Youths want to help strengthen Bible Apostolate

July 29, 2008, LAOAG CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Young people attending a Bible congress here in the northern Philippines told their Church leaders they want to participate in promoting the Gospel.

Speaking at the Second Bible Congress of the Diocese of Laoag, John Paul Calamaan asked for "strong formation, organization and mobilization among youths in parishes" to help young people relate Scripture to everyday life.

Once organized, Calamaan explained, parish youth council members could more easily convene and collaborate on efforts to help the Church promote the Gospel.

Calamaan, 28, a teacher at Divine Word College of Laoag, represented the Commission on Youth workshop group at the July 26 congress, held at St. Mary's Seminary gym in Laoag City.

"We want to feel we belong to the Church," the parish youth-ministry worker said. But he admitted, "We lack appreciation of the word of God."

Calamaan later told UCA News this lack is due mainly to the absence of concrete Church plans and programs for the youth.

Laoag City, 340 kilometers north of Manila, is the capital of Ilocos Norte province, which Laoag diocese covers. Sixty-seven percent of the more than 658,000 people in the diocesan area are Catholics, according to Church data.

The diocese commemorated the 47th anniversary of its establishment with the Bible congress on Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.

Approximately 500 delegates took part, including members of the diocesan commissions on liturgy and worship, Christian education, social services, youth, vocations and family. Catechists, Catholic school teachers and members of Basic Ecclesial Communities also participated, as well as Bible apostolate workers.

In workshop groups they shared about Bible stories and texts, and how they experience these in their lives and in the community. They also considered how their respective sectors can make the Bible known to people in the diocese.

The congress aimed to gather insights and ideas from diocesan commissions and the 28 parishes of Laoag. The first diocesan Bible congress was held in 1989.

In a pastoral statement read in parishes on July 6, Bishop Sergio Utleg of Laoag explained the Church was convening the congress in response to the pope's call to promote the Bible in the life and mission of the Church. Its theme is the same as the topic Pope Benedict XVI has set for the 12th ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled for October.

Biblical apostolate director Father Victor Hernando told UCA News at the congress, "There is still a lot of work to do to enable the faithful to completely understand the Bible apostolate."

His team has observed parishes taking Bible sharing and related seminars as something "extra" rather than as an "integral part of the parish," he said.

"If parish leaders will give attention to this, we could expect Bible formation in the barangays (smallest unit of the local government)," the 51-year-old director said. He acknowledged the apostolate needs to find the "proper strategy" to engage youths.

Father Hernando admitted there has been no formal effort to engage youths in Bible sharing or the Bible apostolate during his more than 25 years working in the apostolate. But he acknowledged "committed youth" could be the Church's "lasting companions" in this work.

Auxiliary Bishop Renato Mayugba of Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese, southwest of Laoag, presented the keynote address, in which he challenged participants to "transform and redirect" Christian devotion and show it in action.

"Although the word of God has been preached, our people have not been truly evangelized," observed the prelate, who serves in the Commission on Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

He suggested including Scriptural stories and texts in catechetical modules, which at times present primarily Church doctrine.

STLCI Enrollment Procedure

1. Secure enrollment forms from the Commission on Catechesis Office, St. Arnold Janssen Pastoral Center, Laoag City.

2. Submit forms together with:
a. your two (2) 2x2 ID pictures (colored)
b. a photocopy of your Transcript of Records, if college graduate
c. your Form 138 and NCEE/NSAT result, if high school graduate

3. Pay the registration fee.

4. You will then be given the schedule of classes.

Qualifications and Requirements for STLCI Enrollment

1. Candidate should be physically fit and of good moral character.

2. Candidate should pass the diagnostic exams given by the commission office.

3. Candidate must submit the following:
a. A recommendation letter from the parish pastor or parish catechists' coordinator
b. A photocopy of Transcript of Records for college graduates and professionals
c. A photocopy of Marriage Contract/Certificate, if married

Directory of Diocesan Catechists, sy 2008-2009

ST. JUDE PARISH, PAGUDPUD

Name: Sr. Gladie Villasoto, MSHT
Address: MSHT Convent, Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Roxas City, Capiz
Age:
Training: MSHT Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

Name: Sr. Rodalyn Villarus, MSHT
Address: MSHT Convent, Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-25-81
Place of Birth: Roxas City, Capiz
Age: 26
Training: MSHT Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 2 years
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

Name: Purificacion Ubasa
Address: Pob. 2 Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-07-39
Place of Birth: Bangui, I.N.
Age: 68
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 11
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

Name: Petrona Respicio
Address: Burayoc, Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-25-35
Place of Birth: Pagudpud, I.N.
Age: 73
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 7
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

Name: Liceria Garvida
Address: Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-13-43
Place of Birth: Pagudpud, I.N.
Age: 64
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

Name: Placido B. Dumlao
Address: Pagudpud, I.N.
Date of Birth: 10-05-46
Place of Birth: Pagudpud, I.N.
Age: 61
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Jude Parish, Pagudpud I.N.

ST. LAWRENCE PARISH, BANGUI

Name: Sr. Jocelyn Pesidas, SNSP
Address: SNSP Convent, Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-30-72
Place of Birth: Gingoong City
Age: 30
Training: SNSP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Sr. Ma. Fe Gabutero, SNSP
Address: SNSP Convent, Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Age:
Training: SNSP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Zosima Corpuz
Address: Lanao, Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-18-64
Place of Birth: Lanao, Bangui, I.N.
Age: 43
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 22
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Amelita Ildefonzo
Address: San Lorenzo Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-28-53
Place of Birth: Bangui, I.N.
Age: 54
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Concepcion Ramos
Address: Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-12-40
Place of Birth: Bangui, I.N.
Age: 67
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 29
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Rosemarie Calipjo
Address: Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Dingras, I.N.
Age:
Training: SBI
Years of Service: NEW
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N.

Name: Maureen Daye Acoba
Address: Abaca Bangui, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-02-86
Place of Birth: Bangui, I.N.
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Lawrence Parish, Bangui I.N

ST. JOHN SAHAGUN PARISH, BURGOS

Name: Marlyn Bumagat
Address: Burgos, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-17-65
Place of Birth: Burgos, I.N.
Age: 42
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 7
Parish Served: St. John Sahagun Parish, Burgos I.N

Name: Celia E. Malavi
Address: Pob. Burgos, I.N.
Date of Birth: 6-04-60
Place of Birth: Burgos, I.N.
Age: 48
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. John Sahagun Parish, Burgos I.N

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH, DAVILA, PASUQUIN

Name: Joreshelle I. Alaba
Address: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Davila, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-19-86
Place of Birth: Bangui, I.N.
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Davila, Pasuquin I.N.

Name: Brenda M. Aglugub
Address: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Davila, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-04-87
Place of Birth: San Mariano, Isabela
Age: 21
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Davila, Pasuquin I.N.

ST. JAMES PARISH, PASUQUIN

Name: Josie U. Peralta
Address: # 1 Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-18-79
Place of Birth: Sanchez Mira, Cagayan
Age: 28
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Pasuquin I.N.

Name: Loreta A. Bracero
Address: # 12 Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-17-76
Place of Birth: Pasuquin I.N.
Age: 31
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 5
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Pasuquin I.N.

Name: Sr. Naome Pauco, WCW
Address: WCW Convent Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-02-73
Place of Birth: Pangasinan
Age: 34
Training: WCW Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Pasuquin I.N.

Name: Sr. Liberty B. Lagumbay, WCW
Address: WCW Convent Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Age:
Training: WCW Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Pasuquin I.N.

Name: Luisa U. Bagayao
Address: St. James Parish, Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-14-81
Place of Birth: Alilem, I. Sur
Age: 27
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Pasuquin I.N.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH, CADARATAN, BACARRA

Name: Emmanuel A. Albano, Jr.
Address: Brgy. Binsang Pasuquin, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-28-80
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 27
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cadaratan, Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Aileen V. Galanza
Address: Brgy. 27 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 2-17-82
Place of Birth: Bacarra, I.N.
Age: 26
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cadaratan, Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Jayson R. Valite
Address: # 25 Tubburan, Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-08-87
Place of Birth: Bacarra, I.N.
Age: 20
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cadaratan, Bacarra, I.N.

ST. ANDREW PARISH, BACARRA

Name: George Guerrero
Address: # 1 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-25-81
Place of Birth: Bacarra
Age: 26
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Cheenee Mae A. Somera
Address: # 33 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-02-89
Place of Birth: Paltoc, San Emilio I.Sur
Age: 19
Training: SBI (No Missio Canonica)
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Charmine R. Queja
Address: # 35 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-25-88
Place of Birth: Bacarra
Age: 19
Training: SBI (No Missio Canonica
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Ma. LaPaz Acierto
Address: # 35 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-13-88
Place of Birth: Zambales
Age: 20
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Arnel Betonio
Address: # 35 Bacarra, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-24-88
Place of Birth: Zambales
Age: 20
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

Name: Esther Saoadan
Address: St. Andrew Parish
Date of Birth: 4-07-85
Place of Birth: Tubo
Age: 23
Training: Holy Spirit Tarlac
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Andrew Parish Bacarra, I.N.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH, CARASI

Name: Billy Joe T. del Pilar
Address: # 36 Broadway Ampid San Mateo Rizal
Date of Birth: 10-6-88
Place of Birth: Pug-os Cabugao, I. Sur
Age: 19
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Carasi, I.N.

