Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts

THE WAY OF LIFE

By Apolinario Villalobos

Somebody asked me if I have a religion, and when I told him, I have none, he told me, so you do not have a way of life…because according to him, religion is a way of life. I did not want to embarrass him as we were in the company of his friends, so I just told him, we will talk later about this.

The poor guy is obviously ignorant as regards “the way of life” which is generic and does not apply only to religion, but in everything as to HOW a person lives his life, HOW he “carries” himself, or HOW he acts in a community, or better, as a citizen. It is about attitude, character, behavior, mannerism, health, ideology, and philosophy being followed.

There are people who follow the philosophy of Confucianism which is not a religion…and their life is based on that. Vegans are people who prefer vegetables than meat and fish…that is their healthy lifestyle – their way of life. Communists behave according to their political ideology…and that is their way of life.

Belonging to a certain religion is JUST ONE OF THE WAYS OF LIFE. Christians and Catholics should behave like Christ. Buddhists should live their life according to the teachings of Buddha. Muslims should live according to the teachings of Mohammad. Protestants should live according to the deviations from Catholicism….etc.

Finally, it does not necessarily mean that if a person has no religion, he is leading a bad life, because, as many thought, HE HAS NO WAY OF LIFE.  On the contrary, many people who do not belong to any religion, IN FACT, act and behave better than those who belong to one.

It is the ACT that should be considered in judging a person, and not the teachings that many of those who are religiously fanatic are taught BUT NOT PUT INTO PRACTICE, as expected of them.

Mag-ingat sa Paggamit ng Salitang “Festival”

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

The word “festival” connotes pageantry, a showy presentation about a certain thing being promoted. If something is ATTACHED to it such as “rice”, for example, to come up with “Rice Festival”, dapat ay may maipakitang iba’t ibang uri ng “rice” – mga bagong ani na nasa tangkay, hindi pa nagiling o palay pa lang na bagong ani pero wala na sa tangkay, mga iba’t ibang variety ng bigas, mga iba’t ibang kakaning pang-meryenda gawa sa bigas na malagkit, o iba’t ibang uri ng pagluto nito gamit ang kawayan, palayok, o tela na ginagawa ng mga sundalo sa kabundukan.

If the festival is about egg, halimbawa pa rin…then, let it be called “Egg Festival”. But make sure that the egg is among the primary products of the place that is promoting it para hindi nakakahiya at lumabas lang na naggagaya sa iba pang lugar na MARAMING FESTIVAL. Kung “Egg Festival”, dapat ay may iba’t ibang uri ng itlog – manok, itik, pato, pugo, bugok, balut. At, iba’t ibang pagkaluto tulad ng torta, leche flan, sopas….o, pagpinta ng design sa shells. Pwede ring magpakita ng mga handicraft na ginamitan ng egg shells.

Sa kapistahan ng Our Lady of the Candles o Seῆora de la Candelaria ay napansin ko ang kasamang  nakasulat na announcement sa tarpaulin na, “Candela Festival” ….at ikinagulat ko. Kung ang ibig sabihin ng “candela” ay “kandila”….nasaan ang mga kandila?...iba’t ibang hugis o kulay man lang ng kandila? At isa pa, hindi produkto ng Tacurong ang kandila. Hindi na dapat gumamit pa ng “candela festival” para lang magkaroon ng impression na malaking event ang kapistahan ng Our Lady of the Candles. KUNG ANG “CANDELA” AY PINAIKLING “CANDELARIA”, ITO AY ISANG OUTRIGHT NA MISINFORMATION!

Hindi dahil ang patron ng Tacurong ay Birheng may hawak na kandila ay kailangan nang magkaroon ng “candela festival”…o “kandila festival” kung ito ang ibig tukuyin, dahil lalabas ito na pagta- “trying hard” o pagmamaang-maangan. Sa uulitin, hindi produkto ng Tacurong ang kandila, dahilan para ma-promote ito.  Okey na kasama sa pista ang singing contest, tiyangge, perya (Spanish –feria) na may mga palaro, ferris wheel, etc., at beauty contest dahil talaga din namang kasama ang mga nabanggit sa pagdaos ng pista mula pa noong panahon ng Kastila.

Ang kapistahan sa February 2 ay pagbubunyi sa Birheng Maria at kung mayroon mang mahalagang dapat gawin ay ang pagdasal ng rosary sa mga barangay…palipat-palipat ng imahen niya sa mga barangay na pagrorosaryuhan at ang pinaka-bisperas ng pista ay para sa pagbalik  nito sa simbahan. Para naman sa prusisyon, dapat ay i-encourage ang mga dadalo na magdala ng imahen ni Birhen Maria na nilalagay sa altar ng bahay upang maisali sa okasyon pagkatapos basbasan ng pari sa simbahan.

ANG BIRHENG MARIA NA MAY HAWAK NA KANDILA  AT BATANG HESUS,  AY TANYAG NA SA BUONG MUNDO KAYA HINDI NA KAILANGAN PANG GAMITAN NG KUNG ANU-ANO PA UPANG MAGKAROON NG ANYONG “FESTIVAL” ANG SAGRADONG OKASYON PARA SA KANYA.

KUNG ANG LAYUNIN NAMAN AY PARA MAKAHATAK NG MGA TURISTA, HAYAAN ANG MGA ITONG HUMUSGA KUNG KARAPAT-DAPAT BANG BALIK-BALIKAN….HUWAG MAGING “TRYING HARD”.  HIGIT SA LAHAT, DAPAT ALALAHANING DINADAOS ANG PISTA BILANG PAGPAPAKITA NG MGA TACURONGNON NG MASIDHING PANANAMPALATAYA NILA SA BIRHENG MARIA DAHIL SA KADAKILAAN NITO….AT HINDI DAHIL SA KUNG ANU-ANO PA.

THE NEED FOR MODERATION

By Apolinario Villalobos

Nobody is perfect and everybody has a tendency to be bad. But there are what we call “discipline” and “control” that can make us restrain our acts. As intelligent creatures, we are supposed to have an inner strength that can help us decide to observe “moderation” in everything that we do.

We can be bad but we must always bear in mind the “Golden Rule” unless we are prepared for the consequences of our acts that could hurt others, as similar hurt or much more can happen to us. Most often, we are hurt by our own acts…these are the self-inflicted consequences due to our irresponsibility and lack of common sense. Among these are doing things that we know could affect our health, such as, excessive imbibing of alcoholic drinks and unscrupulous pigging out on unhealthy foods.

The worst heartless people who lack restraint are those who exploit others, among which are the corrupt in the government. Ironically, these are graduates of big universities with doctorates and masters in various academic spheres, such as, Public Administration, Education, Humanities, and even professional lawyers, physicians, professors. With their transformation from supposedly “honorable” status in life into greedy maniacs when they stepped into the threshold of the government, they deserve to be called “professional corrupt”.  This greedy lot seems to have not come across the word “moderation”, as they want everything that they can hold on to at the expense of others. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT NOT ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE CORRUPT, AS A HANDFUL OF THEM HELD ON TO THEIR WITS TO REMAIN HONORABLE IN THE REAL SENSE OF THE WORD DESPITE THE MAGNANIMOUS TEMPTATION.

On the spiritual side, many eager beavers who claim to have an “encounter” with the Lord, act as if they are the Chosen People of the modern times. They preach what they read in the Bible but never put them into practice. In this regard, I admire the low-profiled New Christians regardless of their denomination, some of whom are leaders of their humble Ministries while the rest spread the Good News via text messages. They never go beyond the limits of their capability to stand for Jesus and God. They preach within the limit of their sincere capability instead of being noisy, and manifesting only what they sincerely feel.

We are suffering today due to our excessive greed for comfort. Factories are mushrooming all over the world to bring forth supposedly necessities in life – machines, gadgets, chemicals, garments, packed foods, etc. The factories belch out pollutants that destroy Nature…that is how I can simply state the consequence of our excessive cravings. As a result, the natural climatic cycle has drastically changed. Excessive rains cause flood. Excessive wind causes storms and typhoons. The ozone layer has been ripped exposing the Earth to the deadly heat of the sun.

Finally, excessive love can result to selfishness that could be fatal….

The Prayer

By Apolinario Villalobos

First of all, it must be known that there are many forms of prayers or ways by which a prayer can be expressed, such as, silently, loudly, and by sign language. But generally, the prayer can be classified into just three, such as, memorized, read, and extemporaneously expressed straight from the heart.

