PCF Intrams 2006

November 1, 2006. The Annual Intrams of the Pontificio Collegio FIlippino began with the Holy Mass at the crypta at 7:20 in the morning, presided over by Rev. Fr. Greg Gaston whose birthday falls today. The theme of this year's Intrams: "Konti ngunit Pinili". The PCF community was divided into two main groups: KANTAHAN and KANTUHAN. The Kantahan was led by Fr. Oscar A. Cadayona (Maasin) and the Kantuhan was led by Fr. Venusto Suarez (Manila). Since it was raining by 9:00 a.m., the parade took place just inside the building, starting from the main lobby going up into the second floor and then back to the lobby where the opening rites were held. The Pambansang Awit was intoned by Fr. (Capt.) John Brillantes (Military Ordinariate) , which was followed by the opening prayer by Fr. Arnel Tan (LMI-Manila). Leading us to make an oath of sportsmanship was Fr. Edwin Fontanilla (La Union). When everything was already in place, the Vice-Rector, Fr. Rico Ayo, declared that PCF Intrams 2006 officially opened. The first event was the cheering competition, and the KANTAHAN came out a runaway winner, with Fr. Ian Rabago (Laoag) at the helm. Three parlor games came next (catching tail, ball hitting, and egg eating relay), and the KANTAHAN won them all with much ease and grace. But when it came to pingpong or table tennis, only one of five players of KANTAHAN survived. Fr. William Santiago (Caceres) won, but the rest of his companions were succumbed to defeat by Fr. Greg Gaston, Fr. Dodong Billones (Jaro), and Fr. Bong Fuentes (Cotabato). The billiard match, however, was won by Ronald of the KANTAHAN. After lunch, the games continued. The volleyball game was full of thrill and excitement. The KANTUHAN was expected to whoop it up, but the KANTAHAN made a rally from almost 10 points deficit to win the match. But the winning forms of KANTAHAN's tennis players remained as forms when the opposing players subdued them after 2 1/2 hour game. In the evening, there were three more competitions left, which would decide the overall champion of this year's intamurals. The evening's event was really another display of magnificent skills in media and show production of Fr. Joselito Jopson (Pasig) who directed everything to make people enjoy and laugh even after the show. Fr. Jopson's talents were complemented with the wit of Fr. Melchor Braga (Urdaneta) who hosted the night's show, together with the former Mr. Collegio 2005. The African dance, included in this year's annual intrams to pay tribute to the two African residents in the PCF, was captured by the KANTAHAN. The BIRIT KING/QUEEN went to the KANTUHAN. And the most awaited competition, MR. COLLEGIO 2006, a very tight race between EJ Jarapa (Lucena) and Fr. Edwin Fontanilla (La Union), went to the former, for his charm in acting and singing outdid the dancing prowess of the latter. When all scores were tallied, the sports chairman, Fr. Nemer Chua (Lipa) declared that the KANTAHAN team was the Champion for this year's Intrams. The Vice-Rector thanked everyone and gave his final blessings to all.

Rector's Birthday

October 30, 2006. Although our Fr. Rector went home to the Philippines, the PCF community marked his birthday with a Holy Mass presided over by our Spiritual Director, Fr. Rey Adalid, OP. There were no singing and laughing at the Kanto in due respect to Fr. Rector's days of grief due to the death of his Mother. However, there was an additional sumptuos food and ice cream during lunch and supper.

Requiem Mass for Mother Aurelia

October 26, 2006

They crypta was filled with pcf priests and sisters at 6:45 p.m. as they joined with Msgr. Stude Santos in offering prayers for the eternal repose of his Mother (our Mother too), Aurelia, 76. The Requiem Mass was presided over by the Vice-Rector, Fr. Rico Ayo, whose homily started with reading a Tagalog poem written by a Bulakeno stating the pain and what does the Above do to heal the pain - this was in the context of the fact that just last May, the Father of Msgr. Stude passed away. In reality, however, Msgr. Stude is assuaged by the thought that both his Father and Mother are now reaping thier eternal rewards in heaven. The Father Rector left Rome for the Philippines early Thursday morning.

