2003 Nov-dec

1 A continuing journey to serve and give life...

The first week of December ushered in an exciting time for Carmel Philippines. Deacons Rico Sabanal and Emmanuel Vallega were ordained in the Island of Negros. Bro. Rico was ordained on December 5, 2003 in La Libertad, Negros Oriental. The next day, December 6th, Bro. Emman was also ordained in Kabankalan City of the same province.

It was a joyous occasion as the brothers embraced the next stage of their religious life. Their aptly chosen theme for the occasion "Paghalad.. Pag-alagad... Paghatag ug Kinabuhi..." (Offering... Serving... Giving Life..) echoes the impetus that led them to their vocation.

Bro. Rico's La Libertad ordination was a memorable one. At the San Sebastian Parish Church, the whole community of La Libertad poured out to witness and celebrate Bro. Rico's solemn offering of himself to God's Community.

The Kabankalan ordination was likewise eventful. The whole Carmelite family joined in the celebration at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. Bro. Eman was warmly welcomed as another son of Kabankalan who has given himself to the People and to God.

Frs. Rico and Emman had their temporary profession on June 13, 1999. Together they celebrated their solemn profession to the Carmelite Order on June 7, 2003. They both finished their Masters in Pastoral Ministry at the Inter-Congregational Theological Center in Quezon City on March 12, 2003.

Fr. Rico Sabanal was born on December 27, 1973 in Cantupa, La Libertad, Negros Oriental. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology under the Carmelite Collegiate Formation and is now assigned at the Spring of Carmel Novitiate House as Assistant Novice Master.

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Fr. Emmanuel Vallega was born on November 16, 1970 and hails from Azcuna, Kabankalan City. He finished his Liberal Arts degree in Social Science at Kabankalan Catholic College and is now assigned at the San Alberto College Formation Center in Cebu City as Vocation Animator.

Friars, novices, co-workers of the Commissariat, and members of the Tertiary across the country joined Frs. Rico and Eman's respective families and friends in marking these events well worth celebrating! The Philippine Carmelite Order wishes tot hank everyone who has helped in making Frs Rico and Eman's ordination memorable and meaningful.

NEWS FROM THE YCPF OFFICE By. Aris S. Escobal,O.CARM YCPF Director

When you contribute to the Young Carmel Philippines Foundation (YCPF), you are helping the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines towards independence as well as assisting in their mission of promoting our Mother Mary, the Lady of Mount Carmel.

1. The year 2003 has been a great year for the Young Carmel Philippines Foundation (YCPF) due to the active and fruitful collaboration of the YCPF Board of Trustees, namely Fr. Antonio dela Cruz,O.Carm. (chair), Atty. Jose Maria Felix Sison (Corporate Secretary), Fr. Christian Buenafe,O.Carm, Fr.

3 Sireneo Jaranilla, Ms. Diana Malig, Ms. Zenaida Tangan and Fr. Aris Escobal,O.Carm (members ). 2. I would like to express my sincerest appreciation, mostly to our brothers and sisters, benefactors, sponsors and patrons, who are generously supporting the realization of the vision and mission of the foundation through unselfish sharing of their financial resources. 3. I also would like to make special mention to our sisters and brothers of the Third Order of Carmelites (TOC), headed by the National Prioress Sr. Nimfa Tanjuaco, TOC for their unceasing support to the 1st Order, specifically to the YCPF. 4. Likewise, my gratefulness to the Carmelite sisters who continuously offer their prayers for the growth of religious vocations and for the promotion of our Carmelite mass cards among friends, relatives and organizations. 5. Despite the decreasing number of pledgers and benefactors, the year 2003, I would say, became a year of revival for the YCPF. The BOT quickly responded to the situation through the reproduction of YCPF brochures with its vision and mission used in the recruitment of pledgers, and through the reorganization of the YCPF local centers. Listed below are the members of the YCPF local core group:

Cebu YCPF Core Group

4 Fr.Max Zapanta,O.Carm, Ms.Tonette Sadaya, Ms. Gloria Baba, Ms. Berly Marinas, Ms. Nina Amodia and Mr. Joe Pacatang.

Escalante Core group Fr.Paul Medina,O.Carm, Ms.Linda Barairo (Associate), Ms.Febe Tan, TOC, Dra. Linda Tancinco, TOC, and Ms. Zenaida Tan.

