Report on Arnoldus Library

by Fr. Randolf C. Flores, SVD
OIC - Arnoldus Library
01 June 2009

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need”—Cicero. We have both, even more gardens.

Founded thirty-six years ago (in 1973) and designed by Architect Jesus M. Bondoc, then the dean of the Institute of Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts at the Far Eastern University, the Arnoldus Library, with a tower and a roof garden, stands today as one of the most artistic, ingenious and well-crafted library edifices in the country.

At one point it had housed a huge collection in philosophy, social sciences, and theology— 76,000 volumes and a multi-purpose hall (Arnoldus Hall). Most of the non-theology books are now relocated to Christ the King Seminary—SVD’s school of philosophy in Quezon City. The Arnoldus Hall, where the Reference Section is currently located, is also now a reading hall for the students. The Library—still with 36,277 books; around 15,000 bound periodicals/journals (615 titles); 2,164 duplicates; and 462 textbooks—is one of the best Catholic theological libraries in the country.

Arnoldus Library has a budget of 1 million pesos a year —acquiring an average of 300 books and 61 periodicals (43 foreign and 18 local) per annum with the latest in Theology and Exegesis ordered the fastest way possible; maintains a computer section (10 units working) with internet connection (broadband and wireless); and houses at its basement the Nicasio Preacher’s Collection (NPC)—books and other materials on preaching from the collection of Fr. Linus Nicasio, SVD, and the Arnoldus Communications Center (ARCOM)—a high-tech recording studio run by Fr. Raul Caga, SVD. Soon to be added are the Old Testament collection of the late Fr. Anthony Ceresko, OSFS and the New Testament collection of Fr. Carlito Reyes.

Last summer (May 2009), the outer wall of the library was repainted— green, to go with the ecological color of the seminary’s surroundings, thanks to Miss Angelita Gabuna and her friend Sir Romy and Kemwerke, Inc. who donated around 70 gallons of paint (they also donated a similar volume for the repainting of the Heinemann building); cost of labor was PhP 120,000. Roof leaks were also repaired including repainting the roof.

After five years, the Library will now have a professional librarian. Miss Veronica Jimenez Lepalam, a native of Zamboanga City, a library science graduate of Universidad de Zamboanga (2005) where she is an MA candidate, and a licensed librarian will join the staff on 05 June 2009. Frater Franlou Bardon, SVD scholastic who has taken units in Library Science at the University of San Carlos (Cebu City), has also joined the team composed of Mrs. Cecille Badillo (circulation), Fr. Randolf C. Flores, SVD (acquisition), Mr. Ace Malabanan (maintenance), and Fr. Antolin Uy, SVD (Director).

Three things are foreseen to be accomplished before the end of this school year 2009-2010, Philippine SVD centennial year:

(1) Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) where users around the world can search our library catalogue to locate books, periodicals, audio/visual materials or other items under control of the Arnoldus library.

(2) Covered walkway from the carport of the Heinemann Building to the main entrance of the Arnoldus Library.

(3) An intensive campaign to attract more library users. Based on the logbook, an average of only 20 students everyday used the library in last school year. Frequent users include Franlou Bardon, John Paul Marquez, and Abraham Borja of the SVD; Willy Alibagon of the OSJ (although most OSJ students frequent the library); Serge Kabamalan of the Eudists; and among the faculty members—Fr. Randolf Flores, SVD and Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD.

Prayer: “May our students enter Arnoldus Library and relish the ever delicious nutrimentum spiritus (‘food for the soul,’—from the inscription at the Berlin Royal Library), now na.

Divine Word Seminary: Fr. Henry Schenk, SVD - 50 years in the priesthood

video 1 Fr. Henry Schenk, SVD - 50 years in the priesthood

video 2 Fr. Henry Schenk, SVD - 50 years in the priesthood

Pictures

Holy Week at SVD Tagaytay City 2009

To order the English translation,
text Marie at 0919-3575916
or e-mail at mariecrisologo@yahoo.com.ph

HOLY WEEK 2009 SCHEDULE

Holy Spirit Chapel
Divine Word Seminary
4120 Tagaytay City, Philippines

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
05 April 2009 at 8:00 AM
Presider and Preacher: Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD

Fr. Ronnie is the liturgist of our Holy Week celebrations. He has done missionary work in Argentina. He is an expert in liturgy, holds a licentiate in Sacred Liturgy (or SLL) from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute (San Anselmo, Rome), abd teaches Liturgy, Sacramental Theology and Spanish at Divine Word Seminary and Rogationist College (Lalaan, Silang, Cavite).

