Buod ng Liham Pastoral ng CBCP “Panigan ang Buhay, Tanggihan ang RH Bill”

Nuong Enero 30, 2011 muling naglahad ng isang Liham Pastoral ang Kapulungan ng mga Katolikong Obispo ng Pilipinas (CBCP) upang ipaliwanag ang patutol nating mga Katoliko sa RH Bill. Unang binigyang pansin ng CBCP ang nasasaad sa Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas na “Pinahahalagahan ng estado ang dangal ng bawa’t tao” (Art II, Sek 11) at “Ipagsasanggalang din nito ang buhay ng ina at ang buhay ng di pa isinisilang mula nang ito ay ipaglihi” (Art II, Sek 12). Malinaw dito na pinahahalagahan Saligang Batas ang kahalagan ng buhay. Kaya’t himahamon ng CBCP ang mga mambabatas na piliin ang buhay.

Naniniwala ang CBCP na may higit na uri ng katiwalian--ang katiwalian sa moralidad na siyang tunay na ugat ng lahat ng katiwalian. Mariin nating tinututulan ang RH Bill dahil ito ay isang matinding paglapastangan sa buhay ng tao na ating itinangi. Ang RH Bill ay bunga ng isang materialistang diwa.

Ang ating paniniwala ay nakasalig sa dalawang pangunahing paninindigan ng mga sumasampalataya sa Diyos: 1. Ang buhay ay ang pinaka-sagradong kaloob sa isang tao ng Diyos, ang Maylikha ng buhay. Ang mga sagabal na artipisyal upang mahadlangan ang pasilang ay maliwanag na paglabag sa batayang katotohanang ito. 2. Ang mga magulang ang may pangunahin karapatan na kalingain at hubugin ang kanilang mga anak upang sila ay umunlad ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.

Hindi pinagsasanggalang ng RH Bill ang kalusugan ng sagradong buhay. Ang mga artipisyal na pamamaraan ng kontraseptibo ay nakapipinsala sa buhay ng tao dahil pinipigil nito ang pagsisimula ng buhay. Batay sa agham ang mga kontraseptibo ay maaring pagmulan ng kanser at mapanganib sa kalusugan ng mga babae.

Ganundin ang malawakang paggamit ng kontraseptibo ay nagpapataas ng bilang ng aborsyon. Ang pagsablay ng mga kontraseptibo ay bumabaling sa aborsyon, na itinuturing ng lahat ng relihiyon na kasalanan. Hindi rin totoo na pipigilan ng kontraseptibo ang paglaganap ng HIV/AIDS. Sa mga bansang laganap ang paggamit ng condom, patuloy na kumakalat ang HIV/AIDS. Nagbibigay ang mga condoms ng huwad na kasiguruhan na nagtutulak sa mga gawaing sekswal, na nagpaparami rin sa mga kaso ng HIV/AIDS. Ang tinatawag na “ligtas na sex” upang pigilin ang HIV/AIDS ay huwad na propaganda.

Hindi rin totoo na dapat sugpuin ang pagdami ng mga tao upang makalaya sa kahirapan. Hindi labis ang bilang ng tao sa Pilipinas kundi nagsisiksikan lamang ang mga tao sa mga lunsod. Walang tuwirang ugnayan ang bilang ng tao at ang kahirapan. Ang dami ng mga tao ay hindi ang dahilan ng kahirapan kundi kasakiman, katiwalian, kawalan ng pagkakapantay sa lipunan, kakulangan sa edukasyon, at iba pa. Upang makaahon sa kahirapan, kinakailangang nating sugpuin ang katiwalian na syang tunay na dahilan ng kahirapan at hindi ang bilang ng mga tao.

Kaya nga’t naninindigan ang CBCP na tayo ay nagmamalasakit sa katatayuan ng mga mahihirap, tayo ay para sa buhay, at naniniwala tayo na ang responsible at natural na pagsasayos ng bilang ng pagsisilang ay sa pamamagitan ng Natural Family Planning. Naniniwala tayo sa kalayaan sa relihiyon at sa karapatan ng pagtutol ayon sa buhdi sa mga bagay na labag sa sariling pananampalataya.