The Roman Catholic Church has hundreds of prepared or printed prayers with specific intentions, such as, those for the dead, for Christening, for the wedding, for the sick, for job hunting, for wooing a woman, for damning an enemy, etc. One will just have to go to Quiapo to see piles of printed prayer books sold like candies outside the cathedral. These prayers become more effective according to the vendors if candles are being burned while specific prayers are mumbled, till the candle completely melts. Some “faithful” even hire a “praying professional”- a person who prays for a fee. Each candle is distinguished for a particular intention by their color.

The voodooistic practices are being done right under the very nose of the Catholic priests, and while the amplified Mass is going on inside the massive historic structure where the Black Nazarene is enshrined.  If these are wrong, why can’t the Church authorities put a stop to them? Why can’t announcements be made during the Mass so that even those outside the church will hear them? Why can’t this simple act of correcting a wrong right within their community is not being done, while Catholic bishops are against and very vocal about the killing of drug personalities who are criminals?

Many Roman Catholic prayers are outright funny, especially, those which have not been “updated”, having been written during the heyday of fanaticism, particularly during the later part of the Spanish colonization. The prayers are full of outright ignorance as regards to what prayers are supposed to be about. For this, one just has to check the “marathon prayer” or “chant” used during the “pabasa” of the Lenten season. These supposedly solemn prayers are “updated” using hip-hop tunes, to purportedly encourage the youth to participate. Also, for other interesting discoveries, one may check the prayer being chanted by sleepy “faithful” Roman Catholics during the “pasiyam” of the dead brethren in which the “tower of David” is mentioned. Every night it is done for the duration of the nine-day wake. I would like to make it clear that I have nothing against these prayers of the Roman Catholic Church…I am just sharing what I know about them.

For me, the best prayers are those that are extemporaneously said by New Christians as they are obviously coming from their heart….not read from “prayer books”….that is my personal opinion and nobody should question that.

Ang “Love Offering” sa Misa ng Romano Katoliko

(with translation)

By Apolinario Villalobos

May mga parish priest na hindi alam kung anong mga barangay o subdivisions ang sakop nila. Ang tawag nila sa mga Multi-purpose Hall na pinagdadausan nila ng misa  ay “chapel” upang makontrol nila. Pinalagyan ng santo ang Multi-purpose Hall, patron daw, kaya dapat tawagin na itong “chapel”…ibig bang sabihin ba ay “chapel” din ang bahay na may malaking rebulto ng santo? Iyan ang kabulastugan na animo ay pangangamkam ng mga ungas na paring ito sa mga Multi-purpose Hall na pinaghirapang itayo ng mga homeowners!

Ang masama pa, pagkatapos mag-misa sa mga Multi-purpose Halls, wala man lang iniiwang pera para sa pondo ng asosasyon na mgagamit sa maintenance. Lahat ng perang ibinigay ng mga dumalo sa misa ay tinatawag na “love offering”, ganoong “quota” naman talaga. Kapag mahina ang koleksiyon, nagpaparinig sila na hindi maka-Diyos ang mga dumadalo sa misa!

May kaibigan akong pari na umaming ang maliit niyang electric car ay hinuhulug-hulugan niya ng perang galing sa “love offering”. Walang masama diyan, basta huwag lang maging ipokrito kaya dapat nilang aminin na sila ay taong may mga pangangailangan…. kaya kailangan nila ng pera. Huwag na nilang sabihing ang pera ay “offering” ng mga tao na nagla-“love” sa Diyos! KUNG TAPAT SILA AT HINDI SINUNGALING, ITO ANG AMININ NILA SA MISA SA HALIP NA MAGBASA NG PASTORAL LETTER TUNGKOL SA MGA PATAYANG BINIBINTANG KAY DUTERTE ….BIBILIB PA SA KANILA ANG MGA TAGA-SUNOD NILA!

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There are parish priests who do not even know the barangays and subdivisions that are within their “territory”. They call the Multi-purpose Halls where they hold Mass as “chapel” with the ulterior motive of controlling them. They require the local parishioners to display a statue of their patron in the Multi-purpose Hall to  qualify it as a chapel…does it mean that homes with big statues of saints should also be called “chapels”? That is how deceitful some of these priests are in their effort to snatch the Multi-purpose Halls from the homeowners who painstakingly built them!

Worse, after the Mass, the priests do not even leave any amount for the fund of the homeowners to be used for future repairs. All of the money shelled out by those who attended the Mass, they call “love offering” which in reality, is “quota”. If the collection is meager, the priest chides the attendees as not faithful enough.

I have a priest-friend who admitted that the money he uses for the monthly installment of his small electric car is from the “love offering”. Nothing is wrong with that, for as long as priests should do away with hypocrisy and admit that as human beings they also have needs…hence, they need money. They should stop insisting that the “offering” is from those who “love” God! IF THEY ARE HONEST AND NOT LIARS, THEY SHOULD BOLDLY ADMIT THAT DURING THE MASS INSTEAD OF READING THE PASTORAL LETTER ABOUT THE KILLINGS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO DUTERTE….AND, THEIR FOLLOWERS WILL SURELY ADMIRE THEM!

ANG MGA AKALA NA PWEDENG MALI PALA…

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil palaging nagsisimba ang isang tao, mabait siya sa kapwa.

Dahil palaging may hawak na Bibliya ang isang tao, malawak na ang kaalaman niya dito.

Dahil may Bibliyang naka-display sa bahay, ito ay binabasa.

Dahil may Encyclopedia na naka-display sa bahay, ito ay binabasa.

Dahil pari o Obispo, hindi na masisilaw sa salapi o tahimik na maniac.

Dahil nagtapos sa unibersidad ang isang tao, matalino na siya.

Dahil nagmumura ang isang tao kapag galit, siya ay masama na.

Dahil naka-shorts at t-shirt lang ang isang tao, siya ay naghihikahos na.

Dahil maganda ang isang babae, siya ay walang anghit o bad breath.

Dahil guwapo ang isang lalaki, siya ay walang eczema o anghit.

Dahil magandang tingnan ang pagkaayos ng pagkain, ito ay masarap na.

Dahil mahal ang isang pagkain, ito ay masustansiya na.

Dahil malinis sa paningin ang gulay, ito ay ligtas nang kainin.

Dahil hindi namumula ang mata ng isda, ito ay sariwa.

Dahil nakatira sa ibang bansa ang isa tao, siya ay mayaman na.

Dahil matangkad ang isang tao, magaling na siyang mag-basketball.

Dahil maganda ang balat ng prutas, wala na itong uod.

Dahil kaibigan ang isang tao, siya ay mapagkakatiwalaan na.

Dahil doctor, hindi na magkakasakit

Dahil dentista, walang sirang ngipin.

Dahil pulis, matapang na.

Dahil pangit, masama ang ugali.

Dahil walang makapal na ulap, hindi na uulan.

Dahil kumikinang at kulay dilaw, ginto na.

Dahil mayaman, galante na.

Dahil may tag ng kilalang brand, original na.

The “Personal God” in the Bible

And the “Personal Saints” of Today

By Apolinario Villalobos

Passages in the Bible mention about personalities who “walked with their personal God”. The Israelites of the Bible are said to be “Chosen People”… by whom?...of course, their “personal God” who hated the rest of the peoples at the time so that “He” commanded the Israelites to eradicate them from the face of the earth, so that they could occupy their land. (That for me was the first case of LAND GRABBING to the highest level!). Of course, I will be contradicted by some viewers by saying that those people that the Israelites must exterminate were pagans, heathens, who did sodomy, etc…..fine. But if the “God” of Israel was really the “God” of all, being the “creator” of everything in the universe, why must “He” command the early Israelites to do the killing when all that “He” could have done was sweep them off with a strong and blinding desert sandstorm or torrential rain of fire? (SOME Filipino Catholic Church leaders and Christian human life advocates kuno must have missed the message of this legendary story – eradication of the heathen, the bad people…because they keep on attacking instead, the guy who wants to eradicate them….the guy is Duterte who wants to eradicate the bad drug personalities!)

The above-mentioned story is a clear indication of the ET (extra-terrestial) characteristics of what the Israelites of the Bible referred to as their “Lord”.  For me, the Israelites’ “Lord” could be the “messenger” of the true God. There are passages in the Bible about what some prophets allude to what we call today as space ships. I believe nothing is wrong with that if those “Lords” of the Bible were really the early missionaries of the true God, and who came to Earth… did several experiments using what they found when they landed, such as the uprightly walking apes and their (ET) own genes, until they succeeded in producing intelligent humans in their own image. The passage of the legend says “THEIR”, and not “HIS”, a reference in plural form….indication that the creation legend involves a group, not an individual. It is said that legends are basis of traditions that are oftentimes proved later on, to be credible. That is the reason why continued archaeological diggings have been proving the truthfulness in the passages of the Bible…and more are being done to show more truths.