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Holy Thursday
09 April 2009
Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confessions
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Mass of the Lord's Supper (including Washing of the Feet) 5:30 PM
Presider: Fr. Alex Muana, SVD
Homilist: Fr. Raul Caga, SVD

Reposition follows with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
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Good Friday
10 April 2009

Office of the Readings Seven Last Words of the Lord
9:00 AM
Preachers:
1. Frater Jong Biton, Jr., SVD
2. Fr. Alex Muana, SVD
3. Frater Dante Barril, SVD
4. Frater Ferdie Bajao, SVD
5. Fr. Gerome Hernandez, MSP
6. Fr. Emmanuel Menguito, SVD
7. Fr. Randy Flores, SVD
Stations of the Cross follow

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
3:00 PM
Presider: Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD
Homilist: Fr. Randy Flores, SVD
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Holy Saturday
11 April 2009

Easter Vigil Mass
8:00 PM
Presider: Fr. Raul Caga, SVD
Homilist: Fr. Alex Muana, SVD
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Easter Sunday
12 April 2009

"Salubong" and Easter Sunday Mass
5:00 AM
Presider and Homilist: Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD

ALS@SVD Student Killed

Reported by Fr. Randolf C. Flores, SVD
Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City, Philippines

OLIVER SARABIA, 26, our student in the Alternative Learning Sysem (ALS) at the SVD Dispensary, was shot and killed five nights ago, 28 March 2009 at 10:30 pm.

Before the time of the killing, Oliver saw his younger brother, Banong, also our ALS student, inside a house in Mag-Asawang Ilat (barrio of Tagaytay where our seminary partly belongs) with a companion who was drunk.

Since Banong had not gone home for more than one week, he told his brother to go home. The companion, named Primo, was irked at Oliver’s words and told the latter, “Huwag mong paki-alaman nyan, ako ang nagpapalamon sa kanya” ("Leave him alone. It’s I who feed him"). Banong had stayed with Primo as his errand boy.

Some said Primo was maltreating Banong (“binubugbog”), who is a mentally challenged person.

There seemed to be a heated argument between Oliver and Primo but calmed down after sometime and even had shook hands afterwards. But Primo went out, got his gun, and shot Oliver four times, killing him on the spot.

The suspect ran away but was apprehended by the police in Buho, Silang, Cavite. Primo claimed to be an Army soldier discharged from duty due to a pending case, possessing a lic ensed firearm (45 caliber), a caretaker of a resthouse in Mag-asawang-Ilat, and earns his living from training dogs.

Our instructional managers (the term we use for “teachers” in ALS) spoke good of Oliver who came to class diligently. Being the eldest, he had big dreams to help his seven brothers and sisters. His father, a construction worker, had asked him to stop going to formal school to work with him to help the family. His other sister, Lea Sarabia, 17, is also our student in ALS. The mother is Auring, half-sister of Susan (our employee), who sometimes comes up to the seminary to do the nails of our employees.

Oliver, whose “second-hand” coffin was donated by Sacred Parish in Kamuning—thanks to Fr. Abe Paz, SVD—will be buried on Palm/Passion Sunday, 5 April 2009.

Olive Tolentino, one of our instructional managers, on the death of our student, made this theological remark: “Oliver had felt what is to be loved and cared for by teachers and fellow-students, even only for a month.”

R.I.P.

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ALS Learner’s Profile

Name : SARABIA, OLIVER Q.

Address : Purok 89, Mag-asawang Ilat, Tagaytay City

Date of Birth : September 23, 1983

Place of Birth : Silang, Cavite

Civil Status : Single

Occupation : construction worker

Religion : Roman Catholic

Language/s spoken: Filipino (Tagalog)

Name of Father : Joel Sarabia

Occupation : farmer

Name of Mother : Aurelia Sarabia

Occupation : housewife

Monthly Income : P3,000.00

Alma Mater Song of Divine Word Seminary

Alma Mater Song of Divine Word Seminary Upload Music
Divine Word Fons Sapientiae
Divine Word Seminary Alma Mater Hymn

Lyrics: M. Layugan, SVD
Music and arrangement: J. Nez F. Marcelo

In this school we hold so dear
Echoes of wisdom we all hear
The treasures of the faith unfold
The fount of knowledge to behold

The flame shall stand in love and trust
The fire keeps burning in our hearts
Immersed in the love of the Triune God
Divine Word Fons Sapientiae