Sa huli, nanawagan ang CBCP na isasaingtabi nang lubusan ang RH Bill, tugunan ang mga tunay na dahilan ng kahirapan gaya ng katiwalaan, magtatayo ng maraming paaralan at inprastruktura na kailangan sa kaunlaran at “sama-samang manalangin, magmuni, magpasya, at kumilos lagi sa layunin ng katotohanan at itaguyod na mga halagang pantao at pang-kultura.”

+NEREO P. ODCHIMAR, DD

Obispo ng Tandag

Pangulo, CBCP

Ika-30 ng Enero 2011

ONDOY… MAKALIPAS ANG ISANG TAON, PAG-ALALA AT PAGTUGON

Eksaktong isang taon na ang nakalilipas mula nang maganap ang malaking pagbaha sanhi ng Bagyong Ondoy na nagpamalas ng kanyang lupit sa ating bansa. Ang pagbahang ito ay nakaapekto sa syamnapung porsiento (90%) ng ating bayan ng Cainta at lahat tayo ay nakaranas sa nakagigimbal na epekto ng bahang ito. Totoo nga na ang bahang ito ay dulot ng napakalakas na pagpatak ng ulan na hindi naranasan sa ating bansa sa kanyang kasaysayan. Subalit hindi rin natin maikakaila na naging mas malala ang pagbaha sapagkat karamihan sa ating mga ilog at kanal at barado ng mga basura.

Sa paggunita natin ng unang anibersaryo ng malaking pagbaha ngayong Septiembre 26, 2010, minarapat ng ating Parokya ng Ina ng Kaliwanagan na gunitain ito sa isang positibong paraan. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng paglulunsad ng isang Proper Waste Disposal and Cleanliness Drive. Malinaw and kadahilanan: and isang dahilan kung bakit napakadaling magbaha sa ating bayan ay dahil sa mga kalat at basura na nagbabara sa ating mga ilog at daanan ng tubig. Sabi nga: “Prevention is better than cure.”  Sa halip na sisisihin natin ang ating pamahalaan dahil sa hindi ganap na paglilinis ng ating kapaligiran, higit na mabuti kung magsisiskap muna ang ating mga mamamayan na panatilihing malinis ang ating kapaligiran at tumigil sa pagtatapon ng dumi at basura sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Ang malungkot na katotothanan ay marumi ang ating kapaligiran. Marami pa rin tayong mga kababayan ang may masagwang ugali ng pagtatapon at pag-iwan ng kanilang basura sa mga pampublikong lugar. Ginagawa naman ng pamahalaan ang kanilang tungkulin na linisin ang ating mga kalsada at drainage subalit laging nagbabalik ang mga basura sa mga pook na ito. Nakalulungkot na marami sa ating mga mamamayan ang walang malasakit tungkol sa pinsalang dulot ng pagtatapon ng kalat at basura sa kapaligiran.

 Sinasabi din po na “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Pero masasabi din po na ang kalinisan ay isang pangangailangan upang maipakita natin ang ating pananalig sa Diyos. Dapat tayong magmalasakit sa ating kalikasan hindi lamang upang mapangalagaan ang ating nag-iisang daigdig na ating tahanan, at upang mapigilan ang mga pinsalang dulot ng pagkasira ng kalikasan. Mayroon pang isang mas malalim na dahilan: ang daigdig ay likha ng Diyos and hindi natin masasabing mahal natin ang Diyos kung hindi naman natin pinangangalagaan ang kanyang nilikha. Ang pangangalaga sa daigdig ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng ating pananampalatayang Kristiano. Ang pagmamalasakit sa kalikasan ay kailangan para tayo ay matawag na tunay na Kristiano!

Magagawa ba ito? Nakita natin na ilang malalaking lunsod sa ating bansa ay nasanay ang kanilang mga mamayanan na panatilihing malinis ang kanilang paligid. Nagawa na ito sa mga lunsod ng Olonggapo, Davao, Puerto Princesa at kailan lang, sa ating karatig na Marikina. At ang mga ito ay malalaking lunsod na napanatili ang kanilang kalinisan. Ang ating bayan ay hindi naman isang napakalaking munisipalidad. Kahit na maraming tao, naniniwala kami na ang Cainta ay maaring maging isang bayan na ang mga tao ay natuturuan at nahuhubog na panatilihin ang kalinisan ng kapaligiran. Mayroon kaming dakilang adhikain na gawin ang Cainta na pinakamalinis na bayan sa buong bansa!

