Masaya pero malungkot din (Happy and yet sad)

After a brief moment of silence (blogging I mean), I have returned. I am now in Bandar Seri Begawan waiting for my flight which is at 10pm. I have been in the airport for almost 12 hours. Slept all the time at a day room rental located at the ground floor. The past 24 hours have been hectic, starting from Sunday morning Sunday school to this seemingly endless waiting, with the Islamic prayers as my background for I think it's their prayer time now at 8pm.

Yesterday was tiring but very fulfilling. We carried a lot of packages of mixed rice, sugar, oil and clothes for both men, women and children. These are sold in a charity sale to benefit both Sunday school kids and the orang miskin who bought the goods at a very low price. Many were pessimistic at first that the project will fail but like any works done in the name of God, the Holy Spirit proved to be the best marketing agent, the sale was full of people.

I had to leave at 5 to prepare myself for the mass at 6:30 and also to continue packing which I started Saturday. The mass was attended by many familiar faces, some of them where BBM me during the day inviting me to have a despedida dinner, but I was resolved not to take any for I had to pack a lot of things. Honestly, I wanted to go out with them but I can not go out will all of them so to avoid jealousy I tried to restrict myself. However, at the site of people whom I have been with for almost 3 monthsalmost made me cry on the spot. I was particulalrly struck with the Sunday school teachers who work in the morning and attend mass in the evening. The special kid I always meet after the mass who always gave such a soothing flying kiss. The families who literally opened their houses to us, treating us as one of them. Luckily I had the strength to hold my tears although some were already out.

Just before being at peace with my bagage, some friends invited me for a late nightice cream, es puter singapura, which I could not resist specially now that I am famished after all that packing. We had smoothies instead at Bali Cafe in Oasis. After some picture taking, we were ready to go home.

I did not immediately sleep because people kept on BB me, and just when I was already enjoying my sleep, Romo Andrei woke me up at 4am otherwise I will be left by the plane. We fetched Ci Jo, Ko Luki and family because Ko Luki was going to singapore for his eye operation. After praying for our safe trip and for the successful recovery of Ko Luki, Ci jo started crying, tears I never expected. I asked her while we were walking to the airport why she cried, and I too started to pray that it was nothing serious. These two couple where the ones who fetched me from the airport three months ago and now we are together again as I am about to leave. Ci Jo went with me when checked in my baggage and paid for my excess, she invited me to join them in the lounge to eat breakfast which by the way was my first time. I said I was malu because of all these but Ci Jo only said that I should not be because I am with Kuya pointing at Ko Luki and Ate pointing at herself. It was my first time to hear her speak in tagalog and they were words that touched the heart. Truly I found a family in Surabaya, they are all the poeple who have touched my life and in a way I have likewise touched. I hope to come back for them and for the mission entrusted to the Church. A mission and ministry to take care of family members no matter what and to remind each one that Jesus is the great brother and friend who binds us all together.

hari ini Selasa, Sepuluh Mei, Dua ribu sebelas

Today, on our ninth year profession anniversary, I gave my first bahasa indonesia homily. The following is a copy in both the original english and bahasa version.

(Bahasa Indonesian Translation)

Ini adalah homili saya yang pertama dalam bahasa indonesia, semoga ini bukan yang terakhir. Saya ingin berterima kasih kepada Romo Andrei yang membantu saya untuk menerjemahkan ini.

Saudara dan saudari  yang terkasih,

Semua orang ada kecenderungan untuk lapar. Apa yang kita lakukan kalau kita lapar? Pasti, kita makan kan?  Tetapi, kita tidak pernah merasa kenyang selamanya, kita akan lapar lagi, dan makan lagi.

 Yesus berbicara tentang manna di padang gurun, dan roti yang sesungguhnya dari surga. Dulu, bangsa Israel makan sampai kenyang, kemudian mereka lapar lagi. Tetapi, setelah itu mereka seharusnya merasa kenyang,  untuk selama-lamanya dan tidak lapar lagi.

Ada beberapa macam jenis  kelaparan:

kelaparan akan makanan,kelaparan akan  perhatian, kelaparan akan kekuasaan, kelaparan akan belas kasihan, kelaparan akan pendidikan, kelaparan akan solusi untuk masalah sehari- hari, kelaparan akan  kasih.

Bagaimana kita bisa memuaskan rasa lapar kita?

Apakah kita percaya apa diri sendiri saja?  atau kita cukup percaya dengan orang lain?

Apakah kita mencari solusi dengan menyenangkan diri sendiri untuk melupakan masalah masalah kita?  Atau apakah kita berani menghadapi masalah dan menyelesaikannya?  

Apakah kita menyimpan masalah tersebut dalam diri kita?  atau kita mengadiri perayaan ekaristi, mendapat kekuatan dari komuni kudus, dan mengunjungi sakramen maha kudus?

Mana yang paling memuaskan, dan membuat kita  kenyang salama-lamanya?

Dan mana yang membuat kita lapar lagi?

Hari ini,  dengan penuh syukur kita rayakan pesta Santo Antoninus dari Florence, seorang uskup Dominikan.  Sembilan tahun yang lalu, Limabelas frater mengucapkan kaul pertamanya dalam ordo dominikan  di manaoag pangasinan filipina. Empat sudah menjadi imam dominikan, satu imam projo, dan dua diakon. Saya dan romo andrei  termasuk dari group ini.  

Kami bergabung di ordo dominikan ini untuk melayani gereja,  dan  untuk merasakan kenyang selama lamanya dan tidak merasakan kekurangan apapun.  Doakan kami yang tidak berharga ini , supaya kami tetap setia kepada janji kami dan selalu menemukan roti dari surga dalam panggilan hidup yang sudah kami pilih ini.

(Original English Version)

This is my first bahasa indonesia homily, and hopefully it will not be the last. I would like to thank Romo Andrei for helping me translate it from english to bahasa.