What radiance of glory sublime
What light beyond compare
We raise our triumphs high above
And hold them filled with love

Through diff’rent cultures, we celebrate
We see the world anew
Witnessing to the Good News
Our hearts forever will be true

43rd Graduation Rites at Divine Word Seminary

The graduates in their academic gowns,

at the altar are members of the faculty

This morning, in a long but memorable ceremony which started at 8:30am and ended at quarter past 1 in the afternoon, 91 students received their diplomas and certificates from Divine Word Seminary. 73 of these are seminarians studying for the priesthood and 18 are lay people including religious brothers and sisters. These lay students are the first graduates of the Certificate in Theological Studies (CTS) established two years ago. Click for more info on this program.

First graduates of CTS:
front row from left- Edwin, Ms. Rosales, Luz, Louie, Art,
Baby, Juliene, Bing, Romy, Fe, Sr. Paeng and Mario
back from left: Zoilo, Bro Gerard, Jan, and Ronnie
not in the picture--Bro. Roland and Sr. Verna

Of the 73 seminarian-graduates, 43 received their diplomas in AB Theology--after a two-year course of theological studies while 30 received theirs in the Four-Year Ecclesiastical Theology course.

Since the seminary is an affiliate of Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, 15 students also received their Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB) diplomas. Graduates of this course can enroll for advanced studies in any pontifical university in the world without going through further requirements like Hebrew and Greek.

26 seminarians and 1 lay student also received their MA in Pastoral Ministry which is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Bishop Chito Tagle who teaches Theology of the Priesthood here presided at the baccalaureate mass. Fr. Fred Saniel, SVD, the rector of the seminary gave and who handles the Spirituality courses gave an "exciting" opening remarks at the graduation ceremonies. After he highlighted the two "firsts" in this graduation--first CTS graduates and first time to wear academic gowns (togas)--the rector spoke of the 43rd graduation rites on the 1oo years of the SVD in the Philippines in which Divine Word Seminary has produced around 1,200 graduates--now missionaries, priests, bishops, and lay--since its establishment in 1964. On this occasion, he also announced publicly the opening of the Mission Institute which will offer, beginning next school year, a licentiate and/or MA in Missiology.

The keynote speaker was the Provincial of the SVD Central province, Fr. Nielo Cantilado, SVD who narrated his journey to leadership in the Society in a way to inspire these young men and the lay to prepare themselves in this particular ministry.

The provincial, Fr. Nielo handing out certificates;
at the back--the rector, Fr. Fred
and Systematic Theology professor Fr. Ding Fabiosa, SVD (partly hidden)

The valedictorian of this year is Fr. Aris Martin, SVD who is the Summa cum Laude of the fourth year Theology class who also delivered the "Valedicere" speech. Fr. Aris was ordained priest last December while finishing his theology course, teaches Philosophy at Christ the King Seminary, and goes for pastoral work to the Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon City. He will also be joining the faculty of the CTS and will teach Christology.

Over-all director of the graduation rites was the Dean of Studies, Fr. Alex Muaña, SVD who holds a Licentiate in Theology (Missiology) from the Pontifical Gregoriana University

Divine Word Sminary boasts of 28 members of the faculty consisting of 16 with doctoral degrees and 12 with either Licentiate or MA. Students come from different houses of formation and convents (= 16) which include SVD, OSJ, OFMCap, Amigonians, Barnabites, Eudists, Somascans, TMP of the Diocese of Imus, Saint Augustine Major Seminary (SASMA), Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP), Salvatorians, San Pablo (Laguna) Diocese, Hospitaller brothers, sisters of FMIJ, RVM, and Workers of Christ the Worker.

Sr. Miriam Alejandrino, OSB, a biblical exegete--
teaches Prophetic Literature and Biblical Hebrew
at her back is CTS graduate Juliene Batayo

Fr. Danny Tiong of the Diocese of Imus and professor of Moral Theology
directs the graduates to the Procession

Solemn Compline

Here's a trial mp3 of the portion ("Now let your servant go in peace or Nunc dimittis) of a sung compline (Night Prayer) we pray in the seminary every Saturday evening. The sung complines and vespers composed by Bishop Mike Cinches, SVD are now being recorded on CD by the SVD fathers and brothers for the SVD Philippines centennial.