Simula ngayong taon, maari nating ariin ang temang “Cainta: Bayang Malinis”, o katulad na kasabihan. Kailangan nating ikintal sa lahat ng mamamayan ang matinding pangangailangan na panatilihing malinis ang ating kapaligiran at pigilan ang lahat ng uri ng walang habas na pagtatapon ng basura sa mga pampublikong lugar. Kung hindi, muli’t muling nating mararanasan ang masakit epekto ng Ondoy.

Dahil dito, nananawagan ang Parokya ng Ina ng Kaliwanagan sa lahat ng mananampalataya na makiisa sa adhikaing ito. Kailangan nating turuan ang lahat ng ating kababayan tungkol sa wastong pagtatapon ng basura. Ito ang una at pinakamaliit na magagawa natin para mapigilan ang pagbaha at pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan. Nananawagan kami sa lahat na makiisa sa adhikaing ito. Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mamamayan na tigilan na ang pagkakalat at pagtatapon ng basura sa pampublikong lugar. Magsikap tayong lahat na panatilihing malinis ang ating paligid at malaya sa lahat na uri ng basura.

o     Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng magulang na magpakita ng magandang halimbawa at turuan ang mga anak na huwag magkalat sa publiko.

o     Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng guro at tagapamahala ng mga paaralan na gawin itong bahagi ng pagtuturo.

o     Nananawagan sa mga negosyante na gawin ang kalinisan at pangangalaga sa kalikasan na pangunahing layunin ng kanila corporate social responsibility.

o     Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mga samahang sibiko na maglaan ng mga basurahan sa ating pamayanan.

o     Nananawagan kami sa mga pinuno ng pamayanan na magsimula ng isang pangkalahatang paglilinis sa ating bayan.

Sa kahulihan, nanawagan kami sa lahat ng tagapamuno ng ating pamahalaan ang mahigpit na ipatupad ang anti-littering law. Sinimulan ng Metro manila Development Authority ang kampanyang ito ngayon buwan ng Septiembre sa Metro Manila. Agad tayong tumulad sa dakilang adhikaing ito upang maging malinis ang Cainta at maging isang bayang nangangalaga sa kalikasan, isang bayan na tunay nating maipagmamalaki!

Nawa’y patnubayan tayo ni Maria, Ang Ina ng Kaliwanagan sa adhikaing ito.

Sumasainyo kay Kristo,

  

Rev. Msgr. Arnel F. Lagarejos

ONDOY… A YEAR AFTER

It has been almost a year since “the great flood” caused by Typhoon Ondoy wrought its fury in our country. This flood affected more than 90% of our municipality of Cainta and all of us experienced the harrowing effects of this flood. Although it is an accepted fact that the massive flooding was caused by the unprecedented quantity of rainfall never seen before in the recent history of our country, it also cannot be denied that the flood was made worse because most of our waterways are clogged with garbage and wastes.

As we commemorate the first anniversary of “the great flood” on September 26, 2010, we in the Parish of Our Lady of Light deem it worthy to bring to mind this distressing event in a more constructive manner. It is by means of launching a Proper Waste Disposal and Cleanliness Drive. The reason is clear: one reason why our community gets flooded so easily is because of the garbage that litters our surrounding and clog our waterways. It has always been said that “Prevention is better than cure.” Instead of blaming the government for not being able to thoroughly clean our surrounding, it would be much better if our citizens would first strive to keep their surrounding clean and stop throwing their garbage in public domain.

The sad truth is our surrounding is dirty. Our people have the dreadful habit of throwing and leaving their trash in public areas. The government is doing its part in cleaning our roads and waterways but garbage always find their way back. Unfortunately, many of our people are unconcerned about the menacing effects of litters and garbage being thrown in our surrounding.