Agusan Core Group Fr. Noel Rosas,O.Carm., Ms. Riza, Ms. Fe Cebrian and a representative from the TOC’s.

6. I would like to share our heartfelt gratitude to the Carmelite community of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur for turning over the Carmelitana (Religious Bookstore) to the YCPF. 7. My great appreciation to the TOC’s of Tondo, Pilar (Paranaque), Project 7 (Quezon City), Guinobatan (Albay), Escalante, Agusan, Makati, Sibulan and Dumaguete for their hospitality during my visit. My upcoming visits are the following: Cabanatuan, Guiguinto (Bulacan), Fatima (Paranaque), Sta. Ana (Manila), Project 4 and Cubao (Quezon city), and Tanay (Rizal). 8. I would like to encourage everyone to patronize our Carmelite Mass Card, for the promotion of our Patroness, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And this past year, so far, several outlets have been opened in Pampanga, Metro Manila, Leyte, Davao, Dumaguete and Bacolod.

5 9. YCPF Spirituality Tours are in progress. The design for the tour packages has already been made. However, we are still in the finale stage in the brochure making. Further announcement will be made. If you will have plans for your own future spiritual tour, please our office. 10. Marketing of YCPF Songbook, Christmas and birthday cards has already started. If you have orders, just contact our office. 11. Lastly, Once again thank you very much to all the pledgers, benefactors and sponsors to the YCPF with its mission to support

the

education

and

formation

of

the

OCARM

Seminarians. The total number of our pledgers this year are the following:

•

Luzon- - - - - - 196

•

Cebu- - - - - - - 58

•

Escalante- - - - - 18

•

Agusan- - - - - - - 45

•

Total- - - - - - - - 317

HELP BUILD CARMEL PHILIPPINES THROUGH YOUR DONATIONS TO THE YOPUNG CARMEL PHILS. FOUNDATION

Banwaon Integration and Reflection with Banwaons

The Center for Spirituality-Manila (CSM) organized an integration

6 and reflection trip with the Manobo-Banwaons of Agusan, a group of indigenous peoples of Mindanao. A total of 11 participants joined in the activity trip from October 29-November 1, 2003.

A formal dialogue with the Banwaon baylans (shamans) and datus (traditional leaders) was held on October 30, 2003. About 20 Banwaons exchanged meaningful ideas on "being baylans", "concept, roles and ways of communicating with the Magbabaya (God)", "having abian or spirits as guides", etc. The integration occurred during the Banwaons' thanksgiving celebration of the 25 years of RGS Sisters' Mission in Agusan Sur. There were also informal exchanges and sharings between the participants and the Banwaons during the festivities.

There were group reflection sessions in the two nights stay in San Luis, Agusan Sur. The participants were asked to submit a 2-page reflection paper about the experience. Some participants stayed behind for the rest of the celebration, while the rest went back to Manila on November 1, 2003.

This activity is a follow-up to the Round Table discussion and hopes to get themes and topics to explore for future studies. The activity was specifically aimed as an exploration of Indigenous People's spirituality.

The participants were Fr. Leonardo Mercado, SVD - a pioneering religious scholar in the Philippines and currently the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (ECIRD-CBCP); Bro. Karl Gaspar, CSsR - a well-known sociologist, theologian and a missionary; Sr. Felice Imaya Calingayan, OSB, who did her thesis on Ifugao Baki: An ecofeminist theological critique and currently teaches at St. Scholastica's College. Sr. Eufracina Bandigan, MA, the principal of the Lumad Community High School in

7 San Luis, Agusan del Sur; Sr. Rosario Battung, RGS, a member of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT); Dr. Teresita Obusan, the editor of the book, "Roots of Filipino Spirituality"; Sr. Mary John Dumaug, RGS, who heads the Balay Tuburan in San Luis Agusan del Sur and has lived and worked with the indigenous peoples for the last 25 years; Sr. Sonia Punzalan, RC, a professor at several theological centers, currently working on a research project on "Illuminating the Spirituality in Asian Filipino Indigenous Healing Practices"; Fr. Efren Borromeo, SOLT, who is associated with Asian Social Institute (ASI) and the research team partner of Sr. Sonia Punzalan; Fr. Dionisio Ramos, O. Carm, a Carmelite friar for 9 years who is keenly interested in Asian Spirituality; and Ms. Maria Rowena O. Ladaga, the Research Coordinator of the Center for Spirituality- Manila.