ST. ANNE PARISH, PIDDIG

Name: Bernardo B. Anselmo
Address: # 1 Cabaroan Piddig, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-23-73
Place of Birth: Piddig
Age: 34
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Anne Parish Piddig, I.N.

Name: Lydia A. Martinez
Address: # 2 Anao Piddig, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-08-51
Place of Birth: Abra
Age: 57
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Anne Parish Piddig, I.N.

Name: Zen-Zen Paul M. Lorenzo
Address: # 1 Cabaroan Piddig, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-29-86
Place of Birth: Laoag
Age: 21
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Anne Parish Piddig, I.N.

Name: Milven B. Semilla
Address: # 57 Pila, Laoag City
Date of Birth: 12-20-78
Place of Birth: Bulacan
Age: 29
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Anne Parish Piddig, I.N.

STA. MONICA PARISH, SARRAT

Name: Sr. Ma. Rocelyn Dajac, OP
Address: OP Convent, Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat
Date of Birth: 9-15-69
Place of Birth: Marito Albay
Age: 38
Training: OP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat I.N.

Name: Sr. Ma. Socorro Calzado, OP
Address: OP Convent, Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat
Date of Birth: 5-31-45
Place of Birth: Leon, Iloilo
Age: 63
Training: OP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 5
Parish Served: Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat I.N.

Name: Josefa Jurado
Address: Brgy. 3 Sarrat
Date of Birth: 1-27-53
Place of Birth: Sarrat
Age: 55
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 12
Parish Served: Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat I.N.

Name: Gregoria Malvar
Address: Brgy. 2 Sarrat
Date of Birth: 11-17-33
Place of Birth: Sarrat
Age: 74
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: Sta. Monica Parish, Sarrat I.N.

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH, VINTAR

Name: Joanna Marie Escalona
Address: St. Nicholas Parish
Date of Birth: 12-11-88
Place of Birth: Santiago I.Sur
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Ma. Kristina Agbayani
Address: # 5 Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-25-85
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 22
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Greta Calzada
Address: # 5 Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-29-85
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 22
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Mary Jean Ravina
Address: # 2 Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-13-87
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Ligaya Foronda
Address: # 2 Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-29-86
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Debbie Almarez
Address: # 5 Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-06-60
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 48
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Lerma Saguid
Address: Brgy. 14 Ester Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth: 6-02-55
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 53
Training: BOEC
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

Name: Sr. Bibiana Degamo, FDZ
Address: FDZ Convent Vintar, I.N.
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Age:
Training: FDZ Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, Vintar I.N.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH, LAOAG CITY

Name: Rosario dela Cruz
Address: Brgy. 28 Rizal St. L.C.
Date of Birth: 10-19-45
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 62
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Laoag City

Name: Demetria Ramos
Address: Brgy. 28 Rizal St. L.C.
Date of Birth: 12-22-49
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 59
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Laoag City

DIVINE MERCY PARISH, PILA

Name: Manilyn R. Bulatao
Address: Brgy. 57, Pila L.C.
Date of Birth: 12-12-86
Place of Birth: JFMH Manila
Age: 21
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Divine Mercy Parish, L.C.

Name: Belma B. Cristobal
Address: Brgy. 57, Pila L.C.
Date of Birth: 9-01-84
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 24
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Divine Mercy Parish, L.C.

Name: Jovelyn Barrientos
Address: Brgy. 57, Pila L.C.
Date of Birth: 10-10-87
Place of Birth: Marcos
Age: 20
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Divine Mercy Parish, L.C.

ST. WILLIAM CATHEDRAL PARISH, LAOAG CITY

Name: Merly Lympia G. Yabes
Address: Brgy. 7 A, L.C.
Date of Birth: 7-11-61
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 46
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Asuncion Espinoza
Address: Brgy. 8, L.C.
Date of Birth: 12-13-52
Place of Birth: Bugallon Pangasinan
Age: 55
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 19
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Pina S. Corpuz
Address: Brgy. 39 Bacarra, I.N..
Date of Birth: 2-08-78
Place of Birth: Suyo, I. Sur
Age: 30
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 8
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Darwin M. Domingo
Address: Brgy. 1, L.C.
Date of Birth: 6-25-73
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 34
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 10
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Grace A. Calma
Address: Brgy. 54 A, L.C.
Date of Birth: 10-05-66
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 41
Training: BOEC & STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Cresencia E. Farpali
Address: Brgy. 19, L.C.
Date of Birth: 6-09-41
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 66
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 11
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Remedios Alma B. Alberto
Address: Brgy. 7 B, L.C.
Date of Birth: 9-15-65
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 52
Training: Institute of Catechetics Ateneo
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Janette m. Quiroga
Address: Brgy. 59 B, Dibua North L.C.
Date of Birth: 10-23-78
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 30
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 8
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Flavia O. Pascual
Address: Brgy. 7 B, L.C.
Date of Birth: 5-07-49
Place of Birth: Ballesteros Cagayan
Age: 59
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 14
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Asuncion S. Julian
Address: # 60 B Madiladig, L.C.
Date of Birth: 8-14-53
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 54
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 10
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Sr. Marivic A. Pastor, WCW
Address: WCW Convent laoag City
Date of Birth: 1-01-1968
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 40
Training: WCW Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

Name: Sr. Cynthia A Esqueja, WCW
Address: WCW Convent laoag City
Date of Birth: 8-01-
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age:
Training: WCW Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. William Cathedral Parish, L.C.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA PARISH, STA.ROSA, SARRAT

Name: Mary Rose M. Pascual
Address: Brgy. 11, L.C.
Date of Birth: 5-02-71
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 37
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: St. Rose of Lima Parish, Sta. Rosa, Sarrat, I.N.

Name: Francisco S. Ganiron
Address: Brgy. 10 Sarrat, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-02-64
Place of Birth: Sampaloc Manila
Age: 43
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 19
Parish Served: St. Rose of Lima Parish, Sta. Rosa, Sarrat, I.N.

Name: Geronima dela Cruz
Address: 17 Batoon St., # 14 San Nicolas
Date of Birth: 2-10-42
Place of Birth: San Nicolas
Age: 66
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Rose of Lima Parish, Sta. Rosa, Sarrat, I.N.

ST. JOHN BOSCO PARISH, BARESBES, DINGRAS

Name: William Boy G. Rompon
Address: 16 Quiling Sur, Batac City
Date of Birth: 5-03-86
Place of Birth: Claveria Cagayan
Age: 22
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: St. John Bosco Parish, Baresbes, Dingras, I.N.

ST. JOSEPH PARISH, DINGRAS

Name: Louie Anne Foronda
Address: Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-04-89
Place of Birth: San Emilio I. Sur
Age: 19
Training: SBI (No Mission Canonica)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Dingras, I.N.

Name: Moreno Daproza
Address: Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-20-81
Place of Birth: Quirino I. Sur
Age: 27
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Dingras, I.N.

Name: Allan Aceret
Address: Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-17-79
Place of Birth: Banna, I.N.
Age: 27
Training: BOEC
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Dingras, I.N.

Name: Irenio Abaya
Address: Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-03-73
Place of Birth: Sta. Cruz I. Sur
Age: 32
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Dingras, I.N.

Name: Marlyn Flores
Address: Madamba Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 2-19-82
Place of Birth: Kiangan Ifugao
Age: 26
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Joseph Parish, Dingras, I.N.

ST. JAMES PARISH, SOLSONA

Name: Merlyn Benilda A. Agreda
Address: Madamba Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 6-10-67
Place of Birth: Dingras, I. N.
Age: 41
Training: MOL /STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Solsona I.N.

Name: Noemi Alejo
Address: Guerrero Dingras, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-22-64
Place of Birth: Dingras, I. N.
Age: 44
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Solsona I.N.

Name: Mayvelyn J. Casiano
Address: Juan Solsona, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-09-71
Place of Birth: Solsona, I. N.
Age: 36
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. James Parish, Solsona I.N.

ST. ANTHONY PARISH, MARCOS

Name: Milagros Nostares
Address: Brgy, Ferdinand Marcos, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-04-70
Place of Birth: Marcos, I. N.
Age: 38
Training: BOEC
Years of Service: 14
Parish Served: St. Anthony Parish, Marcos, I.N.

Name: Enriqueta J. Reyes
Address: Brgy, Mabuti Marcos, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-22-57
Place of Birth: Dingras, I. N.
Age: 50
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: St. Anthony Parish, Marcos, I.N.

Name: Norma A. Narciso
Address: Brgy. Santiago Marcos, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-17-61
Place of Birth: Marcos, I. N.
Age: 46
Training: BOEC
Years of Service: 19
Parish Served: St. Anthony Parish, Marcos, I.N.

ST. ROCH PARISH, BANNA

Name: Sr. Marilyn J. Maderal, SGBP
Address: SGBP Convent Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-13-54
Place of Birth: Tondo Manila
Age: 53
Training: SGBP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 5
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N.

Name: Sr. Carmelita M. Gamulo, SGBP
Address: SGBP Convent Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-24-55
Place of Birth: Tandag, Surigao Sur
Age: 52
Training: SGBP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

Name: Sr. Rodelia D. Bordan, SGBP
Address: SGBP Convent Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-14-74
Place of Birth:
Age: 34
Training: SGBP Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

Name: Amelia S. Aoalin
Address: Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-17-50
Place of Birth: Munoz, Nueva Era
Age: 57
Training: No Formation
Year of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

Name: Lorielyn Lorenzo
Address: Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-11-82
Place of Birth: Banna
Age: 25
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

Name: Marivic E. Gabion
Address: Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-03-75
Place of Birth: Lucban, Abulug, Cagayan
Age: 33
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 11
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N.

