images from holy week in Calbayog

The full moon rising above a well-lit Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Good Friday before the 10:00pm procession of the Dolorosa. (photo by Joel Manadong)

I recently posted some pictures taken during the Good Friday procession and the Estacion Publico on Black Saturday. I got these courtesy of Joel Manadong.

Please check these links: link 1, link 2.

some pix from the synod

As I have mentioned in an earlier blog post, the 2nd Diocesan synod opened last April 14, 2009 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. After four days of deliberations, discussions and what have you, the events closed with a Eucharistic Celebration on April 17, 2009. Around 140 delegates from various parishes of the diocese took part in the event. In a few month's time a book or set of documents or policies will be produced and these will be implemented all over the Diocese of Calbayog a month after Diocesan Centennial Celebration on April 10, 2010.

Whatever will come out of the event, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Let's not even start discussing on the issue(s) that prevailed during the event, at least during the first few days. I rest on the belief that the people - and priests - who were selected or had the fate (thanks to the Holy Spirit, or whatever?) to be present in the said event had only the good of the diocese and especially its faithful in mind when they decided on matters relevant to the Diocese.

In the meantime, let me share some pictures taken during the Eucharistic Celebrations which opened and closed the synod. I got these photos courtesy of Joselo Co / Studio 8.

At the mass capping the Synod. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez with Fr. Ric Pitogo (l) and Fr. Niceas Abuela (r).

Some of the synod delegates singing "Bungyod, Pakiusa", the synod theme song (for the last time).

At the opening Mass, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez sings the synod theme song with (l) the Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. Bienvenido Chiquillo and (r) Fr. Niceas Abuela.

Bishop Abarquez with the Calbayog Clergy on hand for the synod.

Bishop Abarquez with the Calbayog clergy and the delegates to the synod.

The St. Vincent de Paul College Seminary in Brgy. Dagum where the synod was held.

Bishop Abarquez giving a talk during the synod proper.

Happy Birthday Sir Nilo and Dongdong!

Mr. Nilo Baculanta and Mr. Gomer Azcuna will both turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday ma'am Linda

Ms. Erlinda Calesa will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

in memoriam Archbishop Cipriano Urgel

Today is the 24th Death Anniversary of Archbishop Cipriano Urgel y Villahermosa (Sept. 26, 1918 - April 22, 1985), the 5th Bishop of Calbayog (March 22, 1962 - April 11, 1973).

The Sacred Heart statue

A recent photo of the Sacred Heart statue as taken by Joselo Co.

Have you ever wondered why there is a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Plaza? (Which explains the original name of the place: the Sacred Heart Plaza) I came across an old photo which shows a cross on the area where the statue was erected.

An old photo showing the cross on the spot where the Sacred Heart statue now stands. In the background are the Perez residence (left) and the old puriculture building (right) on the site of which now stands the Legislative Building.

Back to the Sacred Heart statue. The statue must have been put in place to commemorate a celebration in the local church. At the foot of the said statue is a marble marker (pix above) with this inscription:

SACRATISSIMO. CORDI. JESU
IN. HOC. SUÆ. FESTIVITATIS
CENTENARIO
MDCCCLVI . . . MCMLVI
DIOCESIS. CALBAYOGANA

The SOS Community scholars

As I have mentioned in my earlier blog posts, among those who participated in the Earth Hour event in Calbayog were the young people who belonged to the SOS community scholars. They presented a hand play entitled "The Mission". Done in kabuki style, the performers were in black, their hands with white gloves presented character and messages relevant to earth hour. I recently got hold of pictures which captured the presentation. I got these courtesy of Joselo Co / Studio 8.

Tupi & Suzette

Tupi and Suzette (Ricalde) Javines will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary today. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Happy Birthday 'ta Torib!

Ms. Toribia "Bea" Ladrero will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Julie Ann Abanilla Co

(or a postscript to Earth Hour in Calbayog)

Three weeks ago today, Calbayog participated in Earth Hour 2009. Among those who took part in the event was a young Calbayognon named Julie Ann Co, a daughter of my friends Joselo and Alet (Abanilla) Co. She recently graduated Valedictorian from the Calbayog City SPED Center. During the Earh Hour event, Julie Ann delivered a short message on behalf of the young peopole of Calbayog. Here's that speech:

Pollution. Greenhouse effect. Global Warming.

These are some of the never-ending and most devastating environmental difficulties of today which until now have no solution to completely bring back the Earth’s real beauty and purity.
Because of these, we experience poverty, hardships, environmental crisis, calamities and extinction of wildlife.

But the most miserable part of this is that we aren’t the one directly agonizing from our activities but it’s Mother Earth. Imagine her as a person and we will feel deeply sorry and we will regret a lot watching her suffer from the wounds, the deep cuts, burns and pain brought about by our greed and ignorance.

Let’s put in our minds that the world was put in existence not just for us but for all the generations. If we don’t care about the next thing that will happen after we live, then let’s think about our children. Each and everyone of us needs to have a strong responsibility and determination to protect our Mother Earth – land, water and air in whatever possible way. Let’s not point our fingers to others. Instead, we should do our share of responsibility. Otherwise, all of us will perish.

Now is the time. Let’s not procrastinate because this needs immediate action. The clock is ticking and we need to be consistent every second, every minute and every day of our lives. Always with a seal to protect our Mother Earth!

Jojo and Alma

Jojo and Alma (Alegria) Rosales will celebrate their 3rd wedding anniversary today. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Raul Isidro at Power Plant Mall

MANILA, Philippines - Raul Isidro translates his impressions into artworks with daring brushstrokes and subtle layers of color in “Impressions” which opens on April 17 at the R1 Corridor of Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City.

The show runs until April 30.

