•A3 Pope: Advent leads

•B1 Caring for Mt. Isarog:

•C1 The Cross
A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI and
to life and love A response to God’s call
the Order of the Knights of Columbus

Palawan prelate bewails entry www.cbcpnews.com cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net Cardinal urges Arroyo to

of more mining companies help Calatagan farmers
THE country’s “last frontier” may soon become THE head of Manila’s Catholic Church appealed
the Philippines’ “lost frontier” with the surge of to President Gloria Arroyo to help farmers from
mining companies entering Palawan. Calatagan, Batangas protesting the conversion
Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo said he of 507-hectares of land in their province into a
has not stopped issuing pastoral statements and mining site.
leading the people in rallies opposing mining Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
operations in the area. Cardi- nal Rosales, in a letter,
In an interview with Ra- asked for Arroyo’s interven-
dio Veritas, the prelate said tion like what she did for the
the Palawan Council for
Protagonist of Truth, Promoter of Peace “peace- ful resolution” of the
Sustainable Develop- Sumilao land case early this
ment plans to declare December 8 - 28, 2008 Vol. 12 No. 25 Php 20.00 Farmers / A6
Mining / A6

Religious leaders pray for end

of hostilities at yuletide season
By Mark S. Ventura
A GROUP of Imams, Pastors and Priests in Davao
City together with religious and lay people joined
together on December 8 in praying for an end to
hostilities in Mindanao especially during the yule-
tide season.
The religious leaders prayed for the attainment of peace and rec-
onciliation even as they renewed their prayer for the cessation of all
hostilities and for the creation of a culture of peace where diverse
voices can be confidently expressed and sincerely heard.
“O God/Allah, we pray that the leaders of the government of the
Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) be so guided that peace talks in whatever means or
levels be reopened for the sake of our present world and the future
children,” they said.
The religious leaders also prayed that kidnapping and any form of
violence against families, against resources and against the environ-
ment be stopped because these will only endanger the attainment
of peace and development.
“O God/Allah, we pray that the struggle for self-determination,
especially of the Bangsamoro and the Lumads be protected and as-
Religious leaders / A6
RP human rights
situation ‘shameful’
THE head of the Catholic Bishops’ Confer-
ence of the Philippines (CBCP) said he is
deeply disappointed by the state of human
rights in the country today.
CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop
Angel Lagdameo described as “shameful”
the reported cases of human rights viola-
tions under the present administration.
Lagdameo made the statement as the
world marked the 60th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
on December 10.
He even related the recent victory of
boxing champ Manny Pacquiao over Oscar
de la Hoya as the accompanying event for
the country’s celebration of Human Rights
Day.
Both celebrations, he said, have something
for the Filipinos because the latter “makes us
proud to be Filipinos, to be identified with
the victorious Pacman.”
“The former, however, gives us a feeling
of shame and embarrassment because of the
innumerable human rights violations that
have remained unexamined, unexplained
and unsolved or covered up by events,”
Lagdameo said.
‘Shameful’ / A6 Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo

CBCP issues new pastoral letter on environment UST rector calls

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a
new pastoral letter on environment 20
years after the landmark pastoral letter
titled “What is happening to our beauti-
ful land?”
Signed by CBCP President Angel N.
Lagdameo November 5, 2008 the Pas-
toral Letter was released December 8,
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, by
CBCP Secretary General, Msgr. Juanito
Figura.
Irresponsible Mining
The new pastoral letter notes that the
country’s mining industry has “a poor
record of community accountability” as
mining companies “have systematically
engaged in the rape of Mother Earth and
left a legacy of impoverished communi-
ties and environmental despoliation.”
It outlines the government’s uncon-
trolled and poorly-regulated extraction
and exploitation of mineral resources
that have threatened other resources
because it has “very little regard for long-
term developmental goals, [since] most
of the mining projects issued Environ-
mental Compliance Certificate without
for a new brand
securing the Free Prior and Informed
Consent of the affected communities.” of people power
The Mining Act of 1995 encourages
A RANKING official of the Univer-
the exploitation by granting priority
sity of Santo Tomas (UST) has called
access rights to water and timber. Com-
for a new brand of people power
munities are slowly eased out of their
so that “change” will come to the
land as expansion sites granted with
country.
mining permits and clearances affect
UST rector Fr. Rolando dela Rosa

Church official deplores ‘commercialization’ of Christmas

considerable portions of land utilized
said that like in the United States
for agriculture, the statement read.
of America, change can happen in
“We should be reminded that the
the Philippines if the youth will use
IT was early November, Christmas was still almost two Church’s mission includes offering
their numbers to vote in the 2010
months away, but one would think it’s near with all the people and opportunity not to have
elections.
decorations already out. more but to be more by awakening
Dela Rosa made the statement
It used to seem like stores would wait until the first their conscience through the Gospel,”
during his speech at the launching
Sunday of advent to bring out the Christmas gear, but each the bishops said.
of the voters’ registration project
year it seems to come earlier and earlier. The bishops encouraged people to
called “Bagong Bida be the change
This is all part of a trend to “commercialize Christmas,” learn from Indigenous Filipinos “who
Botanteng Pilipino-Magpalista Ka!”
said an official of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church. managed their forests in a sustainable
at UST campus in Manila.
Fr Genaro Diwa, head of the Archdiocese of Manila’s way for hundreds and thousands of
He said that what happened in the
Ministry of Liturgical Affairs, lamented that big corpora- years.” They added alternatives includ-
USA could also be replicated in the
tions, only interested in money, have tried to put a price ing agro-forestry and ecotourism that
Philippines if the youth will only use
tag on the holiday. can still provide jobs and food without
their power come election time.
He said Christmas is no longer associated with the birth endangering the people’s lives and
“The slogan ‘Change has come to
of Jesus Christ, like it is intended to be. environment.
America’ became a reality because
“So much of the commercialism has weakened the In the pastoral letter, the Church
young people let their voices be
meaning of the Advent Season and that’s why for many joins the collective and continuous call
heard. Change can also come to the
people, Christmas is tiresome, Christmas is confusion,” against the “uncontrollable plunder” of
Philippines if you—our youth will
Diwa said. natural resources as it calls on a mora-
begin moving now. Let your voices
He cited as an example of the strength of commercialism in torium on mining activities “until the
be heard,” Dela Rosa said.
the designs of the massive malls in the country that are enticing government and the mining companies
“Remember, number is power.
shoppers to buy Christmas gifts in a bid to feel Christmas. learn to uphold the right of the indig-
You, our youth, have the number.
“Whether you like it or not, the malls are forcing their enous peoples, compensate the affected
Use it, and let it remind us, your
commodities to us. It’s not that they are forcing the spirit communities for past damages, and
elders, that you, indeed, are the hope
of Christmas. It is them reminding us to empty our pockets ensure responsible mining activities.”
of our motherland,” he added.
as soon as possible,” he said. The UST rector underscored that
“With the fever that is all over, even the spiritual side is Illegal Logging
the best manifestation of people
weakened if we are not discerning on this,” Diwa added. The pastoral letter also noted illegal
power is the power to vote.
In Manila alone, several malls and consumer shops and destructive logging which con-
“We believe that the most power-
have already begun putting up Christmas decorations in tributed to the “decimation of forest
ful expression of people power is not
their stores as early as October while Christmas carols can resources which causes loss of biodiver-
marching in the streets, mouthing
already be heard in radio stations and malls beginning sity, instability and massive erosion of
slogans, or denouncing politicians.
September. (Roy Lagarde) upland soils, serious damage to our riv-
People power / A7
Environment / A6
 A2 World News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

Vatican fighting battle of peace

VATICAN CITY, December 7, 2008—The Holy See’s battle for expansion of international humanitarian law, coherent with the
disarmament in the international community, especially the message Benedict XVI presented at the United Nations during
elimination of cluster bombs, is a battle of peace, says that a his visit to New York.”
Vatican spokesman. “[It is] a long journey,” the spokesman added, “always at the
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican’s service of the life and dignity of the human person.” (Zenit)
press office, commented on the Holy See’s ratification of the
international treaty prohibiting cluster bombs on the Vatican
Television program “Octava Dies.”
Nearly 100 countries ratified the treaty that aims at putting an
end to the use, manufacture and stockpiling of cluster bombs.
These weapons, the Jesuit priest explained, are “sadly fa-
mous not only for the victims they claim, also among civilians,
when they are used, but also for the fact that they often do not
explode for a long period of time and so kill innocent people
years later.”
“The Holy See has been active from the beginning in this
battle of peace, having been among the group of six countries

© www.flickr.com/photos/17507336@N00/
that first promoted it at an international level. It is an indica-
tion of a concrete commitment on the disarmament front,” he
observed.
In his remarks on the occasion of the signing of the treaty,
the secretary for Vatican relations with states, Archbishop Do-
minique Mamberti, noted that even in the midst of the present
economic and financial crisis the “military budgets and spending
are unfortunately growing at an alarming pace.”
In this context, Father Lombardi continued, “the Holy See
consistently makes its contribution to the reinforcement and

Moscow Patriarch Aleksij II dies Pope names Cañizares

to succeed Arinze at the
MOSCOW, Russia, December 5, 2008—The head of the Russian
Orthodox Church, Patriarch Aleksij II, has died at the age of 79. The
Patriarchate did not give a reason for his death but he had been sick

Vatican sacraments post

for some time.
Aleksij became Patriarch of all Russia in 1990, the first head of the
Church elected without the influence of the Russian government.
He was credited with helping restore the freedom and moral au-
thority of the Russian Orthodox Church after decades of repression VATICAN CITY, December 9, 2008—Pope Benedict XVI an-
under communism, but many priests who had been arrested and nounced on Tuesday that he has accepted the resignation of
sent to the gulag accused him of being a spy for the Soviet secret Cardinal Francis Arinze as prefect of the Congregation for Di-
police (KGB). vine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He is being
He was seen as a supporter of Putin’s New Russia. succeeded by Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera.
In relation to the Catholic Church he always refused to meet Pope Cardinal Arinze was appointed to head the Congregation
John Paul II, pointing the finger at alleged “proselytising” by Rus- on October 1, 2002 by Pope John Paul II and has served in the
sian Catholics. position for the last six years.
Catholic-Orthodox ecumenism was substantially held back under The prefect of the Congregation oversees the regulation
his leadership. (AsiaNews) and promotion of the sacred liturgy, with an emphasis on the
sacraments.

Scottish cardinal leaves helm of

agency after gay adoptions imposed
Cardinal Keith O’Brien
Bolivian lawmaker announces plan to tax Masses
LA PAZ, Bolivia, December 8,
2008—The Bolivian media is
reporting that after the vote on
the country’s new Constitution
on January 25, the government of
Evo Morales will consider a plan
to tax the Church for the Masses
that are offered at the request of
the faithful.
Jorge Silva, a spokesman for
Socialist lawmakers, said, “The
money-making part of the faith
must be separated from the so-
cial work that the Church carries
out.” “We don’t know what the
social work is that the Church car-
ries out because everything costs
money. Priests don’t do anything The cathedral in La Paz, Bolivia
for free,” he added.
Silva went on to say that in the current Constitution, the Church
enjoys privileges and that with the new one, “The Catholic Church
will cease to be the official religion of the State and, as a consequence,
will lose privileges, and as a provider of services, it will have to pay
taxes for example.”
Ahead of trial against faithful of Thai Ha, Catholics welcome a new bishop
HANOI, Vietnam, December 8,
2008—All over Vietnam, Catho-
lic faithful prayed “for justice
and peace” especially during
the Episcopal ordination of
Lawrence Chu Van Minh, the
new auxiliary bishop of Hanoi,
who is assuming his post days
before the trial of eight faithful
of the parish of Thai Ha.
Last October 15, the Pope
appointed Ngo Quang Kiet,
archbishop of Hanoi, as the pri-
mary celebrant of the ordination.
Together with him, the twenty
other bishops participated in the
ceremony, including the presi-
dent of the Vietnamese Bish-
ops Conference, Nguyen Van
Nhon, the cardinal archbishop of
Saigon, JB. Pham Minh Man, and
the archbishop of Hué, Stephen
EDINBURGH, United Kingdom, Decem-
ber 8, 2008— Cardinal Keith O’Brien has
resigned as head of the St. Andrew’s Chil-
dren’s Society following the implementation
of a U.K. law requiring adoption agencies to
serve homosexual couples.
The Sexual Orientation Regulations under
the Equality Act enacted by the U.K. parlia-
ment are forcing the change. They outlaw
discrimination on the basis of sexual orienta-
tion in the provision of goods and services.
“Following careful consideration, Car-
dinal Keith O’Brien has decided to resign
his position as President of the St. Andrews
Children’s Society Ltd,” the Archdiocese of
St. Andrews and Edinburgh said in a state-
ment to CNA.
specific work to bear the name Catholic or belong to the Catholic Church
for it to mean it does not pay taxes, but this is not the case. Schools,
universities, the works of the Church pay taxes. Consequently, objec-
tive and truthful information needs to be shared in order to prevent
unnecessary controversies as much as possible,” he said. (CNA)
Nguyen Nhu The.
At least 20,000 people were pres-
ent during the ordination together
with a thousand priests, nuns, and
seminarians, demonstrating the
faith of the Vietnamese people.
“Catholicism is the religion
of love,” Bishop Chu Van Minh
tells AsiaNews. “Here, love
means doing good things for
the people. We are close to the
joys and sorrows of the people,
who do not need nice words
right now, but the testimony of
love.” “We are at the service of
the people, of the disadvantaged
children, of our brothers and
sisters, and the country under-
stands that this service is done
out of love for Jesus.”
In this context, the new aux-
iliary bishop recounted the trial Auxiliary bishop Lawrence Chu Van Minh
Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop of St. An-
drews and Edinburgh, explained in a statement
that the society was founded by the Catholic
Church in the archdiocese about 85 years ago,
but became independent 16 years ago.
“It has not received any funding from the
Catholic Church or used any church build-
ings or facilities since then,” he stated.
“The interests of children must always be
paramount and I would hope that the staff
of St. Andrews Children’s Society Ltd. will
continue to work to ensure this in the years
that lie ahead.”
The archdiocese informed CNA that a
monsignor who is a board member of the
Children’s Society will also step down from
the board. (CNA)
The communications director
of the Bishops’ Conference of
Bolivia, Jose Rivera, responded
by saying the Church does not
enjoy special privileges and that
two years ago the bishops laid out
their position about article three
of the Constitution which suppos-
edly establishes them.
He noted that the bishops
“called for a revision of that arti-
cle precisely to avoid these kinds
of misunderstandings.” He also
added that the Church carries out
social work in areas unreachable
by the State.
“The Church in Bolivia pays
taxes,” Silva said. “Sometimes it’s
easy to think that it’s enough for a
that will begin on December 8.
Charged with “destruction of
property” and “disturbance of
public order” are eight Catholics
who participated in the prayer
vigils organized by the parish of
Thai Ha, to obtain the restitution
of illegally confiscated church
property.
The parish has announced a
prayer vigil on their behalf tomor-
row. A statement about the vigil
says that they are “witnesses of
justice and truth, who have never
violated the law and have been
arrested and charged unjustly.”
The initiative of Thai Ha follows
a letter from Archbishop Kiet, ask-
ing the faithful to pray “for these
brothers and sisters who, with
courage, are witnessing to justice
and truth.” (AsiaNews)
Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera
Pope Benedict has appointed Cardinal Antonio Cañizares
Llovera, who until today was the archbishop of Toledo, Spain,
to take the reins from Cardinal Arinze. At 63 years-old Cardinal
Cañizares is a young cardinal, having only been given the red
hat in 2006.
According to reports in the Spanish press, Cañizares will serve
as the apostolic administrator of Toledo until a successor is ap-
pointed. The cardinal told the press that he will shuttle between
the two positions during the transition period.
The Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference
(CEE), Bishop Juan Antonio Martínez Camino, has responded to
the appointment by sending a congratulatory letter to Cardinal
Cañizares. The Spanish bishops congratulated him “in particular
for the confidence that the Holy Father has shown in him by
calling him to work closely with him in the government of the
Universal Church.” (CNA)
Church groups join in raising
AIDS awareness
DHAKA, Bangladesh, December 8, 2008—Caritas, World Vision
and other NGOs rallied in Dhaka on World AIDS Day to raise
awareness of the dangers HIV and AIDS present.
About 10,000 people gathered on Dec. 1 at the south plaza
of the parliament building and then moved to the Bangladesh-
China Friendship Center, where about 20 stalls distributed
literature about AIDS and the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) that usually leads to it.
Joakim Gomes, a Caritas official who attended the event,
told UCA News the temporary blocking of the highway by
the crowd helped draw public attention and thus inform more
people about HIV and AIDS. He said a large proportion of the
public still lack basic information about the danger involved
and how HIV is transmitted.
The Caritas official said rally participants wore T-shirts pro-
duced by their respective organizations and sang songs.
Staff of Caritas Bangladesh, the Catholic Church’s national
social-service agency, held banners and wore T-shirts warning
of the dangers of AIDS. World Vision Bangladesh, the national
unit of a worldwide Christian charity and development orga-
nization, ran a stall.
Other events and meetings also marked the annual obser-
vance.
According to government figures reported in the media, 42
people died of AIDS in 2008 while 111 people developed the
syndrome and 288 were diagnosed HIV-positive. From 1989
until 2008, 1,449 persons were identified as HIV-positive, 476
developed AIDS and 165 died.
Although the government figures indicate HIV and AIDS
are not major problems in this country of 150 million people,
the speakers expressed concern that if steps are not taken to
control the spread of HIV, the situation could get much worse.
(UCAN)
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
News Features A3

Pope: Advent leads to life and love

VATICAN CITY, December 7, 2008—Advent represents for the and resurrection, fulfilled the ancient promises, revealing a deeper
Christian an exodus from the world of sin and death to that of life and more universal perspective.
and love, says Benedict XVI. “He inaugurated an exodus that was no longer a merely earthly,
Before praying the Angelus today with those gathered in St. Peter’s historical, and as such provisional, exodus, but one that was radical
Square, the Pope called the liturgical season “a time of openness to and definitive: the passage from the kingdom of evil to the Kingdom
God’s future.” of God, from the dominion of sin and death to that of love and life.”
“In the Advent liturgy,” he explained, “there resounds a mes- “Christian hope,” he said, “transcends the legitimate desire for
sage full of hope, which invites us to lift up our gaze to the ultimate a social and political liberation, because that what Jesus began is
horizon, but at the same time to recognize the signs of God-with-us a new humanity that comes ‘from God,’ but that at the same time
in the present.” germinates on our earth, to the extent that it lets itself be impregnated
The Pontiff said that just as in the Old Testament, when God liber- by the Spirit of the Lord.”
ated the Israelites from “bitter exile in Babylon,” during Advent the “Justice and peace, in fact, are God’s gift, but they require men
Lord speaks “to the heart of his people and, through them, to the and women who are ‘good soil,’ ready to receive the good seed of
whole of humanity, to proclaim salvation.” his Word,” the Pope added.

© www.crossroadsinitiative.com
“For populations worn out by misery and hunger, for throngs While the Holy Father affirmed Jesus to be “the first fruit of this
of refugees, for those who suffer grave and systematic violations new humanity,” he said Mary “is the ‘way’ that God himself pre-
of their rights, the Church is as a sentinel on the mountain of faith pared for his coming into the world.”
and she announces to them: ‘Behold your God! The Lord your God The Pope continued: “With all her humility, Mary walks at the
comes in power,’” said the Holy Father. head of the new Israel in the exodus from every exile, from all op-
“This prophetic announcement,” continued Benedict XVI, “is real- pression, from every moral and material slavery, toward ‘the new
ized in Jesus Christ. He, with his preaching and then with his death heavens and the new earth, in which justice lives.’” (Zenit)

Pope: Mary reflects the Preacher offers St. Paul

as model for conversion
beauty that saves the world VATICAN CITY, December 5, 2008—The conversion of St. Paul
is for the Christian a model of true conversion, says Capuchin
Father Raniero Cantalamessa.
VATICAN CITY, December 8, 2008—In cel- tell the story of creation and the fall of the The preacher of the Pontifical Household said this today
ebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate first parents. upon delivering the first of a series of Advent sermons at the
Conception of Mary, Pope Benedict XVI “God created all that exists, in particular Vatican in the presence of Benedict XVI and the Roman Curia.
presided over the angelus prayer today at he has created human beings in his own im- The address was titled “But Whatever Gain I Had, I Counted
noon. The Pontiff said that this feast is a age, he did not cause death, but it entered as a Loss for the Sake of Christ.”
chance to “contemplate the reflection of the the world through the envy of the devil The series of meditations are centered on the theme “’When
Beauty who saves the world: the beauty of (Wisdom 1:13-14; 2,23-24), who rebelled the Fullness of Time Had Come, God Sent his Son, Born of a
God that shines on the face of Christ.” against God, and also deceived men, causing Woman: Going With St. Paul to Meet the Christ Who Comes.”
Thousands of pilgrims poured into St. Pe- them to rebel.” The next two sermons will be held Dec. 12 and 19.
ter’s Square today to pray the angelus with “It’s the drama of the freedom that God “The best explanation of St. Paul’s conversion,” the preacher
the Holy Father and hear his teaching on the picks us up out of love, pledging instead to began, “is the one he himself gives when he speaks of Christian
Virgin Mary. Pope Benedict described her, be a son of a woman who crushed the head baptism as being ‘baptized into the death of Christ’ -- ‘buried
saying, “this beauty is totally pure, humble, of the ancient serpent,” he said, adding that with him’ to rise with him and ‘walk in newness of life’ (cf. Ro-
free from arrogance and presumption.” This “the woman predestined to be Mother of mans 6:3-4). He relived in himself the paschal mystery of Christ,
is how the Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette the Redeemer, the mother of the One who around which, in turn, all his thought will revolve.”
in Lourdes, where she told the saint, “I am has been humiliated to bring us back to our Father Cantalamessa noted that, similar to Christ, Paul withdrew
the Immaculate Conception,” he reminded original dignity.” to the desert immediately after his baptism: “After being baptized
the faithful. “This Woman, in the eyes of God, has by Ananias, he withdrew to the desert of Arabia, namely, the desert
The Pope explained that the Solemnity of always had a face and a name: “full of around Damascus. Exegetes estimate that there were some 10 years
the Immaculate Conception of Mary recalls grace,” as she was called by the Angel of silence in Paul’s life between the event on the road to Damascus
two truths of the faith: the existence of origi- visitors to Nazareth. She is the new Eve, and the start of this public activity in the Church.
nal sin, and especially the victory of Christ the wife of Adam, made to be the mother of “The Apostle had a long novitiate; his conversion did not last
over evil, a victory that shines so sublimely all redeemed,” Pope Benedict said. He also a few minutes. And it is in this his kenosis; in this time of de-
in the form of the Virgin Mary. quoted from Saint Andrew of Crete who privation and silence that he accumulated that bursting energy
“The existence of what the Church calls said: “Mary Theotokos, the common refuge and light that one day would pour over the world.”
‘original sin’ is unfortunately overwhelm- of all Christians, was the first to be released The preacher explained there are two descriptions of Paul’s
ingly evident, if only we look around us and by early fall of our forefathers.” conversion: one that is objective and one that is subjective. That
within ourselves. The experience of evil is so The Holy Father also pointed to today’s is, one that describes the event from the outside, and Paul’s own
consistent that it arouses in us the question: liturgy, which says that God has “prepared a account that describes it from within. (Zenit)
where did it come from?” This question worthy dwelling for his son and, in anticipa-
becomes an “even more profound one” for tion of the death of him, has preserved from
the believer, the Pope noted. “If God, who is
absolute Kindness, has created everything,
every stain of sin.”
In keeping with tradition, Pope Benedict XVI Church spearheads ecology
advocacy in southern Philippines
where does evil come from?” he asked. will visit the Spanish Steps in Rome this after-
Benedict XVI explained that the answer is noon, where he will pay homage to the image
clear from the first pages of the Bible, which of the Immaculate Conception. (CNA)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, December 5, 2008—Malaybalay
Bishop Honesto Pacana said the fight of the Mamamayan Ayaw

Prelate hopeful of new US-based charity group sa Aerial Spraying (Maas) against aerial spraying in banana
plantations in Davao City is a moral fight for people who have
“less in life and, unfortunately, less in law.”

