DEATH, DYING AND LIFE

It seemed that previous month and this month has been pretty tough for VAI members and their families. They were really made busy praying for the eternal repose of the soul of a member or a member's relative who have gone ahead of them. A month ago, Dale and Boyet's sister Rachel has gone ahead of us. She was not short of courage in battling the big C.

Just this month we learned the sad news of the passing of Gino Gancia. He hails from Valenzuela, Bulacan, the seat of the Marulas SVS. But we have grown so accustomed to the idea and reality that dying is not just crying, but reliving of the fun life of the deposed. The account of Fr. Poloi can attest to that.

We went to see Gino (for the last time) last night. Entering their house was a dejavu: there Gino and I used to sneak for merienda after catechism classes at the nearby school during our Valenzuela days. We celebrated Mass for his eternal repose in the presence of his family and friends. Si Bilet ang naggitara, may balbas na ang mga kanta namin (he he he). Despite the short notice, a handful from our generation came, viz., Gerry Guillen, Chris Gallano, Ed Escarraga, Chito Sulit, Tony Santos, Bilet Joaquin, Bong Magkasi, Freddie Lim (Did I miss anyone?). Danny Aguillon did not make it due to some road problem; Eric Reyes had to attend to a patient at the last hour. After Mass, kwentuhan ng kwentuhan about the good old past; tawanan ng tawanan na parang hindi lamay ang pinuntahan! But I know Gino would like the same atmosphere --funny, easy and light. Requiescat in pace.

And just two nights ago, Fr. Rolly's mother Maria, 92 passed away also. And so we prayed more.

But of course, we were not short of celebration. Norman and Triccie just had their wedding anniversary. Noel just gone back from the hospital triumphantly shaking off a dreaded illness.

This is how life unfolds in reality. With humor and grit. We can only enjoy its fancy.

MON HERRERA,HIS PASSING, OUR PRAYERS

On May 19, 2007, the VAI e-Community was awaken with the news of the passing of one of its members, MON HERRERA. Below are the reaction of the sad event.

(Excerpt from email)

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Brothers,i just got this text message from the wife of mon herrera thisafternoon - he passed away this morning and his body now lies at thedivine mercy viewing chapel in muntinlupa.

fyi

Danny

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May he rest in peace! Danny kindly extend to Mon's family our sincere condolences and prayers.

Vic Pacheco

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danny, extend my condolences to the family. our community at Holy family church will pray for Mon's eternal repose

Johnny Z.

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R.I.P. Amen. Danny, please tell Fr Silva to say Mass for Mon. He knows Ming, Mon's wife. Thank you. Vic, Johnny and I will be saying Mass for Mon's repose. Extend our sympathy to the family.

Poloi, cm

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My condolences, too, and my prayers for Mon's family.

Manny Ginete cm

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I will have Mon's intention in my mass this weekend.My condolences to his family.

Fr. Ed Jocson

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Mon, I will pray for you intently when I go to Mass daily this coming week. I am sorry I could not see you when I went to Manila last February because you were out in San Pedro. But your sufferings are over now!!! I know you are now in the company of St. Vincent and the Good Shepherd has a special place for you there. Remember us now that you are in paradise.

Manny Aguja

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my prayers and masses will be offered for mon's eternal repose and strength to his family he left behind.

Ed e.

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my prayers, sympathies, and condolences to mon's family, friends, and batchmates. mon, rest in peace.

brothers, can somebody give us a little background about mon? his batch, classmates - just for our reference. thanks.

Padre Kiko

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Padre Kiko,Mon - Ramon Herrera - and more popularly as Poklat is a batchmate of Fr. Poloi Pura and Fr. Vic Pacheco in Valenzuela cause of death - colon cancer

Danny A.

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Danny Aguillon,

Kindly extend my condolonces to Mon's wife and his family.
He was a Senior when I was freshman at St. Vincent's Seminary, Valenzuela, Bulacan.
We used to play chess during our free times. He never won a single game.
I already included him in my prayers this weekend.

Thanks.

Martin Altonaga

PS Danny are u still memorizing ur pocket dictionary! lol!