Still on the “personal” thing…. if all saints are Godly and of course, good, why classify them according to “what they can do or heal?”. Why not just view all of them as “models” of what man should be, aside from helping him connect with God in times of his need? Why must a certain saint be good for a certain ailment, for instance? Why must some be treated as the “most effective” “go between” with God for some wishes? Why must there be personal saints? Are these saints expected to choose who to help among the living? If this practice among the Catholics is wrong, why is the Church tolerating it?

My personal view is that there is a massive misinformation about how man should “truly” live his life accordingly. The responsible guys just want to increase the number of their “flock” for the money that is involved. Everybody knows that for a dead to be blessed there are standard fees depending on where it is done – at home or house of worship, as do are baptizing and marrying couples. A fee is a fee as it involves money regardless of the amount and denomination. I do not view this as wrong if only the concerned guys are not hypocrite in denying the glaring facts. They need the money for subsistence, too, but for their God’s sake, they should be frank about it!

I appreciate the mushrooming of the new Christian Ministries to which the enlightened run to seek spiritual solace – to the Ministers who are honest about the tithes that they receive which are sincerely given for their support, tithes that are not necessarily  “love offering to the Lord”…but tokens of appreciations for their sacrifice.  I also appreciate the honesty of these Ministers regarding their status in life, such as being happily married and having children.

On the other hand, what I question is the breaking of promises made by the so-called “shepherds of the Lord” who prostrated themselves in front of the altar where they mumbled “vows” not to get married, but later molested innocent teenagers and unsuspecting widows…vowed not to amass wealth, but are driving cars. There is one guy at the Vatican who keeps on calling for the repentance of SOME of his “colleagues” who are very obvious in their wrongdoing. His voice must be hoarse by now and still, nobody among the CONCERNED listens to him!...poor Francis!

My calling the pope by his first name is not a sign of disrespect, but fondness as he himself expressed that does not want to be treated “royally” , but just like anybody else….unlike SOME of his colleagues who do not deserve even a teeny-weeny pinch of respect, yet, wanted to be addressed as REVEREND!

PANAWAGAN SA ILANG OBISPO NG SIMBAHANG KATOLIKO

…hinay-hinay sa paggawa ng panawagang “bitin”

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nananawagan ako sa inyong maiingay na mga Obispo ng simbahang Katoliko na i-qualify ang sinasabi ninyong “PAHALAGAHAN ANG BUHAY”. Ang ibig sabihin ng “pahalagahan” ay “give importance”. Aling buhay ngayon ang gusto ninyong pahalagahan?... ang buhay ng mga MAGIGING BIKTIMA AT NAGING BIKTIMA NA?... o BUHAY NG MGA NAMBIBIKTIMANG DRUG PUSHERS AT DRUG LORDS…ANG MGA WALANG PUSONG KRIMINAL! WALA KASI KAYONG ”BILOGICAL ATTACHMENT” SA MGA NAGING BIKTIMA KAYA HINDI NINYO NARARAMDAMAN ANG NARARAMDAMAN, HALIMBAWA, NG MGA MAGULANG NG TIN-EDYER, NA MALIBAN SA GINAHASA AT PINATAY AY PINAGLARUAN PA ANG BANGKAY SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PAGPASAK NG SANGA NG KAHOY SA PUKE NITO! KUNG MATALINO KAYO, DAPAT MAUNAWAAN NINYO NA IBA ANG PAGIGING “TAGAPAGSALITA NG DIYOS” NA NAG-AAKMANG “AMA” KUNO, KAYSA SA TUNAY NA AMA O INA NG MGA BIKTIMA DAHIL SA DUGONG DUMADALOY SA MGA UGAT NILA.

Hahayaan ba ninyong PATULOY na pakalat-kalat ang mga kriminal na ito na kilala naman sa komunidad nila sa ginagawa nila kaya siguro nainis na ang ilang mamamayan na umabot sa pagpatay sa kanila? Huwag kayong tsismoso sa pagpaniwalang kagagawan ni Duterte ang mga extra-judicial killings dahil wala kayong pruweba. Ang atupagin ninyo ay ang hindi pakikibahagi ng ILANG simbahan ninyo ng limpak-limpak na salaping kinikita nila mula sa mga “love offerings” kuno. Kung may tumutulong man sa mga kapos sa pamamagitan ng feeding program isang beses sa isang linggo man lang, IILAN LANG SILA, dahil ang IBA ay talagang bato sa paghawak ng kinikita nila. Ang IILAN pa ring simbahan ninyo ay may counseling program sa mga gustong magbagong dating drug users, kaya commendable sila. BAKIT HINDI NINYO PALAGANAPIN ANG MGA KAWANGGAWANG ITO NA “DOABLE”? MAY ORGANISASYON NAMAN KAYO, ANG CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (CBCP)…BAKIT HINDI GAMITIN ITO UPANG MAPALAGANAP ANG GINAGAWA NG IILANG SIMBAHAN NINYO?...HUWAG KAYONG MAGKANYA-KANYA NG PORMA AT PAG-IINGAY LABAN KAY DUTERTE!...KUNG GUSTO NINYO, HAMUNIN NINYO SIYA NG DEBATE SA PLAZA MIRANDA, TAPAT PA NG QUIAPO CHURCH, UPANG MATULDUKAN NA ANG NAKAKAIRITANG PAGBATIKOS NINYO SA KANYA.

Please lang, tumahimik na kayo sa isyu ng droga dahil kayo mismo ay walang malinaw na suggestion kung paano ito masusugpo. Kung tumatahimik kayo, hindi kayo mapapansin kaya walang babatikos sa inyo. AT HIGIT SA LAHAT AY HUWAG GUMAWA NG PANAWAGANG BITIN. PARA KAYONG MGA PILOSOPONG HUMANGO NG SALITA SA BIBLIYA NA…”GO TO THE WOLD AND MULTIPLY….” upang ma-justify ang pagdami ng anak nila dahil sa kalibugan lalo na kung lasing, ganoong ito ay utos kay Noah pagkatapos ng malakawang baha na ikinamatay ng mga tao, kaya kailangan nilang magpadami uli, at HINDI NA ANGKOP SA PANAHON NGAYON. Nakumpara ko tuloy kayo sa mga taong hangal! ITIGIL NA RIN ANG PAGGAMIT NG MGA SALITANG YAN SA PAGKONTRA NINYO SA FAMILY PLANNING!

BILANG PANGHULI, ANG ISA KO PANG SUGGESTION AY DOBLEHIN O TRIPLEHIN ANG HABA NG MISANG IDADAOS AT DAMI NG BENDETADONG TUBIG KUNO NA IWIWISIK SA MGA NAPATAY NA NATOKHANG UPANG MASKI SA HULING SANDALI MAN LANG AY MAKATIKIM SILA NG BASBAS MULA SA PARI NINYO NA SANA AY WAGAS.

Faith Should Never Be Wavered

By Hatred toward SOME PRIESTS AND NUNS

By Apolinario Villalobos

It is worrying to note that lately, many faithful in whatever spiritual leanings are becoming more vocal about their hatred toward their parish priest, minister and other church leaders, including nuns. In this regard, their emotion should not affect their steadfast Faith, as they have the liberty to choose which congregation to join. After letting go of their pent up emotion, they should move on. If they do not want, for instance, to see the face of their parish priest, they should attend Mass somewhere else. They have the choice in the meantime, and just go back if another parish priest has been assigned after the hated priest’s tour of duty. If they believe in the power of prayer, they should pray that the hated parish priest be transferred posthaste to another area for reasons that only the Bishop knows. Meantime, I admire the guts of those who openly denounce their parish priest due to his unbecoming acts.

ALL Christian-based churches are monogamous and teach the goodness of the same God which in this regard, even Islam does…. they are there for our appreciation. Hatred should never be nurtured in one’s heart, especially, if it has been triggered by a hated religious leader. In this regard, the Catholic Church should never threaten members with “ex-communication”, just because they love Duterte and advocate sex education. This issue is founded on the glaring choice between: slow death caused by the evil drug and poverty due to uncontrolled sex, especially, among the impoverished… or saving the future of the youth and affording comfort to the financially deprived.