gov’t peace negotiator appeals for aid to help “This is about human dignity. This is about human rights
and justice for the common good. This is a moral issue because
anything that degrades the dignity of people is a moral issue,”
Pacana said.
MANILA, December
2, 2008—CBCP-Epis-
copal Commission
Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ
poor Filipinos Maas members and supporters have been camping out near
the local Court of Appeals (CA) building here to press the jus-
tices to resolve the case that banana growers in Davao City filed
on Interreligious MANILA, November 27, 2008—A US-based charitable institution has against an ordinance banning aerial spraying there.
Dialogue Chairman launched a worldwide appeal for aid to help impoverished Filipinos The ban against aerial spraying in Davao City was the second
and Cagayan de Oro especially those living in the rural areas. of such action against the use of chemicals, said to be a health
Archbishop Anto- The Catholic World Mission (CWM) said the appeal is part risk for people living close to agricultural plantations. Bukidnon
nio J. Ledesma, SJ is of another important outreach project to provide the poor with was the first to prohibit the use of aerial crop dusters in planta-
hopeful of the new what they need the most: emergency food and medicine ship- tions there.
government peace ments. Maas members said the CA should already decide on the case
negotiator and be- The agency said a lot of people living in rural filed by the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association
lieves that the con- areas have little or no access to health (PBGEA) against the Davao anti-aerial spraying ordinance as
troversial Memo- care at all. its non-resolution continues to put the health of those living
randum of Agree- This re- sults to mal- near plantations at risk.
ment may be used as nutrition, they said, As a sign of frustration for the slow resolution of the PBGEA
benchmark in pursu- in a low resistance case, members of Maas and their supporters from Jesuit-run
ing peace with the to dis- eases and Ateneo de Cagayan University (Xavier University) and from the
Moro Islamic Libera- when the people Sumilao Farmers Association recently shaved their heads.
tion Front. become ill their “We have sacrificed so much and we are willing to sacrifice more
In an interview bodies cannot until the hearts of the justices of the Court of Appeals will be touched.
with Radio Veritas early Tuesday morning, the prelate said he o v e r - come the We are appealing for their compassion, that they listen to us…we do
believes newly-appointed peace negotiator Department of Foreign illness. not want anything but justice. We only want to claim the basic right
Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis knows what is expected “ A l - though for our health to be protected and live in a poison-free environment,”
of him as head of the Philippine negotiating panel with the Moro doctors may be Baby Adlawan, a farmer from Sirib, Davao City, said.
Islamic Liberation Front. able to di- agnose an She said a visit to communities near banana plantations
He said he recognizes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pre- illness and write a pre- in Davao City might be needed so that CA justices would be
rogative to appoint anybody whom she believes could deliver. scription, pa- tients cannot af- convinced to act fast.
“He was reported to have had some experience dealing with ford to buy needed medication,” the “The greed of these banana companies is what makes our lives
Muslim leaders,” the prelate said. CWM said. difficult and is slowly killing us. And the same greed appears
Seguis, being a former envoy to Jakarta, Indonesia, the world’s Along with the other core focuses—education, medical missions, to be being protected by the decisions of the Court of Appeals
biggest Muslim country, is expected to start renewed efforts to strike and evangelization—CWM is committed to helping meet the most when the justices issued the temporary restraining order and
a peace agreement with the MILF. basic needs of those living in the most difficult of circumstances. later the writ of preliminary injunction (against the ban) and
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ peace panel CWM provides shipment of emergency food and medicine to the now the snail-paced resolution of the constitutionality of the
was dissolved after the Supreme Court ruled on the controversial most desperate of the poor living in areas such as the Philippines. ordinance,” Rosita Bacalso, a senior member of Maas, said.
Memorandum of Agreement on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Over 30,000 people benefited from this same type of help in No- On the other hand, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo said
Ledesma said some are concerned with the constitutional provi- vember of 2007 alone in the Philippines. he has not stopped issuing pastoral statements and leading the
sions which made the MOA-BJE unconstitutional. The said figure included families who live at dump sites and other people in rallies opposing mining operations in the area.
“The Philippine constitution may be one of the blocks towards impoverished areas—about 60% of those engaged in garbage picking The Bishop said the Palawan Council for Sustainable Devel-
attaining peace with the MILF,” the prelate said. for survival are children between the ages of 5 to 18. opment plans to declare a 25-year moratorium on small-scale
Seguis gave assurance he will regularly consult with stakeholders CWM works in coordination with other missionary groups to mining but the provincial government under Governor Joel
and even Visayas and Luzon residents. promote the long-term transformation of poverty by addressing the Reyes has not passed the required ordinance.
Ledesma said the Mindanao problem should also be given due need to alleviate immediate physical suffering. “The governor has reacted to our pastoral letter which was
attention by Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas group of islands This shipment of food and medicine supplies are sent to and dis- very critical of the provincial government on the anomalies
simply because “Mindanao is still part of the Philippines.” (Melo tributed by the Missionaries of the Poor Sisters, working with the involved in the issuance of mining permits,” he said.
M. Acuña) most impoverished of the Filipino population in the areas around Arigo said while they continue to oppose mining operations,
Camarines Sur and Manila. they have learned to “tolerate” the existence of the Tuba Nickel


The religious group runs free mobile clinics, assisted by doctors mining. “We said let’s not have additional mining companies
Read the and nurses, and also distributes supplies to local hospitals and as we called for strict monitoring of its mine tailings.”
daily church Catholic parishes throughout the region. The prelate said he was surprised to learn that more than 300
“Doctors and nurses who help the nuns to treat the local popula- new mining applications have been filed.
news at cbcpnews.com tion in these free clinics report a certain level of frustration at their
inability to provide what are oftentimes very common medications
Before the year ends, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) may issue another pastoral letter on
and cbcpnews.net to families that cannot afford to buy even enough food to sustain environment. (Santosh Digal)
themselves,” the agency said. (Roy Lagarde)
A4 Opinion
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

EDITORIAL

Corruption, the murkiest violation

of human rights
THE Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the
United Nations on December 10, 1948 may be the greatest thing
that happened to humanity since the Neanderthals.
Pope John Paul II in his 1979 address to the 34th General Assembly
of the United Nations describes it best, as “a true milestone on the
path of humanity’s moral progress,” and later at the 50th General
Assembly in 1995, as something that “remains one of the highest
expressions of human conscience of our time.”
This has been especially true and celebrated in many countries,
especially those that are more mature in governance and
statesmanship. But to others that have been characterized by
bad politics and graft-laden economies, and, worse, extra-
judicial killings and disappearances, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights remains a piece of paper put to good use only
in rhetorics.
“Shame” is the word that Jaro Archbishop and CBCP president
Angel Lagdameo used. It “gives us a feeling of shame and
embarrassment because of the innumerable human rights violation
that have remained unexamined, unexplained and unresolved or
covered up by events,” so says his message on the 60th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“We are ashamed,” he adds, “and we hope it is not completely
true, that our country is said to be the most corrupt in Asia and the
second most corrupt in the world. This is because of human rights
violations in various degrees. Does this call for a celebration?”
With hundreds of documented extra-judicial or political killings
and disappearances that happened in the country in just a few
years, calling for a celebration is a tongue-in-cheek. And yet,
though disputable this is indeed, these hundreds of killings seem
eclipsed by the most vicious of all human rights violations—the
massive and systemic corruption.
When citizens are robbed of barest opportunities and a future with
dignity, then corruption becomes murkiest. One may even prefer
to be disappeared rather than stripped or robbed or both.
Francisco F. Claver, SJ

Meeting the Challenge of Human Rights Making hope

INDEED, the injustices committed against human dignity and
human rights today make our celebration of the … Universal
Afterthoughts
Declaration of Human Rights almost farcical. Yet the situation
is truly a challenge to all of us. We need to pursue the task WE were wondering—Bishop Rodolfo Bel- the evil came to mind as soon as we posed the their thieving.
of defending and promoting human rights with the following tran of Bontoc-Lagawe and I—who would cynical question about the division of spoils. Much later, however, remembering what
convictions: get the first 10 (or 30?) per cent in kick-back The thought made me recall another: “They the CBCP has been saying about our cavalier
1. Human rights are, indeed, universal and indivisible. They money from the one billion 600 million pesos (Filipinos) are poor because they are corrupt.” tolerance of corruption, I had to revise my
are based on the inviolable transcendental dignity of the human earmarked for the new road project linking The judgment on our national character was exonerating of our people from all blame.
being and do not arise from democratic opinion surveys or from Bontoc, Tabuk and Tuguegarao. The scuttle- made by a simple farmer in a rural parish in We Filipinos do have a share in the sin of cor-
“politically or ideologically correct” beliefs, which change from butt in town was that already, even before Manitoba, Canada after a talk I had given on ruption, grand or petty, in our rather supine,
time to time. Neither can one set of rights be put aside and ignored the first inch of cement had been laid, 600 our situation in the Philippines. This was five unquestioning acceptance of it as a given we
while priority is given to another. Unfortunately some developed million of that allotment had been distributed years ago in 2003. I had been invited by the can’t do too much about. If this weren’t so, we
countries, attempting to preserve their position of power, urge civil in our unsurpassed system of public works CCODP (the Canadian Catholic Office for De- wouldn’t have a hard time, for example, try-
and political rights on peoples and governments of developing corruption. velopment and Peace) to help in their Lenten ing to explain to non-Filipinos why we keep
countries while ignoring the latter’s economic, social, and cultural If the thought of the easy loss of millions was program of social justice education for that electing to public office proven thieves and
rights. On the other hand, some leaders of developing countries appalling, just as appalling, I thought later, was year. I bristled when the remark was relayed criminals who steal not only money when they
suppress civil and political rights for the sake of promoting the sure expectation on our part, the bishop’s to me. But later, in a calmer moment, I had to are in office but other things besides, like votes,
economic development. They even cite cultural differences as
and mine, that stealing of public money would agree: the man had hit the nail on the head, when they seek office in our system of election-
a further reason. It is our belief that differences in cultures and
religions complement rather than reject the universality and occur on such a massive scale—and callously, but only if the first “they” was taken differ- cheating; and why despite the fulminations of
indivisibility of human rights. with no nod whatsoever to public opinion and ently from the second: “They are poor”—the bishops against corrupt politics, despite the
the basic demands of the common good. What majority, that is, of us Filipinos; “they” are constant—and nauseating—bombardment of
2. Human rights are God-given and we, as members of the same the CBCP has been saying all along about the corrupt”—the few and their ilk that bishop our sensibilities by daily accounts in media of
human family, have to forge a strong network of “social solidarity” way we, ordinary citizens, accept corruption as Beltran and I were speculating about who sleaze and thieving in government; despite the
(John Paul II, ibid., no. 4. “A decisive factor in the success of those SOP in our political and economic life as prob- routinely and shamelessly steal from public “revelations” of fact-finding bodies in Con-
non-violent revolutions was the experience of social solidarity: in ably the greatest obstacle to our correcting of monies and thus make us all the poorer by Afterthoughts / A6
the face of regimes backed by the power of propaganda and terror,
that solidarity was the moral core of the power of the powerless”)
with one another to protect and defend human rights, especially Rev. Euly B. Belizar, SThD
of the “least of our brethren,” as an imperative of human growth
“in community.” The phenomenon of
3. There are human rights that need to be recognized and further
promoted. Among these are women’s and children’s rights together
with those of the unborn, the rights of communities and indigenous
globalization and sin By the Roadside
peoples, the right to culture and self-identity. The promotion
of such rights is especially urgent in the Philippines when the I SAW a picture of a McDonald restaurant are global, so are their carbohydrates-and- of Matthew he excoriates sinful people in
cultures of indigenous peoples are constantly threatened by so (‘McDo resto’, young people say) in China fat-rich menus. If Filipinos are now global, the sinful cities of Chorazin and Behsaida
called “development aggression.” Furthermore, there is a need many years ago. In fact, I used to have snacks so are our ‘crab mentality’, ‘destructive re- (Mt 11:20-24). They are both located near the
to develop the rights of nations, as Pope John Paul II pointed out in one as a student priest in Rome (they were gionalism’, ‘Filipino time’, ‘intrigue’ tactics Sea of Galilee, Jewish enclaves. He compares
(Address to the United Nations, 1995, no. 6). Finally with the rise inexpensive, pretty much affordable to those etc. Isaiah in our first reading denounces them to the sinful Gentile cities of Tyre and
of biotechnologies we also need to be cautious about the move to of us who subsisted on meager scholarship Israel’s sins but also those of the whole Sidon in Phoenicia and holds the Galilean cit-
provide commercial patents or intellectual property rights for the allowances and Mass stipends). You see known world as embodied in the wayward ies more reprehensible. Now, that is certainly
use of indigenous knowledge and skills to provide food, such as
them in Metro Manila and in many of our human practices of his time. All this is a daring and prophetic to tell your own people
patenting various varieties of rice, and maintain health systems.
Such a move would give control of these to corporations and urban centers. Go anywhere in the big cities statement that just as a neutral or even vir- their true faults rather than deceive them
limit the access of the poor to them. The move would also allow of the world, chances are, you will see ‘McDo tuous human activity or behavior could be with praise releases. The point is that Jesus is
corporations to have property rights over life forms and its parts, restos’ and their familiarity gives you the done anywhere in the world by most human indeed aware of how sin and iniquity is true
in effect to tamper with life through genetic engineering for the illusion you are home. beings, so are our human sins too. not only in one part of the globe but also in
sake of profit. While in one in Rome I asked a fellow Take greed for profit and the deceptions others, that it could be less or more serious in
priest during the semestral break where he behind the ‘melamine’ scare which started some rather than in other places. Most of all, it
4. Violations of human rights today are not simply done by was going for the summer. He answered in China. Milk and milk products packaged is equally abhorrent the whole world over.
individuals or groups but are already “in the form of social sin” matter-of-factly: “To Iceland to see my aun- by certain Chinese companies have been Call it negative human solidarity. Warays
built into social structures, policies and laws that discriminate
tie.” I asked, incredulous, “Are there Filipi- found contaminated with this substance call it ‘tapon’ (contamination that spreads).
against other persons and other groups, especially against the
lower sectors of society. The cases of agrarian reform, the recent nos in Iceland?” “Of course,” he said, eyeing which is responsible for kidney stones and Bible experts are one in saying that Jesus’
Mining Act, and widespread endemic corruption are illustrative me like I came from the boondocks (true: even death in babies. The wonder is, its denunciation of these sinful global cities is
examples. boondocks of Samar). McDonald restaurants reach is now global. Almost all countries meant to ‘shock’ them to conversion. Is their
everywhere. Filipinos everywhere on earth. have warned its citizens against buying hard-headed, hard-hearted reaction a mirror
5. Therefore, in the struggle to defend and promote human rights That in brief is what we call globalization. contaminated products from China and are of ours? That, too, is proof of the ‘global’
there has to be a constant need to commend our efforts to the Its root being ‘globe’ (world), globalization carefully testing other products as well for manifestation of sin. On the other hand, is
Almighty God, the Creator of human dignity and the Liberator refers to the reality in which any human other defects. the repentance of Niniveh reflected in our
and Redeemer of the human community from every form of activity, operation, presence or institution Jesus in his time did not go global. He personal lives, our families, communities
sin, including social sin. Without prayer, all effort at social
reaches the different corners of the world. was confined within Palestine. But he had and society? That likewise points to the
transformation will come to no avail.
Now here’s the catch. If McDo restaurants a global outlook. For instance, in the gospel global dimension of conversion.
--CBCP Pastoral Letter on Human Rights, 1998

Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, RGS

ISSN 1908-2940
Children are our
CBCP Monitor
Protagonist of Tr u t h , Promoter of Peace
Love Life
LOBBY work to stop the passage of the
source of hope
oro. They had been “camping” in PGH for week passed when this time, he arrived with
Pedro C. Quitorio Reproductive Health Bill in Congress can days, but no treatment could be given unless his 16 year old son and 9 year old daughter.
Editor-in-Chief really be exhausting and exasperating— they produced some cash. I then gave them He said he has decided to return to Mindoro
especially when I read how some newspaper an amount to help out. as he could not find any work in Manila. Of
Pinky Barrientos, FSP Kris P. Bayos columnists and radio announcers bash the A few days after, the father, Carlito, came course, that meant transportation assistance
Associate Editor Feature Editor Catholic Church (and pro-life groups) as to our office again, asking for transportation for three persons—bus ride to Batangas Pier,
being anti-poor and unrealistic for rejecting money to return to Mindoro. The baby died. Superferry boat to Mindoro, and another bus
Melo M. Acuña Laarni Bergado the RH Bill. He had made a wooden box and was going ride to their home town.
Managing Editor Marketing Supervisor However, a recent incident has spurred to carry it back home to have it buried. More By this time, I had given him more than ten
me to keep it up as it is worth all the time than a month passed when he appeared thousand pesos already and was quite irked
Laurence John R. Morales Ernani M. Ramos and budget we pour into going to Congress again at our doorstep. This time, he has to that he was here again “begging’ for more. I
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

Online Editor Circulation Manager

week after week, updating our allies and buy medicine for his wife who is now con- was torn between my call to compassion and
Roy Q. Lagarde Marcelita Dominguez meeting groups on how to come up with fined at the National Mental Hospital. Ever my prudence regarding my budget, wonder-
News Editor Comptroller effective strategies. since the baby died, she has been crying ing why there did not seem to be any other
My story: a few months ago, a man and his day and night, carrying a pillow in her arms person that could help him. But I did give
The CBCP Monitor is published fortnightly by the CBCP Com- wife carrying a baby were sitting outside our and banging her head against the wall. The another amount grudgingly. My inability
munications Development Foundation, Inc., with editorial and pro-life office. I asked them what they were doctors were going to schedule her for brain to express enough sympathy filled me with
business offices at 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. waiting for and the man explained how he surgery to remove the blood clots. For the remorse that evening as I reviewed my day
P.O. Box 3601, 1076 MCPO.
Editorial: (063) 404-2182. Business: (063)404-1612. needed financial help so he could have the third time, I gave him some cash. Two days and the various emotions I felt. My prayers
Email: cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.net baby treated for brain cancer. The couple after, he came sobbing—his wife has died for several days were filled with contrition
Website: www.cbcpworld.net/cbcpmonitor looked very thin and worn out, coming all and he needed a little amount to buy wood as well as plea to God to keep the family safe
the way from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mind- so he himself could make the coffin. Another Love Life / A6
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Bp. Guillermo V. Afable, DD
DADITAMA
IT started in the year 2000, during the presidency of President
Estrada who first came out with an executive order adopting the
celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace initiated by the Bishop’s
Ulama Conference. Since then, multi-sectoral groups in Mindanao
have in varying degrees highlighted the region’s quest for lasting,
genuine, and just peace. The celebration has indeed heightened the
awareness, sensitivity and participation of many sectors to intensify
their peace building efforts.
This year’s celebration, with the theme: “Integrity of heart and
mind, a way to peace and reconciliation,” comes at the aftermath of
significant events in Mindanao that have challenged more vigorously
the tri-people—Mindanawons.
The 2nd National Rural Congress in Mindanao held in Davao City
last June 9-12, 2008, that highlighted three main concerns on rural
poverty, namely, 1) problem of land distribution, 2) poor governance,
and 3) the preservation and restoration of its rich natural resources.
The MOA-AD fiasco last August, the supposedly third agreement
specifically on ancestral domain between the GRP and the MILF,
that was later and with finality adjudicated by the Supreme Court
as unconstitutional.
Resumption of armed hostilities in central Mindanao resulted in
numerous atrocities on both the Moro and non-Moro communities.
Thousands of displaced persons ensued as a result of this continuing
police and military operations in pursuit of criminals.
The 2nd National BEC Congress held in Cagayan de Oro City last
November 18-21, 2008 addressed the role and many possibilities for
BECs in rural development.
The Mindanao – Palawan Indigenous Peoples Consultation
on the Bangsamoro BJE in Cagayan de Oro City on August 24-27,
2008 and the subsequent Mindanao – Palawan wide Indigenous
Peoples Peace Summit in Davao City on November 25-28, 2008
purportedly to sustain the dialogue and consensus building among
the Indigenous peoples themselves regarding human rights, land
tenure and their right to self determination.
The historic 35th Bishops-Ulama Conference Assembly
held for the first time in Jolo, Sulu. There, the more than 70 Muslim
and Christian delegates savored the warm hospitality of both the
Christian and Muslim hosts. But also, lamenting with the Tausugs,
Sama, and Badjao the abject poverty of the province, as showcased in
Jolo, their plight of being the poorest province in the country, despite
Opinion
8th Mindanao Week
of Peace
its rich biodiversity. The Conference reiterated their continued call
for peace and unity as they said in their joint statement:
“During our dialogue with the local communities of Christians and
Muslims, certain concerns have been brought to our attention. In response
we wish to state the following:
1. We renew our call for the cessation of all hostilities in order to create
a climate of peace where diverse voices can confidently be expressed and
sincerely heard. And on the recent violence committed by rebel groups
in some parts of Mindanao, let the force of the law be applied with justice
that leads to peace. We appeal to let the peace talks between the GRP and
the MILF continue, in whatever level or means possible, and let peace
panels be convened as soon as the situation allows it.
2. We urge the national and the local government to intensify efforts
to stop kidnapping, especially in Mindanao. Kidnapping hurts fami-
lies, wastes precious lives and so much resources, endangers peace and
development advocates and humanitarian workers. Kidnapping does
not serve the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination. We speak to
the families of the kidnappers---please touch the hearts of your kin to
consider the pains inflicted on the families of the victims. We call on all
concerned sectors of society to organize and devise more effective ways
to curb this menace.
3. We would like to make special request to various healing profes-
sionals and practitioners. Please devote extra time and expertise for the
care of so many victims, witnesses, and even perpetrators of violence,
past and present. Their wounds and scars, both as individuals and as
communities, are still waiting for that kind of treatment that can bring
back forgiveness, reconciliation and wholeness.
4. We affirm the initiatives of many groups in holding community
consultations, study groups, and even healing sessions. We also invite all
sectors of Mindanao society to join us in observing the Mindanao Week
of Peace starting on November 27 until December 3 this year. Its theme,
“Integrity of Mind and Heart, A Way to Reconciliation and Peace”,
reminds us that peace starts with our individual selves.”
Meanwhile, on the national scene, our national leaders in all three
branches of government, are constantly beset by all kinds of allega-
tions and suspicions of incompetence, legitimacy, graft and corrup-
tion, political partisanship rather than statesmanship, attempts at
term extensions that remotely have any bearing on the answering
the plight of the poor. Instead, order and peace is undermined and
DADITAMA / A7
Jose B. Lugay
A5
Nicolo F. Bernardo
Lifeguard
The immaculate
implantation
IN other words, life begins and is ensouled seven days after. This
is the latest intellectual dishonesty and moral heresy brought
about by the surge of abortifacient “contraception” and embryo
experimentation.
Proponents seem to confuse the question of when preg-
nancy begins—the moment the zygote implants in the uterus
(implantation)—that ends once it leaves the uterus (delivery),
from the question of when a new human life begins—the mo-
ment the sperm fertilizes the egg (fertilization)—that ends only
in death.
The question of when human life begins was resolved anew
by the Nobel Prize Committee for Physiology and Medicine in
1991, concluding that: “The Nobel Committee noted that life
begins with the activation of ion channels as the sperm merges
with the egg in fertilization” (New York Times, 10/8/91). For
this reason, the conception of new human life properly refers
to fertilization.
Biologically, a living organism bearing 46 chromosomes be-
longs to the human species (homo sapiens) and is thus a human
being regardless of its stage of development. Our body parts
such as cells, tissues, and organs do bear human DNA and are
“human” but not “human life.” The conceptus however is “hu-
man life” because he is already a living organism with his own
unique human genome that makes him human and a new entity
distinct from his mother or father.
You are you—with your DNA-indentifiable race, sex, and
physical characteristics from that moment your father’s sperm
fertilized your mother’s egg, with the resulting genetic codifica-
tion that marks you as a human being.
Constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, in his column “Re-
ligion, the Constitution and Reproductive Health” (Philippine
Daily Inquirer, 10/13/08), explains that what is contemplated
in our Constitution in protecting the life of the mother and the
unborn from conception “is to protect the life even before im-
plantation in the uterus, that is from the moment biological life
begins. The constitutional intent, in other words, is to play safe
lest human life be destroyed.”

