Monday, September 28, 2009

Count of people dead, missing, rises up as floods subside


THE tally of people dead and missing rises up even as homeless families took stock of what’s left in their lives in the worst flooding that hit Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in recent years.

Heavy rains brought by Typhoon “Ondoy” during the weekend submerged low-lying areas in the Archdiocese of Manila, and the dioceses Cubao, Pasig, Antipolo, Kalookan, Novaliches and Malolos.

In Sagrada Familia Parish in Sitio Veterans, Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and neighboring parish of San Isidro, both administered by Carmelites priests, floodwaters that reached as high as the rooftops sent hundred of families to evacuate in higher grounds.

Carmelite Brother Gilbert Billena, O’Carm, a member of the parish pastoral team, said that as of yesterday afternoon, 14 people were confirmed dead at San Isidro Parish.

Recent updates this morning pegged casualties at around 70 people at Sagrada Familia Parish in Sitio Veterans, Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Billena said many of those missing were children.

The Carmelite brother reiterated his plea for help to hundreds of families in his parish who are now homeless and in dire need of food, clothing and medicines.

Bishops of the affected dioceses have also aired their appeal for donations to help the victims.

Member schools of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) have also started their campaign drive to help flood victims.

CEAP president Msgr. Gerry Santos said the association’s calamity fund will be used to help those affected by the floods.

In Bacolod, the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos has likewise started it’s own campaign drive asking students, faculty and staff to donate foodstuffs and clothing for the victims.

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Caritas Manila sends relief goods to flood victims

RESPONDING to the immediate needs of the flood victims huddled at evacuation centers in Manila archdiocese, Caritas Manila has sent at least 1,000 bags of relief goods early today to hundreds of families.

Gina Santos, Caritas Manila Disaster-in-Charge, said they sent the relief goods to Pasay area this morning.

Santos said Pasay City is the most seriously affected area in the archdiocese, so it is their priority as of the moment. Other areas will be attended later on, she said.

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton CT Pascual disclosed in an interview that Caritas is currently short of funds because of the financial help they just sent to Mindanao and Zambales.

He appealed to the people for donations in cash and in kind to help the flood victims.

As of the moment, the organization has around two hundred thousand pesos left in its calamity fund.

Incidentally, Caritas Manila is launching its “telethon” tomorrow to raise funds to finance its various programs for the poor.

Pascual pointed out the timeliness of the fundraising campaign in the wake of the disaster caused by the floods.

He also mentioned the relevance of today’s feast of St. Vincent de Paul, as patron of charitable works, even as he encouraged people and organizations to send aid to the victims as well help the poor.

Caritas Manila has recently launched “Caritas Manna”, low-priced commodities being sold by network of cooperatives and some parishes in Metro Manila.

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Floods send hundreds of families to evacuation centers, bishops ask help for victims

THE heavy rains brought by typhoon “Ondoy” have submerged various areas of Metro Manila and Rizal provinces underwater sending hundreds of families into evacuation centers.

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon said more than 300 families displaced by floods have sought refuge in schools and the church of Our Lady of the Abandoned parish in Marikina City.

In an appeal aired over Radio Veritas, the bishop asked the faithful to send donations of foodstuffs, clothing and other needed materials to help the victims.

He said donations may be sent to the parish office of the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish.

The Metro Manila areas affected by floods include parishes under the Archdiocese of Manila, and dioceses of Cubao, Pasig, Antipolo, Kalookan, Novaliches and Malolos.

Bishop Jose Oliveros of Malolos likewise aired a similar appeal to help the flood victims in his diocese.

Many parishes in Bulacan area have also been engulfed in water, he said. Among the parishes submerged in water were those in Meycauayan, Valenzuela and Obando.

He said donations in cash and in kind may be sent to the diocesan Commission of Service in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Antipolo social action director Fr. Bien Miguel reported that seven people died in a mudslide in his parish in Teresa, Rizal.

The priest is asking Caritas Manila for help.

