Banagbanag January - May 2016 Issue

THE OFFICIAL QUATERLY PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESAN COMMISSION ON YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE OF MALAYBALAY

DECEMBER 2015 - MAY 2016, VOL. 37, NO. 1

Tayo

Naman

EDITOR IN CHIEF Charmain Grace Casquite ASSOCIATE EDITORS Shiela C. Lumambas, Cristine Mae Baguio

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CIRCULATIONS MANAGER Rachelle Darl Loayon ASST. CIRCULATIONS MANAGER Joseph Ybañez, Vincent Acodile Charry Casinabe LAYOUT ARTIST Aaron Don V. Salvaña ASST. LAY OUT ARTISTS Geneses Benson, John Omongos Jr. Mark Holy Maghanoy, Judy Esteban CARTOONISTS Alexander C. Alonzo, Jesse Cahanap NEWS EDITORS Kevin Jay Dinapo, Bryan Agustin Vianne Claire Sebuco MUSINGS EDITORS Deanna Alexa Abejuela Elesio Aguitong, Gladys Benson FEATURE EDITORS Stearril Congreso, Aris Jay Lapizar STAFF WRITERS Nestor Delig Jr., Jollibert Lozada Melbert I. Guipetacio, LIAISON OFFICERS Charamie Gempisao, Ghon Igpit, Shaira Balite, Ivy Batistis CONSULTANTS Jorrie Mae D. Hernandez, Sr. Leizyl G. Corre, FdCC, Fr. Ritchell S. Quita Joven C. Dela Peña, Jr. CONTRIBUTORS Honey Lit Menil, Sr. Geralyn Saldua, MIC Kobe Viodor, Lovella Grace Deiparine, Jenny Rose Diwan, Jade Harley Bretaña Joevi Jhun Idul, Mantoy Tadlas, Vincent Jayme Pulgo, Mommy Dailyn, Movin-on Gurl, Charien R. Sumagang, Balong Baluran

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An array of differently fashioned and cultured beings yet has one resounding and waiting-to-be-heard call: This is the youth. The group of whom the heroes of the past is reffering to as the future of our dear Mother Land. Yet these people have been frustratingly suppressed due to their numerous inabilities. Now is high time to be concretely heard; we are the future that those monumental persons keep on talking about. Now is our turn. Now is the time to go against the tide of indifference and obsolete stereotyping; of the things that were unconsciously built with hate and bitterness. Now’s the time to say, “Tayo Naman.”

Cover design and text by:

AARON DON V. SALVAÑA

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17 27 47

WHAT’S INSIDE? BukNews

07 09 15

Sinulog 2016 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, 1 ...Be a Saint!, 3 K-Yut’s 30th Parish Youth Festival, 5 Petition Walk 2016, 7 Bantay mga Batan-on ..., 9 Batan-on paglaom karon..., 11 DCYCC Formation & Meeting @San Fernando, 13 Kaamulan 2016, 15 Cabustam Youth Congress 2016, 17 Pit Señor!, 19 Ignatian Youth Festival, 20 BukYo Miduyog sa CYC 2016, 21 10th Bugwalan Youth Festival, 22 Honed and Prepared for Mission, 23

reflections

Attrocities of Trench Warfare..., 25 FeelGrim, 29 Pilgrim Experience with my PYA Family, 30 Bigas na ikinabubuhay...,31 Ang Pasyon sa Atong Ginoo, 33 Life Always has a First Time, 35 Of Longings and Desires, 37 Baktas Ngadtoo sa Ina Poon Bato, 38

31 Hapag-usapan Feature

Higala h’wag na tayong bitter, 39

33

Kung hatagan ka ug chance nga mahimong presidente ug isa ka adlaw, unsa man ang imong buhaton?, 43 Kung ikaw makadaug sa Lotto, unsa imong buhaton?, 45

a story to tell

My Personal Space: I will survive, 49 Vocation Story: Rescued by the Virgin Mary, 57

Lingaw2x corner

41 schedules, Dear Papang, 55 Komiks, 57

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ope Francis, on the occasion of the celebration of the 30th World Youth Day which was held in every dioceses around the world on Palm Sunday delivered the following message: “Dear young friends, in the culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of enjoying the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever’, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.” Indeed, we are living today in the world of so many uncertainties. We really are clueless of what tomorrow will bring unto us. That is why we are often caught in the culture of “playing safe” or the practice of just following the tide, even if the tide seems to betray and drown us in the journey. For us, being neutral is the best way to avoid headaches in the future. To settle for less among everything we are doing is perhaps the best escape to justify our commitments, responsibilities, dreams, and goals and so on.

Wala may forever, nganung mag commit man? Masakitan ra unya ko… Is that all we can do young people?

Lolo Kiko gave us a challenge, “I ask you instead to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the tide; yes I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love.” Our generation today is described

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as the millennial or group of people who are born in the age of information technology that characterizes mastery on latest gadgets, apps, technologies and the likes. We are born where everything is instant; we don’t have to exert too much effort. Just a click on the button and you are given what you wanted. Technology is making us lazy (I don’t think so). With these practices that we are accustomed to as we grow up might lead us to think that life is easy, that life is instant and that to sacrifice is no longer a noble act. Loving is no longer a responsibility and responsibility is no longer seen in the light of love. Hence, “Tayo Naman” was coined to lead us to reflect if the value of love and responsibility is still relevant in our lives. How pure is that love? How genuine is that service? Is that self-centered or others oriented?

“Tayo Naman” is a familiar Filipino phrase that signifies an invitation. In the view that it is an invitation implies that there is someone who initiate the act of inviting and an audience who respond to the invitation. Hence, an invitation is not fully realized when no one responded unto it. The phrase also manifests a communal act of response as the word “tayo” which refers to a group. Being in a group is identical to us as young people. The groups we belong with are our different levels of relationships. We have friends in the real and virtual world, in the campus, church, causeoriented and civic organizations, in the fraternities/sororities and

even in our texter’s clan and many more. The crowd seems to be our source of life and energy. We belong to them since we find the assurance of freedom, protection, benefits and acceptance in them.

Oftentimes, our unique identity was also derived from the group we are connected with.

But “Tayo Naman” is a proactive invitation to us to not just remain in the level of passive crowd dwellers.

However, we are also called to build a community and to be a dynamic member of it. We are called to be young revolutionaries against the culture that hinders us of our integral development as persons and as believers. A Christian revolutionary will not use guns, weapons and other violent means to achieve his goals.

Rather he employed passion by maximizing his talents and skills.

Most of all, he always connects with God for consultation, guidance and strength. For this, the phrase does not only mean going to a party, a fiesta, a debut and so on. It also means an invitation to lead, to be involved and to love.

Genuine leaders today are in scarcity. “Tayo Naman” invites us to take the leadership role.

Every day is the right time for us to stand our ground and to show to the world that we can.

Yeah, we have the capacity to contribute to the development of our community; we have the confidence to face the burden

Art by: Alexander Alonzo Text by: Aris Jay Lapizar

EDITORIAL of responsibilities and the intelligence to take an active participation in the confidential decision-makings that shapes us and the society we are living. We have the initiative to change the rotten system. We have the skills, the guts and the attributes of a good leader. Our environment shapes us to be. A good leader must know how to choose a good leader. Our national election is incoming. May your vote reflect the heart of a leader in you.

“Tayo Naman” also invites us to get involved. We now have the luxury of information technologies that gives us easy access to information. Pope Francis in his apostolic visit last year reminds us not to be young museums. The information we had received is not for us to keep but meant to be shared for others. Getting involved means

to be informed and to inform, and to share. Upon receiving the good news, we discover that inside of us bloom profound happiness that we could not contain except by sharing it to others. To be involved is for us to become active evangelizeevangelizers of our fellow young people and the community in general.

“Tayo Naman” is a gesture of love. Love is always an invitation that entails responsibility. Today, young people are seen as afraid of responsibilities and incapable of true love. Forever is just a myth of the past. Chivalry is corny. Be practical. Why stick to a lone relationship when you have the choices around. Just collect and select and collect again. “Mr. /Ms. Perfect” has not yet come. Until when is your search? What if it’s just an escape to hide the real

you that is afraid of commitments and responsibilities?

Being committed is to be always there and it requires time. Besides, perfection is elusive to those eyes blinded by fear and hearts wrapped in selfishness. To love is to be vulnerable so that others may be one in us and us to them.

There are many of us who have already done their part. Look at Reeze Fernandez-Ruiz, Aisa Mijeno and Mark Zuckerberg.

They are only some of the personalities who maximize their productivity in their younger years. As the song goes, “we are the church and we are young,” amidst the challenges we are facing today as young people of this fast changing world, our vocation to lead, to be involved and to love has not changed.

Tara! Tayo Naman.

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MESSAGE

From the Shepherd’s Desk

“Tayo Naman” Peace!

As we try to look back of our past, we’ll find many exemplary people who in their own little ways have shown the world how to live a Christian life.

They are our heroes of faith. They have emerged victorious amidst all the challenges and trials. They had received the crown of their glory. They have done their part.

Now is your time. As you can see, a lot have changed in our society and new challenges have emerged for the new generation. The church is now calling you my dear young people of God to be bold in your faith. Let the whole world know that young Christians are always ready to take on the challenge in life and show their faith in God. Now is your time to stand up and become models in the society for the young ones.

Help one another. It is then very important that as you journey through your faith that you help and support one another. There are many young people who are suffering from all sorts of problems and temptations in life; be their help. Show to them the right way and be their model.

I pray that as you take on the challenge of being in the front line that you may persevere and emerge victorious in the end with God’s loving gaze.

MESSAGE

The Director’s Cut

To all my Palanggang BukYo! Do you remember the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) where there were three people - the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan, who passed by a robber’s victim and only the Samaritan helped him? Have you encountered someone who needed help? Did you helped him like the Samaritan? Or ignored him like the Priest and the Levite (the religious representatives who are expected to help the victim)?

BukYo, mao kini ang akong challenge sa inyoha. If others can do, why can’t you? Magpabilin lang ba kita sa pagserbisyo sulod sa simbahan apan wala sa atong isig katawo, especially those who belong to the last, least and lost? As the saying goes, “Ang kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan.” Ipakita nga you are capable to do the responsibilities entrusted to you. Ipakita nga you are capable of becoming persons of PEACE, HOPE and LOVE. Courage my friend, TAYO NAMAN para sa pagbabago! Let us be Christian Revolutionaries! Let us make an inspiring difference.

God bless!

MESSAGE

A sister’s inspiration

Hi my dear BukYo, It’s very impressive to notice the generosity and participation of each BukYo in all youth activities in the diocese especially in the recent local celebration of the National Youth Day. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and extended yourselves in service which made the Local NYD blissful and meaningful.