All of us havethe tendency to get hungry. And what do we do when we are hungry? Ofcourse, we eat. But our feeling of being filled will not last long, we will again feel hungry and eat once again. Jesus speaks of manna from the desert and the true bread from heaven. The former, the Israelites ate, where filled but where hungry again. The later was suppose to make them filled forever and never go hungry again. Jesus is the true bread from heaven, those who believe in him will be filled forever, and will never get hungry. There are a lot of kinds of hunger during our time, hunger for food, hunger for attention, hunger for power, hunger for mercy, hunger for education, hunger for solution to life’s daily problems, hunger for love. Where do we go to satisfy our hunger? Do we relly on people for help, or do we solely relly on our selves? Do we go to certain places of entertainment to get drunk in order to forget our problems or do we face them in order to solve them? Do we rather stay alone in our room and keep everything to ourselves, or attend mass, find strength in holy communion and in visiting the blessed sacrament?

In all the places we go to, which ones make us filled for a long time and which ones just make us hungry again?

Providentialy, today on the feast of St. Antoninus of Florence, a Dominican bishop, 15 young men professed obedience to the order of preachers in 2002, in manaoag pangasinan. And now 4 are Dominican priests, one diocesan, and two deacons. Me and romo andrei are part of this group. We joined the order to serve the church and found ourselves always filled, inspired and lacking in nothing. Please pray that we will always be faithful to our promises and always find the true bread from heaven in our chosen vocation.

Hari ini Minggu Paskah, Duapuluh empat, dua ribu sebelas

Eternal life is not another life that begins after one has died. It is our love of the Lord, which begins now and which death cannot destroy. Jesus said to Martha just before the calling of Lazarus from the tomb: 'I am the Resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live' (John 11.25). Death has no dominion over us because our life is this relationship with the one who has defeated death.

                                                 

-Excerpts from the Easter Sunday homily of Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP

Selamat Paskah! Truly eternal life is now here, present even as we speak, it has been won by the resurrection of Christ from death, a victory which became a ransome for all humanity. It is good to know that we don't have to wait for death in order to experience eternal life. Many if not all view this life as a test, an examination of whethere or not we are fit for the future life with Jesus. But what many don't realize is the fact that we don't need to die to experience the Kingdom of God, for this Kingdom is truly upon us. We can make heaven on earth, if only we live honest lives, loving lives which care not only for ourselves but most importantly for others, a live of giving and sharing, of genuine concern and unconditional love. It's is so easy to visualize but so hard to put in practice, specially when we are surrounded by so much selfishness, greed, pride, lust, violence, and indifference. But Jesus showed that a happy life is possible, that such a life can never be destroyed even by death, a life which continues and will last forever.

On a lighter note, just wanted to share how events could play tricks on us, and how the devil can tempt us in the most unexpected ways and in the most innocent people. As a religious brother, we profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obdience, but just when we thought we are already strong to resist temptation, that is the time the devil stricks strongest. Tonight, of all nights, just after the priest prayed for God to watch over us, so that the darkness of sin might be dispelled by Christ's loving light, temptation comes outside the door of the church. I have always been fighting this ever since, and have proven it very effective to pray whenever temptations come. I can not do it  by myself, I need God, his inspiration which tell me to be happy but never to find it in sin, to know my limitations and always think of the good of the Church and never my own.

Si Lord talaga, kung kelan masaya at tuwang tuwa ka, dun ka naman nya padadalhan ng tuksong di mo alam kung easter gift nya o trial lang kung kakagat ka. Hehehe kung ano man yon, sa amin na lang ni Lord. Basta Happy Easter sa lahat at sana makamit natin ang masayang buhay ngayon na hindi kayang tapusin o wakasan ng kamatayan. Muli, Selamat Paskah!

Hari ini Jumat Agung, Duapuluh dua April, Dua ribu sebelas

Was blessed to have witnessed and participated in the Holy week celebrations here in Surabaya. Although wasn't really able to do some of the usual liturgical jobs of the deacon, I enjoyed being exposed to new things here. I admit that I missed the usual Filipino celebrations we have, particularly the Visita Iglesia, Pabasa and the ellaborate processions of images of the saints, I particularly appreciated new experiences with Indonesian practices. It was my first time to see a live passion play which they call as Jalan Salib visualisasi, a dramatization based from the way of the cross. The first nine stations where parelleled to a contemporary story of an honest man who lost his job because of corrupt officemates, was forced to steal money out of desperation in order to provice for his family's needs and ended up realizing that his suffering is but a small part in Christ's persecution, torture and eventual death. Although I am used to watching horror films with the usual bloody, violent and gorry plots, I can not but feel fear, pain and discomfort while watching live violence performed on stage. I know that it is but a play, and yet the impact is so strong that I started to question if I could really take actual suffering when faced to confront one.

We ended up the day with the liturgy of the word and communion service which focused on the veneration of the cross. Just before sleeping, I watched a very inspiring film starred by Richard Gere entitled Hatchi: a dog's tale, which was based on actual events and is actually a remake of an earlier Japanese film. I can not but start crying which watching the cute dog wait patiently and with loyalty for his master's return in front of the train station, a fete done by Hatchi for nine years even after the death of his master. I likewise checked the live TV streaming of ABS-CBN and found an episode of MMK entitled "Sulo". The inspiring story about Gumapac Barrio School, were teachers and students struggled to keep  the school open. Hope remains were true love and concern is present. Jesus' saving sacrifice continues in people who care, the hope of a happy life in loving citizens who never cease to give, and the inspiration to live because of a promise of eternal life.

Hari ini Selasa, sembilanbelas April, Dua ribu sebelas

Today is the 6th year priestly ordination anniversary of Fr. Adrian. It was celebrated with a simple breakfast which the parishioners prepared after the mass. It has been a tradition to give slices of cake to important people by the order of priority.

Just after lunchtime, we went to Indriasana for the formal turn over of the school to the parish. One thing I realized during such occassions, even if people are alreadu hungry, the program can't be cut short because of the many people who have to speak with long speeches.

Likewise, it was my first time to attend a Chrism mass which was done at the Cathedral. I never realized that there are a lot of priests in the diocese, both from the diocesan and religious congregations. Probably the most number of religious priests come from the SVD who have four provinces here in Indonesia. I think people here are very similar to Filipinos who love their priests very much, as evident by the number of peoplewho attended and the food which was served.