He also asked the people to course their donations to Caritas Manila since the mudslide made the road to Teresa impassable at the moment.

As of this morning, reports coming from people in the Angono and Cainta areas said that floodwaters are still rising.

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Parish appeals for help for flood victims


WITH thousands of families displaced by the floods caused by Typhoon “Ondoy”, parishes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces appealed for help from Church and government agencies.

The Sagrada Familia Parish in Sitio Veterans, Brgy. Silangan, Quezon City, on of the parishes literally neck-deep in water, has asked for help for parishioners displaced by floods and now staying in evacuation centers.

According to their report, more than 500 families in the parish have been affected by the floods.

The Parish Pastoral team headed by Parish priest Fr. Arnel Glodobe, O.Carm, Bro. Gilbert S. Billena, O.Carm, and Br. Gerry Cuevas, PPC President, are asking for help from concerned citizens to help the victims.

“We are appealing for help for food, medicines and clothing for the said victims. Many of their houses are partially and totally damaged or washed out due to the flash flood,” the team said.

The flood victims are now temporarily housed in the Parish Church and in different Centers in Sitio Veterans.

The parish team said donations can be recoursed to the Parish Office of Sagrada Familia Parish, Dove St., Sitio Veterans, Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City 1119.

Those who want to donate cash but can’t go personally to the parish may deposit it to the parish account. Donors are asked to text the parish the amount of donation made and the name of the donor.

Donations can be deposited to Philippine National Bank, COA Branch-G/Manila CLRG, COA, Don Mariano Marcos Avenue, Q.C., payable to Sagrada Familia Parish, account number 128980400023.

The parish also sent a list of foodstuffs and other materials they need to cover the basic necessities of the evacuees.

Donors can send the following: 1) Foodstuffs: Rice, Sardines, beef loaf, corned beef or any can goods; Noodles, Bread, Biscuits, Coffee, milk, sugar and Water.

2) Medicines: Anti-biotic for cough, Amoxicillin, paracetamol, Mefenamic acid, Anti-diarrhea, Malarial/drugs, Vitamin C; sterile gauze, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages in several sizes, elastic bandage, antiseptic wipes, soap, antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment), antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide), acetaminophen and ibuprofen, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol, and others.

3) Linens: Blanket, Bedsheets, Clothing (T-shirts, Pants, and underwears for both men and women including children), Towel, slippers and others.

For more details concerned citizens may contact Bro. Gilbert S. Billena, O.Carm at tel. no. 9314460, Cell phone no. 09104166446 or email: brobillena@yahoo.com.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Bible campaign aims to distribute 100k bibles to families by year’s end

THE bible campaign jointly organized by the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) and Philippine Bible Society (PBS) is aiming to hit its target of distributing 100 thousand bibles to poor families by the end of the year.

The “May They Be One” bible campaign, a joint project of the Biblical Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Philippine Bible Society aims to give out five million bibles to five million poor Filipino families in five years.

So far, 70,000 families have already received bibles through parishes, basic ecclesial communities, religious and lay organizations funded by bible partners and initial fund raising activities by organizers.

But with only three months to go before the year ends, organizers have to work double time to raise the needed P8.5 million to cover the costs of bible distribution.

PBS general secretary Nora Lucero said the task seems daunting considering the little time left in their hands, but she is happy with the help that keeps on coming their way.

“This seems an impossible task considering that we have only have about three months to go but the campaign has drawn the help of other Bible Societies and we have the opportunity to exceed our goal,” she said.

Lucero said the American Bible Society has pledged a donation of US$100,000 (roughly P5 million) for the campaign as long as they raise the same amount by year’s end. She said almost P1.5 million (approximately US$30,000) has already been raised.

“The exciting thing about the proposal is that the Bible Society concerned has offered to raise the same amount again for us next year if we meet the December 31 deadline,” Lucero said, adding: “That means that for every P50 (US$1) given, potentially P200 (US$4) will be raised for this crucial campaign.”

The PBS general secretary said it remains a challenge both for ECBA and PBS to find enough people who can donate amount ranging from P150 to P150,000 to help the campaign.