Another opportune moment also to be grateful for was being with the huge crowd of young faithful during the International Eucharistic Congress-Youth Day in Cebu on January 27-29, 2016, where the young generation of today were encouraged to look deeply the very core of their being. In this present world were many things steal our quietness and interrupted our attention and somehow gratify our senses, you, young people are asked to reflect on what/who really occupies and controls your lives, what/who is really the center of your lives? This is also a question thrown to us by Cardinal Barron during his talk in IEC-YD. Whatever/whoever the focus of your lives would influence your choices and decision-making which would also direct your actions. I am consistently reminding you my dear BukYo, to be silent and to listen, to stop and look back as to where your life is leading in today’s challenges?

Is it really towards God, or only to this world? Is it for genuine long-lasting joy or just a short-term allurement? You should be very keen to whatever directs your passion, the influences of evil is doubled-attentive as to how you may deceive if Christ is no longer part of your lives.

Yes, you are called to be revolutionaries of faith. You are among the steadfast faithful who would bravely show your prophetic witnesses through your examples in this world where God is seemingly absent and irrelevant. Continue to draw closer to God through the sacraments, live your days with good people, with rightful activities and influences, with conscious actions and responsible decisions! We may pass our youthful days only once, live life accordingly! You, yourselves may harvest the fruit of your good works, our genuine happiness in this world is for the greater glory of God! Padajon mga KaBukYo sa paglawig diha sa pagtuo, paghigugma ug paglaom!

MESSAGE

A Leader’s Note

“Our deepest joy comes from Christ: remaining with him, walking with him, being his disciples.”

YOUNG REVOLUTIONARIES—TAYO NAMAN! The word “hope” essentially refers to the youth. We are the rebels of change and it is our task to fulfill our very own purpose. As a young, we are much capable amidst of the social challenges we are facing in today’s unbelieving society. We are an integral part of the church, challenged to lead the young people in the ministry. We play a vital part wherein all of us must become evangelizers of God’s promise. This is the real challenge for us now youth leaders. Stepping out from our comfort zones and believing we can be an instrument of change, of hope. We have to deeply instill it to ourselves that there is hope, and we are the living manifestation of it.

We are now getting closer to that time again that we will be choosing new leaders to lead our country. It is not enough to just choose potential people for the sake of practicing our right to suffrage; hence, we are encouraged to vote responsibly and wisely. This is not just a privilege; this is a right, a right of every human being. Young as we are, we can do something.

Social media is just around the corner and this is an advantage to spread our battle cry — be involved and be heard.

As youths, we must be vigilant in serving our local communities, addressing the need to uphold the rights of every Filipino to our political leaders and to the whole community as well. The strength of the nation lies in the hands of the youth and they must not underestimate that.

Many of us young live a life without hope, filled with discouragement and doubt; however, we must find peace in our hearts and to live in peace among others. As young people of God, may we always live with encouragement like the two men who walked with Jesus in the road to Emmaus. May we experience the same hope, the same joy which is found in Jesus as we journey with Him. It is the joy of the church to see young people journeying together with the same mission. Let us motivate each other, especially the poor, to live a life of unity with Christ, love and mission to His people. As youth, may we always be reminded that we are the hope of the church, the hope of the future.

Sinulog 2k1 Kibawe, Buk by: Honey Lit L. Menil, Kibawe.

Maasin C i t y , Balingasag, M i s a m i s O r i e n t a l , Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, and he SinulogSouthern Leyte also Santo Niño have their own version Festival is of the festival in honor of an annual Santo Niño. cultural and Sinulog is the ritual religious festival held on the third Sunday of prayer-dance honoring January in Cebu City, and Señor Santo Niño or the is the center of the Santo Child Jesus. An image of Niño celebrations in the the Child Jesus is said to Philippines. Other places be the baptismal gift the like Kabankalan City, Portuguese conquistador 1 | Banagbanag

Ferdinand Magellan gave Hara Amihan (Humanay) of Zebu (now Cebu) in April 1521. The image, believed to be miraculous, is housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City. ( h t t p s : / / en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sinulog) We always celebrate the Sinulog festival in our parish every last Sunday of January. In honor to Sto. Niño, we always had this one day celebration

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16 in kidnon with the parishioners and with our priests and visitors. As a member of the Parish Youth Apostolate, we always participated in this yearly activity.

The Parish Youth Apostolate of Kibawe joined this year’s Sinulog Dance Festival presentation which happened to be a contest on the previous years’ celebrations. During our preparations, we always practice late because some of us are students

and workers but despite of these circumstances, we were still able to join and participate in the event. When the Dance Festival was still a contest, we always got the 2nd place despite of inadequacies. Just like what happened last January when we only practiced our Dance for an hour due to the late information, but we were still able to participate and gave joy to the people.

Though we were not

able to prepare ourselves for the presentation, but as a parish youth member, we really have to become flexible. We motivate ourselves by telling each other, “Sus! Kaya ra ni oy, bisag way practice. Kita pa? PYA biya ta!” Funny? That’s the PYA. (Hahahahaha!

Maanad ramo sa amoa.

Lols) Young people are creative and resourceful, that is why we can always show everybody the best of us despite of short notices.

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things this world can offer, but Bp. Barron said there are far more important things in life than that, “and that is to dream God’s dream for you and most importantly, to be a saint.”

“To find one’s center, to know that we’re all sinner, and to realize that one’s life is not about oneself,” are three ways to attaining sanctity.

MALAYBALAY CITY— “There is only one real sadness in life. That is not to be a saint. Not to be the person God is calling you to be.” These are the first words of Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, DD, keynote speaker of the first International Eucharistic Congress – Youth Days (IEC-YD) last January 28, 2016. The IEC-YD is part of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress hosted by the Archdiocese of Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines.

More than eight thousand young people from different archdioceses/dioceses in the Philippines convened at Hoops Dome, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, the main venue of the IEC-YD. Eighteen young people from the Diocese of 3 | Banagbanag

Malaybalay also took part in the event, as pilgrims and members of the delegation.

Bishop Barron, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Californa and is a known evangelist in his Word on Fire ministry, encouraged young people to be holy, as everyone is called

by God to be so, wherever he or she is and whatever he or she does.

In his catechesis, he pointed out that there are times when man forgets to dream God’s dream for him, so much so that he is only concerned of himself and of the things in this world. It pains God, he said. Money, fame, power and honor are all the

All of us has something or someone which keeps us going. That thing or person is the center of our lives. “It may be a person, thing, talent or anything.” But the most crucial part is recognizing where God is in all of those things.

Bp. Barron encouraged everyone to reflect if God is at the center of their lives. If he is not the center, he said, division, destruction and chaos will occur.

“To be a saint is to say ‘everything in me belongs to Je-

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Bp. Barron to IEC-YD delegates:

Be a Saint by: Shee C. Lumambas

sus Christ. Every part of me revolves around that center,” he added. Acknowledging that we have sinned and fall short in the glory of God (Romans 3:23) is as important as resolving to try not to sin anymore. “To be a saint is to know that you are a sinner.

Sin is bad worship. Sin is worshipping the wrong thing.”

There is only one who is to be worshipped, and that is Christ, he added.

Bp. Barron also explained the third way for a person to be a saint – that one’s life is not about oneself means we are all part of a much larger and bigger community.

Therefore, the need to give up our own plans and surrender ourselves to God’s will and plans, with all the gifts that we have and share it to others.

He taught the young the Law of the Gift, quoting St. John Paul II, “Your being in-

creases in the measure that you have given away!” It is necessary, he said, to surrender our lives according to God’s plan. “Eliminate wealth, pressure, power and honor” for you to truly give yourself to God’s will and make Him the center of your life.

“There’s a power within you that could power greater than we could imagine.”

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has given them. There were ball/outdoor/parlor games that somehow developed their physical aspects, indoor games that developed their intellectual and psychomotor skills (essay writing, painting, and chess), and bible quiz that helped them in getting to know more about our Christian faith.

of the highlights during their social night was the “Search for Mr. Ambassador and Ms. Ambassadress ‘15,” wherein one of their exposures was the presentation of the different Saints and their life’s stories. Each contestant projected a particular Saint through their different costumes. While

Social aspect and camaraderie were also developed during their Fiesta Salo-salo, Friendship game with Fr. Art Paraiso and the seminarians, and Different activities were during their social night, organized to help our where they showed their youth discover more, ap- different talents, abilities preciate and share one’s and creativities (singing, gifts and talents that God dancing, acting, etc.). One

they walked around the stage, the story of their own Saint that he/she presented is being read.

That was the first time ever happened since the 1st Parish Youth Festival.

Indeed, it was an inspiration from the Holy Spirit and I do believe that this is one way also of help-

ast December 26-29, 2015, the Kiburiao Parish Youth Apostolate (KPYA) once again celebrated the 30th Parish Youth Festival with the theme: “K-Yuth… mapadayong nagalawig diha, uban ug pinaagi ni Kristo nga puno sa gug-

ma ug kalooy.” The said activity was participated by around five hundred youth from the different chapels of the Parish.

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We were able to plant around one hundred fifty (150) Narra seedlings in our min`i-forest in Lake San Roque, Minsamongan, Quezon, Bukidnon.

That was our response to the appeal of our Holy Father, Pope Francis in

ing our youth to be more aware of the richness of our Christian Faith especially in listening and doing God’s will in our own simple and little ways. The Saints were a role model to the young people of today in living

and challenged the youth of today to really put Christ in the center of our lives and always strive to live a Christ-like life as God’s beloved children despite all the struggles and difficulties along the way. They also had the

a meaningful life – show some sacrifices for God.

his encyclical letter, “Laudato Si,” to care for our comSacrament of Reconcilia- mon home. tion incorporated in their Our hearts sing for ‘Taize Prayer’.

God’s goodness and graLastly, another high- tuitousness for the sucpoint activity during the cess and making our PYF Parish Youth Festival a memorable one. God was the Tree Planting. bless us all #MagnIfiCat

Some inputs were also integrated during the homilies from the parish priest, Fr. Nelson Madlos, DCM, and from our invited priest, Fr. Art Paraiso, DCM. They both inspired

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ne of the regular a c t i v i ties of the Kiburiao P a r i s h Y o u t h Apostolate (KPYA) during Holy Week particularly during Good Wednesday is the Petition Walk. Last March 23, 2016, there were around two hundred youth and some adults from the different chapels and some youth from other parish (Salawagan) who joined our Petition Walk. For the whole day, we walked in going to the different chapels in the parish (seven chapels) and meditated the fourteen (14) Stations of the Cross. As we walked and did some sacrifices, we also offer our common and personal 7 | Banagbanag

intentions.