After the gathering, we went back to RM to change and went straight to Sutos where we watched a Bahasa film about the inter religious dimension of the Indonesian culture. Although the film tried to focus on the tensions brought about by religion, I was particulalrly attracted to the psychological aspect of male insecurity, anger disposition and children's tendency to hate a parent thinking that they are the reason why the other partner left the relationship. Generally the film is bagus, and is very much recommended to people to would like to appreciate the importance of mutual understanding, respect, forgiveness, love and making choices that would make our lives happy and fulfilled.

hari ini Jumat, limabelas april, dua ribu sebelas

After almost two weeks of reading the Gospel in Bahasa Indonesia, it was my firts time to be absent this morning. I just don't know why, but I did not hear the alarm, the next thing I know, the sun was already up and the bell that signaled the start of the mass was already ringing. I was so ashamed of what happened but maybe that's life, we sometimes don't wake up for  things that we were assigned to do.

Later in the morning, I was blessed to have talked with my first couple who were instructed in the Catechism about matrimony to prepare them for marriage come September. The guy is a German national while the girl is Indonesian. They met in Bali were the girl works as a barista. They have been in the relationship for three years, but most of which was spent virtually thanks to the wonders of modern technology such as skype. I just read the CCC last night and was planning to tell them what I taught in class, since I was a professor for theology particularly on the sacraments before when I was in the Philippines. However, the Holy Spirit had other plans, so while discussing, I was insight which came to me just there, and examples from my background in counseling which the couples appreciated. Although I only gave the theology and the canonical requirements for marriage, I felt that the couple learned something more about the current conditions of families and how to face future problems. Puji Tuhan!

Just before lunch time, Judi and I went to look for janur leaves to be used in making leaves for Palm Sunday. I thought of teaching the teens for catechism tomorrow how to make palm leaves the Filipino style. So while buying the leaves and showing Judi how to make them, he gave me some lessons on some herbs sold in the warung which were used to be placed in the room of a newly wed couple because of some superstitious beliefs. Anyway, which doing this,it came to us how we can actually make a fund raising out of the leaves which can help generate funds for the culminating activities of the teens. At least they would learn how to value the money that they would be usuing for their graduation. So again we bought additional leaves in the afternoon. But not before having snacks at Dunkin Donuts, were they served Durian and Atis flavored donuts!

I ended the day with a fruitful and blessed sharing of prayers, ideas and most specially food with the Filipino Community at Mr. Al's place in Sudwarto.

hari ini Minggu, sepuluh april, dua ribu sebelas

Aside from the usual Sunday school day, I spent time with the Filcom in Surabaya during their family day. It was a fun filled event with many Filipinos in attendance. Together with me are fathers Adrian and Ramon, an Opus Dei priest. It's a celebration of life, a piece of home far away from home. And ofcourse, with us is Miss Liza, ang reyna ng facebook hehe!

Tonight likewise marks a historical event in my life and in the life of the RM parishioners, my first homily. It is not my first time to give one, but it is my first time to give a Sunday homily without a printed outline in front of me. Only God knows I nervous I was before the mass, but with God's help and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I did not have mental block. Truly if you are doing God's work, you will find yourself lacking in nothing, for he will provide. Like God promising Moses, Aaron, Samuel and the great prophets and fathers of old, God will speak on their behalf. Here is the draft of my homily.

Dead Rising (Homily on Lazarus on the 5th Sunday of Lent)

What will you do if you are in a funeral or a wake and suddenly the corps of the dead suddenly wakes up, gets out of the coffin and start walking around the house or the funeral parlor? Would you still stay in that place or be the first one to look for the nearest exit and run?

Who is not afraid of zombies? I have a confession, I like watching horror movies. And one of the scariest, are those which has zombies, which suddenly appear and start eating other people. There is even a computer game called plants versus zombies where the zombies  eat the brains of the homeowners if they don’t protect their lawn with super hybrid plants. Many if not all have encountered one or two ghost stories in their lifetime. Peaople particulalrly, Asians have a penchant for telling and listening to ghost stories. Gatherings, most specially campings come alive when people start sharing popular urban legends, which are either invented, based from experience or are just heard from other people. But why this attraction to the supernatural? Why do are we fond of seeing movies where the good and evil forces fight for power? Come to think  of it, today’s Gospel is a good plot for a great horror movie. Just imagine going to the cemetery and someone calls out the name of a dead person, and suddenly here he comes, wrapped in burial clothes, like a zombie, the undead hungry for fresh meat, and that’s the cue for the people around to run for their lives. But today’s story is far more than that, it is a story of hope, of triumph of life over death, of a promise of eternal life in Christ.

The tomb is a symbol of death, cold and gloomy. It is a symbol of hopelessness, of an end to a mortal existence. Before Lazarus finally got out of the tomb, there were three things that had to be done. First is the rolling of the stone which sealed the tomb. During our lifetime, we sometimes start to build big and great walls, high fences which shut us out of the world. Initially we wanted to protect ourselves from the seemingly cruel world, we build defense mechanisms in order to protect our weaknesses and frailty. But in the long run, without even realizing it, this wall and fense becomes not just a security but a prison for us. Yes people can not get in, but also we won’t be able to get out. We need to open our tombs, we need to open ourselves in order to come out.

Then Jesus called out the name of Lazarus and ordered him to come out. If Christ would just say, rise and come out, probably it will really be zombieland because all the dead people might rise again. But Jesus called lazarus to come out. Coming out means going out of our security blankets, of our comfort zones. We open our tombs and start walking out, slowly walking towards Christ. This encourages us to step out of our comfort zones, and start doing something good for other people. Start soiling our hands and reach out to those who are in need. Many times we are so used to our routine that any slight change becomes a threat to our peace. We see these as a threat to whatever normal life we have, but sometimes it is when we start doing new things that we discover that there is more to liife than this. I have been in the Philippines for almost 30 years and stayed in the seminary for almost 12 years. Most of my life I have been studying. And whileI was there all I wanted to do was to finish my studies and do mission work. Now that I am here, I wanted to go back to the Philippines to study. There is a tendecy for us to revert, to go back to a more easy life, eating, sleeping, studying. But do we really grow if we do that? Do we become mature individuals if we do that? Do we really learn if we just remain in our former life, in our tombs?

