Ang Init ng E-VAT

ni Angel Sy

Katulad ng palaka na nasa kawali, unti unti na namin nararamdaman ang init ng E-VAT.

Kanina lamang sa pagkaubos ng amin LPG lubha akong nagulantang na kinakailangan ko ng magbayad ng mahigit limangdaan piso para sa isang 11-kilo cylinder ng LPG, dahil daw sa E-VAT at sa patuloy na pagtaas ng LPG sa pangdaigdigan merkado.

Umaayaw ang puso at isip ko pero ano ang aking magagawa, kung di magpatangay sa agos ng E-VAT.

Kaya aking naihahalintulad sa PALAKA na unti unting pinakukuluan sa KAWALI ang PILIPINO.

Kasi nga naman kapag ang palaka ay inilagay mo sa kumukulong TUBIG ito ay tatalon at tatakas, ngunit kapag inilagay mo siya sa tubig na malamig na unti unting kumukulo siya ay hindi tatalon hihiga pa siya at masisiyahan sa warm bath na lubhang nakaka relax.... magugulat na lamang siya na sa huli siya ay nilagang palaka na pala, paralisado at bilang na ang oras... masaklap na kapalaran na lubhang nakakabahala dahil yan mismo ang senaryo na nakikita ko sa ngayon sa mahal kong Pilipinas, pero sana nga ay mali ako.... kayo na ang humusga...

Ang presyo ng diesel ay dalawang beses na nag roll back... mas mababa ngayon ang presyo kumpara noon wala pa aniya ang E-VAT, at ang Piso ay 54.45 na lamang dahil din daw ito sa E-VAT, o di ba naman sales talk na sales talk pa lang e mapapabilib ka na. Gumaganda na daw ang ekonomiya at 5% na lamang ang walang trabaho, kaya pala halos makulili na ako sa katatawag sa aking ng kaibigan ko nung college sa kakakulit na tulungan ko siya na makahanap ng trabaho at nadudurog din ang puso ko sa kwento ng aking isang kakilalang tindera na siyang inaasahan ng pamilya dahil walang trabahong makuha ang kanyang ama at ina. Hwag nang isama ang sampu ng aking kakilala na may iba't ibang kwento tungkol sa paghahanap ng trabaho sa Pilipinas ngayon.

Lokohin nila ang lelang nilang panot, bababaan kunyari para di magsilakbo ang damdamin ng Pinoy dahil sa E-VAT... hindi naman makapag bigay ng trabaho sa Pilipinong nagugutom at lalong magugutom dahil sa pesteng E-VAT.

Pope's Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees

VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was the Holy Father's Message for the 92nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on January 15, 2006, and has the theme of "Migrations, sign of the times." The text has been published in English, French, Italian and Spanish:

Extracts from the message are given below:

"One of the recognizable signs of the times today is undoubtedly migration, a phenomenon which during the century just ended can be said to have taken on structural characteristics, becoming an important factor of the labor market world-wide, a consequence among other things of the enormous drive of globalization. Naturally ... various factors play a part. They include both national and international migration, forced and voluntary migration, legal and illegal migration, subject also to the scourge of trafficking in human beings. Nor can the category of foreign students, whose numbers increase every year in the world, be forgotten.

"With regard to those who emigrate for economic reasons, a recent fact deserving mention is the growing number of women involved. ... Female emigration tends to become more and more autonomous. Women cross the border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country. Indeed it often happens that the migrant woman becomes the principal source of income for her family. It is a fact that the presence of women is especially prevalent in sectors that offer low salaries. ... The most common employment opportunities for women, other than domestic work, consist in helping the elderly, caring for the sick and work in the hotel sector. These, too, are areas where Christians are called to dedicate themselves to assuring just treatment for migrant women out of respect for their femininity in recognition of their equal rights."

The Pope goes on to refer to "trafficking in human beings, especially women. ... In some cases there are women and girls who are destined to be exploited almost like slaves in their work, and not infrequently in the sex industry too. ... I make my own the condemnation voiced by John Paul II against 'the widespread hedonistic and commercial culture which encourages the systematic exploitation of sexuality.' This outlines a whole program of redemption and liberation from which Christians cannot withdraw."

On the subject of asylum seekers and refugees, the Holy Father underlines "how the tendency is to stop at the question of their arrival while disregarding the reasons for which they left their native land. ... Hope, courage, love and 'creativity in charity' must inspire the necessary human and Christian efforts made to help these brothers and sisters in their suffering. Their native Churches will demonstrate their concern by sending pastoral agents of the same language and culture, in a dialogue of charity with the particular Churches that welcome them."

Finally, "particular attention should be paid to the phenomenon of foreign students. ... Especially in Europe, their number is growing, with consequent pastoral problems the Church cannot ignore. This is especially true in the case of students coming from developing countries, whose university experience can become an extraordinary occasion for spiritual enrichment."

Broom, Dustpan & a Dictionary as Mass Offerings

by Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC
crossposted at www.stephencuyos.com

When was the last time you offered something at a Holy Mass? What was it? Like most people, you probably offered an amount of money. Have you ever considered offering something unique or special? And did you do it?

This afternoon, I concelebrated at a Mass in which a broom, a dustpan, and a dictionary, among other things, were presented as offerings. The main celebrant was Archbishop Carmelo Morelos of the Zamboanga archdiocese and the occasion was the Pinoy Family Festival held at the Fatima Shrine in Rome, Italy. The offertory was such a moving rite that many churchgoers were brought to tears.  

The Gifts We Will Bring

by Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC
crossposted at www.stephencuyos.com

According to the Bible, three wise men from the East traveled far and wide to find Jesus by following a star. They brought with them three gifts and after giving them to Jesus they returned home changed men. According to tradition, the relics of these wise men are found in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

Together with 35 other Filipinos, I am going to Cologne this Sunday not only to venerate the relics of the magi but also, and more importantly, to encounter Jesus Christ in the young people who will take part in the 20th World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations. The 36 of us will represent the Filipino Community of the Diocese of Rome, Italy.

Our journey to Cologne began many months ago. All 36 of us underwent a twice-weekly spiritual formation program divided into five modules, namely (1) The Search, (2) The Encounter, (3) Adoration, (4) Sharing, and (5) Conversion. The modules were meant to make the participants experience what the three wise men went through in their search for Jesus and how their encounter with Him led them to adore God, which they expressed by sharing with Jesus the gifts they brought for Him, and finally how this series of events ultimately led the magi to experience personal conversion.

The module that made a deep impression on me was the fourth – sharing. After the input, the facilitator gave each participant three different cutouts of colored paper. On each paper we were to write our answers to the following questions:

What gold will you bring to WYD?
What myrrh will you present?
What incense will you offer?

We dedicated ample time for reflection before writing anything on the cutouts. The more I contemplated on the questions, the more intense my identification with the magi became. Like the three wise men, I wanted to intimately encounter Jesus and personally bring Him gifts. During a sharing with some participants I found out that we had almost identical answers. The gold that we wanted to bring was our lives, our faith, and our commitment to follow Him out of love. The myrrh that we desired to present was our personal response to His call to love Him by serving those in most need, our affection for mother earth, our friends and families, and our faithfulness to the mission that Jesus has entrusted to us. The incense that we chose to offer was our fervent prayers, our hope for a better world, our wish for an end to all forms of violence, and our praise for God’s glory.

I pray that the WYD will truly be an occasion for the delegates to encounter Jesus personally and that they will be transformed by that encounter. I also hope that they will return to their homes bearing gifts of comfort to the suffering, love for everyone and peace to the world.

Encountering The Immigrants In Reggio Calabria, ITALY

by Sr. Melanie Grace D. Illana, mscs

Service to the immigrants is one of the responsibilities of the Church. Our immigrant brothers and sisters deserved her welcoming heart as well as moral and spiritual support. Thus, they need somebody to journey with them as they continue to search for their greener pastures. This reality has moved me when I did my 26 day mission-exposure in Reggio Calabria last June 25 until July 20, 2005. I was first attracted by the enigmatic beauty of the sea that surrounds the extreme southern part of Italy that gives calm environment with its warm people. Yet, inside that place are the life-stories of the immigrants who have survived for years.

I would say that my mission-exposure was different from the previous ones that I have been through. The novelty of the life-story of each migrant I have encountered have enriched my knowledge an understanding about the reality of the immigration. It is indeed a blessing that there are several parishes and centers that openly serve these poor immigrants. I and my companion Sr. Isabel from Domenican Republic have assisted our co-Scalabrinian sisters Sr. Ires from Brazil who is responsible for our “Centro di Ascolto” and Sr. Cloteldi an Italian who assists her in this mission.

A number of immigrants would come to our center for various reasons: ask for our listening ears and hearts as they share their problems, some ask for food and clothes and most of all ask our help to give them jobs by contacting good employers and friends. Most of these immigrants came from Romania, Ukraine, Africa, Morocco, some of them from Latin America, Libya, etc. Reggio Calabria is their choice to live and their place of refuge. To think that this place is said to be the poorest city in Italy. These immigrants do not mind of the poverty of Reggio for as long as they could find their way of living and to sustain their basic needs.

Our “Kababayans” are categorized as different immigrants since they do not really suffer from unjust wages nor beg for food and clothes. Most Italians love our Filipino brothers and sisters because of their honesty, cleanliness and sincerity in their works. This may be the reason why the Filipinos in Reggio are more highly paid than those other nationalities. Sad to say that some immigrants are receiving unjust wages such as four hundred or two hundred euro a month. Our two other elder sisters were even asking some Italian, Brazilian and Filipino friends to help our brothers and sisters of other races to augment their way of living and for their continuous financial support of their families left in their native lands.

We, as missionaries, are called to follow our brothers and sisters to preserve their faith and this was the challenge of our Blessed founder John Baptist Scalabrini known as the father to the migrants, who asked his missionaries to follow the migrants and to continue to nourish them with the Good News. This is also a challenge for me as a Filipina sister to give witness to Christ’s great love and compassion for the strangers especially for my “kababayans” that are scattered in the world. The Filipino immigrants are also called to be missionaries, too and they always visibly perform their specific ministries in the Church.

In Reggio Calabria, the Filipinos are greatly appreciated by the Italians and other nationalities since they are well-organized inside and outside the Church. I have heard many times that the “Filipinos are good”. They formed associations / organizations to keep their faith alive so that they continue to fulfil their role as laity. That made my heart proud. However, in spite of those good observations and comments, there is still a need of the priest and the religious in their spiritual and social formation. I have encountered Benjamin, the president of the Association of the Filipino Catholics and an active member of the couples for Christ as well. He shared with me their good status, their motivations and most of all their concerns. I was surprised to know that they badly needed the presence of a Filipino Priest who could also be their spiritual director and also the collaboration of the Filipina sisters who are present in Reggio Calabria.

Yes, they need their collaboration for their growth in their apostolic mission. They are waiting patiently for this grace. The Latin Americans, on the other hand, are still making progress of their organizations and ministries in the Church and same with the other nationalities. I was also impressed by the presence of the occidental and oriental Christians who harmoniously work with the Catholics in serving the immigrants as well as the integration of Muslims. I could see the good sign of the openness of Catholic Church to ecumenism and dialogue with other religions.