Father Rector on St. Thomas Aquinas at Napoli

October 25, 2006

The series of talks, reflections, and conferences for this academic year by the Rector to the PCF resident-priests began tonight during the Holy Hour. As the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, the reflection given by the Rector dwelt on RTW, patterned after the life of St. Thomas Aquinas while he was at Napoli. Upon hearing RTW, one can have different things going on in mind. "Ready To War" or "Ready To Wear" clothes may be one of those things. Perhaps, one could never be wrong if these ideas were in his mind when Father Rector explained what does it mean by RTW because R stands for reading, T stands for teaching, and W stands for writing. St. Thomas Aquinas accomplished all these RTW. Because of his reading, he was always ready to do "war" against the heresies of his time. Because of his teaching, he has erased doubts of many people regarding the faith. Because of his writings, he has strengthened many when modernity tries to confuse the present. According to the Rector, these three RTW are the challenges of student-priests in Rome.

After the talk of Father Rector, some priests went to the generalate of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to dine with the Sisters who, by this gesture, showed their gratitude to PCF priests for the service rendered to them by celebrating the Holy Mass daily.

Opening of the Academic Year for the Pontifical Universities of Rome

October 23, 2006

Led by the Father Rector of the Collegio Filippino, twelve resident priests attended the Holy Mass presided over by His Eminence Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski to officially mark the beginning of the academic year 2006-07 at St. Peter's Basilica. In the homily of the Cardinal, it was emphasized to purify one's intentions in studying here in Rome and to get oneself closer to Christ as the Apostles during the ministry of Jesus. After the Mass, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI met the students, seminarians, priests, formators, professors and rectors of the different collegio and pontifical universities. He exhorted every one to ask the Lord (based on Lk 11,1): insegnaci a pensare, a scrivere, e a parlare...Having entrusted everyone present to the Seat of Wisdom, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to accompany us in our studies this academic year, the Holy Father extended his apostolic blessings to us and to all our loved ones.

Josef Cardinal Tomko's Talk at PCF

The President of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses, His Eminence Josef Cardinal Tomko, gave a talk to PCF priests on the priesthood and the eucharist at 8:15 in the eveing at the PCF crypta. The talk began with the community's singing "prayer for generosity" and followed by the introduction of the guest speaker by the Vice-Retor and Procurator, Fr. Rico Ayo. The speaker challenged the priests towards the end of his talk to draw life from the Eucharist by doing these: renew the Eucharistic faith in the real and true presence and therefore alive in the Most Blessed Sacrament, renew the spirit and the way in which we celebrate the Eucharistic sacrifice, and include the adoration of and visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament in our daily program. The end of his talk dealt with the role of the Blessed Mother Mary. The song "Hail Holy Queen enthroned above..." capped the day after words of gratitude given by the PCF coordinator, Fr. Richard Tan.

Filipinos at the Fatima Shrine in Rome

October 15, 2006 (Sunday)

Hundreds of Filipino migrants from diffirent organized Christian communities came to Fatima Shrine in San Vittorino, Rome to celebrate the Family Day with our Lady. The festive day started with the living Rosary at the front ground of the Shrine. The recitation of the Our Father's and Hail Mary's was beautifully done by those people forming the Rosary by approaching and kneeling before the statue of our Lady of Fatima when their turn came to recite their Our Father or Hail Mary. The last decade of the glorious mystery of the Holy Rosary was recited by the Italian families that participated in the prayer. As Fr. Albert Guevarra, the Chaplain of the Sentro Pilipino, chanted the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, those people forming the Big Rosary released the the baloons they were holding, one after another. During the singing of the Salve Regina, the Big Rosary made of balloons was released into the sky. Then the Filipino Marian devotees made a procession leading to the Church.