“The great thing about this campaign is that anybody can be involved,” she said. “Any donation our friends and supporters make will collectively ensure we achieve this significant goal and potentially multiply the donations by four to provide subsidized Bibles to over 200,000 poor families,” Lucero added.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has earlier commended the campaign to put a scripture in every home, noting that despite being a Catholic nation, many Filipino families do not own a bible.

“Indeed, putting a Bible in every home is putting Christ in every heart,” he said.

Bible distribution to families which is coordinated by parishes, ecclesial communities and lay organizations are accompanied by values formation and bible seminars to ensure that recipients truly benefit with the campaign.

The bible crusade hopes to encourage Filipinos to read and live the Bible that could effect national transformation to the country’s spiritual, moral and social stability.

The MTBO five-year bible campaign was launched last September 30, 2008. It targets to put a bible in the home of every Filipino family in a five-year period at a subsidized price of P50 per Bible.

Any interested individuals or groups can become a part of the MTBO campaign and contribute to the transformation of families and society. For more information on the campaign, visit www.Bible.org.ph or www.ecba-cbcp.com. Donations may be deposited to the following bank accounts: PBS-MTBO Account #3903-0649-34 (BPI-Sta. Mesa Branch) or ECBA-CBCP Account #0251-021373 (BPI-Tayuman Branch).

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Asian youth to join Taize ‘Pilgrimage of Trust’ in Manila


FOLLOWING the formal launching of the Taize 'Pilgrimage of Trust' at the San Carlos Seminary last August 29, the Taize brothers are now touring various Asian countries to drumbeat the international youth meeting slated in Manila, February next year.

Brother Ghislain of Taize in a press release sent to CBCPNews said many young Asians in countries he visited have signified their interest to join the pilgrimage.

Touring Myanmar to Japan, he passed through Cambodia, East Timor, India, Singapore and other neighboring countries to invite and prepare young people for the upcoming pilgrimage of trust.

He said the situation of each country he visited was so varied from one another, but the news of the upcoming youth meeting has generated enthusiasm and hope.

“Young Timorese will join the pilgrimage,” he said upon visiting the newly independent nation and meeting with young people there.

So far, he said only those Timorese studying in Portugal had the opportunity to come to Taize. In 2007, when Taize prior Brother Alois, was in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for a student retreat, two young people came to attend.

But with the proximity of the Philippines, it is now possible for a great number of young Timorese to come and participate in the pilgrimage, the Taize brother said.

He added that Cambodia will also send a delegation of youth who will be accompanied by a Filipino missionary stationed in the country.

The Taize brother likewise met with university chaplains from Catholic, Anglican and Kyodan Churches in Japan. He noted the interest of the chaplains to participate in the international youth assembly.

To prepare the youth spiritually, a regular prayer meeting has been started in the Tokyo area and neighboring suburbs where young people can meet regularly and pray.

Brother Ghislain also conducted a retreat among students to make them ready for the pilgrimage.

He noted the many challenges as well as problems young people and foreign workers, including Filipinos in Japan now faced. The meeting in Manila, the brother hoped, will provide them a deeper understanding on the meaning of life.

Meanwhile, other countries like Singapore, India, Bangkok, New Zealand and Australia are also spearheading some activities to prepare their youth delegates who will attend the upcoming event in Manila.

Early next month, youth volunteers from Asian countries will come to Manila to reinforce the Secretariat in charge of preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage.

They will also visit the country’s different dioceses to meet with the parishes’ youth groups.

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

‘Hesus Manghigput’: A filipinized icon of Jesus the Priest


THE universal Church’s celebration of the “Year for Priests” has brought the entire ecclesial community into a serious consideration of the role of priests in the Church today.

Pope Benedict XVI, in proclaiming the “Year for Priests”, said the celebration is “meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world.”

The ecclesial event is also aimed to bring the Catholic faithful together to pray, reflect, celebrate and honor the clergy.