Our service to the migrants are truly without frontiers. I was moved when I encountered some Muslims from Morocco and Libya who were thought to be bad. I found out that they are nice people and sincere and have an open heart to talk to us Christians. I was asked to teach the basic Italian lesson to the young man from Libya named Ashraf. He arrived in Reggio a month ago and knew nothing of the Italian language. I accepted the service since he also speaks good in English. So, we started first with the alphabet since he has difficulties in reading, then to diphthongs, then proceeded to basic grammar. His interest to learn the language had helped him especially in his conversation. This made me happy. However, we did not finished with our lessons since my exposure was about to end.

I have left him some important notes for his everyday conversation. His choice is to learn the new language in order to live and to find a better job in the future. The immigrants must learn Italian language in order to survive but they still love to hear their own language spoken in this foreign land. This is the reality that I have lived with the migrants. We, as missionaries, continue to respond to this call: To see Christ in the faces of the migrants. The immigrants continue to bring with them their life-stories, their faith and most of all, their dignity as human persons who deserved love and respect.

One of the priests in Calabria expressed his concerns that the “priests must be aware of their service to the migrants and should have this passion and sensibility to serve them in spite of their races and religions.” We are hoping that his words will be slowly planted in the hearts of the priests and religious who are called for this mission. Indeed, it was a special blessing for me to experience living the reality of our migrant brothers and sisters in Reggio Calabria that would contribute much to my future apostolic mission. Every time I picture the place of Reggio Calabria, I always say to myself: Behind the beautiful panorama, there lies the life of each immigrant.

Pwede Ba Magbakasyon Bilang Filipino?

ni Angel Sy

Pwede ba magbakasyon bilang Filipino, pwede ko bang maranasan kahit sa sumandali lamang na maging first class citizen?

Lubha na akong napapagod maging Pinoy! Nakakalungkot isipin na sa kanilang pag kukulitan sa Pulitika, lalong nagdarahop ang inang bayan, bumaba ng 75% ang mga namumuhunan sa Pilipinas sa taon na ito.

Ang ibig sabihin nun ay milyon milyon pinoy ang walang trabaho.

Kasi sa pag pull-out ng kanilang investment kasamang nawawala ang trabaho para kay Juan de la Cruz.

Masakit man isipin ngunit yan ang katotohanan.

Tulad na lang nang isang kusinera, na may 3 anak, ang kanyang asawa ay dating nagtratrabaho bilang taga linis ng aircon, nangongontrata sila ng malalaking opisina na kanila naman nililinisan ng aircon, ngunit kasabay ng kaguluhan sa ating bansa, kasabay din nawala ang mga namumuhunan at ang trabahong dati niyang ipinangtatawid gutom sa kanyang mag iina.

Ngayon, araw at gabi siya na umaasa na muli magbalik ang sigla ng pangangalakal, para maibsan niya ang pagkagutom ng kanyang maybahay at 3 anak.

Sa ngayon, siya ang nag aalaga sa 3 anak at ang misis niya na nag papadede pa sa wala pang isang taon sanggol ang syang naghahanapbuhay bilang kusinera, labandera at kung ano na lang para lang may pang gatas at kain ang kanilang pamilya.

Hindi lamang sila ang may ganyan kwento ng pagdarahup, lubhang naka kaantig ng puso ang pag isa isa sa kanilang mga kwento...

RPV Team

The team members of Radyo Pilipino Ng Vaticano (RPV). Front row, from left to right: Sr. Tess, Fr. Stephen, Fr. Albert, Remy and Jocelyn. Back row, from left to right: Ermie, Rommel, and Sr. Gloria.

RESTORING TRUST: A PLEA FOR MORAL VALUES

The Pastoral Situation

1. As a people we seem to have passed from crisis to crisis in one form or another. For many analysts, reinforcing these crises are ambivalent cultural values such as palakasan, pakikisama, utang na loob, and family-centeredness. As Bishops we have long contended that the crises that we have suffered are basically moral – the lack of moral values in ourselves, in our relationships, in our social structures.

2. Today we are beset with yet another political crisis of such magnitude as to polarize our people and attract them to various options ranging from the extreme right to the extreme left. In this grave situation, various groups take advantage of one another, manipulate situations for their own agenda and create confusion among our people sometimes by projecting speculation or suspicion as proven fact, with the aim of grabbing power.

3. At the center of the crisis is the issue of moral value, particularly the issue of trust. The people mistrust our economic institutions which place them under the tyranny of market forces whose lack of moral compass produces for our people a life of grinding, dehumanizing poverty. They also mistrust yet another key institution – our political system. This mistrust is not recent. For a long time now, while reveling in political exercises, our people have shown a lack of trust in political personalities, practices, and processes. Elections are often presumed tainted rather than honest. Congressional and senate hearings are sometimes narrowly confined to procedural matters and often run along party lines. Politics has not effectively responded to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

4. This question of trust in national institutions has taken a critical urgency with the resignation of some key Cabinet members, the realignment of political parties and the creation of new alliances. Amid this realignment of forces we commend the clear official stand of our military and police authorities who reiterated their loyalty to our Constitution that forbids them from engaging in partisan politics.

5. Moreover within academe, business, professional and civil society varied positions have been taken with regard to President Macapagal Arroyo. Some want her to resign; others want her to go through due process. Some want a Truth Commission. Others impeachment. Some want a constitutional process and others an extra-constitutional process. On the other hand there is also a wide manifestation of support for the chief executive by a cross section of society.

6. Today we ask ourselves, “As Bishops what can we offer to our people? Can we provide some clarity and guidance in the present confusing situation?” We can only answer these questions from who we are. We are not politicians who are to provide a political blueprint to solve political problems. Rather we are Bishops called by the Lord to shepherd the people in the light of faith. With Pope Benedict XVI we do not believe in the “intrusion into politics on the part of the hierarchy.” But we are to interpret human activities such as economics and politics from the moral and religious point of view, from the point of view of the Gospel of Jesus and of the Kingdom of God. We are to provide moral and religious guidance to our people. This is what we offer in the present crisis. Not to do this would be an abdication of our duty.


Our Pastoral Role and our Stand

7. In the welter of conflicting opinions and positions our role is not to point out a specific political option or a package of options as the Gospel choice, especially so when such an option might be grounded merely on a speculative and highly controvertible basis. In the present situation we believe that no single concrete option regarding President Macapagal Arroyo can claim to be the only one demanded by the Gospel. Therefore, in a spirit of humility and truth, we declare our prayerfully discerned collective decision that we do not demand her resignation. Yet neither do we encourage her simply to dismiss such a call from others. For we recognize that non-violent appeals for her resignation, the demand for a Truth Commission and the filing of an impeachment case are not against the Gospel.

8. In all these we remind ourselves that a just political and moral order is best promoted under the present circumstances by a clear and courageous preference for constitutional processes that flow from moral values and the natural law. Hence, we also appeal to the people, especially their representatives and leaders, to discern their decisions not in terms of political loyalties but in the light of the Gospel values of truth, justice, and the common good. We urge our people in our parish and religious communities, our religious organizations and movements, our Basic Ecclesial Communities to come and pray together, reason, decide and act together always to the end that the will of God prevail in the political order. People of good will and credibility who hold different political convictions should come together and dialogue in order to help move the country out of its present impasse. We believe with Pope Benedict XVI that through prayer the Filipino people and their political representatives and leaders, guided by moral principles, are capable of arriving at decisions for the common good that are based not only on political realities but above all on moral precepts.

9. Yet having said this we wish to subject specific situations to moral inquiry to guide our people in deepening their moral discernment.

Restoring Moral Values

10. On Moral Accountability: “Political authority is accountable to the people. Those who govern have the obligation to answer to the governed” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 408). President Macapagal Arroyo has admitted and apologized for a “lapse of judgment” for calling a COMELEC official. The admission further eroded the people’s trust on the already suspected electoral system and raised serious questions on the integrity of the elections. Beyond apology is accountability. Indeed, with forgiveness is justice. To restore trust would require a thorough, credible, and independent process to examine the authenticity of the so-called Garcillano tapes, verify any possible betrayal of public trust, and mete out due punishment on all those found guilty. Punishment should also be imposed on those duly found guilty of corruption and illegal acts, such as jueteng and wire-tapping. Moral accountability calls for radical reforms in various agencies of government to make them more responsive to the requirements of integrity as well as to the needs of the poor.

11. On Constitutionality: In the present crisis some calls are being made for measures that are counter-constitutional. The Constitution enshrines cherished values such as human dignity and the common good, freedom, the rule of law and due process. On this basis, we reject quick fixes that cater to selfish political agenda and advantage rather than to the common good. We deplore the attempts of those groups who seek to exploit our vulnerable national situation in order to create confusion and social chaos, in order to seize power by unconstitutional means. We reject calls for juntas or revolutionary councils. Our political leaders have to be the first to observe and faithfully implement the Constitution. Resolving the crisis has to be within the framework of the Constitution and the laws of the land so as to avoid social chaos, the further weakening of political systems, and greater harm in the future.

12. On Non-Violence: Violent solutions, as Pope Paul VI taught us, “produce new injustices, throw more elements out of balance, and bring on new disasters” (Populorum Progressio, 31). There are today, on different sides of the social and political spectrum, those who would instigate violence in order to promote their own agenda or causes. We reject the use of force and violence as a solution to our problems. Such cannot be an option of the Gospel, for we know that Jesus the Lord taught a Gospel of love and non-violence.

13. On Effective Governance: “Public authority in order to promote the common good…requires also that authority be effective in attaining that end” (Pacem in Terris, ch. IV). Together with competence, personal integrity is one of the most necessary requirements of a leader. Ineffective governance may be due to a lack of personal integrity or lack of competence. It could also be the result of a confluence of factors that have eroded trust and credibility and hence effectiveness. In our present situation we recognize that blame could be attributed to many, even to all of us. Yet we would ask the President to discern deeply to what extent she might have contributed to the erosion of effective governance and whether the erosion is so severe as to be irreversible. In her heart she has to make the necessary decision for the sake of the country. We all need to do the same. Indeed, moral discernment is very difficult since it is not based on political allegiances and alignments but on moral considerations.

Conclusion

14. Dear People of God, sadness and anxiety were our feelings when we as Bishops first met to study the various aspects of the crisis. To confront the fears and hopelessness that are the daily companions of our poor is to realize that we of the Church likewise contributed to them by our neglect, our bias, our selfishness.

15. To respond to the pastoral situation we commit ourselves to a more effective evangelization in word and deed so that moral values might become dynamic forces of human life in economics, politics, and culture. We especially commit ourselves to the formation of men and women endowed with competence and integrity and empowered to effective leadership in the economic and political spheres. With the Gospel of truth, justice, peace and love in their hearts they might, indeed, be a leaven of social transformation for our country.

16. This Year of the Eucharist reminds us of the abiding, loving and healing presence of the Lord Jesus in our midst. By the grace and mercy of God and the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we pray that a deep sense of hope will prevail in these dark moments of our history. Our loving God will not abandon us no matter what pit of evil we have fallen into. We shall emerge stronger from this crisis. We shall rise endowed with greater integrity. We shall be witnesses to the power of God’s grace to transform us into a noble nation, a holier Church, a united people.