The Holy Mass began shortly after the solemn procession. The main celebrant was the Rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filipino, Msgr. Ruperto Santos, who is at the same time the CEI-National Coordinator of the Filipino Migrants of Italy. In his beautiful homily, he dwelt on the invitations of Jesus for the people to do good things for the people, to detach from material things, and to devote oneself to Jesus. Seven PCF priests joined the Filipino Migrants in this celebration: Fr. Rey Adalid, Fr. John Brillantes, Fr. Dodong Billones, Fr. Oscar A. Cadayona, Fr. Ed Jarapa, Fr. Robert of Nigeria, Fr. Samson of Kenya. Msgr. Jerry Bitoon was also there, and the newly arrived student-priest from Bacolod, Fr. Roel, came to join for the first time the religious event this year of Filipino Migrants.

First Meeting of the Council of Co-Responsibles

October 9, 2006

After supper, the PCF coordinator, Fr. Richard Tan, called a meeting for the Council of Co-Responsibles. Among the things being discussed were the nominations for the positions unexpectedly left vacant by fellow-priests who failed to return to Rome from their vacations in the Philippines. The initial plans for the coming Intramurals were also discussed. The Sports Committee Chairman, Fr. Nemer Chua, posted a piece of paper asking the community to write their suggested theme and team names for this year's Intramurals.

45th Anniversary of the Collegio Filippino

October 7, 2006.

At 8:00 A.M., the whole community of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino were once again gathered together at the main chapel to offer the Holy Eucharist in thanksgiving to God on the occasion of the 45th Anniversary Celebration of the said Collegio. His Eminence Jose Cardinal Sanchez, the Prefect Emeritus of the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy presided over the Holy Mass. Concelebrating with His Eminence were the resident-priests of the collegio with Msgr. Stude Santos, Rector and Bishop Jose Oliveros, the Bishop of Malolos, this year's retreat facilitator. The first reading was read by Sor Helen Pepito, OP; the Resp. Psalm was sung by Fr. Rolly Garcia; the Gospel was proclaimed by Fr. William Santiago. The celebration was set to full joy and happiness the resident talented musicians, Frs. Lito Jopson and Rene Ritardo. His Eminence recalled, in his homily, the vision of the CBCP in founding the PCF-to have priests formed with authentic and genuine doctrine of the Church to serve the people of God in the Philippines after their studies in Rome.

Annual Holy Retreat

October 3-8, 2006

Our Annual Holy Retreat started in the evening of October 3, 2006. For this year's retreat facilitator is the Bishop of Malolos, Most Rev. Jose Oliveros, who was a resident student-priest of Collegio Filippino during the years 1974-75; 1980-81. He led the pcf priests on the first day to reflect on the meaning and purpose of our priesthood which is to be rooted in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. He in fact shared with us his vocation story. At the end of the day, we were asked to reflect and share with each other our own vocation story and what particular experience/insight that serves as our inspirationn in our priesthood today. The group sharing this day was by region: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. On the second day, Bishop Oliveros made us reflect on the the call of the priesthood as the call to love and communion. Two moments of God's love: Creation and the History of Salvation. Four editions of loving our neighbor: love your neighbor as yourself (Mt.); love your neighbor as I love you (Jn); love your neighbor as the Sacrament of Christ (Mt.25); love your neighbor as I and the Father love each other (Jn.). For the sharing this day: Identify and share concrete signs of God's love fo us in our life; what help can I offer to my brother priest in my community and what aid can I ask from them? The group shairng was by school: Gregorian, Angelicum, Santa Croce, Alphonsianum, Lateran. The third day zeroed in on the call within the call: the call to an on-going formation and the call to chaste celibacy. Love for studies should lead to Love fo God, Church, and neighbor. "To learn Rome itself is more important than to study in Rome" was quoted by the Bishop from the book of John Paul II to drive his point. Integration of studies with prayer is very important. Regarding celibacy, it is a treasure (Paul VI) and it is a gift (PJP II). Precisely because it is a gift, we can ask it from the Lord. It is not that simple to say that because I don't have the gift, I would leave the priesthood. Celibacy should be lived with passion and enthusiasm, with eros and agape. Celibacy is not natural but rather supernatural. When you celebrate Mass, offer your celibacy to the Lord. For the sharing that day: share the joys and hopes in Rome; share the joys and hopes of the life of celibacy. The fourth day saw the priests listening to the Bishop's reflection on the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Model of Service and Love. The phrase "Behold the handmaid of the Lord" should inspire priests in their life of service and love. In the afternoon, the Bishop led the priests to reflect on the priesthood as a call to conversion and to be a minister of the sacrament of reconciation. He pointed out that priests who do not approach the sacrament of reconciliation regularly would feel the diminishing effect in his ministry of reconciliation. Thus, the Bishop challenged the priests to be a prisoner of the confessional. The day was ended with the Rite of Reconciliation and Individual Confession and Absolution after supper. The Annual Holy Retreat of the PCF came to an end after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist the following day. Grazie, Bishop Joey! And also Fr. Rey Adalid, the Spiritual Director and Fr. Venus Suarez, the Spirituality Committee, for the job well-done, grazie tante!