It has also been said that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” But it could also be said that cleanliness is prerequisite to Godliness. We need to be concerned with our environment not only to preserve the one and only abode that we have and prevent the adverse effects of environmental destruction. There is a more profound reason: the earth is God’s creation and we cannot truly say that we love God unless we care for His creation. Care for the earth is an integral part of our Christianity. Concern for the environment is a demand of Christian faith!

 Can this be done? We have seen that several cities have made it a habit of their citizens to maintain their community clean. This has been done in the cities of Olongapo, Davao, Puerto Princesa and recently in Marikina. And these are big cities that have maintained their cleanliness. Ours is not a very big municipality. Although thickly populated, we believe that Cainta could be a community where people are educated and trained to maintain cleanliness of our community. We have this grand vision to transform Cainta into the cleanest municipality in the country.

Beginning this year, we can adapt the theme – Cainta: Bayang Malinis, or something to that effect. We need to impress upon all citizenry the dire need to keep our surroundings clean and prevent all forms of disposing our waste in public. Otherwise, we will once again, and again, face the spectre of another Ondoy.

In view of this, the Parish of Our Lady of Light spearheads and calls upon all our faithful to join this campaign. It is imperative that we start educating our people towards proper waste disposal. This is the first step and the least that we can do in order to help prevent flash flooding and take care of our environment. We implore all to help in this noble endeavour.

Thus, we call upon all citizens of good will to avoid all forms of littering and throwing their waste in public domain. Let us all together strive to make our community clean and free of all unsightly and unwanted wastes.

-       We call upon all parents to give good example and train your children not to litter in public.

-       We call upon all teachers and school officials to make this campaign part of your curriculum.

-       We call upon business enterprises to make cleanliness and environmental concern the primary direction of your corporate social responsibility.

-       We call upon civic organizations to help provide more waste disposal bins in our communities.

-       We call upon community leaders to initiate a massive clean-up drive.

 And lastly, we call upon all our government officials to enforce the anti-littering law. The Metro Manila Development Authority has recently begun this campaign this month of September 2010. Let us immediately follow suit to this noble endeavour so that we can make Cainta a truly clean and environmentally-friendly municipality -- a town we can all truly be proud of!

Arnel Lagarejos: A TRIBUTE TO +NANAY AIDA

Arnel Lagarejos: A TRIBUTE TO +NANAY AIDA: "On June 27th year 2010, our good Lord called Nanay, Aida Fuentes Lagarejos, to her perpetual rest in heaven. Born on October 8, 1933, she w..."

A TRIBUTE TO +NANAY AIDA

On June 27th year 2010, our good Lord called Nanay, Aida Fuentes Lagarejos, to her perpetual rest in heaven. Born on October 8, 1933, she was 76 years old.
Nanay Aida is my image of a strong woman. She was a mother to look up to. She emanated beauty, sophistication, nurture, strength, perseverance, integrity, love, and a very strong faith in a gracious and loving God.
Nanay Aida was the oldest of 7 children, 2 of whom died at an early age. She was primary in helping take care of all her younger siblings. She was known to have the leadership to handle decision making involving her brothers and sisters. She was the “mother” of their household because she took charge in their needs.
Nanay Aida continued that legacy with her own family. Married to Tatay Anchit, siring nine (9) children, Nanay never tired of looking out for her family. Working a full-time job as a public health dentist, she (with Tatay) made tough decisions in bringing up the 9 children properly. Yet she never waivered in her faith in God, never faltered in her religious practice of worshipping God daily, and leaving everything to His care. My Nanay Aida is the reason I believe in miracles.
We all know Nanay Aida loved us, and she cared. From ever since I can remember, my Nanay took care of people. Not just us her immediate family, but also her extended family, her friends, her children’s friends, the neighbors, and everyone and anyone that she came across with. She cooked, and oh boy, did she cook for everyone! She was the ideal hostess. My friends, my siblings’ friends, classmates that have set foot in our house all spoke highly of Nanay Aida’s delicious cooking. I remember Kuya Arnel (my oldest brother who is a priest) bringing in all his seminarian friends to the house, and they were all treated like they were our own family because of Nanay Aida. I grew up around various priests that took our house as their second home because Nanay Aida welcomed them as her own sons with open arms. She loved all of God’s people.
Not just the ones called to ministry, Nanay Aida loved ALL of God’s people. Even the strangers, the poor, and the ones in need. She strived to be a part of the solution, providing help. She gave free dental service, in God’s name, in and out of Rizal province. She volunteered in the church dental clinic to practice the talent in dentistry God gave her, for service to our Lord.

