PHILIPPINES Themes of Friendship And Sacrifice, Not Prejudice, Come Through Shakespeare Play, by Leilani Adriano

December 11, 2008

LAOAG CITY, Philippines (UCAN) - High-school student Sharmaine Mata was among more than 1,000 people laughing and chattering as they watched William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice staged in Filipino at a local college.

The 15-year-old Santa Rosa Academy student was filled with "excitement" and "curiosity," she said, because it was her first time to watch a live play.

Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte province, is 340 kilometers north of Manila.

Mata remembered vividly the character Antonio, who was willing to "sacrifice his life" to help his friend, Bassanio, who needed a large sum of money. Antonio was able to borrow the money for him from Shylock, a greedy moneylender, by agreeing to give a pound of flesh if he failed to pay it back.

Fellow student Jan-Jan Decano, 14, another person UCA News interviewed in connection with the play, was also impressed by Antonio's commitment to his friend. The boy told UCA News it was hard for him "to imagine someone would sacrifice his life just to help out a friend."

Actors' Repertory Theater staged the play on Nov. 29 at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City, in collaboration with local tourism and education officials. The Manila-based theater group has been touring cities and towns outside the national capital region to promote appreciation of Filipino culture and Christian values through stage plays.

Group member Don Umali said he hopes students in areas where the medium is not popular will deepen their appreciation of theater arts.

The Merchant of Venice, written in the late 1590s, has stirred debate over the Jewish identity of its villain, Shylock. The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League provides on its website (www.adl.org) a discussion guide for educators on anti-Semitism and The Merchant of Venice. The website says the league seeks to stop defamation of the Jewish people, and secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike.

However, Father Joel Castillo, superintendent for Catholic schools in Laoag diocese, noted that the local audience found the nature of the characters "more important" than their religion and did not express any prejudice.

"In Ilocos Norte, people of all religions live in harmony and without prejudice," the school superintendent said on Dec. 11.

Laoag diocese serves Ilocos Norte province. Roughly 67 percent of 658,454 people are Catholics, according to the 2005 Catholic Directory of the Philippines. Most of the rest are other Christians.

Santa Rosa English teacher Mercy Reyes told UCA News teachers appreciated The Merchant of Venice as well. She said it showed students values "we have been teaching them in the classroom."

According to provincial education department records, there are about 20,000 high-school students in Ilocos Norte.

Catholic schools require students to take Christian Life Education where values are taught. The public high-school curriculum integrates values education in Filipino, English literature and other subjects.

On Dec. 8, Father Nolasco Pacua Jr., Laoag's catechetical director, told UCA News each parish provides optional weekly catechism classes for students in public elementary and high schools in their area that have values formation in their curriculum.

The director said about 140 catechists teach 15,000 students.

From UCAN News

Outreach in Adams held

The Catechetical and Mission Office conducted an outreach in Adams, Ilocos Norte in celebration of the Mission Month, October 29.

Located on top of a mountain, Adams remains one of the economically challenged towns of Ilocos Norte. This town and Barangays Balaoi, Caunayan, Pancian and Pasaleng of Pagudpud make up the recently established quasi-parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, whose church is in Pancian. Rev. Antonio Calautit, SVD administers the parish.

The office, in collaboration with the parishes' catechetical coordinators, began planning for the outreach as early as July. That same month Bishop Sergio Utleg and the clergy approved the plan as a course of action for the whole diocese.

Catechesis on the Church's missionary life was given in schools and in parish churches from August to October. Donations in cash and in kind were submitted to the parish offices and ultimately to the Catechetical and Mission Office as part of the people's response.

A Eucharistic celebration presided over by the bishop, with Rev. Nolasco Pascua, Jr., Catechetical and Mission Director, and Rev. Calautit concelebrating, at the St. Isidore Chapel formally opened the day's mission.

In his homily, Bishop Utleg said the outreach is a way to show God’s love for the least of our brethren.

He also said Adams is a perfect place to conduct such activities because of its distance and the presence of indigenous people. He admitted, “When they said that the outreach will be in Adams, I approved it because it would not only be in celebration of the Mission Month but also of the indigenous peoples who are honored during the Mission Month."