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Danny:Likewise, can you pls my condolonces to Mon'wife and family. We havehim in our prayers.

Gem

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Our prayers for his eternal repose and for strength for his family.

Alex e.

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Life is indeed a journey... Rest eternally, Mon. We're praying for you and your family at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Alabama). May God's perpetual light shine upon you. Amen.

Joebalt, Vangie & Patrick Evidente

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Death is the only real truth that makes us realize that our existence in this world is not for life, but forever. Because through our death we can only achieve eternity, life-after-death! It’s when we come across the real world that God has promised for those who choose his path! It’s the only moment we experience GOD BEING, when He transforms us into His Being! Only Death can make that happens! Death is just a beginning of eternity!

Mon has chosen that path. That’s why let’s rejoice for he has achieved eternity with God! Brothers and sisters, family of Mon, rejoice for Mon is now with HIM who lives forever in our midst, in our life! Mon, like God, will be always with us. He exists. He doesn’t leave us. In fact and in reality, he is better off than all of us still living temporarily in this world. For now Mon is eternally happy with God! Mon is living, not resting, eternally! Amen.

Mon loves God so much that he deserves His reward – HAPPY LIFE WITHOUT END! Isn’t it wonderful? Indeed! That’s what we are looking forward in this world! So rejoice and let’s be happy with Mon! Let’s Congratulate Mon for he is now with the ONE TRUE GOD, EXPERIENCING LIFE EVERLASTING, WITH HIM IN HEAVEN, HAPPY FOREVER!

Mengz & the Estolano Clan

BCT Fr. Eddie, please offer a requiem mass for Mon Herrera, our brother in Vincentian Association Int’l – Congregation of the Mission (VAI-CM), who returns to our Creator to live with Him forever and ever! Thank you so much!

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Mon, may God grant you eternal rest and may his perpetual light shine upon you. Amen. I will also pray for you.

Jimmy Serranilla

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May God give you the eternal happiness and peace. We are thankful for those years of togetherness, the life we have shared in the spirit of St. Vincent, comnrades in Christ. We will be praying for you and your family.

Melvin Jacildo and Family.

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Mon,

"May choir of angels welcome you and lead you to the bosom of Abraham; and where Lazarus is poor no longer may you find eternal rest." (from the rite of Christian funeral) Until we meet again brother.

Deacon Dale

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Amen!!! Mon is now HOME with our FATHER.

The stories of Ming, his wife, led me to admire Mon’s strength of faith. As the pain gradually crept and spread and grew throughout his body, his faith just grew stronger and stronger. He never got cranky and instead he even got to crack jokes occasionally. He was always optimistic that things would turn out fine. Ming related that sometime in January, after his second or third long confinement, he insisted on getting married under Catholic rites – his first was a Christian wedding daw – and thereafter they were wed by a Catholic priest. Truly, it was a journey – a painful one but a cleansing one too as the pain brought him closer to HIM. In his last week, Ming said that Mon was already requesting them to pray that God already take him away – probably he was ready.

Congratulations my Brother Mon!! Indeed, we have not lost you but we have only gained an ally in Heaven!!

Gerry Guillen

(if your prayers and condolences are not included here, our apologies)

A Grateful Message from Mang Tony

Napakalaking pasasalamat ko kasama ng aking pamilya sa hindi nyo paglimot sakin... Nakakataba ng puso na sa matagal na panahon na hindi natin pagkikita ay naalala nyo parin ako hangang sa aking pagreretiro... Kayo ay hindi narin iba sakin, mga ANAK...

Dalangin ko na lalo pang gumanda ang buhay para sating lahat...

Muli MARAMING SALAMAT...

Mang Tony Tagaban

HULI MAN, NAIHAHABOL DIN

Last month, Dale Almenario had a chance to go home for a family visit. Along with his intention to see his former classmates and friends was to surprise one person who had a given his whole life to the seminary. He has done tremendous sacrifice but with little if not late recognition. This time some kindhearted and well endowed VAI shared a small amount in recognition for his service to them/us. Below is the story of Dale.

