COVER

CMDO

1 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020

 Inside
Light at the end of a tunnel | 4
Message of Prior Provincial Rev. Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm. and
the Provincial Council.

Therese in a dark tunnel | 6

A reflection on the humanity of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
by Rev. Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, O.Carm.

Carmelite at the end of the tunnel | 8

Br. Lester Hallig, O.Carm. shares the efforts of the Philippine Province in be-
coming a light in these troubled times through Carmel Care.

Meet our new Prior Provincial and

Council | 10
From Darkness into Light| 14
Rev. Joiezl Fern Piñon, O.Carm. reflects on his experience with COVID-19 and
how the community, with gratitude, became a light in the community they served.

Happenings by Br. Lester Hallig, O.Carm.

Carmelites get BLENDED | 16
Carmel News | 18
The Musical Gift of Guide Post| 20
In this feature article, Br. Jaynor Gomez, O.Carm. shares about the new
artistic endeavor of the province, the Guide Post album by Monte Carmelo.

Editor CCSPC
Br . Ritche Salgado, O.Carm Director
Br . Ritche Salgado, O.Carm
Editorial Consultant Prior Provincial / Publisher Staff
Br . Lester Hallig, O.Carm Rev. Fr . Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm. Br . Lester Hallig, O.Carm.
Contributors Communications Commission Mr . Jeshrel Alimojaned
Fr . Sirenio Jaranilla , O.Carm Fr. Esmeraldo Reforeal, O.Carm Website
www.CarmelitesPh.org
Rev. Joiezl Fern Piñon, O.Carm Sis. Ma. Angela Ureta, aO.Carm Facebook / YouTube
Br . Jaynor Gomez, O.Carm Br . Ritche Salgado, O.Carm @CarmelitesPhCom
Carmel News is the official publication of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
(O.Carm.) - Carmelite Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma (Philippines) and is produced by Daluyang Karmelo:
Carmelite Center for Social and Pastoral Communications (CCSPC). Comments, suggestions, and inquiries can be sent
through email at ocarmphilippines@gmail.com or through post at No. 26 Acacia St., Mariana, New Manila, Quezon City 1112.
December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 2
FROM THE EDITOR

“D ear friend, Dachau, with all its difficulties and

dangers, is like a dark tunnel that we have to go
through. We have to persevere and keep up our courage.
At the end, the Light is radiating that will give us freedom.”
These are the words of Blessed Titus Brandsma as he comforts a fellow
prisoner in the concentration camp of Dachau.
Dachau was their dark tunnel. Dachau was a nightmare, with thousands
in total darkness, suffering from so much pain - emotional, psychological, and
physical - with no bright light in sight.
Worse, the pain that they were we are in.
experiencing was caused by fellow In Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, O.Carm’s
human beings who have allowed evil Therese in a Dark Tunnel, he
to reign in their hearts. presents to us a Therese that is so
Cannibalism among hungry human, we could easily relate to her
inmates, torture, human experiments, struggles and sentiments. OUR COVER
and all forms of unimaginable abuse. For our main feature, Carmelite
Dachau was a dark fortress filled with at the End of the Tunnel, Br. Lester The year is bruised by one
so much pain. Hallig, O.Carm. looks at how our calamity after another. 2019 ended
Today, we are faced with yet newly created calamity response with COVID-19, spilling over even
another Dachau. A dark tunnel that apostolate - Carmel Care Philippines after the end of 2020 and most
has caused so much grief to literally - are inspiring and giving others an probably to 2021.
everyone in the planet as the dreaded opportunity to become lights during In early January, Taal Volcano
coronavirus dreadfully spread its this time of darkness brought about spewed ashes that covered many
deadly claws in every corner of the by the COVID-19 pandemic. places to as far as the Ilocos region.
globe. Plus, Br. Jaynor Gomez, O.Carm. And then comes October as the
As followers of Christ, as shares with us the songs of hope in country was beset with one storm
Carmelites, as members of the human the first ever album produced by after another, flooding vast areas,
family, we are faced with the challenge the Order in the country, Monte claiming lives and livelihood. On
of becoming that light at the end Carmelo’s Guide Post. top of that insensitive government
of the tunnel. It doesn’t matter how We are also sharing with leaders who seem to not care
small or dim our lights are, as long as you stories from our different about those most affected by these
many of us commit to become a light communities, apostolates, and other calamities - the least, the last, and
in this darkness that we are facing. members of the Carmelite family, the lost.
In this very first issue of Carmel showing how, impelled by the As we face these challenges and
News Magazine, after it has been Carmelite Spirit, they were driven to
an uncertain future, we Carmelites
out of print for almost five years, become lights in their end of the dark
we present stories of hope, which tunnel. are challenged to become a light
we hope would inspire our fellow Let us be a light to each other and at the end of a very dark tunnel -
Carmelites and our readers to strive we hope that this little offering of the reflecting the beautiful rays of the
to become lights - regardless how Philippine Carmelite Province would Son to those who are in darkness.
small or dim - in this dark tunnel that inspire you to be light. The cover depicts a cave with
the sun’s rays enlightening a dark
cavern filled with the corona virus.
As followers of Christ we are
In Carmel, to be that light that gives hope
to a society that is losing hope
because of a dim future filled
br. Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm. with uncertainty and the seeming
Carmelite Center for Social and Pastoral Communications absence of support - psychological,
emotional, and spiritual.
The question now is, are we
willing and ready to bring the
Light, to be that light in this dark
times?
3 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
 Light
MESSAGE