Bishop Utleg is the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

A catechetical instruction for the children followed the mass. Meanwhile, more than 300 adults and children availed of the medical and dental clinic offered by the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medical-Dental Charity Clinic of the Social Action Commission, at the Adams Central Elementary School hall.

The office prepared lunch for all. A gift-giving ended the outreach.

Ilocos bishop blames officials for jueteng resurgence

by Roy Lagarde, CBCP Monitor, October 15-28, 2007 Vol. 11 No. 21.

JUETENG is alive in Ilocos provinces because some local officials and even law enforcers are supporting it, a Church official said.

Laoag bishop Sergio Utleg alleged that some of these officials were even running the illegal numbers game themselves and stepping up operations.

“They are in favor of jueteng of course because they profit from it,” he said.

Utleg said they are planning to release another pastoral statement against jueteng to show their continuous opposition and remind the people about its negative impact
to society.

“Jueteng is bad because it promotes graft and corruption and disrespect for the law. It really has to be stopped,” he said.

In another development, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz yesterday hailed Manila mayor Alfredo Lim in his effort to stop jueteng operations in his jurisdiction.

“In Manila I know there’s no jueteng,” said Cruz who heads the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal (People’s Crusade Against Gambling).

But the prelate said Lim’s effort should continue because jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling remained pervasive in other areas.

“I will encourage anybody to do away with it because jueteng is an exploitation of the people,” he also said.

Local Church Still Seeking Justice For Murdered Priest A Year After Killing

September 1, 2008, LAOAG CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- A streamer demanding "Justice for Father Rigonan!" still hangs at the gate of the slain priest's parish in the northern Philippines, a year after he was killed.

The slaying of Father Florante Rigonan remains unsolved largely because the police are "not doing what they are supposed to do," Bishop Sergio Utleg of Laoag told UCA News on Aug. 28. Father Rigonan headed the diocese's St. Isidore Labrador Parish in Pinili town.

In the bishop's view, investigators "lack motivation" to solve the year-old murder case. "More effort" should be exerted to pursue the investigation, he said, so justice will prevail not for Father Rigonan, who is "already resting," but for the sake of the people he left behind.

"Peace" will not be achieved in Ilocos Norte with an "inefficient justice system," the prelate added. Laoag City, the provincial capital, lies 340 kilometers north of Manila.

Father Rigonan died on the spot on August 28, 2007, when gunmen shot him in the head and other parts of the body after he said Mass at the house of Florencio and Elisea Macalma in Puritac, Pinili, about 30 kilometers south of Laoag City.

Parishioners, friends and relatives of Father Rigonan gathered at the parish church this Aug. 28 for a Mass Bishop Utleg led with Pinili parish priest Father Richard Blas-Antonio concelebrating.

Parishioner Nita Antonio, who attended the Mass, is "still shocked" that "God's instrument for people's salvation" was killed. The 48-year-old church worker told UCA News she also feels sad that justice has not been served.

Days after the murder, Philippine National Police (PNP) regional director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil created Task Force Rigonan to speed up investigation of the crime. Its membership was drawn from the PNP Crime Investigation and Detection Group, the Crime Laboratory, the Regional PNP Intelligence Group and local police.

Based on witnesses' testimony, the task force recommended in September 2007 that the provincial Prosecutor's Office file murder charges against Liwliwa and Lyndia Macalma, Elisea's nieces.

However, a court case has not been filed because the testimony and evidence submitted were "purely circumstantial" and "not enough," provincial prosecutor Bernardo Agdigos told UCA News on the day of the anniversary Mass.

Father Rigonan's case is "pending investigation" by the PNP, Agdigos said at the Ilocos Norte Marcos Hall of Justice in Laoag City. He explained the prosecutor's office is waiting for the PNP to submit "any additional evidence" that would "directly pinpoint" suspects in the priest's killing.

The prosecutor reported that witness testimony submitted by Task Force Rigonan last year and other evidence were returned due to "insufficiency to establish probable cause."

Witnesses included Father Rigonan's sister, Eva, and Elisea Macalma.

In her sworn statement, Eva reported her brother had received death threats from Liwliwa and Lyndia, who were allegedly jealous of the 5-million-peso donation Florencio and Elisea gave the priest for the construction of the St. Isidore Labrador Parish church. At that time, the donation was equal to about US$108,000.

Meanwhile, Elisea's affidavit says Liwliwa also appeared to have resented the fact that Elisea and her husband Florencio took Father Rigonan with them to the United States and paid for his airfare.

Ilocos Norte has a "good crime solution efficiency percentage," a PNP official told UCA News on condition of anonymity. Only 14 of 59 cases of murder, homicide, physical injury, rape and robbery registered in the province between April and June 2008 have not yet been solved, the provincial website reports.

Int'l Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples chairman Bishop Sergio Utleg delivers his speech during “A Forum to Celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples” organized by the International Labour Organization at the RCBC Plaza in Ayala, Makati City on August 7. Utleg vowed for Church’s support to programs geared towards the protection and total development of IP communities.

Source: CBCPonline: News in Stills

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Seminarian Xavier Valbuena ordained deacon

Sem. Xavier Valbuena was received into the Order of Deacon in solemn rites officiated by Most Rev. Ernesto A. Salgado, D.D., Archbishop of Nueva Segovia, in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology (ICST), Vigan City, June 28.

Rev. Xavier, who graduated from ICST in March, was ordained along with five other seminarians from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and Diocese of San Fernando (La Union). A Benedictine seminarian, who spent two years in ICST, joined the ordinandi.

Some 30 priests and 400 lay people, including the parents, relatives, benefactors and friends of the ordinandi, attended the ordination rites.

Son of Mr. & Mrs. Amable and Cristina Valbuena of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Rev. Xavier finished his elementary education at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial School in his hometown. He began his seminary formation at St. Mary's Seminary, but obtained his bachelor's degree in philosophy, a preparatory course for theology, from St. Louis University in Baguio City.

Rev. Xavier spent one Spiritual Formation Year (SFY) and four years theological studies at ICST before his ordination to the diaconate.

He is presently assigned as a formator at St. Mary's Seminary, his alma mater.

When he is ordained to the priesthood, Rev. Xavier shall be the fourth priest to come from St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, an "Aglipayan country", after Fr. Joel Reynold Castillo (1998), Fr. Nolasco "Tom" Pascua, Jr. (2003), and Fr. Benedicto Pola, Jr., OC (2005).

Mission Commission to launch mission awareness and involvement program

The Commission on Mission drew up its plan for the celebration of the Mission Month in October in its first coordinators' meeting, July 4.

Presided over by Fr. Nolasco "Tom" Pascua, Jr., the newly-appointed commission director, assisted by Sr. Evangeline Pabalate, MCST, the meeting was called to put in order its program of activities for a meaningful celebration of the month of mission.

The Commission has set itself to (1) make the people, especially school children, aware of the missionary life of the Church, (2) develop the virtue of generosity in them, (3) stir up the missionary spirit in them hopefully culminating in involvement, and (4) visit chosen apostolate area/areas as beneficiaries of the “missionary” gifts of the people.

To realize these, (a) a catechesis on mission in both the parish and the classroom settings shall be given. A lesson guide for this purpose shall be made available for use of the catechists. (b) A “mission desk” shall be put up in a strategic place outside the parish churches where voluntary contributions for the Pondo para iti Misyon, in the fashion of the ‘widow’s mite’, may be made by parishioners, including the school children. (c) Business establishments shall be requested to sponsor “mission cans,” which the catechists will prepare, into which their clients may meaningfully ‘waste’ their scraps. Students and pupils of the diocesan schools shall also be encouraged to prepare and sponsor mission cans as a class or individually. (d) The PPC and PFC of the parishes shall be humbly asked to help catechists look for donors as well as to contribute in cash for the Pondo or in kind. (e) Catechists shall also do their share of sacrifice for the Pondo.

This plan presupposed the approval and generous support of the Priests' Assembly, especially the parish priests and school directors. The assembly gave its nod during its monthly meeting, July 15.

The Commission will select the beneficiary/beneficiaries in the next coordinators’ meeting on August 1. Whether to hold the outreach on the parochial, vicarial or diocesan level, or a combination of two, will finally be decided.