Cebu Community

1.) This second semester, we only have thirty-three (33) seminarians. One (1) is enrolled in theUniversity of San Jose Recolletos (USJR), one (1) in University of San Carlos and the rest are enrolled at the Rogationist Seminary.

2.) Lito Wagas has resigned as our Utility worker in the San Alberto Carmelite Formation Center at the end of November. He was replaced by Nestor Inglis who is our present Bus driver and ground maintenance personnel beginning in December of 2003.

3.) Nov. 13, 03 was the day the Carmelite Family- Friars, Seminarians, Lay, Youth and Associates of Cebu prepared for the coming of the General, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph

8 Chalmers, O.Carm and Rev. Fr. Anthony Scerri, O.Carm., but they were disappointed due to a weather disturbance at that time.

4.) The Commissary Provincial, Very Rev. Fr. Antonio de la Cruz, O.Carm., has ended his canonical visit to the Cebu community last Nov. 16, 03.

5.) Dec. 6 was a happy and remarkable day for our community because Rev. Emmanuel Vallega, O.Carm. was ordained to the Priesthood.

6.) Fr. Toon Mol, O. Carm. together with Fr. Emmanuel Vallega, O.Carm., who was preparing his sacerdotal ordination, went to Negros for a short vacation last week of November.

7.) The Carmelite Community in Cebu held its Christmas party at Vaño beach, LapuLapu City last Dec. 20, 2003. The activity was participated in by the seminarians, Lay, youth, friars, friends of Carmel, YCPF core group, aspirants and acolytes.

Escalante Community

Candles all aglow on all souls day.

November 2 looked like a fiesta in the different cemeteries of Escalante City. This day the candles, the flowers and particularly food stuffs were very expensive.

A large

number of people flocked to the cemeteries and Holy Masses were celebrated at these cemeteries in order to give the people the opportunity to join the eucharistic celebration dedicated to their faithful departed. Harry celebrated the Holy Mass at the Catholic Cemetery in Old Poblacion and in Buenavista.

Topi took care of the cemetery in

Cervantes and Paul celebrated the Holy Mass at the cemetery in Jonobjob. These are all big barrios in Escalante City. After the Mass, all the tombs were sprinkled with Holy

9 Water as a sign of remembering the dead while the people were praying for their eternal peace.

Student-friars

November 22 – Alain and the first-year student-friars attended the first profession of the latter’s batch-mate in EXODUS XV, Sr. Rachedl Rones, OP, in San Fernando City, Pampanga. After the celebration they proceeded to Cabanatuan City and visited the Carmelite Nuns and stayed there for a night. The following day, the nuns joined the student-friars in celebrating the Eucharist presided by Fr. Pete Manilag, O.Carm., and they then traveled all the way to the community of the nuns in Tarlac for a surprise visit.

November 30 – First Sunday of Advent. The members of the Carmelite communities in Quezon City joined together in the celebration of the Eucharist at the Titus Brandsma Center. Other groups who participated were the Carmelite Sisters of Our Lady, Kuya Drop-in Center, Third World, friends from different exposure areas in Metro Manila, and the Carmelite Missionary Sisters served as the choir during the celebration. Simple food was shared by everyone after the mass.

December 2 – Student-friars visited friends in Metro Manila as an act of remembering their generosity through Christmas caroling.

December 4-6 – Bro. Alain Balasabas, O.Carm., made an ocular visit to General Nakar, Quezon for the continuation of his ethnographic studies as part of his thesis writing next year.

December 8 – Second year student-friars arrived from their respective areas of exposure and conducted ethnographic studies. The first year student friars left for a two-day

10 heritage tour visiting the old churches in Laguna and Quezon as part of their studies in Philippine Church History II.

December 10 – Human Rights day. The student-friars joined the different sectors of society in celebrating this important day.

December 13 – The student-friars had an Advent Recollection in the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus’ school in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City. The Liturgy Committee facilitated the recollection and the flow was in the form of ‘Talakayang Buhay” where everyone freely expressed their insights, observations and recommendations. The following day the student-friars visited the nuns in Guiguinto, Bulacan as an expression of genuine brotherhood and sisterhood and greeted them with some Christmas carols.