Faith is innately set in our heart, and manifested at the right time through action as dictated by our consciousness as we grow. For some religious denominations, it is dictated by the parents, hence, the baptism of the infant several days after he or she has been born. Other denominations wait until the child has come of required age before baptism is done. For the Catholics, there is a so-called “Confirmation” ceremony for the kids, but I have observed that not a single baptized child has “denounced” the dictated Faith. Understandably, it is because the kids have not yet experienced and observed the unbecoming acts of SOME priests, specifically, their parish priest. As they grow, observations are stored in their consciousness until the time of their crucial decision to attend Mass at another parish, or even move to the fold of any Christian Churches that have proliferated lately, due to spiritual awakening.

All Churches should focus on their spiritual responsibilities and shy away from politics. Special mention can be made on SOME Catholic priests and nuns who join political rallies against the present administration, denouncing the killing of drug lords and pushers. But I doubt if they have ever handed out a piece of 2peso bread to a child begging on the street, or give a 10peso recycled plastic bag to a homeless elderly couple to sleep on the sidewalk or to protect them against the pelting rain. If these hypocrites would say that it is not their duty, but DSW’s as they are corporal matters, then why dip their finger into the dirty politics?  If they insist that the DSW and other related agencies are staffed with paid workers out of the people’s tax, they should bear in their wormed mind that churches live on the tithes or donations of their members, for them to do their spiritual duty. Still, if they tenaciously insist that their conscience dictates that they must denounce Dueterte in front of TV cameras, then…IT IS HIGH TIME FOR THEM TO REMOVE THEIR HABITS (UNIFORM DESIGNATING AFFILIATION TO A RELIGIOUS ORDER OR WHATEVER), AND SHOUT THEIR OUTMODED COMMUNISTIC SLOGANS WITH THE LEFTISTS TO THEIR HEART’S CONTENT. IF I SEE ANY OF THOSE “RELIGIOUS” KUNO ON BROADSHEETS AND TABLOIDS WITH TIGHTLY-CLOSED FIST AND AGAPE MOUTH IN STREET CLOTHES, THEN, I WILL BE OBLIGED TO PRAISE THEM IN A BLOG!

Finally, the noise from these misled and religious misfits (to be clear, only SOME), should not add up to the discontent which peoples around the world are harboring against the Churches, and which even made many of them openly declare their being Atheist. These religious kuno – spiritual hypocrites, are practically leading people away from God by confusing their mind. Their mandate in joining Religious Orders is to propagate spirituality and NOT TO FOMENT UNREST AMONG THE EXPLOITED AND ALREADY CONFUSED PEOPLE.

PASTOR ARIEL HERNANDEZ…NAGPAPATUNAY

NA POSIBLENG MABAGO ANG NASIRANG BUHAY

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nang magbukas ang Perpetual Village 5 sa Bacoor City (Cavite) ay isa ako sa mga naunang tumira, at naging unang Presidente rin ng Homeowners Association. Hirap kami noon dahil sa pagmamadali naming lumipat agad ay hindi na namin hinintay na magkaroon muna ng street lights at maayos ang mga kalsada. Todo tiis ang ginawa namin sa pagsuong sa trapik ng Zapote, Las Piἧas sa pagpasok sa trabaho dahil wala pang Coastal Road noon.

Makalipas ang isang taon ay may lumipat sa subdivision na mag-asawang galing sa Makati, sina Ariel at Precy Hernandez at anak nilang musmos pang si Jaymie. Nang pasyalan ko sila upang i-welcome sa lugar namin ay nalaman kong basketbolista pala si Ariel kaya agad-agad ay pinakiusapan kong mgaging Sports and Youth Officer ng homeowners association. Hindi naman ako napahiya dahil malugod siyang pumayag kahit may trabaho siya sa bangko mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes at kung minsan ay hanggang Sabado. Hindi ako nabigo sa pagtalaga sa kanya dahil makaraan lang ang ilang linggo ay naging aktibo na agad ang mga kabataan sa lugar namin. Ang pagkilala sa kanya bilang coach ng basketball ay nakarating hanggang sa “bukid” at mga kalapit-subdivision na sakop din ng Barangay namin. Mula noon, basta mabanggit ang basketball, si Ariel agad ang sasagi sa isip ng mga nakarinig. Noon pa lang ay nakitaan ko na siya ng compassionate attitude – madaling dumukot ng pera para sa mga nangangailangan kahit walang matira sa bulsa. Nai-intimidate lang ang ibang hindi siya gaanong kilala dahil noong kabataan niya at nasa amin  ay para siyang “pader”, malaki kasi ang katawan,may katangkaran, at dumadagundong pa ang boses.

Si Ariel din ang humimok sa mga homeowners na mag-jogging mula sa amin hanggang Imus Cathedral/Plaza tuwing Linggo ng madaling araw. Walang magawa ang tamad gumising dahil nagtitiyaga siyang manggising sa mga homeowners sa madaling araw, at sa laki ng boses niya ay talagang mapapagising ang tatawagin niya. Isa rin siya sa nagpursige na mabuo ang basketball court ng subdivision namin. Bumigay ang katatagan niya dahil sa sobrang  pakisama sa mga barkada na humantong sa madalas niyang pakikipag-inumang naging sanhi naman ng palaging pag-away nilang mag-asawa.  Hindi sila iba sa akin, kaya madalas ko siyang payuhan subalit dahil bata pa siya noon, madalas din siyang makalimot sa mga pinapayo ko. Sa kabila ng lahat, hindi pa rin nagkulang si Ariel sa pagtaguyod ng nasimulan niyang adhikain na maipamahagi sa mga kabataan ang kaalaman niya sa basketball. Pati ang mga magulang ng mga kabataan ay nahimok din niyang maglaro kung may espesyal na okasyon o di kaya ay bilang pampalipas ng oras.

Makaraan ang ilang taon, lumipat sila sa Camella Homes ng Bayang Luma 3, sa Imus City. Malaking bagay ang paglipat nila dahil maski papaano ay nailayo siya ni Precy sa mga barkadang mahilig uminom. Subalit hindi rin maiwasang siya ay pasyalan ng mga ito, at nadagdag pa ang mga bago kaya naudlot ang pagtahak sana niya sa “Bagong Landas”. Ganoon pa man ay itinuloy pa rin ni Ariel ang pakikibahagi ng kaalaman sa basketbol sa mga kabataan ng Barangay Lumang Bayan 3 na nasimulan niya noong 2006. (Ang tungkol sa adbokasiya sa larangan ng basketbol ay iba-blog ko nang hiwalay dahil makulay din ang sinuong niyang mga pagsubok upang tuluyang magtagumpay at lalo pang makilala.)

Humantong ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mag-asawa sa tampuhan hanggang pansamantalang iwanan si Ariel ng kanyang asawa upang makitira sa anak nilang si Jaymie na may pamilya na. Ang tikisan ay inabot ng halos isang taon, subalit naging tulay ang panganay niyang kapatid at bayaw na sina Nora at Jett Crisostomo upang  mapahinuhod si Precy na bumalik sa bahay nila. Sa pagkakataong ito ay naging aktibo sila sa spiritual sharing kaya nag-host na rin sila ng Bible Study sa kanilang garahe. Dahil nakitaan si Ariel ng pagpupunyaging magbago, pinag-aral siya upang maging pastor ng WWCF-Imus sa pamumuno ni Pastor Eli Famorcan.

Kabilang si Pastor Ariel ngayon sa mga ministro ng  Word for the World Christian Fellowship-Worldwide at nakatalaga sa Noveleta. Sa grupo ng mga pastor, siya ang “pinakamatanda” pagdating sa edad, subalit “pinakabata” pagdating sa karanasan dahil nagsimula siya sa pagmi-ministro noon lang 2010. Hindi madali ang maitalagang ministro ng simbahang bagong “tanim” sa isang komunidad dahil kailangan ang ibayong pagpapakilala upang makaakit ng mga miyembro. Masuwerte ang mga pastor na sinusundan ng mga dating kapanalig dahil nakakatulong sila sa pagpapalago ng sampalataya.  Kasama rin ang responsibilidad sa pagkalap ng pondo dahil ang inaasahan lang ay mga love offerings o tithes ng mga kapanalig. Ganoon pa man ay tiniis ni Pastor Ariel ang lahat ng pagsubok nang siya ay  palipat-lipat na italaga sa Imus, General Trias, at sa kasalakuyan ay sa Noveleta.

Buong pagpapakumbaba niyang inaamin na mahina siya sa Ingles, kaya hangga’t maaari ay Tagalog ang ginagamit niya. Epektibo at maganda ang ginagawa niyang paggamit ng Tagalog at binabatay naman niya ang mga pinamamahagi niya sa mga tunay na pangyayari sa paligid at buhay ng tao. Ang isang payak na mensahe mula sa Bibliya, halimbawa, ay nagagawa niyang palawakin upang mai-apply sa buhay ng mga nakikinig sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng mga halibawang nakikita sa paligid.