The activity started with a Eucharistic Celebration in the Parish’s Church and we also culminated it through the sharing of the different faith experiences from those who joined the activity. I asked some volunteers from the first timers, f r o m those w h o u s e d to join Petition Walk and from some visitors.

I was so amazed by the different sharing - their personal encounter of this God who gratuitously loves each

one of us despite all our worthiness. Most of them shared that it was a tiresome day (walking under the heat of the sun, and passing through rocky, dusty and somewhat “not so easy� way) yet a

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wonderful experience.

They realized that their experience was just the tip of what our Savior Jesus Christ experienced for us to be saved. Truly, His love for humanity is tremendous and immeasurable. I thanked our gracious Triu n e

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God for our great and memorable journey especially for letting us know and experience all of His gratuitousness despite of all our shortcomings and failures. #MagnIfiCat

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' BANTAY

MGA BATAN-O

1 ka libo kapin ka mga batan-on mitambong sa lokal nga selebrasyon sa National Yo

ALAYBALAY CITY—Tungod sa mga nagkadaiyang problema ug hagit karon sa katilingban labina sa tibook kalibutan, gipahimangnoan ni Rev. Fr. Virgilio ‘Vir’ H. Delfin, CPA ang mga batan-on sa Diyosesis sa Malaybalay nga magmaigmat ug magmabinantayon.

“Bantay mga batan-on!” mga pulong pagdasig ug pag-awhag niya sa kapin usa ka libo ka mga batan-on nga mitambong sa National Youth Day 2015 – Local Celebration (NYD-LC) niad9 | Banagbanag

tong Enero 09, 2016 sa Sr. Mary Redempta McConnell gymnasium sa San Isidro College (SIC), Impalambong, sakop sa dakbayan sa Malaybalay.

Si Fr. Vir nga mao ang presidente usab sa SIC ang nahimong dinapit nga bisita sa maong katiguman. Siya mipaambit ug mipalawom sa tema sa kasaulogan, nga mao usab ang tema sa nasyonal nga panagtigom sa NYD niadtong Nobiyembre 10-15, 2015 gikan sa Mateo 5:8, “Bulahan ang putli og kasingkasing kay makita nila ang Dios” (Blessed are the

pure in heart for they shall see God).

“Magmaigmat kitang mga batan-on kay kung dili kita magmaigmat, posibleng dali kita madakpan sa dautan sa kalibutan,” nagkanayon si Fr. Vir. Una mipalawom sa tema, gipalawom usa ni Fr. Vir ang mga piling parapo gikan sa Apostolic Exhortation ni Papa Francisco nga nag-ulohan Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel).

Sa maong dokumento (EG 2) makita kini nga mga pulong: The great danger in today’s world, pervaded

ON '

a by: Shee C. Lumambas Youth Day as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.

Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is

no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

Matud ni Fr. Vir sa iyang pagpunting sa maong parapo, ang kasingkasing sa tawo karong panahona dili na mahaluna. “Adunay gakahitabo sa kalibutan karon,” matud niya, “ug kinahanglan magpabilin kitang magtukaw ug magmabinantayon” ilabina diha sa

pagbatok sa dautan nga dala sa kalibutanhong kalipay.

Gidugang pa ni Fr. Vir ang mga bersyo sa Bibliya gikan sa 1 Pedro 5:8 – ‘Pagmaigmat ug pagmabinantayon kamo kay ang inyong kaaway nga mao ang Yawa naglibotlibot kaninyo sama sa liyon nga nagngulob, nangita og tukbonon.’

“Alaot ang dili kabantay.”

We see God in… continued to page 59 Banagbanag | 10

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Ang Bishop Emeritus sa Diyosesis sa Dipolog, Bp. Jose R. Manguiran ang nangulo sa Santos nga Misa sa maong kasaulogan.

Silang duha nagkanayon nga ang mga batanon dili lamang sama sa giingon ni Jose Rizal nga paglaum sa umaabot, apan ang mga batan-on na ang paglaum sa kasamtangan.

Si Fr. Noel Suarez, ang rector sa San Isidro Labrador Cathedral ang mihatag sa Welcome Address atol sa National Youth Day – Local Celebration (NYD-LC) niadtong Enero 9, 2016

B ALAYBALAY CITY—Atol sa pinakaunang hiniusang selebrasyon sa National Youth Day - Local Celebration (NYD-LC) sa Diyosesis sa Malaybalay nga giapilan sa usa ka libo kapin ka mga batan-on, parehong si Bishop Jose R. Manguiran ug Fr. Noel Suarez ang nagkanayon nga ang mga batan-on dili lamang ang paglaum sa umaabot apan ang mga batan-on mao ang paglaum ning kasamtangang panahon.

Ang Bishop Emeritus sa Dipolog nga si Bp. Manguiran mao ang nanguna sa Santos nga Misa sa maong selebrasyon, samtang si Fr. Suarez usab ang mihatag sa iyang Welcome Address alang sa mga mitambong.

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Batan-on,

paglaum

KARON

u m a a b o t g sa

ug dili lan

by: Shee C. Lumambas Gikan sa mga nagkadaiyang parokya sa diyosesis, mga tunghaan, youth organizations, seminaries ug mga kumbento ang mga nahimong kabahin sa NYDLC.

Kamo na (mga batan-on) kanila sa pagkahimong ang paglaum karon!” maayo ug pagbuhat og Nagkanayon usab maayo sa tanang panasiya nga mosamot ang hon.

batan-on nga mamahimong paglaum karong panahona kung “mokuyog siya kang Kristo. Ayaw Si Bp. Manguiran, pakuyog anang kwarta.” sa iyang homiliya nagSa iya usab nga Weldasig sa mga batan- come Address ngadto on sa makanunayong sa mga mitambong, si pag-analisa sa mga Fr. Suarez unang mitimpanghitabo sa katiling- baya sa makusog niini ban. nga mga pulong, “God is “Magsige kita og analisa kay kita mao ang paglaum karon.” Dugang pa niya, bisan pa man nag-ingon si Jose Rizal, ang nasudnong bayani nga ang mga batan-on mao ang kaugmaon ugma damlag, gipamulong kini ni Bp. Manguiran, “Ayaw mo’g hulat ana. Ugma damlag, ang paglaum sa ugma. Ayaw na mo og hulat sa ugma.

Dili igo, matud niya, ang giingon ni Rizal nga ang mga batan-on ang paglaum sa nasud ugma damlag. Matud niya, “You are not just the future, you are the present of the fatherland.

You are not just the future of the church, but you are the present of good” nga gitubag usab the church. Kamo ang sa mga batan-on sa karon ug kaugmaon sa makusog, “All the time!” atong nasud.”

Gipanghinaut usab Apan sa iyang pag-ingon, “BukYo (Bukidnon niya, nga pinaagi sa paYouth) is good,” mihi- ghimo og maayong bunay ang tingong sa mga hat ug pagdani sa uban batan-on sa pagtubag, sa ingon, “makabaton kita og putli nga kas“all the time.” ingkasing aron makita Gisulod gilayon ni Fr. nato ang Dios.” (OriginalSuarez ang iyang menly published in Bandilyo sahe sa mga batan-on Weekly Newspaper) pinaagi sa pag-awhag Banagbanag | 12

BUKNEWS

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman

agtapokt a p o k ang mga batano n g lideris sa Diyosesis sa Malaybalay sa San Fernado Rey Parish, San Fernando, Bukidnon, niadtong ika-20 hangtod 21 sa Pebrero, 2016 aron sa pag tambong pag usab sa DCYCC (Diocesan Commission on Youth Coordinating Council) Formation and Meeting.

Gipahigayon kini aron sa paghisgot sa mga sunod nga mga aktibidadis sa umaabot

13 | Banagbanag

na mga bulan, ug sa mga nagmalampusong mga aktibdadis sa atong Diyosesis. Kini gilangkuban sa mga lider ug mga representante sa kada parokya.

Nagpahigayon usab ug recollection mahitungod sa umaabot na eleksyon (Political education) nga gihatag ni Fr. Beven Belderol, ang kura paroko sa Don Carlos.

Ang maong recollection parte sa pormasyon sa mga batan-on.

Nianang gabhi-una, nagpahigayon pag usab

UNANG DCYCC FORMATION AND MEETING SA TUIG 2016, GIPAHIGAYON. by: Gladys Benson

ug laing pormasyon nga mao ang paghugas sa tiil nga gipangunahan nila Sr. Leizyl G. Corre, FdCC, nga maoy Formator ug Chairperson sa Diocesan Commission on Youth ug sa bag-ohay pa lamang nga Diosesan Youth Leader sa atong Diyosesis nga si Joven Dela PeĂąa.

Gipahigayon kini isip paghandom sa atong Ginoong Hesus Kristo sa iyang paghugas sa tiil sa iyang mga apostoles. Kini nagpahinumdom sa mga batan-on sa pagpaubos sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan ilabina sa simbahan.

Natapos pag usab ang unang adlaw pinaagi sa mainitong pagdawat sa mga batan-on sa mga manggihatagong pamilya nga nahisakop sa Parokya isip mga foster parents.Gipahigayon usab ang Santos nga Misa sa ikaduhang adlaw nga gipanguluhan ni Fr. Norman Madrigal nga maoy Asst. Parish Priest sa maong parokya . Gisundan usab kini sa paghisgot-hisgot sa mga umaabot na mga aktibidades ug aron sa pag usab sa Vision and Mission statement sa

Diocesan Commission on Youth.

Kini na pagbag-o maoy bunga sa pagpamalandong sa mga batan-on.

Nagpasalamat usab si Sr. Leizyl sa midawat ug miabi-abi nga Parokya human sa panaghisgot.

Ug gitapos ang maong aktibidades pinaagi sa usa ka salo-salo. Malipayong gitapos sa mga batan-on ang DCYCC ug miuli sa ilang mga nagkadaiyang mga parokya nga may dala nga maayong balita.

Banagbanag | 14

BUKNEWS

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman

lbeit its inconsistency during the last few years, the Kaamulan Festival has always been a tolook-forward event in the country. The Festival was staged on the streets of Malaybalay City last April 1, 2016. This year, 9 municipalities and 2 cities joined the revelry namely Libona, Sumilao, Malaybalay City, Lantapan, Valencia City, San Fernando, Quezon, Kalilangan, Kadingilan, and Kibawe. Per tradition of the Lumads to start any activity, the Street Dancing kickedoff with a Pamuhat Ritual (Pamalabag daw Pabugwas) to ask Magbabaya to bless this year’s event. As early as 6:00AM, the colorful and culture-rich parade started with head-starts from the Muinicipality of Lantapan.

After all the contenders have marched, danced and chanted their ways going to the Capitol Grounds, the Ground Presentation then followed.