FOR THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES:


+ FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, DD
CBCP President
Archbishop of Davao

Litong Lito Na Ang Pinoy

ni Angel Sy


Ako'y litong lito at di alam ang gagawin...

Isang bagong simula o isang bagong kaguluhan ang pangyayari kahapon sa Makati ay lubhang nakakairita ayon sa mga commuters na ininterbyu sa TV dahil kinakailangan nilang maglakad mula EDSA dahil sa ipinasara ang AYALA, Makati.

Ilang Raliyista, nagpaiwan sa AYALA, at doon natulog, dahil umaasa na sila na ang laban ay tuloy tuloy na sa MALAKANYANG.

Expectation nila makonsensya si GMA at bumaba na sa pwesto!

Sa ganang akin naman ay lubhang nakakabahala ang kawalan ng stand ng majority ng Filipino. Ikaw ba naman na gumamit lang ng salita laban sa GMA administration ay sasampahan kaagad ng kaso ni Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales! Hello Garci????

Lubha akong naguguluhan sa mga nangyayari ngayon sa aking mahal na Pilipinas! Sisimulan na ang Oral arguments sa Supreme Court ngayon araw na ito tungkol sa e-vat!

Aba, may rally rin pala ang pro-Gloria, ano ba??? Ang gugulo nila lalo nila pinababa ang piso, di na nila kailangan gawin yun! It's a waste of time & money, hmmm... magkano kaya ang hakot fee??

Dati ay si Cesar Purisima ngayon ay si Sec. Gary Teves na ang finance secretary. Ang unang ginawa nila ay ang paghahabol sa lifting ng e-vat na lubhang MAGPAPAHIRAP sa bansa!

Papalitan ko na ba ang aking Piso sa DOLYAR?

Update on Yvier George Torremocha

Good news! Yvier George Torremocha is recovering well. Last 01 July 2005, he was brought to the Operating Room of the Pediatric Hospital of Bambino Gesù in Rome, Italy. The 10-hour operation was successful in keeping his heart valves to function normally. His doctors said that it is possible that Yvier will live longer than what they have previously predicted. What a blessing from the Author of Life! Praise be the Lord, the God of Life!

On behalf of the baby, his parents, relatives and friends, I am greatly delighted, honored and pleased to thank God for listening to the cry of the poor. Thank you Holy Father Pope John Paul II for your intercession, God has made miracle through the hands of the physicians. Thank you my dear brother priests and sisters for your fervent prayers. Thank you my dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, because of your generosity and kindness, God made everything possible through human hearts and hands. Thank you above all for your great faith in God, nothing is impossible!




Serving you in Jesus Christ,

Rev. Fr. Alberto M. Guevara, CS
Chaplain
Rome, July 5, 2005

A Tooth For A Tooth?

ni Angel Sy

Nabuhayan ako ng loob ko nang magkaroon ng Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) sa E-VAT!

Katawa-tawa kasi, noong a uno ng Hulyo ang presyo ng halos lahat ng bagay ay nagsitaasan, pati tabloids na dati ay ibinebenta sa halagang 8 pesos ay 9 na! Noong Sabado, July 2, ito ay muling bumaba sa halagang 8, haaaay! Salamat makakapag-cross word puzzle pa rin pala ako, yan ay dahil sa pansamantalang bisa ng TRO!

Ang Diesel ay naging 31 pesos na dito at ngayon ay muling ibinalik sa 29.71! Yehey!

Ayun sa Philstar.com, "President Arroyo vowed yesterday to fight tooth and nail to convince the Supreme Court to lift its temporary restraining order (TRO) indefinitely suspending implementation of the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) law."

A tooth for a tooth ba ang gustong laban ni Ginang Arroyo??

OO nga malaking pera para sa Gobyerno, ang pera mula sa E-Vat, ang tanong?? Sigurado ba sila na mapapasakamay ng gobyerno ang malaking halagang ito o muli na naman mapupunta sa Bulsa ng mga ganid natin lingkod bayan???

Humihingi ka ng Sorry at pang unawa-compassion! …ngunit ano ang ginagawa mo kontra sa sinasabi mo? Ang boses ng bayan ay naghuhumiyaw - bigyan sila ng trabaho para makuha nilang lumangoy kontra sa tubig na ibinuhos mula sa DAM ng Malakanyang, paano mo maaatim ang milyon-milyong Filipino na nalulunod sa E-Vat at tax measures na iniimplement ng pamahalaan??

Sabi mo hindi kami maaapektuhan?? Di po ba ang LPG ay 387 lamang bawat tangke? Bakit magiging 420 dahil sa E-Vat, yan ba ang sinasabi mong hindi kami maapektuhan??

Anong palagay mo sa amin tanga? Gago? PGMA alam ko na alam mo na madaming kababayan natin ang apektado ng krisis, ano ang ginagawa mo? Nagpapa-implement ka ng E-Vat dahil sa palagay mo ay kaya naman ni Juan na mag survive! Ikaw na nasa pwesto na yan mula 2001?? Ano na? Ano ang nagawa mo? Sa tingin mo ba umunlad ang Pinoy?

Naging mas masagana ba ang kanilang hapag kainan, a oo nga pala hindi mo naramdaman ang magutom kahit na kailan, isa kang pinagkakapitaganan anak ng dating Presidente ng Pilipinas! At asawa ng isang Tuazon-Arroyo na ubod ng yaman! Naranasan mo na bang sumakay sa jeep na ikaw mag-isa bitbit ang pinamili mo? Nalipasan ka na ba ng pagkain, dahil nawalan ng trabaho ang tatay mo? Nagbigay ka na ba ng sulat pakiusap sa teacher mo dahil di ka maka exam dahil wala kang pangbayad sa Tuition?

Hindi! Hindi mo pa nararanasan ang lahat ng Yan! Ipokrita ka kung sasabihin mo na alam mo ang maging mahirap!

Ang taong may pagmamahal sa bayan serbisyo ang pinagkakapitagan! Ano ang servisyong 220? BIGYAN ng mapagkakakitaan ang masang Pilipino!

HUMIYAW KA JUAN! Magbigay ng sapat na trabaho para makaya ni Juan ang unos ng E-VAT!

Parang bata na pinapalo ng Malakanyang si Juan de la Cruz, tama na po Ina ng Bayan! Maawa ka na po sa amin!

Buhay OFW, May Pagbabago Nga Ba?

ni Jocelyn Ruiz
jocelynruiz3333@yahoo.com

Isa sa mga bansa na may pinakamaraming Pilipino na nangingibang bayan o OFWs ay ang bansang Italy. Dito pa lamang sa Roma libo-libo na ang mga Pilipinong sa kasakuluyan ay nagtatrabaho na may papel at ganun din ang mga walang dokumento. Marami ang nagtatrabaho dito na halos bilangin ang taon at kung minsan ay kulang ang mga daliri sa paa at kamay kung bibilangin ang taon ng pananatili nila sa bansang ito.

Pero may katanungan na dapat nating bigyan ng kasagutan at pansin, TOTOO BANG MAY MGA PAGBABAGO NA NAGAGANAP? MAY PAGLAGO BA AT PAG-UNLAD? Alam nating lahat na iisa ang ating pinanggalingan at may kanya-kanya tayong dahilan kung bakit tayo ay patuloy na nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa. Pero nasaan nga ba ang tunay na pagbabago? Hanggang dito na lang ba tayo? Pagbabago? Isang salita na hindi madaling bigyan ng tamang pakahulugan. Kung ito ay susuriin ito ay tumutukoy sa paglago at pag-unlad. Ito ay ay tumatalakay din sa pag-iiba ng tao, bagay o pook. Marami ang pakahulugan nito at marahil kayo ay may sariling pakahulugan sa nasabing salita.

Kung iisa-isahin ang mga pagbabago na naganap sa buhay ng mga Pilipino dito sa Roma ay marami talaga. Una, ang pagkakaroon ng “permesso di soggiorno o permission to stay” nating mga dayuhan na nakakapagbigay sa atin ng karapatan na makapagtrabaho at gumawa ng mga bagay na nais nating gawin sa legal na paraan na walang pag-aalinlangan.

Ikalawa, ang pagkakaroon ng mga ahensiya at organisasyon o asosasyon na may kinalaman sa pagpapalago ng mga Pilipino tulad ng Philippine Embassy at Embassy to the Holy See. Mayroon tayong mga asosasyon na tumutulong sa karapatan nating mga Pilipino tulad ng Balikabayani Foundation, Kapakanan, Umangat, Migrante Party List at kung anu-ano pa.

Ikatlo, Ang pagkakaroon natin ng mga simbahan at community dito sa ibang bansa na malaya tayong makapagmisa at mayroon pa tayong sentro-Pilipino na tinatawag. Malaya din tayong magkaroon ng mga palabas tulad ng mga concert , mga proyekto na lumilinang ng ating kultura.

Ikaapat, nagkaroon tayo ng representative sa commune o consigliere di agguinti sa pamumuno ni Yrma Tobias upang mapakinggan ang boses ng mga dayuhan sa Asya. Ikalima, marami na sa ating mga Pilipino ang nagamit ang kanilang natapos sa ating bansa na nakakapagtrabaho dito sa mga opisina. May mga nurse, may nagtatrabaho sa commune at stranieri in italia tulad ni Annaliza Bueno Magsino, may nagtatrabahong Pilipino din sa FAO o Food and Agricultural Organization, nagkaroon ng asilo nido tulad ng Munting Paaralan. Nagkaroon din ng mga radio station at isa nga dito ang Radyo Pilipino ng Vaticano at nagkaroon din ng mga TV Station na Ito ang Pinoy at sa kasalukuyan ay ang Pusong Pinoy.

Tayo ay binigyan na rin ng pagkakataon na makapag–aral sapagkat may mga paaralan dito para sa mga dayuhan kagaya ng Daniele Manin sa Santa Maggiore at Leonardo Da Vinci sa Via Cavour at marami pang iba. Ilan lang ito sa mga pagbabago na naganap sa ating mga Pilipino. Kaya sa pagpapatuloy ng mga pagbabagong ito dapat mas lalo pa tayong magkaroon ng pagsisikap at pagtitiyaga para lalo pa tayong umunlad. Kaya nais ko pong ipaabot ang mensahe na ito sa lahat upang magpatuloy tayo sa ating nasimulan.

Sa Philippine Embassy, sana naman po maglunsad kayo ng proyekto na makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan dito sa abroad na magpapalago ng turismo at kultura ng bansang Pilipinas at ng makatulong tayo sa pag-ahon sa lugmok nating bansa. Kung ito po ay hindi ninyo kayang gawin sana naman ipaalam ninyo sa mas nakakataas sa inyo. Kayo rin po ay makilahok sa iba-ibang okasyon na nagaganap sa iba-ibang communities dito sa Roma bilang pagsuporta sa aming nanangangarap ng malaking pagbabago. Sa inyo pong pangserbisyong paggawa na ipatupad po ang magandang pagngiti at pagiging “HOSPITABLE” sa amin lalo kung kami ay nag-aayos ng aming mga pasaporto o anumang dokumento.