Lastly, Jesus asked the people to untie Lazarus and let him go. This isan assurance that Lazarus was really alive and that he is not a zombie who would hurt them. But more than this, the wrappings signify our unnecessary attachments to material things. The reason why people have a hard time letting go of bad experiences, of hurts, grudges, anger etc is because they keep a lot of things to remind them of these hurts. Take for instance a girlfriend who claims to have let go of a past boyfriend but clings to the clothes, pictures, love letters which the guy gave her. And whenever she sees them she is reminded of the pain caused by the guy. We should likewise untie ourselves of the wrappings of pride, selfishness, sin which hinders us from totally accepting Jesus and embracing him as the true source of life.

Let us not be like zombies this lenten season who wonder aimlessly looking for victims. We must rather be like Lazarus who found the source of eternal life, and stopped wondering looking for other sources of satisfaction, pleasure and happiness. Today, more than just a celebration of a dead man walking again, it is also a challenge and a hope for all of us to experience life in Christ by rolling away the stones that shut us from the world, or hearing Jesus call for us to come out of our comfort zones and untie our wrappings which hinders us from embracing the hope and promise of Jesus eternal life.  

hari ini Sabtu, sembilan April, dua ribu sembilan

Today, we had the third session for teen catechism and I can say that the teens are getting a hang of it. They are beginning to break the ice and starting to open up little by little. Just wanted to share how a teen reproved me and told me that the game we were playing in one of the activities is actually gambling. She asked me why I am teaching them to play that game when in fact it was seen in indonesia as a form of gambling. Honestly, Icould not instantly answer her because I never thought of it as such. It was a simple game of jack and poy or suts as it was locally called. The twist in the game is  that all kids had a 1000 rupiah bill and had to give the money to the winner each time they play with another participant. The goal is that at the end of the game only one winner emerges sugnified by the money he or she has in his or her hand. Although I wanted to explain direct from the CCC what I understood as gambling, I could not because in the eyes of anybody it was plain and simple game of chance. Fortunately Father Adrian was there to back me up and said that the money was just an indicator of the winner and not really done in order to gamble, in short gambling is not the goal of the game. Honestly, I felt guilty not only because I was the one who suggested the game, but also because I was not able to explain that I did not mean for them to see it as such. This game is played every new year or Christmas party in Philippines with the brothers, were they have five peso coins and had to play jack and poy while waiting for the new year. I even tried to check the CCC about gambling right after tonight's session and saw that not all game of chance are against justice. So if what we did was really a form of game of chance, it is not against justice in as much as it was a game meant to teach the kids to accept failure and to value success in life. It would be against justice if people would gamble or bet the money which they were suppose to use for food, clothing, shelter or any basic commodity to support their lives. In any case, I still felt guilty and was a wake up call for me, to choose carefully the activities, be sensitive enough to the culture and accept a good lesson when I meet one.

Hari ini Jumat, delapan april, dua ribu sebelas

Today is a very special day because it is my mother's birthday. I don't miss her that much because I just saw and talked with her via YM last week, but I really wanted to greet her today. However because my schedule would not allow it, I was not able to. I had a prior invitation for the Filcomin, Filipino Catholic prayer group based here in Surabaya. Fortunately, they were also celebrating the birthday of Ms. Lilian today. I was able to include my mom's intention during the prayer meeting and celebrate a birthday party at the same time. Syukur kepada Allah!

On Preaching and learning a new language

Learning a new language can be both challenging and fulfilling. It is a challenge to open oneself to an array of new words which may or may not be meaningful at first, but can be later fulfilling once one is able to use and affect other people by using these words. Preaching is generally understood by most people as being able to make and deliver good speeches. But more than just knowing words and having the skill to play with them, it is essential to have a deeper reflection about words and choosing which ones will affect change in other people.

The first challenge I faced when I came to Indonesia is learning the language. It was a pity that I can’t communicate well in the native language because I felt the warmth and sincerity of the people who tried to greet and approach me. The first phrases I learned were “apa kabar?” which means how are you? And “terima kasih” or thank you, with these and with more smiles and bows I think people got the point that I can’t speak Bahasa. Later I tried to check the internet for some good websites which could help me start developing my vocabulary. Likewise, a parishioner was kind enough to buy me a decent English-Indonesian dictionary, a conversational phrase book in Bahasa and my all time favorite, a Walt Disney English-Indonesian dictionary with Mickey, Minnie and Donald Duck illustrations.

Bahasa Indonesia is quite easy to learn specially if you are a Filipino because of some similar words. Another very useful dialect is Kapampangan because of the Javanese origins of some words such which are used in Bahasa such as nasi (rice), api (fire), minum (drink), makan (eat), jalan (road) among many others. Bahasa is also a very logical language, which does not need any elaborate declension or conjugation in order to make nouns singular or plural, and to transform verbs into past, present or future tense. If you want to say breakfast, lunch and dinner, all you need to know is the word makan (eat) and add pagi (morning), siang (day), and malam (night), same is true with greetings, just add the time indicators of the day to Selamat and they will start to have doubts whether you are really a foreigner.

Knowing and memorizing words is only the beginning of learning, the most important thing is to start conversations even if you only know a few words. It is quite frustrating at first to have the desire to talk with people and all you can do is utter a few words which may or may not be meaningful for them and use 90% of both facial expression with hand and body language. It becomes more frustrating when people try to tell you something and can’t make sense out of what they are saying. It is therefore one thing to speak and a totally different thing to listen to be able to reply to what the other is trying to communicate. This is also very true with preaching, a good preacher is not only good in talking but should always have the heart and ears to listen to what people are trying to communicate.

The most important thing in learning the language is to have the right objective and a strong motivation to learn. I admit that I tried learning foreign languages before, but my heart and mind was not in them, thus it was always seen as a burden rather than a challenge. It is different when, aside from the fact that one is forced by circumstances to learn the language because they are assigned in a foreign country, the motivating force is true concern and love for the people whom you will be ministering in the future. Preaching is done primarily for the people, if a preacher starts to develop homilies focused on himself, with the hope that people will laud or congratulate him in the end, then how is he different from someone doing a monologue or a stage performer whose goal is to have the center stage and fix all spotlights to himself?   