Name: Emerlita D. Maulit
Address: Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-23-44
Place of Birth: Paoay
Age: 63
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 11
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

Name: Buena May A. Lucas
Address: Banna, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-14-74
Place of Birth: Banna I.N.
Age: 34
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Roch Parish, Banna, I.N

ST. GABRIEL PARISH, NUEVA ERA

Name: Sr. Marie Adelaide Batugal, SPC
Address: SPC Convent Nueva Era, I.N.
Date of Birth: 10-10-42
Place of Birth: Sta. Ana Manila
Age: 65
Training: SPC Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: St. Gabriel Parish Nueva Era, I.N.

Name: Sr. Victoria Tabaoada, SPC
Address: SPC Convent Nueva Era, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-19-48
Place of Birth:
Age: 59
Training: SPC Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Gabriel Parish Nueva Era, I.N.

Name: Alvin Mandapat
Address: Nueva Era, I.N.
Date of Birth: 3-03-89
Place of Birth: Candelaria Zambalez
Age: 18
Training: SBI (No Missio Canonica)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Gabriel Parish Nueva Era, I.N.

Name: Morena L. Bringas
Address: Ugis Nueva Era, I.N.
Date of Birth: 8-10-62
Place of Birth: Angadanan, Isabela
Age: 54
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Gabriel Parish Nueva Era, I.N.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH, MANGATO, LAOAG CITY

Name: Cristina D. Buenavista
Address: 38 A Mangato, L.C.
Date of Birth: 11-02-72
Place of Birth: Caloocan Manila
Age: 35
Training: SBI / STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 15
Parish Served: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mangato, L.C.

Name: Felicidad A. Valdez
Address: 61 D Samonte St., L.C.
Date of Birth: 12-19-28
Place of Birth: Pamplona Cagayan
Age: 79
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 5
Parish Served: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mangato, L.C.

Name: Rubyrose L. Cueva
Address: 37 Calayab, L.C.
Date of Birth: 10-20-85
Place of Birth: Calayab
Age: 22
Training: SBI (No Mission Canonica)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mangato, L.C.

Name: Miriam V. Basilio
Address: 48 A Cabungaan, L.C.
Date of Birth: 3-06-89
Place of Birth: Laoag City
Age: 19
Training: SBI (No Mission Canonica)
Year of Service: new
Parish Served: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mangato, L.C.

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH, SAN NICOLAS

Name: Michelle C. Tajon
Address: # 3 San Nicolas, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-16-79
Place of Birth: Vintar
Age: 29
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

Name: Leah Soberano
Address: # 12 San Nicolas, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-29-89
Place of Birth: San Nicolas
Age: 18
Training: BOEC
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

Name: Girlie Ponce
Address: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas
Date of Birth: 2-28-82
Place of Birth: Negros Oriental
Age: 26
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

Name: Carmen Layugan
Address: # 10 San Nicolas, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-14-64
Place of Birth: San Nicolas
Age: 43
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

Name: Jane Balaso
Address: St. Nicholas Parish
Date of Birth: 12-10-85
Place of Birth: Bokod, Benguet
Age: 22
Training: SBI
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

Name: Carmen Fariolen
Address: # 12 San Nicolas, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-16-67
Place of Birth: San Nicolas
Age: 41
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. Nicholas Parish, San Nicolas I.N.

ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH, PAOAY

Name: Lewenstein U. Constantino
Address: # 9 San Pedro Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-31-79
Place of Birth: Paoay
Age: 28
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

Name: Ronnie P. Bacud
Address: # 19 Masintoc Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-21-72
Place of Birth: Paoay
Age: 35
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 4
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

Name: Corazon T. Valdez
Address: # 17 Pannaratan Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-21-47
Place of Birth: Dingras
Age: 60
Training: STLCI 1st Year)
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

Name: Sr. Aida Allam, FAS
Address: FAS Convent, Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-28-69
Place of Birth: Isabela
Age: 38
Training: FAS Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

Name: Sr. Perla Cabote, FAS
Address: FAS Convent, Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 9-2-46
Place of Birth: Isabela
Age: 61
Training: FAS Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

Name: Sr. Maribeth Cavilan, FAS
Address: FAS Convent, Paoay, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-15-80
Place of Birth: Cagaya2
Age: 38
Training: FAS Formation (Congregational)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Augustine Parish, Paoay I.N.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH, BATAC CITY

Name: Ronald Dalinoc
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 12-13-83
Place of Birth: Batac
Age: 24
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N.

Name: Francis Charlie Cantolina
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 1-24-87
Place of Birth: Lagayan Abra
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N

Name: Alvin S. Trinidad
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 8-24-88
Place of Birth: Novaliches, Manila
Age: 19
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N

Name: Jovy Jesel A. Castillo
Address: # 4 Batac City
Date of Birth: 12-25-88
Place of Birth: Batac City
Age: 19
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N.

Name: Kristine joy T. Costales
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 1-29-87
Place of Birth: Batac
Age: 21
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N

Name: Carlito R. Mendoza
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 4-28-61
Place of Birth: Vigan City
Age: 47
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City, I.N

Name: Marcelino Munio, Jr.
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 5-29-79
Place of Birth: La Union
Age: 29
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City, I.N

Name: Rowell Omaoeng
Address: Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac City
Date of Birth: 2-26-86
Place of Birth: Quirino, I. Sur
Age: 22
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 1
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N

Name: Elenita Garma
Address: 16 Quiling Sur, Batac City
Date of Birth: 5-5-57
Place of Birth: Manila
Age: 51
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac City, I.N

Name: Leticia dela Cruz
Address: 16 Quiling Sur, Batac City
Date of Birth: 6-23-54
Place of Birth: Laoag
Age: 54
Training: STLCI
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: Immaculate Conception Parish Batac, City, I.N

ST. MICHAEL PARISH, CURRIMAO

Name: Myrna Gorospe
Address: Currimao, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-10-79
Place of Birth: Bantay, I. Sur
Age: 28
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 9
Parish Served: St. Michael Parish, Currimao, I.N

Name: George Andrew Cacacting
Address: St. Michael Parish, Currimao, I.N.
Date of Birth: 1-14-91
Place of Birth: Bannna I.N.
Age: 17
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: new
Parish Served: St. Michael Parish, Currimao, I.N

Name: Mirofe Q. Canonizado
Address: Currimao, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-4-82
Place of Birth: La Union
Age: 26
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 5
Parish Served: St. Michael Parish, Currimao, I.N

Name: Gloria Dumlao
Address: Currimao, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-21-56
Place of Birth: Currimao I.N.
Age: 51
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 6
Parish Served: St. Michael Parish, Currimao, I.N.

ST. ISIDORE PARISH, PINILI

Name: Corazon Bagarino
Address: Valbuena Pinili, I.N.
Date of Birth: 5-27-65
Place of Birth: Santiago Marcos, I.N.
Age: 43
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 22
Parish Served: St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, I.N.

Name: Crislyn Revalo
Address: St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-12-87
Place of Birth: Tocmo, Itogon, Benguet
Age: 21
Training: BWBMCI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, I.N.

Name: Araceli Waking
Address: St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, I.N.
Date of Birth: 7-21-87
Place of Birth: Baguio, Benguet
Age: 21
Training: BWBMCI
Years of Service: 2
Parish Served: St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, I.N.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, BADOC

Name: Arturo A. Abalos
Address: Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 11-11-64
Place of Birth: Tagudin, I. Sur
Age: 43
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 18
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

Name: Joel D. Garcia
Address: 6 A Morong Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 12-26-65
Place of Birth: Badoc, I.N.
Age: 41
Training: CCD – Sta. Isabel
Years of Service: 18
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

Name: Ernesto Y. Cirilo
Address: Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-8-76
Place of Birth: Pob. Nueva Era
Age: 32
Training: SBI
Years of Service: 13
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

Name: Ma. Lourdes R. Valle
Address: # 4 B Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 2-11-71
Place of Birth: Badoc, I.N.
Age: 37
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

Name: Efren A. Rosauro, Jr.
Address: # 4 A Paratong Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 2-25-63
Place of Birth: Badoc, I.N.
Age: 45
Training: STLCI (1st Year)
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

Name: Ofelia A. Salva
Address: # 2 Garreta Badoc, I.N.
Date of Birth: 4-24-55
Place of Birth: Badoc, I.N.
Age: 53
Training: No Formation
Years of Service: 3
Parish Served: St. John the Baptist Parish, Badoc I.N.

The St. Therese of Lisieux Catechetical Institute

The Diocese of Laoag was blessed with the visit of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of Lisieux in February 2000. A spontaneous prayer was uttered by the members of the commission: that through the prayers of St. Therese of Lisieux, an institute may be born in the Diocese of Laoag with the primary aim of training Christian educators who will fulfill the mandate of Jesus: "Go to all the world and preach the Good News (Mt.28,19-20)."

The first program was given to 12 catechists who finished the Basic Course of Formation (BCF) last 2000.

As an outreach and as a contribution to Christian Education and Formation, the Commission on Catechesis also offers vicarial formations, in-service training, retreats and recollections to groups of catechists, lay people and students.

Click here to go to the three-summer course of the STLCI.

Click here to go to the Qualifications and Requirements for Enrollment.