Bentornati!

Since their permesso soggiorno would expire on the 29th day of September, Frs. Dodong Billones and Mel Braga were the first PCF residents to come back from their summer pastoral ministry in the U.S. Frs. Wagner Nalitan and Rodel San Juan went home to the Philippines after their summer pastoral ministry. It was unfortunate for Fr. Wagner because at NAIA, Manila, he was robbed of his belongings, including his passpsort and permesso soggiorno. So, he could not make it this semester. Surely, the PCF community, especially the Kapatiran will miss both of them this year. Fr. Raul Dael, Fr. Greg Uanan, and Fr. Nonoy Billanes would arrive mid-November.

Feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in New York

Sept. 24, 2006

His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales presided over the Holy Mass offered in honor of the First Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City. The Rector of the Cathedral, Rev. Msgr. Robert Ritchie, read the greetings of the Archbishop of New York to the Filipino Cardinal and to the Filipino parishioners served by the Filipino priest Fr. Erno Diaz who invited the Filipino Cardinal to celebrate this feast here in New York. The gothic Cathedral was filled to oveflowing. The Cardinal talked about in his homily "the Filipino diaspora" in a positive sense. Of the 38 conclebrating Filipino priests, five were PCF resident-priests: Frs. Arlou Buslon, Freddie Billanes, RJ Pinero, Jimel Varela, and Oscar Cadayona. Msgr. Barnie Auza, who is now assigned to the United Nations, and his former classmate in UST, Fr. Patrick Paraiso, were also there.

Invitation for Tomasinos in USA

REUNION OF UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS: ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS
UST – THE CATHOLIC & PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
OCTOBER 6, 7 AND 8, 2006, EL PASO, TEXAS

THEME: “DEUS CARITAS EST” … “GOD IS LOVE”

THEME SONG: FAITHFUL TO THE CALL (Music and Lyrics, Arnold Zamora)

DAY ONE – OCTOBER 6, 2006 – FRIDAY

12:00 NOON – ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
LUNCH AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH,
519 SOUTH LATTA STREET,
EL PASO, TEXAS 79905
TEL. (915) 532-2761
2:00 P.M. – CONVERSATION: “POPE BENEDICT XVI’S VISION
OF THE CHURCH”
- FR. BOB BANGERT
- FR. DANNY BENITO
4:00 P.M. – CONVERSATION: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UST ALUMNI
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, EL PASO CHAPTER
- - JOSE AGUILAR, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
PROJECT BRAVO, EL PASO, TEXAS
- JACK JBARA, ADVISER
5:00 P.M. - CONVERSATIONS ON RETIREMENT CONCERNS AND HOW
WE CAN PREPARE FOR IT?
-- FATHER ABE ALONZO
6:00 P.M. - WELCOME AND FELLOWSHIP DINNER
FAMATIGAN’S RESIDENCE
RENE AND DRA. MARIA FAMATIGAN
613 MEADOW WILLOW
EL PASO, TEXAS
TEL. (915) 355-1442