Ang “preaching style” niya ay hindi siguro niya sinasadyang maging hawig sa ginagamit ng mga sikat na “Born Again Christian” preachers na ang mga pagtitipon ay dinadagsa ng libu-libong tagasunod. Hindi siya ang tipo ng preacher na halos lahat ng sinasabi ay quoted mula sa Bibliya na sa tingin ko ay “complicated” dahil magdudulot ng kalituhan sa mga nakikinig. Paano halimbawang maitanim sa isip ng nakikinig ang tungkol sa hypocrisy o pagkukunwari kung puro galing sa Bibliya ang sasabihin, samantalang marami naman ang puwedeng banggitin na mga pangyayari sa paligid na siyang magbubukas ng kanilang isipan?

Samantala, ang nangyari kay Pastor Ariel ay pagpapatunay na lahat ng tao na may hangaring magbago ay may pagkakataong matamo ito basta siya ay magsisikap. Nakakabilib din ang pag-iwas ng kanyang asawa dahil sa hindi nila pagkakaunawaan noon kaya hindi humantong sa tuluyan nilang paghihiwalay. Maidadagdag dito ang pagpursige ng mga kaibigan nilang namagitan kaya ang lamat ng pagsasama nilang mag-asawa ay tuluyang natapalan. Upang lalo pang tumibay ang love na naging stronger the second time around, nagba-bonding ang buong pamilya sa bahay ni Jaymie, kasama ang asawang si Aris (Gatdula), at dalawang anak na sina Lance Quint at Luke James. Nag-iisang anak si Jaymie na hindi natuloy sa pagka-abogada tulad sana ng kanyang lolo na ama ni Ariel, subalit mapalad namang nakapagtrabaho sa Regional Trial court sa Las Piἧas. Si Precy naman ay sa Regional Trial Court ng Imus nagtatrabaho.

Mapalad si Pastor Ariel dahil kabilang  sa mga naniniwala sa kanya ay ang kasalukuyang mayor ng Imus City na si Emmanuel Maliksi na kumuha sa kanya bilang Sports Consultant simula pa noong 2008, at si Joe Lipa, Consultant ng Mahindra-Kia, na nakakatulong upang makakalap siya ng sports scholarship para sa mga karapat-dapat na naging bunga ng Basketball Clinic na ginagawa ng King David Basketball Camp. Maraming napariwarang kabataan ang napabago ng Basketball Clinic nina Pastor Ariel. Ang iba ay lalong nagkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili kaya nakatapos ng pag-aaral, o naging manager sa kumpanyang pinasukan at ang iba ay nakapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa.

Tinutugaygayan si Pastor Ariel ng alituntunin niya sa buhay tungkol sa pagkakaisa ng mga tao na maaaring mangyari kung iiral ang unawaan sa isa’t isa, lalo na ng iba’t ibang mga pananampalataya o relihiyon. Nanliit lang ako nang sabihin niya sa akin na ang alituntuning yan ay lalo pang pinatibay ng mga nakita niyang mga ginawa ko at pakiharap sa iba’t ibang tao, sino man o anuman ang kanilang paniniwala, noong sa subdivision pa namin sila nakatira. Sa kababasa din daw niya ng mga isinusulat ko ay lalo pang tumibay ang  paniniwala niya tungkol sa “universal love” na dapat ay walang hangganan. Tumaba naman ang puso ko nang banggitin niyang ipinagmamalaki niya ako sa mga kapwa niya pastor at mga kaibigan….subalit higit sa lahat ay masaya ako dahil may nagpapakalat pala ng adbokasiyang naging timon ko sa buhay….at isang New Christian pastor pa! 

ANG PAGKAGUSTO SA BAGAY O TAO

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hindi lahat ng tungkol sa isang bagay o tao ay nagugustuhan natin. Sa mga prutas at gulay ay may mga bahagi silang hindi natin kinakain, ganoon din sa isda at karne. May mga ugali rin ang ating asawa na hindi natin gusto subalit pinagtitiyagaan na lang ang pakikisama sa kanila kahit may kaakibat na dusa dahil sa sinumpaang pangako at pinirmahang kontrata. May mga ugali ang ating mga anak na hindi rin natin gusto, no choice tayo, kundi tanggapin na lang ang buo nilang pagkatao dahil inilabas na sila ng kanilang ina,….alangan namang ibalik pa sila sa sinapupunan nito. Maski sa ating sariling pagkatao ay may mga characteristics din tayong hindi natin gusto kaya naiinggit tayo sa iba. Halimbawa, ayaw natin ng ilong nating pango kaya naiinggit tayo sa ibang may matangos na ilong, ang ating pagkapandak kaya naiinggit tayo sa matatangkad, etc.

Maski sa bayan kung saan tayo ipinanganak, may mga bagay doon na ayaw natin kaya ayaw nating balikan, pero dahil required na ilagay ito sa mga application form at bio-data ay wala tayong magagawa kundi talagang isulat na lang. Sa relihiyon ay ganoon din dahil may mga Katolikong ayaw magsimba sa mismong simbahan nila… ayaw kasi nila ang style ng pari sa pag-sermon, pero dahil Katoliko nga, no choice kundi tanggapin na lang si Father, dahil baka magalit si God. Sa trabaho ay ganoon din…ang workplace halimbawa ay ayaw natin dahil maraming lamok, at ang boss ay ubod na nga ng pangit ang ugali ay pangit pa ang mukha!...pero no choice pa rin tayo dahil mahirap maghanap ng trabaho ngayon.

GANYAN DIN DAPAT ANG TURING NATIN KAY DUTERTE. AYAW NATIN ANG KANYANG PAGMUMURA PERO DAHIL GUSTO NIYANG MAWALA ANG BISYO NG DROGA SA PILIPINAS O KAHIT MABAWASAN MAN LANG NG MALAKI AY I-LIKE NA LANG NATIN SIYA. KAHIT MUKHA SIYANG SANGGANO O BUTANGERO, SIGE NA LANG, DAHIL ANG KATAPANGAN NIYANG ITO ANG KINATATAKUTAN NG MGA HINAYUPAK NA MGA RAPIST, DRUG PUSHERS, DRUG LORD AT IBA PANG KRIMINAL.

Habang nabubuhay tayo sa ibabaw ng mundo, wala tayong magugustuhan na 100%. Kung minsan nga pati Diyos na gumawa ng lahat-lahat ay pinagkakatampuhan natin dahil sa mga nangyayaring kalamidad….at lalo tayong nagagalit sa kanya kapag nagsunud-sunod ang kamalasan sa ating buhay, sabay tanong ng, “WHY ME, LORD”?

Sino ngayon ang unfair?...ang Diyos na hindi patas sa pagbigay ng mga biyaya?...si Duterte na sinisisi dahil sa pagkamatay ng mga drug pushers na nang-estapa ng pambayad na kinuha sa drug pusher kaya sila ay binalutan ng packing tape sa mukha at tinadtad ng saksak o pinaulanan ng bala?

Para walang problema, iwasang magkagusto sa mga bagay-bagay o mga tao nang buong todo!...upang kung maging disappointed ay hindi rin todo-todo ang sakit na mararamdaman.

POPE FRANCIS OF THE VATICAN

AND RODRIGO DUTERTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

By Apolinario Villalobos

In the August 2015 issue of the National Geographic, I found an item that details how the bombs of the USA and her allies devastated Laos during the controversial Vietnam War that rendered the laid back country into a crater-filled wasteland after the war. Laos is the venue of the ASEAN summit 2016 being attended by Duterte where he was supposed to meet Obama on the sidelines but unfortunately, did not materialize due to the impertinent question from a Reuter reporter which incited the Philippine president to “explode”.

The same issue of the magazine features the cover story about Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) which I did not give much thought at first. But after a nonchalant perusal, I was struck by several information on the pope that appear to be in synch with those about president Duterte’s.

Pope Francis was elected to the papacy just when the Vatican was at its darkest period due to piling up scandals that rocked the Catholic Church. The Philippines was in the same helpless situation in view of criminalities and political scandals, forcing the Filipinos to take the “risk” of voting for Duterte after realizing that the country needs a change that only one with a steely resolve can initiate.

The pope being from Argentina, broke the tradition of papal racial origin which should be either an Italian or at least a European. Duterte who claims to have a Muslim blood, is from Davao, a city in the southern island of Mindanao, broke the political tradition of the Philippines whose past Catholic presidents were from Luzon.