Icon for ‘Year for Priests’

Profoundly moved by the Church’s celebration of the “Year for Priests”, and its significance in the life of the faithful, a religious brother got inspired to produce an icon that would somehow convey the meaning of priesthood.

The icon has the title of “Hesus Manghigput” (Jesus Celebrator) written on alibata script (an ancient Filipino alphabet) to convey a “filipino” idea. The term “manghigput” refers to priests in the animistic tradition of Central and Southern Philippines.

The artwork has the central image of Jesus the Priest holding a chalice and a host, two meaningful Eucharistic symbols. Jesus is flanked by minor images of Melchizedek the High Priest and St. John Mary Vianney, representing the “priesthood” of biblical tradition and of the catholic ministry.

“The essential theme that I wanted to convey in the “Hesus Manghigput” icon is the centrality of the priestly duty of celebrating the Eucharist,” said Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem, OAR, creator of the icon.

A Recollect friar, Jakosalem is currently assigned as Property administrator of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R). He is a multi-media artist, and teaches photography in UNO-R’s College of Mass Communications.

The Recoletos brother comes from a family of artist. In fact, the icon “Hesus Manghigput” is a collaborative project between him and his brother Agustin, a realist painter currently based in Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

Trained as a photographer and in the area of sculpture, Jakosalem’s fascination in art dates back since his early childhood when he would hang around with the local photographers of their hometown.

“I developed my art in the seminary, where I designed books and magazines for publications,” he disclosed.

His art is usually about socio-religious themes, political commentaries, and environmental preservation. Some of his artworks are uploaded in his own website (http://www.pinoyrekoleto.com/tagoy.html).

“I already made an icon of “Hesus Manghigput” during my formation year in theology in 1999, done in watercolor; it was made as a stampita design,” he said.

The original artwork was his signature one-eyed Jesus and the alibata script which spells out the words “Hesus” and “Manghigput” (Jesus the Celebrator).

The inspiration to create an icon for the Year for Priests came when he saw the icon of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) done by iconographer Marek Czarnecki.

Improving on his original work, he decided to adapt the images of Melchizedek and St. John Vianney from Czarnecki’s icon, while retaining the alibata script. He tapped his equally talented brother Agustin, a self-taught painter, to work with him on the icon.

Making people aware

“Aware of the celebration of the ‘Year for Priests,’ I simply wanted to make an artwork for our oratory in the university for our students to be aware [of] and make them participate for the celebration,” he said.

Jakosalem said the icon serves as a means to deepen the students’ understanding of the “priest” in Jesus.

“In this case, Jesus as the ‘manghigput’ is explained as the gatherer and celebrator of the community,” he said.

The Recoletos brother said the icon is just one of the many means they intend to utilize to make students and the rest of the faithful understand more profoundly the significance of the celebration.

On Sept. 11, the university staged a dance documentary titled ‘Hesus Manghigput.’ The documentary featured the Filipino ‘babaylan’ as an early experience and awareness of Filipinos of what is ‘priesthood’—manghigput in that case

“We are not only catechizing them with the icon, we [are] also [using] the language of theater, dance and multi-media to make them understand about the celebration,” Jakosalem said.

Aside from multi-media presentations, other plans are afoot to create deeper awareness of the event.

“My plan is to make this artwork nearer to the hearts of priests, and the hearts of all the members of the Church through pilgrimage in all our churches,” he said.

Launched

Last August 25, the icon was officially unveiled and blessed during a community Mass led by Bishop Vicente Navarra, together with the Recoletos priests in the cathedral of Bacolod.

In his concluding message during the launching, Jakosalem stressed the threefold function of the Priesthood: that of being ministers of the Word and of the Eucharist to the world; of being prophets in modern times steeped in corruption and injustices; and of being kings or leaders whose lives are characterized by service and sacrifice.

In wanting to share his gift to the Church, Jakosalem has earlier given full copyright of the artwork to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through the CBCP Communications Development Foundation in time for the celebration of the Year for Priests. The icon has since been uploaded in all CBCP websites.