Being known as the “Only Ethnic Festival in the 15 | Banagbanag

by: Kobe Viodor

Philippines,” this year’s festival (and all of the other years) has truly been a living manifestation of the ways and tradition of the Majority Ethnic Groups here in Bukidnon. Hence, the ground presentations, which feature legends and folklores from the different competing municipalities showcased the immensely rich tradition of Bukidnon.

Although this year’s celebration was quite politicized, the Kaamulan Festival remained prudent in transmitting the Bukidnon culture which nowadays had been endangered by the influx of globalization and “westernization.” At the end of the competition, the Municipality of San Fernando bested all of the remaining contenders in the Street Dancing completion.

Also, the Municipality of Kalilangan won as the Best Ground Presenter for the orderly execution of their routines and choreography.

During the parade, the City of Valencia encountered a technical problem as their float malfunctioned causing the delay of their presentation.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t stopped them form aweing the spectators and judges and won the Float Competition due to the craftsmanship and how

the arts was integrated with literature on the story that is being told by the design of their float. The Municipality of San Fernando also proves that numbers come in handy but not a hindrance for a performance extraordinaire in the Street Dancing Competition (not to mention that they dance from Sumpong to the Capitol Grounds in bare foot) as they won the 1st prize Kaamulan, which came from the binukid word “amul” (to gather), refers to a gathering of Bukidnon people, particularly the seven (7) hill tribes of the Province of Bukidnon namely: Bukidnon, Higa-onon, Manobo, Tala andig, Umayamnon, Matigsalog and Tigwahanun to celebrate the different milestones of the community that can be celebrated all at once through this Festival - the only authentic ethnic festival left in the country. The Festival serves as a unification effort for the people of Bukidnon. It is a symbol also of the tribe people’s quest for identity and meaning through the years and also reflects the richness of local culture. The Festival whose history can be traced back to 1974, has grown in popularity over the years.

Banagbanag | 16

BUKNEWS

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman

he Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Youth Ministry” is the theme in which the recently held 10th CABUSTAM Youth Congress is celebrated with.

The CABUSTAM Youth Congress is a biennial gathering of youth ministers from the 5 ecclesiastical territories namely the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Dioceses of Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Malaybalay to discuss, reflect and act on issues that affect the youth ministry in general. This youth 17 | Banagbanag

congress is also an avenue for youth ministries across arch/dioceses to share certain practices and experiences to make their youth ministry more dynamic and more animated. This year’s congress was hosted by the Diocese of Tandag through the generosity of the people of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. The theme have been inspired by the recently held International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City. This is why the theme and all of the talks and activities within

the congress has something to do with the Eucharist per se.

The Congress started on April 07, 2016 and the first diocese to arrive in St. Michael’s College in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur is the Diocese of Butuan. The first day was purely dedicated to put a welcome-to-Cantilan feeling to the delegates. After the arrival activities (confirmation of registration, billeting of pilgrims to their foster homes, general orientation, etc.), the opening mass was celebrated.

Unfortunately, the Most Rev. Nedreo

10 SUB-REGION Congress9 CELEBRATES

TH

ITS

by: Ahdon Salvaña

Odchimar, the Bishop of Tandag wasn’t able to make it to the welcome mass that’s why His Excellency Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D. from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro celebrated in lieu of him. After the mass, the streets of Cantilan have been rocked by the cheers, stomps, chants and dances of the delegates as the Sadya sa Kadalanan: Festival of Festivals happened. This is a parade of cultures, colors and dances of each diocese held in the streets of Cantilan. On the evening, the delegates also

had a taste of what Cantilan and the Diocese of Tandag has to offer as they were entertained by a series of presentations from St. Michael’s College, Cantilan National High School, Caraga State University and the Parish Youth Apostolate. The Mayor of the Municipality of Cantilan also gave a welcome speech as well as Fr. Richard Bantugan, the Youth Director of the Diocese of Tandag.

Hence, the first night ended.

Severo Caermare, the newly installed Bishop of Dipolog and at the same time, the Bishop-in-Charge of Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference Youth Secretariat.

He emphasized the role of the Eucharist in sustaining the commitment of a youth minister in the service of the young, hence the source. He also talked about gratitude since the Eucharist is also a celebration of thanksgiving.

One time, he said that “Our capacity to thank depends on our capacity to think.” In the afternoon, the pilgrims

The second day, April 8, 2016 was packed with activities. The 1st speaker of the congress was Bishop continued to page 59

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by: Lovella Grace Deiparine ast January 1617, 2016, the Sto. Niño Parish of Don Carlos, Bukidnon celebrated the Feast of their Patron Saint Sr. Sto.Niño. The Feast was celebrated by the parishioners with a grateful and joyful heart. The Parish had also celebrated and devoted to the feast of Sr. Sto.Niño through the Sinulog Festival. It was participated by the parishioners and visitors from the neighboring municipalities. All of them wore red shirts and their big smiles, and brought with them the 19 | Banagbanag

image of Sr. Sto. Niño.

It was the first time that the Parish had celebrated the Sinulog festival through the efforts of the Parish priest, Fr. Biven Belderol and the workers of the church. Everybody participated through dancing during the festival while shouting “Pit Senior!” The festival was led by the Parish Youth Apostolate (PYA) and the active workers of the parish. All of them wore smiles on their faces while walking, dancing, singing and

shouting around the town despite of the heat of the sun.

Everybody sacrificed that day to Baby Jesus who gives blessings to the town and hear their cries and prayers.

The activity ended in the church and blessed the participants. The celebration united everybody and praised Jesus with one voice.

Viva! Senyor Sto. Niño!!!

by: Jenny Rose Diwan he Parish Youth Apostolate of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Parish, Barrio Site, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon celebrated the Ignatian Youth Festival last April 11-13, 2016 in Fr. Leoni Memorial School with the theme: “Celebrating the Diversity of the Youth Pilgrims through Igniting the Zeal of Mercy.”

After the registration and animation, the pilgrims opened their hearts to listen to the talk of two Somascan brothers, former active youth members in our parish.

The mass was followed and presided by Fr. Jomari Manzano, S.J. In his homily, he talked about the addiction of the youth to social media.

He also insisted that not all that are posted in Facebook is true and it is also a waste of time. He also shared that he deactivated his account

on FB. After the mass, the pilgrims experienced a solemn and reflective form of prayer - the Taize Prayer, which was assisted by Sr. Jo. In the morning of April 12, 2016, the pilgrims experienced another form of Prayer, the Shibashi, a prayer which is executed through the movement of our body. A talk was followed which was delivered by Mr. Kevin Pepito. He shared and convinced the pilgrims that God is seen everywhere.

The most awaited part of the pilgrims in the festival is their presentations. They also enjoyed the different contests like the Fashion Dayag, Tawag ng Tanghalan and the Ethno-pop Contest.

The energetic pilgrims showed their talents, not only in dancing and singing, but also in modelling. They were all talented! The Eating

Contest w a s my most memorable event where the pilgrims ate an uncooked egg, Ampalaya and drank a hot coffee. One of the pilgrims cried kay bidli kaayo ang itlog ug pait ang Ampalaya. There is really so much fun in the youth ministry!

The pilgrims enjoyed the Amazing Race on the last day of the festival. Though it was so tiring, we still had much fun! A Budol fight for lunch was followed after the race.

Before the activity ended, the pilgrims decided to elect a new set of officers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we had successfully elected our new officers who will continue to guide the youth and serve the Lord. God bless us all BukYo. Banagbanag | 20

BUKNEWS

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman

Miduyog si BukYo sa

CABUSTAM YOUTH by: Bryan Frence Agustin CONGRESS

iadtong Abril 7-10, 2016, isa si BukYo nga miduyog sa CABUSTAM YOUTH CONGRESS nga gipahigayon sa Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur.

“Kasadya sa Kadalanan Festival,” gipakita ni BukYo kung unsa siya ka lipay nga miabot didtong dapita. Iyang gipakita sa pagsayaw ug giubanan sa way puas nga ngisi.

Isa ang CABUSTAM YOUTH CONGRESS sa mga panagtipok sa mga kabatan-onan nga sakop sa Arkodiyosesis sa Cagayan de Oro, Diyosesis sa Butuan, Surigao, Tandag ug Malaybalay. Mikabat ug 422 ka pilgrims ang miapil gikan sa lima ka Arko/diyosesis.

Ug sa mga kalihukan, naa kanunay ang presensya ni BukYo. Naa siya didto para ipakita ug maggahin sa kaalam sa pagserbisyo sa mga kabatan-onon ilabina sa Kahitas-an, sa atong Ginoo.

Naminaw usab siya sa mga banggiitan nga mga speaker nga naghatag ug mga formation sama sa “The Eucharist and Youth in the Mod-

Si BukYo ang pinakabibo nga pilgrim ug tuod man, sa 21 | Banagbanag

ern Age,” ug “The Eucharist and the Environment,” aron usab matan-aw og kumusta na ang kabatan-onan karon - nahigugma pa ba gihapon sa kinaiyahan? Nakasabot ug gitagaan ba og bili ang Eucharist? Sa mga formations nga gihatag, nakaamgo ang mga pilgrims kung “unsa na diay ta karon?”

Nagpakita pud si BukYo sa iyang gama diha sa pag-exhibit sa mga kalihukan ug programa sa atong Diyosesis alang sa kabatan-onan. Ug tuod man, nakadaog si BukYo sa maong activity. Miduyog pud continued to page 63

n Y a o l u a t h Festiv w g u ht B al 01 AD

DE O A C E

“It is not how much you do but how much love you put in the doing.”— An inspiring quote that caught my eye in a single simple glimpse.

A quote that can change one person’s outlook in life and could teach the young people how to do things in their own special ways. Doing incredible accomplishments like creating a story about something is a one of a kind momentum that could stir a young person’s life like me could do. Let us

F CELEBRATION O F LO

by: Deanna Alexa Abejuela

go down to the story of a parish that made me open my eyes to possibilities in life. The parish that helped me in moulding my spiritual life by facing challenges that measured my capabilities and made me gain new important lessons that I can cherish and apply for a lifetime.

The Nuestra Sra. De Guadalupe Parish created something pretty awesome that can be celebrated

VE

yearly. With the help of one of Asst. Parish Priest, Fr. Alex Indino who started the “Bugwalan Festival” which is now in its 10th year. The festival started last 2006 at the same parish. Bugwalan Festival is a celebration symbolizing the power of the youth’s undying passion. Passion that dares to cultivate each one’s faith to strengthen and being firm in any scenarios they face in life. The said activity were continued to page 64

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Ano by: Aaron Don V. Salvaña

In pursuing and promulgating the ‘YE Dream’, the Diocesan Commission on Youth through its formation arm, the Diocesan Youth Formation Team held the 3rd Youth Encounter Facilitators Seminar Workshop last May 6-8, 2016 at Canossa Youth Formation Center, Impalambong, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The said seminar-workshop aims to gear up the new members of the formation team as well as other attending youth leaders in facilitating the Youth Encounter which is considered as the official basic formation program of the youth ministry, approved and endorsed by the CBCP. There were 22 participants, 13 of which are DYFT aspirants and 9 youth leaders.