Hiling din po namin sa inyo na kumpletuhin ang inyong mga ipinadadala sa amin na dokumento at kung maari ay magkaroon ng mas mabilis na serbisyong tutulong sa ating mga kababayaan na lalot higit ang nasa labas ng Roma.Ganun din ay sana maibigay ninyo ang sapat na inpormasyon na dapat naming malaman. Sa Embassy to the Holy See, maganda po ang naririnig namin at nakikita sa inyo. Totoo pong nakikita ang inyong magandang serbisyo lalo’t higit po ang magandang layunin sa naganap na Family Day sa Fatima noong nakalipas na Oktubre at ang pagkakaroon na ng taun-taon na Family Day. Ganun din po batid namin na bukas-palad kayong tumutulong sa mga simbahan at community sa pagpapalago ng buhay pisikal lalot higit ay ang spiritual.

Marami pong salamat at hiling namin na ito po ay inyong ipagpatuloy. Sa inyo po YRMA TOBIAS ng CONSIGLIERE DI AGGUINTI, isang karangalan na kayo ay mapabilang sa nanalo bilang representative ng Asya ng mga dayuhan dito sa Roma. Napansin po namin na matapos ang eleksiyon ay wala ng ingay na nagaganap. Tanong po namin ay ito: MAY MGA PROYEKTO PO BA NA PWEDE KAMING MAKIBAHAGI? MAY MGA INPORMASYON PO BA AT MENSAHE NA DAPAT KAMING MALAMAN?

Ito po ang mga tanong na nais naming mabigyan ng kasagutan. Hindi po ito pagmamagaling pero ito ay tanong na dapat naming malaman.Gusto po namin kayong matulungan at kami naman po ay matulungan ninyo rin bilang mga PILIPINONG DAPAT MAGKAISA AT MAIAHON SA LAYUNING MAKAKAPAGPABAGO. Ito po ay hindi pagbatikos kundi upang kayo po ay aming suportahan. Para naman sa ating lahat, ito po ang tanong na dapat din nating pagnilayan, may pagbabago na ba sa ating sarili? Sa dami ng taon ng pamamalagi natin dito sa ibang bayan may nagawa na nga ba tayo? Kahit ikaw, na bumabasa nito ngayon, may nagawa ka na rin ba? Paano kung dumating ang panahon na wala na tayong lakas na panlaban, may kasiguraduhan ba tayo na may tutulong din sa atin balang araw? Hindi po masama ang pagtulong pero sana isipin din naman natin ang ating sarili?

Baka tayo ay nagkautang-utang na sa 5-6 na porsyentuhan, o kaya naman ay di na tayo nakakabayad. Nakakawa naman tayo kung ganito ang mangyayari sa ating buhay. Dapat po tayo ay may plano, kung tayo po ay magtatagal dito wag na po nating sayangin ang panahon pwede tayong gumawa ng mga maraming bagay tungo sa pagbabago at pag unlad. Para po sa akin, sa paghakbang natin sa ating buhay lagi nating isipin na makakabuti ba ito sa aking kapwa, sa ating bayan, sa ating sarili lalo’t higit sa Diyos.

Dapat maramdaman din natin na masaya tayo at mayroon tayong layunin. NASA ATING MGA KAMAY ANG MAGANDANG BUKAS UPANG MAKAMIT ANG PAGBABAGO NA SAPAT!.

SAINT OF THE WEEK: St. Thomas

SAINT THOMAS

St. Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities.

At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of "doubting Thomas."

Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his scepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, St. Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.

St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this saint was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." He capped his left by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine.

His feast day i s July 3rd and he is the patron of architects.

Sobriety? People power? Self exile?

ni Angel Sy

Sobriety was called for according to the GMA administration. Hoy, hoy, pinoy maging mahinahon ka daw, hwag papatol sa isyu kalimutan ang lahat at sama sama tayo sa bagong simula.

People Power was being asked by the opposition - People, people who care, let's do the dance again as in the EDSA 3 dance:-)

Self exile by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo (FGMA)- the first family's sacrifice for the country according to GMA! O wag na kayong mag people power papaalisin ko na ang ganid kong asawa, di ba yun ang gusto ninyo? Bigyan ninyo ako ng 2nd chance para maayos ko ang gusot na administrasyon ito. ang pag-alis nang akin esposo, ay solusyon at sakripisyo para sa buong Arroyo family.

He he he naalala ko the last time FGMA were in Las Vegas, he stayed in a $20,000/a night suite. Sa self-exile niya kaya ilang milyon piso kayang tax payer's money na naman ang malalagas??

Sana pina-ilawan at ipinabahay na lang kay Juan De la Cruz.

Pasahe sa eroplano at barko tataas ng 10% simula byernes, July 1, 2005, dahil sa E-VAT, eh sa 4th of July pa aalis si FGMA ibig sabihin aabutin siya ng Price increase!

Roilo Golez resigned as National Security mas gusto niya na maging regular na congressman na lang daw!

"She can lie to her teeth with a straight face"
"Ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw!"
"Umpisahan ninyo tatapusin ko!"

- SUSAN ROCES

FPJ's widow made these statements at a press conference at lunch time today! The strong words were leading to a call for people power! Does my country need it right now?? Another change of administration? What will happen after this people power? Another crippled administration, another president in exile or in prison, when would this cycle stop??

I am getting dizzy with this roller coaster ride? Does anybody care about us - common pinoy? Can Juan De la Cruz survived another people power?

I guess it is inevitable right now... I hope I am wrong...

A Filipina Crowned As Miss Italy in the World

Her mother is Filipina while her father is Italian. She is Mara Morelli. Tonight she was crowned as Miss Italia Nel Mondo (Miss Italy in the World), a prestigious beauty contest held annually in Italy and broadcasted over Rai Uno. Mara represented the Philippines (Filippine). In the talent portion she danced the "Pandanggo Sa Ilaw". 37 other young ladies representing various countries vied for the title.

The main objective of the pageant is to highlight the beauty of the children of Italian citizens living outside Italy. Born in 22 October 1984, she is presently living in Switzerland while studying Business Management. She dreams of becoming a manager in the field of marketing someday. She speaks Italian, English, French and German. She loves to cook, to learn the latest recipes, and to take care of the house. The head of the panel of judges was Diego Maradona, the Argentinian football legend. The televiewing audience could also vote via SMS.

Nanghingi Ng Patawad Ngunit Ayaw Magpatawad

ni Angel Sy

Kahanga-hanga at kagulat-gulat ang ginawang pag-amin ni President Gloria Arroyo! Mahirap yun especially sa katulad natin na Pinoy na ma-ego at ma-pride... yun na lang kasi ang natitira kaya mahirap sa ating mga Pinoy ang mag-sorry! Pansin ko yan sa mga mataas na opisyal ng Pilipinas!

Ganun pa man, sya mismo ay ayaw magpatawad! Hahabulin daw niya ang mga nag wire tap sa kanya! Kaya naman yun opposition, ginagamit ang isyu na yun! Na lalo naman pinaigting ang panawagan ng pag re-resign ni GMA. They were calling for snap elections!

Sana lawakan pa ng tao ang pang-unawa para hindi na magulo ang atin inang bayan Pilipinas!

Ka awa awa na si Juan De la Cruz! Habang nagkakagulo ang administration at Opposition- inimplement na ang karagdagan pasahe na 2.00 kaya ang pinakamababa na bayad sa Jeep ay P 7.50 na kumpara sa dating P 5.50.

Nasabi ko na po ba na tumaas na naman ang gasolina at diesel noon isang araw ang diesel ay P 28.30 lang ngayon ay P 28.80 na at tumaas na naman daw kahapon!

Hay, sa unang linggo naman ng Hulyo ay magkakaroon na ng e-VAT ang kuryente!, tubig at serbisyo! Isama pa ang E-vat sa Gasolina at Krudo! kaya pag 50 na ang litro ng gasolina babalik na ako sa Bisiklita! Hindi na ako mag tra tricycle:-)

Ang taas na nga tataas na naman! Hay! Anong klase kayang pagtitipid ang kinakailangan?

Sabi nila maghigpit ng sinturon, ano pa kayang paghihigpit ang gagawin natin mga Pinoy?

May mga kilala akong tao na kahit walang sweldo ang trabaho, basta libre kain, ok lang.

Sabi sa Survey ang isang pamilya ng 5 na may isang myembro ng pamilya lamang na nagta-trabaho, ay nagkakasya na lamang sa itlog at noodles araw-araw.

Yun araw araw na pagkain ng noodles ng pinoy ay masama kasi alam natin lahat na may MSG ang bawat pakete ng noodles. Eh ang kaso lang yun lang ang kaya nilang bilhin sa ngayon.

Paano na sila pag tumaas pa ang presyo ng noodles???

Sabaw na lang???

Panawagan sa Gobyerno, ayusin ninyo ang programa ng pagbibigay ng trabaho, para naman makakain na si Juan de la Cruz ng gulay at isda!

Euro VS Dollar Conversion Nagpapataasan Ng Value o Rating? OFWs ang Tinangbangan!

ni Jocelyn Ruiz
jocelynruiz3333@yahoo.com

Ang mga Migranteng Pilipino o OFWs dito sa Roma ay patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan at sumusunod sa patakarang inilulunsad ng Philippine Embassy. Ang mga patakaran at tungkulin na dapat bayaran, responsibilidad na dapat sundin, mga maraming bagay at dokumento na hinihingi para maiayos ang mga pangangailangan na gagamitin sa pinaglalaanan. Naging sunud-sunuran ang maraming mga Pilipino at halos walang magawa kundi ang sumunod upang maiayos ang kanilang mga dokumento.

Marami din naman ang nagrereklamo dahil sa kung minsan ay mabagal ang proseso, mahaba ang pila, maraming bagay ang hinihingi sayo. Katulad na lang ng isang matapang nating kababayan na si Mr. Romy Sandoval na nakaranas ng pagtataray ng isa sa mga empleyado sa embassy, ay hindi niya pinalampas ang ganitong karanasan kaya naisulat niya ang isang artikulo sa dyaryong "Ako ay Pilipino" na pinamagatang "Philippine Embassy and Me" na naipublish ng sariling Editor nito na si Annaliza Bueno Magsino noong isang taon. Sa pagkakalathala nito ay nagkakaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa serbisyong ginagawa ng Embassy at nagbigay daan upang mas maging maayos ang pakikipag-usap at pakikipag-ugnayan nila sa ating mga Pilipino.

Kung wala po kasing ganitong mangyayari walang magigising at hindi maitatama ang bagay na mali kaya ang karanasan po ay isang magandang daan sa pagsisimula ng pagbabago tulad ng bayaning OFW na tulad na si Romy.Bago po malayo ang artikulong ito, ako po ay magpapatuloy. Isang malaking usapin at isyu ang kapuna-puna sa patakaran at serbisyong ginagawa ng Philippine Embassy tungkol sa bayaran na binabayaran ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino dito sa Roma o marahil ay sa buong Europa na nakakasahod ng EURO.