A call to arms?
IN quick succession we hear the salvos of
our bishops for change—radical change. The
newsmen, not knowing church language,
interpret and write them, I suppose for
sensational effect, as if the pronouncements
were seditious. But when Pope Benedict says
almost the same thing about politics and the
role of the laity, it is reported without any
twist regarding its intention.
What do we, as laity expect to position our-
selves regarding the perceived call to arms?
Some say, it is an attempt to call another
people power in the same way the late Cardi-
nal Sin successfully harnessed the concerned
citizens to gather en masse at EDSA. If there
is another people power, will the transition
to the new ruling group achieve the needed
change? Will graft and corruption be a thing
of the past since this country then will be gov-
erned by qualified and honorable men? That
is too far-fetched to happen, considering the
quality of politicians we have—either heirs
of past corrupt dynasty leaders, or popular
movie stars and newscasters.
Let us situate ourselves with feet on the
ground. We identified bad governance as
the first problem area where a call to arms is
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, SSL
Laiko Lampstand
much needed. The change to achieve good To undertake this change an army of
governance should be simultaneous both volunteers will have to be recruited. Like
for the one who governs and the governed. a catechist who is trained on the basic
While we talk about fighting graft and cor- teachings of our faith, properly supported
ruption, so long as the one who governs by his proper formation training and cat-
stays in power and the governed leaves echetical guides, so these volunteers for
him alone to do his usual corrupt practices, political change should likewise be trained
nothing will change for the benefit of the and supported with adequate logistics.
country. The more peaceful way to get rid The goal is not reactive to the goings-on in
of a corrupt government official is through Malacañang, the Senate and the House of
the ballot and that is what we should all Representatives. It does not equate to an El
support. Shaddai posture, counting on its strength of
The Church gets involved in the political numbers to sponsor a cause. It is convincing
improvement process by fully supporting the idealistic youth to join in the process of
the work of NAMFREL, PPCRV and their change in the electoral system—armed with
diocesan counterparts like CIMPEL, etc. their convictions for change for love of God
However, while these institutions help and country.
make the electoral process cleaner, it is far If young people like Gregorio del Pilar
from the call to arms on the root cause— who died at the age of 18 at Tirad Pass and
the person who runs for election. He/ Jose P. Rizal who was executed at the age of
She should be the main target for the call 33 at the Luneta for their love of country, we
to arms. Among many who will run for do not need old guards of politics to continue
the thousands of positions for election in to run this country. We will have a better
2010, the Church through the laity, should chance for permanent change in our politi-
establish criteria to guide the faithful during cal system if we harness the youth of today.
the nomination period for candidates for the Let us start the movement to identify young
different positions in government. people to run this coming 2010 election.
Is patriotism hip?
“Conception,” according to the authoritative Black’s Law
Dictionary Sixth Ed. (the Webster Dictionary in law), is “the
fecundation of the female ovum by the male spermatozoon
resulting in human life capable of survival and maturation
under normal conditions.” Legally, this is the real “beginning
of pregnancy,” not even implantation. Thus a “contraceptive,”
as defined by Black, is “any device or substance which prevents
the fertilization of the ovum.”
Under this context should we interpret the “moment of con-
ception” clause in our Constitution (besides the clear explana-
tion from the deliberations), and other laws in our Civil Code
granting provisional rights to the unborn from conception. When
these laws were being crafted and amended, there was medical
and legal consensus that conception means fertilization.
In the debates on abortion and the unborn, the Constitution
and the Revised Penal Code have often been cited while the
Civil Code (CC), the Family Code, and the Child and Youth
Welfare Code have often been ignored. This could explain the
lacuna on the question of human personhood—and not just
human life— since only a natural person can be the subject of
moral and civil rights and such rights have been provisionally
granted from conception by these codes.
The Child and Youth Welfare Code (CYW) provides that
“the civil personality of the child shall commence from the time of
his CONCEPTION for ALL PURPOSES FAVORABLE to him,
subject to Art. 41 of the Civil Code.” (CYW Art.5, amending CC
Art. 40)
What is in CC Art. 41? It says that as a condition, the fetus must
be born alive at the time of delivery—reasonably, for it cannot
assume its gratuities if it would later be dead. Nevertheless, the
unborn from conception is considered a presumptive natural
person. Why the presumption? Because it would, if born as
provided in Art. 41, have a determinable human existence and
personality after birth with the attendant characteristics to be
recorded in the civil registry.
This provision is well elaborated by Dean Ernesto Pineda, an
authority on civil law, in his book on Persons (Central Book Sup-
ply, 2004). He explains that “natural persons are visible products of

Spaces of Hope
I WAS not in the Philippines during Pinoy People Power in 1986. I
received news of it through television and a first-hand account from
my brother, who was a law student then and was in the frontlines of
the said event. It was impossible to contain one’s emotions.
Many events have happened since those momentous days in
February 1986. Is Pinoy People Power still alive? Archbishop Ra-
mon Arguelles of Lipa, who was also in the frontlines of People
Power I as rector of San Carlos seminary in Makati, said during
the Pwede Pala Pinoy! launch in Cebu last 29 November 2008 that
since EDSA I or People Power is a spirit, it will never die. Judging
from the experience of the launch, I would concur with the good
bishop.
I am no optimist. If mere optimism was the fuel for planning Pwede
Pala Pinoy!, I would have given up right from the start. As people
more experienced in organizing similar events had pointed out, we
were starting out with too little, too late. A month before the launch,
funds were still negligible. While we were dreaming big in terms of
participants and promotions, there were still too many loose ends.
The launch could have easily unraveled even before it began; we
would have fallen flat on our faces.
Pwede Pala Pinoy! is the telling, sharing, and retelling of largely
untold, inspiring stories of faith-impelled work promoting the com-
mon good. These stories are about unlikely collaborations with a
twist, going beyond well-defined boundaries that often stifle the
spirit of unity. One effect of corruption has been a nation character-
ized by mutual suspicions between individuals and sectors. Such
fragmentation can be bridged if people and sectors learn to exchange
places. After all, didn’t God start this whole dynamics of exchanging
places by sending us his only Son?
While not an optimist neither am I a pessimist. I do not see a half
full or a half empty glass. For me, a half full (or empty) glass is really
a glass that is waiting to be filled to the brim. This incorrigible hope
of mine is a gift from God.
The process leading to the launch—as well as the launch itself—
was really an exercise in and a blossoming of hope. It all started out
with a desire to communicate a simple message: a good Christian is
also a good citizen and a good leader. What better way to commu-
nicate this message than asking people who embody these realities
to give their testimonies before people?
The motif of the launch is the analogy of the Philippines and a
90-million piece jigsaw puzzle. Each Filipino holds a piece of this
puzzle, and we can only see the beautiful big picture if we go out in
faith and see how the pieces fit. Sometimes, we see pieces falling into
place as if by an unseen Hand, showing us that we are instruments
of what God is doing in the life of our nation. It is a continuing
journey and each piece is indispensable.
A few days before the launch several banners appeared in public:
“Can Anything Good Come out of the PNP?” – “Can One Man and
One Family Make a Difference?” – “Can We Go Beyond Traditional
Politics?” – “Is People Power Still Alive?” – and “Is There Still Hope
for the Country?”
Around 3,000 people representing nearly 60 different groups came
for the launch at the Jesuits’ Sacred Heart School at Gen. Maxilom
(Cebu City) from 4 to 9 pm, starting with a Mass, then listening
to storytellers and interacting with them and with one another.
Participants from outside Cebu came, including Dir. Gen. Jesus
Verzosa and Chair. Koni de Guzman, and an 8-person group from
the Diocese of Cabanatuan.
The festive occasion witnessed the sharing of talents as rock bands,
drama guilds, a rondalla, a mini youth orchestra, and other artists
entertained with a message, igniting spaces of hope for ordinary
citizens.
Many young people sat down for more than four hours. Some
police trainees proudly stood in their uniforms. They gave ear to
Among Ed Panlilio of Pampanga who shared his efforts at moral
and transparent governance. They listened intently as Archbishop
Ramon Arguelles mentioned People Power not as an action against
someone as it was an event bringing Filipinos together in faith,
preventing our disintegration as a nation. The participants showed
keen interest at the humble testimonies of three police officers, Ret.
PNP CSupt. Samson R. Tucay, PSSupt. Cesar H. Binag, and PSupt.
Romy Palgue, who recounted various personal experiences and
how their Christian faith enabled them to wear a badge of blessing
for others. They were struck by what they heard from Raddy Diola
on how a single family can help a public elementary school and its
ripple effect on the local community.
After the storytelling, a “Meet and Greet” moment allowed people
to get up close to the storytellers. Quite unexpectedly, a swirl of
humanity came to life as young people enthusiastically sought to
have their pictures taken with the storytellers. The energetic smiles
on the youth revealed the release of positive energies. They had
found their heroes.
Fittingly, the whole event ended with the mass singing of Nasud
Ko (“My Nation”) accompanied by an MTV of the song while the
remaining participants raised and waved their hands in unrehearsed
unison.
In the gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent, we are told of a
voice crying out in the wilderness and how people were attracted
to the message of John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-8). Can the storytellers
be some sort of modern-day prophets calling on us to prepare the
way of the Lord? I would think so.
That night patriotism impelled by Christian faith was hip.
procreation, while artificial persons are invisible products of legal
fiction.” Thus one may pass from three stages of personalities:
(a) presumptive or provisional while developing in the womb;
(b) actual personality after birth, and (c) artificial personality after
death (p. 153). Pineda cites Black to explain that “conception”
means “fecundation” (fertilization) and that the “1987 Constitu-
tion which is prolife and profamily recognizes and protects the
life of conceived children.” (p.173)
The case of Quimguing v. Icao 34 SCRA 132 explains the “pro-
visionality” rule with the expectancy of birth:
“The unborn child, therefore, has a right to support from its
progenitors…even if the child is only en ventre de sa mere; just as a
CONCEIVED child, even if as yet unborn may receive donations
as prescribed by Art.74…(i.e.) Donations made to CONCEIVED
and unborn children may be accepted by those persons who
would legally represent them if they were already born.
Regarding the “born alive” condition of Art. 41: “This pro-
viso…is NOT A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO THE RIGHT
OF THE CONCEIVED CHILD; for it were, the first part of Art.
40 would become entirely useless and ineffective.”
Going further into Art 3.1 of the CYW, the very first child’s
right enumerated states:
“Every child is endowed with the DIGNITY AND WORTH
OF A HUMAN BEING from the moment of his CONCEPTION,
as generally accepted in medical parlance, and has, therefore the
RIGHTS TO BE BORN WELL.”
Generally in medical parlance, even at the time this provision
was drafted, conception is understood as fertilization.
CYW’s Art. 6 further makes the abortion of a “conceived child”
or conceptus punishable, applying the meaning of abortion in
the Revised Penal Code beyond the fetal stage.
How will one establish the legitimacy of a child, and there-
fore demand the child’s rights from the parent, is meanwhile
provided in the Family Code (FC):
“Children CONCEIVED or born during the marriage of the
parents are legitimate” (FC Art. 164) Vice versa, “children CON-
CEIVED or born outside a valid marriage are illegitimate unless
otherwise provided in this Code.” (FC Art. 165)
What is otherwise provided is the legitimation of an illegiti-
mate child where:
“Children CONCEIVED and born outside of wedlock of parents
who, at the time of the CONCEPTION of the former, were not
disqualified by any impediment to marry each other may be legiti-
mated.” (FC Art. 177)
As for cases of void subsequent marriages, “the children of the
subsequent marriage CONCEIVED prior to its termination shall be
considered legitimate.” (FC Art.43).
A similar rule runs for voidable marriages, such that a “child
Lifeguard / A6
 A6 Local News
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

CBCP announces Corrupt public servants

exploit ignorant poor,
youth ministry says Cardinal Rosales

awareness week

© www.flickr.com/photos/28497090@N02/
MANILA, December 1, 2008— Awareness Week Prayer as a
The head of the CBCP’s Episcopal post-Communion recital within
Commission on Youth enjoined the week’s Masses.
the regional youth organizations “As a way of celebrating the
to launch extensive youth min- Youth awareness week, the ECY
istry awareness drive before the is proposing the prayer to be
National Youth Day (NYD) slated recited in parishes, schools, com- MANILA, November 28, 2008—“Self-serving public servants”
on Dec. 16. munities, and youth group assem- exploit “ignorant poor,” said Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B.
In declaring the observation of blies during the week. The youth Cardinal Rosales.
the Youth Ministry Awareness ministry offices of the regions and The ignorant poor are always the victims of self-serving public
Week on Dec. 9 to 15, ECY chair- of the diocese and organizations servants, he said while addressing the “Magpas vision-II” partici-
man and Masbate Bishop Joel may adapt this prayer to suit their pants at St. Paul’s College University, Manila, last November 8.
Baylon has encouraged regional local contexts,” he added. “What a pitiful situation it is when the persons who are ig-
youth coordinating councils In concretizing its preferential norant of their rights are also poor, and are left in that state of
to spearhead preparations and apostolate for the youth, the not knowing the truth. Some are ignorant of their rights and
coordination with various youth CBCP approved in 1986 the cel- privileges and no one dares to help them. The worst possible
organizations to form a dynamic ebration of the NYD every Dec. scenario is where people approach the poor not in order to help
week-long program to promote 16, the first day of the Misa de but to take advantage of them,” the prelate said.
the youth ministry. Galo or Simbang Gabi. The poor as Rosales identified them include indigenous people,
“The regional youth coordinat- Photo courtesy of CBCP-ECY This year’s theme is rooted in ignorant peasants, tricycle drivers, and people at squatter areas.
ing councils have the significant role of spearheading the observance the message of Pope Benedict XVI during the World Youth Day in “Corrupt and immoral politicians” lure the poor to vote for a
of this week within their regions. We encourage them, through their Sydney, Australia last July. The Scriptural verse quoted from Acts price of P100. They (politicians) take advantage forced by greed
youth ministry office, to gather and lead the youth into a festive and 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon on the helpless unknowing victims.
meaningful celebration,” Baylon said. you, and you will be my witness,” serves as the underlying theme “The uneducated may not even be able to share their views
The prelate likewise proposed the recital of the Youth Ministry of both the WYD and NYD 2008. (Kris Bayos) on urgent issues of an impoverished life, or express the need
for urgent public service or for good governance in nearly every
Religious leaders / A1 level of Philippine life. Worst of all is the fact that the ignorant
sisted so that all peoples-Muslim, Lumads, ing community and sectoral dialogues to the religious leaders added. citizens are not even aware that they have rights to an education,
Roman Catholic Christians, Protestant expand the constituency of peace, “calling They also prayed to God to open their eyes health, public services and protection provided by the govern-
Christians may attain peace and reconcili- upon the resources of our social, religious to the many religious, cultural, economic ment for all citizens,” Rosales said.
ation.” and academic institutions to pray and work and political concerns and join the many People are ignorant when a community, a health center,
They also expressed their support to the for peace,” they said. who are working to make available roads, service and an ambulance are provided for a community, these
initiatives of many groups holding commu- “We also commit ourselves to pursue au- books, and classrooms for the children and services and objects are stamped with the names of the governor,
nity consultation, study groups and healing thentic interfaith dialogues among our com- their families. mayor or Congress persons giving the impression that the people
sessions, knowing that peace and unity are munities in order that we may find ways to “May God/Allah help us in our endeav- are indebted to the politicians instead of the politicians only
fundamental in the Qur’an teaching. face and overcome our own hurts, biases and ors so that we may attain peace and recon- giving back to the people what they already own and deserve,
Apart from that, they also committed prejudices on the way in order to overcome ciliation for our world and the world of our he explained. (Santosh Digal)
themselves to take an active role in promot- barriers and impasse in the peace process,” children.”
Mining / A1
Environment / A1
a 25-year moratorium on small-scale mining but the provincial
ers and underground freshwater ecosystems, and coastal areas.” year, “each typhoon reminds us of our balding forests.” government under Governor Joel Reyes has not passed the required
It reports that at least 82 percent of its original forest cover has been “The 2007 Fourth Assessment Report of the United Nations’ Inter- ordinance.
lost since the 16th century. The country has also earned the notoriety governmental Panel on Climate Change reveals Manila, Cebu and “The governor has reacted to our pastoral letter which was very
of having the thinnest forest cover in Southeast Asia. Davao will be of great risk,” the statement added. critical of the provincial government on the anomalies involved in
With most of the country’s watersheds degraded coupled with They also called on the people to take advantage of the gifts of the issuance of mining permits,” the prelate said.
land conversion aggravated by slash-and-burn farming and illegal nature which offers healthier and less destructive options such as He said he would like to know if the so-called moratorium would
logging, the country’s environment has been gravely affected. wind and solar energies, water and geothermal resources. include those involved in mining operations today or simply for the
The bishops said extreme weather conditions with typhoons that “The challenge to preserve our beautiful land may be difficult but new applicants. He added the price of nickel has gone down and as
triggered flooding and massive landslides and terrible loss of lives in not impossible,” they said. The prelates called on dioceses, parishes such, mining operations in Palawan may no longer be viable.
Ormoc City in 1991, Aurora and Quezon provinces in 2004, Southern and institutions, including the government to foster education on Bishop Arigo said while they continue to oppose mining opera-
Leyte in 2006 and in Iloilo in June 2008. the protection of nature. tions, they have learned to “tolerate” the existence of the Tuba Nickel
All stakeholders should work together to stop illegal logging, the The pastoral letter went on to say “no material gain can equate mining. “We said let’s not have additional mining companies as we
bishops said as it called for “an enhanced multisectoral cooperation the value of life.” called for strict monitoring of its mine tailings,” he said.
and serious efforts to clampdown illegal logging.” It also called on They said the threats against fragile resources threaten the people’s The prelate said he was surprised to learn more than 300 new
the government to issue a total commercial log ban and intensified lives and their livelihood as “our responsibility to our mother nature mining applications have been filed.
efforts to conduct rehabilitation and reforestation activities specifi- is our responsibility to ourselves.” “What will they do to Palawan?” the prelate asked.
cally to areas vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides and floods. They reiterated their conclusion two decades ago: “There is an He underscored the need for better technology and better practices
urgency about this issue which calls for widespread education and to preserve the environment. He added he cannot allow open pit
Global Warming immediate action. We are convinced that the challenge we have tried mining which destroys Palawan’s forests.
The bishops said any increase in the sea level due to global warm- to highlight here is similar to the one which Moses put before the The prelate said the existing laws on mining still have many
ing and climate change will “adversely affect 16 regions in the Philip- people of Israel, before they entered their promised land.” loopholes because despite the existing total log ban in the province,
pines with 20 provinces and over 700 towns. Saying climate change Sadly, the situation 20 years ago has changed for the worst. (Melo mining companies are allowed.
has increased the number of stronger storms and typhoons every M. Acuña) “Ang kalikasan ang buhay natin at malimit nating sinasabi pero
wala pag negosyo na ang pinag-usapan” (We always say nature is
Afterthoughts / A4
our life, but then, when money is involved, we forget everything),
gress (which seems to be the main thing that prayer power—to the thousands at least who words and believe them: “Ask and you will the 70-year old prelate concluded. (CBCPNews)
that honorable body does)—things remain kept prayerful vigil those four heady days in receive—knock and the door will be opened
unchanged, the evil only gets worse. February 1986. to you—if you had faith the size of a mustard Farmers / A1
The sense of despair of such citizens as This is what I would like to highlight in our seed, you’d say to this mountain ‘move’ and year.
are concerned about the deterioration of the Advent prelude to the celebration of Christ- it will move.” The farmers are disputing the conversion of the farmland in Ba-
country’s political morality is deepening. mas this year: a whole nation on its knees in So we pray with faith that the Lord will rangay Baha, Talisay in Batangas, which they have received from
Solutions galore are proposed: impeachment humble prayer before the Child of Peace ask- do as he said. And on our part, even as we the government’s agrarian reform program.
of the President, coups d’etat by unknown ing for the peace of the nation—possible? A pray that he touches hearts—especially those Rosales said genuine government attention is needed to help the
“liberators”, a fourth and a fifth and a sixth prayer then for the conversion of us all to be hardened by corruption—we do whatever is farmers get off their land from “danger of being lost.”
EDSA People Power Revolution, marches, like him in his unselfish concern for others— humanly possible to lessen the harm they do to The said land, according to Rosales, is contested because the De-
demos, etc., etc. Nothing effectively grabs the which concern, if we only had it, would be our people. He can touch hearts in a way we partment of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment
public imagination, and I suspect the reason is the end of corruption in the nation. It is humans can’t, so we humbly yet confidently and Natural Resources declared the entire 507-hectares as mineral
that deep down they know in their guts that hence not a prayer for heaven’s vengeance have recourse to him in prayer. land and not agricultural land.
none of the solutions being proposed so far on all the corrupt. I know sophisticates will “Look up and see, your redemption is at But the truth, he said, is that the huge parcel of land is part-
will work. So what will? laugh at this mode of reforming Philippine hand.” This is the message of Advent to all of agricultural and part-mineral.
Nobody seems to really know, pompous society from its besetting sin. Not, however, us who believe. And believing, we can hope— “If at all possible, a true declaration of the classification of the land
know-it-all solutions notwithstanding from all those of simple faith who have heard these we can make hope. must be made to benefit the farmers for the agricultural portion and
sorts of self-proclaimed pundits. I don’t intend the developers for the authentic mineral land,” the letter read.
‘Shameful’ / A1
by any means to join their august company in “Please encourage and support such a dialogue that leads to jus-
this column. But let me speak as an ordinary The CBCP head also said he is humiliated that cases of human rights violations since tice, love and peace,” the prelate urged Arroyo in his letter.
believer in Jesus Christ. And I can only think that the country, according to some surveys, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took Rosales said he is a firm believer of a clear declaration of facts and of
in terms of the power we have as Christians is said to be the most corrupt in Asia and the office in 2001 is increasing. fair negotiation, accompanied by a “peaceful dialogue” that will benefit
and which we don’t seem to know we have: second most corrupt in the world. From 2001 to May 2008, Karapatan said all parties involved with a “special predilection for the very poor.”
the power of faith and prayer. “This is because of human rights viola- the total number of victims of extrajudicial “God has made us “to His image and likeness’ so that in the end all hu-
“More things are wrought by prayer than tions in various degrees. Does it call for a killings already reached more than 900, most man endeavours and negotiations should make no one a loser, but must
the world dreams of.” I can’t for the life of me celebration?” he said. of them were members of leftwing groups. end where everyone is a brother to another,” he added. (CBCPNews)
remember who the author of those words was. But Lagdameo said this should not serve Of the total, Karapatan said three regions
They stuck in my mind as a callow seminarian as reason for us to be apathetic, adding that had the most number of extrajudicial killings– Love Life / A4
60 years ago. They have been with me ever there’s still hope by taking lessons from the Southern Tagalog at 163, followed by Central and to forgive me in their heart.
since. And I have seen them verified again past, “and face our future with hope.” Luzon at 137, and Bicol Region, 127. Fast forward to a month after the incident. Behold, here was Car-
and again. Most especially at EDSA I, when “We are not losing our hope that we could Majority of the victims were reportedly lito again early in the morning—smiling and handing me a plastic
people most naturally fell on their knees to beg still discover in our midst candidates who are peasants and indigenous people while the bag of native oranges. This time he looked peaceful and clean shaven.
for protection against the guns and minions of above all honest and truthful, men of vision and partylist group Bayan Muna and Kilusang He said he was here to buy a fishing net from Divisoria. He will go
a rejected government. “People power”, we integrity, inspiring and competent,” he said. Magbubukid ng Pilipinas have the most out to sea with his brother and hopefully augment his income from
call it now. But it also was first and foremost Human rights watchdog Karapatan said numbers of alleged victims. (Roy Lagarde) his small farm of “dalandan”. He is eager to have his 16 year old
son go back to school in June and finish high school. His son and
Lifeguard / A5 daughter are the only treasures he has now—the reason for him to
CONCEIVED before the decree annulling a voidable marriage shall enjoyed by persons” from “the moment of conception” (§ 1.205.2-3.) live, to work hard and to look forward to a future. Without these
principally use the surname of the father.” (CC Art. 369) In 1990 too, the State of Minnesota v. Merrill 540 NW.2d 318 de- children, he would have given in to despair. He concluded that he
Now just imagine the legal discrepancy that would arise if we fined an unborn child as the unborn offspring of a human being, never missed praying the rosary everyday, just as his parents had
would secure the civil rights and privileges of the conceived child but conceived but not yet born. The Minnesota Statute 525.171-173 taught him. And this is the only legacy that he can hand over to his
not his most fundamental civil right to life. Or imagine the absurdity makes a posthumous child conceived but not yet born prior to the children—love of God and devotion to Mary.
if we were to change the interpretation of our laws such that we death of its parent legitimate. Again, conception was customarily I invited him to our early morning Mass and encouraged him to
would not anymore consider “children conceived” obtaining from interpreted as fertilization. write down the names of his loved ones who had passed away—his
fertilization, but from implantation seven days after, for purposes of Other cases of interest are the 1976 Unborn Child v. Evans 245 NW wife and baby, and drop it in the symbolic box that we put out every
support, insurance or inheritance. Regardless of whether the fruit of 2d 600 where an illegitimate unborn child was entitled to the same November for prayers for the dead. I then offered him breakfast and
procreation is assumed to be in a “zygotic stage” inside a valid mar- legal protection as a child conceived within marriage and was even spent time to sit down and listen to his dreams and plans.
riage, if it is unfortunately assumed “implanted” inside an invalid given legal standing as a plaintiff; and the 1988 Shaw v. Harbers 14 My reflection that evening—children are a source of hope. Without
marriage, the child would be considered a legal bastard. Family LawRptr 1263 where the Illinois court refused an abortion children, people in this world need not work hard. We turn in on our
The legalization of abortion from conception (qua fertilization) in agreed by a mother and a putative father to absolve them from giv- selfishness with so much time for recreation, careers, hobbies, travels
other countries accounts to the tragic inconsistency in their laws. The ing the rights of their putative unborn child. and non-important things in life. But isn’t this the message of the popu-
best example is the United States, whose laws and jurisprudence are Expect a confusion and conflict of laws in the country once life and lation control groups? That children are a burden therefore use contra-
considered “persuasive” in our country. its attendant rights are redefined other than from when a human be- ception. No problem with abortifacients. Abortion is not so bad…
Even after Roe v. Wade, the 1989 Webster v. Reproductive Health ing comes to be. Human life is a continuum and so do human rights. I returned to my pro-life work with more zeal and stamina. And I
Services 492 US 490 affirmed a Missouri Act, defining “conception” as There goes the wisdom of upholding life’s inception immaculate see how people’s faces light up whenever I relate to them my story
“the fertilization of the ovum of a female by a sperm of a male” (Mo. over implanted errors. It is a food for thought this December, when of Carlito and his children.
Rev.Stat. § 188.015[3], 1986), and invests “unborn children” with “pro- humanity celebrates a conception and a nativity, not viabilities and Pro-life Philippines needs volunteers! Call our office if you are inter-
tectable interests in life, health, and wellbeing” and the “same rights implantations. ested: (02) 911-2911 or contact me at 0920-945-5495.
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Diocesan News
News Briefs
Christians, Muslims vow to promote ‘culture of peace’
DAVAO CITY— Christians and Muslims in Mindanao have
pledged to promote “culture of peace and reconciliation,” said
a Catholic priest. Biking priest Amado Picardal said “it is our
most sincere prayer for the integrity of heart and mind as a way
to attain peace and reconciliation in the southern Philippines.”
(Santosh Digal)
Detainees to hold concert in Davao
DAVAO CITY— They are not performing artists but detainees
who will be conducting a musical concert for a cause on April
4, 2009. Fr. Hermes B. Sabud, SM, chaplain of the Archdiocesan
Commission on Prison Welfare (ACPW) said the musical concert
will be participated in by selected detainees of the Davao City
Jail. (Mark Ventura)
Bayombong residents up in arms vs. mining
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Viscaya—With the rising number of
applicants for mining exploration in the area, the residents here
have registered continued opposition to social and environ-
mental effects of mining. Sr. Eden Orlino, SPC, Bayombong’s
Social Action Center head, said while the government believes
it should harness its natural resources, local residents believe
the environment should be preserved. (Melo Acuña)
Archbishop wants villages, schools tapped vs. graft
COTABATO CITY—Schools, basic ecclesial units and villages
should be fully harnessed to fight graft and corruption in govern-
ment, said Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo. He said such
a fight should start with monitoring especially at the village level
where there is first-hand knowledge of government programs
and activities. He added schools of the archdiocese should also
be mobilized to address the same problem. (CBCPNews)
Ozamiz marks Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception’s
Daet braces for more relief
to increasing flood victims
DAET, Camarines Norte, December 2,
2008—The Diocese of Daet through its Social
Action Center (SAC) is preparing to help ad-
dress the immediate needs of flood victims
whose number increased as heavy rains
continue to affect the province’s capital and
towns of San Vicente, Basud, Labo, Vinzons,
Talisay and Mercedes.
Church reports said evacuees reached 5,000
persons, not families as earlier reported.
This was learned this morning from SAC
Director Fr. Norberto Eyule who said non-
stop heavy rains last night increased the
water level in already flooded areas in seven
municipalities adding to the misery of the
affected residents.
A7
As of this writing, evacuation of residents
in low-lying areas, especially those who have
not left for higher grounds is now being
led by Daet Mayor Tito Sarion. He earlier
declared his municipality under the state
of calamity.
In an interview today over Radio Mind-
anao Network’s DwNX in Naga City, Mayor
Sarion said the local government needs all
the possible help soonest.
“We need rubber boats so relief items can
be brought to the flood victims. We do not
have drinking water anymore as we have
run out of stock of mineral water with our
water system having been destroyed by the Meanwhile, seven fishermen from the
flood. What we do today is try to provide town of Mercedes have been reported miss-
for the immediate needs of those affected,” ing, while one body has been recovered.
Sarion disclosed. “This situation calls now for a concerted
The local church, in its effort to identify effort of Church, government and the private
the needs of the evacuees has appealed for sector. We have to get our acts together in
items which will be very useful to the flood order to address the immediate needs of the
victims. victims and save them from the situation
“Items needed in the evacuation centers where they are now,” the SAC director said.
are drinking water, food, dry clothes and Eyule made this statement as he added
blankets,” said Eyule. that relief items coming from the church
Since the rains continued through the through the National Secretariat for Social
entire evening and up to now, the local Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops’
church has anticipated more relief items Conference of the Philippines is underway.
will be needed. (Elmer Abad)