Soloists are Fr. N. Cantilado (our provincial) and Fr. A. Muana (our dean).
Guitarist is Fr. D. Salac (Arnold Janssen parish in Cebu).
Musical director is Mr. Nez Marcelo
Bass - R. Flores
Others: B. Joaquin, E. Fuguso, R. Crisostomo, E. Menguito, W. Saniel (our rector)
The person moving this project is Fr. R. Caga of the Arnoldus Company (ARCOM) fame.
Abangan....
compline-vespers trial | Upload Music

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

"The Enigma of a Secret Laughter" - Jean Louis Ska

Jean Louis Ska - Public Lecture on the Bible at Divine Word Seminary

An invitation
from the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines
and Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay City:

PUBLIC LECTURE:

"Genesis 18:1-15 or the Enigma of a Secret Laughter"

By: Jean Louis Ska, author of Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch (Eisenbrauns, 2006).

Venue: Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City
Date: July 18, 2008 – 9:30-11:30 AM

J-L Ska, Old Testament scholar (Pentateuch) from the European side, holds Doctorate in Sacred Scripture (SSD 1984) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute where he currently teaches as a professor. He was born in Arlon, Belgium in 1946 and entered the Society of Jesus in 1964.

His books include the following:

Le passage de la mer (doctoral dissertation-1987, 1997)
Our Fathers have told us (1990, 2000, also in Chinese)
La parola di Dio nei racconti degli uomini (2000)
L'argilla, al Danza e il Giardino (2001)
La Strada e la casa (2001)
Abramo e i suoi ospiti (2003)
Cose nuove e cose antiche (2004)
Il libro sigillato e il libro aperto (2005)
I volti insoliti di Dio (2006)
Lessico ragionato dell'esegesi biblica (co-author, 2006, original in French)
Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch (2006 also in French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Korean)
Una goccia d'inchiostro (2008)
Biblical Exegesis in Progress (co-author, forthcoming).

Contact: Bing - 09157884117 or email- rrandy33@yahoo.com

Click on this to read my syllabus of the Pentateuch class and the importance of Ska's Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch.

US Concert Tour of Fr. Raul Caga, SVD

Raul and PAX-Minstrels at Techny

Our "concert priest", Fr. Raul Caga, SVD is in the United States for a fundraising/mission animation concert for Divine Word Seminary. The reason why we need to raise money for the seminary is obvious, enough to know we are avoiding the fate of a Nigerian seminary below. Let me have short excursus to quote the news from zenit.org.

Food Crisis Forces Nigerian Seminary Closure

Many Others in Third World Could Follow

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, JUNE 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic seminary in Makurdi in central Nigeria is facing closure this month as a result of the worldwide food crisis, reported Aid to the Church in Need.Monsignor Kenneth Enang, rector of the seminary, told the aid agency Wednesday that the major seminary, in which some 520 seminarians from 15 dioceses are preparing for the priesthood, has already been forced to ration the food on account of the "astronomical prices."

An additional problem is the price of diesel, which is used to provide electricity. Within just one week, the price of diesel has risen by a third.Father Andrzei Halemba, who heads the Africa desk of Aid to the Church in Need, reports that the worldwide food crisis is becoming an ever greater problem for seminaries throughout the Third World, and is likely to threaten the continued functioning of many other seminaries.

Months earlier, Father Enang had told Aid to the Church in Need of his delight at the many, "good vocations," arriving to his seminary, and the well-qualified staff. He described the seminary as something of a "bridge" between the North and South of Nigeria.It was a "wonderful experience," he added, to see the way in which these young men from all over the country got on together. One could see in it "how Nigeria ought to look."

At that time there was talk of enlarging the seminary, since the space was no longer sufficient for the many seminarians there. Now they are threatened with closure by June 20.

Fr. Raul is also promoting his two CD albums, "Life is Beautiful" and "Called by Love", the latter is recorded, edited, and produced in the Arnoldus Communications Center (or ArCom) located at the basement of Arnoldus Library. The center has since recorded some recent songs of the Fifth Gospel and Padi (group of priest-singers of the Diocese of Urdaneta) . ArCom is directed by XVD composer, Nez Marcelo.

Two years ago, I posted in this blog my review of "Called by Love", please click on this.