Last Monday, in the presence of Fr. Ollie Negrosa, CM and Fr. Mariano Silva, CM, I handed to Mang Tony a thank you card and some money in the amount of $610.00. He was very surprised when we summoned him to the refectory in San Marcelino. I told him the money came from some members of VAI and is given to him in appreciation of his services to us when we were in the seminary. I told him that his chauffering us has brought us to far and distant places. He was in the verge of tears and was so thankful for the token of appreciation. I apologize that we did not have any pictures of the moment.

I want to thank and recognize the following who expressed their profound gratitude to the services of Mang Tony by way of their contribution: Fr. Ed Jocson, Fr. Ed Escober, Gem Mella, Jobalt, Norman Razal, Dale Almenario, Los Angeles VAI members who pooled their money together, and a member who wants to remain anonymous.

Deacon Dale

IN MEMORIAM

We condole with the families of Delfin Bondad and Felix Sareno, whose fathers passed away this month.

Delfin and Felix are batchmates and both are Philo. grad. Both of them are very much involved with the Daughters of Charity schools (Sta. Isabel and Sagrado)

Sharing Lives

Hi, brothers!

12 years ago, I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to share my life with others by donating one of my kidneys. It was a decision I will never regret for the rest of my life. That was a decision very few dared to do. To see how the recipient lived a normal life for the past 12 years was something I could never imagine. Her smile, her very rosy cheeks and her eagerness to help those in need.

Now after 12 long years, the kidney has collapsed due to complications from diabetis among others. And again, she is looking for someone with a kind heart, willing to give his kidney. Talking from her experience with me, she would like, once again, to have as donor an ex-seminarian. Initially, the donor must have a type "O" blood and preferrably has no history of ailment or illness.

For those interested or for inquiries, please call me at +6328390011 loc 102 or text/call me through my mobile numbers +639209051559/ +639228408840.

Thank you very much, brothers and God bless us all!

LEO S. GELLOR

Batch '92 VHS/ADU

ACTIVE ACM: On the Occassion of Fr. General's Visit

Just to let you warn that on the occasion of Fr. Gregory Gay’s visit to the Vincentian Family in the Philippines, you can access to his pod cast on the details of the said visit at http://famvin.org/frgreg/

This week, he will be in Iloilo visiting Calumpang and Asilo de San Vicente De Paul in Molo (Feb. 15). De Paul will be hosting his visit on Feb 16. There will be an open air mass at 8:00 am after which the field demonstration participated in by the different schools here in Western Visayas i.e. De Paul College, Sagrado, San Jose, Marillac in Miagao and Saint Anthony in Roxas. All the religious organizations like SSVP, Luisas and the COM members will be here in De Paul College Glen Jaboneta (ACM 88) will deliver the welcome address. After the Field Demonstration there will be a Vincentian Youth Encounter at the Gymnasium of De Paul College where Fr. Danny Failadona, CM will be singing.

By 4pm the Fr. General leaves Iloilo.

CHECK LIST FOR 2007 by Glenn Jaboneta

PART III (part 2 of this article can be seen at http://thelastphilosophers.blogspot.com/ )

(Conversion of St. Paul)
On the virtue of MORTIFICATION. The Scripture reads, “Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life destroys it, and whoever despises his life in this world keeps it for everlasting life. Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now my soul is in distress. Shall I say Father, save me from this hour? But, I have come to this hour to face all this, Father glorify your name!” (Jn. 12: 24-28)

The practice of mortification is not only for the religious. In whatever state of life we find ourselves immersed into the practice of this particular virtue remains significant. Let me offer some ways. Let us start with the story of dying.

Mobile phones nowadays, are part of life. The most sophisticated, very expensive and up-to-date mobile phones are in the hands of religious men and women and to us to me former seminarians. I could still remember the words of Fr. Jesus Martinez, C.M. in one of his Spiritual Direction sessions with the seminarians. In his perspective, material possessions could be considered basura. He was talking about cars then, branded body pieces and some items considered luxurious by the standards of seminary life. There were no mobile phones yet at that time. I do not know if Fr. Martinez would call it basura. But I feel the point is in serving Christ there is a call for sacrifice.