Residents, Bishop share concerns about mining plans at province-wide meeting

"Paradise," for Michaela Dupagen of the indigenous Isneg tribe in the northern Philippines, is the town she lives in at the foot of a mountain.

At 64, she climbs hills beneath the Cordillera mountain ranges to plant rice in rain-drenched fields. She picks bananas, pineapples, pomelos and vegetables, and digs for roots in the forest for her family's food. She bathes in waterfalls and drinks from rivers and streams.

The elected councilwoman in Adams also serves as spokesperson for indigenous people in that town of Ilocos Norte province, more than 450 kilometers north of Manila situated below. On June 24, during a public consultation on mining exploration in her province, she told UCA News she was worried about the "luxuries" she and fellow Isneg might lose to mining activities.

Dupagen said her anxiety began when she heard news over radio earlier in the month about a plan of Benguet Mining Corporation (BMC) to explore for ore in a 21,000-hectare area of the province. The area includes Bolaoan community, where she and about 1,000 Isneg live.

So when Governor Michael Keon of Ilocos Norte, heeding the call of Bishop Sergio Utleg of Laoag, convened the consultation at the provincial Capitol, Dupagen came to Laoag City with more than 30 other indigenous people from Adams.

Keon and Bishop Utleg, along with representatives from BMC, the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, NGOs as well as Church workers and volunteers, attended the meeting.

Dupagen and her companions echoed their "strong objection" to mining, as expressed in a June 13 petition signed by 445 Adams residents.

According to the petitioners, the "few jobs" mining activities promise to generate is not worth the environmental "destruction" they expect the industry to cause. They are also concerned about being deprived of their livelihood once natural resources are destroyed.

BMC president Benjamin Philip Romualdez, a cousin of Ilocos Norte Congressman Ferdinand Marcos Jr., told meeting participants, "We don't want to disturb your peace."

His company had "not gotten any permit" yet, he stressed, but he appealed to residents to allow it to explore for ore in the towns of Solsona, Nueva Era, Vintar, Dumalneg and Adams.

Citing Benguet Mining's corporate profile and history of business operations in the country, he said, the company is not only investing in mines. "We are here to invest in Ilocos Norte."

MGB officials estimated the company would invest more than US$60,000 in exploration activities.

Bishop Utleg noted the "risks" involved in mining and cited the destruction of areas in neighboring Abra province, where Canadian and Philippine mining partners are drilling. "Mining is too risky as far as Philippine experience" goes, he asserted.

According to the bishop, who bikes and climbs mountains in his spare time, "Abra is barren" because of "irresponsible development," while Ilocos Norte is "beautiful with green vegetation and forests."

Even if BMC officials are asking permission only for exploration, he continued, "we have in our minds that someday, once this starts rolling, the end result is to mine."

His diocese covers Ilocos Norte province and Laoag City, where 68 percent of the 658,500 people are Catholics. The rest are mostly Christians and indigenous peoples, some of whom follow native beliefs.

Dupagen, a Catholic, told UCA News at the consultation that she shares the bishop's apprehension. She believes investors will take the "rich natural resources" and "leave us empty-handed." She added, "While they say mining could generate more jobs and development opportunities, these are just temporary."

Fellow Adams resident Jesusa Tawali, 64, citing popular tourist spots in their town, said she was concerned landslides and flashfloods might occur after the land is dug up and forests disturbed.

BMC, according to its website, has been mining in the country since 1903, primarily for gold and chromite. In 2005, it applied for a permit for a financial and technical assistance agreement needed for mine exploration in Ilocos Norte, Perla Reyes of the regional MGB office told UCA News on June 27.

She said MGB records show the bureau on May 31 ordered the issuance of a public notice of the corporation's application.

Source: UCANews, June 27, 2008

Pakibasa po nang malaman 'nyo ang electric bill natin!

(copied somewhere)

Bilib ako sa commercial ni Juday, biro mo naipaliwanag niya in 30 sec ang masalimuot na system loss na yan..:)

Tama si Juday sa kanyang paliwanag ng system loss, pero kung tayo ang bibili ng yelo at ayaw talaga nating mabawasan ang yelong binili, siempre magdadala tayo ng styrofoam ice box o Coleman..

Ang tawag diyan ay increase the efficiency. Kung baga sa mga distribution utilities ayusin nila nang husto ang electrical network, pati na ang mga substation and step-down transformers para nagooperate sila sa maximum efficiencies. Kung lumang-luma na, palitan o di kaya imaintenance. Tapos, ireduce, at kung maaari ay alisin, ang mga administrative inefficiencies, tulad ng wrong meter readings, pilferage ! at kung ano ano pa...

At alam ba ninyo na hindi lang meralco ang nagpapasa ng system loss? Pati ang TRANSCO na government owned at siyang nag me maintain ng power grid. Balak ipasa or naipasa na ng TRANSCO ang 2.98% ng system loss nya sa meralco.. at shempre kanino pa ba naman iyan sisingilin ng meralco..

Ngayon alam na natin kung bakit natunaw ang yelong binili ni Juday.. pero part pa lamang yan ng equation kung bakit mataas ang singil ng ating koryente, kunin ang electric bill.. at heto ang component ng ating electric bill...

I-add mo lahat yan at yan ang total electric bill mo... pero napansin nyo ba sa isang electric bill 5 tax ang babayaran natin?

Para lalo nating mapansin, ganito ang flow ng kuryente bago dumating sa bahay naten..

Ang napocor or IPP ang mag po produce ng koryente...bago pa makaalis ng planta ang koryente, magabayad na tayo ng tax na 51 cents /kwh.

Ang kuryenteng iyan ay padadaanin ngayon sa TRANSCO, papunta sa distribution utility natin gaya ng meralco.. Muli tayong bubuwisan ng gobyerno, this time 11 cents/kwh Pag nakarating sa meralco ang kuryente, muli sisingilin tayo ng buwis ng gobyerno, ng distribution tax at franchise tax...

At dahil magbabayad tayo ng system loss muli na naman tayong bubuwisan ng gobyerno... ng system loss tax..

At eto pa ang kwela sa lahat, after i total ang iyong electric charges.. papatawan kang muli ng tax.. t! his time yung 12% e-vat. Imagine 5 Tax na binayaran mo, yung tax na yun eh bubuwisan pang muli ng isa pang tax...

Ang alam ko po sa batas bawal ang double taxation... pero sa ginagawang ito ng gobyerno.. cguro naaayon na sa batas kase lampas na sa double eh (sarcastic lang po)

At upang madagdagan pa ang sama ng loob nating mga filipino... Ang napocor, ayon sa batas ay kinakailangan mag imbak ng supply ng coal na tatagal ng 5 taon.. pero ano ginagawa ng napocor... sasairin nila yung supply nila ng coal upang tumagal lamang ng isang taon, at dahil paubos na, mapipilitan silang mag conduct ng emergency purchase na di na dadaan sa bidding.. or kung dumaan man, dahil sa ikli ng time table, walang makakapag bid.

SO si napocor bibili ng coal, hindi sa lowest bidder, kundi sa kanilang preferred suplier.. ang masaya pa neto, anlaki na ng patong.. higit pa sa doble ng actual price ng coal sa market. Idagdag pa jan ang arkila ng mga barko na gagamitin sa pag tatransport ng coal... na shempre muling pagkakakitaan ng mga napocor
executives.. .

Sobra na nga pinapataw na tax sa atin ninanakawan pa tayo ng gobyerno natin..:( ansaya ng buhay sa pilipinas no?

God bless the Philippines.

Laoag diocese marks 47th foundation anniversary with Bible Congress

Laoag will hold a congress on the Word of God in commemoration of its erection as a diocese in 1961 at the St. Mary's Seminary Gym, July 26.

Fifteen to 17 delegates from each of the 28 parishes in the diocese are expected to attend the congress, the first since 1989, to be keynoted by Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, D.D., Auxilliary Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan and Chairman of the Northern Luzon Commission on Biblical Apostolate.

Themed "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church," the congress aims to help the delegates understand the place of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church and the implications of said theme in the pastoral programs of the different commissions. The resolutions of the congress will be considered and employed by the diocese in the conceptualization and implementation of its programs.

The output also becomes the reference of the lead commission of the congress, the Commission on Biblical Apostolate, headed by Fr. Victor Hernando, in the preparation of its pastoral programs.

Delegates are expected to arrive at 8:00 a.m. The congress will be formally opened with a Bible enthronement and the presentation of the rationale and objectives of the congress at 8:30. The talk of Bishop Mayugba at 9:00 will be followed by the workshop. The formulation of resolutions will take place at 1:00 p.m. The resolutions will be presented during the plenary session at 1:30. A eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, D.D., Bishop of Laoag, and concelebrated by the priests of the diocese, will close the congress.

Laoag attends regional assembly on mission

Sr. Evangeline Pabalate, MCST and Ms. Marybel Melchor-Pajela of the Commission on Mission represented the diocese in the Regional Assembly for Luzon of Diocesan Mission Directors and Collaborators held in Kamay ni Jesus Healing Center in Lucban, Quezon, July 14-17.

With the theme, “That all may be one,” the assembly aimed to orient the participants on the regional situation and the relevance of the Pontifical Mission Societies and to propose on-going formation program and regional direction on mission.