Nakapanayam ko po si Wheng Flores ng Migrante Party List na isa din sa nakapuna sa bayaran tungkol sa PAG RERENEW NG PASSPORT AT OWWA MEMBERSHIP FEE. Hindi naman po lingid sa ating lahat na mas mataas ang value ng EURO kaysa sa DOLLARS: TAMA PO BA? ANU PO SA TINGIN NINYO? Alam ko po na tayo ay matalino kaya ang isasagot ninyo ay totoong mas mataas siyempre ang EURO katulad ng ating makikita sa palitan, sa bawat sulok ng bangko, sa mga TV kahit pa italian Language iyan o kahit anung language sigurado po ako na EURO, at sa mga lugar na kung saan pwedeng magpapalit ng foreign money. Ito po ang isyu ngayon at isa na namang malaking tanong para sa ating lahat.

Ang pagiging member po ng OWWA na makikita po ninyo ang mga inpormasyon at detalye sa kanilang website na www.owwa.gov.ph, kapag po binuksan ninyo ito pumunta po kayo sa ABOUT OWWA doon po ninyo makikita na ang membership fee po ay US$25.00 malinaw na malinaw po na nakasaad. Samantala ang binabayaran po nating mga Pilipino sa Europa ay 32.50 EURO. Ang pagrerenew naman po ng passport ay US$50.00 na ang binabayaran po natin ay 65 euro. Ito ang 2 serbisyo na malaking katanungan kung bakit mas mahal ang pagbabayad ng euro kaysa sa dollars samantalang mas mahal naman ang value ng euro kaysa sa dollars.

Kung bubuksan po din ninyo ang information about sa website ng owwa dito sa roma ay wala po silang information at e-mail address lang po ang makikita, ang ibig sabihin po ang inpormasyon tungkol sa owwa ay nagpapatunay lamang na iisa silang lahat na sumasakop at sumunod sa PATAKARAN NG GOBYERNO NG PILIPINAS na makikita sa iisang website na owwa.gov.ph na wala pong nagsasaad na 32.50 euro ang dapat bayaran ng pilipinong na andito sa europa KUNDI ANG SALITANG US25$ ANG PAGIGING MIYEMBRO ang nakasaad sa website.

Ang tanong ko lang po bakit hindi inilagay sa website para hindi ito maging katanungan at bakit mas malaki ang halaga ng pinabayaran ng EURO sa katotohanang mas mataas ito kaysa sa dolyar. Ganun din po sa pagrerenew ng passport na 50US$ na nagbabayad tayo ng 65 Euro. Hanggang kailangan po itong maling conversion na ito magtatagal? Ilang pa pong mga tao o OFWs ang magbabayad ng ganito? Kailan po kami maliliwanagan? Sa isang araw ilan ang nagbabayad ng maling conversion na ipinagwawalang-bahala? Kung ito ay icoconvert ng maayos mas maliit sa 25 euro ang babayaran ng isang OFWs na sumusuweldo ng euro sa pagiging member ng OWWA at mas maliit sa 65 euro ang pagrerenew sa passport depende po sa palitan.

Isang patunay din ang binitiwan ng ating Presidente na si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ng minsan siyang pumunta dito sa Roma noong nakaraang taon at tandang-tanda ko po na naulan po noon, at doon niya binitawan din sa kanyang mga labi ang 50US$ na iyon tungkol sa pagrerenew ng passport na itinanong sa kanya ni Vic Veschocio Jr. na dati ring announcer dito sa Roma sa Sas Ito ang Pinoy alam ko po na alam din iyan ng Embassy. Kung ikakatwiran po sa atin na ang pagpapalit po ng euro sa dolyar ay kanila pang ginagawa dahil siguro po talagang mas international money ang dollars ito po ay walang kinalaman dahil kahit po pumunta tayo o dumirekta sa mga foreign exchange ito naman po ay walang bayad at libre.

Hindi naman po masama kung mas malaki ang dapat bayaran subalit bigyan naman po ninyo ng kasagutan kung anu ang inyong motibo at dahilan ng hindi maging kaduda-duda ang mga bagay na ito. Ito din po ay malaking tulong para sa inyo upang hindi kayo matanong ng maraming tao pa sa susunod na henerasyon, magiging daan din ng pagtatagal ninyo sa panunungkulan at makikita ang pagpapahalaga ninyo sa mga bagong bayaning tinatawag.

Kaya mga kababayan kong Pilipino mas maganda po na magbayad na lang tayo ng Dollars sa pagrerenew ng passport at sa pagiging member ng OWWA ng mas makabayad po tayo ng sapat at tama. Ang pagpapalit naman po ng euro sa dolyar ay kabi-kabila dito sa Roma kaya mas maganda po kung ganoon ang ating gagawin. Mabuti ang sumusunod sa batas o patakaran pero mas mainam ang maging matalino na gumamait ng mabuting paraan upang walang manlinlang at magpalinlang, walang manloko at magpaloko, walang mang-abuso at magpaabuso. Makikita ang pag-unlad at paglago sa ating sarili mga kababayan kong Pilipino kung tayo ay di papayag sa mga maling patakaran at serbisyo. Hindi tayo tumutuglisa pero MAS MATUTULUNGAN NATIN SILA KUNG SILA AY ATING GIGISING AT HINDI HAHAYAAN NA LAMANG. Sa bawat yugto ng buhay ang kailangan ay isang patas na labanan, tamang panunungkulan, serbisyong pangkalahatan at respeto sa bawat isa may mataas man o mababa kang pamumuhay sa mundo.

TAPAT NA SERBISYO ANG KAILANGAN SA PAGLAGO NG BAYAN!

Feedbacks

I would like to share my deepest sympathy to all. For our Jaime Cardinal Sin who leaves us now forever for his eternal rest. May GOD and all the Saints embrace him
in heaven.

God Bless Us,
Rose
The Netherlands
Tue, 20 June 2005
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in behalf of our family, friends and relatives here in the philippines and abroad and all the filipinos, we are deeply saddened by the demise of our archbishop jaime cardinaL sin, please include us in your prayers!!!

thanks and regards to all!
god bless and take care

gery
Tue, 20 June 2005
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"Sa paglisan sa Sariling Bayan" natin. Maganda ang pagkasulat mo Inng binabati kita.Itoý binabasi mo sa mga taong yong naka-usap. Yan ang kanilang mga experyensa sa buhay ng mga taong dumadayo ng ibang bayan. Tama ka maraming lumisan sa ating bayan para makipagsapalaran at magkaroon ng magandang trabaho o kaya mag aral. Dahil bawat isa sa atin ay mayroon pangarap na balang araw gumanda din ang ating buhay. Isa na rito makatulong ng atin familya at ang iba ay nakapag asawa ng ibang lahi o dayuhan. TIBAY ng saril o bawat isa sa atin ay isang magandang halimbawa ng ating mga kababayan. Mga problema sumasalobong ng atin buhay. Huwang mawalang ng pag asa dahil nandiyan ang mahal na poon Diyos kahit papaano hindi niya tayo iiwanan palagi siyang gabay ng atin buhay, doon sa mga taong naniwala sa kanya at kay Mama Mary. Ibang cultura marami din tayong na tutunan sa kanila, luma-lawak lalo ang atin panigin sa buhay. Binigyan tayo ng isipan at talino ng mahal na Poon Diyos. Ang mag desisyon at pili-in kung ano ang nakararapat at ikabubuti ng atin sarili/buhay. Sa haba ng daan na atin nilakaran hindi pa rin natin sigurado/alam na ito na talaga ang buhay ko/natin ngayon naka laan.

Anonymous
Fri, 17 June 2005
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Nice to know every week there is a new Saint published. Where he/she came from and what they done during the time they were on service.

The blogger itself deserved a big thanks for blogging all news & views from the readeers.

Anonymous
Fri, 17 June 2005
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Sometimes the will of God is not easy to to be followed. For changes to a good beter community to other communities there are always persons give their life beliefs to show how they really love God.

Anonymous
Fri, 17 June 2005
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May is a flowers month. And by showing our love to Mama Mary we always offer her flowers even if it's not month of May. Nice to see these cute engels. I remembered during my childhood days and white is one of my best favorite color.

Anonymous
Fri, 17 June 2005
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jocelyn, i am on ur side regarding some anomalies and irregularities in NAIA. wat u experienced is just a little one compared to my experiences everytime i go home to pinas. it's ok to give some to these little people because they are underpaid and as long as they will assist me in the airport. but the worst one is the custome officers themselves are greed and hungry of green money. everytime i gave them my custom declaration filled out form, inserted inside my passport, they will get the form and still opening all the pages of my passport as if they are looking for something interesting, you know what i mean? Philippines is a beautiful country, full of natural resources, i am proud of being a pinoy. but because of the corrupt system of the government, the poor ones suffer that much. i pity our kababayans. now our country has no room for growth and development.

Anonymous
Fri, 20 May 2005
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The Filipino unducumented workers in South Korea need your help... please click this link for some infos... www.alaeh.net


Your's in christ,
Jun
Mon, 13 June 2005
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wow!these pictures really show the how filipinos truelly live.every filipino can relate.keep it up!

Ng
Fri, 19 May 2005
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The MAIN PAGE is better than before now that you included the "daily gospel and meditation" in it. WELL DONE TEAM!! but should we not read God's message for the day FIRST before the news? doing it this way will HELP us view our world, as we read the news, according to His perspective. it always works for me. it might for my migrant christian kababayans too. on second thought, why wait for the rpv team to change the presentation again. all you need is change your clicking sequence. yes, simple. but it gives a whole lot of positive difference to your state of mind. try it.

Alex
Sat, 23 April 2005
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now i know where i saw that familiar lovely face who read the prayer in tagalog during pope john paul's requiem mass! it was you remy! a talented member of the rpv team, at that! you made us proud girl! thank you.

Alexis
Thus, 21 April 2005
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Good morning RPV team and the rest,

I would like to say, congratulation to each one of us for we have now a newly elected pope. To our newly pope blessing and conratulation to him. Hoping he carries good the good will of god and spread it to the people with love sincerety and understanding. For he has very high demanding commitments as a head to all catholics in this world.

God bless us all.

Thanks,
Rosalita
Wed, 20 April 2005
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Napag-isip ispan ko na rin po yan. Hindi ko kayang ipag-aral ang mga anak ko sa isang pribadong paaralan kung sa ating bansa ako magtratrabaho. yan at marami pa pong bagay ang hindi ko maibibigay sa kanila. Pero iba talaga po kung nandyan ka sa paglaki ng mga anak mo. Sana ang mga munting angel na iniwan natin ay hindi maging “lost angels” pagdating ng panahon na makakasama natin ulit ang ating mga pamilya. Kasi kun mangyayari po iyan, walang kabuluhan ang lahat ng paghihirap na dinadanas natin ngayon.

Cornelia
Mon, 18 April 2005
-----------------------

Reading your article made me asked myself these questions:
a. Fewer people are joining religious vocations. I hope it means more freelance volunteers in organizations giving assistance to these people. For without you and these volunteers , who would help guide these angels?
b. Are the children left back home not like the angels in the refugee camps? They have parents who cannot be there for them for some valid reason or another.
c. Are our desire to give our children a better life, align with God’s concept of a “better life” or are they our human definition of what a better material life is? good food on the table, better education, better house, etc, etc?
d. In the scripture, God never wants children to bring themselves up. He gave each angel parents on whose shoulder falls the responsibility to raise them according to the instruction and discipline of the Lord, NOT on the shoulder of other institutions or person. Is there a passage in the scripture exempting living able parents from such responsibility because they have to seek opportunities in places other than where their children are? or can we delegate it to others for whatever reason all?
e. “Seek ye the kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you”. If I trust His promise to give all the things I desire for my children when I truly obey His will, why am I here and letting other people do the responsibility He entrusted me?