A virtue which can become very handy in both preaching and learning language is humility. Although one might have finished a Masters or Doctoral degree in whatever field of expertise, it won’t hurt to take on the attitude and innocence of children who is always eager to know and receive feedbacks. It is possible that curiosity might leave them with some bruises or burns in trying to experiment with the things around them, but in the end, they would learn invaluable lessons which can later be applied in dealing with life and exploring a wider world. Criticisms won’t kill you, unless you let them sink into your system and stop learning and miss on great opportunities that might come your way.

Living in another country and learning a new language at that can be both challenging and fulfilling. Preaching likewise, more than just a routine for some preachers should always be a challenge and a source of fulfillment. Preaching and learning a new language can be depressing at first, but once you start finding meaning in what you do and start affecting change in other people, then it starts to be fulfilling and thrilling, and becomes a great source of inspiration and joy. 

(This article was published in the March 2011 issue of the monthly newsletter of the Dominican Province of the Philippines)

Sino Mag-aakala?

Sinong mag-aakala na may kapangalan si Noy dito sa Surabaya. Ito ay isa sa mga unang napansin ko pagdating ko dito. May bar malapit sa simbahan ang lagi naming nililikuan sa tuwing kami ay uuwi galing sa kung saan. Napapalibutan ito ng litrato ng mga mang-aawit, na tipong comedy bar ang dating. At isa sa mga nakapukaw ng aking mata at dahilan ng blog entry na ito ay si Beniqno Aquino. Sa unang tingin walang kaibahan ito sa mga normal sa larawan ng bumbaying mukha ng isang lalaki. Pero naku pagdako sa may ibaba, makikita ang pangalang pamilyar sa ating mga Pilipino, Beniqno Aquino. Hawig sa ating bayani aat kababayan kong si Benigno "Ninoy"Aquino Jr., at sa ating pangulong si Benigno "Noynoy"Aquino III. Pero sino nga ba si Beniqno? May relasyon ba siya sa mga Benignong kilala natin? Hangang sa pangalan lang nga ba ang pagkakahawig nila? Kailangan ba talaga nating pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang taong ito? kailangan ba talagang gumawa ng blog para dito?

Hari ini Minggu, tiga April, dua ribu sebelas

Let us not let our past define our future nor frustrations come our way in making our lives better. Last week, I got so frustrated with Sunday school that I did not attend. I admit that it came to a point when I almost got tempted to resign and quit. I saw the situation hopeless instead of taking the whole thing as a challenge. So I tried my best to make up for this week by telling the story of Easter and why people make easter eggs. The analogy of the egg and the tomb in the simplest way possible made the task very difficult. How can you explain salvation and redemption by using children stories with listeners aged 0-5? It is easier to teach salvation history to college students even if they are not willing to listen than to small kids eager to learn. Thank God, the team of teachers were able to manage the class well, thus less naughty kids moving around while I told the story. I started by asking the kids if they know what an egg is and where it comes from? If they have seen an egg? If they ate eggs for breakfast? if they know that egg comes from chicken and that chicken comes from eggs. This seemingly lifeless oblong shaped object is where life would eventually emerge. Like Jesus who stayed lifeless in the tomb for three days, the eggs will likewise hatch after a period when the mother hen sits on her eggs. From the eggs comes new life in the form of the chicks, while Christ offers new life after going out of the tomb and declaring triumph over death. While I felt dead and hopeless last week, I feel inspired and enthusiastic with Sunday school today after successfully telling the story to the kids.

Food Spree tonight at Pangsit Mie Ujung Pandang where we ate traditional Makasar Mie goreng with Ci Novy and Ci Melissa's family. Later, we had es puter at the loop with Pak Jimmy's family with Momo. After eating, Momo dropped me off at RM just after we shared a little about the kind of movies he liked watching. 

And just when I thought the night was over and started typing my entry for today here in my blog, Romo Boedi inivited me for a post dinner treat at a place in Darmo were they serve Mayeye. Boy! the place is full of people lining up and snooping around checking if their order was taken. I really wondered why these people were just standing their, waiting for their order as if their snooping around will make the cooking and serving faster. Anyway, this delicacy is pratically composed of rice, sambal, tempe, telur goreng and ikan. Although I was already cukup, I still ate my share, and although mine was suppose to be manis, it was still extremely pedas, very hot. Hay! ending the day with eating just makes one thankful to the God who never fails to surprise and provide for his faithful children.

hari ini sabtu, dua April, dua ribu sebelas

I started the mass and ended up going around Surabaya with some friends. Days before, Ms. Liza one of the Filipino teachers here, invited me to her house to have spaghetti. She just came from the Philippines and armed with Filipino brand seasonings like hunts tomato sauce, knorr pork cubes, ginisa flavor mix, datu puti soy sauce and vinegar, she started to cook. But before all the cooking began, she jemput me here at RM and we rode pedjak, a transportation powered by the strength of the human legs. Similar to the Filipino padjak but instead of a side car, the driver was at the back while passengers stayed in front, quitesimilar to the Chinese style human drawn carriage. Naawa talaga ako kay manong kasi antanda na tapos inalila pa namin ni miss Liz. I pitied pak driver because he was already old and still was trying his best to earn honest to goodness money with the sweat of his brow. I told Miss Liz that probably we should give him extra money because hinatid kami at tumawid pa ng dangerous highway just to bring us safely to our destination. This is precisely why we rode the pedjak, to avoid walking across the dangerous road, so when pak asked for extra because we were only suppose to pay lima ribu, he asked for sepuluh ribu. Miss Liza was persistent and did not want to give in so with limited bahasa, she started to insist to pay only tujjuh ribu. While pak sopir pedjak was still talking to us Miss Liz told me to start walking away from Manong. This was ofcourse after we stole some shots with his pedjak. I asked Miss Liza if pak was ok, she told me, tara, bilisan mo lakad, di ko rin siya maintindihan. Ganyan na lang pag di mo na maintindihan lumayo ka na lang, tara! hehe what a way to run from the situation.

We entered the national cemetery first to take pictures and also to avoid pak who was still folowing us. After making sure that pak was no where in sight, we started to go back to the side walk and waited for the angkota, the local jeepney. This mini van is used for public transportation and one has to pay around tiga sampai lima ribu in order to go from one point to the next. We rode one that was bound for atom,particulalrly to a pasar traditional, or local market near Miss Liza's place in Simpang, the Jalan or name of the road where her house is situated.

We saw a lot of Filipino teachers buying their week's supply from the pasar. Our goal was to buy ayam to make ayam goreng, pasta and babi for the spaghetti, ikan for daing, some sayur and buah (we bought good avocadoes). One can buy a lot of things even with limited bahasa with some hand gestures and lots of guts. For example, Miss Liza told me that the woman selling babi was mataray, so when we came there Miss Liza started to point at the meat she wanted. The tindera or lady selling the meat was asking her in bahasa what part of the pig, how to cut, how much etc. Miss Liza just pointed at the meat and said ini, setinga kilo, ini potong, ya potong,  ya potong potong hehe she meant that the lady should ground the meat. Then I remarked, now I know why she seems always angry with you, you are so bossy, hehe Akalain mo un, ipatadtad daw ba manually ang karne para maging giniling. Tapos hindi pa niya masyado maintindihan ang bahasa, nagtaka nga ako bakit nakakabili pa si Miss Liza ng buo pa ang mga parte ng katawan, kung ako si Manang baka naisahog ko na ang braso ni Miss Liza sa giniling eh, hehe. Di pa natapos dun, sumunod ang manok, naku tinuro ang pitsom and pak pak, habang si manang kinakausap ulit siya at nagtatanong. Ang nakakatawa nung hindi magets ni manag ang pagtuturo ni Madame, nag-act na si Madame na parang charades, wings (while moving her arm up and down) hehe panalo talaga ang chicken wings gesture ni Miss Liza. Sumunod ang ikan, pinapahiwa ng pahalang at pinapahati, again potong lang ang gamit ng may kasamang hand gesture, akalain mo nagawa ni ibu tindera! At naku naman bibilib kay kay Ibu, hiniwa at nilinis ang loob ng bangus gamit ang kamay na naka-manicure ng red, with rings and bracelet, hehe saan ka pa? Hulinh huli ang gulay. Kahit malayo ako kay madame alam kong tumatawad siya sa gulay habang sinasabing, bulok bulok naman tong iba, baka pwedeng dagdag o libre na lang, hehe action speaks louder than words!

At syempre natapos din ang aming pamamalengke at magluluto na. Sa lahat naman ng panahon, ngayon pa naubos ang gasul, kaya ayun nagpabili sila. Malwalhati namang nairaos ang spaghetti at fried chicken. Next task, makauwi ng Gereja ng buo sakay ng either angkota or taxi. Finally nagdecide ako na magtaxi na lang, pero nako kahit si manong taxi matanong kaya ayun sinabi ko na ang famous emergency lines ko, saya tidak mengerti, saya dari Filipinas, hehe tameme si manong, pero syempre naituro ko naman in bahasa ang pupuntahan ko at medyo nakakaintindi naman talaga ako, masyado lang siya mabilis magsalita.

Kinahapunan, lumabas kami ng isa pang kaibigan. This time we were suppose to go to the mall to buy some things. But before immediately going there, we first passed by a client which she was supposed to tour around a property because she was in the real estate business. Unfortunately the client came late so we had the time to have short bahasa indonesia course, went to Gereja Santo Jakobus to see the church, visit the chapel of Mary and the adorasi. After meeting the client, we went to Supermall aka PTC to buy personal things and ended up eating yogurt es cream at sour sally.

The day was fun, fruitful, meaningful, entertaining and educational. Fun because I experienced new things, fruitful because of the practical lessons I had, meaningful because it was the first time I went out of the bounds of the usual parish related work, entertaining precisely because of the fun company and educational because I learned that there is another face of Surabaya that I have never seen, which is waiting to be discovered and explored.

Hari ini Jumat Pertama, Hari Pertama bulan April, Dua ribu sebelas

Today, on the first friday of the first day of the month, I proclaimed the Gospel in Bahasa Indonesia for the first time. Although reading seemed natural, it took three days to practice and one sleepness night to prepare. I was so nervous last night that although I tried to sleep early, I woke up every hour until it was time to take a bath and prepare for the mass. It was like reliving the tension I had during comprehensives and tribunal examinations when one could not possibly express in words the feelings of both excitement and fear. The former is brought about by the enthusiasm that finally a chapter wil end but a new one will begin, while the latter is caused by the uncertainty of the present and of the future. Although I admit that my comprehensives for masteral was the worst, today's experience is an entirely new species of its own.

Just when I thought that it was the end of firsts, I had a taste of my first Baskin-Robbins ice cream here in Surabaya. The taste of praline and love position (flavors of the ice cream) was heavenly. Particularly interesting is why one of the flavors is called love position. Aside from the red color because of the strawberries, I think one would just submit to the indulgence of eating it and feeling sleepy afterwards. The taste passes through your tongue then in to your stomach, but the sensation goes to the brain, and finally you would just like to go to your bed.

Another first later tonight, I will have my first confession with Romo Thoby Kraeng, SVD , during the first Friday mass with the Filipinos at the Adoration chapel beside Galaxy Mall.

Hari ini Senin, dua puluh delapan Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

What was originally planned asa bubur breakfast had a different but exciting twist. I usually pray morning prayers with the brothers right after the mass, but today Romo Adrian inivited me to join them for breakfast outside. His friend from Jakarta Pak Nikson came to Surabaya for a visit, and will go back to Jakarta today. We were joined by Pak and Ibu William to start our adventure to find a store which open this early for business. Unfortunately all three restaurants we went to were still closed, the theory is that because it was a monday and that it was too early. We ended up at a warung along the road, and by this I literally mean a "carinderia". It was not an accidental turn to that not so busy road, because our companions have tried, tasted, tested and I believe judged the food we were about to partake. It was my first time to eat in a warung here in Surabaya, and I tell you, the food was great, uenak! We had nasi kuning makassar, nasi kuning is yellow rice and makassar is the place, which also distinguishes the kind of nasi kuning we were eating. There was telor, bits of sweet meat, dried beef, sayur, and the other lauk I can not recognize, but mixed together, sama dengan a unique and satisfying breakfast. I almost forgot to mention the black soup, which I thought at first resembled dinuguan, a Filipino dish whose main ingredient is pork blood, but after tasting it, well it's just like beef noodle soup at Chowking, without the noodles.

hari ini minggu, dua puluh tujuh maret, dua ribu sebelas

Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sins that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

There is a great cloud of witnesses amidst us, let us leave our sinfulness, embrace the faith and continue running the race. This is the message written on a piece of paper I picked during the monthly gathering of the youth here in the parish. Frankly speaking, I started my day with a bad mood, its the typical day when you got up from the wrong side of the bed, when your spirit is so down and you just wanted to stay longer sleeping. I have committed by Sunday mornings for Sunday school, were kids of parishioners attending the 10 am mass can go while waiting for their parents. I was not feeling so good this morning, so I sent a message to those in charge that I wont be coming in this morning, otherwise I might just scold the kids. I think it would be better this way than go their, pressure myself and sacrifice doing good for the children. But aside from the kids, what really inspires me and keeps me going every Sunday are the young and teen volunteers who spend their precious Sunday morning for the kids.They are my cloud of witnesses who keeps me going and who inspires me to continue with the race, the ministry which God has given us.

hari ini Sabtu, dua puluh enam Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

Thank God it's Saturday, but for me and the group of volunteers and parents it's thank God it's another Teen Catechism day. Since Ramo Adrian went to Pontianak to attend Romo Edmund's 30th Presbyteral Anniversary and wont be back sampai sore, the team had to work double time specially in preparing the talks. But before starting the whole afternoon affair, Yudi and I went for lunch at a nearby Mc Do branch. Curious as always, I asked my companion what is unique about Mc Do in Indonesia, what I mean is the food which can only be found at a Mc Do store in Indonesia. To my dismay there was none, so we had chicken meal which was called Panas komplit, Pa for Packet which is the combo itself and Nas for Nasi, so its Paket Nasi dengan ayam goreng dan sup. Probably what was unique about Mc Do here is not the selection of food but rather the sambal and the way people eat the paket, with their tanggan or hands. Yup, I tried to look for spoon and fork but Yudi told me that it is usually ate with hand, and it was only then I saw people actualy washing hands and eating with their hands. Not that we don't do it in the Philippines, we actually do in Kamayan restaurants, but not in Mc Do. Hehe and the rice was really RICE because it was packed like is can be shared by two people.

The whole session's main theme focuses on the importance of relationships and how the Church can be considered part of our social community or network. But ofcourse more than just being a temporal or earthly organization of group, the Church is first and foremost spiritual, it is the mystical body of Jesus Christ of which all baptized are members and Christ is the head. Although I think most of those who attended the talk liked the videos very much specially the video about Mari and her three puppies, I just hope and pray that the main meat, the goal and purpose of the whole Catechism class was understood and put to mind, if not put to heart.

After a day's work, I think the laborers deserved their wage, so I told the volunteers that maybe its good to go out and have dinner together. Fortunately Romo Adrian came and Ibu Wiewiek one of the grandmothers of the participants invited us to Lenmarc to eat dinner. Although we planned just to eat es puter, God provided us bread from heaven, not literally though. So Yudi drove the exceptionaly besar mobil paroki with me, Verena and Christine. We were welcomed by Romo Adrian and Ibu Wiewiek at the food channel, a modern day, hightech food court with all sorts of food items ranging from western like Italian to eastern food like Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and of course traditional Indonesian food. I initialy ordered sushi and seaweed salad at the Japanese resto but Ibu Wiewiek asked me to try nasi padang at Saru Ratu, it's traditional rice meal with choice of dish such as rendang, sayur, gadu gadu with the ever famous green and red sambal. I tried beef rendang, crispy lung meat, sayur in saus kacang with bean and kamansi and green sambal with cucumber. To top it all up I got coke zero for my beverage, just to quench my thirst and counter the spicy taste. I think a ordered banyak so much so that Ibu Wiewiek's grandson remarked, how come I look so thin when in fact a ordered a lot, hehe.

We went off to our original plan to eat es puter so we left Ibu Wiewiek and family and went to the Loop to eat es puter, Well for those who do not know, it is traditional ice cream made fromfruits or other flavors such as avocado, durian, chocolate but using coconut milk. For Filipinos its like dirty ice cream but this one can be served on a coconut shell with kelapa mudah or young coconut meat. It look simple but I assure you, the taste is heavenly, hehe. What a way to end a stressful day, with my vocal cords all strained and here I am eating dengin sekali, es puter hehe, I feel that I won't have suaraku besok.

Lastly I would like to share a short reflection I had with today's Gospel about the prodigal son. While I was trying to look for an inspirational story from the Bible about people who wanted to live by themselves and be independent, the face of the young son came to my mind. Clearly, the young son made a belief that he can make it on his own, that with his father's wealth, he can live an independent and free existence. But the more he continued with thisself defeating illusion, the more he was proven wrong, that he actually needed people to exist, he particularly needed his family. In the end, he went back, planning to show remorse by giving way his rights as son and serving at his father's house as a slave. Butwe know the ending of the story right? The father never gave up his paternal relationship with he son. The father did not just acknowledge his son but intinsically affirmed first and foremost his being a father. He can never deny himself, God can never deny his relationship with his children even if often times his children because of false notions about themselves deny God. The lenten season challenges us to go back to the father, to reaffirm our relationship with him and try our best to be called true children of God.

Pro abortion protestors attack Catholic young people praying

hari ini Jumat, duapuluh lima Maret, dua ribu sebelas Hari Raya Kabar Sukacita

He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

— Colossians 1:17 (NIV)

Thoughts...
Before there was an earth, universe, or nature, there was Jesus! He was before they were made. He will be after they are long gone. In fact, his power and his presence are what hold our world, our universe, and our nature together. He is the sustaining force, the enabling power, and the generous preserver of life as we know it. So since he could provide us these things and they are but a faint anticipation of what is yet to be, won't it be great to see him, just as he is, and share in his glory with him?!

My Prayer...
Thank you, Jesus, for your gracious providence this day. Thank you for creating this incredible world in which I live. You are worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and thanks! I look forward to the day, dear Lord, when I can worship you face to face, and give thanks to our Father with you, for his wonderful love. To you, and in your name, dear Jesus, I offer all my thanks and praise. Amen.

(an email from Jenica Joy Tolentino)

hari ini kamis, duapuluh empat Maret dua ribu sebelas

Do Not ...
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
 
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you..
 
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
 
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other....
 
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
 
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
 
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope; to be without hope is to be without purpose.
 
Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

(From an email by Ms. Jennica Joy Tolentino, a classmate from DLSU)

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Anunciation, an event which changed the course of salvation history forever. With Mary's loving fiat, she embraced the God who created her in order to recreate a sinful world by bearing God's only son, the one who will start to bring God's kingdom in the world. This feast is particularly special because our novitiate house is named after the anunciation, a fiting name for those who are beginners in the order. Tomorrow likewise is the birthday of my dear batchmate Br. Bejay Namuag, OP, by the way only three of us were left from the original batch of 28 aspirants who entered the seminary in 1998. I think the message of the anunciation is simple and yet profound, it is a simple yes which entails a number of consequences. A yes which brought mary into the way of the cross with Christ, but it also led her to her glorious assumption with Jesus his son lifting her up to where she should belong, in heaven, with God's eternal bliss.

hari ini rabu, enambelas maret dua ribu sebelas

Had a very meaning ful class with pak yan kurniawan my bahasa indonesia teacher from IPH. What I like most about our class is that its stress free and it is done in such a friendly manner. Well ofcourse there are homework and seat work but since we try to make it light in such a non threatening manner, I have a positive feeling about this. I particulalrly how he tries to go with the learner'spacing, which I think should be basic in any learning relationship. Althoughthe classes are in the evening, we try to make our conversation as lively as possible. I am also free to express my thoughts and compare tagalog words with bahasa kata which makes it easier. I try not to pressure myself anymore in learning the language and go with the smooth flow of whatever will be the result of these classes.

I also had my third movie this afternoon with Ci Anna and Bryan entitled bounty hunter. The first two movies I had in Sutos which are the King's speech and Gnomeo and Juliet respectively. The bounty hunter is a romantic comedy about two divorces couple who found themselves reunited once again because of certain events related with their careers. Although I think the movie is for more mature audience particularly for married or those who are planning to settle down, it can likewise be enjoyed by children because of the comic antics in the movie. I guess the main lesson in the movie is communication. The couple should learn how to appreciate each others differences and learn to find common ground which would later serve as the knot which binds the relationship.

Lastly, just tonight, my batchmates brother Bejay, Fr. Mandy and Fr. Dexter called me through yahoo messenger. I am so happy that at least I saw a piece of home after more than a month in another country. It's a blessing because at least now I know that there are really people who miss me at home. Luckily my batchmate who will celebrate his birthday on Friday, March 25 was present thus I was able to greet him. God really works wonders in the most unexpected times and places, all we need to do is be present and accept whatever he is giving us. Don't be too choosey because we might miss a great opportunity just because we were lazy to catch God's grace or were too busy looking at other people's graces.

Hari ini Selasa, Dua puluh dua Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

Today I was invited by Bu Melissa and Pak Jimmy to go to their house which is inside an estate where the fabled Merlion of Surabaya is located. Citra land is dubbed as the Singapore of Surabaya, ultimately because of the statue of a Merlion (quite similar to that of Singapore) which is spewing water back to a man made lake. Bu Novy and Pak Mar fetched me from RM at around 5pm so that we can have picture taking with the Merlion. Earlier, I had a picture with the symbols of Surabaya, a shark and a buwaya, two images where Surabaya got its name. In that picture, I was drinking water from the mouth of the shark which flowed back to the river, now we attempt to recapture the same moment but now with the Merlion. The result was fantastic! Bagus!

After having our picture taken with the Merlion, we went to a lake side sea food restaurant called Bandar Surabaya, bandar literally means a port or harbour. We had a hearty dinner with ikan, kepiting (crabs were uenak!), kangkong goreng in sweet chili sauce, kelapa mudah, and uenak soup hehe forgot the name.

I admit that all I was expecting from this afternoon was the delicious lakeside dinner and picture taken with that awesome merlion, but I had more. Moments were family members and friends getting together are invaluable.

To top it all up, I was invited in Pak Jimmy's house where their kids Gerry and Kelly played the piano. I suddenly remembered similar instances in the Philippines where the kids are asked by parents to present their talents and skills whenever a visitor comes to ones house. But the best part of the visit was when Bu Melissa and the kids led me to their private prayer room where the family plays team building board games before praying together. Although playing and praying don't normally mix well, but in this case, both activity bonds the family closer together. As the family rosary would always emphasize: "The family that prays together, stays together", now I think that "a family that plays and prays together, laughs and stays closer together". I don't know here in Surabaya, but I seldom see families in the Philippines have private prayer rooms in their houses, which the family members actually use and spent quality time together. I for one, in our family, we do't have such a place or venue for family bonding and get together,except ofcourse during meal time when we are all expected to be present. After playing uno stacko, we prayed night prayers together, led by Kelly the youngest member of the family.

It is therefore a challenge and a task for all families to have such a time together. To find activities and venues were all can talk and know what is happening to each member of the family and to end the day by giving thanks and praising the Lord together in common prayer. We passed by a warung were they served es puter, traditional Indonesian ice cream made from various fruits and coconut milk, served inside coconut shells, before the family dropped me off at RM.

I am slowly begining to see what role the pastor has to play in this part of our pastoral ministry. It is to live with the people and try to understand how God can work in the priest's life and how God works in other people's lives. Everybody has a role to play, each one has something to give, all can be instruments of God's love and be opportuinities to have that God experience in the most ordinary circumstances of our lives.