome for further studies. He obtained his Licentiate in

Missiology in 1996 and Doctorate in Missiology in 1999 both from the Pontifical Gregorian University. When he came back to the Philippines, he was immediately assigned in LMI where he served as Vice Rector, Procurator, Dean of Studies, and just very recently, Rector.As rector, I asked him what his particular thrust would be. Because usually, a change in management could also mean a change in the way things are done. He told me that he would change nothing in the way things are done in LMI but that he would just “continue the tradition and charism of LMI as having a missionary identity.”Message to SeminariansWhen asked about his message to seminarians, Fr. Jo paused for a while and after some moments of introspection, his answer proved all the more how much he values seminary formation. His message goes thus:“Let us form ourselves according to the image of the Good Shepherd, and let us take care of one another.”

AS HAVING A MISSIONARY IDENTITY

Last April 10, the SCS Philosophy seminarians of the Archdiocese of Manila went to Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, for our Diocesan rural apostolate. We did not expect that assignment but we still had to go. We packed up all the things that we needed and with high hopes, we journeyed straight to our destination. Morning of that day, we rode a bus from Cubao going to Cabanatuan City. When we got to the city, the Maria Assumpta Seminary (MAS) offered us lunch and truly we are grateful for them. Conserving our time and energy from MAS, we went immediately to the parish of St. Paul in Gabaldon. When we arrived at the parish, all of us thought that we will only be assigned in the neighborhood, so we thought it will not be that hard after all. Seeing stores and other signs of modernization, these gave us an idea that the rumors about what we will be experiencing for this summer apostolate were not true; things like no electricity, or the convenience of clean water, or a well maintained comfort room.That was our mindset until Kuya Rey, the head of the Lay Ministers of the parish broke the news and advised to ride tricycles, and then the real trip to our apostolate began. The tricycles unload us near the riverside; it was already late in the afternoon. All our baggages were loaded to a tractor while we, keeping the ends of our shorts higher than our knees, crossed the flowing river. At last, we had set foot on the place named Carugang. After crossing the river you would have to take a walk across the fields going

up to the sitio proper. When we arrived at the area called as the plaza, it was already dusk so we were immediately sent to our respective foster families with whom we would stay for two weeks.To sum up our experiences in Carugang, I quote the reflection of one of my brother seminarians, and he said, “Kapatid, I realized…If you set a mentality on a certain thing like: naasign ako dito or di ako mag-eenjoy, gusto ko ng umuwi, hintayin ko na lang matapos ito. Then, this will never be fruitful, I will never cherish the opportunity and the moments, which are hiddenly plotted in our hearts, and when we try to examine ourselves, we dig in these treasures without knowing everything we do is worthwhile. If before I used to take these experiences for granted, now I consider them as grace.” We all went back to Manila with our kilos of sibuyas and our handful of stories to tell. Our stay in Carugang after all is like hitting two birds with one stone: we got to live in harmony with the people and we strengthened the bond of our ties as brother seminarians. The important insight I learned from this experience is, “Apostolate is never about the service or aid that you render to the people because these things are merely accessories, but Apostolate is more about gaining self-knowledge that will determine whether you are for the priesthood or not.”

Full implementation of the extended Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was the battle cry of Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo to President Benigno Aquino III. This shows the Auxiliary Bishop’s great support for all farmers. As the CARP reaches its end this coming 2014, farmers worry about their pending petitions. This is the reason why the bishop pleaded to our President to have a mandate extending the said program so that the hope for the solution to the decade-long petitions of the farmers might not be treated with disregard, and worse, be discarded.We all know that farmers are responsible in providing us food. “We eat to live.” How can we live if we have nothing to eat? We must realize the noble role of farmers in the whole human race and let us be aware of their plight and sad fate in the country. What if farmers will not plant anymore because they do not have lands of their own to till and plant their crops on? We who are not farmers are lucky because we just go to the market or air-conditioned supermarkets to buy our food without relaying the many hardships the farmers go through before such food reach our tables and fill up our empty stomachs. Can you imagine how devastating it is when after all the time spent and the effort exerted by farmers from pre-planting, planting, until harvesting, then all of a sudden a typhoon would just destroy all that they have worked hard for? Let us try to put ourselves in their place. They just have simple needs: food, shelter or a dwelling place which they own, and education for their children.The farmers do not care much about their sunburned skin. All they care about is the land which they own and can plant their own crops because they know that if they do not plant, all of us will go hungry. So, what must we do? We can help them by being their VOICE to our leaders telling them that those farmers who provide us food have their own needs to be provided, too.According to the official website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), “As of Wednesday, 30 bishops have already signified their support to Pabillo’s letter to Aquino. Among them are Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, current president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.”Bishop Pabillio also sought a dialogue with the President and the protesting peasants and Malacañang officials said they are ready to meet with leaders of farmers’ groups on June 8. Some of these farmers most especially those who came from Negros Occidental stayed overnight at San Carlos Seminary Gymnasium, last June 6, 2012.This is to show that, at least, our Church leaders are trying their best to give some preference to the poor and thus, putting the words of Jesus into practice: “Whatever you did to the least of your brethren, you did it to me.”