message fr. rico at the end of a tunnel

S hould we be afraid of the
dark? Should darkness be
avoided for a person to be happy?
This year’s pandemic brought
almost everything in disarray. A
new order is emerging while people
learned to reaffirm the essence of
family and community. Lifestyles are
changed, ways of doing things are
altered. The spread of the virus could
have been prevented if we were more
responsible in caring for one another
instead of being self-absorbed, if we
were more committed to following
protocols rather than focusing on
individual rights and freedom, and
if authorities were more pro-active
rather than act for self-preservation?
These IFS and RATHER THANS are
truly part of our reflection on what
really is happening and in trying
to make sense of what we are faced
with. We need not escape from this
reality, we need to face it head-on,
hoping that in the end, things will
turn out better than before.
Nobody wishes to experience a
pandemic of which others may refer
to as difficult and trying times or a
dark period in history. But since it is
already in our midst and has already
affected many, in rising numbers,
we need to reaffirm our belief in a
gracious and merciful God, a God
who cares and shares, A LIGHT AT
THE END OF A TUNNEL.
The message that our new online
magazine, Carmel News, wants to
spread is hope amidst the many signs
of hopelessness, positivity in spite of
negativities, solidarity as opposed to
individualistic and self-serving few,
faith in God and humanity to counter
relativism. These are LIGHTS AT
THE END OF A TUNNEL.
We urge everyone to support
this online magazine by sharing
our stories. Aside from being a
source of information, may Carmel
News online magazine be a source
of strength and inspiration for all
of us. We also remind everyone to
celebrate, enjoy, be proud of and be
grateful to God for everyone and
for all blessings that we continue to
receive as individuals, as a family
and as a community. We gather
everything and everyone in this open
space, where God dwells.
Should we be afraid of the dark?
Should darkness be avoided for us
to be happy? No! Because there is
always A LIGHT AT THE END OF
A TUNNEL.

In Carmel,

Philippine Carmel Prior Provincial

Rev. Fr. Rico Palaca Ponce, O.Carm.

and PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 4

 ycpf

5 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020

SPIRITUALITY

Therese
in a dark tunnel

By Rev. Fr. SIRENIO JAR ANILLA, O.Carm.

M any of our religious people, when they talk

of Saint Therese, they would be thinking
of a saint who is so high up there on a pedestal. She
seems to be so distant, out of touch - -- so powerful,
so blessed.
Well, now, we will try to explore the “dark side” of Saint Therese.
Did you know that St. Therese hated long prayers?
Did you know that St. Therese thought of committing suicide?
Did you know that St. Therese underwent such a collapse of
faith that she regarded herself already as an atheist?
With regard to her distaste of long prayers, she wrote in her
autobiography, Story of a Soul: “When alone, I am ashamed to
admit it, the recitation of the rosary is more difficult for me than
the wearing of an instrument of penance.” She would gladly
have worn a “hair shirt” (an uncomfortable piece of clothing
worn as a punishment or for penance) with pins and needles
than pray the rosary.
On the matter of suicide, about a month before her
death, Therese was in such pain that she spoke of nearly
losing her mind. At this time, she said to the prioress,
Agnes: “Watch carefully, Mother, when you will have