December 17 – The members of the Carmelite communities in Quezon City and the workers jointly celebrated their Christmas party in the Acacia Compound. The program was started with parlor games for children followed by a short liturgy, dinner and the activity proper. Every community happily shared their part in the form of songs, dance, drama and comic skits.

December 19 – ICTC students and the staff joyfully celebrated their Christmas party at the ICTC Compound. Every congregation brought and shared their food for dinner and enjoyed the short program through singing, dancing and an exchange of gifts. The following day some student-friars left for Christmas vacation until January 4.

Spring of Carmel Community

We had very special visitors right after the Commissariat Chapter. Father General Joseph Chalmers came on October 31, and four days later, the Provincial of the Dutch Province, Fr. Tjeu Timmermans with Ben Wolbers.

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The novices left for a 5- day retreat from November 18-22 under the guidance of Fr. Aris Escobal. At the same time, Fr. Rico Sabanal was in Tagaytay for a retreat together with Bro. Emmanuel Vallega in preparation for their forthcoming sacerdotal ordination.

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December 5 was the priesthood ordination of Rico Sabanal in his hometown, La Libertad (Negros Oriental). Being the assistant-novice formator and member of our community, it was a big day for all of us. Anton and the novices went to Negros via Negros Navigation to attend and witness the ordination.

Fr. Peter Kramer, O.Carm. went ahead for the Procurators Meeting in Escalante and later joined the Carmelite Group in La Libertad. The whole town was involved in the celebration.

Fr. Anton Hoogland, O.Carm., and the novices proceeded afterwards to

Kabankalan, Negros Occidental for Emman’s ordination.

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Rico came home on December 15, just before the Christmas Novena (Misa de Gallo) from December 16-24 in Santa Rosa, where he regularly assisted as deacon on Sundays.

Finance Commission Meeting

12 Last December 3-4 the Finance Commission met in Escalante City, Negros Occidental and discussed the Budget for 2004. The Commission is proposing to the Commissary Provincial and Council to assign a financial expert to give us assistance in planning and strategizing on the financial situation. It is further proposed to meet in March to discuss the Balance Sheet of every ministry and community. The deadline of submission of the Balance Sheets will be on January 30.

Prior General's Visit

Prior General Joseph Chalmers and General Councilor for Asia, Anthony Scerri, visited Escalante Carmelite Community on November 10, 2003. They were welcomed with a meaningful liturgy in the evening. The following day, after a short visit to Old Escalante, they were brought by Manoy Frans Koerkamp to Dumaguete City, which is around 200 kms. away from Escalante City.

Parish Community Outing

On November 13-14 Topi, Boy, Paul, Sr. Ruth SFIC, Mary Jean and Marilou went to Mambucal hot spring and then to Gintubdan waterfalls for an outing. At Mambucal the group was so disappointed that the hot spring has never been developed for therapeutic and recreational purposes due to apparent government neglect. Saling went along in this two-day outing but she did not like the climate. She and Boy brought back many plants for Escalante.

Visit of Topi's Brother and Sister

Abet and Gerry, sister and brother of Topi, came for a visit. They were brought around by Topi and Butch, including a visit to Bacolod City. They wanted to have a taste of sugar cane, so. They were given the regular cane. They had a hard time chewing because

13 it is a special variety of sugar cane not for personal consumption but for big production of sugar. Gerry brought home a fighting cock, Negros being a place known for its good fighting cocks.

O.Carm. Friars joined the Diocesan Retreat

The Clergy of the Diocese of San Carlos Borromeo underwent a five-day retreat on November 17-21, 2003 at Avila Resort, Cadiz City. The retreat master is Bishop Warlito I. Cajandig, Apostolic Vicar of Calapan, Mindoro and Titular Bishop of Ausafa.

Vicariate Meeting on Clergy Concerns.

In preparation for the National Clergy Meeting to be held in Manila in August 2004, the clergy of the Vicariate of St. Anthony of Padua met in Old Escalante on December 1, 2003 to answer questionnaires and to reflect and react to the paper for that national meeting.

The reflections dug deeply into the core realities of the priesthood and

concommittant values related to the priestly ministry.