Not just as a dentist, but even as a fellow Christian, Nanay met the financial, emotional, and spiritual needs of various people in various walks of life that approached her, asking for her assistance. I never once saw her discriminate among the privileged and underprivileged, she gave all equal treatment and help.
Even with family, we never doubted her undiscriminating love. She reached beyond her own kids, caring for nieces and nephews that needed her. Her own brothers and sisters, all of us her children, and extended family, depended on, and respected Nanay for spiritual and family advice. She is why we value church and prayer; why we eat dinner at the same time, why we celebrate birthdays, and all occasions, however simple, together, appreciating God’s blessings in our lives.
She also taught us to enjoy life in the midst of doing the right things. A woman who lived life fully, Nanay pursued her love to travel. She was able to go to various countries around the world, including the Holy land in Israel. She went to Europe, the United States and Asia. She showed us it is right and commendable to live life according to the passions God has placed in our hearts. She expected the best from all her children, yet we knew she loved us despite our weaknesses. She believed in our beauty and abilities.
Nanay Aida emanated beauty from the inside out. Externally, she was always well-dressed, with make-up, matching shoes to purse, everything to a tee. My Nanay was not extravagant, but she had class. Her friends would tease us, her daughters, that none of us matched up to her beauty. And I believe it. Nanay Aida had beauty none could top.
That’s because her beauty came from the inside. Nanay Aida had a very godly heart. Nanay was very kind. She loved with a passion that you felt. One just had to be close to her to feel that love emanating from her being. Nanay was someone we hug, we kiss because she hugged so lovingly, and with her kiss you felt so comforted and loved. She was an awesome sister, mother and friend. Nanay emanated God’s pure love.
Nanay Aida taught us a lot of virtues not just by the words she spoke, but even more so with the life she lived. Nanay spoke to us, she strived to be heard, yet she also listened. She was a mother that never tired of teaching her kids the right thing to do. We knew right and wrong because she told us. She taught us to help others, do what’s right at all times, be hospitable, be respectful, appreciate God’s grace and provisions, to believe in God and His miracles, because we have experienced them within our family. Her faith was unquestionable because God was real in her life.
She also took a stand. She took a stand in her beliefs: faith, moral, ethical, financial, in education, even in politics. She taught us that it is okay to disagree, and still love each other. Love unmarred by differences. Despite challenges in life, our family is intact, we love one another because Nanay taught us God’s right kind of love. Unconditional.
Even as we watched the ravages of Fronto-Temporal Dementia take life away from her, we continued to see the integrity, the strength, the beauty, and the real Nanay Aida underneath that ugly disease. We all remembered the beautiful, the virtuous Nanay Aida God lovingly placed in our care.
There are so much more Nanay Aida had said, had done. Pages are not enough to fill the love, the gratitude, the emotions, the appreciation of Nanay Aida, our mother. We will strive to live the legacy of love and faith that you have passed on to us. We will miss you so dearly, and we love you so very much, Nanay Aida! Thank you for being our Nanay.
　

Minnie Lagarejos Rafael
Nanay Aida’s 9^th child

SENAKULO SA CAINTA 2010

The municipality of Cainta in the Province of Rizal is famous for its annual Passion Play presentation. Herewith are some scenes of the Day 3 presentation of the Senakulo by the Samahang Nazareno, Inc. of Cainta, Rizal depicting the childhood of Jesus and the preaching of John the Baptist.
For more glimpse of the Senakulo, visit my Facebook account at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=160233&id=501683950.

Giwang-giwang

Every Good Friday, Binangonan holds one of the biggest processions in the province. With more than 40 images and no less than a hundred thousand participants, it is highlighted by the image of the Santo Sepulchro, otherwise called "Giwang-giwang" by the people of Binangonan.
Herewith is a glimpse of the solemn tradition (visit my FB site at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=160792&id=501683950).