23 | Banagbanag

During the seminar proper, they were led to the beginning of their YE journey and the ‘road’ that they have taken through a mini-retreat.

As part of their training, they were made to plunge in to each sessions of the encounter and do certain analysis which is beneficial to their knowledge on how to facilitate a certain session. They were also taught on how to prepare the hall in which the Youth Encounter will take place and also what are the necessary materials that needs to be present when going to a YE. Also, they were introduced to the roles that they must play during the encounter and what cer-

tain skills they must possess to facilitate a certain session correctly and smoothly.

After all the inputs, they then drew lots as to what session they must demonstrate including its corresponding skills. But before they got too pre-occupied with their preparations for their demonstration, everybody at the venue, facilitators and participants alike stopped at exactly 6:00PM to offer a Rosary for the upcoming National Elections. This act is in one with the whole church in Philippines, as called for by the CBCP to simultaneously pray the

other Breed of YE Facilitators

Honed Prepared Mission and

rosary for an Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections. The whole evening of May 7, 2016 was devoted for their study, review and practice for their demonstration in the following day.

The third day of the YEFSW was considered as ‘‘The Judgment Day’’ because it is on this day that they will finally do their demonstrations.

Although, everybody is excited, including the facilitators, it can never be hidden that they, the aspiring YE Facilitators, are nervous and restless. During

the demonstration, some failed to get it the first time, some were repetitively reprimanded for the same mistake, some were successful, some felt disappointed but at the end of it all, they still finished the seminar-workshop with pride and with the necessary tools to facilitate the YE soon. Though they still need to be guided by their mentors, those veteran YE facilitators, someday soon they will be ready enough to act as the ‘Mother/Father of the House’.

for

The seminar-workshop was culminated with a Eucharistic Celebration with Fr. Mark Maambong, FdCC as the presider. During the mass, the newly graduated YE Facilitators were sent off, ready for mission. The newly accepted members of the Diocesan Youth Formation were also announced during the mass. They were Stearill Congresso, Kevin Jay Dinapo, Bryan Frence Agustin, Elesio Aguitong, Gladys Benson and Mark Holy

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T

hroughout the season of Lent, my family and I are in solemn religious observance, especially during the Holy Week. We are faithful Roman Catholics. Every year, we choose to stay at home, prepare kakanin (native delicacies), reflect, pray, and attend Mass.

This year, however, was different. I deviated from a family tradition passed on from generation to generation.

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman

from March 24 to 27 at “Kampohan,” a socalled “bakwit camp” sheltering the Lumad.

Located in front of the Bukidnon Provincial Capitol, the camp has been there since January 21 this year.

A “bakwit camp” refers to an evacuation area where displaced individuals find temporary refuge. For now, “Kampohan” is home to communities fleeing the conflict between paramilitary groups and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

Instead of staying with my family, I decided to immerse myself Living 25 | Banagbanag

with

the

Lumad Since it is a Jubilee Year of Mercy for Roman Catholics, I found it relevant to live with the marginalized to extend mercy and compassion to them.

I could not help but wonder what it was like to be in their place, to experience the same hardships, considering I live in the same region.

I told my relatives about this idea. They were initially worried because the bakwits (evacuees) are being tagged as members of the NPA, but they still

ATROCITIES OF TRENCH WARFARE:

A ‘bakwit’ experience

‘EXPERIENCING THEIR STRUGGLE FIRSTHAND CAN CHANGE by: Jade Harley Bretaña THE WAY WE VIEW THE LUMAD’

supported my plan.

I started my immersion on Maundy Thursday. I was welcomed by 67 families from the Talaandig, Higaunon, and Umayamnon tribes. These tribes of Bukidnon are collectively called the Lumad.

On my first night, community leaders and volunteers asked me to share a bit about myself and my reasons for visiting the camp. I tried greeting them using their language, Binukid, to let them feel I am one with them and willing to be part of the com-

conditions, a number of bakwits suffer from The situation at the skin disease, cough, camp was devastating. colds, and other illThe water was not nesses. safe to drink, with the There are 3 newborn evacuees fetching wababies there facing ter from unsanitary health risks due to sources such as public the camp’s deplorfaucets in the area. able state. I also met Food was limited. a 6-year-old boy who Our meals were often had difficulty breathcanned goods donat- ing. ed by different organiThe community’s zations. lear had to be rushed The back of the pro- to the hospital as well vincial capitol and the due to amoebiasis. I open space of the Peo- felt helpless because ple’s Ecological Park the community was served as makeshift dependent on her leadership. comfort rooms. munity.

Because

of

these

continued to page 27 Banagbanag | 26

from page 26

Despite these miserable conditions, however, there remains a sense of dignity among the evacuees.

taught to always engage broader communities and not just stay in an ivory tower. It was not my first time to go on immersion but my experience with the Lumad was particularly memorable because it taught me to become simple, grateful, understanding, and above all, to be compassionate.

One child, for example, handed me the star apple she just harvested, as if hunger did not bother her. During meal time, they always prioritized me and made sure I had food to eat. They showed that they were The grateful for my pres- e x ence and were generous with their smiles and stories.

All of these gestures of kindness led me to cry in silence. I was in a better position to give, I was the one with a more comfortable life, and yet I was the recipient of their care.

Staying connected I am a sociologist by training. We are

27 | Banagbanag

perience made me discover many things I often took for granted. Sometimes, as a young university instructor struggling to complete my master’s degree, I become apathetic and self-centered.

I find it ironic that in an era where being “connected� is so easy through social media and digital technology, my bakwit camp experience made me realize that we are, in reality, so disconnected from each other.

Not a lot of people are concerned with the issue of displacement. People in Malaybalay easily turn a blind eye to the bakwit camp. Tagging the Lumad as members of the NPA makes it easy to dismiss them as undeserving of state support. Experiencing their struggle firsthand can change the way we view the Lumad.

community is still demanding justice for their members who were allegedly killed by paramilitary groups.

They still want to go back to their homes, but are threatened by the atrocities of trench warfare. I met a 9-yearold boy who was shot 9 times and survived.

This struggling community is no different from us. Their struggles might also be our struggles. These T h e communities were once living in peace in Balaudo (Talaandig), St Peter (Higaunon), and Indalasa (Umayamnon) in Bukidnon, but because of armed conflict, they were uprooted.

Life in the margins is fragile. It is the responsibility of those better off to extend compassion beyond rhetoric and find ways to make things better.

Banagbanag | 28

Feel grim

by: Joevi Jhun Idul

“We are pilgrims on a journey; we are travelers on the road.

We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” –The Servant Song, Richard Gillard “Pilgrim.” As an active youth, we are always titled with this word when we participate in various events at different places. But, do we really know what the meaning of this word is? Do we really know what a pilgrim is, what a pilgrim should be and to “really” be pilgrims?

This year, as we celebrate the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Church declared to open its doors.

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There are parishes in the whole world that were set as pilgrimage sites for this celebration, and this means that we, Catholics, are encouraged to take pilgrimage to these churches and receive indulgence.

Last February 27, 2016, the Parish Youth Apostolate of Malaybalay were given the chance to become pilgrims at Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, an old church which was used to be the center for mission before the establishment of our Diocese. There, we were able to witness a glimpse of his-

tory of Christianity in Bukidnon. One of the locals of the parish shared that when the lands of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were still covered with forests, missionaries from Jasaan will ride on horses to evangelize the Lumads and the faith kept on growing after. There, we were able to view some religious antiques from Hispanic period, and in there, continued to page

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman “A great experience that should be cherished.” This quotation is my personal description of the pilgrim of the Parish Youth Apostolate Choir and Officers with our supportive priests Fr. Noel S. Suarez, the S a n

REFLECTIONS Isidro Labrador Cathedral’s Parochial Vicar and Fr. John Rey J. Zabala, our Spiritual Director last February 26, 2016. Our pilgrim journey happened in Immaculate Conception Parish, Jasaan and in Del Carmen Resort, Lagonglong.

by: Stearril P. Congreso As a member of PYA choir, it was a prodigious opportunity for me to be with them in this journey; and I believed it will be great. Fortunately, I was not mistaken. If you will ask me what made it great and that it should be cherished, then allow me to narrate my experiences in this pilgrim visit.

On the day of travel, it was very exciting because we were not the one

who would choose our seatmates; instead it was drawn by numbers. They let us pick a paper from a jar to what van we should ride and I picked the van # 2.

Along the way, we were very happy because we sang while playing the guitar, ate foods and others made jokes that made us laugh.

The joy did not stopped there because it was just the beginning. When we arrived to Del Carmen Resort,

Lagonglong, everybody got excited not because we can finally rest but because of the BEACH! The beautiful waves and the coldness of water.

Even each of us has personal concerns that time, I was glad that we were united in doing our tasks. We were divided into four groups with different assignments. Some groups prepared the foods, while

continued to page 61

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A

nxious, frightened and alarmed – I felt these at the same time as we passed the most critical area between the boundary of Bukidnon and Cotabato around 7:00pm last April 11, 2016.

I’ve known the area since I was a kid because I had lived in Damulog, the last municipality of Bukidnon before Carmen, Cotabato. Commuters are afraid to pass the area after sunset because of the several ambushes happened with the communist insurgency groups.

government officials in Kidapawan who could not resolve difficult situations effectively that have led to bloody dispersal of the protesting farmers in Kidapawan.

I was travelling with Dr. Nimfa Bracamonte, my former professor, and some members of the Kabataan Partylist. Vennel Francis Danao Chenfoo – Kabataan Partylist’s 3rd Nominee - whom I met during my bakwit experience with the Lumads in Malaybalay City, invited me to attend and express sympathy for the bereaved.

F r o m Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, my h o m e base, to Arakan, Cotabato, a neighboring town of Kidapawan and our destination, the travel took us more or less 10 hours. We arrived at almost 12 midnight. We arrived in a gymnasium in front of the Poblacion Barangay Hall tired and hungry. Then we finally had our dinner packed in a plastic bag.

The group decided to attend as our way to express our deepest sympathy and to display solidarity with the farmers. It is also an expression against the heartless

I have seen a lot of people lying on the floor, and many were already asleep.

There were around 3,000 supporters converged from various places in Mindanao

31 | Banagbanag

(Zamboanga, Iligan, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao and Soccsksargen) just to witness the interment.

My companions and I looked for space to sleep in the gymnasium. We only

REFLECTIONS difficult to cope without blankets, pillows, and sleeping mats.