The Ordination of Cocoy and Eman

On December 5, 2003 at 9:00 A.M. in St. Sebastian Parish Church of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, Bishop Jose Fuertes Advincula, Jr. ordained Rico "Cocoy" Sabanal to the priesthood with all the well-organized, festive atmosphere only the joyful and enthusiastic people of that place can give. It was the first ordination to the priesthood in that town, so, Cocoy was fetched from his residence with a brass band and a big number of people headed by Fr.Raymond Canete. The Parish Priest, Fr. Benjamin "Benjie" G. Bomediano, Jr. organized his parishioners for the ordination from accommodation of guests to the liturgical celebration. A big delegation came from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Escalante. The guests from Metro Manila who passed by Escalante also came along with the Escalante delegation. The Third Order Carmelites and the Carmelite Friars proceeded to Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental in the afternoon of that day to attend

14 the ordination of Emmanuel "Eman" Vallega on the following day. Eman was ordained by Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB on December 6 at 9:30 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

MCC has a new flagpole

MCC celebrated a special program the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2003 because it was also the blessing of the new flagpole. Fr. Rey Caigoy presided the celebration of the Holy Eucharist that highlighted this special day.

A cultural program by the students of MCC capped the day's

celebration.

Mt. Carmel Parish has the biggest delegation on Human Rights Day celebration

On December 10, 2003 the Diocese of San Carlos celebrated the Human Rights day with a March Rally and a Holy Mass. Bishop Jose Advincula, Jr. presided at the Holy Eucharist and shared a meaningful message at the celebration. The march was from the City Hall of San Carlos City to the City Gym wherein 3,000 people converged for a rally to air their views on human rights and to denounce the present injustices and graft and corruption in the government. The parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel brought the biggest delegation.

Teresa Community

For the months of November and December, Fr. Christian Buenafe has been helping the Archdiocese of Manila thru its Campus Ministry program in the following non-sectarian schools, namely; Lyceum University of the Philippines, Mapua Institute of Technology, Far Eastern University and the Philippine School for Business Administration.

Fr.

Buenafe served as Recollection Facilitator and Confessor of college students and faculty members as scheduled during these months.

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Fr. Gerry Sabado together with the Aspirants held their regular integration and reflection sessions that culminated in decision-making of these young candidates from Luzon. Fr. Sabado also visited some provinces in the northern and southern parts of the island.

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Fr. Martin Pierik continues to handle subjects in Scripture at the Inter-Congregational Theological Center and Institute of Formation and Religious Studies. He also gave a course to Asian Religious Formators’ Institute of the Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute from December 15-17, 2003. Fr. Bernard Roosendal also gave a course to the formators coming from at least ten countries of Asia during the last week of November.

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On December 17, 2003, the Teresa of Avila community with the Spring of Carmel Novitiate Community spearheaded the Christmas gathering at Titus Brandsma Center with all the friars, student friars, novices and the commissariat co-workers. There were games, liturgy, a cultural program and a joyous party. The families of our co-workers made the event more meaningful as we reflected and lived our being one family in Carmel.

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16 Fr. Toto Jaranilla is always busy in his visitation to all the Third Order communities with receptions, advent recollections and Christmas parties. Fr. Aris Escobal visited all the TOC communities in Metro Manila area to explain and expand the YCPF reach among the TOC members.

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Fr. Pedro Manilag, Jr. went to Cebu last December 10-12, 2003 to preside at the Board meeting of Pinangga Bata Foundation, Inc.—an orphanage for children in Cebu organized in 1995. Fr. Manilag has served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2001.

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After the Chapter in October and his re-election, Fr. Tony dela Cruz, the Commissary Provincial visited the different communities of friars and associates for individual and community consultations regrading the triennum appointments and particularization of the approved guidelines.

PELIKULA@TITUSBRANDSMA SOARED HIGH THIS 2003 Starting from early 2003 to late October, pelikula@titusbrandsma (p@tb) was the “saving grace” of the Titus Brandsma Media Program. Honestly, it was the “only” active program in the whole mammoth of activities of TBC Media due to financial difficulties and resource limitations. But it has been a rewarding year for this “film club”, as the

17 committee members -- mostly volunteer and one paid -- would want to call it. These are the people who stand by TBC Media through its trying times eventhough they wouldn’t like to be named.

Its wings started flapping at the end of last year when the pelikula committee noticed an unstable attendance. The committee decided to look for possible ways to attract new faces and at the same time maintain the regulars. This was also due to the conviction of the group to offer films, even those uncensored and unrated to be readily accessible to a wide variety of audiences. A “not so” far-fetched goal, after the first film dialogue session, with the newly constructed website, brochure and regular press releases in major broadsheets and Inquirer Libre, the committee observed a trend. That is, p@tb’s average attendees increased to an average of fifty. Not only that, it reached a maximum of 130 at Titus and 214, two consecutive sessions combined, at the recently concluded stint of p@tb at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. With this trend reaching its maximum height, a film director (sorry, can’t name him) soon called the attention of a film group which is within the roaster of p@tb film associates network and even p@tb as well, indirectly though, to exercise caution due to the “illegitimacy” of these groups existence, perhaps a real threat to the film director. From then on, the group became more cautious at the same time assured of p@tb’s independence from other agencys’/institutions’ interference. Fr. Bernard Roosendaal,O. Carm explained to the group its nature as a religious ministry and its commitment to academic freedom. Others ceased to continue but p@tb remains vigilant.

All these developments led the pelikula committee to endeavors outside the walls of Titus Brandsma Center. Such as the special film dialogue sessions – Tarkovsky’s Solaris/Despentes’s controversial Baise-Moi (Rape Me), Polanski Film Festival, Gay and Lesbian Part II and the weeklong Sexuality in Cinema – all held at UP Diliman. The group also organized a film critics’ forum at Brash Young Cinema entitled “Battle Royale.”

18 Dwelling on the collaboration with UP, last December 2-5, pelikula@titusbrandsma brought its controversial best sellers for the UP audience to devour. This was entitled: UP Film Institute (UPFI) presents pelikula@titusbrandsma Sneak peeks: Sexuality in Cinema, the X FACTOR. A conservative estimate of audience reach was 600++ since the others were not able to register but watched. The venue (videotheque) used was originally good for 70 people only but was tested and accommodated more than a hundred viewers. An open forum and “talk-back” session followed after each viewing. The controversial flicks were: Irreversible, Pola X, Intimacy, Romance X, Caligula, Baise-Moi and the rising Francois Ozon with his X2000 Collection of Short Films. All are true to their “controversial” stature, with their “sexpliciteness”. Discussions evolved on issues such as pro to anti-women, acceptance of sexuality, porn or vice versa and explorations of desires.

More of these collaborations and tie-ups will be coming this 2004. Pelikula@titusbrandsma has agreed with the people of UPFI to organize a monthly film dialogue session in the videotheque every last Wednesday, aside from the regular monthly session held at Titus every second Saturday. First quarter will be film directors’ auteur, First in the row is Ventura Pons, a Spanish director. Moreover, p@tb is planning to collaborate with other colleges and universities for the special quarterly film dialogue sessions or a film festival of the 2003 Best Filipino Films. A twice-a-year forum is also being considered, a tie-up of TBC Media and Spirituality programs. Out-of-town film festivals are also in the plans and a fund raising activity featuring an anti-war documentary.

Moving beyond the physical manifestations, p@tb is also on its way to reformatting, a deepening of the dialogue sessions. More of the Titus audiences are gradually opening to the idea of dialogue and have contributed “meat” to the sessions. Issues concerning women, perversions, sexuality, gender, life, family and relationships are often the main subject of discussions. Though, the group still needs to improve more on this level especially to moderate and facilitate the discussions well.

19 TBC Media can do even more. Pelikula@titusbrandsma has proven the capacity of the program to do better with what is left within its hands and now it is back with a vengeance. Just wait and see!

A “Duc In Altum” Experience (by Edgar A. Cayanan, O.Carm.,aspirant)

The month of October seemed to be a very busy month for Fr. Jerry Sabado, O.Carm (the vocation director for Luzon) who is tireless in doing all the planned activities of the NVAT-Luzon. I’ve been a volunteer for the Order’s vocation animation team since June, 2003 after I had applied as an aspirant. For me, this is quite different since I’ve been working for the last sixteen years of my life in some private firms as a teacher and an accountant. But as part of the vocation team, it’s really an entirely different. For the last five months of my stay, I enjoyed doing vocation campaigns in public and private high schools in most parts of Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City. I even had the privilege of traveling to two provinces (Zambales and Albay doing the same thing). For the entire period of being in vocation promotion work, it was actually a great privilege to serve the Order. Part of this, I would like to share as part of my reflection that really made me realize the importance and the happiness that I’ve found in helping out with the campaign. My exposure in Albay, together with the team, Bros. Mike Condes, Carmelite Seminarian, Jesus Bitantaes and Adam Sangalang, Carmelite College Seminarian, was such a wonderful experience considering that this was my first time to be in Albay. Strange, but I actually started contemplating as to what would be the outcome of the activity. We left Manila at around 6:00pm (Oct. 12) and arrived in Guinobatan at exactly 5:00 am (the following day). We were welcomed and accommodated by the Third Order Carmelites (TOC), headed by Sis. Amparing.

It’s really good to have TOCs in a

20 particular place where vocation campaigns will take place. You can really feel that you have a family taking good care of you, providing you with all the things that you need and much more. Such boundless generosity! Doing vocation campaign is no joke.

The first school that we went to was in

barangay Mauraro in Albay. As we were traveling the hilly and rough road of that quite remote barangay, tall trees lined the road, and I was actually wondering whether there was really a school out there. Seldom could you see houses and stores along the road. You can only see one or two at a distance. But after almost six kilometers of travel, there it was, a tiny school with a good number of students and perhaps some prospective applicants. One might wonder how do the students survive in this school where some classrooms do not have lights, nor the convenience of an electric fan. Some hold their classes in a shady hut with bamboo walls and uncemented floorings. One could only shrug ones shoulder and take a deep sigh and ask what does the government for them. But then nothing can be matched with the kind reception and the attitude of the students and the school’s administration gave us. It was a challenge somehow and one could actually think and see if he himself is true in what he does. After that first day of our campaign I was thinking about what would be the next thing to happen since we do have some four more days to stay. Thinking about some constraints: the weather condition (it was raining most of the time), the reception of the people, the lengthy travel and others. I was a little bit afraid that we would not be able to do so. The following day was so cloudy and it seemed that one would rather stay in bed and sleep. The rain started to pour but we really had to get up for we had to travel and to the next city. The bad weather seemed to go along with some bad experiences that morning. Somehow you could not really think that some school administrators were not that accommodating, or can feel that you are not very welcome and feel some rejection. You could only just persist in continuing, and ask why. The irony of this is that some are Catholic schools. After those not so good experiences, we headed for Tabacco, it was still raining hard that afternoon, but we have to go for we have about four more schools to visit.

21 Somehow, it was a great consolation on our part that after those sad happenings in the morning, we were welcomed by the remaining schools and the reception was totally great.

It pays off actually so that the bad experience in the morning was so well

compensated that eventhough we’re wet by the rain, we’re happy inside. The following days were actually very fulfilling. Aside from the vocation talks, we were able to give preliminary exams for those who were interested to try. I was a day ahead of the group to go home and left Albay all alone on that trip going back to Manila. I was actually thinking about what had happened during the last four days of my stay. Since my major task is to do a complete documentation of the vocation campaign, I was sorting all the experiences that the team have gone through. What came to my mind was that, we were like fishermen trying to throw our nets into the sea for a best spot and the best catch. Our experiences can be considered a “duc in altum” experience, “put out into the deep,” (Luke 5:4) a biblical scenario when Jesus was admonishing Peter and the other disciples, as they were struggling all night to get a catch but with no success. Jesus was urging them to take again the risk no matter how apparently futile their attempts had been. Of course we know what had happened next. Their nets were about to break with a plentiful catch that filled the two boats. . . the call of Peter. I believe that this is a challenge for all of us and most especially with a greater insistence to those already ordained.

We all plunged into the deep, frail and

inexperienced, we have taken all the risks, unmindful of what lies ahead of us, what is important is that, we have given our best effort and surrendered ourselves to the will of God. I’m aware of my unworthiness, but moved forward with prayers in my heart that His Spirit will always guide us through our journey. This experience is not only for the day, and the risk is just the same everyday, it’s a continuous plunging into the deep, we may get tired, frustrated and might even give up. But like Peter, we might to acclaim: “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” (Lk. 5:5). Lowering the nets is just for us to experience the grace of God in all our undertakings and that I believe is our total commitment to this.

22 As I said, doing vocation campaign is a no joke task. After all, who seems to want to listen when you talk about Jesus? Who would even dare to think about confining oneself in the structured life of the seminary? Only fools for Christ I presume. Well, ask about me, I will continue to work and lower the nets into the deep and let God make many fools for Himself!.

Updates from the TOC National Council Audience with the Prior General The National Officers headed by Fr. Toto Jaranilla, National Spiritual Director and Nimfa C. Tangcuangco, TOCarm, National Prioress met with Fr. Joseph Chalmers and Fr. Anthony Scerri last Nov 19, Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the 3rd floor of Teresa Building. Other officers present were: Joe Generoso, Fe Buenaventura, Bay Aromin, Ester Pascua, Mila Exconde and Onnie Guevarra. Part of the agenda was the 3-year comprehensive report given by the National Prioress of recent developments in the Philippine TOC since the Prior General’s last visit in October, 2000. One of these recent developments, which was highlighted, were the reforms that have been initiated in the area of formation. The open forum which was casual and informal continued at the nearby Blue Bacon restaurant where the group proceeded for lunch. After a short rest, the two guests met with the NCR (National Capital Region) Lay Carmelites (including those from Tanay, Bulacan and Laguna) gathered at the Titus Brandsma Center at 3:00 in the afternoon. A paraliturgical program had been prepared for said occasion. As the guests entered the Sta Ana ‘Flos Carmeli’ choir sang a welcome hymn of praise. Then Fr. Toto delivered the opening prayer followed by the Reading of the Word of God by Ester Pascua. Sis. NImfa and Bro. Joe followed with their ‘Tribute to Fr. Joseph’. For the Responsory the Flos Carmeli choir sang a Psalm of Thanksgiving led by their Prior, Philip Escudero. The Offering of Prayer of Petition to God for the intention of the Prior general consisted of a candle lighting and floral offering. The National Prioress started the prayer of petition, followed by Priors/Prioresses of different communities present. Each TOC member of each local community offered lighted candles and flowers to the Image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while their prior/prioress recited their community’s particular prayer for the intention of the Prior General. After the offering of prayers, the presentation of gifts by the National Prioress and NFC Director to the Prior General followed consisting of a set of a hand-embroidered Piña cloth Chasuble and an ethnic designed Stole. There was also a Stole for Fr. Anthony with the same motif. Other communities also presented their personal gifts. In his response, Fr. Joseph graciously thanked the communities for the many prayers offered for his intention. He also once again emphasized the importance of formation in the life of a TOC. He also affirmed the NFC’s initiatives regarding Formation. For the concluding prayers, the community led by the National Prioress recited the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. While the choir was singing the Magnificat, Fr. Joseph incensed the image of our Lady. Finally, the Prior General blessed the members present and photo sessions soon followed.

23 Titus Brandsma Corner

Mary Ideal of the Soul

For St. John of the Cross, Our Lady is the ideal of the soul that strives upward toward God, and is drawn by God towards Himself. But Mary is an ideal under more than one aspect and is not always expressed in the same way.

St. Joan of the Cross particularly praises her in the fact that she, who is indeed called by the angel “full of the Holy Ghost,” always lets herself be led by the Holy Spirit , an ideal which we too must strive after in our intercourse with God, however difficult it may be and however few will be found who know and follow the counsels of the Holy Ghost.

As an example of a soul that always followed the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, he cites in the same chapter the example of Our Lady “La Gloriosa,” the glorious one, Mother of God. From her earliest existence she had attained this state while ever allowing the image of any creature to be impressed upon her mind, which could distract her from God. Consequently she was never distracted by any matter of this kind. Her motive was always the Holy Ghost.

Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, also quotes these words in his essay L’Union Transformante, in the fine periodical dedicated to mysticism, La Vie Spirituelle, in which he treats of the new Doctor of the Church:

“Indeed, she is for him, as is truly reasonable, the ideal of a soul aspiring to the summit o Mount Carmel. He has not dedicated many words to her, but the few

which he has

written about her show that he regarded her as the archetype of a soul aspiring to the enjoyment of that unity, to the teaching of which he seems to have dedicated his life as an author. Other souls approach this ideal only to a lesser degree.”

24 The Beauty of Carmel By Titus Brandsma, O.Carm. pp. 91-92

Carmel News Editorial Staff

Editorial Board Christian “Toots” Buenafe Sirenio Jaranilla Ed Gerlock Weng Ladaga

Lay-out Artist Jofti Villena Encoder Normie Lacanilao

Contributors: Domingo Beato Jr. Peter Kramer Nimfa Tangcuangco Aris Escobal Paul Medina Max Zapanta Edgar Calanday

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