DAY TWO – OCTOBER 7, 2006 – SATURDAY (OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY)
MORNING SCHEDULE: OPTIONS
COORDINATORS: - FR. BOB BANGERT
- IGNACIO GOMEZ
- ROBERTO LERMA
- BOB ERNEST
- FR. DEAN QUINTON
1. TOUR TO JUAREZ, MEXICO ……….. 9:00 A.M.
2. TOUR TO AERIAL TRAMWAY …….. 9:00 A.M.
3. TOUR TO UTEP – UNIVERSITY…….. 9:00 A.M.
4. TOUR TO EL PASO ZOO …………….. 9:00 A.M.
5. GOLF – FORT BLISS, U.S. ARMY…… 9:00 A.M.

6:30 P.M. – MASS – “IN MEMORIAM” UST ALUMNI
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH
EL PASO, TEXAS 79905
7:30 P.M. – SUPPER AND FRATERNAL AGAPE
COORDINATORS:
- RENE AND DRA. MARIA FAMATIGAN
- GOMEZ AND VALLES FAMILIES
- MARGIE AGUILAR AND FAMILY

ANDALE MANILA RESTAURANT
3800 NORTH MESA STREET
EL PASO, TEXAS 79902

DAY THREE – OCTOBER 8, 2006 – SUNDAY

9:30 A.M. – THANKSGIVING MASS FOR THE INTENTIONS OF
THE UST ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS
12:00 NOON – LUNCH
COORDINATORS: RICHARD AND OLIVIA MARTINEZ
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH
EL PASO, TEXAS 79905



.........................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................


Dear Father Toting (Joe Tronco):
Editor – UST Alumni Link
California

Greetings

As of this writing, confirmed UST Alumni, Family and Friends to attend the October 6, 7 and 8, 2006, UST Central Seminary Reunion, in El Paso, Texas, are the following:

1. Bishop Oscar Solis of California,
2. Fr. Abe Alonzo of California
3. Chaplain, Commander Fr. Alex Legaspi, USNR, California
4. Fr. Arnold Zamora of California
5. Fr. Frank Yncierto of Nevada
6. Jose and 7. Tess Dalog of California
8. Caloy and 9. Susan Benedicto of California
10. Mike and 11. Fides Arellano of California
12. Eli Zuniga of California
13. Ramon and Fe Angeles of California
14. Hacy Dumayag of California
15. Rev. Jose Tronco of California
16. Rev. Willie Manrique of California
17. Rev. Serafin Avenido of Texas
18. Rev. Mike Alcuino of Texas
19. Rev. Albert Sescon of Michigan
20. Jack Jbara of Michigan
21. Bishop John Reid of California (Orthodox Catholic)
22. Chaplain, Major Armando Reyes, U.S. Army, Texas
23. Chaplain, Major Orlando Fuller, U.S. Army, Kansas
24. Rev. Bob Bangert of Texas
25. Rev. Daniel Benito (former teacher of Father Jaime Boquiren, O.P.)
26. Chaplain, Major M. Butch Omana, USAF, Georgia
27. Sofia New and husband Joseph of California
28. Rev. Luis V. Resma of California
29. Rev. Dean Quinton of Texas
30. Rev. Robert Florido of Chicago
31. Rev. Al Maullon of Texas
32. Rev. Roy Rosales of the Philippines
33. Rev. Wilson de los Reyes of Texas
34. Rev. Tim Prado of Texas

Welcome to El Paso, Texas...
Bless you all...
I thank my God
every time
I remember you.
(Philippians 1:3)

With prayers,
Tebong (Father Sescon)

Newcomers - Benvenuti a Roma!

( Shown posing with the new-comers: Msgr. Stude Santos [Rector], Msgr. Gerry Bitoon [Roman Curia] and Jose Cardinal Sanchez) Fr. Rey Adalid, OP was the one taking the picture.