Here's Fr. Raul's itinerary in case our US readers want to catch his concert:
May 4 - St. Anthony of Claret Parish, Lakewood, NJ
May 11 - St. Anthony of Padua, Highstown, NJ
May 30 - Techny, Illinois (c/o PAX-USA and SVD Alumni Intl)
June 7 - Dinner and Concert somewhere in Texas.
June 14 - St. Joachim's Church, Hayward, CA (tel: 510-783-2766)
June 22 - Mission Dolores Basilica, San Francisco, CA]
June 29 - St. Matthew County, San Francisco, CA

On the Techny concert, Fr. Raul reports: "Around 100 people came including some confrères and the biggest in revenue so far. PAX-Minstrels (the singing group of Philippine-American XVD's) joined me in four songs. They also sang 2 songs as front act and another 2 songs during the break.

Perpetual Vows 2008

On a rather cloudy morning of May (it rained later), the annual profession of perpetual vows was held here at the seminary chapel. Five young men pronounced "to live for life poverty, chastity and obedience according to the Constitutions of the Society of Divine Word." Representative of the Superior General in Rome and mass presider is Fr. Ernesto Lagura, SVD, member of the Provincial Council of the SVD Southern Province and former president of Holy Name University (Tagbilaran, Bohol).

Perpetual profession makes one a permanent member of the congregation, legally speaking. I wonder whether these young men are aware and convinced of the implication of such a solemn and public oath before God and community, spiritually speaking. I remember some 14 years ago, when seven of us pronounced the final vows. I was preoccupied with visitors and food; it was my first experience of being at the center of public attention. Nonetheless, when finally I came to the line that said, "to live for life," it brought me chills. Such "chilling effect" is still felt whenever I witness perpetual professions of vows.

It's also interesting to see how the celebration of perpetual vows is refined through the years. There is always something new every year. This time, tarpaulin banners are much bigger (biggest) and seminarians begin to wear I.D's.

Although the rite of perpetual vows seems to be the culmination of around 10 years of seminary formation, it is also the start of the different rites of passage to become a full-pledged SVD missionary, usually lasting a year or two. In a matter of days, the five will receive their mission assignments. After few weeks, they will be ordained deacons and will be assigned temporarily to help in the parishes especially in SVD parishes nearby.This December or February next year, depending on the circumstances, they will be ordained priests. The next rite is graduation from Theology which signals the beginning of the preparation to the mission assignments. For those assigned as missionaries abroad, this includes securing a passport and visa, the first experience of an international flight, learning the language of the country---and finally, a missionary.

Sometimes, the experience is so overwhelming and fast-phase that some young missionaries within just a few weeks abroad decide to come home. This abbreviated mission assignment occupied my mind as I prayed for the newest full-pledged members of the Society of the Divine Word.

Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD
and former parishioners from the Nazareno Parish

Request for Transcript of Records, Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City, Philippines

This blog has been receiving requests from our alumni for their transcript of records at Divine Word Seminary. You may direct your request to:

Fr. Alex Muaña , SVD
Dean of Studies
Divine Word Seminary
4120 Tagaytay City
Email: aqmdg42564@yahoo.com

Trinity, Pink Sisters and Fr. Dom Flores, SVD

Pink Sisters' Chapel in Tagaytay City

and its sweet-sounding carillon
(photo grab: dczypher.wordpress.com)

For my commentary on the biblical readings for Trinity Sunday, please click on this. Again, may I remind my blogreaders that the materials here may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without my explicit permission.
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Tagaytay City is not only known for its refreshing weather and breath-taking view of Taal Lake, it's also famous for its more than 30 religious houses in the city and its environs. One particular place of destination these days is the Pink Sisters' Convent (officially called Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy). It's amazing to see so many visitors coming from all over the country, sometimes from abroad to visit the convent especially to attend mass on Sundays (7:30 am and 5:00 pm). Although a few come for sightseeing, most are her to pray with the sisters.

Last Saturday (May 17), one of the sisters pronounced her final profession to the congregation - meaning she makes a solemn promise to live for life the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It's a mystery and grace that in this rapid world, there are still young people who commit themselves to a life of silence, prayer, and anonymity in the contemplative life.

The final profession was presided by Bishop Pablo David,
auxiliary of San Fernando in Pampanga
where the professing sister hails.

Part of the rite of profession is to receive a ring
and the sister accepting to be "betrothed"
to Jesus, the bridegroom.


The pink sister who took the name Mary Chrisanne
signs her "marriage contract"

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Fr. Dom Flores, SVD who is the rector of the SVD seminary in Melbourne, Australia and my uncle blogs about their life in Down Under, click on this and bookmark it.