The assembly was opened by a welcome address by Msgr. Leandro Castro, PC, Vicar General of Lucena Diocese, and the presentation of the delegates in the evening of the first day. The second day was spent on reporting on the four Pontifical Mission Societies. The third day was dedicated for the reporting of the different ecclesiastical territories on their mission programs and activities.

Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD talked on "Re-visioning our Mission in Contemporary Times: Asian Perspective on Mission and Spirituality" on the fourth day.

The assembly of Luzon mission workers was closed with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Most Rev. Emilio Marquez, DD, Bishop of Lucena.

Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, DD, Bishop of Daet and National Director of PMS-Philippines, strongly requested the transmission of the proceedings of the assembly to the collaborators in mission in the dioceses down to the parishes.

Parish reps to attend meeting on mission

It is for this purpose that the office of the Diocesan Commission on Mission requests the attendance of two catechists per parish to a meeting on August 1 at 8 o’clock in the morning (about two hours)at the Janssen Hall. Since this day will be the second catechetical coordinators’ meeting, the parish coordinator will be one of the two catechist-representatives.

It is also asked that a representative from the diocesan schools, e.g. Values/Religion Teacher/Coordinator, attend the meeting.

STLCI First Year Students, Summer 2008

1. Aglugub, Brenda M.
2. Agreda, Merlyn Benilda A.
3. Albano, Emmanuel, Jr. A.
4. Alejo, Noemi R.
5. Anselmo, Bernard B.
6. Bringas, Morena L.
7. Buenavista Cristina D.
8. Bulatao, Manilyn R.
9. Cacacting, George Andrew P.
10. Calma, Grace A.
11. Casiano, Mayvelyn J.
12. Cristobal, Belma B.
13. Dela Cruz, Rosario C.
14. Domingo, Darwin M.
15. Dumlao, Gloria T.
16. Espinoza, Asuncion P.
17. Fariolen, Carmen G.
18. Farpali, Cresencia E.
19. Galanza, Aileen V.
20. Julian, Asuncion S.
21. Lorenzo, Zen-Zen Paul M.
22. Martinez, Lydia A.
23. Pascual, Flavia O.
24. Quiroga, Janette M.
25. Ramos, Demetria M.
26. Reyes, Enriqueta J.
27. Rosauro, Efren A.
28. Semilla, Milven B.
29. Valdez, Felicidad A.
30. Valdez, Maria Corazon T.
31. Valite, Jayson R.
32. Valle, Ma. Lourdes R.
33. Yabes, Merly Lympia G.

St. Therese of Lisieux Catechetical Institute (STLCI) Three-Year Summer Catechetical Course

No. of Days FIRST YEAR SUMMER

2 General Orientation & Personhood
1 Christian Prayer
2 Liturgy
2 Sacraments
1 Sacristy Work
2 God the Father
2 Jesus Christ (Christology)
2 Ecclesiology
2 Fundamentals of Morality
2 Introduction to Scriptures (BBS)
2 Foundation of Catechesis
2 Personhood (Profile and Identity of the Catechist)
2 Guitar Lessons
2 Creed
24 days

SECOND YEAR SUMMER

2 Holy Spirit
2 Mariology and Popular Devotions
2 Sacrament of Eucharist and Christian Life
2 Commandments
2 Sacred Scripture
2 History of the Church
2 Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC)
2 Introduction to Catechetics
2 Catechetics
2 Catechists’ Spirituality
2 Methodology and Lesson Planning
23 Days

THIRD YEAR SUMMER

2 Missiology
2 Social Doctrine
2 The Last Four Things (Eschatology)
2 Psychology of the Learners
5 Catechetics: Program Writing
2 Youth and Family Life Apostolate
3 Retreat and Missio Canonica
2 Liturgical Music
2 Chalk Talk Catechesis
22 Days
Note: Teaching Observation on Field

The Bishop's Coat-of-Arms

The Cross

The black and white cross of the Order of Preachers on top of the shield serves as a reminder of the priestly formation which Bishop Sergio L. Utleg received from the Dominicans at St. Vincent Institute in Solana and the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary.

The Shield

The blue wavy line parting the shield represent the Cagayan River, on whose banks the Bishop grew up and worked, which empties into the Babuyan Channel near Aparri, his last parish assignment; the white dove on a gold background symbolizes the Spirit of freedom; gold stands for nobility and power, white for purity and humility; both are Papal colors. The blue fleur de lis represent Our Blessed Mother of Piat, the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and of the Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, the patroness of the Diocese of Laoag; the red Alpha and Omega symbolize the ever-burning Truth; the Green background is the symbol of life and hope. The sheep symbolizes Jesus Christ, watching His flock on the Cordilleras and the rivers that nourishes the Diocese of Laoag to which he is assigned.

The Motto

The Bishop’s motto is ‘VERITAS LIBERABIT VOS’ (John 8:32) which means “the truth shall make you free” in accord with the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress and its theme, “The Eucharist and Freedom.”

People Power

A Message from Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD

Somebody asked me one day, “Why are the bishops not calling for people power to our President Arroyo? “ I answered: It is not the job of the bishops to call for the toppling down of the Government because that is a political act.” “Yes that is true”, he replied, “but you bishops have been doing that in the past for morally bankrupt Presidents”.

Yes, that is also true. People Power has come to mean the massing of hundreds of thousands of people to rally for a particular cause and in EDSA I and EDSA II, the role of the Bishops, particularly of the Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin, has been crucial in sending people to the streets.

The sad part of it is that, after the People Power in both EDSAs, where Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada were forcibly ousted from power, the situation remains the same. The same traditional politicians rule the country, the bane of the Politics of Patronage remains with us, and the Culture of Corruption is as deeply rooted in our nation’s psyche as before and perhaps even more so.

Why is this so? Because, as Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP President has said, the driving force behind the EDSA brand of people power were not really the ordinary people but the elite, the businessmen, the political and religious leaders, the academe, civil society, popular personalities – all carrying their own political and personal agenda.

The real, effective people power that counts, according to the CBCP, is that which will transform each one of us from within, namely, from transcending our self-love to a love for the common good, so much so that we are ready to sacrifice our personal good for the good of our society as a whole. Our officials who take their share of the so-called “SOP” and the people who voted them into office do it for their own selfish interests. Bribes are accepted and given for the selfish interest of the receiver and the giver. The businessman would rather bribe the person who signs his permit rather than suffer delays in his business transactions – for his selfish interests. The government employee will overprice an item so that he can pocket the extra money – for his selfish interest.

The mere removal of President Arroyo will not change that Culture of Corruption. What will change it is real People Power. That happens when each one of us: the ordinary citizen, the senators, the brilliant lawyers from the opposition, the church people, civil society and the academe, all cultivate love for the common good. After purging ourselves of our inordinate love of self, it is the task of all of us to discover, prosecute and punish acts of corruption from all people and from all ranks of life, and help build a Culture of Integrity and Transparency in our society.

EAP’s first Magna Cum Laude to receive DSAC awards

by Roselyn Foronda & Alanah Mae P. Ramelb

For garnering the highest honors so far by a scholar graduate under the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) of the Diocesan Commission on Social Action (DSAC), Eldefonso B. NAtividad, Jr. will be awarded by the Commission in a fitting ceremony in one of the First Friday Masses at the Bishop’s Residence.

Natividad who earned his Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSE) degree at the College of Teacher Education (CTE) and graduated Magna Cum Laude will receive two medals: Bishop’s medal (given to all DSAC scholars who finished a four year degree) and the DSAC Director’s medal (given to DSAC scholars who graduate with honors).

During his speech at the Silaw Awards (Recognition Day) at Mariano Marcos State University-College of Teacher Education (MMSU-CTE), Natividad was glowing with zeal, joy, confidence and satisfaction as he delivered a speech in response to the fruitful and meaningful experiences molded within the portals of his Alma Mater. He conveyed inspiring messages to his fellow graduates. He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to those who, in one way or another, have helped him achieve his dreams. Natividad, Jr. finally challenged poor students like him : “Inadequacy is never a hindrance to success.”

Natividad has been a beneficiary of the Commission on Social Action’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP) for six years. His experiences in the Commission’s apostolate formed him as an academician who is rooted more on realities than mere theories.

Moreover, two other scholars and a volunteer of the Commission on Social Action graduated this year. Germelina R. Domingo, a beneficiary of EAP for four years, earned her Degree in Bachelor of Science in Management at the Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL). While Meryl Corpuz, a fresh face under the program, received her high school diploma at the Ilocos Norte National High School. She will be pursuing her chosen degree at DWCL still under the EAP of the Commission.

Furthermore, Alyssa Marie P. Ramelb, a student volunteer of the office, finished high school with honors at the Mariano Marcos State University Laboratory High School. She is from Bacarra, Ilocos norte and has been connected with the social action apostolates for the past four consecutive years. She will be enrolling Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at MMSU.

Bishop joins DSAC program evaluation

The staff and volunteers of the Diocesan Commission on Social Action (DSAC) with the Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD, Bishop of Laoag, conducted the triennial program evaluation on December 3 – 6 at the St. Arnold Janssen Pastoral Hall, Laoag City.

This undertaking allowed the Commission and the Bishop to assess and reflect on the implementation of the DSAC strategic pastoral plan for January 2005 – December 2007. Also, the results of the evaluation guided the Commission in making necessary adjustments to meet the demands of the next three years.

Five program areas were evaluated, to wit: (1) Relief and Rehabilitation, (2) Welfare – to which the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical and Dental Clinic belongs, (3) Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Advocacy and Awareness, (4) Livelihood and Sustainable Development and (5) Education and Formation.