Last week of August, 2006, eight student-priests arrived in Pontificio Collegio Filippino to start their further studies in different pontifical universities in Rome. Six come from the Philippines, 1 from Kenya and 1 from Nigeria. The Kapatiran, the Perche, the Hoi Apostoloi, and the Migs welcome these new members of our community:

Fr. Robert N. ANAGBOSO,Diocese of Awka, Nigeria,Licentiate in Social Communication, PUSC
Fr. Edwin J. FONTANILLA, Diocese of San Fernando de La Unión,Licentiate in Theology (History), PUSC
Fr. Arnold L. FUENTES, Archdiocese of Cotabato,Licentiate in Systematic Theology, PUG
Fr. Samuel V. GALIAS,Diocese of Sorsogon,Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures, PIB
Fr. Edilberto H. JARAPA,Diocese of Lucena,Licentiate in Canon Law, PUST
Fr. Samson Kigorwe M'RINKAYA,Diocese of Meru, Kenya,Licentiate in Theology, PUSC
Fr. Noel Ian G. RABAGO,Diocese of Laoag,Licentiate in Canon Law, PUST
Fr. Arnel Q. TAN,Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society,Licentiate in Systematic Theology, PUST

PCF Priests Reunion in USA

(Look who's hiding as usual? Find out whose rehearsed smile is missing! Kasi, nawala sa daan.)

August 21, 2006: For this year, PCF priests gathered together somewhere near the famous Dingmans Ferry Bridge that crosses the Delaware River and connects New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Fr. Rey Adalid with the couple Deacon Rey and Edna Trinidad (the ones who made it possible for us to converge here in Poconos) welcomed the young summer “Roman” priests. For the first timers, only two were absent. Those present were Frs. Melchor Braga, Oscar Cadayona, Nemer “Peping” Chua, Archie Faustino, Joselito Jopson, Venus Suarez, William Santiago, and the new capo Richard Tan. The old timers were Frs. Gio Argarin, Benjamin Calsado, Jimel Varela, Arlou Buslon, RJ Pinero, Raul Dael, Gregorio Uanan, Antonio Ricarte, Nars Minion, Freddie Billanes, Alberto Uy and Julio Gaddi. This group greatly missed this time the company of Frs. Wagner & Rodel who were lost on their way and decided to return to New Jersey, Frs. Dodong Billones & Edison Escario & Oliver Yalung who were tied to the parish, and Frs. Marvin Mejia & Rene Retardo & John “Luningning” Brillantes who were left behind in Rome.

The Holy Mass started at 1:30 in the afternoon with Msgr. Stude Santos, the PCF Rector, as the main celebrant. In his short homily, he dwelt on the related terms of acceptance, hospitality, and family. The liturgy was made alive through the diva-voice-like of Frs. Nars, Gio, and Jimel and through the electric guitar of Fr. Lito Jopson. After the Mass, there were twenty kinds of Filipino food ready to be gobbled up by the “reunioners”. You name it, you have it! The sharing of experiences followed after the late lunch at the cabin down near the creek. Each one’s sharing was very beautiful and mutually enriching. With the moral tones of Fr. Abet’s and spiritual tones of Fr. Raul’s, the sharing was getting more interesting as Fr. Arlo pointed out the importance of the health insurance which, according to Msgr. Stude, is supposedly part of the agreement between the PCF and the Archdiocese of Newark. This is the wisdom of a biblical scholar – to see the practical sides of things. The words of the Father Rector summed up everything we said during the sharing.

The beautiful waterfalls and surrounding trees and hills didn’t fail to attract our eyes to flip over one after another. The beautiful sceneries served as the background and added beauty and perhaps glamour to the person as he posed for posterity- which Frs. Nars and Tony actually acquired. We parted ways to return to New Jersey and New York after thanking Deacon Rey and Edna Trinidad and the rest of the owners of the cars who brought us to the memorable place. It’s wonderful. Grazie tante Msgr. Stude and Fr. Rey Adalid, OP. Ci vediamo a Roma questo primo giorno di ottobre!

How are the Kapatirans?