December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 6

 persons a prey to violent pains; do not leave near
them any medicines that are poisonous. I assure
you, it needs only a second when one suffers
intensely to lose one’s reason. Then one could
easily poison oneself.”
This is human nature -- to free
ourselves from so much pain. Everyone
who has been in that situation would
have pondered it like St. Therese.
On her collapse of faith, as her
moment of death came closer, her
psychological and spiritual sufferings became as great
-- if not greater -- as her physical distress.
Within a few days of her coughing up blood for the first time,
she had a sudden collapse of faith experience. What had been normal to her, like
thoughts of heaven, suddenly seemed a fantasy, like a child’s illusion of a fairyland.
She spoke of a high wall between her and God. She was in acute darkness of faith, almost without
remission until her death.
The images she used while talking to the other nuns were of darkness, a black hole, a thick fog, a tunnel, and a high wall
that she could not scale.
In the meantime, she tried to continue her religious exercises and wrote devotional prayers and poems at the request of her sisters in the
community. But all this time, she was personally in darkness. She said that she really knew the experience of atheists; she was walking through
a dark night of faith.
What do these experiences show us? That
Saint Therese is very human after all… That she is
like us in every way.
If you are struggling in prayer, if you want to
give up on your calling in life, if you are groping
for God in your loneliness, if you are in the Dark
Night -- believe me, you sound like Saint Therese.
Maybe you are a Saint in the making!
This is why if we want Therese to be our
teacher, we have to ponder on her humanity, for
she has so many things to teach us in a world that
is becoming more hopeless… in a world prone to
depression and suicide… in a world that is giving
in to burnout… in a world without depth in prayer
and spirituality… in a quarantined world.
We have a teacher who has been in that
dark pit and was able to come out smiling and
unscathed.
Our challenge now is to survive this Dark
Night in our life by looking to Saint Therese and
following her example.
We have to learn from Saint Therese for she
is again evangelizing us. She is leading us to that
light where Jesus awaits.

FR . SIRENIO JARANILLA, O.CARM. is a member of the Spirituality Commission of the

Order of Carmelites (O.Carm.) in the Philippines. He is currently the Provincial Bookkeeper
and Deputy Director of Young Carmel Philippines Foundation, Inc.
7 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
 SPECIAL FEATURE

Carmelite
at the end of the tunnel
By Br. LESTER GOPELA HALLIG, O.Carm.

P eople made plans for 2020 towards the tail-end of 2019. That is why, when
COVID-19 struck the world, it was the curveball nobody expected and
needed. Everything went awry: daily schedules, projects, vacations, tasks, even
the seemingly mundane. With this world gone haywire, it understandably tested
everyone’s capabilities.
People tried to adjust and get used to the guidelines of a community quarantine. Truth be told, months into
this pandemic, people are still trying to cope. It is indeed a blessing that there are people who have committed to
bring a ray of light into the lives of those affected by this pandemic.
December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 8
 In response to the call of
the Church to help these needy
brothers and sisters, the Philippine
Province of the Order of Carmelites
has organized a program that aims
to benefit such people. Carmelite
“
parishes, communities, and
institutions have already been knee-
Carmelcare generates
financial and material
support for the various
mission areas of the
Philippine Province.
deep in their involvements to help
the spiritual and material needs of
people under their care.
The Carmelite friars themselves
have taken to encouraging their
friends and benefactors in sharing
their blessings with the less
fortunate. Now that is what is called
leaving no stone unturned.
To cover all bases, the
Philippine Carmelites have
organized “Carmelcare in Times
of COVID-19 Pandemic Charity
Drive.” As what the name declares,
Carmelcare is a charity program
that aims to respond to the needs
of the community. It was launched
April 18 this year via social
media.
Carmelcare generates
financial and material support
for the various mission areas
of the Philippine Province.
Special attention is given to
the areas worse affected
by the pandemic.
Eight months
later, Carmelcare
has brought together
communities, families, friends,
groups, individuals, and
organizations to participate actively
in this campaign. Their positive
response has been pivotal in the
9 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
rapid success of Carmelcare and,
with it, the faster arrival of assistance
to those in need.
The following parishes were
granted relief operations: Holy
Rosary in Rosario, Agusan del
Sur; Triumph of the Cross, St.
Francis of Assisi, and Our Lady
of Mount Carmel in Escalante,
Negros Occidental; and San Isidro
Labrador and Sagrada Familia in
Quezon City.
For the Carmelites’ own in-need
communities, food and medical
assistance were given. These
communities included, among
others, St. Simon Stock in Bataan
and Bulong Ng Simoy in
Aurora.
Carmelcare was able to
extend much-needed help to
the Order’s immersion area
partners and groups. These were:
Anawim in Rizal Province and
the parishioners of San Pablo
Apostol Parish, Happy Land
Community, Tondo, Manila for
their construction materials.
Indeed, rebuilding physical
structures are also essential in
keeping people safe from the
virus.
Since the start of the
lockdown, Carmelcare has
distributed more than a million-
peso worth of donations to
badly pandemic-stricken
areas. Help came in different
forms: relief goods, food packs,
medical assistance, and personal
protective equipment.
Carmelcare’s assistance
extended to as far as the mountains
of Bayugan City in Agusan del
Sur, where the Tagpaliko Lumad
School received school supplies
and materials. The indigenous
children studying there were
ecstatic that their much-needed
study aids had arrived.
The same assistance was also given to Lourdes School in
Ormoc City, Leyte and Lurungan Elementary School in
Valencia, Bukidnon.
Meanwhile, the Wacot Association in Tublay, Benguet
got help for their sustainable livelihood project with the
set of weaving looms that can produce more cloths than
usual. Note that businesses, especially small and struggling
businesses, have been struck hard by the blow of this
pandemic. It is simplicity itself to say that they need to stay
afloat to be able to survive and, yes, to even help, in return,
their loyal and hard-working workers. The case of the Wacot
Association echoes in other communities and beneficiaries
as well. Even Carmelite communities that have workers
and employees were given relief goods and other forms of
assistance.
In these crucial times of great need, whether material,
mental or spiritual, the spirit of bayanihan continues. That is
why it was important for Carmelcare to be able to mobilize
and involve as many kind-hearted individuals and groups
as possible. Who knows, this action will initiate a domino
effect that inspire other people to reach out to those in need.
The pandemic may have brought darkness into the
world, but with help coming from different directions—a
truly welcome proposition—things become a little bit
brighter and easier to bear until this
dreary period reaches its end.
BR. LESTER G. HALLIG, O.CARM.
is the Provincial Hagiographer of
Philippine Carmel. He is co-editor
of Carmel News and maintains
the column on the Saints in
CarmelitesPh.Com.