The activity was culminated by the celebration of the Eucharist officiated by Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD, and the awarding of medals, plaques and certificates to the volunteers and former scholars of the commission most of whom are now employed in prestigious in the country.

4 priests lead bikers in Tour of Life and Peace

by Alyssa Marie P. Ramelb


Dressed like professional cyclists, Fr. Vic Hernando, Fr. Leonardo Ruiz, Fr. Anthony Dimagiba and Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR (a guest priest from Davao) and some biker groups zoomed for the first Tour for Life and Peace, April 14. This served as an avenue for the promotion of love, equality and peace among people.

The bikers gathered at Laoag and proceeded to Claveria where they started the tour at around 7:35 AM. They reached Laoag, the finish line of the tour at around 5:00 PM. Along the way from Claveria to Laoag, the bikers stopped to rest at every Parish.

Despite the long and tiring travel, the bikers felt happy and contented because they conveyed a message promoting life and peace.

With the cooperation of various biker groups, in coordination with the Diocesan Commission on Social Action, Fr. Picardal organized the said activity.

Laoag carries out Alay Kapwa program

by Alanah Mae P. Ramelb

The launching of the 2008 Alay Kapwa Diocesan Program was held at St. William Cathedral Parish last February 17, Second Sunday of Lent. This year’s national theme is “Protection and Preservation of the Environment: A Christian Responsibility.”

For two days, February 16 and 17, the commission strictly monitored the solid waste management within the vicinity of the cathedral. Other activities included an exhibit of organic farm products conducted by the Commission’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. This was held at the St. William Cathedral grounds, where the public could avail of the products in exchange of some donated amounts.

The event culminated with a Eucharistic celebration, with the Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD, Bishop of Laoag as main celebrant and homilist.

Laoag Diocese celebrates Earth Day

by Kara Camille L. Pedro

The Diocese of Laoag together with Government and non-government units of the Province of Ilocos Norte celebrated Earth Day, April 22.

The celebration, which aimed to promote the preservation and protection of the environment, and to awaken the awareness of people on ecological concerns, began at exactly 6:00 a.m. with an Ecowalk from the Provincial Capitol towards the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) where breakfast was served. The participants the headed back to the Provincial Capitol for the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the Provincial Environment Code by the Honorable Michael Marcos-Keon, Governor of Ilocos Norte, together with Municipal Mayors, heads of their respective Sangguniang Bayan and representatives from the non-government sectors.

After the signing, all proceeded to the St. William Cathedral where the Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD, Bishop of Laoag, led the faithful in a Holy Mass, called the “green sacrament”. Then an ecology vigil, through prayers, songs and dances as well as film viewing, was held.

Other activities such as the exhibit of organic products, Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on Environmental Preservation and Protection and photo exhibit were also conducted.

DSAC Staff conduct seminar on solid waste management and biotechnology

Prof. Francisco C. Bitagon

Last February 1, 2008, upon the invitation of Bishop Artemio Rillera, D.D., the Diocesan Social Action Educational Team led by Fr. Leonardo Ruiz, DSAC Director, conducted a seminar on Solid Waste Management and Biotechnology at the St. Christopher Parish School in Bangar, La Union. The participants were Diocesan Catholic School Teachers and non- teaching staff.

Fr. Leo started the seminar with a talk on the integrity of creation which everyone must protect and preserve, after which he discussed on Solid Waste Management. Fr. Leo reiterated on the importance of segregation in which it is important to put up a “material recovery facility” where all garbage are kept before segregated. He likewise discouraged the use of plastic bags which are contributory to the destruction of the environment.

Prof. Francisco C. Bitagon then enriched the first talks by discussing the negative effects of biotechnology, especially the so-called Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO. Despite its potential role in solving the global food shortage, Bitagon warned the audience about the possible side effects of GMOs, some of which are health hazards, allergy, poisoning and cancer. It also poses dangers to the environment like gene contamination.

Faithful join nationwide Call for Truth and Integrity

by Prof. Francisco C. Bitagon

Amidst religious diversity, members of various Christian denominations in the province participated in the Mass for Truth and Integrity at the St. William Cathedral, Laoag City last March 7, 2008. The said mass, which kicked-off the ecumenical rally initiated by the Church Leaders Ecumenical Forum –Ilocos Norte (CLEF-IN), was officiated by Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, DD, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Dioces of Laoag and the Roman Catholic Diocese Clergy concelebrated in the said mass.

The participants who waved banners condemning surmounting corruption in government marched to the Iglesia Filipina Independent Church.

At the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Church, an ecumenical service was conducted. The opening prayer was led by Rev. Esther Padre, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), after which different representatives of the Christian denominations read the Scriptures. The reading of the Statements/ Manifestos was done in the following order: first was that of the Roman Catholic Church, followed by the UCCP, The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CMHR) and the Jesus is Lord Movement (JILM). Intermission numbers were rendered by the CMHR, the UCCP and the student groups. The statement of the different sectors expressed a common appeal for the truth to come, out so that integrity be restored.

The closing prayer and benediction was given by Bishop Rosario Acoba of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. The ecumenical service came as an after-math of the rallies conducted in Metro Manila and in keeping with the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines Pastoral statement of seeking the truth and integrity in connection with the corrupt practices of the present administration particularly the ZTE NBN deal.

Fr. Abe, at 74, goes ahead

Father Carlos H. Abesamis, SJ, known to many as Abe, has peacefully returned to his Creator last January 31, 2008, after forty years of zealously promoting the Kingdom of God.

Abe is a close friend of social action workers. DSAC-Laoag has been very special to him as some of its staff and its director are his personal acquaintances and students. Even when he was already sick, he never turned down the commission’s invitation to share precious insights on the Kingdom of God - the core-concept on which social action work is based.

Abe has gone ahead but certainly he continues to guide the commission’s apostolate. We are indeed blessed to have him as intercessor and mentor, albeit in ways only God can fathom.

The bell has rung

Bells are often rung in church celebrations because they point to important events in the life of the Church. They are ‘awareness’ media, so to speak. Bells ringing in slow succession invite people to join the whole Church in praying for a dead Christian. Rapid ringing, on the other hand, invites people to join the whole Church in rejoicing with newly wed or christened brethren. Ringing during consecration announces the arrival of Jesus, the sacramental Lord, and alerts us of His most precious presence among us. Indeed, as one good priest said, bells are signs that the Church is alive.

But oftentimes the meanings of church bells are seldom understood, which is why they usually become ‘go signals’ for mechanical gestures rather than evocative symbols of authentic religious experience.

And while many Church members are unaware of the meanings of bells in the context of the liturgy, more perhaps are unaware of what bells ought to convey beyond liturgical life. For even if the Church may be perceived as alive because of meticulously prepared liturgy, this does not readily mean that the Church is pulsating with flesh and blood realities that bite not only a person’s conscience, but more importantly, the society’s consciousness.’

In these moments of moral, political and economic crisis, we should be alerted to the fact that bells -- it seems -- have not yet been significantly rung, nay audibly heard as a prophetic condemnation of socio-politico-economic evils such as multi-billion graft and corruption scams, jueteng, drugs, white slavery, 5/6, environmental destructions and dictatorship. As a Church, we examine ourselves: Have we exerted utmost effort to effectively carry out and sustain our prophetic role? Are our resolutions, pastoral letters and rallies enough? Have we renounced bankrupt structures and lifestyles that make the ‘haves’ richer and more luxurious, while the ‘have-not’ get poorer and more miserable? Are not these bankrupt structures and lifestyles some of the major factors that hinder the growth of a Basic Ecclesial Community (which, we believe, is one major solution to our crisis)? Answers to these questions (whoever gives the answer, be it the Magisterium, the theologian, the catechist or the simple farmer) must be scrutinized and weighed against the prevalence of evil and sin, especially the social ones -- the tree is judged according to its fruits.

In another viewpoint, we may also ask: Is it not the case that there are bells which cry against socio-politico-economic evils, but they simply land in the deaf ears and blank stares of indifferent, slumbering and complacent Christians? No matter, bells ought to be symbols which reflect flesh and blood realities. Accordingly, bells cannot unleash the full power of their symbolic capacity if they do not sing the cries of the poor and the oppressed who struggle each day to survive amidst factors of greed and injustice that push them even to intolerable levels of dehumanization. And while on this line of thought, it is good to remember that in certain contexts, justice-mercy-truth (the tripartite biblical concept which is the equivalent of the contemporary notion of social justice) constitutes the weightier matters of the law, and at times even weightier than worship (Cf. Mt. 9:13; 12:27; 23:23; Hos 6:6). In some sense, therefore, liturgical bells are less weighty than bells of activism. No wonder, Jesus had troubles with Jewish religious authorities because he preferred to promote life (and therefore social justice) than observe empty rituals (Cf. Mk 3:1-6).

Finally, we need to focus and work more on concrete realities than symbols. Symbols need not exist when reality is in place. Bells need not cry when we address real cries. For God, anyway, hears the cry of the poor and not the cry of bells. And how nice it will be when no one needs to cry because God has finally established His definitive Kingdom…with the Church’s effortful struggles to cooperate with God, of course.