‘Same-sex’ affair
feast day
OZAMIZ CITY—Archbishop Jesus Dosado, CM officiated

Pampanga
the concelebrated Mass to honor the feast of the Immaculate
Conception at the Ozamis Cathedral on Dec. 8. After the Mass

tops in AIDS cases Minor Seminary

a procession of the Immaculate Conception’s image was held
around the City. Several programs and activities marked the
whole-day festivity. (Wendell Talibong)

Choosing political leader is a personal choice

DAVAO CITY— The president of Holy Cross of Davao College,
an archdiocesan school here said that choosing the kind of po-
litical leader remains to be a personal choice and should not be
imposed by the school to their students. HCDC President Dr.
Iris Melliza said that naming names will not in any way help
solve the already existing problems in political governance of
the country. (Mark Ventura)
Archbishop orders gathering of info on Peñafrancia
NAGA CITY— The Archdiocese of Caceres’ Committee on
Documentation has begun to gather information, including
existing memorabilia related to the devotion to Our Lady
of Penafrancia from 1710 to date. “With this effort, it means
gathering, retrieving all information, including memorabilia
such as novenas, pictures and other information related to our
devotion from as early as 1710 to this present time,” said Caceres
Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi. (Elmer Abad)
‘Mindanao is no place for war freaks,’ says tripartite
group
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—“Mindanao is not a place for war
freaks” was the overarching statement of the recent solidarity
walk for peace which featured Christians, Lumads and Muslims
here. “The walk of peace is a way to show our solidarity with
all the peace-loving people in Mindanao” said Monalisa Pan-
gan, organizer of the “Walk of Peace” and core member of the
Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity. (Maryann
Alasay Zamora)
Muslims, Christians visit places of worship
DAVAO CITY— Highlighting the Mindanao Week of Peace
(MWOP) is the symbolical yet meaningful “Mosque-Church
visitations” conducted by religious leaders, lay and other
participants of the week-long celebration here. Pastors and
Priests visited the mosque of the Muslims while Imams visited
the Church of the Christians as a manifestation of their com-
mitment to go further in the spirit of interreligious dialogue.
(Mark Ventura)
Libmanan clergy holds retreat on Gestalt Theraphy
SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur—The clergy of the Prelature
of Libmanan held a retreat in Tagaytay City recently not only
for spiritual upliftment but to further strengthen their personal
character. Thirty-three members of the local clergy were joined
by Libmanan Bishop Jose Rojas. Among the topics given atten-
tion was the “Gestalt Theraphy” which touched on the field of
psychology, particularly on the subject “healing of the past.”
(Elmer Abad)
Prelate urges prayer for peace
ILIGAN CITY—Iligan Bishop Elenito Galido called on the Min-
danaons to continuously pray for lasting peace in Mindanao
at the opening of the 2008 Mindanao Week of Peace Celebra-
tion, celebrated Nov. 27- Dec. 3. “This is our call to prayer for
peace. We encourage a minute of prayer for peace every day,
particularly at noon time. Let us synchronize this prayer by
spending a minute of complete silence, praying for peace or
quietly gather our thoughts and actions for peace,” he said.
(Wendell Talibong)
Change the political leaders, not the Charter
LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur— “It is not necessary to change the
constitution now; what is needed is to start the legal process on how
we can change those in government who trample on the people’s
welfare,” Fr. Monchito Oriño, Prelature of Libmanan’s chancellor,
said. He observed that people will not stop to clamor for what they
want should there be an urgent need; changing the Charter is not
what people need at this point in time. (Elmer Abad)
Congress tackles poverty alleviation, good governance
LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur—Solving poverty, good governance
and environment protection were the focuses of the recent Luzon
Social Action General Assembly here. Libmanan SAC director
Fr Granwell Pitapit also said ‘Prominent in the agenda was the
presentation of the results of the National Rural Congress of the
Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) which states that the three-
point focus of SAC be given utmost attention.” (Elmer Abad)
CEAP Mindanao calls for ceasefire; condemns
kidnappings in all forms
DAVAO City— The Catholic Educational Association of the
Philippines (CEAP)-Mindanao has called on the government
and the MILF for an immediate ceasefire even as they also con-
demned all forms of kidnapping activities. Catholic educators
of Mindanao expressed their grave concern for the great dev-
astation brought about by the on-going hostilities between the
government troops and other armed groups. (Mark Ventura)
DAVAO CITY, December 1, 2008—“Same-sex” affair or (males having
sex with males) have the most number of cases infected with Acquire
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) here, records revealed.
In a data furnished by Alliance Against AIDS in Mindanao
(ALAGAD-Mindanao) it showed that from the total 3,456 Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Ab seropositive cases recorded by
the Health department, 32 of which are from Davao City.
Of the 32 reported cases here, 20 are males and 12 are females.
Twenty-five are still living (15 males and 10 females) and seven were
already dead (five males and two females).
Of the 32 cases, the record also showed that seven are people in
prostitution, 8 are migrant workers, 16 are males having sex with
males and one case is mother to child transmission.
The age group with the most number of cases is 20-24 and 25-49
respectively.
Alma Lusanta-Mondragon, executive director of ALAGAD Min-
danao said the reported figure only represent a fraction of actual
cases across the region.
“The figure maybe 10 times higher than that of the reported
number,” she said.
That is why, Mondragon said, “it is crucial to create a stopgap by
advocating the concept, “prevention is far better than cure.”
And, in celebration of the World AIDS Day today, Mondragon
urged those in the government, media, non-government organiza-
tions, religious, academe and other sectors of the society to work
hand in hand to educate the people in various ways and strategies
to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
“AIDS recognizes no territorial, social, political and economic
boundaries from which no cure has been discovered yet,” she said.
With this year’s theme, “Lead-Empower-Deliver,” it also encour-
ages leaders at all levels to stop AIDS and empowers everyone-
individuals, organizations, governments to lead in the response to
AIDS. (Mark S. Ventura)
People power / A1
We have become habituated to using people power before and after
election time. Well it is about time that we reminded ourselves that the
best manifestation of people power is the power to vote,” he said.
The priest said it’s high time for the people beginning with the
youth, to prove to those in public office that Filipino voters cannot
be fooled nor be bought.
“Let us tell ourselves, enough is enough. What our country needs
at this crucial stage of our history are not media-hyped candidates
who often end up as stupid and greedy leaders, but voters with an
enlightened will, citizens who will not exchange their conscience for
convenience, nor their principles for monetary gain,” he said.
“It is about time that we prove to the world that we, Filipinos,
are a people with common sense, independent judgment and moral
autonomy—the foundations of self-respect and authentic democ-
racy,” added the UST rector.
UST hosted the launching of the joint project of the Commission on
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
The CBCP Media Office has conducted a little fund campaign throughout the year
2008. Friends have been very generous beyond expectations. With their generosity we were
able to continue our media apostolate which consisted mainly of the following: 1) Media relations,
2) Publication of CBCP Monitor and Impact Magazine; 3) CBCP News Service; 4) Multimedia; and 5)
Trainings in media and information technology.
While others preferred to go unnoticed, below is the list of those we are profoundly grateful.
Alice Ganzon
Augustinian Fathers, Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu
Augustinian Recollect Sisters
Augustinian Missionaries of the Philippines
Barbara Restaurant
Blessed Sacrament Sisters
Canossian Sisters
Chi Pragada
Congregacion de Religiosas Misioneras de Sto. Domingo
(OP)
Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church (DM)
Daughters of St. Francis de Sales
Dominican Province of the Holy Rosary (OP)
Dominican Province of the Philippines (OP)
Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy
Mother of God
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
—Oscar Wilde
tops Sangkan 3
SORSOGON CITY, Nov. 28, 2008—The Pampanga archdio-
cese’s Mother of Good Counsel Seminary was adjudged overall
champion of this year’s Luzon-wide inter-seminary tournament
held last Nov. 20-21.
Dubbed “Isang Angkan kay Kristo” or known as SANGKAN,
this year’s competition held at the Our Lady of Penafrancia
Seminary was open to all third year minor seminarians.
Participating teams came from 11 other seminaries including
Our lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary of the Archdiocese of
Manila, Immaculate Conception Seminary of the Diocese of
Malolos, Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Diocese
of Laoag, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary of the Dioceses of
Sorsogon, Oblates of St. Joseph of the Archdiocese of Lipa, St.
Francis Sales
Teams from the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Maria
Assumpta Seminary of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, St. Gregory
the Great Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Legaspi, San Ja-
cinto Seminary of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Seminary of the Diocese of Lucena, and Mary
Help of Christians Seminary of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-
Dagupan competed in basketball, volleyball and seven other
indoor games.
Overall second placer was awarded to Our lady of Guadalupe
Minor Seminary while the Immaculate Conception Seminary
bagged the third place.
Fr. Maxell Aranilla, Sangkan secretary general, said that
Sangkan 4 will be hosted next year by the Saint Francis de Sales
Minor Seminary in Lipa City. (CBCPNews)
Elections (Comelec), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Vot-
ing (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel)
as part of its advocacy in promoting an honest and clean election in
2010. (CBCPNews)
DADITAMA / A5
compromised even more.
To my mind, what undermines the order and peace is not too
much politics but the practice of wrong politics by civil servants and
public officials who lack integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Lawlessness in this country continues with impunity.
This is the culture of politics in this country that has destroyed
the meaning of democracy.
Indeed, we have a long way to go in achieving genuine peace that
begins with the “integrity of heart and mind, a way to peace and
reconciliation”
Fernando Go
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
Manny Villar (Senator)
Mabel Esteban
Maryknoll Sisters
Meneleo J. Carlos, Jr. (Chairman, Federation of Phil. Indus-
tries Inc.)
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
Nelly Santos
Redemptorist Community (Cebu)
Religious of the Assumption
Salesians of Don Bosco, Makati
Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC)
Society of Jesus
Society of Mary (Marist Fathers)
 A8 People, Facts & Places
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

UST holds Christmas Concert

THE Royal and Catholic Univer-
sity of Santo Tomas (UST) ushered
in the Yuletide Season in the spirit
of sharing the Thomasian talents to
the University’s students, benefac-
tors and friends through a Christ-
mas Concert on December 3 at 7
p.m. at the UST Chapel.
Arranged by Fr. Manuel Maramba,
OSB, for the UST Brass Ensemble
and the UST Percussion Ensemble,
the Christmas Concert opened with
a “Christmas Fanfare.”
It was followed by a collection of
Christmas songs arranged by the
UST Band and Symphony Orches-
tra conductor Prof. Herminigildo
Ranera.
Other performers include the UST
Wind Orchestra under the baton of
Michael Jacinto.
The Concert presented some popu-
lar Filipino Christmas songs and the
classics.
Three sopranos—Ma. Austregelina
Alfornon, Thea Perez and Naomi Si-
son sang O Holy Night arranged by
Prof. Ranera, while soprano Rachelle
Gerodias rendered a song by Handel
and another by N. Rodriquez.
A surprise number was rendered
by the internationally renowned
pianist Dr. Raul Sunico, Dean of the
UST Conservatory of Music, who
also ushered in the finale number for
the evening’s musical experience.
The finale gathered together pia-
nist Dean Raul Sunico, tenors Eugene
de los Santos and Ronan Ferrer, Coro
Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensem-
ble, UST Conservatory Chorus, UST
Grade School chorus, Psalterion, and
the Salinggawi Dance Troupe with
the UST Symphony Orchestra.
Beneficiaries of the Christmas
Concert Gala are the heritage
conservation efforts of the Uni-
versity with a particular focus on
the restoration of select painting
collection of the UST Museum, the
oldest school based museum in
the country, and the provision of
scholarship grants for the students
of the Conservatory of Music.
Ms. Maricris Zobel and Fr. Isidro
Abaño, OP, UST secretary general,
co- chaired the 6th Christmas Con-
cert. (Santosh Digal)

© www.flickr.com/photos/parq17
Pauline youth camp held in Pasig
SOME 3,000 young people from St. Paul College, other schools and
parishes, and formands of Pauline congregations, converged in a
spirit of prayer and fun in an overnight Youth camp held at St. Paul
College, Pasig on December 5-6.
and Intimacy, PRESENCE and Perfection, OPENNESS and Offer-
ing, DIVINE and Duty – to the young as a way to imitate St. Paul in
becoming witnesses of the Good News and hopefully in becoming
good leaders of our communities.
Markings CELEBRATED. Society of Divine
The youth camp was organized by Pauline religious congregations After a heap of reflections and insights from the talk, the youth were Word (SVD), 75th anniversary of
in celebration of the Pauline year. The Pauline congregations who invited to have an intimate conversation with God in an hour-long apostolic presence in Cagayan
participated in the event were the Society of St. Paul, the Daughters adoration with Taize Prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. Small Valley, November 14, 2008. The
Diamond Jubilee celebration (1933-
of St. Paul, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, the Sisters of group sharings followed facilitated by the novices, juniors, young 2008) of the SVD mission was held
Jesus the Good Shepherd, and the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. professed Sisters and seminarians of the Pauline congregations. in Claveria with the theme: “75 Years
The activity aimed to make the youth know and love more St. Paul, At 12 midnight, everyone gathered for the Eucharistic celebra- of celebrating Mission as Witness to
the great apostle of Jesus Christ. tion presided by Bishop Tirona with the Word.” The four-day festivities
The gathering filled with songs and some Pauline priests as concelebrants. culminated with a concelebrated
Mass presided by Auxiliary Bishop
dances, prayer and reflection, study The homilist, Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP, Rick Baccay, DD. The celebration
sessions and faith-sharing was centered challenged the young to be real agents was highlighted by a tribute given to
on the chosen theme: “The Leadership of change and truly live to be the hope all SVD Missionaries who were as-
of PAUL, impelled by the LOVE of of the country. signed to the mission area through
the years. Plaques of appreciation were prepared by Fr. Randolph Botial,
CHRIST.” The Youth Camp ended with par- SVD, Vicare Forane of the Vicariate of Pamplona and Fr. Romeo Fajardo,
The event’s guest speaker Infanta ticipants paying homage to the Blessed SVD, District Superior. Confreres from the different communities and dis-
Bishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, Virgin Mary through a dawn rosary tricts of Tabuk, Abra, Vigan-Laoag, Pangasinan and San Fernando graced
DD, brought the house down when he procession. The first Saturday practice the occasion headed by the Provincial Superior of the Philippine Northern
Province, Rev. Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD.
started his talk with an original rap song was also a way of entrusting the young
on the story St. Paul’s conversion which people to the maternal care and guid- DEDICATED. San Ra-
the participants eagerly joined in. ance of our Blessed Mother in their deli- fael Church at Linman-
Exploring on the theme, he offered cate yet exciting journey ahead. (Mayan sangan, Binalonan,
Pangasinan, Novem-
the IPOD – acronym for INTERIORITY Molina, FSP) ber 15, 2008. Most

Youth redefine culture of peace

IN celebration of the Mindanao Week of
Peace (MWOP), young people in Davao
gathered for a youth camp that concluded
November 30 and committed themselves to
pursuing peace in Mindanao.
In a statement, the participants affirmed
“the need to be united and to go beyond their
own boundaries and comfort zones.”
The participants who were mostly based
in the universities, schools, communities
and some parishes also said that “the mere
existence of this boundary among young
people defines violence.”
“There are several more “unarmed vio-
lence” within the boundaries of young
people such as inaccessibility to basic health
services and to food,” it said.
Studies showed that approximately 790
million in the developing world are still
chronically undernourished and almost
two-thirds (2/3) of whom reside in Asia and
the Pacific.
With the theme, “Youth Across Boundar-
ies: Redefining the Culture of Peace,” the
participants were called to reflect on the
importance of “going across boundaries” for
the sake of unity.
They also discussed the significance of
education which they can use in their thrust
to redefine the culture of peace going across
borders.
Also, according to the United Nations, 22%
of youth cannot avail an education.
“This is one form of boundary among
young people that also creates violence.”
The young people also reflected on the
question, “who defines this systemic vio-
lence?”
“It is not by destiny that majority wallow
in poverty and few can afford a luxurious
living,” it said, adding:
“We, the privilege youth are challenged to
go beyond the comfort zone of our boundar-
ies to aid us in understanding and analyzing
the situation we are all forced to live with
just as Jesus went down to Nazareth and live
with the marginalized.”
The youth camp was sponsored by
Ecumenical Asia Pacific Students and Youth
Network Davao Youth (EASYNET-DAVAO)
and Coordinators Peace Workshop.
Malaysian Adrian Pereira, regional coordi-
nator of International Movement of Catholic
Schools (IMCS) gave the keynote speech on
Youth Across Boundaries: Redefining the
Culture of Peace.
The panel of reactors were Catholic priest
Fr. Pete Lamata, director of the Archdiocesan
Center for Interreligious and Ecumenical
Dialogue (ACIED), Protestant priest Fr. Jona-
than Casimina and Ustadz Aleem Mahmod
Adilao, coordinator of the Ulama League of
the Philippines and PASAKA Confederation
for the lumad and indigenous faith.
The objectives sought to identify the
young people and coordinators from dif-
ferent member organizations/ partners as
key leaders to build and create; to establish
a collective relationship in a culture of
dialogue in One Heart and One Mind; to
actively introduce and promote EASYNet
to its grassroot member organizations, to
redefine the concept of peace by crossing
their comfort zones in each organizations,
to create an avenue for grassroot ecumeni-
cal youth cooperation and fellowship and
to initiate one youth program for peace
within a year.
The youth camp was held at YMCA Camp-
site, Landing, Darong in Sta. Cruz, Davao del
Sur. (Mark S. Ventura)
Rev. Jacinto Jose, DD,
bishop of Urdaneta
led the dedication and
blessing of the new
church together with
Parish Priest Rev. Fr.
Noel Bulosan and the
clergy, in the presence
of parishioners. The
rite for the Dedication
of a church and an altar notes that the liturgical rite is a significant and rare
event in the life of a Christian Community. It involves more than merely
setting a building for the celebration of sacred things, since the people
who plan, build and dedicate a sacred place are themselves the Church,
who “gather to hear the Word of God, to pray together, to celebrate the
Sacraments, and to participate in the Eucharist.”
CELEBRATED. Fr. Armand Tangi,
SSP, 25th anniversary of sacerdotal
ordination, December 8, 2008. A
member of the Society of St. Paul,
Fr. Tangi’s artistic talents have found
its niche in the congregation’s min-
istry of evangelization through the
media. A gifted artist, he has pro-
duced numerous religious paintings
and has conducted a solo exhibit of
his works here and abroad. He has
done magazine covers for St. Pauls
publications and produced stained
glass windows for many churches
in Metro Manila. In an effort to reach
the youth and the “younger at hearts” he produced paintings of Christ in
contemporary times which were printed into posters. The paintings that
depict Christ laughing, and doing things the younger generation can relate
with have proven to be a hit among the youth. Fr. Tangi is currently the
art director of St. Pauls’ mini media department that produces posters,
greeting cards and stampitas.
ORDAINED. Rev.
Crisanto O. Aninloy,
Rev. Ramel S. Don-
da, Rev. Bonifacio
C. Cabaya from the
Diocese of Malayba-
lay; Rev. Benjamin S.
Laforteza, Jr., Rev.
Salvador B. Bucario,
Jr., from the Arch-
diocese of Cotabato;
Rev. Eleuterio F. Da-
toy, Rev. Casibjorn Quiacao, and Rev. Michael C. E. Fabello, from the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro to the sacred Order of Deacons, November
19, 2008. Most Rev. Honesto Chaves Pacana, SJ presided the ordination
rite at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro City.
Parishioners, relatives, and friends, Christian and Muslim peace workers,
and members of Panday Kalinaw Inc. witnessed the ordination rite. The
celebration was made more significant with the presence of representa-
tives from the Higaonon tribe of Bukidnon, their Datus and tribal leaders
who came for Rev. C. Aninloy, himself a Higaonon.

INVESTED. Fr. Antonio F. Florendo, parish priest of Sto. Tomas de Vil-

lanueva in Dao; and Fr. Melencio B. Bartolo, treasurer of the Colegio de
la Purisima Concepcion in Roxas City, as Papal Chaplains, in a ceremony
presided by Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo, archbishop of Capiz, No-
vember 28, 2008.

CONFERRED. Ms. Divina V. Asis and Ms. Herminia A. Bisnar of the medal
Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice during the Holy Mass presided by
Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo, archbishop of Capiz, November 28,
2008. The Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is an award of the Roman
Catholic Church. The medal was established by Leo XIII on July 17, 1888
to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed
on women and men who had aided and promoted the jubilee, and by
other means assisted in making the jubilee and the Vatican Exposition
successful. It is currently given for distinguished service to the church by
lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the
laity by the Papacy.

CELEBRATED. Fr. Albert Rosario Rabe, 25th anniversary of sacerdotal

ordination in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, November 29, 2008.
Ordained in October 29, 1983, Fr. Rabe was the first to be ordained at
the Sta. Catalina Parish Church near Vigan City. His pastoral experiences
include parish assignments in San Vicente, Tagudin, and Sinait towns in
Ilocos Sur. He was also assigned as formator and professor at the Regional
Seminary of Vigan. Fr. Rabe is currently a part of the international team of
trainors for the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences-Asian Integral
Pastoral Approach (FABC-AsIPA).
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Pastoral Concerns
Caring for Mt. Isarog: A
response to God’s call
By Julma Narvadez
A PARADISE in Camarines
Sur, with its rich biodiversity,
breathtaking views,
refreshing streams and
waterfalls. An unforgettable
experience for people who
have scaled its slopes and
have been enchanted by its
verdant greens and cool,
crisp air. Mt. Isarog has
been known for its beauty
and the promises it holds
for mountaineers. For nature
crusaders, it is a treasure to
nourish as it is home to rare
species.
But Mt. Isarog deserves a closer
look. Not only from the indigenous
communities that live along its
shoulders. Not only from the city and
six municipalities that depend on it for
potable water. Mt. Isarog represents a
call for stewardship. It echoes the call
of faith.
The Archdiocese of Caceres, for three
years now, has been at the forefront of
caring for Mt. Isarog.
“Over the years, I reflected on the
connection between our people and Mt.
Isarog. I have been long convinced that
this connection is symbiotic, that the life
of each depends on the other,” Caceres
Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP
said when he established MIADP, or
Mt. Isarog Integrated Area Development
Program.
“God has given us the task of being
stewards of His creation. A clear case
is the covenant, which God made
with Noah after the flood. Here, the
relationship which links God, human
beings and all the community of those
living together, is unmistakable.”
The archbishop explained that as
people of the covenant we are called to
protect endangered ecosystems.
“This is our faith vision. I am not
just motivated by ecology, by practical
sense,” he said.
MIADP represents the local Church’s
commitment as steward of the
environment. For Archbishop Legaspi,
caring for Mt. Isarog is the best way to
start an intensified move to preserve the
integrity of creation.
Mt. Isarog, a gift to the local Church
Standing 1,966 meters above sea
level, Mt. Isarog has 16 major rivers
that provide drinking water for Naga
City and the towns of Calabanga,
Tinambac, Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa
and Pili. It is the source of irrigation
water to 67,400 hectares of rice lands.
Agriculture is the main livelihood of the
twenty-three barangays that surround
the mountain.
Agta-Tabangnon and Agta-Cimarron
communities, for many years, have
called Mt. Isarog their home. The Mt.
Isarog National Park boasts of many of
the plants, birds and animals known
to reside in Luzon. The mountain is a
natural shield during typhoons and is the
first line of prevention against floods.
Sadly, illegal undertakings such as
logging, quarrying, treasure-hunting
and other environmentally destructive
activities have caused a serious concern
for the protection of Mt. Isarog. The
increase in tourism activities and human
population around its shoulders has
also contributed in the urgent need to
preserve its resources.
The forest’s denudation and
destruction of the mountain’s ecosystems
are imminent. Erosions during strong
typhoons had already claimed the lives
of families in different municipalities.
The water district had warned that if the
water yield continues to decrease, the
lack of water supply will be in dangerous
levels in five years.
MIADP began its mission fully aware
of these disheartening realities. But they
only made Archbishop Legaspi more
decisive in the protection of Mt. Isarog
as a pastoral priority.
He said that often, in times of typhoon
and floods, the people run to parish
churches for safety and they stay for five
days. “What we usually do is conduct
relief operations. Then I began to ask, is
this the only way we can help them? And
in my reflection, I came to the conclusion
that more than providing relief, we need
B1
that move beyond environment. Archbishop
Legaspi explained that in protecting Mt. Isarog,
MIADP cannot limit itself on environmental
concerns. “For example, you cannot totally blame
the people why they resort to environmental
malpractice like charcoal production and slash-
and-burn farming. They do not have other
means. That’s why raising their awareness
becomes necessary alongside provision of
alternative sources of livelihood.”
True enough, MIADP’s interventions
include the introduction of organic farming.
Aside from avoiding the damage to the land
caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides,
farmers were able to lessen their costs when
they switched to organic farming. For many
among the farmers, they only needed to
be told about the danger of burning palay
stalks and using chemical fertilizers.
Under the Alternative Learning
Program (ALP), volunteer-teachers
conduct free weekly classes on basic
writing, reading and counting for
children of indigent parents living
near the national park. Environmental
awareness and protection are integrated
in the classes. The program has 435
There is still so much students who no longer need to walk
to be done. For many 2 kilometers to the nearest public
school.
years, Mt. Isarog has Responding to the high illiteracy
been under the care rate among the children, ALP has
proved to be an adequate preparation
of foreign-funded for formal classes. Some of the pupils
non-government have qualified to enroll in Grade 1 even
organizations. MIADP’s without formal pre-school education.
The feeding program has helped the
contribution in children’s health and nutrition need.
protecting Mt. Isarog Moreover, it encouraged involvement
among the parents. Tasked to prepare
may be a drop in the the food, the parents recognized that
bucket, but enough to their participation is important. To date,
the feeding program takes care of 435
create ripples of hope. children from 17 barangays.
Training and refresher courses for
barangay health workers were also
TOPMOST: A view of Mt. Isarog from the rice fields. ABOVE: conducted. For an upland community
Volunteers from Brgy. Del Rosario, Ocampo plant trees on far from hospitals and clinics, the
the slopes of the mountain. LEFT: A site visit by MIADP
with MIG and DENR officials to verify illegal activities in presence of barangay health workers
Catagbacan, Goa. (Photos courtesy of the Archdiocese can spell the difference between life
of Caceres) and death. The training and refresher
courses updated the health workers
about the prevention of common
When MIADP had just started, CARE diseases and early detection of life-
Philippines recommended relocating the threatening cases.
settlers in the protected zone because
they themselves would uproot or burn Forging Multi-level Partnerships
the trees. But MIADP decided against it. With the help of the residents, MIADP
“Instead, we chose to focus on them by has planted 73,536 endemic trees of
teaching them how to live in harmony different species in 261 hectares of land.
with their environment,” Fr. Tria said. Only 39 hectares short of its objective to
to prevent the problem. ” The decision has resulted to a gradual, cover 300-hectares, MIADP can easily
“We studied the causes. What is the but truly beneficial, change. The village reach its target.
direct cause? How can we diminish the chief of Bgy. Guinaban, Ocampo attests MIADP’s quarterly monitoring and
impact? We saw that human activity that the people have become concerned maintenance, and its collaboration with
plays a major role in the problem.” about the mountain and its resources. the Mt. Isarog Guardians, a community-
Archbishop Legaspi recalled how he Before, the residents were passive about based organization; have helped ensure
led the conceptualization of MIADP, illegal activities such as timber poaching. that the trees will grow to maturity.
in consultation with representatives Now, they report any occurrence. The Fallouts are replaced and ring weeding
from parishes, government and non- treasure-hunting in Bgy. Del Rosario is done. Here, the cooperation between
government agencies. has folded when the people collaborated MIADP and the residents is evident.
with the authorities. MIADP provides the seedlings, while
Caring for God’s mountain Although not deputized to make the residents help plant the trees and
Implemented through the Caceres a r r e s t s , M I A D P ’ s C o m m u n i t y monitor their growth.
Social Action Foundation, Inc (CASAFI), Development Workers (CDW) receive the Meanwhile, local governments have
MIADP is headed by Fr. Nelson Tria, reports from the residents and together, released patrolling allowance for their
CASAFI Director and concurrently, they bring the case to authorities. respective MIGs. Financial support
MIADP Project Director. Fr. Tria “The damage to Mt. Isarog is not from local governments helps defray
noted that after three years, MIADP’s caused only by the residents at the costs of patrolling materials such as
efforts have made a dent among the protected area or near it. But even more raincoat and flashlight, and of fire line
communities at Mt. Isarog. by the people who go up the mountain maintenance which protect reforested
“Other than the tree planting and just to exploit the resources,” Fr. Tria areas from being razed by fire.
caring for the resources of Mt. Isarog, said. “This is why we endeavored to Civic organizations are also doing
MIADP reaches out to the people. The awaken the residents’ consciousness their share. Medical and dental missions
Archdiocese of Caceres has its sight on towards protecting the mountain.” were conducted in Tigaon, Ocampo and
human development, especially of the Caring for the people Calabanga. Health education materials
communities living at the shoulders of MIADP’s success in animating the were printed and distributed to the
the mountain.” Fr. Tria explained. people was a result of its interventions Isarog / B4
B2 Updates
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