Support #CarmelCarePhilippines
For more information, visit
www.CarmelitesPh.org/give

December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 10

Meet the Carmelite Philippines’
Prior Provincial and
Council
“Alight at the end of a dark tunnel.”
This phrase aptly describes the new leadership of the Province, anchoring themselves on
forgiveness in the hope of building and strengthening the sense of family within the Order.
Elected overwhelmingly during the third provincial chapter of the province last February
10-14 of this year, the new prior provincial and council will be leading the province in the next
three years, navigating around the many challenges that the country, nay, the world is facing
with the COVID-19 pandemic and the many natural calamities that we had to face.
Let us get to know our brothers and sister whom we have chosen to lead us in the next three
years.
degree at Inter-Congregational member of the board of the Young
Theological Center, Novaliches, Carmel Philippines Foundation.
Quezon City, and doctorate at In the same year, as well, Fr.
Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Rico became actively engaged in
Netherlands. the Order’s General Curia in Rome
As a Carmelite, Fr. Rico has when he was appointed by the Prior
assumed different roles. In General and his Council to be a
1998 he was appointed to member of the ad hoc commission
be the rector of the college for the restruturation of culture
formation seminary (Ristrutturazione della Cultura)
and in 2005 became an and the “comitato centrale” of
assistant formator as well Institutum Carmelitanum.
as academics director of Fr. Rico was elected prior
Fr . Rico the Institute of Spirituality in provincial of the province in the last
Asia, and commissary librarian. chapter this February.
In 2011 he was appointed
convenor of the Commission on Fr. Esmeraldo A. Reforeal,
Fr . Rico P. P o n c e ,
On-Going Formation, member of O.Carm. was born on August 8,
O.Carm., is our prior provincial.
the Commission on Spirituality 1968 in Maribojoc, Bohol.
Born on February 28, 1969 in
and Task Force Associteship, and He professed his vows in Carmel
San Juan, Siquijor, Fr. Rico made
executive director of ISA. He was on May 30, 1996 and was ordained a
first profession of vows on June 5,
then appointed convenor of the priest on December 29, 1996.
1993 and eventually ordained to the
spirituality commission, and as He finished his bachelor’s
priesthood on December 21, 1998.
an elected commissary councilor, degree at Mount Carmel Seminary
He finished bachelor’s degree in
he was given the task to guide the in Escalante City, Negros Occidental
Mt. Carmel College, Escalante City,
Carmelite Family. and proceeded with his master’s
Negros Occidental, his master’s
In 2014, Fr. Rico was appointed degree at the Inter-Congregational
11 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020