It’s More Fun in Carugang

Jonathan James Cañete

Xavier Paul Y. Jacome

Church of the Poor

F e a t u r e 1 3

MARCH OF HOPE (Left) Farmers walked all the way from Negros Occidental to Malacañang and stayed overnight in the San Carlos Seminary Gymnasium (Right), where during the evening they had the celebration of the Eucharist.

The new LMI rector takes a break with the author.

14 F e a t u r e

THIS SCHOOL YEAR 2012-2013, the Philosophy Department of San Carlos Seminary welcomes three teachers from Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary (OLGMS) as they have been invited for the first time, as professors in the college department. They are Mrs. Tanya Namit, MA cand., new professor of Study and Thinking Skills in English (English 1), Mr. Noel Noble, Ph.D cand., new professor of Earth and Universe (Science 3), and Mrs. Lelia Vital, MA units, new professor of Sining ng Pakikipagtalastasan (Filipino 1).

Born on January 15, 1972, Mrs. Namit took up her BS Tourism at the University of the Philippines,

Diliman in 1993 and she is currently pursuing her Master ’s Degree in Language Learning and Literature Teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University. She has been teaching at OLGMS since 2003.

Mr. Noel Noble was born on August 9, 1968. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Biology, minor in Chemistry at the Adamson University in 1989. Since 1990, he belongs to the faculty of OLGMS, where he also serves as Assistant Principal at present. He holds an M.A. in Science Education from the Philippine Normal University. Recently, he successfully defended his dissertation for his Ph.D in Science Education at the same institution.

Mrs. Vital, born on January 24, 1956, holds a BSE in Filipino, minor in Home Economics from the Philippine Normal University, and has M.A. units in Linguistics from the same university.

For the Graduate School of Theology, Liturgy 1 is given to a new professor, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, private secretary to the Archbishop of Manila. He finished his Master ’s Degree in Liturgy (MAL), Summa Cum Laude, from the San Beda Graduate School of Theology last year.

Mr. Edwin Lopez from EWTN Asia takes his invitational lecture for Homiletics 2.

This school year, the San Carlos Seminary community marks numerous anniversaries. We begin first with our seminary foundation. Yes, SCS is now 310 years old. Recall that our seminary, envisioned as an ideal house of priestly formation in the Far East, was established by virtue of Spanish royal decree on April 28, 1702.

This June, we commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the theology building. It was blessed and inaugurated on June 29, 1987, by then Manila Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin. At present, the Theology Department is graced to welcome the event with the unveiling of monumental picture frames in every dormitory. Fr. Carlo Magno S. Marcelo, the director of the Theology Department, also shares his delightful sentiments over the building, as he recalls being one among the pioneer seminarians who first occupied the building (See related story on page 9).

SY 2012-2013: NEW FACES IN THE ACADEME

SCS AT 310… MORE TO COME

Daniel Dominguez

Daniel Dominguez

Similarly, the Pastoral-Spiritual Integration Year (PSIY) marks its 20th anniversary. The PSIY was introduced to San Carlos Seminary in the SY 1992-1993, with Fr. Celestino V. Pascual as its first director. Now, the PSIY Department has 4 resident seminarians, with Fr. Joselito Martin as director.

Six of our formators are celebrating their sacerdotal jubilees. Msgr. Allen Aganon, Pastoral Director of the Theology Department will celebrate his 30th sacerdotal anniversary on September 18. Fr. Yulito Ignacio, the Head Spiritual Director of the Philosophy Department, marks his 25h anniversary as a priest on September 19. Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin, the Academic Dean of the Philosophy Department, will celebrate his 20th priestly anniversary on December 3. Fr. Joselito Buenafe, Spiritual Director of the Theology Department, and Fr. Rolando Garcia Jr., resident Professor, will turn 10 years in the priesthood this coming September 28, 2002.