Be that as it may, we make room for this post-script: For those who love bells and have made it their habit to live with bells ringing in their ears, bells may be sounded as symbols of jubilation in a society where God fully reigns. And so long as people hope, bells will ring. With strong conviction, commitment and authentic praxis, bells will ring differently until that time when all, in superlative jubilation, shall be with God and enjoy the blessings of total salvation in His Kingdom (that is, not only salvation from sin but also from any form of socio-politico-economic and ecological) evil…

…it is only then that the bell has truly rung…

Biblical insights on worsening national issues by Mr. Zacarias Damo, Jr.

(Mr. Zacarias Damo, Jr. graduated from San Pablo Major Seminary, Baguio City with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and finished two years of theological studies in ICST, Vigan City. While teaching at Divine Word College of Laoag, he happily works with the Diocesan Commission on Social Action.)

Issues abound anytime, anywhere, but the past few years have been so remarkable because of grave concerns like political killings, Jok-Jok Bolante, Hello Garci as well as the recent ZTE scandal and swine scam. As usual, the influential elite debate passionately on these. Ironically, they focus so much on legal and moral casuistry, while they (deliberately?) fail to significantly address the concrete needs of the common people, especially the poor majority.

Whatever motives they have, the battle among the elite of political, economic and even religious powers ultimately result in an even greater suffering of the poor majority or the so-called nagdurusang masa. No wonder, the CBCP does not subscribe to another people power. For in reality, it might be again a war of the elite (in the guise of people power) at the expense of the common people, especially the poorest. Indeed, after all is said and done, Yahweh’s ‘anawim (the biblical word for the nagdurusang masa, i.e., the poor and oppressed who have a special place in God’s heart) end up as the real losers.

The elite, of course, just lose positions in the struggle for power. But they never lose economic securities.

While the masa lose...

They lose what?

The masa by the way don’t have significant things to lose…for in the first place, they haven’t had enough. They only have much and many of the miseries that go with massive poverty. And (as one Catholic bishop puts it) massive poverty is the greatest scandal of the Church today.

The last sentence deserves much attention.

If we read again how the first Christians lived, we can find brothers and sisters who gathered together (i) to worship (ii) to break bread and (iii) to share belongings so that not a single Christian was in need (Cf. Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37). From this passage, we can learn that the liturgical and sacramental dimensions of early Church life had concrete and tangible translations in the ordinary lives of believers, namely the sharing of belongings so that nobody was ever poor. Today we may call this as a politico-economic effect of liturgical and sacramental life. Liturgical and sacramental life, therefore, should primarily and necessarily influence our politico-economic affairs. This, indeed, ought to be an essential picture of authentic Christian spirituality.

The presence of massive poverty in our Christian societies, therefore, remains a most shameful reminder that we are still very far from the spirit of the early Christians…which is why, to repeat, massive poverty remains to be the greatest scandal of the Church today.

It is very appropriate to note also that, biblically speaking, the clearly spelled-out criterion for salvation is radical sharing of wealth by the rich with the poor. Read Mk 10: 17-27 where a rich man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life (or salvation or Kingdom of God). Jesus, at first, mentioned the commandments, which the rich man proudly claimed to have observed since his childhood. But Jesus was not fully impressed. He stressed one weighty matter which the rich man had not fulfilled: the sale of his properties and the distribution of its proceeds to the poor. Commenting on the rich man’s failure to fulfill the challenge, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. It is even easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

If only we understand fully, and are willing to be serious about it, we will see clearly that the Church has all the resources needed for religious, political and economic transformation. And, I think, the best avenue, the most conducive seedbed for change is the ecclesiological project called BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities).

BECs, of course, need to be empowered by transformed individuals. Without personal transformation or conversion of its individual members, any social structure (even the Church at that), can never be a solid agent of change. No wonder, when Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, he clearly mentioned conversion as the believer’s appropriate response (Cf. Mk 1:14-15).

For now, most seem to understand BECs as avenues for liturgical and sacramental life. Consequently, we oftentimes cannot go beyond the concrete politico-economic effects of liturgy and sacraments, one of which is the eradication of massive poverty (as we have previously seen in the life of the first Christians).

History is candid about the scandalous reality that ever since humanity invented civilization, humanity has never overcome mass poverty. This leads me to doubt the truth of the claim that we are civilized. Why? Simple reason: civilization, I think, ought to secure and promote the well-being of all, and not that of the few. I guess, only when this happens can we proudly say that the Catholic Church has been very instrumental in the development of civilizations.

Greed resulting in massive poverty ought to be a heinous crime in a civilized society – and culprits must be easily and speedily tried and convicted. Unfortunately, culprits are on the loose, roaming around freely even as far as inside churches at times. (Perhaps, this prompted one archbishop to say that he will not give communion to public sinners).

Massive poverty seems to always prevail. Is it because those who influence human affairs are afraid? Of what? Of letting go of comfort, wealth and luxury zones they hold so dear? Of turning away from power zones they love to cling to? Of renouncing prestige zones they seem to cannot live without?

Many of us, the lay as well as the religious, are afraid to let go of the aforementioned zones. But it remains true that Jesus asked his disciples (and us) to deny the self (the greedy ego) if we wish to be his followers (Cf. Mk 8:34). Comfort, wealth, luxury, power and prestige zones are the core-vices of the old self, the ego that numbs the conscience, shuts the ears and leads the true self away from the transforming blows of the Holy Spirit.

‘Deny the Ego and live as God’s children! Give up the core-vices that make the rich richer and the poor poorer.’ This is an indispensable way to authentic Christian discipleship. It may not be the only way, but biblically speaking, it ought to be an inevitable way. Christian life is never complete without it. We may get rid of many incidentals with which we are comfortable. But radical sharing of wealth so that nobody shall be poor or in need (Cf. Deut. 15:4) is something without which Christian life can never be authentic.

We explore the gospel further: “If you wish to be my disciple, carry your cross and follow after me (Mk 8:34).” The cross of Jesus, before it was given a religious meaning, was the punishment of a rebel. Jesus openly went against the corrupt practices of the Jewish leaders (who happened to be priests, scribes or lawyers/religion teachers and wealthy business/landowners) and their Roman collaborators. Good for Jun Lozada today because he is quite protected by Church and political figures. Jesus had no such ‘kakampi’. Poor Jesus, therefore, ended up suffering on the cross, the most cruel punishment given to rebels (like Trillanes and Lim today).

How is it to carry the cross today?

First, it must be clarified that Jesus was not a political rebel, but he was branded so because he went against oppressive political, economic and religious structures. Yes, Jesus lambasted the core-vices of the ego, but he did so with a prophetic stance, which, in essence is that stand that zealously exposes and opposes all forms of evil (especially social injustice) in the spirit of non-violence and openness to forgiveness and reconciliation even with the worst sinner who sincerely repents and embraces conversion.

And that is how we ought to be today. As a Church, as a Christian nation, we must be prophetic. No matter how they brand us, we ought to work for holistic transformation. This, accordingly, necessarily leads us to a life of authentic freedom – in which we are very free to rub elbows with the elite as well as the pariahs of society, but when the situation calls for it, we are also fully free to expose and oppose their evil deeds…even if it would mean no more gifts and special privileges like free gadgets (such as computers and TV set), free cars (even luxury ones) free vacation abroad, free meals and free bus/airplane tickets.

The Church, in fairness, has been quite prophetic. So far, many pastoral statements have been proclaimed. But I think the Church’s prophetic teachings scribbled on social 9doctrine documents have not significantly trickled down to the consciousness and lifestyle of believers. Social/prophetic teachings are still the Church’s best kept secrets?

Also, can we not be more specific like Jesus when he frankly called Herod as fox (Lk 13:31-32) and the Jewish leaders as hypocrites (Mt 23:13), robbers (Mk 11:17) or brood of vipers (Mt 23:29-33) or even children of hell (Mt 23:15)? Biblical culture is not modern culture, you might say, but can we not be more faithful to the spirit of the prophetic tradition of boldness against injustice? …against unjust persons? … against specific unjust persons at that?

I find it odd at times when, in the TV, radio and newspaper, we appear to be very specific, vocal and influential when it comes to artificial contraceptives and pornography (while remaining silent about pornographic -- pirated, needless to say -- and abortifacient products sold even in front or within the immediate surroundings of churches), but cannot even publicly tell the Supreme Court to allow Neri to answer all questions of the senate because it is a crime against truth, and therefore against God, to conceal matters that directly or indirectly cause and aggravate the miseries of the poor.

Do we not believe that the whole truth (not half-truths) will set us free (Cf. Jn 8:31-34)?

No matter, Christian life or Church life should translate into the radical sharing exemplified by the first Christians.

Only then can we truly say that we have life to the full (Cf. Jn 10:10)!

The parish churches, et al

A brother of Msgr. Bardz dies

Roberto, the eldest of the Lorenzo brothers, succumbed to kidney failure Thursday, July 17. He was 46.

A police officer, he was on a regular dialysis during his six-year bout with malfunctioning kidneys.

He is survived by wife Brenda, and children Czarina, Pol, Mikah and Christian.

Msgr. Bardz and the rest of the Lorenzo family request prayers for the repose of the soul of their beloved Roberto.

Interment is tomorrow, July 24, after the funeral mass at St. Anne's Church, Piddig at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Diocesan Profile: Seminary, Chaplaincies, Institutes of Consecrated Life/Societies of Apostolic Life, Educational Centers, Retreat Houses, etc.