Fr . Esmeraldo
Theological Center in Novaliches,
Quezon City.
He also received a master’s
degree in Theology at Melbourne
College of Divinity - Melbourne
University in Australia.
As a Carmelite, Fr. Esmeraldo
has played several roles including
as formator to the student friars,
national coordinator of the National
Vocation Animation Team (NVAT),
religious assistant to the nuns, DVP
QC Coordinatior, and research
and publications director of the
Institute of Spirituality in Asia,
and administrator of the Ormoc
Spirituality Center and the Shrine
of our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Fr. Esmeraldo also taught
at the Institute for Formation
and Religious Studies, Maryhill
School of Theology, and the Inter-
Congregational Theological Center.
Currently, he is the novice
master of the Province
belonging to the Spring of
Carmel Community in
Quezon City.
Fr. Esmeraldo was
elected as the first councilor
of the province during the
chapter in February this year.
Fr . Roberto Noel B.
Rosas, O.Carm. was born on July
20, 1969 in San Miguel, Bohol. He
was professed to the Carmelite
Order on June 3, 1995 and ordained
to the priesthood on June 1, 2001.
He was appointed as Director
for the Postulancy program and a
member of the San Francisco
community on May 2005.
From May 2008 he
served as Novice Master
and Delegate to the Third
Order Carmelites.
Fr. Noel received
extensive training on
formation including studies at
the Institute for Sexuality Studies
at the Catholic Theological Union
in Chicago Illinois.
In 2013, he was loaned by
the Carmelite General Curia
in Rome as Administrative
Officer for Formation, a
position which he held until
the last triennium.
While in Rome, he
also pursued further studies
at the Pontificia Universita
Urbaniana, finishing a licentiate
degree on Missiology, (magna cum
laude).
In the last Provincial Chapter,
February of this year, he was elected
as the second provincial councilor.
Fr . Noel
December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 12
Fr . Pedro M. Manil ag Jr .,
O.Carm. is a native of Getafe,
Bohol. He was born on July 5, 1971.
He started in the Carmelite
Formation from college seminary
until theologate. He made his first
profession of vows on June 6, 1994
and was ordained to the priesthood
on June 1, 2000.
He finished college at Mount
Carmel Seminary, Escalante City,
Negros Occidental, and theology at
ICTC-OLAS,
Quezon City.
He did special
studies at
Wa s h i n g t o n
Fr . Pete
Theological Union, Washington
DC, USA.
As a Carmelite, he has served
in various capacities that includes
formation work and parish assistant
at San Isidro Parish, Bagong
Silangan, Quezon City.
He also worked as a priest-on-
loan for for the Carmelite Province
of the Most Pure Heart of Mary for
6 years, assigned as associate pastor
at Mt. Carmel Parish, Fairfield,
California, USA.
Fr. Pete was elected third
councilor of the Order for this
triennium in the February
provincial chapter.
Fr . Christian B. Buenafe,
O.Carm. was born on April 25, 1966
in Davao City to Ilocano parents.
He made his simple profession as
Carmelite on May 30, 1996 and was
ordained a priest on December 29,
1996.
He holds BA English (University
of Mindanao), MA in Pastoral
Ministry (ICTC-OLAS) and PhD
in Organization Development
(Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary
Development Institute) degrees.
Through the years, a few of his
pastoral tasks were - community
prior, campus minister, parochial
vicar, vocation director, school
head and superintendents, ISA and
TBMC director, commissary and
provincial secretary,
lecturer, retreat
facilitator
among
Fr . Christian
others. He held v a r i o u s
tasks and responsibilities in the
Commissariat and was elected first
councilor in the Philippine Chapters
of 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2011.
He was elected Commissary
General in February 2011,
was appointed as its first Prior
Provincial in the first Provincial
Chapter of February 2014, and
served until February 2017. He was
a Board Member of the Association
of Major Religious Superiors in the
Philippines for 2012 to 2016, and a
member of the Order’s International
Finance Commission from 2013 to
2019.
He is currently a member of the
13 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
board of the Social Communicators
in Asia Net (SCANet), Fellowship
for the Care of Creation
Association, Inc. (FCCAI), and the
Center for Empirical Studies for
Spirituality, Theology and Religion
- Asia (CESSTREL-Asia).
He chairs the Catholic
Educational Association
of the Philippines’
Justice and Peace,
Ecological Integrity,
Engaged Citizenship,
Poverty Alleviation and
Youth Empowerment
Subcommittee on Media Rev. Chris
Education and co-chairs
the Task Force Detainees of the
Philippines. Order’s disaster response and relief
Fr. Christian is the fourth operations ministry, Carmel Care.
councilor of the province.
Sis. Ma. Angela B. Ureta ,
Also elected were two aO.Carm. was formally accepted
non-canonical members of as a associate of the Philippine
the council, representing Carmelite province in 2010. In
the voices of simple this capacity, she has served as an
professed friars and the extended councilor of the Provincial
lay Carmelites. Council from 2014 to 2017.
As a media professional,
Rev. Christopher Anjie has worked in the broadcast
F. Labrador , O.Carm. was industry for over two decades as
elected when he was still a simple an executive producer and head
professed friar. writer of multi-awarded television
He is from Moncayo, Davao de (turn to page 19, Meet the PPC...)
Oro (formerly Compostela Valley)
and is of Manobo descent.
He joined the Carmelite Order
in 2015 and made his first profession
of vows on July 17, 2017.
He finished his
theological studies at the
Inte r- C ong re g at i on a l
Theological Center in
2018.
Currently he is
with the Carmelite
Mission and
Development Office, the
Carmelite Philanthropic Sis Anjie
Development Office, and
is the point person for the
 from Darkness
into Light
By Rev. JOIEZL FERN S. PIÑON, O.Carm.