Anonymous
Mon, 18 April 2005
-----------------------

Mabuhay from the Philippines! Nakikinig po ako ng iyong programa sa pamamagitan ng official website ng Vatican City every Friday. Salamat sa makabagong teknolohiya dahil naabot na ng inyong Programa ang Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng internet. Binabati ko po ang lahat ng staff ng inyong Filipino edition ng Radio Vaticana at sa mga Pinoy na naririyan sa Italya.

I really enjoy Fr. Cuyos' 15 minute conversation with Filipino migrants and hopefully He keep up the good work. Pagpalain nawa kayo ng Panginoon at nawa'y ipgpatuloy ninyo ang inyong dakilang gawain sa kapwa nating Pilipino na nariyan sa Italya. Maraming Salamat!

Bro. Allan Estacio
Manila, Philippines
Sun, 17 April 2005
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I followed the news about our Pope
specially this last Pope's days. I cried, the world cry because he/we lost our beloved one. But when I see a little smile peace love express on his face. I think we have no more reason to be sad or weeping. Personally his a happy person he don't want us to be sad when he is gone. Human nature we can't take away our emotions and feelings. That's why God loves us. He know's where his going to, his beautiful soul is now in heaven with the God the father who embraces him with an eternal happiness. All we have is to remember love and cherished all the good things he had done during his present here with us on the world will be written in our history and woudn't be forgotten an legend.

Thanks to the RPV blog.

God Bless You.

Anonymous
Mon, 04 April 2005
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Hello RPV team! HAPPY EASTER too! Nice to see your lovely faces here, all smiling! Your radio program is great and as always i keep tuned in very avidly to one of its excerpts:Europinoy perpective. Thanks too for the prayers uttered for Filipinos here in our country, there near you and all over Europe! Keep them coming! And thanks too for the greetings!

Razy
Mon, 28 Mar 2005
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same here... pls. put a tagboard or guestbook so that people could get in touch... I'll put your site on my blog...

Enzo
Mon, 28 Mar 2005
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I'm very proud of you guys! Feeling ko naiangat ko ang aking pagiging OFW. Through your website mapapatunayan natin na iba talaga ang Pinoy.

Anonymous
Mon, 28 Mar 2005
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Marami pong akong kamag anak dyan sa italy.lagay naman po kayong tag-board sa blog nyo para makagpost po kame ng messages.

http://analie1014.blogspot.com
Fri, 18 Feb 2005
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...thanks...it means a lot to me...
...May your enthusiasm on what you have started for connecting the Filipinos abroad & locally will go on undiminished.

Anonymous
Tues, 08 Feb 2005
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...nice to know you're getting more & more reactions in your feedbacks section & to know they came from the Phil...meaning... your website is getting popular there..wow !!!! your efforts are starting to bear fruits..

Anonymous
Mon, 07 Feb 2005
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Okay ah! Auguri! It is inspiring to know that even our kababayans from Cebu already have the access to listen to Radyo Pilipino ng Vaticano. Oh yah! I've already invited my friends, excluding my enemies (twinnkk! wla pa kc), to listen to the radio program... I guess they will also enjoy...!

Tess
Italy, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:22:21 +0000
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what can i say... amazing !!!! forgive me, this word might still be an understatement...

but i am amazed at your speed... first, you were able to "air" the PinoyRadio via Vatican program and in a few month's time you have come up with so much improvement to the delight of your listeners... and now you are able to install radiopinoy website which enables more Pinoys to listen, but most importantly enables your listeners to air their hearts out and be listened too... there is a sort of interaction and judging from the reactions... you were able to reach out to many Pinoys not only in Europe but also worldwide... you may not be aware of it... but you are beginning to promote your idea of participatory communication....

...congratulations!!!... keep it up... i could see now how strong and how deep is your dedication to your vocation.... i pray that God may always be with you...

Meg
Belgium, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 12:36:00 +0100
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I enjoyed listening to your weekly airtime!
I really do.

Grace
Netherlands, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 00:12:00 +0100
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Nagpasalamat ko sa Dios nga usa sa akong amigo, Fr. Stephen gihimong instrumento sa pagsangyaw sa iyang mensahe sa pikas bahin ning kalibutan pinaagi niining programa, Radyo Pilipino Ng Vaticano. Maghatag ug giya o mohupay sa kasingkasing sa mga kaigsoonan kung Pilipino diha sa Europa. God bless and More power! Sa mga kaigsoonan kung Pilipino, Mabuhay! I'm Proud of you all!

Mars
Philippines, Sun, 30 Jan 2005, 16:35:37 -0800
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Hello! This is Agnes Razyneth Montebon Amores, a pinoy architect here in our beautiful city of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu under the Visayan group of islands, Philippines. I just want to let all of you know that your radio program is splendid! I didn't realized it so much until i saw all of your beautiful faces posted on this new weblog! My! My! CONGRATULATIONS ! And your logo, wow! just AWESOME! Amazingly done with Rome's Basilica dividing the colors of our Flag. ENGENIOUS! Im totally awed! I salute you all. Keep it up and I pray for more achievements in the future.

Thanks for this oppurtunity to air our views. Really, i just love it!

Hopes and prayers,
Ness
Philippines, Sat, 29 Jan 2005, 18:55:39 -0800
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Good day!
Mabuhay! I have a prayer request for my brother, Joseph, that he will find a permanent job. He has been searching for 4 years and until now he has not been able to find a good and stable job. Please also pray for the fast healing of my stepmother from her illness - high blood pressure.

Mars
Philippines, Sat, 29 Jan 2005, 22:20:30 -0500
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Nice kaau ang imo program father. I hope na motaas-taas pa ni. ganahan ko atong portion nga naay interview sa kinabuhi sa mga filipino diha. If I'm not mistaken murag si Victoria Victores to ang inyo gi-interview. Nindot kaau dre, I know ang mga filipino ganahan gyud ani kay naa silay ma consider nga ilaha gyud sa uban nasud. Dre, I hope na you will also include next time kung pwede naay portion nga someone will share his experience about the goodness of God. What I mean is murag testimony ba dre. I dont know, pero I find it relevant especially sa ilang kinabuhi diha on how they encounter God in their everyday life.

I hope next tym makapaminaw na sad ko dre. Were so proud of you our dear tatay and father. We'll always pray that you will become successful in all that you do there. God Bless U Always.

Sherman
Philippines, Thu, 27 Jan 2005 02:48:52 -0800
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May your apostolate in the Lord's communication or ICT vineyard be colourful and joyful always!

Malou
Netherlands, Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:25:19 +0100
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Yes!!! Angelo was able to install or download the real player so i was able to listen to your beautiful radio pragram. It's nice to hear the stories of the Filipino workers who are really working hard for their familyies in the Phil..... about their experiences and the importance of having communication with each other.... that.. we always have to remember too also with our children...so we are still learning.... not to forget those little things which are very important. The nice song of Donna Cruz esp. the lyrics are beautiful. Nice to hear your voices too and of Inday...so keep it up and more power to your radio program.... it is also nice that we can listen for the whole week... God Bless.... and thanks for the messages... greetings... dag!

Olive & Wouter
Netherlands, Mon, 17 Jan 2005 12:01:49 +0000
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Please email your feedbacks to: pinoyradio1611@yahoo.com

SAINT OF THE WEEK: St. John the Baptist

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist was the son of Zachary, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Elizabeth, a kinswoman of Mary who visited her. He was probably born at Ain-Karim southwest of Jerusalem after the Angel Gabriel had told Zachary that his wife would bear a child even though she was an old woman. He lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea until about A.D. 27.

When he was thirty, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan against the evils of the times and called men to penance and baptism "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". He attracted large crowds, and when Christ came to him, John recognized Him as the Messiah and baptized Him, saying, "It is I who need baptism from You". When Christ left to preach in Galilee, John continued preaching in the Jordan valley. Fearful of his great power with the people, Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Perea and Galilee, had him arrested and imprisoned at Machaerus Fortress on the Dead Sea when John denounced his adultrous and incestuous marriage with Herodias, wife of his half brother Philip.

John was beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias, who asked for his head at the instigation of her mother. John inspired many of his followers to follow Christ when he designated Him "the Lamb of God," among them Andrew and John, who came to know Christ through John's preaching. John is presented in the New Testament as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the precursor of the Messiah.

His feast day is June 24th and the feast for his beheading is August 29th.

Flores de Mayo

GETTING READY
Angels line up for the procession.

GUIDING HANDS
Some angels, though expert in flying, have trouble walking on the ground. That's why the guiding hands of an elder sister is needed to complete the journey.

AVE MARIA
Each letter of the Ave Maria is carried ceremoniously to the altar.

SOLEMN MOMENT
A moment of singing and prayer.

ANGEL UP CLOSE
Winged or not, we are all angels.

SAINT OF THE WEEK: St. Barnabas

SAINT BARNABAS

All we know of Barnabas is to be found in the New Testament. A Jew, born in Cyprus and named Joseph, he sold his property, gave the proceeds to the Apostles, who gave him the name Barnabas, and lived in common with the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. He persuaded the community there to accept Paul as a disciple, was sent to Antioch, Syria, to look into the community there, and brought Paul there from Tarsus. With Paul he brought Antioch's donation to the Jerusalem community during a famine, and returned to Antioch with John Mark, his cousin.

The three went on a missionary journey to Cyprus, Perga (when John Mark went to Jerusalem), and Antioch in Pisidia, where they were so violently opposed by the Jews that they decided to preach to the pagans. Then they went on to Iconium and Lystra in Lycaonia, where they were first acclaimed gods and then stoned out of the city, and then returned to Antioch in Syria. When a dispute arose regarding the observance of the Jewish rites, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem, where, at a council, it was decided that pagans did not have to be circumcised to be baptized.

On their return to Antioch, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on another visitation to the cities where they had preached, but Paul objected because of John Mark's desertion of them in Perga. Paul and Barnabas parted, and Barnabas returned to Cyprus with Mark; nothing further is heard of him, though it is believed his rift with Paul was ultimately healed. Tradition has Barnabas preaching in Alexandria and Rome, the founder of the Cypriote Church, the Bishop of Milan (which he was not), and has him stoned to death at Salamis about the year 61.

The apochryphal Epistle of Barnabas was long attributed to him, but modern scholarship now attributes it to a Christian in Alexandria between the years 70 and 100; the Gospel of Barnabas is probably by an Italian Christian who became a Mohammedan; and the Acts of Barnabas once attributed to John Mark are now known to have been written in the fifth century.

His feast day is June 11.

Sa Paglisan sa Sariling Bayan

ni Jocelyn Ruiz
jocelynruiz3333@yahoo.com

Kapag iniisip ko kung paano ako nakarating dito sa ibang bansa, halo-halong damdamin ang aking naramdaman at marahil ay naramdaman din ng ibang tao o maaaring tulad mo. Andoon ang lungkot na iiwan mo ang mga mahal mo sa buhay, ang takot dahil wala kang alam at hindi mo alam kung anu ang iyong dadatnan, andiyan din ang saya dahil sa makakarating ka ng ibang bansa at ang pagkakataon na naghihintay sayo sa ibang bayan.