A. Seminaries

a. St. Mary’s Seminary (F1963)
Under the Diocesan Clergy
Mangato
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720792
Rector: Rev. Rey Magus S. Respicio
Prefect: Rev. Jaime B. Jose
Spiritual Director and Procurator: Rev. Ruben V. Abaya
Principal: Sis. Catalina P. Superable, MCST
Faculty: Priests: 3
Religious: 1
Lay: 7
Enrolment: 98

B. Chaplaincies

a. Carmel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (F1949)
Carmelite Nuns, OCD
P. Gomez Street, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721331
Prioress: Mother Raphaelie of Jesus and Mary, OCD
Professed Sisters:
Perpetual Vows: 13
Temporary Vows: 1
Chaplain: Rev. Franklin D. Gorospe

b. Madre Nazarena Domus
Daughters of the Divine Zeal –Rogate
Paterno Street, Vintar Road
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721330
Superior: Sr. Noemi Fuderanan, FDZ
Professed Sisters:
Temporary Vows: 3
Perpetual Vows: 9
Aspirants: 5
Chaplain: Rev. Ronnie Julien P. Pillos

c. Monasterio de Santa Clara (F1991)
(Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias)
Mangato, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720258
Abbess: Mo. Maria Lilia dela Santissima Trinidad
Mindanao, CCS
Professed Sisters:
Temporary Vows: 6
Perpetual Vows: 8
Chaplain: Rev: Ruben V. Abaya

d. Sacred Heart Chapel
Panganiban, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7731429
Community President: Dr. Ofelia T. Pastor
Chaplain: Rev. Pedro A. Acoba

e. Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail Chapel
P. Gomez Street
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720432
Provincial Warden:
Chaplain: Rev. Leonardo L. Ruiz

f. Laoag City Jail – BJMP
Pila Road
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Chaplain: Rev. Ronnie Julien Pillos

g. Gov. Roque Ablan, Sr., Memorial Hospital
P Gomez Street
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720303
Provincial Health Officer OIC:
Chaplain: Rev. Teodoro H. Remigio

h. AFP-PNP Ilocos Norte
Camp Juan
P Gomez Street, Brgy. 23
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077)
Chaplain: Rev. Philip Anthony R. Dimagiba

C. Institutes of Consecrated Life/Societies of Apostolic Life

a. Men
i. Society of the Divine Word
1. Priests: 3
2. Borther: 1
ii. Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
3. Priests: 2
4. Brother: 1

b. Women
i. Sisters of Providence (SP)
ii. Siervas de Nuestra Senora dela Paz (SNSP)
iii. Missionary Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS)
iv. Daughters of the Divine Zeal-Rogate (FDZ)
v. Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the
Child Jesus (MCST)
vi. Discaled Nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin
Mary of Mt. Carmel (OCD)
vii. Workers of Christ the Worker
Missionary Sisters (WCW)
viii. Dominican Daughters of the Immaculate Mother (OP)
ix. Sisters of St. Paul de Chartes (SPC)
x. Sisters of the Good Shepherd/Pastorelle (SGBP)
xi. Franciscan Apostolic Sisters
xii. Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias

D. Educational Centers

a. Division of Laoag City

i. Divine Word College of Laoag(F1946)
Gen. Segundo Avenue, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel Nos: (077) 7720736, 7721625, 7721228,
7732082
President: Rev. Rodel Arellano, SVD
Campus Minister: Frt. Benedicto Awitin, SVD
Finance Officer: Rev. Edgar L. Calunod, SVD
VP for Administrative Affairs: Rev. Denny Lucas, SVD
VP for Academic Affairs: Mrs. Romana R. Bitancor
VP for Research and Planning: Mr. Reynaldo M. Lazo
Faculty:
Religious: 1
Lay 24
Enrolment:
College: 2,104
High School: 470
Elementary: 338

ii. Holy Spirit Academy of Laoag (F1926)
Bonifacio Street, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720391
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Policarpo M. Albano
Principal: Mrs. Ofelia M. Sumalin
Faculty: 45
Enrolment: 1200

iii. St. Joseph High School (F1948)
2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain: Rev. James A. Bonoan
Principal: Mrs. Serafina C. Paulino
Faculty: 8
Enrolment: 243

iv. Padre Annibale School (F1991)
Paterno Stret, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721330
Principal: Sr. Juanita Pineda, FDZ
Faculty: 20
Enrolment: 304

b. Division of Ilocos Norte

i. St. Andrew Academy (High School) (F1952)
2916 Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7760513
Director and Chaplain: Rev. Mario R. Garaza
Principal: Mrs. Godula C. Albano
Faculty: 7
Enrolment: 125

ii. St. Andrew Grade School
2916 Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7760562
Director and Chaplain: Rev. Mario R. Garaza
Principal: Mrs. Antonia S. Galam
Faculty: 8
Enrolment: 298

iii. St. James Academy (F1963)
2917 Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain: Rev. Primo C. Cabanos
Principal: Mrs. Grace A. Sales
Faculty: 8
Enrolment: 233

iv. St. Nicolas Academy (F1964)
2915 Vintar, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Hermogenes G. Saturnino, Jr.
Principal: Mr. Manayon Macugay
Faculty: 11
Enrolment: 297

v. St. Lawrence Academy (F1964)
2920 Bangui, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Leobardo Juan B. Lorenzo
Principal: Ms. Florence C. Chulnuan
Faculty: 8
Enrolment: 103



vi. St. Jude High School (F1962)
2919 Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Gregorio A. Apuya, Jr.
Principal: Mr. Landrico D. Romero, Jr.
Faculty: 11
Enrolment: 243

vii. St. Anne Academy (F1965)
2912 Piddig, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Joel Reynold P. Castillo
Principal: Mr. Redentor Madamba
Faculty: 11
Enrolment: 330

viii. Sta. Rosa Academy (F1936)
2901 San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721249
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Fr. Danilo Ramon R. Laeda
Principal: Ms. Avelina Milagros M. Jose
Faculty: 16
Enrolment: 145 (High School)/175 (Grade Sc)

ix. St. Joseph Institute (F1952)
2913 Dingras, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7840017
Director and Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Victor P. Hernando
Assistant Director and
Chaplain/In-Charge, Elementary Department:
Rev. Engelbert B. Elarmo
Principal: Mrs. Fe Bueno Albano
Faculty: 13
Enrolment: 357

x. Immaculate Conception Academy (F1936)
2906 Batac, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7923114
Chaplain:
Rev. Manuel R. Lamprea, Jr.
Principal: Sis. Florencia Fabillar, SSps
Faculty: 32
Enrolment:
High School: 652
Elementary: 277
Pre-School: 45

xi. St. Elizabeth Elementary School (F1988)
2904 Badoc, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain:
Rev. Victor F. Calma
Principal: Mrs. Florida L. Somera
Faculty: 9
Enrolment: 171

xii. St. Gabriel Catholic School (F1998)
2909 Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
Director and Chaplain: Rev. Jose Vernon C. Ilano
Faculty: 8
Enrolment: 73

E. Miscellaneous Listings

a. St. Arnold Janssen Pastoral Center
Bonifacio Street, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Diocesan Offices Complex
For Seminars and Conferences
Formerly St. William College Building

b. St. Lorenzo Ruiz Medical-Dental Charity Clinic (F1986)
Blessed Arnold Janssen Pastoral Center
Bonifacio Street, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720975
Medical Director: Dr. Myrna Chan
Nursing Staff: Ms. Analyn D. Dipit
Mr. Reno Ramos

c. Domus Patris (F1995)
(Home for Retired/Disabled Priests)
Bishop’s Residence Compound
P Gomez Stret, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721523
Resident Priest: Rev. Jose F. Agustin
Resident Nurse: Mr. Walter Y. Campos

d. DZEA-CMN Laoag Radio Station (F1991)
Evangelization on the Air
Brgy. Nalbo, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel Nos: (077) 7720425, 7720401, 7717197
Station Manager: Rev. Rock Guy N. Bonoan
Board of Directors:
Rev. Nolasco M. Pascua
Rev. Ronald I. Bonayon
Atty. Nestor Corpuz
Ms. Lina Tan
Ms. Rose Giron
Mr. Francisco Bitagon
Ms. Evelyn Velasco
Chief Technician: Mr. Robert Acidera
Traffic Officer: Ms. Lubelyn Guillermo
Local Act Officer: Ms. Nancy T. Sampiloc

e. Diocese of Laoag Multi-Purpose Cooperative
St. Arnold Janssen Pastoral Center
Bonifacio Stret, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720652

In-charge of Parish-Based Cooperatives:
Rev. Pedro A. Acoba

f. Shrine of Our Lady Cause of Our Joy
La Virjen Milagrosa de Badoc
Canonical Crowning: 1980 – St. John the Baptist Parish
Badoc, Ilocos Norte

F. Retreat Houses

a. Shalom Beach Complex
Brgy. Puyupuyan, 2917 Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
c/o Bishop’s Residence
Tel No: (077) 7705210
Office of the Oeconomus

b. Foyer de Charite (F1986)
Mangato, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7720381
Director of the Foyer: Rev. Rock Guy N. Bonoan

c. La Verna Hermitage
(formerly run by the OFM Capuchins)
Brgy. Davila, 2917 Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
c/o Bishop’s Residence
Tel No: (077) 7705210
Office of the Oeconomus

d. Madre Nazarena Domus (F1991)
Under the FDZ Sisters
Paterno Street, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tel No: (077) 7721330

e. Rogate Oasis (under the FDZ Sisters)
Brgy. Navotas, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte