"Pamana 2006"

Tonight, there were eight student-priests whom the PCF Community honored with simple dinner and entertained with marvelous program sponsored by the Kapatiran Batch led by Fr. Joselito Jopson. They were honored and entertained since they were set to leave PCF soon after defending their respective thesis for a Licentiate or Doctorate degree in Philosophy, Canon Law and Theology. The night was also called PAMANA NIGHT by which the honorees would leave something to those who would be left behind. The honorees were: Fr. Freddie Billanes (Capiz), Fr. John Brillantes (Military Ordinariate), Fr. Ramon Oncog (Tagbilaran), Fr. Oliver Yalung (San Fernando, Pampanga), Fr. Rene Retardo (Tagum), Fr. Benjamin Calsado (LMI-Manila), Fr. Jimel Varela (Catarman), and Fr. Midyphil Billones (Jaro).

"My Way" in Canto

Fr. Greg Uanan (Ilagan) celebrated his birthday today. Also, Fr. Freddie Billanes (Capiz) and Fr. Nars Minion (Romblon) marked the day with joy and thanksgiving to God since today is their priestly ordination anniversary. The "canto" came to life once again in the evening with music, food, and drinks prepared by the celebrants themselves for the community. But, of course, in the morning and during the day, the celebrants gave praise to God by offering a Holy Mass. Msgr. Jerry Bitoon joined us during supper and during the "happy hour" at the "canto".

PCF Elections 2006

The PCF Community elected its new set of Council of Co-Responsibles for the school year 2006-07. The ballot box was placed at the Refectory and left open from 8:30 in the morning until supper time. The counting was done at the San Lorenzo Hall where one could see student-priests, administrators, sisters, and other pcf personnel exchanging jokes and pleasantries with one another. The counting religiously began at 8:35 p.m. These were the results:

Coordinator ------------Fr. Richard Tan (Calbayog)
Vice-coordinator--------Fr. Nemer Chua (Lipa)
Secretary/Treasurer---Fr. Oscar Cadayona (Maasin)

Committee Chairmen
Spirituality---------------Fr. Venusto Suarez (Manila)
Liturgy-------------------Fr. Melchor Braga (Urdaneta)
Music--------------------Fr. Joselito Jopson (Pasig)
Socials--------------------Fr. Rodelio San Juan (Iba)
Sports--------------------Fr. William Santiago (Caceres)
Physical Arrangement----Fr. Wagner Nalitan (Cagayan de Oro)

The Council of Co-Responsibles is a body of elected officers who perform functions contributory to the good of the Collegio Filippino community. Toward this good, the Council is co-responsible with the Collegio Filippino Administration, which has advisory finctions within it (frm PCF manual). Let's pray for this new batch of Council of Co-Responsibles - all of them from the Kapatiran Batch 2005!

Da Vinci Code - A Flop!

The opening day of the showing of the movie "Da Vinci Code" throughout the world was accordingly a flop. It's boring. It's anti-climactic. To have something to say about this "Da Vinci Code" phenomenon, it's good to visit this site: a coalition of Catholics in the U.S. has formed an initiative called “DaVinci Outreach” (http://www.davincioutreach.com/) which is also the source for the “The Da Vinci Deception”, a concise but excellent Q&A book.

Eternal Rest

In the evening of May 14, 2006, the news of the demise of the Father of our beloved Msgr. Stude Santos reached PCF. Student-priests right away assured the bereaved son of their prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of his Father named Norberto. He took the early flight of Tuesday (May 17) to Manila to be at the side of his Mother and brothers and sisters and to bury his Father. Meanwhile, the PCF priests joined the vice-rector in offering the Holy Mass on Thursday (May 18) for the eternal repose of the soul of Norberto.

Everyone in the collegio shook their heads in disbelief as the news of the untimely death of Fr. Julito Pates, 39, of the Diocese of Tagum spread not only in collegio but also in the Filipino communities where he once served. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. Fr. Pates was here in PCF in the year 1998 - 2000, taking up Licentiate in Spirituality at the Gregorian University. The only current resident priest in pcf from Tagum, Fr. Rene Retardo, received our gestures of sympahty and solidarity. On Friday (May 19), PCF priests were one once again in celebrating the Holy Mass for the eternal repose of the soul of Fr. Pates. Fr. Pates was remembered here in pcf as quiet and prayerfu person.

Bishop Cantillas attends meeting in Vatican

May 14, 2006 (Sunday)

The Most Rev. Bishop of Maasin, Precioso Cantillas, SDB came to Rome to attend the meeting as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants on May 15-17, 2006. The vice-rector of the collegio fetched him at the airport at 6:20 a.m. In the afternoon, he met with the Chaplain of the Centro Filipino at Santa Putenciana Basilica, Via Urbana, Rome. There he also celebated the Holy Mass at 4:00 p.m. Some members of the Pundok ni Beato Pedro Calungsod treated the Bishop to supper at the restaurant very near Collegio Filipino.

New Nuncio to the Phils. Visits PCF

The student-priests started waiting at the PCF lobby by 12:45 p.m. By 1:00 pm, His Excellency Fernando Filoni, new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, came and conquered our highest respect and admiration for his simplicity and friendliness as evidenced in his smiles and kind words as Msgr. Ruperto Santos, the PCF Rector, ushered him to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who was waiting together with the rest of the student-priests at the lobby. The Nuncio then joined us in the refectory where Filipino food very familiar to the Nuncio (since he was assigned in the Philippines in the late 90's as a Secretary) was served. The formal program began with the Words of Welcome by the Fr. Rector:

I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome to the Pontificio Collegio Filippino the recently-appointed apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency, Archbishop Fernando Filoni. Archbishop Filoni joined us in our festivities last Sunday and today, he has graciously accepted our invitation for this more intimate gathering. It is truly an honor for the entire community of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino that His Excellency acceded to our request and decided to join us for this meal. His Excellency has spent some time in the Philippines in the late 1990s and perhaps, not only has he caught a glimpse of the Filipino spirit, but it may very well be that he has learned to say “yes” when we Filipinos, who love to eat, invite him to share a meal.

Your Excellency, the Pontificio Collegio Filippino has been a “home away from home” for Filipino priests here in Rome. As you may very well know, these priests have been sent by their respective bishops to specialize in various ecclesiastical disciplines so that they could later serve the local Church in the Philippines in different capacities. But this college is not simply a house of students. It is a home of priests. Indeed, it is hoped that the stay here in the Collegio will have helped a priest, not just in academics, but also in his spiritual, community and apostolic life. For forty five years, the Pontificio Collegio has tried to fulfill its role in the on-going formation of the priests that it has welcomed through its doors. It has tried to be the Filipino priests’ “home here in Rome”. After all, it is at home where one can truly grow.

Your Excellency, you are Italian, and certainly, you have a home here in Italy, perhaps even in Rome. But now, in the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, you have a “Filipino home” in the eternal city. Its doors are always open for you. Welcome, Your Excellency, to the Pontificio Collegio Filippino!

At sa inyo pong lahat, muli, magandang tanghali at mabuhay tayong lahat!

To our joy and pleasure, Cardinal Vidal again delivered a message with wit and intelligence. As he spoke, the pcf priests interrupted him with cheers of affirmation for what he said. The opening message of Cardinal Vidal metaphorically revealed what the Philippines has become( but only insofar as the political situation). Here is the full text of the message of Cardinal Vidal:

When I heard that Archbishop Antonio Franco is being sent to Israel while Archbishop Fernando Filoni is transferred from Iraq to the Philippines, I said to myself, “The Philippines must be a good place to prepare someone to be sent to Jerusalem and Cyprus, while Iraq is a good place to prepare someone for the Philippines”.
In welcoming Archbishop Filoni to the Philippines, however, I would like to assure him that while politics in our country is fractious, he can sleep well at night in Manila. Only politicians lack sleep in the Philippines.

While there may be seven thousand one-hundred islands in the Philippines, about five major tongues and scores of dialects, we are largely united by a single faith – the Faith of Rome. Liturgy is the common language in the Philippines. Catholicism is our common culture. Faith in Jesus Christ and love for Mary form the core of our identity. Thus, the boats that connect the islands are named after Our Lady of Fatima and other titles of the Madonna. Jeepneys and buses have large signs emblazoned on them proclaiming devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, never mind if the drivers drive like the devil himself.

Here in this little piece of the Philippines in Rome, we have kept our faith and our traditions alive. Your Excellency was present during the Mass last Sunday. You have seen how alive we are whether inside or outside the chapel. Our brother and sister Filipinos are gifted with happiness that not even the distance away from home can suppress.

Here before you are the future of the Philippine church. Our clergy is relatively young, and here are some of the finest among them. They are here to bring greater vitality to the Philippine Church, by strengthening its bond with the Holy Father and the Church in Rome.
My dear Collegio priests… I said you are “the future of the Philippine Church”, and I hope there is a “Philippines” in your future. When I say you are “the future of the Philippine Church”, do not think of it as your own personal “future”, rather think of the future of the Church and of our country .Your own plans for yourself, your own dreams, all must be subordinated to that which is higher and nobler. The Church is much bigger than yourself. The needs of your countrymen are much more urgent than your own. The love of the Lord is much more passionate than all the desires and longings you may be harboring in your heart.

Here in the city of the martyrs, you must learn to die to yourself, finish your studies and serve the Philippine Church in whatever capacity your Bishop may assign to you. Every day, grow up by getting smaller, like little children, finding your own peace and joy only in the Lord. While it is a privilege to study in Rome, the real honor is to the serve your own people who have put so much hope in you.

Thank you and may the Lord bless you always!

The new Nuncio remarked, in his turn to give a brief message to us, that he would not only be a Nuncio to the Philippines but a Nuncio to the World because Filipinos could be found everywhere. He encouraged all of us to continue building bridges for our people in the Philippines, not walls.

The picture taking took place after the program.

Collegio Day 2006

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu and Chairman of the CBCP Commission on Collegio Filippino, started the annual festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage by offering the Holy Mass at 10:35 a.m. at the main PCF Chapel where more than a thousand Filipinos and a few Italian friends and benefactors converged to express their praise and thanksgiving to God for the grace of 45 years of existence of the Collegio Filippino in Rome.