But we all had to adjust to extend our support to farmers who are much m o r e important right now.

had several pieces of cardboards and tarpaulins as our makeshift sleeping mats.

The situation of the gym was heartbreaking. I could see how those people slept and already used to this situation. I am certain it was

O u r wake up call was at 4 AM and everybody was expected to prepare for the trip. Only two public comfort rooms were available at the gym and there was no water supply. This could mean a very difficult situation, but could not stop us from our cause.

Despite of this struggle, we are willing to move forward.

From Poblacion to Sitio Katindu, Brgy. Malibatuan, where the home of Darwin Sulang, 22 year-old Arakan Manobo - one of the farmers who died from head injury during the encounter in

Kidapawan, I could see the drought that had a devastating effect on the community.

As we arrived, I witnessed the mourning of the family members as we started the memorial tribute to Darwin.

He was a security guard in Davao City and took his rest day so he could go home to Arakan and visit his family.

It was not his original plan to join the protest in Kidapawan. But he wished to help his family in transporting sacks of rice if government would proceed with the distribution. Then the shooting happened. A bullet hit his face and vanquished him.

The gun shots that the military claimed as warning shots led to his untimely death. Due to El NiĂąo, our farmers suffered from drought and were asking for government assistance but have given bullets instead!

Recent scientific studies have confirmed that climate change poses a threat to man and the environment, and will continue to do so.

These people were hungry.

Where else could they go when desperate times call for desperate measures? continued to page 62

Banagbanag | 32

ng Stasyon sa Cross ang isa sa dakong gisaulog sa atong simbahan panahon diha sa Semana Santa. Dinhi sa among parokya sa Malaybalay, nagmugna kami ug usa ka ideya nga i-drama ang Pasyon ni Kristo panahon sa Stasyon sa Cross kada Biyernes Santo sa tumong ug tinguha nga aron mas-mapalawom ang pag-ampo sa mga tao ug masinati nila ang kinabuhi ni Kristo. Kini gi-sugdan pa niadtong 2014 sa mga kabatan-onan dinhi sa among parokya ug nahimo nang tinuig nga pasundayag. Sa

33 | Banagbanag

duha ka tuig ug higayon ako ang nahimong niganap nga mamahimong Kristo. Sa akong pagkahimong isip nga Kristo, may panahon diha sa pagdrama nga nangutana ako ug anaa bay kabag-ohan nga nahitabo kanako. Ang tubag kai anaa gayud, kabag-ohan sa akong attitude ug character, ug nakakuha ako ug daghang mga experiences mahitungod niadto.

Sa panahon nga ako usa lamang ka miyembro ug opiyales sa Parish Youth Apostolate, ako usa lamang ka simple nga tao - mo apil ug meeting kung walay kabilinggan, maghatag pormasyon

sa mga kabatan-onan sa kapilya, motabang sa mga aktibidadis sa kabata-onan ug andam mo hatag sa kaugalingon diha sa uban. Kami sa among parokya adunay daghan kaayong mga pormasyon ug aktibidadis hilabi na sa mga kabata-onan.

Sa hapaduol na ang kwaresma, kami nangandam na usab alang sa dakong pagpadayag sa Pasyon ni Kristo panahon sa Stasyon sa Cross, busa amo kining gipangandaman ug nagtahas kung kinsa ang mamahimong mga actor sa mga character sa Pasyon ni Kristo.

Sa unang bahin, dili unta ako

REFLECTIONS ang mamahimong mo ganap utro nga Kristo, pero among nakita nga kulang ang tulo ka semana nga pag-praktis kay kinahanglan gayud namo nga i-internalize ang pagdrama ug ang napili na Kristo kai dili pa kakuha ug kulang pa sa karanasan nga mo ganap niini, busa ako ang nahimo utro nga krist. Sa sugod, nahimo akong si Pedro nga nagdili sa maong tahas kay kapoy na lage, apan sa akong pagpamalandong ug pagpush sa akong mga kauban sa ako, ug sa akong mga nakutlo nga mga expe-

riences sa milabay nga mga aktibidadis sa pagdrama, nahimo kini nga sumbanan ug midawat na usab ako niining tahas.

Sa panahon na sa among pagpraktis, aduna jud mga kakulangon sa pagpangandam sama sa wala pag-tukaw sa pag-ampo sa mga tinun-an uban diha ni Kristo, pero kami nagpadayon gihapon kai nasayod man kami nga gihimo namo kini aron sa kahimayaan ni Kristo. Sa akong kabahin isip maoy niganap na Kristo,

daku kaayo ang nabag-o kanako diha sa akong attitude ug character. Sama nga mas nataas ang akong self-confidence, usa pud nahimo kong lig-on sa akong pagtoo, nakahatag kato ug dakung kahibalo ug unsa ka importante ang pag-ampo ug pagpamalandong sa tanang higayon. Nabag-o pud ko sa pag-atubang sa mga kasakit, kakapoy, kalisud ug problema tungod sa pagdrama sa pasyon ni Kristo.

Pinaagi ato, naay mga higayon nga kapuyon ko, sakitan continued to page 63

by: Emmanuel Jay Tadlas

Banagbanag | 34

he world is full of First TIMES, and most of us love it. First times are scary but they always turn out the best. At the age of 19, I had my first attendance to a diocesan event, patterned from a national gathering. It was amazing!

The experience helped me

meaningful thing in life is having Christ and putting Him in the center of my life.

I also learned to become humble and to give time, love and care to others. I also realized that God has a purpose why He let me join this kind of celebration.

Everything was unexpected because I was never meant to join such celebration for some instances and rea-

who you are and where you came from. God will lift you up if you fail.

reflect on my life’s purpose and it enriched my faith.

sons. But God still opened my mind and my heart to get involved in this activity.

she is so happy and excited of the activities on that day.

There is a girl that is so silent that I thought she will not share but I still asked her to introduce herself. I learned that she is a third year education student. She even shared that though she has a lot of things to do in her academic subjects, she still joined the NYD-LC to experience and learn something at the same time. When it was my turn

The National Youth Day 2016 Local Celebration was really an indelible celebration that happened in my life. God really purified my heart that day. I couldn’t demystify what’s inside my heart. On that day, I wanted to cry, jump, shout and say, “Thank you Lord for purifying my heart!” On that day, I found out that the most 35 | Banagbanag

During the event, I was thinking that God will really give your heart’s desire if you are just willing to listen to Him. Fr. Virgilio Delfin once said on his inspirational talk to the youth that poverty is not a hindrance to success - this line was based on his life experiences. Never be ashamed of

On that day, I also met different youths of different parishes. At first, I am nervously excited but then I realized that they are too humble. On our sharing about what are the feelings inside our heart during that moment, one of them said

REFLECTIONS to share, I told them that I felt the presence of God inside my heart. I feel blessed to know all of them and to be given an opportunity to hear their experiences in life. I thought I have the biggest problem in the world yet I realized that there are

want. But she’s different.

She was influenced by the parish youth to be closer to God. I learned a lot on that simple sharing, and I never regretted that I joined the NYD-LC. Looking back to the inspirational message of Father Vir which was re-

heart. This is a simple thing but have a big implication in our life. What does it imply?

Well the sense of listening.

Listening to the voice of God in a moment of silence and listening in our hearts desire. The essential way of having a good communica-

people that are experiencing more than what I do. It was my first time to hear a person said that her parents were OFWs and there are times that she feel lonely when she misses her parents. I was really inspired because most of the people I had known who has an OFW parents are influenced by their friends to go out somewhere to spend the money they received and buy everything they

lated to the theme: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” this made me realize that I already see God - everything I see around and through His presence. Listening to His voice in a moment of silence can be a way of purifying our hearts. As Father Vir had said, if we will remove the letter “H” and “T” to the word HEART, it will become “EAR” and if we will put our ears together it will form a

tion is listening to others. If someone talks, we should listen. In terms of education’s perspective, the affective domain has a big role to every human being.

Indeed, the NYD Local celebration is a memorable one. May God bless all the organizers of this event and may God continue to guide them as His instrument to serve and lead the youth in journeying life with Jesus.

Banagbanag | 36

of Longings and Desires

An MMS-MCK encounter and sharing at this late night of January 10, 2016

doubts... of trouble in the house and quarrel with my children over financial difficulties.

It was in that year when I tried to fall in l o v e again b u t lost it due t o

he year 2015 was definitely the hardest and the most difficult year for me - 10 months of not having an income. That was basically 312 days of uncertainty... of 37 | Banagbanag

reasons that I think were redirection by the Lord. It was also the worst year because my children lost their father on the day that we were

in Samal Island, Davao City for the evaluation, planning and formation for “Making the Cause Known� of the Medical Mission Sisters. Another redirection!

Somehow, all of those trials, challenges, and heartaches brought me the gift of having a heart...a big heart that could endure the deepest pains...a forgiving heart and a loving being - as a mother, as a servant, and as a lay promoter.

I could never imagine myself to be alone, yet I bravely faced whatever life offers, whether it is bad or good, whether it is happiness or sadness for as long as I know deep inside that God will always abide with me and with my children even in the midst of these difficulties.

A story to tell on how I was able to get back to work again.

I’ve been talking to God at dawn to guide me and provide a working place where I could serve Him continuously while working, and that led me to work at Mary-

ENDURANCE. This is the great gift to me that God put into my h e a r t .continued to page 64

Baktas ngadto sa

Ina Poon Bato by: Bryan Frence Agustin

S

a ika-tulo nga adlaw sa pag-journey sa CaBuSTaM, ang mga PILGRIMS nag-uban sa ilang mga grupo ug gipadayag ang ilang ampo didto sa INA POON BATO. Banda ala-una sa hapon, sa kainit ug suwaw sa adlaw, naghinay-hinay sa pagbaklay ang mga PILGRIMS paingon sa INA POON BATO ug ang matag grupo giatasan sa pag-rosary paingon sa giingon nga lugar. Tuod man, ang uban grupo miduyog sa pagrosaryo. Ang uban kabatan-onan gikapoy ug nabored, ug nag-isig iya ug “SELFIE” ug “drama n g a pasakyon

na sila sa AMBULANCE.” Matud pa ni Budoy, “pasakya na ko kay kakuyapon na ko,” kay init gyud kaayo.

Ug lahi pod ang trip sa grupo sa G-8, kun aha ko nahiluna nga grupo.

Tungod naa may miduyog kanamo nga pari, ang among mga kanta kay mga kanta sa “MASS,” ug tuod man, sa pag abot sa tiil sa INA POON BATO katapusang awit na sa misa. Ingon pa sa uban nga grupo, “naa pod moy pagpangalawat?” (sabay sa katawa -hahaha).Kay hinay man ang pagsibog sa pagsubang namo didto sa taas sa bukid, isig “SELFIE” na pod nga murag wala lang gikapoy kay ang tumong sa maong pang baklay mao ang “pagga-

hin sa pag-AMPO para sa kinaiyahan.”