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Paulines evaluate congregation’s missionary presence in Asia


AROUND 36 major superiors, councilors and translators of the Daughters of St. Paul in Asia and Oceania have gathered for a 10-day continental meeting to discuss the congregation’s missionary presence in Asia and Oceania.

Themed “Where the Lord is Leading Us”, the continental meeting which began on September 10 and ends on September 20, aimed to revitalize the Pauline religious life in all its various aspects as well as to see some possible geographical reorganization.

The congregation’s Mother General, Sr. Antonieta Bruscato said the various dimensions of Pauline life that will be looked into and discussed during the meeting will include spirituality, pastoral work for vocations, formation, mission, sharing of charism with the laity and economy.

Sr. Bruscato, together with her Council, preside the ongoing assembly, which have delegates coming from Rome, Philippines, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Hongkong/Macau, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The delegates presented a report on the situation of their countries in its socio-cultural and ecclesial context providing others a grasp of the reality of Asia and Australia today.

Resource speakers include Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle who gave a talk on the socio-economic, political and ecclesial situation of Asia and Oceania, and Dr. Maurice Teo and Fr. Joni Astanto, MSC, who spoke on the situation in China and Indonesia, respectively.

“During these days, we will consider the possibility of our presence in China, and also to consolidate our presence in Indonesia,” Sr. Bruscato said.

The congregation has yet to establish foundations in China and Indonesia, but already have vocations coming from those countries.

The lack of vocations, a reality that has impacted consecrated life, leads many congregations to redesign their presences. In Europe, where there are many older congregations, majority of these institutes have started to re-dimension their existence to become more responsive to the needs of the times.

For their part, the Daughters of St.Paul have embarked on a worldwide project of redesigning process of the institute in all the five continents where the congregation is present.

“The process of redesigning is not a process of death but a process of new life,” said the FSP Mother General.

“In this redesigning process, we allow God to redesign what is personal, in the community and the apostolate,” she said.

Meanwhile, FSP Philippines provincial Sr. Yolanda Dionisio said she is happy to have the assembly held in the country since it provided an opportunity to share with the delegates "the richness [of] culture and faith of the Filipino people.”

“Our sisters [abroad] will understand better our reality, and our way of doing mission in the Philippines,” she said.

The continental assembly is being held at the Alberione Home of the Daughters of St. Paul in Pasay City.

The meeting opened with a Eucharistic celebration on September 9 presided by Fr. Ruben Areno, SSP, provincial of the Society of St. Paul.

Founded in 1915 by Blessed James Alberione, the Pauline congregation, which carries the work of evangelization through the means of social communication, is spread in more than 50 countries throughout the world.

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Proposed mining bill to regulate mining activities in RP, if passed

A PROPOSED mining bill currently pending in Congress, if passed, will write off the controversial Mining Act of 1995 and introduce a new policy that will regulate the mining activities in the country.

The proposed bill seeks “to regulate the rational exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources onshore (as well as quarry resources, sand and gravel, guano, and gemstones) and ensure the equitable sharing of benefits for the State, indigenous peoples and local communities and for other purposes.”

At least more than 80 anti-mining and civil society organizations, have together expressed support on the proposed mining policy, also known as House Bill 6342 (Philippines Mineral Resources Act of 2009) or Alternative Mining Bill (AMB).

The bill was filed in Congress on May 13, 2009 by Representatives Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Erin Tañada, Walden Bello, Rufus Rodriguez, and Carlos Padilla.

An anti-mining advocacy group, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), in a press release said the alternative mining bill puts forward the needs of the mining-affected communities as opposed to current Mining Act that favors mining companies.

“Upon careful review of HB 6342, ATM strongly believes that the proposed bill puts forward some policy reforms that are reflective of the genuine needs of mining-affected communities, and that the bill will respond to the regulatory framework necessary to implement large-scale mining without sacrificing social and other costs associated with the extractive industry, which the Mining Act of 1995, after more than a decade liberal interpretation and implementation failed to address”, said ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera.