For inquiries, call 0920-9624347 or e-mail inquiry@yellowdoorgallery.net

Concert at the Poor Clares

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra opens its 2009 concert season through a fund-raising concert at the Poor Clare Monastery at 5:00 pm this Saturday, April 18, 2009. Proceeds of the activity will be utilized for the repairs that will be done at the monastery.

Second Calbayog Diocesan Synod opens today

The second Synod of the Diocese of Calbayog will commence today. The event opens at 8:00 a.m. at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral with a Eucharistic Celebration to be presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.

After the Mass, some 140 delegates from all parishes of the diocese will proceed to the St. Vincent De Paul Seminary in Barangay Dagum. They will stay there until Saturday, April 18, 2009. The delegates are expected to deliberate on policies of various concerns to the diocese.

The synod is expected to come up with a book or set of documents or policies which will be implemented all over the Diocese of Calbayog a month after its 100th Anniversary Celebration on April 10, 2010.

This year's Diocesan synod would have been the third. The second synod supposedly took place during the term of Bishop Sofronio Hacbang y Gaborni, the second bishop of Calbayog (1923- 1937). But in the absence of official documents, said synod remains in question.

The first Calbayog Diocesan Synod happened sometime in 1912.

aga san Viernes Santo sa Calbayog

I woke up late on Good Friday. On my way to the catheral, I noticed that the city streets looked more like New Year's Day. There were few people and PD cabs around.

I'm still waiting for the "better" pictures which Joel Manadong took during the procession. In the meantime, let me share some pix which I took using my mobile phone (as usual).

Sen. Pres. J. D. Avelino Avenue (the portion from the Rosales bridge going to the Cathedral)

Gomez Street with Nijaga Park on the left. On the right at two police officers who were among the good number of PNP officers on duty that day.

Rosales Boulevard (Jollibee on the left) as seen from the Nijaga Park.

This is the usually crowded Navarro Street leading to the paradahan.

Magsaysay Boulevard

Paradahan with the Cosoy Rosales public market on the left.

The fully-decorated "carro san Señor" being brought to the residence of Isabel Gomez - Hernandez.

The Bishop's House before the Good Friday service . . .

. . . and minutes before the procession.

Part of the crowd which led the Good Friday procession as it made its way to the Jasminez Bridge.

Atty. Angiebel Abuela Divinagracia

Congratulations to Angiebel Abuela Divinagracia who passed the recent Bar Exam. Atty. Divinagracia is a member of La Milagrosa Academy Class 1999.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

estacion publico

Black Saturday in Calbayog is characterized by three activities: the "estacion publico", the Easter Vigil and the "sugat". For the past so many years I was tasked to lead the prayer for the first station of the cross which begins at around 4:00 am. I once joked to to the late Mana Iday (who gave me the assignment) that she must be mad at me, considering that the activity was so early. Anyway, how do I manage to wake up that early? Well, much thanks to my mother. That activity must be something 'coz people manage to be up so early (yup, without the church bells tolling) and come to the cathedral in droves and go around the city praying on the 14stations of the cross.

And it's always the same experience, the faithful walk around the city, kneel on the streets, pray and commemorate the suffering of Christ. A few years back, as the procession approached the Rosales bridge a young man was heard shouting, "mga sira ulo kayo!" or something to that effect, referring to the faithful, it turned out the young man was high on drugs.

On a personal note, at the end of the day it takes more than just the simple recollection of the suffering of Christ or getting physical (like getting tired from walking) during Holy Week that makes us good Christians. Oops, I'll put it there.

Let me now share some pictures which I got from Joel Manadong:

The first station in front of the Bishop's House.

The 9th station at the corner of Orquin and Cajurao streets in Brgy. Balud.

The 10th station at Jasminez Bridge.

The 11th station at rotonda in Brgy. Obrero.

The 12th station in Brgy. Obrero

"Waray Sapin sa ti-il" or so said the instruction for the estacion publico. And a good number of Calbayognon were pleased to follow.

The 13th station in front of La Milagrosa Academy.

The Santo Intiero

Happy Birthday Allan!

Allan Arejola will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

prusisyun san Viernes Santo

The observance of Good Friday in Calbayog was highlighted by the procession with a good number of carrozas depicting the various stations of the cross. The day's events at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral included the "pagbantay san Santissimo" from 6:00 am to 12 noon. At 1:00 pm, seven priests took turns to reflect on the siete palabras. At 3:00 pm, the Bishop led the Good Friday service which included the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross and the Holy Communion. I was the commentator during the service thus I was unable to take pictures. Let us settle with the ones I got during the procession.

I suppose every (or most) Catholic Calbayogon who makes it home during the holy week will always look forward to the Good Friday procession (on top of the swimming on Easter Sunday). Whether one considers it an opportunity to bond with family and friends, to ponder upon the suffering of Christ, or (heavens forbid) the chance to see and be seen, the event is participated in by the faithful who always come in droves.

The officers and men of PNP Calbayog were all over the place during the procession. No less than PNP Chief Police Supt. Lito Bigoy was on hand to lead his men in ensuring a peaceful observance of the religious event.



Here are some pictures taken by Joel Manadong during the procession:

The Knights of the Altar with ceriales as they approached Rosales Bridge from Brgy. Obrero.

This man must be on a "panata". I have seen him do this for the past so many years. Yup, I also saw him fall to the ground for a countless number of times. For this year, thanks to some kind fellows (or organization), a nurse walked beside him during the procession.

The setting sun gives a dramatic background to this carroza depicting the third fall of Jesus. After the Santo Intierro, this is one of the "most popular" carrozas with a good number of people following it. And yes, the Rosales family always makes it a point to have a group of old musicians which many locales fondly refer to as "banda" perform as the carroza makes it way around the city.

The Santo Intierro. It is always accompanied by the "apostoles" and the Bishop.