Sa tulo ka kilometrong pagbaklay, natugkad na gyod namo ang INA POON BATO. Di man lalim magbaklay sa ilalum sa kainit sa adlaw, ug daghang mga singot nga mitulo, na-enjoy gihapon tungod sa INA POON BATO nga adunay nindot nga view, overlooking, ug makarelax ang hangin, sabay sa paggahin ug ampo. Di malalis nga mahupaw ra gyod ang kakapoy sa pagbaklay.

Paghuman sa pag-SELFIE, paglantaw og Pag-AMPO, mikanaog na dayon kami ug sa ubos naghulat ang snacks sama sa pan, tubig, kamote, saging ug tubig sa butong nga naay gatas (lamaw).

Banagbanag | 38

FEATURES “Higala, h’wag na tayong

bitter”

Kaibigan;

by: Kevin Jay Dinapo

“Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng Bayan.” Isang katagang iniwan sa atin ng ating bayaning si Gat. Jose Rizal. Dagdag pa nga ni Pope John Paul II sa wikang Engles na, “Without the Youth, the Church is bankrupt.” Ito ay nangangahulugang malaki ang parte nating mga kabataan sa pagbabago ng ating lipunan. Gayunpaman, pauliti-ulit na lang natin itong naririnig. Minsan nakakaumay na! Madalas sinasabi natin sa ating sarili: “Alam ko na ‘yan,memorize na memorize ko na yan!” Eh tanong ko lang po… sa ilang ulit mo na itong napakinggan, ginawa mo ba ang iyong parte upang maituring na “Pag-asa ng Bayan?” Gumawa ka ba ng hakbang upang maitama ang mga kulang?

Paki sagot naman po, please.

PAGBABAGO, karaniwan nating nakikita sa ating lipunan. Nadadagdagan ang kahirapan, patayan, krimen, korupsyon at karahasan. Minsan napupuna natin ang ibang pulitiko sa hindi pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng pangkalahatan. Natutuwang minamasdan ang mga bundok na nagniningas sa gabi kasi nga parang bonfire na malaki. KABATAAN, MAKIALAM TAYO! Hindi ka ba natatakot na sa paglipas ng panahon, wala nang bundok na aakyatin ang mga henerasyon na susunod sayo? Na tanging litrato’t pagpapaliwanag mo na lang ang makaka-kumbinsi sa kanila na ang mga bundok na kinalakihan mo ay totoo?

Kabataan, TAYO NAMAN! Wag nang tumunganga sa isang tabi. Humakbang ka - gumawa ng inisyatibo upang mapangalagaan ang kalikasang nagiging parte ng buhay mo.

“Ating Iboto Atty….” Eto na naman sila, nagpapa epal na. Madalas nating sinasabi kapag eleksyon ay papalapit na. Minsa’y natutuwa pa sapagkat katumbas ng boto ay isang malaking halaga. Panay reklamo dahil sa kahaba-haba ng termino walang nagawang proyekto sa mga tao. Karahasan ay pinalala, pagkakaisa’y nawala. Kabataan, TAYO NAMAN! Tumindig ka sa TAMA. Huwag mong hayaang bigyan ng halaga ang pagkatao mo. Huwag mong ibenta ang iyong boto. Siguro nga ‘wag na tayong magpauto, dapat na po tayong matuto. Kasi ang boto mo ay sagrado at ito ang susi sa pagbabagong minimithi mo. Gayunpaman, gawin mong panlaban ang iyong sarili. Kung may nakikita kang hindi mabuti sa lipunan, tayo nawa ang gumawa ng paraan.Sa halip na bunganga ang nagsasalita, maging simula sana ng pagbabago ang ating ginagawa. Maghasik ng kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahalan. Magbigay asenso gawa ng mabuting pakikitungo. Simulan natin ngayon, MANINDIGAN KABATAAN. “WALANG FOREVER,” pausong salita gawa ng mga bitter. Bitter kasi nasaktan o di kaya’y pinaasa sa wala. Sa kabilang banda, sana po ay hindi tayo maging bitter at pansinin natin na ang kadalasang isyu ng lipunan ay sume-sentro sa mga kabataan: Droga, nakawan, pati namaagang pag-aasawa. Sayang, akala natin tayo ang pag-asa ng bayan. Eh tayo na tuloy ang sumisira ng mga pangako ng ating inang bayan. Minsan nahihinuha ko, anong magagawa ko para baguhin

39 | Banagbanag

ang lahat ng ito? Hanggang dito na lang ba ako? Ikaw, anong magagawa mo upang ang bansa’y mabago?

Ang daming kabataan ang nalululong sa droga, sana naman napansin mo sila. Bilang isang kabataang naniniwala sa tuntunin ng Simbahan, dapat tayong makialam kasi kapwa kabataan rin ang dawit nitong problemang lahat tayo ay naapektohan. Sana naman po ay ‘wag tayong maging bulag sa katotohanan. Hindi na tayo pabata, isipin natin ang buhay na paparating at gawin nating kaaya-aya, kagalang-galang ang buhay natin sa kasalukuyan. KABATAAN, TAYO NAMAN! Makinig sa mga hinaing at sigaw ng kapwa kabataan. Tulungan natin silang magbago at tulungan nating mabago ang mundo.

TAYO NAMAN! Simulan ang panibagong buhay. Alam kong kaya natin ‘to, MANIWALA KA. Kasi ako ay naniniwala sa kakayahan mo. Ikaw at ako ang bubuo ng bagong mundo. Isang lugar ng kapayapaan , kaligayahan, pagmamahalan at may takot sa Diyos. Maniwala ka sa sinasabi ko…

Magtulungan tayo.

Sa inyo umaasa,

BUKYO

Banagbanag | 40

YOUCAT

is it permissible to “buy” and “sell” human beings?

No human being, not even parts of human being, maybe turned into commodities, nor may a person make himself a commodity. Man belongs to God and has been endowed by him with freedom and dignity. Buying and selling people, as is common practice nowadays, and not only in prostitution, is a profoundly reprehensible act.

[2414]

old injustice of trafficking in human beings and slavery is reappearing everywhere. People are deprived of their freedom, their dignity, and their rights of self-determination, even of their lives. Others reduce them to objects with which their owner can make a profit. Human trafficking is the strict sense should be distinguished from dealings between sports team. Here, too, there is talk Trafficking in organs for about “buying” and “selling” players, transplantation and in embryos for but of course these are transactions the biotech industry or in child for that presuppose the athletes’ free purposes of adoption, the recruiting consent. of child soldiers, prostitutions- the age

How should we treat animals?

Animals are our fellow creatures, which we should care for and in which we should delight, just as God delights in their existence. [2416-2418, 2456-2457)

41 | Banagbanag

Animals, too, are sentient creatures of God. It is a sin to torture them, to allow them to suffer, or to kill them uselessly. Nevertheless, man may not place love of animals above love of man.

How should we treat the environment? thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Having “dominion over the earth” does not mean having an absolute right to dispose arbitrarily of animate and inanimate nature, animals, and plants. Because man is created in God’s image, he should care for God’s creation as a shepherd and steward. For the first book of the In the book of Genesis, God says, “be bible also says, “the Lord God took fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth the man and put him in the Garden and subdue it; and have dominion of Eden to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15) over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living We fulfill God’s commission with regard to creation when we care for the earth, with its biological laws, its variety of species, its natural beauty, and its dwindling resources, as a living space and preserve it, so that future generations also can live well on earth. [2415]

Banagbanag | 42

SPECIAL

Maria

Rhenj

To be co not e me pres ide na solve f to acco nt just fo r 1 da mplis d pro h y Perh aps I blem of F my dream is ha ilipin oppo o citiz to rtunit ve to tha e nk G y to b presid od fo ns. e in d ent. r th s In d to u same hoes of b is nder stand e way d wa I will ing th y have Presid for me to em and it e choo d m nt thus I se m paves alaca nang will have y future simp to st le du palac ay ty e an d do in my

e

as

Tabil l a i c i

Da In

t iden pres will e ecom , i If I b ne day l law.. o ia for mart akong e r i d decla a exten impose m a to par and hahaha m r e t ..ha pline i c s i d

Lester Padu hilag

If prayers can do grea t things i would wo rk for it. Es pecially knowing phillipines in condition if its i will be a pr esident. i will beco me a stro ng fist president lik e Lee Hsie n Loong is a Singapor ean prime minister who makes sin and econom gapore prosper ically com pe in order to give the poor titive ones a suatainable life for its co nstitution

43 | Banagbanag

y Roncales Raff issue

ER: I will FINAL ANSW ing Order declar e an Executiv lar gu Re a as December 16 the of n io at br le Holiday in ce ba h Day! o di ut Yo l na io at N w la ad ka isa ra atleast maskn r be em ec D g an ako termino o rn by han sa go 16 masuporta g rate sa aton lb ce para mag adlaw! haha.

JKing De la Pena

KUNG a ko HAT AGAN U MAHIMO G CHAN NG PRES CE NGA IDENTE U UNSA M G ISA KA AN ANG ADLAW, a ko ng BUH rather Sta ATON, cg y in the C uro I HURCH (N of a presi ot norma dent) . u l Doing g mag a taong nka m p o alang sa experien mga ce ug mg sa Gaho a inhust m sa pan isya dha g a g a mhanan presiden . Dugang t in a da pa. A y. Ill take labas ng a selfie sa malacan loob at a n g ... tym di n haha! Ka a rba ko y sayang kabalik in ang ill give a ig ka ug n order ma..then to fe e city that d the hu faces sca ngry in e rcity in fo very in Minda od and w nao ater, esp

Serg

Calacar

e chanc an kog res. In a g a t If imog p na nah want all the ay one d s secta and u religio a mag unity n n io ag relig para m prayer sa Ginoo. mat pasala

Bhe M eh Ch arie

mag sim mag ba at sa m pakain ga nagu taong gu2m

n Ki u y H k Par ident in

a pres e to be ill give all the r e w i if iw needy ay. first just a d the poor and ident o t es money the next pr hehe... t . and le the problem l and m proble ing practica t e en just b le as a presid b a k r rema

Jsrl Gallogo

I will sign and approve an immediate executive order extending the term of my office to 6 years so I can serve the country longer and better

Raine

r Dj u

DECL A R E V RE GOV O L U T E I TRAN RNMENT O N S GOV FORM E FEDE RNMENT RAL ( hehe A N h THEN EW CO e) PROV NS RULE AS A TITUT KING .