Through e-mail, one can know how are they doing:

hello!just want to tell you that we're online in skypeplease log on to your skpeo magstart sa yahoo messengerget my name josephdream ty!Oscar Cadayona wrote:
Hello, mga Kapatid! This is your brother from Long Island, N.Y. I'm okay here, but it's only rare that I could be on line because I'm so immersed in my pastoral ministry, especially visits to the hospital and attending wakes, not to mention wonderful visits to Filipino homes around the parish. Heheheh! So zealous huh! There is a parish car here, but it's too big for me to drive - I need to stand up while driving to see the street ahead. It's funny! So, forget driving car here. Where can we find SSS office here? How is Melchor now? Hope to hear from him soon! and from all of you. God bless Kapatiran!

Best regards,

OAC "Fr. Lito Jopson" wrote:
hoy, ano ba to? saan galing yung chikkababes? kamag-anak ba ito ng chikkaboys? heheanyway, William, ikaw nga ang may kotse diyan diba? sino ba tong tinutukoy mong ibang tao? pero, balitaan mo ako kung kailan tayo pupunta ng DMV, handa na ako! heheat venus, feel ko yung sinasabi mo, kasi ako lang din ang nandito noong 4th of july (hikbi!!) bilib ako sa yo kasi nag-AARAL ka pa! Wow, heavy!teka, para sa lahat, first thing you do is to go to SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION and apply for a number. it's very important for you to receive your salaries, open bank accounts, apply for driver's lisence, etc. kung luma na itong news ko, sorry!!At pwede bang magreport naman lahat, baka naman namumutla na kayo sa convent e hindi pa kayo nagrereport! lalo na si Melchor! kumusta na ba talaga ang parish priest mo? baga naman nagsisimula na ang boxing match!truthfully, i've been trying to contact all our KAPATID, but their phone's always an answering machine and always asking for the party's extension number. basta tandaan niyo, andito lang kami!another agendum:if you know your monthly schedule already i will ask you all to write your free nights or preferred night (mukhang pwede naman) so we can start going to "pinsan's" house (di ba William), sa totoo lang, inaantay na nila tayo. they have a swimming pool, they can cook barbeque, at masarap mag-inuman sa labas ng bahay nila.but a factor to consider is the transportation. kailangan magkaroon muna ng kotse ang ilan sa atin para masundo ang mga kaklase.HELLO NEMER, nasa retreat mode ka pa ba? hehe baka naman pwede mo na kami mamiss, at magkwentuhan na tayo! heheI shall put up another poll asking for the best date, meanwhile, sulat lang kayo, for me, any night is fine (tutal gabi naman, escapo na lang ako hehe).best nights would be week 3 of July, sa august andito na si raul.by the way, kailan ba yung PCF reunion, at saan?o sige, kwentuhan na lang uli! tuluy--tuluy lang ito.fr . lito William Santiago wrote:
Hehehehehe! Kasi naman walang kaimik imik ang ibang tao dyan. Kapag may New Jersey License na anytime! Sarado pa ang MV Deaprtment ng New Jersey kaya di pa maka pag apply ng license. Musta na lang sa lahat.vsuarez@admu.edu.ph wrote:
musta po?palabas na ang pirates of the carribean!kasi naman ang iba diyan nanuod na ng superman di man lang nagsama heheheang saya sa parokya ditoluto breakfastmisa lang sa umagathen aral ka na o kaya nuod tvthen luto ulit,aliw nasasanay na ko tumira sa malaking bahay na ito ng mag isa