Sa paglisan sa sariling bayan ay isang mahabang proseso at paglalakbay. Ito ay nangangailangan ng tinatawag na "TIBAY" para sa akin.

T= bilang "tatag ng loob". Tayo ay mangangailangan ng lakas ng loob na makipagsapalaran, determinasyon na maihanda ang sarili anuman ang mangyari o anuman ang madadatnan at kahihinatnan. Alam nating lahat na ang pagiging dayuhan sa ibang bayan ay pakikipagsapalaran sa mga bagay na hindi natin kilala at hindi natin alam. Ang tatag ng loob ay isa sa dapat na maging puhunan lalo na kung wala kang kamag-anak o kaibigan na patutunguhan sa abroad dahil kahit may kamag-anak ka ay mangangapa ka pa tin at dapat "sumabay sa kung anu ang daloy at agos ng tubig sa ilog" ika nga dahil maaari kang malunod, o madulas.

I- Bilang "Ingat". Ang pag iingat sa lahat ng bagay ay napakahalaga, lalo na kung mag "TNT" ka o walang dokumento at baka mahuli ka ng Parak ika nga sa atin. Kailangan ng matinding pag-iingat dahil sa ngayon marami ang manloloko at magnanakaw. Kung minsan hindi mo malalaman kung sino ba talaga ang tunay na kakampi o kaaway. Ang pag-iingat ay kailangan din sa klima dito sa abroad dahil iba dito at hindi tulad sa Pilipinas. Pag iingat din sa katawan at sarili ay isang malaking puhunan sabi nga ang kalusugan daw ay kayaman kaya ang pag aabroad ay hindi basta-basta. Tulad dito sa Roma, ang mga ospital dito kapag puno at wala ng puwesto ang pasyente ay hindi tinatanggap ng basta-basta kaya mahirap ang nagingibang bayan. Kalimitan nga sabi ng pinoy "Sa panahon ngayon, Bawal ang magkasakit!"

B= bilang "bukas na Isipan". Ito ang pagkakaroon ng malawak na pang-unawa, pagsasakripisyo at tamang pagdedesisyon sa buhay. Dito sa abroad maraming Pilipino ang nag aakala na ang kamag anak ang tunay mong magiging kakampi at mahihingan ng tulong sa oras ng kagipitan pero marami dito sa abroad ay hindi ganun ang nangyayari hindi ko naman nilalahat pero marami ako nakakwentuhan na mga kababayan natin. Dito kasi nababago ang ugali ng tao talaga. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na layuan mo ang iyong kamag-anak o layuan mo sila bagkus dapat magkaroon ka ng malawak na pag-iisip dahil dito sa abroad mas matitinding pagsubok sa buhay ang haharapin mo. Dalawang lugar ang iisipin mo dito sa abroad at ang mga pamilya mo sa Pilipinas na hindi mo naman nakikita at hindi mo alam ang nagyayari sa kanila. Dito susubukin ang pagsasamahan, susubukin ka sa pera, ang pagkakaibigan, pakikipag ugnayan, at ang pakikipag usap. Kapag hindi bukas iyong isip at kung hindi ka handa ay madali kang mapapagod at manghihina. Minsan ito din ang nagdudulot ng nervous breakdown, stressed at overfatigue. Dito mas matindi ang pag iisip kaysa sa trabaho. Ang bukas na isipan ay tumutukoy sa hindi pabigla-biglang desisyon, hindi madadaan sa init ng ulo dahil pag hindi bukas ang isipan mo maaari kang mapahamak o maging kaawa-awa.

A= Bilang "adhikain". Ito ay tumutukoy sa layunin mo. Bakit ka ba naririto? Anu ang layunin Mo? Kung magpapayaman lang ang motibo mo kaya ka naririto sisiguraduhin ko hindi ka tatagal dito. Dapat may maganda kang layunin upang maging sandigan mo sa oras na dumating ang mga balakid. Tandaan na ang pagsubok dito sa abroad ay doble ng sa Pilipinas. Ang layunin at adhikain ang magpapatatag sayo dito at magbibigay daan para mas mapalawak mo ang buhay. kahit pa sabihin na narito ka para mag aral o magtrabaho tandaan iba ang kapaligiran sa ibang bansa, dahil dito mas makamundo, mas mahirap ang pag aaral dahil ng lingwahe unang-una, ang kapaligiran mo, ang mga makakasama mong kakalase o amo sa trabaho, iba din ang ugali at kultura nila sa atin kaya hindi madali sabi nga sasayaw ka ng rock sa tutunog na sweet at sa tutunog na sweet sasayaw ka ng rock. Anu kaya mo?

Y= bilang "Yabag". Tinawag ko itong yabag na tumutukoy sa lakad. Kahit anung mangyari matututo ka dapat maglakad. Kahit masakit na ang paa mo, o nasaktan ka ng ibang tao, o pinagchichismisan ka, o pinag uusapan ka, o pinagsalitaan ka ng masakit, lumakad ka at mag patuloy wag kang magpapaapekto lalo na kung masama. Tandaan na ang Diyos lamang ang maaari na maging tunay mong kakampi dito sa abroad. Ang yabag ay ang pagsunod sa hakbang ng Panginoon. Pag naririto ka na mas kailangan doblehin mo o pagtatluhin ang pagtawag sa Kanya. Wala kang magagawa kung wala siya sa buhay mo lalo na sa pagdating na ikaw ay mag iisa, parang wala kang makakausap, wala kang magiging kakampi kundi ang sarili mo kaya siya lang ang makakasama mo. Sa yabag dapat dumireksyon tayo sa tama kahit masaktan pa ang ibang tao kung iyon lang ang paraan para maitama mo rin sila. Wag sila ang isipin mo ang lagi mong itatanong sa sarili mo: Kung ako si Jesus anu kaya ang gagawin niya sa sitwasyon kung ito?

Naniniwala ako na itong mga bagay na ito ang dapat magkaroon tayo sa pag aabroad at pakikipagsapalaran. Kung tayo ay mayroong TIBAY tatagal din tayo tulad ng iba nating kababayan na nagtatrabaho dito. Kung mayroon tayong TIBAY maaari rin naman nating maramdaman na mawiwiwili ka na rin. Marami din namang masasayang bagay sa abroad basta marunong ka lang humawak ng tama sa buhay mo. Kaya para sayo kabayan kahit anung problema, suliranin, balakid, pagsubok... Mag take ka lang ng "TIBAY!"

LIBRE NA, LALAGO KA PA!

SAINT OF THE WEEK: St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

SAINT CHARLES LWANGA AND COMPANIONS:
MARTYRS OF UGANDA

For those of us who think that the faith and zeal of the early Christians died out as the Church grew more safe and powerful through the centuries, the martyrs of Uganda are a reminder that persecution of Christians continues in modern times, even to the present day.

The Society of Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers) had only been in Uganda for 6 years and yet they had built up a community of converts whose faith would outshine their own. The earliest converts were soon instructing and leading new converts that the White Fathers couldn't reach. Many of these converts lived and taught at King Mwanga's court.

King Mwanga was a violent ruler and pedophile who forced himself on the young boys and men who served him as pages and attendants. The Christians at Mwanga's court who tried to protect the pages from King Mwanga.

The leader of the small community of 200 Christians, was the chief steward of Mwanga's court, a twenty-five-year-old Catholic named Joseph Mkasa (or Mukasa).

When Mwanga killed a Protestant missionary and his companions, Joseph Mkasa confronted Mwanga and condemned his action. Mwanga had always liked Joseph but when Joseph dared to demand that Mwanga change his lifestyle, Mwanga forgot their long friendship. After striking Joseph with a spear, Mwanga ordered him killed. When the executioners tried to tie Joseph's hands, he told them, "A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die." He forgave Mwanga with all his heart but made one final plea for his repentance before he was beheaded and then burned on November 15, 1885.

Charles Lwanga took over the instruction and leadership of the Christian community at court -- and the charge of keeping the young boys and men out of Mwanga's hands. Perhaps Joseph's plea for repentance had had some affect on Mwanga because the persecution died down for six months.

Anger and suspicion must have been simm ering in Mwanga, however. In May 1886 he called one of his pages named Mwafu and asked what the page had been doing that kept him away from Mwanga. When the page replied that he had been receiving religious instruction from Denis Sebuggwawo, Mwanga's temper boiled over. He had Denis brought to him and killed him himself by thrusting a spear through his throat.

He then ordered that the royal compound be sealed and guarded so that no one could escape and summoned the country's executioners. Knowing what was coming, Charles Lwanga baptized four catechumens that night, including a thirteen-year-old named Kizito. The next morning Mwanga brought his whole court before him and separated the Christians from the rest by saying, "Those who do not pray stand by me, those who do pray stand over there." He demanded of the fifteen boys and young men (all under 25) if they were Christians and intended to remain Christians. When they answered "Yes" with strength and courage Mwanga condemned them to death.

He commanded that the group be taken on a 37 mile trek to the place of execution at Namugongo. The chief executioner begged one of the boys, his own son, Mabaga, to escape and hide but Mbaga refused. The cruelly-bound prisoners passed the home of the White Fathers on their way to execution. Father Lourdel remembered thirteen-year-old Kizito laughing and chattering. Lourdel almost fainted at the courage and joy these condemned converts, his friends, showed on their way to martyrdom. Three of these faithful were killed on road.

A Christian soldier named James Buzabaliawo was brought before the king. When Mwanga ordered him to be killed with the rest, James said, "Goodbye, then. I am going to Heaven, and I will pray to God for you." When a griefstricken Father Lourdel raised his hand in absolution as James passed, James lifted his own tied hands and pointed up to show that he knew he was going to heaven and would meet Father Lourdel there. With a smile he said to Lourdel, "Why are you so sad? This nothing to the joys you have taught us to look forward to."

Also condemned were Andrew Kagwa, a Kigowa chief, who had converted his wife and several others, and Matthias Murumba (or Kalemba) an assistant judge. The chief counsellor was so furious with Andrew that he proclaimed he wouldn't eat until he knew Andrew was dead. When the executioners hesitated Andrew egged them on by saying, "Don't keep your counsellor hungry -- kill me." When the same counsellor described what he was going to do with Matthias, he added, "No doubt his god will rescue him." "Yes," Matthias replied, "God will rescue me. But you will not see how he does it, because he will take my soul and leave you only my body." Matthias was cut up on the road and left to die -- it took him at least three days.

The original caravan reached Namugongo and the survivors were kept imprisoned for seven days. On June 3, they were brought out, wrapped in reed mats, and placed on the pyre. Mbaga was killed first by order of his father, the chief executioner, who had tried one last time to change his son's mind. The rest were burned to death. Thirteen Catholics and eleven Protestants died. They died calling on the name of Jesus and proclaiming, "You can burn our bodies, but you cannot harm our souls."

When the White Fathers were expelled from the country, the new Christians carried on their work, translating and printing the catechism into their natively language and giving secret instruction on the faith. Without priests, liturgy, and sacraments their faith, intelligence, courage, and wisdom kept the Catholic Church alive and growing in Uganda. When the White Fathers returned after King Mwanga's death, they found five hundred Christians and one thousand catchumens waiting for them. The twenty-two Catholic martyrs of the Uganda persecution were canonized.