Honoring the Book of

the Gospels
The liturgical law
(Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina
Apostolorum university, answers the following questions:)

Q: A priest-professor of liturgy at a seminary in India told me

about the Book of the Gospels which is carried in the entrance
procession during the Mass and kept on the altar till the Gospel
of the church
reading and which is used for the proclamation of the Gospel.
He explained to me the reasons and significance of this special
honor given to the Book of the Gospels. Some of our friends
who heard about it for the first time raised many doubts about
this practice. I read the General Instruction of the Roman Missal
(GIRM), which also speaks about it. I have three questions on
this subject: 1. The Book of the Gospels that he showed to me
was an American edition (National Conference of Catholic
Bishops -- Catholic Book Publishing Co.). Can we use it in
India? I called the National Liturgy Commission in India and
the person in charge said we do not have an Indian edition, but
if we have the U.S. edition we could use it in English-speaking
congregations. Is it correct? 2. In India we have many vernacular
languages. In those languages we certainly do not have Book of
the Gospels. In that case can we use the lectionary (GIRM, No.
120.d, says “not lectionary”) or the New Testament (Bible) in
procession instead of Book of the Gospels? 3. As regards honor
given to the Book of the Gospels, can we give some special
honor according to our Indian culture (see GIRM, Nos. 60, 273,
390) such as arathi and garlanding (homage by flowers)? In the
approved cultural adaptation (Sacra Congregatio Pro Cultu
Divino, Protocol No. 802/69, dated April 25, 1969) for India,
the arathi is approved by Holy See, but in the decree it does
not mention specifically the Book of the Gospels. Therefore,
can we do it?—S.C.A., Thanjavur, India

A: Our correspondent is clearly a very well-formed layman

and sedulous with respect to correct liturgical practice.
First of all, he is correct regarding the importance of the
Book of the Gospels. Historically, the Gospels have always
been accorded special treatment in the liturgy. In many ancient
churches it was common to have two ambos—large elevated
stone podiums placed opposite each other on either side of
the nave—before entering the sanctuary. The one on the right
was taller and more richly decorated and was reserved for the
proclamation of the Gospel and occasionally substituted the
cathedra as the place of episcopal preaching.
The left-side ambo was divided into two levels, the higher
for reading the Epistle and the lower for the chanter of the
responsories. Some ancient Roman churches, such as St.
Lawrence and St. Clement, still conserve their fifth-century
ambos.
While the mode of expressing particular veneration toward
the Gospel has varied over the centuries, it has always been
present in some way. In the present liturgy it is expressed in
the GIRM. The “Book of the Gospels” referred to in GIRM is
generally a book in which
Historically, all the Gospel texts used
in the liturgy are arranged
the Gospels for liturgical proclamation
have always in a manner similar to the
lectionary. However, the
been accorded norms would not seem to
special exclude the use of an ornate
book containing only the
treatment in four Gospels provided that
the liturgy. In the translation corresponds
to texts officially approved
many ancient for liturgical use.
churches it was The GIRM says:
“120d: ‘A lector, who may
common to have carry the Book of the Gospels
two ambos— (though not the Lectionary),
which should be slightly
large elevated elevated’:
stone podiums “122: ‘It is a praiseworthy
practice that the Book of the
placed opposite Gospels be placed upon the
each other on altar.’
“133: ‘If the Book of the
either side of Gospels is on the altar, the
the nave—before priest then takes it and goes
to the ambo, carrying the
entering the Book of the Gospels slightly
sanctuary. elevated and preceded by the
lay ministers, who may carry
the thurible and the candles. Those present turn towards the
ambo as a sign of special reverence to the Gospel of Christ.
“At the ambo, the priest opens the book and, with hands
joined, says, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you), and
the people respond, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you).
Then he says, Lectio sancti Evangelii (A reading from the holy
gospel), making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the
book and on his forehead, mouth, and breast, which everyone
else does as well. The people say the acclamation Gloria tibi,
Domine (Glory to you, Lord). The priest incenses the book, if
incense is used (cf. below, nos. 276-277). Then he proclaims the
Gospel and at the end says the acclamation Verbum Domini
(The gospel of the Lord), to which all respond, Laus tibi,
Christe (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ). The priest kisses
the book, saying quietly, Per evangelica dicta (May the words
of the gospel).”
If a deacon is present, he will carry the Book of the Gospels in
the entrance procession and perform the other rites attributed
to the priest in the above texts. The historical privileging of the
Book of the Gospels shows why only this book and not the full
lectionary should be carried in the procession and left on the
altar. Addressing the three questions at hand:
1) I must defer to the indications of the official at the National
Liturgy Commission regarding the use of the American Book
of the Gospels. Although the approval of liturgical books is
the exclusive province of each bishops’ conference, some allow
the use of any officially approved texts by other conferences.
This may be the case in India.
2) In multilingual countries such as India, where the cost of
publication of specific Books of the Gospels would be exorbitant,
one may have recourse to a certain maneuver that can help
overcome the difficulty. In this case any duly approved Book
of the Gospels is adopted into which a photocopy of the Gospel
to be read that day in the local language is inserted. Since a
proper Book of the Gospels is used, it is attributed the usual
liturgical honors in spite of being in a language different from
that of the Mass. Even the Holy See has occasionally avoided
a moment of liturgical embarrassment through this practical
sleight of hand.
3) I think it is best to have recourse to the National Liturgical
Commission regarding rites specifically approved for India.
I could say, as a matter of general principle, that if the sense
and meaning of the local rite is basically equivalent to that
of the missal, then it should be possible. For example, if the
aforementioned rites such as the arathi (an offering of bowls
containing incense) are used in venerating the altar at the
beginning of Mass, then it is probably legitimate to use them
for the Gospel. A cleric from Tamil Nadu state studying in
Rome has informed me that this rite is occasionally used in
venerating the Book of the Gospels on solemn occasions.
The fact that the Gospel was not mentioned in a decree
from early 1969 is not surprising as it precedes the definitive
publication of the 1970 Roman Missal, and some aspects of this
rite were not definitively clarified until some years later.
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
By Fr. Jaime B. Achacoso, J.C.D. establishes: §1. The liturgical books approved acts and making them more dignified and
by the competent authority are to be faithfully fruitful. This includes everything relative
observed in the celebration of the sacraments; to the rites and ceremonies with which the
I have often been baffled by the seeming therefore no one on personal authority may liturgy is celebrated, the contents of Ordos,
variations in the way the Holy Mass is add, remove or change anything in them. Rituals and other liturgical books. The liturgy
and the sacraments have always enjoyed a
celebrated in different churches and by §2. The ministers are to celebrate the
different priests. Being a lawyer myself, I have sacraments according to their own rite. certain systematic normative autonomy at
wondered if Church Law did not regulate 5) The actions are carried out by persons the margin of the CIC. Thus c.2 declares: For
this very public and doubtless important lawfully deputed—a deputation that is the most part the Code does not define the
ceremony. My legal mind tells me that in different, as previously mentioned, from rites which are to be observed in celebrating
the same way that the State enforces certain that enjoyed by all the faithful by virtue of liturgical actions. For this reason current
procedures in the public domain—e.g.,
traffic rules, labor laws, industrial laws,
baptism, which is a sharing in the common
priesthood mentioned in c.836 and described
liturgical norms retain their force unless a
given liturgical norm is contrary to the canons
banking laws—the Church as a community by Vatican II. of the Code.
of believers must have laws regarding public b) Liturgical Law (ius de re liturgica),
which deals with the validity of liturgical
worship and sacraments. Can you please Canon Law and Sacred Liturgy
explain this to me? Is there a Place for Liturgical Norms in acts and the juridic capacity to act of the
Canon Law? different subjects. In other words, it deals
Sacred Liturgy and Liturgical Actions The greater systematic autonomy given to with the canonical discipline (i.e., contained
Vatican II affirmed that it is through liturgico-sacramental norms in the present in the CIC) insofar as it affects liturgical and
the liturgy or the public worship of the Code shows, on the one hand, the deeper sacramental acts and other acts of cult.
Church that “the work of our redemption
is exercised” and that the liturgy is “the
understanding of the munera Ecclesiae as
a reflection and participation in the munera Summary of Liturgical Law
outstanding means by which the faithful can Christi. Liturgical actions are not private actions but
express in their lives and manifest to others In effect, the munus docendi (teaching office are celebrations of the whole Church—i.e.,
the People of God united and ordered under
the mystery of Christ and the real nature of of the Church) and the munus sanctificandi
the Church” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, n.2). (sanctifying office of the Church) are the the guidance of the bishops. This public
Therefore, the Council concludes, “the liturgy two great functions of the Church, at the character of liturgical actions, as well as their
is the summit toward which the activity of service of which is the munus regendi (the intimate connection with the principles of
the Church is directed; at the same time it is governing office). the Faith, constitute the ratio legis on which
the fountain from which all her powers flow” In effect, such a systematic emphasis on the is based the exclusive competence of the
(SC, n.10). canonical discipline of sacred liturgy shows ecclesiastical authority in the regulation of
What is liturgy? The Code of Canon Law an acknowledgment of the insufficiency of all matters regarding the liturgy. Thus, the
gives the following definition: the proclamation of the Word of God alone. whole of liturgical law can be summarized
Can. 834, §1. The Church fulfills its The Church also has the fundamental mission in the following principles:
office of sanctifying in a special way in the of carrying out the salvation that it proclaims 1) Principle of Substantial Unity. This
sacred liturgy, which is indeed the exercise “through the sacrifice and the sacraments is premised on the distinction between
of the priestly office of Jesus Christ; in it around which revolves the whole liturgical changeable and unchangeable (immutable)
through sensible signs elements of the liturgy: immutable elements
the sanctification of
humankind is signified Being a lawyer myself, I have wondered are those which depend on
the foundational will of
and effected in a manner if Church Law did not regulate the very Christ—e.g., the substance
proper to each of the signs
and the whole of the public
public and doubtless important ceremony of the sacraments and
whatever is more directly
worship of God is carried of celebrating the Holy Mass in different related to that substance;
on by the mystical Body of churches and by different priests. My legal changeable elements are
Jesus Christ, that is, by the those which do not belong
Head and the members. mind tells me that in the same way that or are not directly related
§2. This worship takes the State enforces certain procedures in to the substance of the
place when it is carried out sacraments. The principle
in the name of the Church the public domain—e.g., traffic rules, labor is enunciated as follows:
by persons lawfully laws, industrial laws, banking laws—the “By virtue of it pastoral
deputed and through acts
approved by the authority
Church as a community of believers must authority, [the Church]
can ordain what may be
of the Church. have laws regarding public worship and useful for the good of the
From the above, the sacraments. faithful, according to the
circumstances, times and
following essential
elements of a liturgical action can be deduced, life” (SC, 6). places. But it does not have any power to
the last three of which can be classified as On the other hand, in contrast to the Code change what pertains to the will of Christ,
veritable canonical requirements: of 1917 which separated worship from which is what constitutes the immutable part
1) An exercise of the priestly office of Jesus sacramental activity, the present Code starts of the Liturgy.”
Christ—which is a fundamental element of from the doctrinal principle that liturgy—at 2) Principle of Centralization. This
the liturgy. Thus, when a priest consecrates the center of which are the sacraments—is reinforces the previous principle, and is
the Eucharist, Christ is present in the person simultaneously an act of worship and an act contained in c.838:
of the minister; when the confessor absolves, of sanctification: through it “God is perfectly —§1. The supervision of the sacred liturgy
it is Christ who forgives sins; when a faithful glorified and men are sanctified” (SC, 7). depends solely on the authority of the Church,
baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes. Finally, a recent Instruction from the which resides in the Apostolic See and, in
2) The use of sensible signs, which both Congregation for Divine Worship points accord with the law, the diocesan bishop
signify and effect the sanctification of out that the finality of the liturgical norm is (c.838, §1).
mankind. In this regard, it is important to not only to avoid errors, but above all and —§2. It is for the Apostolic See to order
comment that the liturgical sign should keep precisely to unify efforts in the transmission the sacred liturgy of the universal Church, to
close relation with the sanctification that it of the truth. publish the liturgical books, to review their
signifies (to the exclusion of the vulgar and In this regard, the liturgical norm finds its translations into the vernacular languages
the inane). reason in the double quality of any liturgical and to see that liturgical ordinances are
3) The public worship of God is carried act—i.e., they are public (of the community, faithfully observed everywhere.
out by the whole Mystical Body—i.e., it is of the Church), and they express the faith. Thus, the following are reserved to the
offered in the name of the Church. Thus, c.837, Holy See:
§1 states: Liturgical actions are not private Is there a Liturgical Law? 1º All that refers to the validity of the
actions but celebrations of the Church itself, We have to distinguish between two sacraments (c.841).
which is “the sacrament of unity”…therefore phenomena: 2º All that refers to the licitud of the
liturgical actions pertain to the whole body of a) Ritual or Ceremonial Law (ius in re sacraments the regulation of which the Holy
the Church and manifest and affect it…. liturgica), which deals with properly liturgical See has not decentralized to the Episcopal
4) The actions are approved by the norms—i.e., those whose object is the carrying Conferences and to the diocesan Bishops.
authority of the Church. Thus, c.846 explicitly out of what is signified by the liturgical Liturgy / B4
 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
By Fr. Renato Brion
THE evangelization of the province of
Bulacan began in Calumpit, with the
coming of the Spanish missionaries who
evangelized the people of Pampanga.
The Augustinian Chapter of June 11,
1580 accepted Malolos as a house of
the Order. The parish was established
under the patronage of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception. The convent
and church of the parish underwent
a drama and cycle of construction-
destruction (by earthquake or fire)-and
reconstruction-renovations from 1591-
1936. The convent was even used as
the Palacio Presidential (presidential
crown the historical event which set the
process of the role of Malolos Church
to be the ferment of the revolutionary
transformation of Catholicism into what
it was envisioned by St. Paul as active
members of his one body performing
his works of service and love.
Bishop Almario was succeeded by
the third bishop of the diocese, Most.
Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona in 1997.
He renewed and refreshed the diocese,
making it alive and vibrant through the
very active participation of the youth. He
tried to implement the mandate of Pope
John Paul II in the fulfillment of what
the Malolos Cathedral Church always
stood for, namely, revolution against
Diocese
Pastoral Thrusts of the Diocese
The continuing agenda for social
concern is primarily answered by the
different charitable institutions of the
Diocese of Malolos. The diocese is one
of the few in the Philippines that has a
complete roster of institutions that cater
to the needs of the different sectors of
society. These institutions include at
least two orphanages (Bethany House
and Nazareth Home), a feeding center
(Bethlehem House of Bread), two
homes for the aged (Emmaus House of
Apostolate and Tahanang Mapagpala),
a drug rehabilitation center (Galilee
Homes), a house for the mentally ill
(Hospicio de San Juan de Dios), and
life apostolate. The Commission focuses
on leadership formation among couple
leaders with three major programs: Pre-
Cana Program, Post-Cana Program and
Pro-Life Programs. Fifty percent of the
102 parishes of the diocese are regular
participants of monthly enrichment
seminars. The Commission also gives
special attention to Pro-Life programs
and activities like giving an awareness
and orientation seminar on Pro-Life
and anti-life issues, organizing and
launching a pro-life rally and legislative
advocacy like signature campaign,
mobilizing people and sometimes
lobbying at congress. A diocesan
quarterly newsletter for education and
B3
clergy has formation modules for priests
according to aged bracket such as, neo-
presbyters, young clergy, middle-aged
clergy, senior clergy, and the retired
clergy with the help of the KADIWA sa
Pagkapari Foundation of Msgr. Sabino
Vengco. The diocese also sends priests
regularly for studies abroad and has
an official agreement for sabbatical of
some priests in the Dioceses of Oakland
in New Zealand, Chalan Kanoa in
Saipan, Melbourne in Australia, Houma-
Thibodaux in Louisiana, and other
dioceses of the United States.
Through the Commission on
Formation, the BEC program was
reactivated in the parishes since the

Diocese of Malolos
palace) of the first Philippine
Republic under Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo from Sept. 10, 1898
to March 29, 1899, when he was
forced to evacuate to Gapan,
Nueva Ecija.
Malolos Bishops
The church underwent further
renovations and repairs in
preparation for its inauguration
as the Diocesan Cathedral, and the
installation of its first bishop, Most Rev.
Manuel P. del Rosario, D.D. on March
11, 1962. On March 7, 1965, ahead of
the Archdiocese of Manila, Bishop del
Rosario ordered that all churches in
Bulacan should have a free standing altar
table for the community mass prescribed
by Pope Paul VI.
Most Rev. Cirilo R. Almario Jr, D.D.
succeeded the chair as the second bishop
of Malolos on December 4, 1976. He
started to build various institutions
that extended services and charity to
the poor and less fortunate faithful. He
started the bible apostolate to carry out
the task of evangelization. He founded
the Immaculate Conception Minor
Seminary as well as the Major Seminary
that now produces a good number of
priests every year. In July 1993, he started
the move towards the designation of the
Malolos Cathedral as Basilica Minore to
ON BACKGROUND: Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception, Malolos.
BELOW: Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, DD
inhumanity, union to stand for the divine
dignity of the natives, and communion
in serving Christ in the poor and needy,
challenging the generosity of everyone
and the enthusiasm of the youth.
The installation in August 5, 2004 of
the incumbent Malolos Ordinary, Most
Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, D.D. has pushed
further the resolve of the diocese to
really enter into the refreshing meaning
of evangelization. He started his tenure
by making pastoral visits to all the 104
parishes in the diocese, spending time
with every parish priest, communicating
his resolve to implement the policies of
the church and to deliver the message
of concern for the parishes and the
parishioners particularly the poor. He
went to all the chapels, prayed with the
people and celebrated with them the gift
of catholic faith. In his heart he pursued
this new way of being church, which
we now understand as Basic Ecclesial
Communities.
a foundation (Biskal Foundation) and
center for Indigenous People (Divine
Mercy Center for Indigenous People).
In connection with the five year
preparation, the bishop, under the
auspices of the Diocesan Shrine of the
Mother of the Eucharist and Grace in Sta.
Maria, Bulacan, has also launched every
beginning of the school year the “Sukat
Sapatos Project” that provides free shoes
for 50 needy children. A dialysis center
that will accept two to three patients a
day for free is established. There is also a
food feeding program that will provide
free 50 cavans of rice a year to poor
parishes. Lastly, a scholarship program
for poor and deserving seminarians has
also been started.
The Diocesan Commission on Family
and Life has three family-life-related
organizations, namely, Couples for
Christ (CFC) (with national affiliation),
Christian Family Movement (CFM) and
Servi Christi, a diocesan-based family
information purposes is also put up.
The population of the local seminary is
increasing; there are now 104 seminarians
in the Immaculate Conception Major
Seminary and 65 in the Minor Seminary.
The seminarians do not only come from
the Diocese of Malolos but also from the
neighboring dioceses such as, Antipolo,
Zambales, Bataan and Puerto Princesa.
The candidates also are generally much
older than the previous years, there is an
increase number of professionals (college
graduate with work experience) entering
the seminary. Every year there are five
to six seminarians being ordained to the
priesthood. The Seminary has at present
14 Priests formators with specialized
degrees.
The Diocese has a continuing formation
program for the clergy; it has recollection
every month, pastoral retooling for
priests every three months and an
annual retreat. But besides the regular
programs, the diocese’s commission on
previous BEC, i.e., KRISKA, was only
being implemented in few
parishes. The Commission has
already conducted seminars
to foment the start of the Basic
Ecclesial Communities with
the theme: “Luhod-Lingkod,”
prayer and work united.
The treatment of main
stream Media with regard
to Church issues is minimal.
The Diocese nonetheless
has its own diocesan paper managed
by the Commission on Mass Media,
SANDIGAN. This year, the Commission
has launched a citation award for parish
and catholic school newspaper to
encourage at least in the print sector the
importance of reaching people through
mass media.
The Golden Jubilee
The Diocese of Malolos will be
celebrating its golden anniversary on
March 11, 2012. A five-year preparation
that focuses on the Vision of the Diocese
which is formulated in the First Synod
of the Diocese of Malolos (1987): “To
form a living, vibrant, loving, trusting
and relevant community of the People
of God” is in place. The five-year
preparation was launched on March
10, 2007.
It has, for its yearly theme, the five
qualities of the community contained
in the Diocesan Vision. The first year
of preparation is focused on forming
a living community of faith. The focus
is on the Word of God and the theme
as adapted from CBCP is: “Word of
God, Word of Life.” The second year
of preparation is focused on forming a
vibrant community of faith. Vibrancy of
faith is modeled to the Blessed Virgin
Mary, hence the second year is the Year
of Mary. The theme is: “Mary, Model of a
Vibrant Community under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.” The third year of
preparation is focused on forming a
loving community of faith. It will be
the year of God the Father, who is love
Himself. The fourth year is focused on
forming a trusting community of faith.
It will be the year of Jesus Christ, the
trusting Son of the Father. The fifth and
last year of preparation is focused on
forming a relevant community of faith.
It will be the year of the Holy Spirit,
the gift of the Father and the Son who
dwells in us and in the community of
the Church.
Part of the spiritual preparation for
the celebration of the Golden Jubilee
is the pilgrimage-retreat of priests,
religious and lay people to the Holy
Land. Thirty priests, two religious sisters
and a lay person were sent to the Holy
Land last October. In the coming years
of preparation, a group of thirty-three
persons (priests, religious and lay) will
be sent to the Holy Land annually.
The main event of the Jubilee on
2012 will be the convocation of the
Second Synod of Malolos. To prepare
for the Synod, the Bishop is conducting
Pastoral visits to the 105 parishes of
the Diocese, the Catholic schools, the
different charitable institutions and the
different religious communities within
the Diocese.
As the diocese looks forward to the
celebration of its golden anniversary it
seeks to form a living, vibrant, loving
and trusting community in the hearts
and lives of its faithful. The journey is
not only towards the Jubilee celebration,
but also towards the realization of the
Kingdom of God on earth in the local
Church.