Visiting Manhattan

July 6, 2006

Visiting the city which is the symbol of the United States of America is very amazing. I went with the Fr. Adrian MacHugh, an Irish priest helping Farmingdale every summer. We left Farmingdale by 11:15 a.m. The train had passed through a lot of stations and then crossed from Long Island to Manhattan through a tunnel in a very short time. By 12:00 noon, we got off Penn Station. The first landmark I saw was the famous Madison Square Garden, the home court of the New York Nicks for how many years. We got inside to see the schedule of activities which might interest us. None at this time, not even the WNBA All-Star Game, this following week. I then saw the Empire State Building. Then, we walked and walked until we reached Times Square, passing by the NY Public Library. Tired of walking and seeing skyscrapers which before I saw only in movies and magazines, we went inside a building whose interior - at the fourth floor - one is free to sit like one is in a big sala or wander and wonder at the magnificent interior design of the building – very spacious up the transparent ceiling. It’s very nice to see the tubes up and down (elevators) attached around the center huge column. We took coffee and some bread to give us strength to march down and up until we found ourselves at the Rockefeller Center. St. Patrick Cathedral is amazingly huge an beautiful. We prayed inside, before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, before the satatue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and before the tombs of past Cardinals of the Archdiocese of New York. Before visiting the site of WTC, we got inside first the Protestant Church very near the site which was not destroyed surprisingly by the attack. It's very moving to see and reflect on what happened that day, September 11, 2001. I was told that there was a young priest of the Archdiocese of New York who went inside and died with firefigfhters as the building collapsed and pinned them to death.

First Encounter with Filipinos

July 4, 2006

I was left alone in the Parish since today was Independence Day. My pastor and other priests went home to their families. But by 4:30 p.m., somebody picked me up to join the party of BLD Charismatic group a few blocks from our parish. I met many Filipinos there. Most of them were Cebuano speaking. But they were living far from Farmingdale. The ones living in Farmingdale are mostly Tagalog.

First Mass in the U.S.

July 1, 2006

My first mass in the land of the United States of America took place at 7:30 in the evening. The permanent deacon named George Owen preached the homily, since every first Sunday of the month is assigned for permanent deacons to preach. The Church was filled with people, mostly older people. After the mass, people asked me from where I come. I was proud to say that I’m from the Philippines. The reply was: Oh! We love Filipino priests! They are amazing!

Buon Viaggio!

June 29, 2006

It’s very moving to see our pcf administrators keeping the trouble of bringing by car or van the student- priests to the airport to send them off and welcome them back from their summer pastoral ministry in the U.S. I think there is no other collegio in Rome doing that to their residents. Thank you Msgr. Stude, Fr. Rico and Fr. Rey.

Today, the last batch of pcf priests went off : Fr. Greg Uanan, Fr. Oscar Cadayona, Fr. Albert Flores (back to Manila to reside and teach at San Carlos Seminary), Fr. Nonoy Billanes, Fr. Jimel Varela, and Fr. Tony Ricarte. Yesterday (June 28), Frs. Oliver Yalung, Benny Calsado, and Dong Billones left pcf for the U.S. The last to leave pcf would be Fr. Richard Tan because he would be the tourist guide of the group of people accompanying Archbishop Palma who would receive the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29. Only Fr. Marvin Mejia and Fr. Edison were left because their Permesso de Soggiorno has not yet been released.

Lufthansa flight 3857 left Rome Airport at 12:35pm and arrived Munich at 2:15pm. The connecting flight to JFK Airport was supposed to leave at 3:15 p.m. The terrible thunderstorm in Munich delayed the take off for more than one hour. That’s why I arrived at the JFK Airport at 7: 45 p.m. Having examined my papers, the Immigration Officer asked me whether I am a priest and what is the shortest verse in the bible. With confidence, I answered “ Jesus began to weep” ( Jn 11:35). As I went out of the main entrance, I saw two Filipinos carrying placard bearing my name. And so to them I went. Their names were Jimmy and Rey Nicdao (whose younger brother is a priest in Pampanga, Philipppines ). Father Michael Flynn, the Pastor of St. Kilian Church, told me beforehand that people from BLD Charismtic community would pick me up at the airport. Jimmy invited me to drop by their house to take supper. Rey Nicdao and his wife brought me to the St. Kilian Rectory at Farmingdale at 10:00pm. The Associate Pastor, Fr. Todd, opened the main door for me. He led me to my room where I collapsed immediately into my bed because of the long journey.