The pope, even while still in Argentina, was espousing the welfare of the have-nots. Duterte can cry unabashedly at the sight of an exploited, especially, raped and murdered innocents.

The pope considers himself a “street guy” or “callejero”, just like Duterte who shows his true humble color without hesitance if only to let those in the lower rung of the society know that he belongs with them.

The pope lives in a simple apartment, Casa Santa Marta, instead of the Vatican palace. Duterte’s staying at the guest house of Malacaἧan is just a compromise as given the choice he prefers to stay in a much austere accommodation. Both prefer the simple food that they used to partake.

The pope, while as archbishop in Argentina took the subway and had the habit of strolling along streets of unlikely nooks of Argentina. Duterte drove a taxi at nighttime to personally check on his constituents as best as he could, aside from using a simple pick-up type of car as his official vehicle as mayor of Davao City.

On the day of his proclamation as the new pope, Francis took the bus used to ferry the cardinals instead of the officially assigned limousine. Given the choice, Duterte preferred the old car that he used in Davao, instead of the luxurious one assigned to the president of the country.

Both Francis and Duterte are spontaneous…always, not afraid to blurt out what are in their mind…a feat that earned them enemies, albeit, during rare moments showed their down-to-earth person.

The pope has no plans of changing existing doctrines. The Filipinos are assured by Duterte of due process and fair justice system despite slight deviations that according to him are necessary  to help him in his cleansing efforts…and that, definitely, he will not resort to the Martial Law.

Francis has been telling friends that he needed to “start making changes right now”, since the day of his proclamation. Duterte is being propelled toward “changes” by his desire to have a transformation, hence, assuring the Filipinos that “change is coming”, thereby, seemingly in a hurry to cleanse the country of the drug menace and other forms of criminality first, to be followed by the rest of the cleansing that he promised to undertake.

Both are immensely misunderstood, though, unmistakably charismatic.

ANG KASAL AT ANG MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung ang lahat ng kontrata ay may mga condition at expiration, dapat ang marriage contract ay meron din. Subalit dapat bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga kinakasal na balewalain ang expiration kung gusto nilang magsama habang-buhay. Dapat ay may mga condition din ito na batayan ng automatic na pagbabalewala sa kontrata kahit hindi pa umabot sa expiration. Para sa mga mayayaman ay proteksiyon ng mga ikinasal ang mga condtion upang hindi mapagsama ang mga ari-arian nila bago sila ikasal at ang expiration  ay para sa walang gulong hiwalayan kung nagkasawaan na sa isa’t isa.

Kung hindi rin lang masunod ang mga nabanggit dapat ay palitan ang pantukoy o titulo ng dokumento. Sa halip na “contract” dapat ay tawagin itong “COMMITMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CEREMONY” dahil ang basic na laman nito ay ang “pangako” sa isa’t isa ng dalawang ikinasal na “magsasama habang buhay, sa hirap at ginhawa”….kahit hindi binanggit na ang pagsasama ay umabot sa umbagan, sakalan, tadyakan, saksakan…..kawawa daw kasi ang mga anak nila kung sila ay maghiwalay. At, lalo’t higit ay kahit umabot sa pag-abandona ng lalaki sa pamilya niya dahil nagbahay ng isang mas sariwa at mabangong itini-table niya sa paboritong beer house….at kahit umabot din sa pagpendeho sa lalaki na iniwan ng asawang malandi at makati kaya sumama sa isang machong tricycle driver o pulis.

Dapat ding tawaging “acknowledgment” ang dokumento dahil ito ang magpapatunay na nang ikasal ang magsing-irog, sila ay nasa katinuan ng kanilang pag-iisip….hindi bangag sa bawal na gamot, hindi lasing, at walang tutukan ng baril na nangyari.

Ang presidente ng Pilipinas ay pwede nang manumpa ng tungkuling pangako sa harap ng isang Barangay Chairman, kaya dapat ay pwede na ring magkasal ang nasabing LGU official. Ang taong nagkakasal ang pangunahing saksi sa pangakong magsasama sa dalawang ikinasal, ang mga ninong at ninang ay suporta lamang. Ganoon din ang nangyayari kung pari ang nagkasal, subalit sinasabi na kung sa simbahan ginawa ang seremonya, ang pangunahing saksi ay ang Diyos o si Hesus. Sa isang banda, kung ang Diyos o si Hesus ay nasa paligid at hindi limitado ang presensiya sa loob lang ng simbahan , sila ay nasa  beach din, restaurant, events venue, lugar ng mga casino tulad ng Las Vegas, basketball court, etc. kung saan ay ginagawa ang Christian ceremony. Ang problema nga lang dito ay ang pirmahan sa “contract” na walang expiration dahil ang ibang nagpapakasal ay nadala lang ng damdamin kaya makalipas lang ang ilang buwan o taon ay nag-uumbagan ang “magsing-irog”  dahil walang maisaing na bigas o di kaya ay dahil sa selos!

On Life, Love, Faith, and Death

By Apolinario Villalobos

Nobody chose to be born. The new life developed in the womb of the woman is the result of her copulation with a man, done either with love or just plain lust. That is why there are so-called “bundle of love or joy” of married couple some of whom sign divorce papers after five years or a little more of companionship, or “unwanted child” of a rape victim. When the fetus is delivered into the world as an infant, its innocence and fragility make it helpless in the hands of the people who take care of it. Lucky are those who are born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth, but, woe to those born of impoverished mother whose dry and wrinkled breast cannot provide even a single drop of milk.

There is a very popular counsel from the religious conscience groups which says, “…thank the Lord for the life He gave, and that He alone can also take back…” which implies that He is responsible for all the life on earth. They add that man should do the rest to survive as God also gave him intelligence. If this is so, can man be blamed if he decides to do the easiest-to-do crimes?  If a criminal committed rape and murder resulting to the distress of the victim’s loved ones, why can’t he be penalized justly, instead of being “rehabilitated”  which the God-fearing human rights groups are insisting, when there is no guarantee that he will not repeat such vicious acts and eventually claim more victims? As the choice to commit crimes is man’s decision, God has nothing to do with it, hence, His will is not being violated, so that whatever corporal penalty imposed on the criminal is just appropriate. On the other hand, if man is pre-destined, why work hard, if everybody is destined for his or her place in this world as willed by God?

I have heard stories of people struggling for a better life and even witnessed some of them doing all the best they can to provide decent meals to their families three times a day. The desperate are pushed by circumstances to commit crime. The weak who cannot bear the suffering commit suicide. Along this line, many valedictorians and summa cum laudes are beaten to better and best opportunities by those who have barely earned passing grades in college…proof that “being at the right place, at the right time” really works and not the “God-given intelligence”. In other words, shall we go back again to the presumption that God willed man to live according to His plan?

On the other hand, many disease-ridden patients who are suffering for long are not given the choice to “rest” for good. It is against the law of the land, governments would say. It is against God’s will, the religious groups would say. In the first place, if it is not the choice of man to be born, why not give him the option to end his life if he finds that the world is not for him or if he feels that he is already exhausted or burned out…having done everything even for the sake of others? Most especially, why burden for instance, the family of a dying man with mounting hospital and drug bills just because choosing to die translates to committing a sin? Why wait until the hopelessly sick man has become comatose before a doctor may give consent to the family to unplug the machine that makes his heart beat, as he is already brain-dead?

I would like to make it clear that I am thankful for my life, though I did not choose to be born, and this dissertation is not meant to influence others to leave their religious communities. I know that so many humans have the same confusing questions that I have stated earlier. I am just being loud about them, while they may have chosen to be quiet. What I ask is of them at this juncture, is to do what is universally accepted as good, based especially, on the simple Golden Rule…be they, are atheist or religiously zealot human beings who believe every word uttered by their preacher. Just do good and nothing shall definitely go awry…

LIVING IN THE MIDST OF VARIOUS FAITHS AND ETHICS

By Apolinario Villalobos

Personally, I believe that there can be harmony in diversity for as long as the relationship is founded on tolerance, understanding and compassion. One manifestation of this harmony is the celebration of Christmas even by non-Christians, and I have observed this in the Islamic Center in Quiapo (Manila) where many Muslim homes display Christmas tree during December. When I was in high school, many non-Christians students were proudly sporting the school uniform of our parochial Catholic school.

Tolerance begets respect and understanding. Such attitude is devoid of selfishness and egoism. A feeling of superiority is also not harbored in the heart. With tolerance, members of the community do not pay attention to which church their neighbors go on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Respect, though, should be shown to the utmost, especially, on the aspect of diet, so that in a culturally and religiously diversified community, restaurant owners take the pain of gluing on conspicuous space of the wall a notice about their food being “halal”.

A former classmate based in our province intoned during our cellphone conversation about his having a “personal God” which he claims does not drive him away from the faith of his birth. It is just that, by maintaining this kind of belief, he can be more tolerant about others’ faith. It is like saying, “leave me alone with my God and I will leave you with yours”. According to him, what spoils religions and sects is their being “institutionalized” which makes each of them competitive, as they vie for expanded membership. Along that line, it cannot be avoided that religions and sects would be compared with each other, so that prospective members can “choose” which is “better” or “best”…..and that is when trouble develops. An unsolicited advice is for these groups not to be too loud about their faith and just show their best “angle” by being tolerant and being nice to others.

On the other hand, if the government is not too conscious of the issue on separation between the State and the Church, somehow, there will be harmony. It is true that it is provided in the Law of the Land, the Constitution, but why not give a chance to the “unwritten rules” dictated by the heart and common sense?  For instance, as the various religious communities have more viability as regards morality which goes with spirituality, their strength can prop up the effort of the government in building up the welfare of the Filipino youth.

As regards the youth, there are many “homes” administered by the religious groups and most of them are in dire need of financial and material support. Meanwhile, the social workers who work in the government facilities are limited on what they learned from books. If molding of the youth is the issue, there is a need to inject a spiritual element in this effort and the lay social workers cannot do that, but only the religious people. The youth cannot be considered successfully developed if their spiritual foundation which has got to do with morality is weak and crumbling that may eventually result to their becoming disgraceful citizens of the nation.

There was a time when the miserable situation of the young detainees in a local government rehabilitation facility was exposed. Such disclosure was underscored by the misuse of budget as it was found out that the detainees were not fed properly. In this regard, lay administrators do not give a damn if they are found to be irresponsible as they have ways to avoid prosecution of the earthly court. On the other hand, the religious people may think twice before misbehaving as part of their guidance is about suffering in hell if they exploit their fellow creatures!

Simpleng Tanong na Ikinahiyang Itanong ng Iba:

May Loud Speaker o Sound System

Na Kaya Noong Panahon ni Moses?

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Huwag sanang magalit sa akin ang makakabasa ng titulo lang. Hindi ako namimilosopo dahil ang tanong ko ay simple at maaaring kinahihiya lang na itanong ng ibang nagbabasa ng Bibliya dahil baka pag-isipan silang “simple minded”…o bobo. Hindi ko rin kinokontra ang Bibliya dahil isa ito sa pinakapaborito ko, pati Koran, Webster Dictionary, at National Geographic.

Kaya ako nagtatanong nito ay hindi ko maunawaan kung paanong narinig halimbawa si Moses ng libo-libong mga Israelitas na tumakas mula sa Ehipto at naglakbay sa disyerto sa loob ng 40 taon hanggang sa sila ay pumirmi sa “Pinangakong Lupain”. Hinati ang mga Israelita sa 12 na tribu noong nagreklamo si Moses sa tinawag niyang “Lord”. Nahirapan siya sa pamamahala sa kanila dahil sa katigasan ng kanilang ulo na humahantong sa maingay na pagreklamo. Upang mabawasan ang kanyang pasanin ay pinasailalim ang mga tribu sa kani-kanilang “prinsipe”. Subalit ito ay nangyari sa bandang huling yugto na lang ng kanilang paglalakbay sa disyerto. Ganoon pa man, kahit nahati na sila, malaking hindi hamak pa rin ang kanilang mga numerong daan-daang libo. Kung sa grupo ngang wala pang isang libo ang mga miyembro ay hindi na nagkakarinigan, paano na kung daan-daang libong katao pa?

May isinasaad sa Bibliya na gumamit daw sila ng tambuli at bawat tribu ay may kanya-kanyang uri ng tunog nito. May mga tunog ding naghuhudyat ng dapat nilang gawin tulad ng pagtigil sa paglakad, pagtayo at pagbaklas ng tent nila at ng tabernakulo, pagsimula uli ng lakad, etc., pero sapat na kaya ang tunog ng tambuli o trumpeta? Kung walang loud speaker, gumamit kaya sila ng “message relay system”, isang sistema na pagpasa ng mga mensahe mula sa nakarinig na nasa unahan at nagsasabi sa mga nasa likod nila, na pinapasa naman nila sa nasa likuran nila, hanggang makarating sa mga nasa pinakalikurang bahagi?

Kung ginabayan sila ng “pillar of fire” o sa literal na translation ay isang animo’y “nag-aapoy na haligi” kung gabi, at sa araw naman ay ulap na animo ay nagliliwanag….. ang mga ito kaya ang nakatulong upang magkarinigan sila…paano?

Noong nagsalita si Hesus sa isang burol kung saan ay nagkaroon ng milagro na pagkasya ng pagkain para sa mga libo-libong tagasunod niya mula sa iilang piraso ng isda at tinapay, gumamit kaya siya ng mikropono upang marinig ng lahat ang mga sinabi niya? Kung sumigaw man siya sa pagsalita, umalingawngaw kaya ang kanyang boses kahit walang mikropono upang marinig ng lahat?

 Maraming sinasabing milagrong nangyari noong panahon ng Bibliya na pinaniniwalaan ng mga nanalig, subalit ang tila nakaligtaan ay ang aspeto ng komunikasyon, lalo na kung paanong magkarinigan ang mga daan-daang libong tao kung magsalita ang kanilang mga lider at nang panahong namahagi ng kanyang mga salita si Hesus.

Marami pa yatang sikreto sa archive ng Vatican ang hindi pa naipapamahagi sa mga nananampalataya upang hindi masira ang tiwala nila sa mga namumuno, lalo na sa santo papa.

Dapat nating isaalang-alang na hindi kawalan ng tiwala o pananampalataya ang pagtatanong bagkus ito ay nangangahulugan ng interes sa panig ng nagtatanong. Paano mo halimbawang mamahalin ang isang tao kung hindi mo lubusang kilala ang kanyang pagkatao? O di kaya ay, papaano mong masasabing ligtas na kainin ang isang pagkaing hindi pamilyar sa yo kung hindi mo aalamin kung ito ba ay nakaka-allergy, or nakaka-LBM (nakakatae o loose bowel movement), etc?

Ramon Gantang, Jr.:  Wakes Up at 5:00AM

To Prepare Jesus Christ Majesty "Chapel"

By Apolinario Villalobos

It was a Sunday, almost seven in the morning and I just arrived in Sta. Cruz, struggling with a box full of notebooks, books, pre-used copies of Bible and pens for the Jesus Christ Majesty “chapel” along F. Torres. I was hoping against hope that it would be open that early. The service was yet to start at 10:30AM, but I expect the venue to be ready because of the musical instruments that had to be set up. I was downhearted when I found the folding gate closed though the chairs which were stacked up were obviously ready for their usual arrangement, but the musical instruments were already set up.

Luckily, when I tried calling, a smiling guy peeped from the far end of the corridor. He approached the closed gate and after I introduced myself, he opened it and invited me in. Still smiling, he introduced himself as “Jay R”. Excusing himself, he went out in haste and after several minutes, was back with two styro cups of coffee. I was glad that he was told beforehand by Sister Mayette about my plan to drop by, preferably on a Sunday, in time for their worship.

I looked around and could not help myself from getting amazed at how Jay R could singlehandedly transform the big room, from its “carenderia” setting into a “chapel”, with all the musical instruments such as, keyboard, drum set, and the stacks of chairs. He confirmed my assumption that he wakes up as early as 5AM.

Jay R’s story is about a journey from another denomination towards the flock of Pastor Allan and Sister Mayette Guerrero at the Jesus Christ Majestry Ministry. It all started two years ago when he found about the humble New Christian ministry in the midst of a busy section between Ongpin and Sta. Cruz. That was the time when he got employed at the Philippine Ports Authority with the help of the couple, who are also with the same government agency. Just like other spiritually restless souls, the Divine Providence guided him towards the humble house of worship.

Pastor Allan and Sister Mayette, further helped him by offering the office which doubles as a “Sunday School” for children, for his lodging. The office also serves as a repository for their scant reading materials, as well as, the musical instruments. This arrangement eventually, proved to be convenient for Jay R who used to commute from his job at the port area to Quezon City. At 49 today, he serves as the ministry’s in-house overall Coordinator, Secretary, and on worship days, as a “Worship Leader”.