Garganera said HB 6342 “has a clear declaration of state policy that adheres to total human development and sustainable development principles.”

He reiterated the advocacy group’s support of the clear policy standpoints that are articulated in HB 6342.

Among other things, the alternative mining bill proposes: “1) Integrating development of communities and science and technology initiatives, which puts local communities at the “center of development”; 2) Adherence to principles of participatory governance in the creation of the Multi-Sectoral Mineral Council that reflects true and genuine participation of local communities and their designated representatives, in accepting, studying, approving and monitoring the application and operations of mining projects, which will ensure authentic and legitimate representation, promote transparency and exact accountabilities from the decision-makers; 3) Recognition of local autonomy and just share in revenues of mining by LGUs that equitably outlines the sources of revenues by which LGUs are entitled to; 4) Addressing the social impacts of large-scale mining by mandating the contractor to prepare and submit an Environmental and Social Impact Prevention and Mitigation Plan (ESIPMP), which is a better mitigation measure than the current EIA system that does not fully address the complexity of mining operations; and 5) Improved Access to Justice where there the bill is able to lay down the policy foundations to ensure protection of human rights, definition of corporate and individual acts resulting to human rights violations, as well as prescribe procedures by which these can be resolve.”

Garganera likewise said that the House Committee on Natural Resources has also deliberated on two House Resolutions (HR) related to mining.

“HR 25, ‘Urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to uphold its notice of cancellation or termination of Aglubang Mining Corporation’s mineral production sharing agreement No. 167-2000-IV’, and HR 360, ‘Investigation into the effects of large-scale mining activities on the environment and people’s livelihood in Oriental Mindoro’; these covers the provinces that serve as our nation’s food basket threatened by mining operations,” he said.

Garganera said the anti-mining advocates are hopeful Congress will urgently address the industry's unjust practices which is aggravated by a flawed mineral policy.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Opposition vs aerial spraying gains global backing

THE outpouring of concern and support from the international community has boosted up the fight of rural poor communities in Mindanao affected by aerial spraying of banana plantations.

At least 200 concerned citizens from 44 countries gave their all out support against aerial pesticide operations by petitioning the Philippine government to put a stop on the harmful aerial spraying of agro chemicals in banana plantations.

In an open letter addressed to the president, the concerned citizens asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to issue an Executive Order that will protect the rural communities from the toxic effects of aerial spraying.

“In the spirit of global citizenship, we state our solidarity with the women and men of the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Citizens Against Aerial Spraying) and many other people’s organizations from the various banana-growing provinces in southern Philippines who are asserting their inherent right not to be harmed by aerial pesticide operations,” the petitioners said.

Among those who signed the petition were noted public interest scientists and advocates, including professor emeritus of chemistry and zero waste champion Dr. Paul Connett and citizen science advocate Dr. Joseph Parrish of USA, 2009 Goldman Environmental Prize winner Yuyun Ismawati of Indonesia, pesticide activist Sarojeni Rengam of Malaysia, endosulfan ban crusader Jayakumar Chelaton of India, anti-DDT health expert Dr. Paul Saoke of Kenya, environmental epidemiologist Rico Euripidou of South Africa, and environmental justice advocate Jeffer Castelo Branco of Brazil.

The group lauded the rural communities for banding together and asserting their rights to live in a healthy and safe environment.

“We laud them for coming together to halt a clear and present assault against their individual and collective rights not to be subjected to chemical exposure. We support them in their just quest to keep harmful chemicals away from their bodies, homes and farms,” the petitioners stated.

The concerned global citizens asked Pres. Arroyo to ban the agricultural practice of aerial spraying citing earlier recommendations of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and DOH Executive Committee to stop the harmful pesticide operations.

“Now that the country’s number one public health agency has spoken, we respectfully urge you to issue without delay an Executive Order banning the agricultural practice of aerial spraying that will reflect and strengthen the position of the DOH Executive Committee,” the petition read.