O n September 1, 2020, Fr. Mannie, Fr. Christian, and

I arrived in Talamban, Cebu City to assume our
assignment as new members of the San Alberto Cebu-
Ormoc Carmel Community for 2020-2023.
We were warmly welcomed by the outgoing community prior, Fr. Christian
“Toots” Buenafe, O.Carm, who is due to transfer from Cebu to Manila this
year. In compliance with IATF and LGU protocols, we were placed in home
quarantine for 14 days. Unfortunately, before the 14-day quarantine was over,
the four of us, including three members of the household, have tested positive
of COVID19.
As advised by DOH and PNP, the entire San Alberto chapel and convent
was locked down on the 10th of September. Daily and Sunday Masses were
suspended and two household members were brought to the LGU quarantine
facility. Physical contact with people from outside the convent and chapel
premises were strictly limited within the allotted quarantine period. The entire
month of September in Cebu Carmel community was hovered with rollercoaster
emotions of shock, anxiety, confusion, and a slight fear. But with faith, hope and
optimism, each one courageously fought for full recovery. It was on the 22nd of
September that the DOH and Cebu City Health office declared the community
COVID19-free and the mandatory lockdown of San Alberto chapel and convent
was officially lifted.
On the 1st of October, in celebration of the feast of St. Therese of the
Child Jesus, the community decided to open the chapel once again for public
celebration of the Eucharist. When the chapel bell rang after months of silence
due to quarantine protocols, the sound of the chimes, although it was only from
an amplified recorded audio, moved us to tears as it gave us a feeling of triumph
and overwhelming gratitude to the overflowing mercy of God. It was as if we
were given another chance to make the most out of our lives after going through
a rough period of uncertainty.
After rising from momentary darkness into light, we expressed our joy and
thanksgiving to God by animating our chapel goers with a series of activities
that encouraged their active participation and prayerful presence. On the 25th
of October, the San Alberto chapel celebrated the culmination of the Rosary
Month with an offering of lighted candles representing prayer intentions and the
donning of our Blessed Mother with a crown of flowers as an act of veneration to
her motherly intercessions.
(turn to page 19, from darkness...)

BR. JOIEZL PIÑON, O.CARM.

is the Director of Ormoc
Carmelite Spirituality
Center and Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Shrine.
He is also the convenor
of the Youth
and Children
Commission.

December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 14

15 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
 HAPPENINGS

By Br. LESTER GOPEL A HALLIG, O.Carm.

“D o you hear what I hear?”

So goes the popular Christmas song and, also, the reaction of
people who will be tuning in to enjoy “Blended,” the benefit concert of the
Philippine Carmelite Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma.
The concert, slated for season than through the gift of in this challenging period of
online streaming this coming song and dance? humankind.
December 14 at 8PM, aims to Interspersed with these Proceeds from “Blended”
express the Carmelites’ gratitude exciting musical presentations will benefit the Carmelites’ staff
to their benefactors, families, are the Christmas reflections members and those hardest hit
and friends as well as to celebrate and messages from the by the pandemic.
Christmas meaningfully. Carmelites and the sharing
“Blended” brings together of personal experiences from
the unique musical talents the beneficiaries of Philippine BR. LESTER G. HALLIG, O.CARM.
of the Carmelites here in the Carmel’s various philanthropic
is the Provincial
Philippines and in their mission programs. Hag iog rapher
area in Papua New Guinea. The pandemic continues to of Philippine
Each Filipino Carmelite hang above, but it is not enough to Carmel. He
community’s representative douse the Christmas spirit with is co-editor of
will perform a special musical depression and disappointment. Carmel News
and maintains
number online—the better to Rather, “Blended” is being the column on
showcase the myriad of talents presented to bring a little bit the Saints in
that the friars possess. What more joy and hope to uplift the Car melitesPh .
better way to spread cheer this spirits of people who struggle Com.
December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 16
17 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
 Carmel News
Stories from Carmelite communities and the Carmelite family in the Philippines
Compiled by Daluyang Karmelo: Carmelite Center for Social and Pastoral Communications
Brothers ordained as deacons, priests
Last July 27, on the feast
of the patron of Philippine
Carmel, Bl. Titus Brandsma,
four Carmelite brothers and
five deacons were raised to
the order of deacons and
priests.
In Mount Carmel Parish
in Escalante City, Negros
Occidental, three brothers
were ordained priests by
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza,
D.D. of the Diocese of San
Carlos. Ordained were Brothers
Patrick John Mariano, O.Carm.,
Joseph Roque, O.Carm., and Wilson
Bolocboloc, O.Carm.
Meanwhile, Cubao Bishop
Honesto Ongtioco, D.D. ordained
four brothers as deacons and two as
priests at the Immaculate Concepcion
Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.
Those who were ordained deacons
were Br. Aniceto Rodriguez III,
O.Carm., Br. Ritche Salgado, O.Carm.,
Br. Joiezl Fern Piñon, O.Carm., and Br.
Christopher Labrador, O.Carm.
Ordained priests were Br.
Christian Marave, O.Carm. and Br.
Mannie Barlis, O.Carm.
In his message to the newly
ordained deacons and priests,
Philippine Carmel Prior Provincial
Rev. Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm.
expressed his gratitude for their “yes”
to the call to serve the anawim of God
through the Order. He also challenged
them to hold fast to the charism of the
Order and to its commitment to be
bringers of the Light to the lost, the
last, and the least in our society.
Fr. Ponce also expressed his
gratitude that despite the challenges
posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Order was still able to hold this
Carmel responds to COVID-19
Even before the government of
the Philippines declared the start of
the drastic and longest community
quarantine measure in Metro Manila
and the rest of the country, Carmel-
ite parishes all over the country were
first to respond to the needs of the
most vulnerable.
In San Isidro Labrador Parish in
Bagong Silangan, Fr. Gilbert Billena,
O.Carm. convened the Parish Pasto-
December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 18
special celebration although
with limitations.
Six brothers also made
their solemn profession of
vows on the same month: on
the 26th - Br. Oscar Robles,
Jr. in Mount Carmel Parish in
Escalante, Negros Occidental
and Br. Eduardo Adolfo, Jr. in
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
in San Francisco, Agusan
del Sur; and on the 27th -
Br. Paul Kaptain Pakao, Br.
Marc Jozsef Lester Hallig, Br.
Christopher Labrador, and Br. John
Jeempy Sebuguero at the Crispin
Offermans Hall in Titus Brandsma
Center, New Manila, Quezon City.
Meanwhile three novices made
their first profession of vows - Br. Leo
Atacador, O.Carm., Br. David Oala,
O.Carm., and Br. David Capacio, Jr.,
O.Carm.
Fr. Ponce said that these gifts of
vocation to Carmel just goes to show
that despite earthly hindrances, a
way will always be found when one
responds to the call of following
Jesus.
ral Council and the Parish Finance
Council the night before the Pres-
ident declared a lockdown. Plans
were made on how to ensure that the
spiritual and the pastoral needs of
the people would be met in this time
of the Pandemic.
On the first day of the declara-
tion of the community lockdown,
SILP was able to provide hotmeals
(continued on next page)
(continued from previous page)
to those who are most affected - the
pedicab drivers, ambulant vendors,
pregnant mothers, persons with dis-
abilities and others.
As donations kept pouring in,
more and more people were provid-
ed at a time when the government
was still consolidating its resources
and were not able to distribute relief
goods to those who are most affect-
ed, especially to those who lost their
jobs because of the absence of public
transportation and the policy forbid-
ding non-essential establishments to
open.
As the need for relief goods in-
creased, the Province decided to re-
vive Carmel Care, but this time with
the mandate of gathering essential
goods to be distributed to those who
are most affected.
To date, Carmel Care was able
Carmelite ministries grow despite pandemic
To help alleviate the needs of the
victims of the COVID-19 pandemic
and other calamities in the country,
the Order of Carmelites in the
Philippines are exploring new ways
of ministering to people in need.
The Carmel Care in the Time of
the COVID-19 Pandemic was set up
in order to centralize and systematize
the collection and distribution of
aid for victims of the COVID-19
pandemic.
(continued from page 14, from
darkness...)
During the All Saints and All
Souls commemoration, the LGU
of Cebu prohibited people from
visiting the cemeteries, thereby
suspending the traditional undas
celebration. Thus, the community
decided to open the chapel for
people to come and light candles
for their loved ones. A wooden
cross was placed near the grotto of
our Lady of Mt. Carmel, for church-
goers to visit and offer prayers for
their beloved departed.
On the 14th of November, in
the feast of all Carmelite saints,
19 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
to provide, not just relief goods, but
also materials and equipment that
would help small scale and social en-
terprises to revive their businesses.
(Please see story on page 8).
Carmelite Philippines Prior Pro-
vincial, Rev. Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm.
said that despite the financial diffi-
culties that the Order is experienc-
ing at the moment, it will look for
ways to help relieve the burden of the
people they serve, most especially in
their communities and parishes in
depressed areas.
For this, he revealed that the Or-
der is strengthening its social media
arm, not just to appeal to donors but
also to reach out to those most in
need through the spiritual materials
like songs and other multimedia ma-
terials that would help people in dis-
tress to cope and to overcome their
situation.
Middle of this year, the Fr.
Bernard Roosendaal, O.Carm.
Memorial Multimedia Studio was
opened to address the growing
demand for multi-media content in
social media.
Carmelite Prior Provincial Fr.
Rico Ponce, O.Carm. said that as the
challenges of COVID-19 continue,
the Order will also continue to look
for ways to bring the church to the
people.
the community blessed a painting
of a localized replica of the icon
of Madonna La Bruna of Naples,
painted by Michael Albaño, a
young artist from Bata Pinangga.
A devotion to Our Lady La Bruna
de Cebu was also inaugurated,
inviting everyone to allot every
Monday in San Alberto chapel to
offer votive prayers in honor of
Mary, the patroness of Carmel,
the guiding star for all people in
distress, the light for all souls in
purgatory, and the tender comfort
for those who need healing and
consolation. And on the feast of
Christ the King, the Carmel Youth
and kids offered their talents
(continued from page 13, Meet
the PPC...)
and radio programs for ABS-CBN
Broadcasting Corporation, ABS-
CBN News Channel, Marianas
Media, Inc. (Guam), the Manila
Broadcasting Company, and Jesuit
Communications.
She is also an independent book
author and publisher, a freelance
journalist, lecturer, and strategic
communications consultant. Anjie
graduated with a degree in AB
Communication Arts from De
La Salle University in 1985 and
received her MA in Theology, major
in Social-Pastoral Communication
(cum laude) from the University of
Santo Tomas Graduate School in
2017.
In 2018, she received her
certificate as a professional executive
coach and is a member of both the
International Coach Federation
(ICF) and the Asia-Pacific Alliance
of Coaches (APAC).
Sis. Anjie is attached to the
Teresa of Avila Community in
New Manila, Quezon City and is a
member of the Communications
Commission.
Sis. Anjie is now returning as an
extended councilor in the Provincial
Council where she will serve until
2023.
through a couple of liturgical
dances.
The community is now
looking forward to celebrating
the Christmas season despite the
gloomy atmosphere brought about
by the pandemic. We are hopeful
that the Holy Spirit is always
with us especially in this period
of crisis. With God’s inspiration,
and through the intercession of
our Carmelite saints and blesseds,
no matter how difficult the
circumstances we are in, we believe
that we can still meaningfully
commemorate the incarnation of
our Savior and nothing can stop
us in proclaiming the presence of
 FEATURE
The musical gift of
Guide Post By Br. JAYNOR GOMEZ, O.Carm.