IMPORTANT FACTS
Bishops ………………………………… 3
Diocesan Clergy:
Active ……………………………….. 233
Study Leave ……………………...… 3
Sick Leave ……………………... 2
Sabbatical/Abroad ………………... 23
Retired …………………………….. 12
Religious:
Filipino …………………………....... 311
Foreign …………………………….. 1
Seminarians:
Theologate …………………...… 19
Pastoral Year ……………………..... 8
Philosophy …………………...…. 52
Pre-College ……………...……… 18
High School ………………...…… 66
Educational Centers:
College ……………………...……..... 11
High School ……..…………….. 31
Elementary ………...…………… 30
Pre-School …………...………… 26
Diocesan Divisions:
Districts …………………....………. 3
Vicariates …………………..…….. 9
Parishes ……………………..……. 105
Population …………………..…… 740,000
Catholics ………………..…......... 614,200
Area ………………... 1, 249,786 sq.kms.
 B4 Features
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

Born in a Manger: God among the

The Serviam Award Poor and Simple
Christmas Reflections based on the Church Fathers and Spiritual Writers
By Fr. Melvin Castro In 1562 the Jesuits put up a crib in Peace on earth, to men of good will!
Prague which is considered the first crib Were not these poor people to whom the
of the modern kind. angels were referring to as men of good
I REMEMBER when in the past Why did the Lord choose to be born in will? Most probably. In the Beatitudes,
Christmas times, each home would a manger? The Venerable Bede tells us: the Lord repeats the blessing of the poor:
have its own Christmas tree but always Straightly is He, Whose Throne is in the Blest are the poor for they shall inherit
at the foot of the tree were not boxes of heavens, confined in the narrowness of a the land.
gifts but the belen. And, I am sure, all crib, so that He might open wide to us the St. Symeon Metaphrates reflects: O
of us are happy that we live in a time joys of His eternal kingdom. He that is wondrous bondage and sojourn which
of rediscovering the Nativity/Manger the Bread of Angels reclines in a manger He endured, who holds the world in
Scene. that we as sanctified beasts might be fed His hand! From His first day He seeks
In the Diocese of Tarlac, Fr. Alex with the corn of His flesh. only poverty, and honors it in His own
Bautista, an architect by profession and St. Cyril adds as well: He found that Person. Had He wished He might have
who earned his Theology baccalaureate man had become a beast in his soul, and appeared mowing the heavens, shaking
from the University of Navarre (Navarra, so He is placed in the manger, in the the earth, hurling down the lightnings.
Spain), had this inspiration of Belenismo. place of fodder, that we, changing our But not in this way did He come.
Well, he actually coined the word, to animal way of living, may be led back He wished to save, not to cast down,
mean the art of making the Nativity to the wisdom that becomes humanity: and from the beginning to tread under
Scene. It will serve as a solemn and stretching out, not towards animal foot the foolish pride of man. So He not
prayerful reminder what the true fodder, but to the heavenly Bread for alone became man, He became a poor
meaning of Christmas is, which is the the life of this body. man; and chose a poor mother, who had
Fr. Salvatore Putzu, SDB (2nd from left) with Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and Justice Puno solemn and joyful remembrance of the not even a cradle wherein her new born
during the awarding ceremony. Birth of the Savior. Bethlehem: House of Bread Babe might lie.
When in other places of the world Interestingly, the name of the town
people have started to avoid or even where the Lord was born literally means Rejoice! For unto us, a Child is given
By Ma. Luisa M. Lacson disdain anything in reference to Our House of Bread (in Arabic it is translated We may have lost our innocence,
Lord Jesus Christ, we Filipinos have not as House of Meat). In Bethlehem, but we can always regain simplicity.
only preserved our Christian roots but Verbum caro factum est, The Word was Christmas is not only for children. It is
THROUGH the years, The Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) has
evolved with current development of mass communications. Though there
have been innovations in the CMMA process, the basic essential elements
remained. Interestingly,
The Serviam Award was established in 2004 in honor of the late Cardinal
Jaime Sin, the founder of CMMA. It is the highest award conferred by
the name of the
CMMA to individuals and institutions who have distinguished themselves, town where the
over a long span of years for service rendered to the Church and/or the Lord was born
community.
Let me share my experience of having witnessed the 30th Catholic Mass literally means
Media Award Night on October 29, 2008. It was a grand treat to attend such House of Bread
prestigious program, whose purpose is “to pay tribute to media products
that enhance the total human development of the Filipino audience through
(in Arabic it is
competent and professional use of mass media techniques.” I should know, translated as
because I belong to the academe where I have been fostering these values
for 45 years.
House of Meat).
This year the CMMA conferred the Serviam Award (individual category) In Bethlehem,
on Fr. Salvatore Putzu, SDB. November 17, 1979 was the day this Italian Verbum caro
priest arrived in the Philippines. He started working at the preparation of
a 6-volume Religion textbooks series factum est, The
The Serviam Award entitled “Towards Life.” Shortly Word was made
was established in
after, he began his collaboration
with the Episcopal Commission
Flesh. This Flesh
2004 in honor of the on Catechesis and contributed to of His, He gave
the preparation of the National
late Cardinal Jaime Catechetical Directory, and then the to us as our
Sin, the founder National Catechism. living Bread.
In 1989 he established Word and
of CMMA. It is the Life Publications. From volunteer
highest award workers of three, gradually, his staff
conferred by CMMA swelled to 24 paid collaborators.
They still assist him as he labors
to individuals and to promote the Word of God.
institutions who Never has he stopped to this day,
producing volumes of materials for
have distinguished Catechesis.
themselves, over a Fr. Sal was for many years ECCCE’s
Executive Secretary and the Editor of
long span of years DOCETE, the official publication of are in fact enriching and deepening our made Flesh. This Flesh of His, He gave for the child-like. In the business of our
for service rendered ECCCE, the CBCP Commission on Christian tradition. to us as our living Bread. work, in the weariness of our labor, in
to the Church and/or Catechesis and Catholic Education.
He also taught at the University of Sto. The Manger
St. Gregory the Great in his Christmas the exhaustion that we meet in life, or
Homily tells us: Also was He, fittingly, in the sheer complexity of situation that
the community. Tomas; was resource person at many After his return to Italy from a voyage born in Bethlehem: since Bethlehem is we find ourselves, Christmas is not an
national catechetical conventions. He to Egypt and Acre in 1220, St Francis of interpreted as the House of Bread. For escape. It is the ultimate solution. Christ
conceptualized and coordinated the Assisi introduced three-dimensional this is He who says: I am the Living came that we might have life, and have
preparation of the Minimum Learning Competencies in Religion. To date, nativity scenes. Some accounts state Bread, which came down from Heaven. it to the full.
he has produced dozens of books, magazines, journals, and all kinds of that he used statues or costumed people, The place therefore in which the Lord St. Leo the Great exhorts us: Our
publications, often under different pen names. but Thomas of Celano, the biographer was born was formerly called the House Saviour, dearly Beloved, was born
His working day stretches from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At present, he of Francis, tells how he only used a of Bread, because there it was to be that this day. Let us rejoice. Sadness is not
is in the process of establishing a unique Catechetical Library and an straw-filled manger set between a real He would appear in future times, in the becoming. Upon the Birth Day of Life
Evangelization Center that promote religious and basic moral values – Love ox and donkey. According to Thomas, substance of our flesh, who would fill itself, which, now that the fear of death
of God, Love for Truth, Respect for the Natural Environment, Promotion it was beautiful in its simplicity with the hearts of the faithful with inward is ended, fills us with gladness because
of Filipino Values and Love for Life. the manger acting as the altar for abundance. of our own promised immortality.
The Serviam Award given to Fr. Salvatore Putzu, SDB on October 29, the Christmas Mass. Francis’s first No one is excluded from sharing in
2008 was the formal acknowledgement of his efforts in promoting the biographer, Brother Tommaso da The Poor were the first to Behold this cheerfulness for the reason of our
Word of God among all members of society. This Award was one of the Celano, says that Francis was merely We remember as well that the first joy is common to all men. Our Lord,
best gifts that Fr. Sal received on his 70th birthday. (He just turned 70 on emulating what he had seen elsewhere group of people to whom the Birth of the Conqueror of sin and death, since
October 12.) in previous years when, in 1223, he asked the Messiah was announced was the there was no one free from servitude,
We congratulate Fr. Sal on this achievement. Though born in another his friend Giovanni Velita, a nobleman group of shepherds who were tending came that He might bring deliverance
country, his heart has become Filipino and his kindness is beyond from the nearby town of Greccio, to their flock that night. It was to the poor to all.
measure. construct a nativity scene, consisting of working people that Good News was Let him who is sanctified rejoice, for he
The CMMA will continue honoring its commitment to give the Serviam the straw-filled manger, ox and donkey, first declared: Gloria in Excelsis Deo et draws nigh to the palm. Let the sinner
Award to deserving individuals who give their best to evangelize people in a cave near the town of Greccio, for in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis! rejoice, since he is invited to grace. Let
through mass media and bring about love, peace and unity. a Christmas Eve mass at which Francis Glory to God in the Highest and peace the Gentiles exult, for they are called
preached. on earth to men of goodwill. to life…

Liturgy / B2
3º The edition of liturgical books
(c.383, 2).
4º Recognition of versions of liturgical
books in the vernacular (c.383, 2).
5º Vigilance over the fulfillment of the
universal liturgical norms everywhere
(c.383, 2).
3) Principle of Liturgical Elasticity:
Inculturation. A complementary
principle underlies the fact that the
rituals in force do not impose uniformity,
but rather permits the use of different
forms for celebrating, which are
expressions of the richness of the liturgy
of the Church. They are at the service
of the pastoral function of the liturgy
of stimulating and increasing the sense
of Christ among the faithful (cf. IGMR,
n.313). A particular application of this
principle is what has come to be known
as inculturation—i.e., the incidence
of the different cultures of peoples in
whatever is fitting to better express
the inexhaustible riches of Christ,
provided that it is compatible with the
Gospel and does not contradict ecclesial
communion. the limits defined in the liturgical books
A different matter is the exaggerated
adaptation of the liturgical norms to
more specific and even simply personal
circumstances—e.g., not to wear all the
vestments for Mass on a warm day—
under the guise of a misunderstood
principle of contextualization. The Holy
See has outlawed such “experimentation,
unless it counts with the expressed
authorization of the Holy See”.
4) Principle of Decentralization. The
ecclesiology of Vatican II, which re-
emphasized the particular Churches
and the dignity of the diocesan Bishops,
opened a wide margin for Particular
Law in the matter of liturgy. Thus,
after establishing the aforementioned
principles, the rest of c.838 enumerates the
different competencies, corresponding
to the need for a certain plurality of
liturgical forms, in accordance with the
different mentalities and traditions of
different peoples (cf. SC, 37-39). This is
channeled through:
a) Primarily the Episcopal Conferences:
It pertains to the conferences of bishops
to prepare translations of the liturgical
books into the vernacular languages,
with the appropriate adaptations within
themselves, and to publish them with
the prior review by the Holy See (c.838,
§3). The Instruction Varietates legitimae
gave further indications on the ambit of
this power of the Episcopal Conference
and the procedure for its exercise (nn.55
& 66-67).
b) Secondarily the Diocesan Bishop:
It pertains to the diocesan bishop in
the church entrusted to him, within
the limits of his competence, to issue
liturgical norms by which all are bound.
(c.838, §4).
5) Principle of Full and Active
Participation of the Faithful. Of less
juridic impact than the foregoing
principles is one which is latent in the
whole liturgical renewal ushered in by
Vatican II, and that is the desire for the
full and active participation of all the
faithful in the liturgy, each one according
to his state and condition.
FOOTNOTES:
1 “At the end of the day, the greatest
SCDW, Varietates legitimae (25.I.1994), n.2: in
AAS, 87 (1995), 288-314; L’Osservatore Romano,
30.III.1994; Monitor Ecclesiasticus, 121 (1996),
141-158; Ecclesia, 54 (1994), 1056-1066; Notitiae,
30 (1994).
2
SCDW, Instruction Varietates legitimae, 25.I.1994,
n.26.
3
SCDW, Instruction Varietates legitimae, 25.I.1994,
n.66.
Isarog / B1
residents.
Parishes have given their unequivocal
support. Some, through their pastoral
councils and youth ministries, have
organized trips and hikes that showed
parishioners to the beauty of the mountain
and its need for stewards. CDWs facilitate
coordination with the parishes. The move
to expose and denounce the treasure
hunting in Bgy. Del Rosario was initiated
by the parish.
Pursuing a new vision
As MIADP nears its three-year mark,
it gears for the second level—to entrust
the task to the parishes. Preparations to
transfer the technology are underway.
Archbishop Legaspi is optimistic that
MIADP has sown the seeds of stronger
commitment to preserve Mt. Isarog and
the environment in general.
need is to develop a new attitude towards
the natural world. But this is practically
impossible without a new vision. This
new vision must blossom forth from
our understanding of the world as God
intends it to be,” Archbishop Legaspi
said of how any work to care for the
environment can be sustained.
Environmental problems, because of its
ethical and moral dimensions, cannot be
solved by science, politics, or economics,
or even all three combined. With the
Archbishop’s keen pastoral directives,
MIADP braved new frontiers. The
Archdiocese of Caceres will continue to
form the people towards environmental
protection as a call of faith.
There is still so much to be done.
For many years, Mt. Isarog has been
under the care of foreign-funded non-
government organizations. MIADP’s
contribution in protecting Mt. Isarog
may be a drop in the bucket, but enough
to create ripples of hope.
“We need to persevere in this mission.
When we protect Mt. Isarog, we respond
to God’s call to become stewards of the
earth. And caring for the environment
is caring for the next generation,”
Archbishop Legaspi added.
With a new vision instilled among the
faithful, what MIADP has started will
continue to bear fruit. In cooperation with
government agencies, non-government
and civic organizations, and other
sectors of the community, caring for Mt.
Isarog is part of the journey of faith of
the Church of Caceres.
 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Statements B5

Upholding the Sanctity of Life

(20 years after the CBCP Pastoral Letter What is
Happening to our Beautiful Land?)
Beloved People of God,
“Everything is permissible but not
everything is beneficial” (1Cor. 6:12).
Twenty years after our pastoral letter
regarding our environment, we reflect on
the gains and failures of the years that have
passed. The document began with a somber
reflection that, Our country is in peril. All
the living systems on land and in the seas
are being ruthlessly exploited. The damage
to date, is extensive and, sad to say, often
irreversible. We encourage the faithful to
see their work and to protect creation within
the context of their faith. As a people of the
covenant, we are called to protect endangered
ecosystems like our forests, coral reefs and
mangroves, and to establish just and humane
communities.
New threats to our environment
Since 1988, a number of new threats to our
environment have surfaced. In this reflection,
we will confine ourselves to the following: (a)
irresponsible mining, (b) illegal logging, and
(c) global warming and climate change.
record of community accountability. Over the
years, mining companies have systematically
engaged in the rape of Mother Earth and left
a legacy of impoverished communities and
environmental despoliation.
In a Statement of Concern on the Mining
Act of 1995, we called attention to the
quotation from the Book of Numbers: Do not
defile the land where you live and where I
dwell (Num 35 :34). Today we ask ourselves
whether we are going to repeat in the 21st
century the mistakes we made in the past.
Thus far, the country has already identified
23 priority mining project, which is estimated
to encroach 60% of protected areas and about
1/3 of ancestral lands. With very little regard
for long-term development goals, most mining
projects issued Environmental Compliance
Certificate without securing the Free Prior and
Informed Consent of the affected communities.
Uncontrolled and poorly regulated extraction
and exploitation of mineral resources have
threatened other resources. The Mining Act
itself encourages the exploitation of our land
by granting priority access rights to water
Fight or perish!
Fighting graft and corruption
TO steal is wrong. It is a crime. It is a sin. When stealing is done
by those high up in power and authority, it carries a greater
culpability. The corruption of the best is the worst. The social
problem of graft and corruption in public life in our country
has reached abominable and embarrassing proportions. How
shall we describe graft and corruption in our country? It is
systemic. It is rewarding. It hurts the poor the most.
Graft and corruption is systemic and structural. It is not
only individual or isolated persons who corrupt and get
corrupted. The present system—the elected and the electors,
the employers and the employees, the appointed and the
appointing powers—has become so corrupt that what we
do need is a radical, systemic, interior change. Changing
personages through the electoral process or even through
legal processes like impeachment and court suits will not
necessarily result in reform unless there is a willingness to
change from the heart and soul. Pinning our hopes on legal
processes unaccompanied by conversion from within will lead
us to nowhere but deeper frustrations. We can hear the protest
“Tama na. Sobra na. Alis na. Kami naman!” It is important that
those who investigate or prosecute corrupt officials will not
gain political or financial benefits from convicting or absolving
the accused.
“Our biggest Graft and corruption
is rewarding and
granted with mining permits and clearances problem in our rewarded. It is
eat considerable portions of land devoted to country is graft hardly punished.
The politicization
agriculture.
We should be reminded that the Church’s
and corruption. of the judiciary and
mission includes offering people an This problem the perennial rumors
opportunity not to have more but to be more
by awakening their conscience through the
must be faced about rogues in robes
are problems we need
Gospel. We should learn from our Indigenous courageously now. to address urgently.
Filipinos who managed their forests in a We are risking the Vigilance is lacking.
Political will is weak.
sustainable way for hundreds and thousands
of years. Alternatives such as agro-forestry life of our nation Prosecution plays
and ecotourism can still provide jobs and if we continue to favorites. The penal
system is flawed.
food without endangering our lives and
environment.
ignore it. I appeal Pardon and clemency
The Church joins in the collective and to the consciences is cheap. Among our
continuous call against the uncontrollable
plunder of our natural resources. Above all,
of our countrymen. people, there is an
increasing level of
it calls on a moratorium on mining activities Do not leave the tolerance for corrupt
until the government and the mining solution of graft officials. Corruption
does not seem to
companies learn to uphold the right of the
indigenous peoples, compensate the affected and corruption to anger many of us
communities for past damages, and ensure corrupt officials. anymore. We are not
outraged enough by
responsible mining practices.
Our problem graft and corruption.
B. Illegal Logging cannot be our Widespread graft has

A. Irresponsible Mining
and timber. Provisions such as these make
it easier for the communities to slowly be
Illegal and destructive logging largely
contribute to the decimation of our forest
solution. Let us sadly numbed our
morals.
The Philippine Mining Industry has a poor eased out of their land. The expansion of sites Ecology / B7 come together as The public money
Catholic faithful that goes to graft is
money stolen from
to fight the sin the poor. Because of

Life is shot through with His presence
EVEN in Advent Season, we
can already greet one another
Merry Christmas, Malipayon
nga Paskwa, Maligayang
Pasko. Indeed we are not
preparing for the arrival
of God in our world, we
are in fact celebrating the
anniversary of his birth into
our world more than two
thousand years ago. Since then
Jesus Christ has been with
us, he has never left us. The
present advent and Christmas
are indeed a continuation of
our celebration.
The arrival of Jesus Christ
into our world is called
Advent, or coming. And so
Advent is Christmas and
Christmas is Advent.
An Advent-Christmas Message
Christmas is an invitation
for us to experience what is
untouchable, whereby we can
hear what cannot be heard, see
what cannot be seen and know
what cannot be known. That is
the presence of Jesus Christ in
our world today, his presence in
each and everyone. The presence
of God, of Jesus Christ and of
the Holy Spirit, is like salt in the
water.
If you put salt in the water
today, tomorrow morning it’s
dissolved. Taste the water at the
top, it tastes like salt. Taste the
water at the middle, it tastes like
salt. Taste the water at the bottom,
it also tastes like salt. The salt
remains in the water even though
you do not see it; and though
you do not see the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, they are fully
present in you and everyone else,
everywhere.
Because of that presence, we
can taste God. In the midst of
our depression and problems of
poverty and injustice, in the midst
of misery and strife, life is shot
through with his presence. Grace
is more original than sin. The
misery brought on by Original
Sin is still with us, casualties from
war and revolution, victims of
floods and earthquakes, fatalities
from accidents and unexplained
killings. Yet, in the midst of
problems, life is shot through
with his presence. Advent-
Christmas event is proof that
God’s power is stronger than the
power of evil.
That is the essence of
what Jesus Christ has said:
“Whatever you do, good or
bad to one another, you do
unto me.” Everyone becomes
Christ! Everyone is the face
of God!
It took Jesus Christ to be
born more than 2000 years
ago to make us realize and live
that essential truth: Life is shot
through with his presence.
Advent-Christmas comes
around to remind us that
eternal truth.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
December 8, 2008
of graft and graft and corruption,
school buildings
corruption.” cannot be constructed
and teachers are not
paid; public hospitals cannot protect us from untimely death;
soldiers are deprived of their just wages.
Our biggest problem in our country is graft and corruption.
This problem must be faced courageously now. We are risking
the life of our nation if we continue to ignore it. I appeal to the
consciences of our countrymen. Do not leave the solution of
graft and corruption to corrupt officials. Our problem cannot
be our solution. Let us come together as Catholic faithful to
fight the sin of graft and corruption. We cannot profess faith
in God and not get angry at widespread graft and corruption.
Faith in God and outrage at sin go together. Outrage is not
enough; it must lead to action. If we are not outraged by the sin
of stealing happening all over our once beautiful land, could
it be that our faith has turned cold and uncaring? If your faith
has turned cold and uncaring, how can you be saved? Fight
corruption or lose your soul!
I place this appeal at the feet of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal.
From the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Balanga City, November
27, 2008
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Bishop of Balanga

We need genuine social and political reform for the many, not
self-serving charter change for a few
Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come…May he not come suddenly and
find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’ (Mark 13:33-37)
AS we begin the season of Advent, we are
called to prepare ourselves for the Lord’s
coming – to be ready to welcome Him into
our hearts and our communities not only at
Christmas, but at every moment in our lives
as individuals and as a people, in faithful and
hopeful vigilance.
Sadly, in our country, the common good
is often subordinated to narrow private
interests. The needs of the majority who are
poor are often sacrificed for the self-serving
ends of a few. Many unresolved questions of
corruption and abuse of power are fostering
a culture of impunity and a political climate
of deep distrust and powerlessness. Thus the
call to watchfulness beckons Christians to
become engaged citizens in a perilous time
when democracy and social justice are under
serious threat.
It is unfortunate that in the present context,
charter change (cha-cha) which could truly be a
genuine instrument of long-term institutional
reform, is viewed with deep suspicion and is
seen as endangering democracy itself. This
is so because just as in 2006, its advocates
can barely conceal that their real aim is not
reform but further concentration of power.
Even as they pay lip service to economic and
political development, cha-cha proponents
cannot disguise their overriding objective
of prolonging the stay in power of current
officials, particularly the President. One draft
resolution (HR 550) even blatantly extends
the terms of officials for one year without
elections. The hasty efforts to collect 197
signatures in the House of Representatives
calling for a constituent assembly (con ass) or
directly amending the economic provisions
of the constitution are being pursued in
order to get the Supreme Court to rule
quickly on the meaning of a three-fourths
majority in Congress which is needed to
pass amendments via this mode of charter
change. Those who are brazenly pushing
these resolutions believe that if they can
get the numbers, both in Congress and the
Supreme Court, they can simply ram cha-
cha through.
As Catholic schools, we cannot stand idly
by while the common good is sacrificed and
our basic political institutions, including
popular sovereignty through regular
elections, the bicameral nature of Congress,
an independent judiciary, and the hard-
won 1987 democratic constitution itself, are
thoroughly undermined.
What we need from our leaders is truth,
accountability and genuine social and
political reform for the majority. We certainly
do not need any charter change that will only
serve the narrow interests of the few who are
currently in power. Thus we emphatically
say: “No to any cha-cha before 2010!”
But more than just rejecting charter
change now, we highlight two issues which
Catholic schools are already engaged in
and which demonstrate that there are more
urgent questions that deserve the attention
of Congress and other political leaders than
self-serving cha-cha.
1) CARP extension with reforms and
the issues of land, food and equitable
development
We call for the immediate passage of HB
4077/SB 2666 which seeks to extend the
agrarian reform program to cover over 1.8
Need / B7
Human Rights Day: Does
it call for a celebration?
OUR celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights is accompanied by the celebration
of Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Oscar “Golden Boy” de la
Hoya at Las Vegas boxing ring, which was described as “like
David slaying Goliath”.
Both celebrations have something for the Filipinos. The
latter makes us proud to be Filipinos, to be identified with the
victorious Pacman. The former, however, gives us a feeling of
shame and embarrassment because of the innumerable human
rights violations that have remained unexamined, unexplained
and unsolved or covered up by events.
We are ashamed, and we hope it is not completely true,
that our country is said to be the most corrupt in Asia and
the second most corrupt in the world. This is because of
human rights violations in various degrees. Does this call for
a celebration?
The call of the Season of Advent is one of repentance and
conversion. We are not losing our hope: that we could still
discover in our midst candidates who are above all honest and
truthful, men of vision and integrity, inspiring and competent.
We should learn from our past history, and face our future
with hope.
+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
December 9, 2008
 B6 Reflections
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

A house fit for

By Fr. David Reyes, Jr. gives in faith and in trust: “Behold, I am the
handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to
me according to your word!” St. Augustine
“SHOULD you build me a house to dwell comments on this with perspicacity: “God,
in?” This is the question posed by the Lord who created us without our consent, will not

the Lord
to David through the prophet Nathan in the save us without our consent.”
First Reading. This may as well be directed to Mary proves that humanity has the
us as we prepare for the birth of the Savior. capacity to return to the house of the Lord
God had always shown a special protection and have eternal life. She shows that the first
to David. From a youthful, ordinary steps in the journey consist in obeying the will
shepherd, the Lord guided him to be of the Lord. Jesus himself will recognize this
commander of Israel’s army and later as king disposition of Mary which unites her to him
4th Sunday of Advent to replace Saul. with bonds transcending physical ties: “My
No wonder, David plans to repay the Lord mother and my brothers are those who hear
(2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rm 16:25-27: Lk 1:26-38; December 21, 2008) for his goodness to him by building the Lord the word of God and act on it” (Lk 8:21).
a temple worthy of his kabod or glory. David In Mary’s pregnancy, God, as it were,
were asking the same
The annunciation to Mary marks question addressed to
David: “Should you
the working of God’s plan. This build me a house to
plan needs human consent and dwell in?” And Luke
will show that the Son
cooperation which Mary gives in of God will prefer to
faith and in trust: “Behold, I am have no roof over
his head to show the
the handmaid of the Lord. May it true dwelling that the
be done to me according to your Father prepares for his
word!” children.
Jesus was born
in the place where
shares his restlessness with Nathan: “Here I animals were kept because “there was no
am living in a house of cedar, while the ark room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7). As an
of God dwells in a tent.” But God has a better itinerant preacher he will say: “Foxes have
plan: he doesn’t want to dwell in a material dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the
house but plans to bring people into his own Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head”
house, his eternal dwelling. (Lk 9:58).
For 40 years after fleeing from the slavery Jesus chooses to forego the comfort of home
of Egypt, Israel dwelt in tents on the way to to show us that there is a better dwelling place
the Promised Land. Because of the people’s for us prepared by the Father in heaven.
hardness of heart, they were deprived of “Should you build me a house to dwell in?”
dwellings where they could feel secure. To God belongs all of creation. He doesn’t
Humanity, too, were wanderers like the need a material house, even as magnificent
Israelites—until God fulfilled his plan of as Solomon’s temple. If the Lord, indeed,
salvation. looks for a place to dwell in, it is our very
The annunciation to Mary marks the heart, a heart that welcomes him, a heart
working of God’s plan. This plan needs that listens to him, an empty heart which
Illustration by Bladimer Usi
human consent and cooperation which Mary the Lord can fill up.