The San Carlos Optimi Choir will mark the 25th death anniversary of the late music mentor Rev. Fr. Jan Van De Steen this August 16.

ABOVE ALL, SCSInfo celebrates 20 years of existence in seminary publication. It was introduced in the SY 1992-1993 during the tenure of then rector Msgr. Crisostomo Yalung.

THROUGH THE YEARS San Carlos Seminary is the first diocesan seminary for Asia.

THE FOUNDER (Above) Fr. Van de Steen leads the Optimi Choir in the 1980’s. Inset photo shows the new batch of Optimi in one of their live performances.

THE LEGACY LIVES ON The first issue of SCS Information was released on August 31, 1992 during the rectorship of Msgr. CrisostomoYalung (Inset).

PRIESTS FOREVER (Clockwise) Msgr. Allen, Fr. Lorenz with Fr. Yul, Fr. Jojo and Fr. Rolly all celebrate a milestone in their priestly ministry.

It may mean a surprise gift for you.

A new bi-monthly publication for the San Carlos Seminary (all three departments) is in search of a name.

The name should:

- Speak of the nature and character of a seminary publication.

- Project the publication’s objectives to inform and form.

- Be short and precise.

- Be catchy.

- Have impact.

All students and formators are invited to give their suggestions. Write down your suggested title/s for this new publication on a clean sheet of paper bearing your name and department and submit to Fr. Nestor Cerbo.

Be part of the exciting birth and christening of a new publication. Join now, the person whose suggestion is chosen will receive a surprise gift.

Entry # 1: Manny C. Hipolito, submitted July 18, 1992: The Karlista; The Servant-Leader; The Major Seminarian; The Formand (Formandus, Formandi); Communio; Karlistahan; The Servant-Disciple; The Evangelizer; Formatio (or the Latin equivalent of formation); Sancti Caroli; The Borromean; Seminarium; Presbuteroi; The Presbyter; San Carlos; Manny C. Hipolito, submitted July 22, 1992: SCS IN FORMATION/ SCS In Formation

Entry #2: Kenneth Masong, submitted July 19, 1992: Seminary CHANNELS

Entry #3: Peter Nelson S. Palomar, submitted July 21, 1992: The HERALD

Entry #4: Ramil Marcos et al, submitted July 22, 1992: Vox Sancti Caroli

Entry #5: Peter Nelson S. Palomar, submitted July 23, 1992: The Light Post; The Sentinel

Entry #6: Christian Carlos Almo, submitted July 24, 1992,: The Grain

Entry #7: Ret Tawat, submitted July 30, 1002: Challenge; LE COUER; St. Charles’ Lane; …That we may serve; CARLISTA/CHARLES; Dawn to Dusk in San Carlos; Within the Wall; A Way of Life/ Our LIFE; Mga IBON/SISIW; Wonderful! or Fantastic!; SSSSSTT!; San Carlos Seminary; Day is Done; The Mustard Seed; Hiyang; Angat sa Iba; The Sandals; Wos is das?; Sari-sari; Buhay-buhay/Buhay Carlista; The Herald; Reason/Razon; Inspiration; Thought; Literra; Isa pa nga

Entry #8: Anonymous, submitted July 31, 1992 : Bukasloob

Entry #9: Jason H. Laguerta, submitted July 31, 1992: The Vineyard; Karlista

Entry #10: Val Rodriguez, submitted July 31, 1992: Ventrem or The Womb

Commemorative Page 1 5

The SCS Information marks its 20th year anniversary this August. This Special Pageis dedicated to all who have contributed to its existence and legacy for the past 20 years.We also thank the readers for their continuous support by reading the articles. We hope to see you in the next SCS Info issues. More power to SCS Info!

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ARE ALL BURDENS

DIFFICULT TO CARRY?

Well, we can actually make

them lighter and enjoyable.

Smiles count even in times of pain and overload of

work. These two cartoon strips above are only part of a series starring “SEMI’T NARYO” dating back from the first issue of SCS INFORMATION in 1992. We’ll see more of them in the next issue, the 20th Anniversary Special.