“We further urge you to use the power of your office to direct the banana industry to honor their corporate social responsibility and cooperate towards achieving the recommendations set out by the DOH in the greater interest of public health,” the group said.

The petitioners commended Duque and the department’s Executive Committee for adopting the following recommendations as contained in a DOH-commissioned study that was undertaken by experts from the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology and the University of the Philippines - National Poison Management and Control Center: 1) Establish a health surveillance system to detect effects of chronic pesticide exposures; 2) Perform systematic and periodic monitoring of pesticide residues and metabolites in the environment and do remediation where necessary; 3) Develop and strengthen guidelines for protecting communities from pesticide contamination from plantations; 4) Stop the aerial spraying of pesticides in the light of the precautionary principle espoused by the Rio Declaration to which the Philippines is a signatory; and 5) Shift to organic farming techniques to prevent harm to health and the environment that can result from acute and chronic pesticide exposures.

They said “such a policy based on prevention and precaution will surely contribute to the national implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) that aims to minimize and eliminate the harms caused by exposure to toxic substances.”

Bacolod diocese unveils Year for Priests icon



A FILIPINIZED icon of Jesus especially created for the Year of Priests was officially unveiled and blessed during a community Mass in the Bacolod Cathedral on August 25.

The icon titled “Hesus Manghigput” (Jesus Celebrator) was created by Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem, OAR and painted by his brother, Agustin Jakosalem, a Negros-born artist whose works are based on socialist-realist themes.

It has the central image of Jesus the Priest holding a chalice and a host, two meaningful Eucharistic symbols. Jesus is flanked by minor images of Melchizedek the High Priest and St. John Mary Vianney, representing the “priesthood” of Biblical Tradition and of the Catholic Ministry.

Leading the rites together with Recoletos priests was Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra who stressed in his homily the importance of witnessing by priests as “living testament of Christ’s priesthood,” emphasizing that “a priest is a man for all seasons.”

In a message read by Fr. Albert Pellazar, OAR, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, Media Director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said,

“The icon exudes a call to celebrate the Filipino priest in his role as a servant leader not only in celebrating the liturgy but most especially in realizing it in the lives of his flock. With Melchizedek on one side and St. John Mary Vianney on the other, the icon also depicts a challenge of fidelity to Christ and to the priesthood which can only be concretized in one’s faithfulness to his people.”

Jakosalem has earlier given full copyright of the artwork to CBCP through its media office for the celebration of the Year for Priests. The icon has since been uploaded to all CBCP websites.

The Recoletos brother said the artwork was based in an original painting he did in 1999. He was inspired to make a Filipinized icon for the celebration when he saw the icon for the year for Priests by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

In a concluding message Jakosalem stressed the threefold function of the Priesthood: that of being ministers of the Word and of the Eucharist to the world; of being prophets in modern times steeped in corruption and injustices; of being kings or leaders whose lives are characterized by service and sacrifice.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Preparatory activities for Taize ‘pilgrimage of trust’ launched

THE final preparation for the “pilgrimage of trust”, an international meeting of young people slated in Manila early next year was launched August 29 marked with prayers, singing and reflection on the word of God.

Held at San Carlos Seminary complex in Makati City, the event assembled hundreds of young people representing 150 groups from eight dioceses and various Catholic youth organizations. Representatives also came from members of the Philippine Independent Church, Methodist Church, the Anglican Church and United Church of Christ.

The Taize brothers, who organized the gathering in coordination with the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (ECY) said the number of participants who came exceeded their expectations.

“Some of the participants traveled 5 hours, like a group of seminarians from the Philippine Independent Church,” said Bro. Andreas. “It is Jesus who brings us together in this diversity, He is the one who walks with us on our personal pilgrimage,” he added.

A group of Taize brothers, Bro. Andreas among them, have been in and out of the country since early last year laying down the groundwork for the upcoming international meeting. They have been going around dioceses in the country, meeting and facilitating retreats with young people.

Bro. Andreas said they have visited many parishes, youth groups, institutions and congregations since May this year to invite young people to participate in the local preparation for the pilgrimage of trust.