Fr. Roy Cimagala

When evening
Cultivating the Christmas spirit draws near
AGAIN it’s Christmastime, which, Pinoy childish fantasies. Then I remember the We cannot fully attain our supernatural
Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth
style, starts way earlier and ends much duty we all have every time Christmastime goal without being fully human. Of (Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18; December 25, 2008)
later than what the Church calendar says, comes around. course, what is to be fully human is
and expresses itself more elaborately than The Christmas story is actually a very something not quite easy to know, since it is
liturgically indicated. beautiful story worth repeating endless times. part of the mystery of Jesus’ life. We have to
I don’t know whether it’s age catching up Of course, each time it is considered, we are continually deal with our Lord to get insights
or due to external causes that I don’t seem meant to plumb deeper into its significance of this mystery.
to notice much Christmas décor around and relevance, and to incarnate the lessons. In other words, Christmas is a reminder
nowadays and to feel that palpable excitement The Christmas story is about God who that Christ wants to be born not only in the
I as a kid used to pair the season with. loves us so much that he sends his own Son world, but also in the heart of each one of
I remember suggesting to the us. He wants to take hold of us,
janitor to put new decors in my Christmas is a reminder that of course, with our cooperation, in
office, since I’ve been seeing the order to reconstitute us, since we
same ones for years now. He told
Christ wants to be born not only have been deformed by our sins.
me that they may look old to in the world, but also in the heart He wants to be born and to live
me but they all appear new and
beautiful to the new students.
of each one of us. He wants to in our mind, our heart and even in
our body. He wants to be in our
Rather than arguing, I chose take hold of us, of course, with thoughts, desires, feelings, words
to be happy with that smart our cooperation, in order to and deeds. He wants us to make By Fr. Melvin Castro
reply, actually a cover for some us like him, precisely to recover
budgetary limits. I just have to reconstitute us, since we have God’s image and likeness in us.
find a way to make the old look been deformed by our sins. The true spirit of Christmas can THERE is something about evening that makes it mysterious or
fearful even. It is the dark that evokes the feeling of uncertainty
new. Problem is I’m creativity only take place when we allow
challenged in this area. to be like us to save us. And the Son’s work our Lord to be truly born in us. This requires and insecurity. We remember the road to Emmaus when
Anyway, I felt high when the other day a of our redemption is the best that any attempt tremendous effort and the full exercise of our the disciples were still reeling from the recent Crucifixion of
priest-friend, who has a raging passion and at saving anyone or anything can ever be. freedom. This is because Christ cannot enter Christ and, unable to recognize Him as the Risen One, their
with matching skills for making Christmas For the redemption Jesus does is not simply into our life if we don’t want him. request, their plea was: Stay with us, for it is nearly evening
crèches, showed me his latest version. personal but also social, not only material And wanting him is not just a matter of feeling and the day is almost over (Luke 24, 29).
It’s a very beautiful “belen” done in cool but also spiritual, not only in the human and desire. It has to involve the whole of us: our Yet among the greatest events of God’s redeeming actions
architectural artistry and landscaping, with level but also in the supernatural level. It’s mind, heart, body and everything else. all happened in the evening: the Passover in the Ancient
playing fountains and dancing lights, with a redemption complete, total, and forever. Thus, Christmas invites us to make our Testament, the Institution of the Eucharist in the New, the
angels floating on air, and together with the He gives us the fullness of life. faith more and more theological, and to culmination of it all, Christ’s Resurrection in the pitch of
usual cows and sheep, little pet dogs and This is all because we are God’s children, incarnate that theological faith in our life. darkness just before Easter Dawn.
cats accompany Mary and Joseph to adore created in his image and likeness, and Every time Christmas comes, we need to And, of course, to usher in the New and Eternal Covenant,
the infant Jesus. meant to participate in God our Father’s make a step further in this direction, such there was the evening of the birth of the Messiah.
All of a sudden, I became a kid again, supernatural life. But in achieving that, our that with St. Paul we can say: “It is no On this night we celebrate the mystery of Bethlehem, the
launched in a sparkling flight into the world redemption presumes the fulfillment also of longer I who lives but Christ who lives in mystery of an incomparable night which is, in a sense, within
of Christian mysteries, but still inflated by our human potentials. me.” (Gal 2, 20) time and beyond time. From the virgin’s womb was born a
child, a manger became the cradle of immortal life (John Paul
II, 25 December 2003).
Bo Sanchez Sometime ago, I had an annual Simbang Gabi in a hospital, it
was difficult to make it a “Merry” Christmas. Seeing the eyes
of many who were there, mostly family members who kept
watch over their sick loved ones, I cannot help but remember
my own family’s pitch-dark Christmas.

God answers prayer His way
WHEN my wife announced to
me that she was pregnant, we
embraced each other for the
longest time I can remember. We
acted like lunatics. We sang. We
danced. We cried. So this was
how it felt.
I was going to be a father. This
can’t be real, I told myself. But
it was true! Spontaneously, I
straightened my back, expanded
my chest, and beamed a brand-
new-Daddy’s smile.
So each day, we prayed for our
little miracle, laying our hands on
her tummy. Every night, I spoke
to our child, whispering gently,
“Baby, do you know that I love
you very much? Mommy loves
you a lot, too. And God loves you
even more.” Each night, I’d say
these lines over and over again.
And each night, I’d read aloud
the Gospel of the day, and added
my own homily. Stuff like, “You
see, baby, the Greek word ‘Logos’
in John 1:1 is epistemologically
rooted in a very rich hermeneutic
context…”
I imagined my little baby
nodding her head. I also
wondered if she’d become a
preacher one day. Or perhaps
a writer. But it didn’t matter,
really. Because my daily prayer
was, “Lord, make her a happy
child, and she can be anything
I was going to be a father. This
can’t be real, I told myself. But
it was true! Spontaneously, I
straightened my back, expanded
my chest, and beamed a brand-
new-Daddy’s smile.
You want her to be!”
God took that prayer seriously
and answered it one day after
Christmas.
We were spending the holidays
with the poor, the elderly,
and the orphans in ANAWIM.
That afternoon, my wife saw a
small drop of dried blood on
her undergarments. Was this
something to worry about? We
didn’t think so.
We were wrong.
Two days later, at 6:00 AM,
I found my wife sobbing and
shaking uncontrollably in the
bathroom. She pointed to the
mass of blood in the toilet
bowl, and I quickly grabbed my
trembling wife in my arms.
We lost our baby.
“Angel shall be your name,” I
managed to say, my voice failing
me, “and I baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Yes, Baby Angel is your name.
Not once did we feel what it was
like to cradle you in our arms.
Not once did we feel the thrill of
watching you make your first tiny
steps.
Not once did we feel the inner
pleasure of hearing you say, “Mama”
and “Papa”.
But you see, that doesn’t change
the fact that you are our child.
And Angel is your name.
God did answer our prayer. You
are a happy child today, far more than
we can ever imagine. And He made
you what He wanted you to be.
For God so determined that it is
you Angel who now cradles us in
your arms of prayer. And it’s you
Angel who thrills in watching our
every step, our every move, our every
breath. And it’s you who have not
stopped saying “Mama” or “Papa”
since you entered the portals of
Heaven, for you mention our names
before God every day.
You were never with us, and yet
will always be with us.
And no one can take you away
from us anymore.
For Angel is your name.
I’ve shared it often, and I share it now. I was in college
and so was my elder brother. It was Christmas Midnight
Mass in our barangay capilla. Usually, we would all attend
together. But not that evening. I was with my brother. My
father was keeping watch over my mother, very weakened
by her battle with cancer.
The priest intoned the Gloria. There was complete darkness
in my heart and soul. Tears rolling down my cheeks. It was
not Christmas for us. It was a Viernes Santo. My God, why
have you abandoned us?
During the wake of my mother, my Lola was there. It was
evening, and her words to me were: Ang lungkot ng gabi,
no? Nakakalungkot kapag mag-isa.
Back at the Simbang Gabi Masses I annually celebrated at
the hospital, my mind would always travel back on those
days. Nakakalungkot ang gabi pag mag-isa.
The poor who has to pass Christmas without food, the
homeless that has no shelter, the sick who has no means to
buy medicine, the family members who have to worry where
to get the payment for the hospital bills, the elderly who have
none to take care of them, the broken-hearted who have no
one to turn to.
Christmas is for them, but especially for them. The evening
of Christ’s birth is to cover the darkness and the sadness of
being alone. That is why He is Emmanuel—God with us. He
doesn’t want us to be alone when evening draws near.
That is why He relented and stayed with the disciples who
were walking sad and confused along the road of Emmaus:
Nakakalungkot ang gabi kapag mag-isa.
We are never alone along the road of darkness and weariness.
That is why there is Christmas to assure and help us that as
evening draws near, God stays with us and will always be
with us. O Silent night. O Holy Night.
 CBCP
CBCP Monitor
Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Social Concerns B7

Silsilah’s cry for peace: ‘Save

children from malnutrition!’
By Silsilah Media Center for Dialogue and Peace

ACCORDING to the latest world survey, the Philippines

ranks as fifth of the most hungry nations. In Zamboanga City
alone, for the year 2008 the prevalence rate of malnourished
children and their nutritional status is below normal, very
low weight are 1,071 below normal, low weight are 5,366
out of 137,184 children ages from 0-71 months old.
Malnutrition has become therefore weighed once a month to monitor
a major concern of Silsilah’s solidarity their weight development.
health programs which cover the There were two cases of children
communities of Sta. Cruz Island, Sta. suffering from kwashiorkor; one
Catalina, Paniran Resettlement, Lower died on his seventh day of admission
Calarian and Pitogo in Zamboanga to the hospital, the other survived.
City. Immediate action had to be taken Continued hospital care is beyond the
in response to the alarming increase financial capability which helped the
of malnourished children in these family cope with the crisis.
communities. To further strengthen the program
A survey was conducted to identify through linkages, Silsilah invited the
severely malnourished children and a City Health Office for a consultation
special feeding program was set-up. A meeting last October 25, 2008 at
total of 77 children were enlisted in the Harmony Village, in Pitogo. The
program ranging from 3 to 60 months coming together was also to establish
old. Twenty children are from Sta. friendship and collaboration in
Cruz Island, 14 from Sta. Catalina, 9 the delivery of health services on
from Paniran, 20 from Lower Calarian, nutrition.
and 16 from Pitogo. The meeting was enriching with the
The feeding is scheduled twice a presence of the City Health Nutritionist,
week with the preparation of highly Mrs. Leonides Macabinquil, Public
nutritious and balanced meals with health Nurse and Midwife of Sta.
added food supplement to enable Catalina, Mrs. Iris Portia Garingo
the program achieve its goal. In and Mrs. Allaney Marcelino, Campo
Pitogo for example, one four year old Islam District Nurse Mrs. Gemma
malnourished child has been suffering Omamalin, District Nurse of Ayala
from meningitis since he was eight Mrs. Vivian Lubaton and Mrs. Hazel
months old. The feeding program is Fernandez midwife of Sinunuc Health
an answer to the family’s prayer. Center.
The Movement has been serving It was a good opportunity to
these communities except two, Paniran exchange notes on their respective
and Pitogo which are relatively new. health activities and experiences.
Lower Calarian is the first community Mrs. Macabinquil, speaking on behalf
that Silsilah adopted in 1986 after of the City health Office, expressed
a big fire which razed most of the appreciation for Silsilah’s efforts at
houses to the ground. Aside from responding to health concerns of the
the 77 children in the special feeding solidarity communities. She assured

www.flickr.com
program, the Movement takes care of the Movement of stronger link and
136 underweight children in Lower collaboration with the City Health
Calarian alone. The children are office.

Ecology / B5 Need / B5

resources which causes loss
of biodiversity, instability and
massive erosions of upland soils,
serious damage to our rivers
and underground freshwater
ecosystems, and coastal areas.
The Philippines has lost at least
82 percent of its original forest
cover since the 16th century. It
has also earned the notoriety
in Southeast Asia as the only
country with the thinnest forest
cover. Among the 89 tropical
countries, the Philippines is one
of 11 with the lowest forest per
capita (at 0.085 hectare/capita)—
and most of its watersheds are
considered degraded. Land
conversion, together with slash-
and-burn farming, forest fires,
pest infestations, typhoons and
illegal logging are the primary
causes of deforestation.
The disastrous effects of
destructive logging are further
worsened by extreme climate
occurrences associated with
climate change. Extreme weather
conditions such as typhoons cause
flooding, massive landslides and
terrible loss of life, the worst
among them being the tragedies
in Ormoc in 1991, Aurora and
Quezon Provinces in 2004,
Southern Leyte in 2006, and very
recently, in Iloilo in June 2008.
The problem of illegal logging
is an extremely complicated
issue that must be dealt with
by all stakeholders. The
CBCP calls for an enhanced
multisectoral cooperation, and
the implementation of effective
measures to clampdown the
illegal logging trade. In particular,
it urges the government to
issue a total commercial log
ban and intensify efforts to
rehabilitate and reforest logged
over areas, particularly those
places vulnerable to earthquakes,
landslides and floods.
C. Global Warming and Climate
Change
The sea level rise due to
the increase in temperature is
projected to adversely affect 16
regions in the Philippines, 20
provinces and more than 700
municipalities. Climate change
has increased the number of
stronger storms and typhoons
that hit the country every year.
Each typhoon that hits our land
reminds us of our balding forests.
With every landslide, we are
reminded of the vulnerability
of man against the dynamics
of nature. The 2007 Fourth
Assessment Report of the United
Nations’ Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
reveals that Manila, Cebu and
Davao will be of great risk.
Nature constantly reminds
us that it is not only the illegal
acts committed by some that
simultaneously burn and freeze
our home; our daily habits and
our choices contribute greatly
to this tragedy. Our continuing
dependence on fossil fuel and the
government’s subsidy on diesel,
the use of coal as an alternative
despite clear evidence of its
highly polluting nature are the
collective factors that contribute
to the changing climate and
weather patterns.
We must take advantage of
the gifts of nature which offers
healthier and less destructive
options such as wind and solar
energies, water and geothermal
resources.
The challenge to preserve
our beautiful land may be
difficult but not impossible.
We recommend that dioceses,
parishes and other institutions
especially the government would
foster education on the protection
of nature. We encourage every
citizen to eliminate wasteful
consumption. We pray that
the government, in making
economic and political decisions,
would always consider that true
stewardship does not mean
economic gains for the powerful
few. True stewardship is the
constant and continuing work
for the benefit of all.
Conclusion
No material gain can equate
the value of life. Every Filipino
depends on the environment.
Because of the threats against
these fragile resources, our lives
and livelihood are likewise
threatened.
Our present and our future
must not be made to depend on
programs that offer short-term
gains for a chosen few. Our
responsibility to our mother
nature is our responsibility
to ourselves. We call on all
stakeholders, the government
and its implementing arms to
contribute in good will, so that
in a responsible and humane
manner we can reflect that human
life does not have a price.
We end this Pastoral Letter with
the words we used 20 years ago:
“There is an urgency about this
issue which calls for widespread
education and immediate action.
We are convinced that the
challenge we have tried to
highlight here is similar to the
one which Moses put before
the people of Israel, before they
entered their promised land. ”
For the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines.
+ ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO,
DD
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
November 5, 2008
million more hectares affecting
almost 1.5 million farmers. It
also aims to strengthen CARP
by increasing its resources and
strengthening the institutional
infrastructure for support
services to agrarian reform
beneficiaries and compensation
to landowners. It also calls
for the stricter enforcement of
rules banning the conversion of
irrigated and irrigable lands.
Agrarian reform is about
creating a socio-economic system
which seeks the inclusion of the
majority of the rural population,
and focuses on the imperative
of food production, agricultural
productivity and equitable
development which in the end
serves the needs of all, whether
in the urban or rural areas.
Thus rather than pushing for
the term extension of the few who
are in power, we call on Congress
to legislate the CARP extension
with reforms that address the
needs of the many who are poor.
This is consistent with the social
teachings of the Church which
we uphold. Instead of amending
the constitution to extend land
ownership rights to foreigners,
Congress should work for social
and economic development
by expanding and completing
CARP.
2) Electoral reform, voters’
education and credible and
meaningful elections in 2010
In rejecting cha-cha before
2010, we want to ensure that
the Filipino people are able
voters’ education, we want to
facilitate continuing processes
for our people, especially
poor communities, to be able
to articulate their real needs
and aspirations. We will also
work to develop mechanisms
that challenge politicians to
make concrete commitments of
genuine and effective response
and monitoring systems to
make them accountable for their
promises.
We are mobilizing especially
our human resources to safeguard
the process in the context of
automated elections. Automation
needs to be enhanced and
fine-tuned to guard against
disenfranchisement and to
make it more accessible to and
protective of vulnerable groups.
But reforming our electoral
process to make it truly inclusive
and meaningful to the majority
requires further reforms in
voters’ registration, the party
system, campaign finance and
political dynasties.
These issues call for serious
attention and dedicated work
from our legislators and executive
officials. We cannot afford to get
sidetracked by moves toward
self-serving charter change,
from the urgent need to prepare
for credible elections and truly
meaningful citizen participation
in 2010.
Both the demands of our faith
and of citizenship call on us to
keep vigil against the continuing
threats to the common good.
We are challenged to engage

CBCPMonitor Name _________________________________________________

SUBSCRIPTION RATES
The CBCP Monitor is published fort-
nightly by the CBCP Media Office, with
editorial and business offices at 470
Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. PO
Box 3601, 1076 MCPO
• Domestic
1 Year Php 500.00
2 Years Php 900.00
• Foreign: Asia
1 Year US$ 55.00
• All Other US$ 80.00
(Family Name) (Given Name) (Middle Name)
to exercise their fundamental
right to choose their next set of
leaders as provided for in the
constitution. Thus we oppose
Mailing Address _______________________________________________ any schemes to cancel, postpone
or change the nature of the
_________________________________________________ 2010 national elections. Because
Phone No.: ________ Fax No.: ________ E-mail: ___________ the political crisis facing the
country is deeply linked to
Mode of Payment unresolved questions of electoral
 Check/PMO enclosed  Cash Payment cheating, it is crucial that the next
presidential election proceeds as
(Payable to: CBCP Communications Development Foundation Inc.)
scheduled and is seen as credible
and meaningful by our people.
_____________________________ Our work in the educational
apostolate puts us in close touch
Signature with the youth who comprise at
least half of our potential voters.
We are committed to help them
exercise their right of suffrage
PLEASE SEND TO: wisely by encouraging first-time
voters’ registration and providing
CBCP Monitor, P.O. Box 3601, Manila, Philippines full support to political education
470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines | Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612
Or e-mail this at cbcpmonitor@cbcpworld.com for responsible and engaged
citizenship. Beyond traditional
the present situation wherein
democracy is in grave danger of
being usurped by those who want
to hold on to power indefinitely
and evade accountability to the
people.
But the call is not just to defend
democracy. We are asked to help
deepen democracy to make it
truly inclusive, participative
and socially just. It is this kind
of democratic system that truly
befits the name. Thus we commit
ourselves to building a genuine
democracy which enshrines our
core belief in the dignity of every
human being, that God Himself
shared by becoming one like us
in Jesus.
Catholic Educational
Association of the Philippines
(CEAP)
December 3, 2008
 B8 Entertainment
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

Moral Assessment Technical Assessment

 Abhorrent  Poor
 Disturbing  Below average
 Acceptable  Average
 Wholesome  Above average

 Exemplary  E
xcellent

Brad (Vince Vaughn) and
Kate (Reese Witherspoon) are
a live-in couple who believe
only marriage could ruin their
relationship. They think they love
each other despite the familiarity
of having shared a bathroom for
the past three years. They don’t
want children, either. And during
Christmas, when they are sure
to get invitations from their four
divorced parents, they hie off
to some exotic location for their
own secret holiday, all the while
spinning lies and excuses.
This time they say they are
going to help as volunteers
in Third World slums; truth
is, they’re flying to Fiji. But
heavy fog envelops San
Francisco, grounding their flight,
decimating their escapade, and
putting the frustrated travelers
on nationwide TV news. When
their parents see them on TV,
Brad and Kate are compelled to
spend Christmas visiting their
dysfunctional families—first his,
and then hers.
The Christmas day turns out
to be Revelation Day when
the couple discover from each
other’s families about past secrets
It also proves crucial for Kate
who, despite the day’s awful
experiences, gets to have some
deep thinking that leads to her
wanting to have her own family
with Brad, but this horrifies Brad.
So what now?
Four Christmases is supposed
to be “serious comedy” where
the heavy message is wrapped
in tinsel, glitter-strewn, and
beribboned in satin to catch the
eye of the viewer. For laughs, a
lot of sight gags and predictable
slapstick are used, along with
toilet humor, babies vomiting
and defecating, life-threatening
rough-housing between grown-
up brothers, someone falling off
a roof, sadistic kids ganging up
on an adult as it if mugging were
child’s play, etc. The situations
also spawn crude language as
a huge chunk of the script deals
uninhibitedly on breastfeeding,
libidinal activity in women past
reproductive age, a younger man
sleeping with his best friend’s
mother, etc.
If there is one worthy message
in Four Christmases, it is that
present dispositions may have
their roots in past experience
but they can still be changed for
the sake of a better future. Brad
and Kate’s anti-marriage, anti-
family, anti-children and anti-
commitment outlook obviously
sprung from unprocessed
issues in their younger, living-
with-their-families years. And
the viewer, seeing how each
divorced parent behaves, may
even conclude that the parents’
own flaws as young people had
been carried over to adulthood
and then became a burden not
only on themselves but for
their children as well. Thus the
stream of mediocrity flows—but
the conversion in one character
Title: Four Christmas
Running Time: 82 min.
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese
Witherspoon, Robert Duvall,
Sissy Spacek
Director: Seth Gordon
Producers: Jonathan Glick-
man, Vince Vaughn, Reese
Witherspoon
Screenwriters: Matt Allen,
Caleb Wilson
Music: Alex Wurman
Editors: Mark Helfrich, Melissa
Kent
Genre: Comedy
Cinematography: Jeffrey l.
Kimball
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Location: Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia
Technical Assessment: 
Moral Assessment: 
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14
and above
seems to signal a change in their
destructive “family tradition”.
Add to this the realization of a
reflective parent who has learned
from several divorces and now
emphasizes the value of family.
The movie is rich in topics to
explore with your own family,
and you can challenge your
teenagers to defend their answers
to these questions: Do the actions
in the movie harmonize with the
message it is trying to send? Do
you find similarities between
your parents and the parents in
this movie? What would you do
if you were one of the siblings in
the movie?