This 45th year anniversary celebrations of the Collegio Filippino should be very special for Filipinos here in Rome, for this coincides with the Jubilees of His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal: 75 years of life, 50 years of the priesthood, 35 years of episcopacy, and 25 years in Cebu.

The new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Fernando Feloni, joined more than fifty Filipino priests in celebrating the Holy Eucharist wherein His Eminence preached about "Pag-ibig na tapat..." - the lessons of which were received by the audience with smiles and claps as the good Cardinal emphasized a point touching the "lovelife" of a migrant worker or a priest or a sister or a seminarian here in Rome. Concelebrating also with the Cardinal were Bishop John Du, Bishop of Dumaguete, Mons. Barnie Ausa, from Secretariat of State, who came with full of life as he met with friends, especially from the Visayas region, Don Luis Navarro, the ever likeable friend of the Collegio Filipino priests and formators, who came with his barong tagalog displayed after the Holy Mass. With the ever supportive presence of Ambassador Lydia Veyra, the Ambasssador to the Holy See (also known as Mother to the Filipino priests in Rome) and Consul Jerry, the celebrations became more joyous and worth remembering.

At 12:00 noon, the Holy Mass ended. The procession of the Our Lady of Antipolo and the Zagalas of 45 communities from the Chapel to the ground at the back of the collegio took place. The ground at the back was filled with people (approximately two thousand people) with festive faces and gestures. When the image of the Virgin Mary arrived at the center of the ground, the usual "coronation" of the image was done by Ms. Elvira Go, the prominent benefactress of the Collegio Filippino. Then the offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary by the Zagalas of the different Filipino communities and singing of the Salve Regina and prayer for peace. By 1:00 pm, the food was blessed by Bishop John Du, Bishop of Dumagute, and being served afterwards to the people who themselves prepared the food in their respective tents. By 2:00 pm, the program began: different selected Fililipino communities took turn in rendering worthwhile presentations - group dance, vocal solo, choral, drama, etc. The program ended at 4:00 p.m., but the revelries continued until 7:00 p.m.

Thrid Day of the Triduum

Saturday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m.: Mons. Jerry Bitoon, who is now connected with the Propaganda Fidei, served as the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist this third and final intensive spiritual preparation for the PCF Day. With wit and intelligence, he did expound the theme for the day "Pag-ibig na tapat ng mga Pari at Relihiyoso" , for today the sponsors were Filipino priests, religious and seminarians. The word CHAT emphasized his key points to measure whether the love of the priests or religious or any follower of Christ is authentic: C - onstant, H-eroic, A-ccessible, T-otal.

Cardinal Vidal arrives from the Phils.

The youngest student-priest of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino presided over the Holy Mass marking the second day of the Triduum. Fr. Nemer Chua (Lipa) talked in his homily about the importance and contribution of family life to the growth of the society and the Church at large. Due to unavoidable circumstances, only one among the many invited friends and benefactors came to join the Holy Mass for this day.

By 11:00 p.m., His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal arrived at the Collegio Filippino from the Philippines to lead the PCF festivities this coming May 7, 2006. Coming with His Eminence were Bishop John Du (Bishop of Dumaguete), Fr. Dennis Villarojo, Fr. Agustin Ancajas, and Fr.Joseph Tan.

First Day of the Triduum of Masses

His Eminence Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao came to the PCF to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with the Filipino migrant workers at the Chapel at 6:00 p.m. Almost all coordinators of the Filipino communities with some members came to join the first day of the spiritual preparation for the PCF Day this coming May 7. The "Kapatiran" batch was assigned as ushers. Cardinal Hamao, in his homily, singled out the indisputable proof of God's love which is the Eucharist which St. Eymard considers as the permanent incarnation, the perpetual sacrifice of Jesus, the burning bush that is always on fire on the altar, the true bread of life that daily descends from heaven. After the Holy Mass, merienda cena was served to all.

At 7:30 p.m., Fr. Regino Cortes, OP, the only Asian member of Pontifical Biblical Commission, was treated by UST alumni (his former students) to dinner somewhere near the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Fr. Norberto Astillo, OP, the Father Superior of the faithful confessors of the said Basilica, joined the group which was led by Fr. Rey Adalid, OP, the Spiritual Director of PCF. Fr. Cortes was set to leave Rome tomorrow after a week of meeting with the rest of the members of the said commission which the Pope expects to come out a document entitled "the Bible and Morality."

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

No class today. Most of the student-priests were just glued to their seat and table either in the library or in their rooms, beating the deadlines of the submission of their paper works. But others (like Fr. Greg Gaston, Fr. Dong Billones, and Fr. Richard Tan) found time to visit the Abbey of Monte Cassino.

Asking for prayers for his Father named Norberto, Msgr. Stude went home last Friday to attend to his ailing Father in the hospital in Manila. Fr. Rey Adalid, OP, arrived the other day from the Philippines, thanking everyone for a successful minor operation on his eye.