The program started at 2:30 p.m. with hundreds of participants assembled in the seminary gym decorated with icons, candles, and plants.

Oblivious of the noisy traffic of EDSA nearby, the young people entered into an atmosphere of silence through meditative songs and scripture readings.

“…Young people were praying in silence, singing “Diyos ay pag-ibig”, God is Love, God is Forgiveness. Some were touched to tears while experiencing this way of praying for the first time,” said Bro. Andreas.

One of the brothers gave a biblical reflection on the topic of trust, followed by small group sharing among participants.

Bro. Andreas said the reflection will continue in local youth groups in parishes.

All the participants were given handouts and reflection guide for each month to be used for sharing and prayer in local youth groups in parishes to prepare themselves.

The reflection guide has a proposed theme for each month coupled with biblical texts, writings from Taize and some questionnaires.

Other practical aspects were also raised up during the gathering. The brothers discussed how each one can participate fully in the pilgrimage, the next steps of preparation on the local level, on how to find foster families for thousands of pilgrims coming around the country and abroad, and preparation of the liturgy and other activities during the pilgrimage.

Bro.Andreas said the word START not only summarized the activities of the day but also convey the essential things to do in the coming months. He said,

“S for Spiritual preparation and experience. The meeting and its preparation is rooted in the Gospel and the Church. T for Trust. We want to renew trust, in God, in others, in oneself, making the church a place of trust. A for Announce. We want to announce the meeting to others, going beyond existing borders, inviting youth and finding foster families. R for Relationship with Christ, the one who accompanies us always, who calls us to follow him. T for Testimony of hope. We want to share our hope with all those who will attend the meeting. There is hope, even if there are many challenges.”

Many of those who participated in the launching activity were young Filipinos who have been to Taize during the last ten years and stayed with the community for three months, the brother said.

He was impressed by the youth’s openness to participate in the prayerful activity.

“Others knew the songs from prayers in their local parish or they heard about the Pilgrimage of trust quite a time ago. But there were also young people who never experienced Taizé before, who were not used to times of silence during prayer and the meditative way of singing,” he said.

A solidarity message sent by three young Filipinos currently in Taize was read to the participants at the end of the meeting.

“Dear fellow Filipino youth, Greetings of peace!

We are very privileged to host the Pilgrimage of trust on earth next year. As we launch this great event in the history of young people in our country, here is our simple message to everyone. The Pilgrimage of trust is a means for us to embrace others amidst the differences of culture and religion. It leads us to be aware that unity is possible in spite of the indifference and the challenges of our society today. We experience division among us in many ways but this should not hinder us to be united in Christ. This is the time for us to awaken our sense of responsibility in the life of others. Let us go beyond all that keeps us apart; let us strengthen our faith and take the step to make our dream "Communion of Communities" a reality. We journey together as Christian family and pray for peace and unity in our country and the whole world.

Let us not forget that Christ is present in us. He goes before us always and through this pilgrimage He visits us and begins to work in each one of us.

Let us then open the doors of our hearts to Him and let Him love in us so that we may experience inner solidarity. We keep burning in our hearts the challenge of our Christian mission.

With you in prayers, Janice, Glen and Jetrix”

Brother Andreas said the participants were now aware of the enormous challenges awaiting them “but as it is said in the letter ‘Christ goes before us always and through this pilgrimage He visits us and begins to work in each one of us.’ Wherever we are.”

He disclosed that more brothers will be joining them soon to open a Secretariat for the “Pilgrimage of Trust 2010” and to coordinate the ongoing preparation.

Other groups helping the secretariat are the Sisters of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Jesus, a group of volunteers coming from different Asian and European countries who will start to visit youth in the parishes starting this October, youth ministers and the ECY Staff.

“Experiencing the joy and the commitment of all those who were with us is a great source of trust. So many are willing to help, to give their time, to share their talents, to join in this Pilgrimage. It happened during the time of preparation and surely will continue until the meeting itself in February,” Bro. Andreas said.