MAC en COLET Ni Bladimer Usi

Buhay Parokya
Look for the three items: Images of the Christmas Belen, Archangel Gabriel, and Santa Claus.
(Illustration by Bladimer Usi)

Nagnakawngmamahaling Title: Scaregivers

pares ng singsing sa isang
tindahan ng alahas sina Billy
(Jose Manalo) at Bob(Wally
Bayola). Pero dahil sa kanilang
kapalpakan, sila ay mahuhuli
ng pulis at makukulong.
Ngunit hindi pa rin nila
isasauli ang ninakaw na
singsing. Upang maiwasan
ang tuluyan nilang sentensiya,
magpapanggap sina Billy at
Bob na mga baliw. Maniniwala
ng hukom at sila ay ilalagak
sa isang mental hospital.
Ang buong akala nilang
dalawa ay tapos na ang
kanilang problema, ngunit
malalaman nilang sa ospital
na pinagdalhan sa kanila ay
may pinaniniwalaang multo
na pumapatay ng mga nurse
at ilang piling pasyente.
Silang dalawa ay balak ring
patayin. Mabuti na lang at may
makikilala nila si Marcia (Iza
Calzado) na isang caregiver sa
ospital. Tutulungan sila nito na
makatakas ngunit malalaman
nilang ang pumapatay pala ay
dati niyang kasintahan. Ano
kaya ang lihim ni Marcia at ng
ospital? Makatakas pa kayang
talaga sila Billy at Bob?
Isang nakakaaliw na
pelikula ang Scaregivers.
Bagama’t mga baguhang bida
sina Jose Manalo at Wally
Bayola, nagawa nilang dalhin
ang buong pelikula. Hindi
rin naman matatawaran ang
husay ng mga pangalawang
tauhan. Maayos naman ang
daloy ng kuwento at may
istorya naman na maaring
sundan. Yun nga lang, hindi
pa rin nila maiwasan ang
paggamit ng mga lumang joke
lalo na ng mga toilet humors
na masyado nang naging
palasak at kadalasa’y hindi
na nakakatawa.
Halata ring nagkulang sa
research ang pelikula lalo
pagdating sa pag-proseso
ng mga kasong kriminal
at pangangalaga ng mga
pasyente sa mental hospital.
Pawang hindi nito naipakita
ng maayos ang tunay na
pamamalakad sa institusyon.
Maayos naman ang special
effects maging ang tunog at
pag-iilaw. Maaring hilaw at
Running Time: 110min.
Cast: Jose Manalo, Wally
Bayola, Iza Calzado,
Paolo Contis, Ehra
Madrigal, Edgar Allen de
Guzman
Director: Uro Q. dela Cruz
Producers: Antonio P. Tuvi-
era, Marvic Sotto
Screenwriter: Jourdan Se-
bastian
Music: Vince de Jesus
Editor: Reggie Gulle
Genre: Comedy/ Horror
Distributor: APT Entertain-
ment
Location: Philippines
Technical Assessment:

Moral Assessment:½
CINEMA Rating: For viewers
14 and above
kulang pa sa mga bagong
elemento pero pasado na
rin kung tutuusin para
sa dalawang baguhan pa
lamang sa larangan ng
pagpapatawa.
Ipinakita sa pelikula na
maaaring magbago ang
kahit sino basta’t bukal
ito sa kalooban at hindi
napipilitan lang. Lahat
ng sinumang nagkasala
ay may pagkakataon pa
ring umangat sa buhay at
magkaroon ng pag-asa basta’t
magsisikap at tuluyang
tatalikuran ang maling
gawain. Ngunit maraming
ipinakita sa pelikula na labis
na nakababaha lalo na sa
batang manonood. Una ay
ang paggamit sa pangalan ng
Diyos at sa pagdarasal bago
gawin ang pagnanakaw.
Maaring isipin na tama
ang ganitong gawain.
Pangalawa ay ang ilang
mga bastos na uri ng patawa
lalo na yung patungkol
na naman sa katawan ng
kababaihan. Parati na lang
bang pantasyang sekswal ang
mga kababaihan sa pelikula?
Nagbibigay ito ng kalituhan
sa papel na ginagampanan ng
mga kababaihan sa lipunan.
Nariyan din ang isteryotipikal
na paglalarawan sa ilang lahi
tulad ng mga Tsino at Indian.
Sa mga ganitong bagay,
kinakailangang gabayan ang
mga batang manonood.
 CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
The Cross A Supplement Publication for KCFAPI
and the Order of the Knights of Columbus
KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo distributes the certificates during graduation of the second batch of students (inset), of the skills training & tliveli-
hood opportunity program last November 20. Also in photo are KCFAPI EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia & Luzon State Secretary Arsenio Isidro G. Yap.
KCFAPI to celebrate Christmas
with homeless kids
By Ira Tee
THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines,
Inc., (KCFAPI) will host a simple Christmas gathering to over 30
homeless boys this year.
The Gift Giving and Christmas Party Committees, headed by Dr.
Jaime M. Talag (Med Consultant) and Carmelita S. Ruiz (Underwrit-
ing Manager), will join forces to celebrate KCFAPI’s yuletide season
in a more meaningful way by sharing with our less fortunate brothers
at Senden Home Foundation.
Senden Home, a foundation accredited by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), is a reception and temporary
shelter for homeless boys between 7 and 12 years of age. Aside
from the food, clothing and proper medical attention, the young
boys currently housed at the foundation also receive remedial and
tutorial sessions and are attending regular classes at a nearby public
school. During their stay at the shelter, the social worker in charge
Knights plant paper trees
THIRTY seven members of Santa Cruz Council
7830, Burgos, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao,
Philippines, cleared a 1.9 hectare land in the area
last November to plant it with a variety of trees
that can be processed into paper products.
Formerly a coconut plantation, the land owned
by the Cagalawan family has not been productive
for a number of years due to damages caused by
typhoons and other calamities. As a result, the
area became a “mini” forest with tall grasses,
shrubs and a few mid-sized trees.
The owners offered the local KofC Council a
Chairman’s Message
Patrocinio R. Bacay
TIME flies and we are now in the season of Advent.
It is one of the happiest seasons in the Christian
world. It is a season to celebrate – for the coming of
our Redeemer.
Like any celebration, we always see that our
preparation is complete, so that our guest will feel
the welcoming spirit and hospitality.
In celebrating Advent, we prepare not the things,
but ourselves—our spiritual self. We look inward
and ask ourselves whether we have been true to our
faith and to our church. The answer to it can it can
be answered by “yourself” alone.
The Board of Trustees of KCFAPI has attended an
advent recollection. Recollection provides an envi-
ronment of sincerely looking inward and examining
oneself in our relation to our God. I encourage ev-
eryone to give time to yourself to attend an advent
recollection. It helps us prepare for the season of
Christmas.
The messages of Christmas are hope, love and
peace.
Skills training and livelihood opportunity
program held at KCFAPI
A SKILLS training for Hotel and Restaurant Ser-
vices was conducted for selected youth scholars
ages 18-35 at the KC Youth Center, KCFAPI
compound, Intramuros, Manila from October 21
to November 20.
The training program aimed to provide live-
lihood opportunity for young people was co
sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Luzon
Jurisdiction and KCFAPI, through KC Philip-
pines Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with
C1
tries to find the families of these children to work out possible ways
to return to their homes. The foundation also provides residential
care and training to boys who, though have found their families,
could not return yet because of certain circumstances that restrict
them from going home. These boys receive training on farming,
housekeeping and carpentry.
Apart from providing shelter, Senden Home also offers various
family outreach programs such as follow up service for children
previously housed at the foundation. This particular program ad-
dresses not only the children but also the parents, relatives or guard-
ians. Financial assistance for a boy’s school needs, including food
allowances, is provided when needed and a social worker visits the
family at regular intervals and visits the child in school to ensure
continuous education.
This Gift Giving-Christmas activity, dubbed Paskong KC’ya, was
inspired by Fr. George J. Willmann’s example of “faith in action”.
Paskong KC’ya will be held on December 19, 2008, at KCFAPI Head
Office, Intramuros, Manila.
Tabuk Vicariate holds 1st
free use of the land. The land will be planted with
albeshia, a variety of fast growing tree which may
be processed into plywood, paper, and various
KC convention
THE Knights of Columbus in the Apostolic Vicariate tion in the programs of the Order.
other products. The tree may be harvested in
of Tabuk held its 1st Convention on December 6, 2008 KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo ex-
five years or more and sold to wood processing
in Bulanao, Tabuk City with the theme “Strengthen- pounded on the relevance of KCFAPI and the im-
plants proximate to the area.
ing Solidarity with our Bishops and Priests.” mediate response when it comes to death claims.
In line with the greening program endorsed by
Most Rev. Prudencio P. Andaya, Jr., Bishop of the He related his personal experience while he was a
the local government unit, the project will also
Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk, and the three District plain member and not yet a member of the Board
bring an added income to the Santa Cruz Council
Deputies of the Vicariate, DDs Benedicto Sugguiyao, of Trustees.
No. 7830 to finance a lot of Council projects. (SK
Samson Ayang-ang and Dante Leaño, and 4th Degree For her part, Sis. Tess Curia assured the group of
Theodore M. Cagalawan, T30 District Deputy
and District Master Dominador Hermosura formally KCFAPI’s financial stability against the backdrop
Mindanao)
received Luzon Deputy Alonso L. Tan, KCFAPI of global economic meltdown.
President Antonio B. Borromeo, KCFAPI Executive Bro. Joseph P. Teodoro emphasized the impor-
Vice President Maria Theresa G. Curia, and FBG tance of bringing in more Catholic gentlemen into
Vice President Joseph P. Teodoro. Area Manager the Order who will fortify its role as strong arm
Armando C. Gonzales was also in the group.
The two-day convention was attended by some
300 KC Delegates from the councils in the prov-
of the clergy.
Bishop Andaya, Jr. lauded the KC in his vicari-
ate for holding the first ever KC Convention and
inces of Kalinga and Apayao. congratulated the organizers for its success in
In his keynote speech, LD Alonso L. Tan admon-
ished attendees to continue their active participa-
terms of renewing the layman’s participation in
the church. (Joseph Teodoro)
President’s Message
Antonio B. Borromeo
THIS year is very momentous for KCFAPI not only
because of its very good performance but also marks
the year of its 50th birthday.
The Lord’s birthday is fast approaching and it is
with joy that I greet you a most memorable Christ-
mas. This coming 2009 may be a difficult year for
most companies given the global crisis but I still feel
the need to be positive in welcoming it. May you
and your loved ones have a promising New Year
in keeping the family together in these challenging
times ahead us.
Once again, from my family to yours, Merry Christ-
mas and a Blessed New Year to all.
DSW – Manila Manpower Development Center
of Manila.
The Skills Training and Livelihood Opportunity
program graduated its second batch of students
on November 20. The TESDA accredited training
program included Table Setting, Napkin Folding,
Table Skirting, Cocktail Mixing, Hotel Housekeep-
ing, Barista and Flower Arrangement.
The program was headed by SK Conrado S. Da-
tor, Luzon State Youth Director. (Ira Tee)
 C2 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

For Brother Knights by

Brother Knights
By Joseph P. Teodoro
THE dream and vision of the founder of our Order is to see to it that no widow and children of a brother knight will find themselves in dire financial straits in the event of his untimely demise. The Fraternal
Benefits Group of KCFAPI is at the forefront of the effort in bringing this dream and vision find realization.
KCFAPI is represented in the council level by men who are brother knights whom we call AREA MANAGERS. Their task consists of bringing in qualified men and women whose responsibility is to person-
ally present to brother knights and family members the principal benefit of being a knight. Because of his experience the Area Manager is capable of providing the Fraternal Counselors with basic theory of life
insurance and how to present it to the brother knights and family members. Motivating the Fraternal Counselors to reach peak performance is one of the challenging responsibilities of an Area Manager.
We are proud to introduce four of our 21 Area Managers nationwide assigned to defined sales territories.
EFREN M. CASUPANAN is now leading the Area Managers in CONRADO S. DATOR, JR. Bro. Jun is the defending “Area
terms of insurance contributions. Under his stewardship the area Manager of the Year”. He also garnered the distinction of the
called Central Luzon Believers which consists of the KC councils in “AM of the Year” on 2004 and is now aiming for the 3rd award
the province of Bulacan is the first area to reach the Php10 Million to equal Bro. Naldoza’s record. He is also a former District
FYCI. With two months remaining the area is poised to claim a record Deputy and married to Sis. Yan-Yan who is engaged in private
high of Php12 Million in 2008. Bro. Efren is an incumbent District tutoring.
Deputy and married to Sis. Veronica who is a consistent awardee
Fraternal Counselor.

Efren M. Casupanan Conrado S. Dator, Jr.

MANUEL L. NALDOZA owns the record of BRO. JOSEFINO F. VALENCIA’S Northwestern

“Area Manager of the Year” for three years (2000,
back to back on 2004 and 2005). The Central Luzon
Conquerors under his leadership is also highly
touted to reach the Php10 Million FYCI in a single
year Bro. Wel is a former District Deputy and mar-
Manuel L. Naldoza ried to Sis. Puring, a restaurant operator.
Luzon Thunders roared in the month of October
2008 by bringing in the highest first year contribu-
tion income. Bro. Joe is a former District Deputy
and a former Master of the 4th Degree (District I).
He is married to Sis. Perla, a Municipal Councilor
in their hometown in Peñarrubia, Abra. Bro. Josefino F. Valencia

OUR warmest Christmas Greetings from the home of the Ro-

Christmas Greetings CHRISTMAS is a season for giving. Giving gifts is our own way
driguez Family in Zamboanga City to your homes and a Blessed of showing our love to God who gave us the greatest gif: His only
Prosperous New Year. Son, Jesus Christ.
God is Love and because of His unconditional love, He sent His The best gift we can give this season, however, is to share our bless-
only begotten Son as a gift to us. Christmas is the time to love, be ings to the least of our brothers. Let us spread God’s love through
loved and give unconditional love to others. this simple act and make this Christmas more meaningful not only
FELICES PASCUA Y PROSPERO AÑO NUEVO A TODOS. for yourself but to others as well.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all!
Pedro M. Rodriguez
KCFAPI Board of Trustee Sofronio R. Cruz
KCFAPI Board of Trustee & Mindanao Deputy

THERE is no love so profound than assuring our love ones that JESUS came for the homeless person as well as the person who
after we are gone, they will have ‘peace of mind’. This Christmas, works at the high rise towers. He came for the outcast as much as
make something of your life. Be a PRESENT to your love ones. May for those who serve Him. Let us thank our Father for giving us Jesus.
the presents we give, the greetings we speak, the cards we send, Help us begin to live today as if it is Christmas everyday.
however, be motivated by our love for Jesus. After all, He is the Merry Christmas!
reason for the season.
Greetings of the Season to all! Antonio T. Yulo
KCFAPI Board of Trustee
Jose Bacalanmo, Jr.
KCFAPI Board of Trustee

CHRISTMAS is the celebration of God’s love for us manifested CHRISTMAS reminds us of the great love of God when he al-
by the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. This season, may we spread lowed His Son to be born in a manger, in the dead of winter, in a
this love by giving more than presents wrapped in paper and tied desolate place to humble parents with nothing to show off except
in ribbons. Give a little of yourself to others and you’ll find more their unblemished character and holiness.
blessings coming back. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth came at a time when ignorance,
A meaningful Christmas and a blessed new year to all! superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy were so common that it
seems it is the standard that rules the day. Purity was forgotten and
Guillermo N. Hernandez morality was neglected.
KCFAPI Board of Trustee His birth however, transformed our lives to give it a more mean-
ingful direction. It gave us the chance to redeem ourselves from
material desires and instead turn to simplicity and holiness.
Let His birth ever remind us, of the great sacrifices He will make
in order to save us from sins. And May His birth change us into the
person that He wanted us to be.
Merry Christmas to you my brother knights, and to your family.

Alonso Tan
KCFAPI Board of Trustee

blog
“BEHOLD the Handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy Word.” Trust and obe-
dience are two great traits of faith. Like our Mother Mary, we should be willing and trustful. From
experience, I learned to believe and thrive; to listen, focus and not get lost and to nurture that big space
in my heart and love.
Let us celebrate this Christmas Season with an open heart thinking that what is essential to happi-
ness is love and contentment. Let us listen to that Voice for Guidance and believe that we can be able
to achieve the true sense of happiness.
A Blessed and Meaningful Christmas to All!

Ma. Theresa G. Curia

BC Holder’s Letter
KCFAPI - EVP

of Gratitude
FROM the numerous “thank you” letters received by the Associa-
tion, we shall choose one or two each month to be published at
The Cross supplement. We want to give opportunity to mem-
bers to share how KC Fraternal and our fraternal benefits have
touched or influenced their lives. They serve as testimonies of
the fulfillment of the mission of both our Association and the
Order of the Knights of Columbus.

BC Holder Relations Office

Telephone: (02) 5272223 local 110 to 113
Fax: (02) 5272241; Text: 0917 825KOFC (5632)
E-mail: bcservices@kofc.org.ph

I WOULD like to thank Knights of Columbus Fraternal As-

sociation of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) for the support and
LAYOUT BY LAURENCE JOHN R. MORALES

sympathy extended to my family when my husband passed

away.
The benefits of the insurance coverage are a great help to wives
of Brother Knights, like myself. It is a testimony of KCFAPI’s
concern for the KC family.

Sincerely yours,
Twenty-one (21) active members of Columbian Squire of Leandro Esperat Circle 3509 together with other circle of the city attended the Special Mass for the Squires officiated by the
Archbishop of Zamboanga, Most. Rev. Romulo V. Valles. Archbishop Valles welcomed the Columbian Squires of different councils and asked the Caballeros de Colon (Knights of Amanda E. Atenion
Columbus) to support and make our young men grow healthy and strong physically, mentally and spiritually and build them up to be good leaders. The Caballeros de Colon of Council
8330 who were present during the celebration were Bro. Jeffrey Mesa, Squire Member Counselor; Reinfrido Ruste, Asst. to the Mindanao Deputy; Bro. Hermenegildo Canlas, Jr.,
Cotabato City
Squire Counselor; SK Jose Q. Balenton, Financial Secretary; Sir Mario Cabanlit, Youth Director; and CK Danilo Macansantos, District Deputy ZO-2.

CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008
Carl A. Anderson,
Supreme Knight
THIS month marks the 20th anniversary of Pope
John Paul II’s extraordinary document on the role
of the lay faithful, Christifideles Laici. Few docu-
ments could be more important to understanding
the mission of the laity and few are as important
to the mission of the Knights of Columbus.
In Christifideles Laici, John Paul II called the lay
faithful to a great task: “a mending of the Chris-
tian fabric of society” which, he says, “is urgently
needed.” In this way, the pope repeated the call
of the Second Vatican Council for lay men and
women to work for the renewal of society accord-
ing to Gospel values.
Many have seen the founding of the Knights of
Columbus by the Venerable Servant of God Father
Michael J. McGivney as a truly inspired vision of
the role of Catholic men in the renewal of society,
according to the Gospel values of charity, unity
and fraternity.
In October, during the papal audience for our
board of directors, Pope Benedict XVI referred to
his visit to the United States last April, saying, “I
wished to encourage the lay faithful, above all, to
recommit themselves to growth in holiness and
active participation in the Church’s mission. This
was the vision that inspired the foundation of the
Knights of Columbus … and it continues to find
privileged expression in your Order’s charitable
works.”
For more than a century, our founding prin-
ciples have strengthened the “Christian fabric”
of our councils, families, parishes, communities
and even our countries. During this time, we
have responded to many challenges, includ-
ing war, civil discord, racial and religious
discrimination, natural disasters and economic
depression — challenges not unlike the many
we face today.
Catholics, and especially Knights of Columbus,
have contributed in extraordinary ways to meet-
Super SPEK provides you the LOWEST Contribution Rates that bring
the HIGHEST Level of Protection for You and Your Family.
TOTAL PROTECTION UP TO P59,800.00
We will accept you regardless of your health condition:
· NO health questionnaires to accomplish!
· NO medical examination to undergo!
INSURANCE COVERAGE PERIOD
Insured member is covered up to age 100.
The Cross
A Force for Renewal
We are called to recommit to growth in holiness and active
participation in the Church’s mission
ing these challenges. We remember with pride our
relief work after the devastating events of Sept. 11,
2001, and in the aftermath of hurricanes Rita and
Katrina; our initiative for the first national blood
drive during World War II, and our job bank and
job training efforts during the Great Depression.
In keeping with our 126-year history, the Knights
of Columbus will continue to make a positive
and lasting contribution to our societies and com-
munities.
We will do so bearing in mind the recent words of
Pope Benedict to us in October: “may the Knights
of Columbus discover ever new ways to serve as
a leaven of the Gospel in the world and a force
for the renewal of the Church in holiness and
apostolic zeal.”
“Apostolic zeal” includes the commitment to stand
for the whole Gospel and its values, even when, at
times, those values are less than popular.
I was particularly moved to hear our Holy Father
thank the Knights of Columbus for our Order’s
efforts “to defend the moral truths necessary for a
free and humane society, including the fundamen-
tal right to life of every human being.” We should
all be encouraged that the pope is grateful for our
efforts to build a culture of life in all the countries
where we are active.
In this regard we have been faithful to the words
of Christifideles Laici: “Above all, the common
outcry which is justly made on behalf of human
rights—for example, the right to health, to home,
to work, to family, to culture—is false and illusory
if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental
right and the condition of all other personal rights,
is not defended with maximum determination.”
Sadly, some in our society have lost sight of this
truth—one more reason for the Knights of Colum-
bus to “discover ever new ways to serve as a leaven
of the Gospel in the world.”
Vivat Jesus!
SUPER SPEK
INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION PAY PERIOD
Plan becomes fully paid up at age 90.
IMMEDIATE CASH FOR EMERGENCIES
After three (3) full years, you may borrow the available cash value
C3
Announcement:
New Payment Facility
Now you can pay your insurance contribution with utmost convenience through BPI’s bill pay-
ment facility.
If you are a BPI Express Teller accoun-
tholder, just enroll your reference number in
BPI’s bill payment facility. Then you can start
paying your insurance contribution through
the bank’s electronic channels.
You can enroll in three ways:
1. Call Express Phone 89-100 or 1-800-
188-89100 TOLL FREE, dial “0” for Other
Products and Services, then another “0” for
Other Concerns.
2. Log on to www.bpiexpressonline.com
(for existing Express Online users only)
3. Visit your branch of account
Once enrolled, payments can be made
through any of the following:*
· ATM
· Telephone, just dial 89-100
· Cellphone, just go to Globe Services>My
Favorites>BPI Mobile
· Internet, just log on to www.bpiexpres-
sonline.com
*Payments via telephone, cellphone and
internet are available to accountholders who
are enrolled users of these channels.
for financial concerns.
PARTICIPATING
As a member of the Association, you shall be entitled to yearly
dividends which you may: a) withdraw, b) use to reduce contri-
bution, c) leave with your Association to accumulate at interest,
or d) buy paid-up additional insurance.
ADDED VALUE PROTECTION
After ten (10) full years, additional coverage will be provided
at no extra cost.
 C4 The Cross
CBCP Monitor
Vol. 12 No. 25
December 8 - 28, 2008

Planning Conference held

at Holiday Inn, Clark Field
YEAR 2009 will be a challeng-
ing year for the nation with the
global crisis extending its reach
next year. It is but appropriate
that the theme KCFAPI ad-
opted for 2009 is “SUSTAINING
GROWTH THROUGH FORTI-
FIED FRATERNAL SERVICE.”
The theme was the guiding light
during the recently held plan-
ning conference last November
21 and 22 at the Holiday Inn,
Clark Fields where the plans,
programs and budget for 2009
were discussed.
The products set for 2009 are:
the P20/P1K coverage, enhanced
Council Mortuary Benefits Plan,
Enhanced Special Plan for Elderly
Knights and the 3 in 1 plan for
brother knights and their family
members. The single payment
permanent plan for the direct
marketing will be studied while
we will develop the supplemen-
tary riders for the KC CARES.
BC Preservation, Conservation
and Care will be the main thrusts
of the BC Holders Relations Of-
fice (BRO) by maximizing the
use of the TEXT BILIS, KC Web-
site and an identification card
will be conceptualized. We plan
to declare P20.0 M paid up divi-
dends to all entitled BC Holders
as our way of thanking them for
their trust and confidence to the
Association.
The highlight of our activi-
ties next year will be The Out-
standing Knights of Columbus
Awards (TOKCA) which will be
held on September 2009 to honor
10 brother knights who have ex-
celled in their particular field of
endeavor. This award was first
launched in 1998 in conjunction
with the Fr. George J. Willmann,
S.J. centennial birth anniversary.
With the TOKCA, we aim to
develop awareness, increase
membership growth and recog-
nize contributions of our Brother
Knights to the community and
the nation as a whole.
In recognition of the uncon-
trollable elements in the environ-
ment and internal forces, our en-
terprise wide risk management
will be in place for us to be ready
for any eventuality. As we have
taken the first step in instituting
corporate governance across the
Association, we will ensure that
it will be implemented and that
good corporate governance will
be the norm at KCFAPI.
The 2009 Plans, Programs and
Budgets will be presented to the
Strategic Planning Committee on
December 18, 2008. (Magdalene
G. Flores)

Vermi-culture brings
added Council income
FOR the past several months, several members
of Santa Cruz Council 7830 adopted vermi-
culture as backyard activity to produce organic
fertilizers from its wastes, aptly referred to as
vermicasts.
The Knights found that vermi-culture was not
just good for their rice-farming and gardening
chores, but it also brought them some added fam-
ily income. Not a few vermi-culture practitioners
earned thousand of pesos for themselves out the
worm known as African night crawler, which
has been known to work and multiply rapidly
and without let up if properly fed. They thrive on
household wastes and rotting biodegrable materi-
als. Unlike other worms, these wrigglers do not
eat earth. They eat their weight all the time and
dispose off their wastes (vermicasts).
Left to right (Front) Levi Almalvez, Boart of Trustee Guillermo Hernandez, President Antonio Borromeo, EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia,
Board of Trustee Antonio Yulo, Annie Nicolas. (2nd row) Edwin Dawal, Pedro Lubenia, Joseph Teodoro, Magdalene Flores, Carmelita Both worms and vermi-casts are highly valu-
Ruiz, Joselito Mañalac (3rd row) Dr. Jaime Talag, Rowena Diapolit, Lee Alejandrino, Melissa Obmina, Ira Tee, Gari San Sebastian able. The worms’ present cost is P500.00 (about
(back) Norman Agustin, Greg Asis, Ronulfo Infante, Gloria Alegre, Jean Cornel, Celine Tabin, Ronald Vargas, Atty. Rizal Katalbas
$1.25) a kilo; while the vermi-casts command a
price as high as P25.00 (about $0.12) a kilo. Some
local knights even eat these worms and they say
that these have some medicinal values and are
said to cure some age-related illnesses.
The vermi-casts may be processed with or-
ganic natural brown sugar in a machine known
as Vermi Tea Mixer and the product is known as
vermin-tea which costs P325.00 to P400.00 (about
$0.80-$1.00) a liter. This vermin-tea is sprayed
on the plants to induce flowering fruition, and
to make its fruits sweeter than normal.
The success of the individual Knight vermi-
culture practitioners prompted the Council,
during its last regular meeting, to adopt
vermi-culture as one of its continuing income-
generating project under the Council’s 5-point
Surge…With Service program. (SK Theodore M.
Cagalawan)

NOW ON ITS 26th YEAR OF COMPASSIONATE AND WORLD CLASS SERVICE

* Top-of-the-line facilities nology that passed US industry and DENR standards for quality and
* Excellent personalized services performance
* 17 air-conditioned chapels with family room, CRs and bathroom * Accredited servicing mortuary of all major life plan companies
* Ample parking space and landscaped garden
OUR FACILITIES
OUR ROOTS * A three-storey building with homelike chapels complete with family
Established by the Knights of Clumbus Fraternal on October 10, 1982 as rooms, kitchen, toilet and bath, and extended lobby to accommodate
a mortuary for K of C members, Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels was later visitors and catering services
opened to the general public. * Top-of-the-line funeral hearses (Cadillac and Mercedes Benz)
* The only funeral parlor in the area with a DENR-approved water treat-
OUR VISION / MISSION ment facility
To be the premier provider of memorial care befitting the dignity of a * Ample parking space
man
To provide compassionate memorial care to the departed and their be- ACCREDITED LIFE PLAN / PRENEED COMPANIES
reaved families through the delivery of excellent services. 1. Provident Plans Int’l Corp. 7. Paz Life Plan
2. Prudential Life Plan 8. Eternal Life Plan
OUR SERVICES 3. Legacy Consolidated Plans, Inc. 9. Philam Plans
* Complete 24-hour funeral & cremation services and a wide range of 4. St. Peter Life Plan 10. Himlayang Pilipino Life Plan
casket selections, both local and imported 5. Lifetime / Pacific Plans, Inc. 11. Eternal Life Plan
* Two units of state-of-the-art cremation machines with advanced tech- 6. Coco Plans