Pentecost, CTS, Diwa, New Dean, Library, Perpetual Vows, Summer, etc

Followers of this blog have been prodding me to update it. I didn't know blogging is no luxury. I can imagine the difficulty of Luke who "blogged" the missionary journeys of Paul in the second half of the first century A.D. Without it, we would not have the Acts of the Apostles, the only narrative account of the life of the early Church which we read in the mass during Easter Season. Here's a short write-up on Acts especially 2:1-11, the reading for this coming Sunday's Pentecost feast. Click on this.

CTS Students with German theologian, Fr. John Fuellenbach, SVD

Certificate in Theological Studies
Enrollment is now going on for those interested to join the Certificate in Theological Studies program. Classes are held during Saturdays here at the Divine Word Seminary following the official schedule of the academic year. This is a two-year (or four semester) program of studying in depth the Bible, Theology, and Spirituality. For more information, click on this.

Diwa 33 (2007)

The latest issue of Diwa, the academic journal of Divine Word Seminary (Theology) and Christ the King Seminary (Philosophy) is off the press soon (after much delay!). Please place your order to: ctstagaytay@yahoo.com. Here's the table of contents:

New Dean of Divine Word Seminary
We just elected Fr. Alexander Muaña, SVD as our new Dean of Studies (2008-2011). Fr. Alex holds a licentiate in Missiology from the Gregorian University in Rome (2006) and teaches mission theology here. He replaces Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD who has been accepted in the doctoral program at the Catholic University of Louvain. Fr. Laguyan will specialize in the area of church history.

Dean Alex M. (4th from left)
with long time rector of DWS, Fr. Antolin Uy, SVD

New Librarians
Yours truly has been appointed as a librarian of the Arnoldus Library. Expect then that once in a while in this blog I will write on some recent books on theology and exegesis. Ms. Joyce Pascua, a young licensed librarian will join us at the end of the month. We are also putting up a homiletic collection where students and preachers can have access to excellent and recent literature on how to preach well. The room is called Nicasio Preacher's Collection since most books and materials come from the personal collection of our homiletics professor, Fr. Linus Nicasio, SVD. With all these and other improvements done last year, Arnoldus Library is an exciting place to visit.

The artistic building of the Arnoldus Library

Perpetual Vows
Five in-coming 4th year theology students will profess their perpetual vows to the Society of the Divine Word on May 25 at 9:00 am at the Chapel of Divine Seminary here in Tagaytay: Gil Rochar Dulay, Felmar Fiel, Jonathan Letada, Aris Martin, and Jaekel Solde. This means that after a month or so, months they will be ordained as deacons then few months later, as priests.

Summer Out There
I spent a short yet unique vacation sometime last week in Labangan, a village in the island of Iling which belongs to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. I was here as a regent in the early 90's. A number of SVDs has also spent summer camps here like Fr. Raymun Festin and Fr. Raul Caga whose names are "written" in the names of some teen-agers here. People here are very warm; despite the poverty in the place, you'll find so many good souls here. I thank the Fabular family, esp. kagawad Lorie Fabular-Dugenia, for their warm hospitality.

This was my "hotel" for a week; thanks to Ate Tina and Kuya Gaspar

our shower place and everything


In the passenger boat: drink "Ursos," the best way to face big waves

this is at the next island, Ambulong


Menu for Lunch: Fresh Sea Urchins
and six-kilo Talakitok

That's Bulaklak, our tourist guide after she brought us up the summit of the island.


She also brought us to one of the caves;
Old friends from the Labangan: Kgd Lorie and Vicky;
Vicky is vacationing with her
husband from the US.

The Suffering Servant of the Lord: A Holy Week Reflection

Fr. Fransiskus Madhu (1976-2007)

Fr. Gerry Gudmalin, SVD, former classmate in the seminary, sent a text message last Saturday informing me that he is going to say the Palm Sunday mass in Lubuagan in Kalinga, the place where he was assigned until last year. The town became notorious as the place where one of our young Indonesian SVD missionaries was killed, last year, on Palm Sunday April 1. 2007.
Click here to read more....

Jesus and Judas

Behold Lent!
On Feb 16 and 23, 2008, both Saturdays, here at the Divine Word Seminary, I will be conducting a public presentation on Jesus and Judas history taking into consideration the four Gospels, extra-biblical sources, Gnostic Gospels, and the Gospel of Judas.

In the afternoon, my colleague and friend Fr. Ronnie Crisostomo, SVD, professor of Liturgy in this institution and former missionary to Argentina, will explain the history and theology of the liturgical services during Holy Week.

For details , please contact/text Bing at 09157884117 or email at bingkasilag2002@yahoo.com