Prayer:

Martyrs of Uganda, pray for the faith where it is danger and for Christians who must suffer because of their faith. Give them the same courage, zeal, and joy you showed. And help those of us who live in places where Christianity is accepted to remain aware of the persecution in other parts of the world. Amen

[updated every friday, CET]

Bagong Bayani, Binawian ng Buhay

ni Jocelyn Ruiz
jocelynruiz3333@yahoo.com

Ang Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) ay ang mga Pilipinong manggagawa na napilitang mangibang-bayan upang magkaroon ng magandang buhay, makahanap ng trabaho at upang maibigay ang sapat na pangangailangan. Ito din ang mga migranteng piilipino na nilisan ang sariling bayan upang makipagsapalaran at nang matugunan ang mga mithiin na hindi kayang ibigay ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas.

Ang mga OFWs din ang tinatawag na mga "Bagong Bayani" na nagsimula matapos na magbuwis ng buhay si Flor Contemplacion sa Singapore at ang mapait na karanasan ni Sarah Balabagan sa Saudi Arabia. Ginawan din ng pelikula ang tunay na mga pangyayari sa buhay ni Flor Contemplacion sa abroad upang maipakita kung anu ang dinaranas ng pagiging dayuhan, ang pagsasakripisyo alang-alang sa mga mahal sa buhay, at ang buhay ng nangingibang bayan.

Inilathala rin ang isang awitin sa pelikulang ito na para din sa OFWs ang "BAGONG BAYANI NG SANDATA AY LUHA BIGYAN NAMAN NINYO KAMI KAHIT NG KAUNTING AWA!". Isang kantang halos hindi nawawala sa madla. Sino din ang makakalimot sa pelikula ni Vilma Santos na pinamagatang "ANAK" na tungkol din sa OFWs at buhay pamilya. Ang love story nina Claudine Baretto at Piolo Pascual sa pelikulang "Milan" na ipinapakita din ang trabaho at karanasan. Maaaring ito ay ilan lamang sa maraming kwento at karanasan na hindi mapapasubalian na ang katotohanan ay puno ng pagtitiis, pagsasakripisyo, pagdudurusa na itinatago sa mga mahal sa buhay na ayaw mag aalala at masasaktan. Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga karanasang sumisigaw sa gobyeno nating walang magawa at kulang sa pagbibigay ng inpormasyon sa mga OfWs na tinatawag na "Bayani" na sana'y wag lamang sa salita ngunit mas lalo na kung kinakailangan na sila ay tulungan. Isang malungkot, mahirap tanggapin at ang naging sandata ay luha sa pagpanaw ng isang OFW dito sa Roma. Ito po ang kwento:

Si Violeta Nicholas ay 59 taong gulang, taga-Bukidnon sa Pilipinas, 25 taon ng nagtatrabaho dito sa Roma at dalaga pa bago bawian ng buhay. Siya ay namatay noong ika-22 ng Abril 2005 sa kanyang sakit na diabetes na naging dahilan para magkaroon ng iba't-ibang komplikasyon sa loob ng kanyang katawan. Siya ay masipag na nagtatrabaho bilang "part timer". Siya isang masayahing tao at nakatira sa Via Cesare Ricotti No.22. Kumpleto siya ng dokumento at legal sa pagtatrabaho. Nakausap ko mismo si Marciano Javier na kilala sa tawag na "Sonny" na may dalawang anak at asawa dito sa Roma ang siyang naging kasambahay ni Violeta. Ito na rin ang naging kapamilya ni Violeta at kaibigan dahil wala siyang kamag-anak.

Noong ika-21 ng Abril 2005 si Violeta daw ay nagpunta sa Ospedale ng Santo Spirito para magpacheck-up at magpaconfine dahil masama daw di umano ang pakiramdam. Nagpunta siya doon bandang 1:37 ng hapon para pumila at malaman ang kanyang kalagayan upang magpatingin sa doktor na natapos ng 4:12 ng hapon. Pagkatapos ay umuwi siya ng bahay. Nagtataka daw si Sonny kung bakit ito ay bumalik sa bahay samantalang ang alam niya ay magpapaconfine ito kaya hindi siya nag atubili na tanungin ito. Tinanong niya kung anu ang nagyari at sinabi daw ni Violeta na siya ay tinanggihan ng ospital dahil wala daw puwesto ang nasabing ospital. Kaya umuwi na lamang siya upang magpahinga. Bandang alas dos (2:00) ng madaling araw ay biglang sumama ang pakiramdam ni Violeta. Tumawag agad ng ambulansiya si Sonny upang madala ito sa ospital. Dahil sa ang patakaran dito sa Roma ay bawal sumama sa loob ng sasakyan ng ambulansiya ang sinumang tao maliban sa maysakit ay napilitang ipaubaya ng pamilya ni Sonny si Violeta dahil masama na talaga ang kalagayan nito.

Dumating ang ambulansiya ng alas 3:30 ng madaling araw at nakarating sa Ospital ng San Camillo sa Prenestina ng 4:45 ng madaling araw ika-22 ng Abril 2005 ay patay "on-the-spot" si Violeta. Nalaman na lamang ni Sonny ng siya ay tawagan ng ospital at noong pumunta siya ay patay na nga si Violeta. Hindi malaman ng pamilya ni Sonny kung anu ang gagawin nila dahil walang kamag-anak si Violeta dito sa Roma. Kinuha agad ni Sonny ang mga dokumento ni Violeta upang maiayos ang paghahangad na maiuwi ang bangkay nito sa mga kamag-anak at pamilya ni Violeta sa Pilipinas. Naisip agad niya na lapitan ang Philippine Embassy at OWWA.

Pagdating niya sa Embassy ay tiningnan muna ang OWWA ni Violeta at nakita na ito ay expired ng 10 years. Ang isinagot agad ng Embassy ay walang manggagawang tulong dahil EXPIRED ANG OWWA!WALA DAW SILANG MAGAGAWANG TULONG. Subalit may ibinigay din namang pasubali ang Embassy kung papaano maipapaalam sa Pilipinas na patay na si Violeta at kung papaano maiuuwi ang gamit nito na sinabi din nila na wala pang kasiguraduhan kung ito ay maaapprobahan sa Pilipinas at ito ang mga hinihingi ng Embassy:

1. Medical Certificate from the Hospital
2. Medical Certificate prepared by Sanitary Office
3. Death Certificate From the Ufficio del Stato
4. Name of the Funeral Parlor
5. Name of Representative of the Funeral Parlor
6. Name of Medico legal
7. Place of Burial
8. Date of Burial
9. Name of relative or friend during the burial
10. Passport

Sa daming hinihingi ng Embassy at ang sagot kay Sonny na "WALANG KASIGURADUHAN KUNG MAAAPROBAN O HINDI" ay nagdesisyon siya na wag ng ibigay ang mga hinihingi ng mga ito dahil mapapagod lamang siya kung wala din naman palang mangyayari. Walang tulong na nagawa ang embassy na akala niya ay unang tutulong sa mga Pilipinong manggagawa dito sa abroad. Laglag ang balikat ni Sonny sa pagwawalang-bahala ng Embassy kaya naisip na lamang niya na humingi ng tulong sa kapawa Pilipino dito sa Roma. Hindi rin naman nag atubili si Fr. Lito ng Tiburtina na tulungan siya kaya nailibing din ng maayos si Violeta dito sa Roma kahit hindi nakikita ng mga kamag-anak nito ang kanyang bangkay.

Lumapit sa akin si Sonny para maipublish ang article na ito sa dyaryo at mailagay sa radyo dahil para sa kanya ito ay isang mapait na karanasan na sana ay wag ng maranasan ng iba pa nating kababayang pilipino dito sa Abroad. Hindi ako nag-atubili na siya ay tulungan sapagkat alam ko at naramdaman ko rin ang talikuran ng OWWA ng mamatay ang nanay ko. At ito ang mensahe din na nais niyang ipahatid sa madla:

Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino na may malaking puso na tumulong at nagbigay para mailibing ng maayos ang bangkay ni Violeta. Hindi ko na kailangang isa-isahin pa kung sinu-sinu sila dahil Diyos na ang magbabalik sa kanila. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding awa sa pamilya at kamag-anak ni Violeta na hindi man lamang nakita ang kanyang bangkay.Masakit na hindi siya nailibing sa sariling bayan. Nakita ko at naranasan ang kakulangan ng tulong ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas lalo na ang Embassy at OWWA. Wala man lang naitulong! Saan ako kukuha ng malaking halaga para madala ang bangkay ni Violeta sa Pilipinas? Sampung taon hindi nakauwi si Violeta dahil sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. OO EXPIRED ANG OWWA dahil akala din niya ay walang expiration ang kanyang OWWA, hindi rin niya alam ang omnibus policy at hindi siya umuuwi sa Pilipinas kaya hindi niya nairenew ito.

Sino ang dapat sisihin sa pagkakaroon ng EXPIRATION? Tinatawag pa namang "BAGONG BAYANI" pero ganito walang nagawa kung di ilibing sa dayuhang bansa. Kaya kung totoo na bayani tayo, bakit ganito? BAYANI LANG BA TAYO SA SALITA? At ILAN PANG VIOLETA ANG SUSUNOD NA HINDI MALILIBING SA SARILING BAYAN!? sabi ni Marciano Javier na kilala sa tawag na Sonny.Tunay na masakit ang hindi malibing sa sarili mong bayan, Bayang Pilipinas na pinagmamalaki at minahal mo dahil ito ang iyong tinubuang lupa. Masakit ang umasa sa wala. Masakit ang umaasa tayo sa gobyerno ng Pilipinas na sa bandang huli tayo ay iiwan sa ere. Sa nabasa nating salaysay ni Sonny at kamatayan ni Violeta ikaw mismo na bumabasa nito anu ang mararamdaman mo? Kung ikaw ang pamilya ni Violeta anu ang mararamdaman mo? Kung ikaw si Sonny na hindi alam ang gagawin, anu ang gagawin mo at anu ang mararamdaman mo? Dahil sa kakulangan ng inpormasyon marami ang nagiging biktima ng omnibus policy na ito.

Bagong Bayani tayo na tinatawag pero nasaan ang pagpapahalaga? Bagong Bayani ang sandata ay luha ng mawalay sa pamilya, bayani ng sakripisyo at pagtitiis. Wala namang magawa ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas. Sa tingin ninyo bakit ba kailangan pa na mangibang bayan ang mga Pilipino? Bakit kailangan na magbuwis pa ng buhay? Dahil walang maibigay na magandang serbisyo ang Pilipinas... Kulang... Hindi tayo aalis kung tayo ay makakain at hindi mamatay ng dilat ang mata sa gutom. Mahirap ang umasa sa wala... Kaya tayo mga kababayan kong Pilipino hindi man tayo makatamasa ng tunay na pagiging bayani sa gobyerno natin sa Pilipinas sigurado ako na sa mata ng Diyos tayo ay tunay na mga bayani. Diyos lang ang tunay na nakakaalam at nakakakita ng mga pagsasakripisyo na ginagawa ng OFWs.

May Diyos na hahatol para sa lahat, sa katiwalian at kabutihan...