T here are ways of facing and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. People have
discovered their talents in baking, cooking, selling, dancing, and even in taking care
of plants. At the end of the day, channeling the negative situation into a positive situation is
the way to go. After all, it is never easy to hurdle anxieties, fears, and weariness these days.
In the case of the Carmelite (O.Carm.) friars, one way is through the gift of music. The O.Carm. friars
have set their pandemic reflections into music with the album called Guide Post.
With the changes and challenges of the pandemic, the Carmelites have pooled their talents together, in
the process forming a band called Monte Carmelo. The group had been jamming in community, later realizing
that the joy in creating music can be shared to uplift the spirits of those affected by this pandemic. All those
sessions have resulted in an album that reflects that very same joy.
Guide Post is an eight-song collection that speaks about love and how God reveals His purpose for us in

December 2020 | CarmelNews Magazine 20

21 CarmelNews Magazine | December 2020
these trying times. Indeed, the entire album the Carmelite brothers’ prophetic mission evangelization to the broadest members of
is mostly based on personal experiences and religious vocation: Malayang Handog, the people.”
during this pandemic and is also reflective Carmel Well Spring of Hopes and Dreams, Aside from Fr. Rico, Monte Carmelo
of the 27 years of the Carmelite Order in the Carmelita, and Unconditional Gift. There is also made up of vocalists Br. Rolando F.
Philippines. are also the inspirational Take Courage, Mamites, O.Carm., Br. David A. Capacio,
The title track best describes the Come To Me, and You Are Not Alone. O.Carm., and Br. Butch Alcantara,

“
mood and theme of the album: “Love The album’s chief composer and band aO.Carm. Guest performer is Fr. Bryan
gives deeper meaning to Espejo, C.S.s.R., on violins.
everything in life. When The team is also composed of IT
we feel loved we feel most Love gives deeper experts Br. Kim Paul Escobal, O.Carm., and
alive. When we love others Jesrel Alimojaned who both supervised the
we are connected with God. meaning to everything technical sound aspects of the production.
Life becomes meaningful Guide Post was launched last October
and challenging. Have we
in life. When we feel 15, together with the Carmelite Mission
asked ourselves, what truly loved we feel most alive. Partner (CMP), at the Crispin Hall of the
matters in life? What is our Titus Brandsma Center in New Manila,
compass and guidepost in Quezon City. The record is available via
our life journey? How can we know what founder, Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm., the prior streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Dizzer,
to do with our lives without knowing what provincial of the Philippine Carmelites, says Bandcam, and other leading online music
truly matters in life?” that the songs are meant to encourage the distributors. Proceeds from the venture will
There are songs people in this pandemic and “to share the benefit the Carmelite Ministries and the
in the album about spirituality and charism as a new way of Carmelite Mission.

BR . JAYNOR GOMEZ O.CARM. is a simple professed friar currently finishing his Theological
studies at the Our Lady of the Angels Seminary - Inter-Congregational Theological Center
in Quezon City.

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