Towards the end of 2006, I received a call from Jessric. The center of our conversation was on the aspect of sacrifice. He is a father now and he is planning to go out of the country not for himself but for his family.

Rey F. he belongs to the batch of Christian B. and Nonoy M. to name a few. When I met him here in school he told me that his son who is too young to suffer needs a heart operation. I am updated about the things being done to his son. He went to Manila for the operation and the son was admitted at the Philippine Heart Center. November 14, 2006, I received a text message from Loiue Placido. I quote, “Claude Wayne passed away. He is now with God. Pls. pray for Rey F. and family.” I am certain like any other father if he could be the one to endure the pain not the son. Sana ako na lang.

I feel this is mortification strictly speaking. Rustom Padilla was given the question when he revealed that he is gay if he is sexually active. We can also look at mortification in this way. But I feel we need also to celebrate and wonderfully accept who we are in the context of authentic friendships. At the same time condemning the act of sexual abuses committed against people especially because that is not the way to celebrate sexuality.

The guide questions:

Am I willing to die to myself?
Am I willing at times to forget about my needs and sacrifice for others?
Do I at times do things for others in a begrudging manner?

Finally, the APOSTOLIC ZEAL. Matthew’s image of this zeal has something to do with salt. Matthew is saying, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.” (Mt.5: 13)

The following questions could help us.

Am I enthusiastic in my apostolic work?
Do I inspire hope in others and for others?
Am I showing signs of burn out and indifference in my dealings with others?
Do I truly see the poor as my “Lords” and “Masters”, treating them like objectives, as stepping stones to my “own greater honor and glory?


This zeal is true in whatever calling we are in. As religious it is essential, we preach with passion, we listen to people from the heart and live vows no matter how challenging it is.

In marriage, it is like saying “may asim pa” when it comes to sleeping and waking up with the same person the rest of our lives. We need to put zeal in the covenant of love we forge with the beloved.

What is so blessed about being single? Just like me. It is the zeal one puts to it. Now that I am literally staying in De Paul College last novena masses popularly known as the Simbang Gabi in one of the masses I attended the celebrant said I am 47 years old and was ordained priest last year. Fr. Danny after his break in Manila told me a certain Elioraga a classmate of Fr. Roland Tuason is now back. It is the zeal one puts to live life as a religious or being single but with a heart full of smiles.

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to Bogs, to Alex and all those who remain steadfast in their generosity. Thank you so much. God bless you a hundredfold.

Happy New Year to all and Happy Feast Day!

ROXAS CITY, RECONQUERED

The day after docking at the “City of Dreams” (Iloilo), we, the new batch (some said the “anointed ones”), with ambivalent feelings of fear and excitement, set ourselves for St. Anthony College of Roxas City.

Thanks to Fr. Benny Enano, his pawis-steering BIDA and to the all-muscled Toto and Francis, we reached St. Anthony College whole and unscathed. Because we did not advice that we were coming, the room where we should be staying was still not prepared. Thanks to the decorative touch of Sr. Glo, in the span of 10 minutes, she was able to fix the place.

It was when we were lying on bed for our siesta that we fully realized that we have indeed have arrived in Roxas City and that we have a new and different life. If for the last few weeks, coming here was just a dream, now it is a reality. Everybody hoped though that there would be no “nightmares.”

On June 26, as part of PIS Director’s job, Fr. Johnny paid us a visit to find out not only our pressing concerns but also to lay down some rules concerning our stay. Since we are very much far from the rest of our batch mates, he emphasized greater responsibility and personal discipline.

According to him, in his watch there are some negotiable and non-negotiable principles that most of us must observe in order for the program to work on us. I guess, this time we are to be guided not anymore by the walls of the seminary but by the strength of our Vincentian character.


NOTE: This article is an excerpt from MONTANIETTOS, the journal of PIS seminarians assigned at St. Anthony College, Roxas City. I am posting this in honor of my batch mates and on the occasion of the closing of the PIS program this coming March 2007. There will be more to come.