The twinkle in Jay R’s eyes shows that he enjoys what he does on the day that he was supposed to be resting or just killing time around the city, after the tedious job of receiving and transferring calls.

Evangelists Should Dwell on Virtues Rather than

Supposedly “Weaknesses and Sins” of Rival Religions

By Apolinario Villalobos

I cannot comprehend how some “evangelists” can have the heart to lambast rival religions or sects by citing their supposedly “weaknesses” and “sins”. With arrogance, these “evangelists” delight in mocking them in front of TV cameras and microphones in radio stations. In the first place, these “evangelists” are in no way, have the right in pointing their dirty and accusing finger at other churches. Who are they to judge, anyway? Proudly, they hold up in the air, their “bible” as the source of their accusations.

Obviously, these unfair and egoistic “evangelists” who translate Bible passages literally have outdated information about it, as it is no longer viewed as “unchanging” and “reliable” due to discovered inconsistencies by no less than authorities of different churches. Despite such findings, however, for the sake of maintaining the staunch belief of the faithful, the Bible is still held in high esteem by the “sane” and “reasonable”, or better, “intelligent” evangelists who emphasize its essence around which revolve virtues taught by Jesus. Their effort is commendable in dwelling on the goodness and relevance of brotherhood, implying that despite differences, many religions worship only One God.

The proud, loud, and blubber-mouthed “evangelists”, on the other hand, are the reasons why animosity developed among religions and their sects. Instead of espousing the virtues such as love, compassion, charity, etc. – all positive, and innately common among the faithful, they insanely and with animated hand gestures, yet, proudly claim that they have successfully “exposed” anomalies in rival religions. These proud “evangelists” obviously failed to realize that ALL religions and their sects have their respective “uniqueness” in manifesting their faith which comes in different ceremonies and rituals. On the other hand, the arrogant “evangelists” claim that only they have the right to salvation, as though, they are God’s chosen people!

I may offend fanatics but for me, it is immaterial whether Jesus is the Son of God or one of the Prophets sent by God, because the focus should be on his teachings, as those of Mohammed, the Buddha, the various Saints, etc., who not only revealed God’s messages, but act out what are uttered by their lips.

True Faith Does Not Need a Grandiose House of Worship

By Apolinario Villalobos

True faith regardless of leaning is found in one’s heart and not impressed upon a person by ceremonies in a grandiose house of worship. One need not go to an impressive church or cathedral full of antique icons to show that he or she has a strong faith in God.  If God is All Knowing… in other words, Omnipotent, He should be able to hear the faithful who prays even under a tree while resting after toiling his rice field, or out in a field while harvesting vegetables, or out in the open sea, while casting his net.

Instead of spending money for the expansion of an already comfortable house of worship that could accommodate the faithful, these “representatives of God on earth”, should instead build chapels in far-flung villages for an effective effort on spiritual outreach, as this is what God wants in the first place. As implied in the Bible, the shepherd is supposed to be herding the flock which can only be done if he goes to them, and not the other way around, in which the flock goes to the shepherd.

As regards the effort of the “shepherd” in going to the “flock”, this is true in the case of the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches. They have simply-built chapels in the midst of the less privileged such as slums and villages. Their house of worship is a simple chapel made of light materials. On the other hand, the “shepherds” of the “other churches” conduct spiritual service in the chapels and multi-purpose halls of subdivisions that are conveniently and comfortably visited in a car. Commendable also is the effort of New Christian evangelists who make do with open spaces, vacant stalls that saw good old days as stores, old garage, etc. which they convert into house of worship.

Along this line, “shepherding of flocks” should result to closeness between the “shepherd” and the “flocks” for better spiritual administration. But how can some of these supposedly “shepherds” develop close affinity with their “flocks” if they are pulled out from their assigned “religious territory” after a certain number of years of “duty” which is akin to a wordly or temporal corporate operation? Is not “shepherding of flocks” supposed to be a spiritual advocacy? How can these “fathers” be able to effectively reach out to their “children” if after a certain number of years, there is a switching of posts? Questions…questions…questions…that can lead one into asking more, but which hypocrites view as signs of faithlessness.

Lack of “shepherds” is not a plausible alibi why it is necessary to centralize the worship in a parish church or cathedral. Why not train volunteer catechists in villages, so that even simple sharing of the Words can be made? On the other hand, while “religious groups” are practically teeming in any parish, they are observed to be occupied only in social bonding and prayer meetings, as well as, attendance of church activities. For any one or two, or several members of these “religious groups” to have even attempted to conduct catechism in a slum or a barrio is a big question.

Again, there is a nagging question as to who among these supposedly “shepherds” or church “heads” are willing to do the task of reaching out to their far-flung “flocks” when they even consider the one day/week rest a necessity since, as they insist, they are only humans who need to rest. But why not come up with a schedule for a 7 days/week “duty”, such that while the “leader” takes a day- off on a certain day, the “assistant”, can take his on another day…thereby, leaving no gap in the their spiritual administration? Why must the two take their day off at the same day?

I was prompted to write this blog after a friend told me that she “loves” to attend a Mass in the Cathedral near their home because the “ambience” is very different…very captivating, and that by just closing her eyes makes her cry!  By the way, this lady friend hired a fourteen-year old girl from their province, and whom she pays one thousand five hundred pesos a month wage. The housegirl serves the family of six – the woman and her husband, and their four children. The woman also “lovingly” calls the housegirl “punyeta” and “tanga”, which I heard when I visited her several times.  One time, the housegirl told me discreetly that she has no day off. So there’s our “faithful” woman who cries a river inside a cathedral because of its ambience…what a faith! 

Ang Iba’t-Ibang Kasilbihan sa Buhay ng Tao

…nagtatanong lang naman

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ano ang silbi ng magaling na abogado kung ang kanyang kaalaman ay binabayaran ng mga tiwali sa pamahalaan, mga big time drug dealers, illegal recruiters, landgrabbers, at iba pa upang maabsuwelto sa mga kaso, o di kaya ay binabayaran ng mga talagang may kasalanan upang ang walang sala na walang pambayad sa isang abogado ay makulong?

Ano ang silbi ng katalinuhan ng isang tao kung gagamitin niya ito upang manloko ng kapwa, o di kaya ay upang makapasok sa larangan ng pulitika kung saan ay nagmimistula na siyang demonyo dahil sa walang tigil na pagyurak sa karapatan ng kanyang kapwa na nagluklok sa kanya sa puwesto upang sana ay makatulong, subalit, kabaligtaran ang ginawa?

Ano ang silbi ng naaaaapaaakahabang dasal, ganoong ang gusto lang namang hingin ng nagdadasal ay yaman “pa more”, di kaya ay kapahamakan ng kapwa na sinasabayan pa ng pagtitik ng kandila?

Ano ang silbi ng dasal na maganda pa ang pagka-kuwadro sa mga facebook na nila-like at sini-share, kung ang gumagawa ng mga ito ay hanggang doon lang ang gusto – ang mag-admire lang sa prayer na maganda ang pagka-layout at may background pa, at ang iba ay may accompanying music pa kung i-like, sa halip na bigyan ito ng buhay sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng nakasaad sa sinasabi? (maski ilang milyong beses pang mag-share ng “love your neighbor” ang isang taong hindi nagbabago ng masamang ugali, wala ring silbi ang ginawa niya).

Ano ang silbi ng malalaking simbahan kung may araw na sarado ang pinto nila dahil ang mga nangangasiwa sa mga ito ay nag day-off?

Ano ang silbi ng mga sinasabi ng bagong santo papa ng Romano Katoliko para sa pagbabago ng ilang mga “pastol” o mga pari kung hindi naman sila sumusunod?

Ano ang silbi ng K-12 program na nagdudulot ng bangungot sa mga magulang kung hanggang  Grade 9 lang ang kaya nilang tustusan, kaya bagsak pa rin ang mga anak nila sa mga contractual na trabaho na sumusweldo ng 200-300 pesos sa isang araw? (nagsayang lang ang mga bata ng dalawang taon na ginugol sa Grade 7- 8, na dapat sana ay katumbas na ng diploma ng high school).

Ano ang silbi ng Kongreso at Senado kung hindi rin lang sila makapagpasa ng mga batas na “angkop” sa mga kasalukuyang sitwasyon at pangangailangan, dahil mga batas lamang na nakakatulong sa pagtagal nila sa poder ang kanilang inaapura?

Ano ang silbi ng demokrasya kung mismong mga namumuno ay pasimuno sa pag-abuso ng mga karapatan ng mga mamamayan?