Hapag-Usapan presents

Kung hatagan ka ug chance nga mahimong presidente ug isa ka ad law, unsa man ang imong buhaton?

a Lamor

n sa igayu ug h ng pres... o h ahim ...sa mga ako s ga m Kung adlaw n kog buga himoon is a g usa k ang hata a...ang 4 p ng maka la h m u u a ig d t n a u a baho .ik il mg g tra i au.. pobr g 5 pis ap atagan u mbo ang h u la nako yo..ika 3 o ug ipa ..dugang h is ra a u ip b lt a ang in r o t b alay ang agrik mpooun w g mat p u an .. la s a a s iy g ..ug str indu colorshp .. daghan n s tanan nga ruptio a cur adlaw sa g o r d g aaun ug m

d Arnolatagan

Njoi Nieles

mag author q or pass a executive order nga m ag retreat 1’ s a yr, all public offici als and go vernment employees both kai normal na local and national. kai ang sem inars and team build ing.maybe a retreat will help.�s piritual ne eds� but not expens ive retreat kai.basin mahimo ng field trip/o hmmmm uting..

uco Vianne Seb te

đ&#x;˜‚đ&#x;˜‚ ko dalan , then works sa ay re d afi e p n o ag M just ds . For it is For jst untry nee 1 HAHA btw that our co le g ug ipa day. First, mg p in o e th p e l n al ka h I’ll do o to gather himo q on ang mga atag qg buga ss of le s the most. -- it is g balao kabus. rd ga re 2nd, m dn ces na ang d g erent pla mga s ga dapat un praise Go from diff gasto dangon pray and d to rana g eminar ky d s an n e io n lig o d ugang a felin ang op their re g tou sa isy gs He had ing we th e l the thin nag m ales abi pund rista ra dyn al th ’s r it fo ink amaya I’m man n o sa gobyern for us. I th naay a d because a d o sacrificed nu y now. An b at th st para m al retreat an yn sila. 3rd, o e m b d ’t ldn ka hino g mga neede [ ] it wou klob sa o nga g resident, himo ela mg ficials p e th spc am Andmg such thing pasalam ialy sa bud agic hard to do getin at d day

Darling

pa xpe

rience

umaw

id

A NA RY AND THE INTO VIDE TION

Dumada

g

g. yn q s a Gino o1

Jenny rose Diwan

One day pres? Simply LNG ist one hour I will spend it with prayers 2nd I will put it into action planning..akong priority is the peace and order 2nd ang drug addiction nga daghn nalululong esp.to the youth..last hour of my term I will declare one hour of prayers.to realized that one day is really important and time is really gold that God is made

Calacar Simon

n empro C e s i Bla to be ance urs h c Shiela a n o

h ive l be g in just 48 lamat If I wil a t s n a e p sid ag e at r m P a or th rse ord f kay ofcou ako kay L god tun muna nity a nga yo siy rtu oppo on ra kaa sa lamang u a talags apan sa mala n misyo na pagdu w kaadla

KJ D inapo

kung isa k mahimo a ug na m adlaw pre m Haha aextnd p agbuhat sidente ug haha akog kog balao b d to bitaw, another alaod kato 1 m he agbu day. ng h nags lp the naku Lum at kog uffer la ads napo ngan ug esp. in s d amp ang pag a pagt justice u in a .a wou gan ang ghat sa gad. a g ld be p t a all ha to kina anan aro il iya nk yo n u. Ha han. tha t haha ha

kung mahimo ug pres idente ug isa ka adlaw magbuh at kog balaod na maextnd pakog another 1 day. Hahahaha bitaw, magbuhat kog balaod to help the Lumads esp. katong nag suffer ug injustice ug nakulang an sa pagtagad. apil napod ang pag. aghat sa tanan aron amp ingan ang ato kina iyahan. that would be all thank you. Hahahaha

Jay-ar Yabo

u Kong Kong mahim y....mag da pres. In one nga I od la ba him ko ug ka bilin uli ang yutang g tgaan U . sa mga lumad orts sa pp su ng ug dako Ilabina sa IP education. uban pang ug skul building it mga gm

Banagbanag | 44

Hapag-Usapan presents

Kung ikaw makadaug sa Lotto, unsa imong buhaton?

ALEXANDER C. ALONZO KUNG MO DAOG KO SA LOTTO 20% I HALAD SA SIMBAHAN KAY WA NAKOY HALADHALAD SUKAD-SUKAD AHAHA. 50% IPA BUHAT BALAY PARA HARUHAY PAMUYO SAKO PAMILYA, 20% I BANGKO HMMMMM.. WALA LANG PARA IGNON NAA KWARTA SA BANGKO AHAHA. ANG 10% WELL... U KNOW MY LUHO.. HAHAH

RONCALES RAFFY If i will win a million in a lottery, i will give it to the church in order to finish the construction of our chapel. promise. i will give it without reservations.

ANJON FREDRICK CABUGSA A part will be given to my mum, a part to the church, specially in our parish Medalla Millagrosa, ang uban i deposit nako. Naa man guy quote akong madumduman na nag ingon, “Save a penny(piso nalang kay Pinoy man ta xD) for a rainy day,” so that when we need it, we can readily get it,

AZURE GLY Kung modaog ko tunga ta sa bukyo funds ug sa ako ng tunga..bcoz I know that the youth knows how to share and st.ignatius said we cannot share if we dont have any mao ng tunga nlang ta ha. Wa man sab koy akoa. Hehehe.. no kidding.. ishare nko sa youth esp (50%) bukyo para mas molambo kamo!

Kita for sure..and d rest sa among family advocacies (20%) and needs (20%) and want para sa tannan ang sobra.

VIODOR KEENIE Kung maka daog ko ug milyon sa lotto? what a blessing whoooh. 25% sa church bcoz gusto ko makatabang sa simbahan another 25% sa mga Tao nga nanginahanglan sa akong tabang ESP. to the poor and the remaining 50% sa ako family and sa ako. para pang school, business, sa ako parents, and mga igsoon.

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AHDON SALVAÑA Ako kay magpa.implant ko ug bongga...root canal, swiss canal ug panama canal, pasta, spaghetti, salad, cleaning, pahina, braces, etc just to reconcile with my esteem issues...to follow na dayon ang mga obligatory shares which I would be glad and happy to do ... magsave dayon ko sa MGA banks ug mga cooperatives para mutubo ako money dayon mag invest ko sa Stock Exchange para magtuyok ug magdako pa akong money... ug labaw sa tanan magkantaha dayon ko ug Prayer for Generosity para dili ko magdinaho...

MARY JANE BISNAR Honestly... pabuhat ko ug balay para sa ako mama ug papang..

SHAY RAH

Pag makadaog ko magpalit ko ug balay, sakyanan ug i-negosyo. Dayon ang uban i-donate nako sa charity.

w

stu

SAMUEL BANDA If I will win such sweeptakes..

I will help the salsalan hu katatau ni fr.bom,,I will build parish youth house with all the office supplies .. Give capital to the young people to have their own revenue for the meetings and other operational expenses..I will buy L300 service .. for our means of transportation.

I will feed the below normal nutritional status of the udents in lantapan and lastly Save little amount to my family and the community..

REDSON MARTE blowout sa mga tao ofcourse. donate sa simbahan and invest the remaining amount to earn more. wink emoticon

JKING DELA PEĂ‘A Kung makadug kog 1M, Syempre mag pasalamat ko sa gin0o nga iyang ghtag kanaku kini nga opportunidad..to be follow na dayun ang angay buhaton for the GREATER GL0RY OF G0D!

JAIRUS DALAHIGON If ako mudaog.. haha..akung ipa concrete amung payag..ipa skwela akung mga manghud..hatagan ug business ang parents..mag buy ko ug bongo for family n youth service.. mag donate ug pang concrete sa fence sa nsdp sumilao. chapel.mag sponsor ko sa stipend as thanks giving to God .i wil give fund sa mga youth dn igp nila.. ill be a benefactor 4 my maalab seminarian batch ..maghatag kog letchon sa maminyo.haha. nd mag palit ug own lot .mga animals.smal farm.dn mag balay ug simple w/ chapel..n rooms 4 recolection. and last mag save para sa future namu ni nicky. haha.

ARIS JAY LAPIZAR Ug madaog? ahw...edonate sa youth ministry ang 90% to start a scholarship program for OSY sa whole diocese..ofcors nai seleection process....10% daun para sa mga personal necessities

KEBIN JEE Kung mudaog ko, akong ihatag sa akong Mama aron iyang i-negosyo aron dili na siya cge kasuko sa ako. Ipatukod nako ug balay.

Ang uban ihatag nako sa DCY.

JOHN EFREN EBIN OMONGOS Tukod ko ug skwelahan sa walay kaya Orayt..

EVER J POQUITA Mang hatag sa nanginahanglan og labaw sa tanan , dili ma silaw sa kwarta! mag padayun sa naandan nga kinabuhi og kinaiya ^__^og labaw sa tanan magpasalamat sa Ginoo

IVELIEN BATISTIS First, magpasalamat ko sa Ginoo sa iyahang blessings nga gihatag. Second, manglaag mi sakung pamilya sa lugar nga makalingaw. Third, manghatag ug pagkaon sa mga tao nga walay gikaon. Lastly, e save sa bank para sa future

Banagbanag | 46

My dearest BukYo, It is the Lord! This is the message I truly proclaim in my short but sweet apostolic year with you. The substantial memories are indeed, a God-experience which extract an integrated growth both in my human and spiritual formation.

Each of you is worth loving, worth remembering, worth to care for, worth to treasure upon. Every single moment creates an inner gratitude and joy which strengthen me to be “MORE” in the vocation and mission that God has entrusted to me. God has His own plan for each one of us which I believe that it always brings the “best” in us though many times it’s hard to accept.

Indeed, God is so real, so alive in your very presence my dear young friends thus, my heartfelt “thank you” to you especially to those I am closely working with. You always teach me the joy and simplicity in life amidst the challenges you have been facing. I owe a lot of concrete formation from you than the teachings I imparted to you which deepen my appreciation of my own humanhood.

Continue to make difference in the witness of your life! Always bring out the joy in you which shows the love of Jesus among you and pass it on in service and commitment to others . Change brings its miracle primarily in one’s own self before reckoning towards the vision of changing the world. “Ako ang simula ng pagbabago”, in a little-persevering step towards holiness especially in this heedless generation which seems that God is irrelevant.

May I leave you these words from AlDub kalye serye: “sa tamang panahon”, God brings us together in His perfect time for we grow in love more and more to Him and to one another and “may forever” though we are on the other side of space and time but certainly, you are forever cherish in my heart and always claim as one of the beautiful gifts I receive from Him! Forever “thank you” for being my co-journeyer of faith and love. Padayon sa pagserbisyo my dearest BukYo! Sa sunod natong panagkita! Ajo2!

Love, Sr.Lei, FdCC (2015-2016 once a BukYo, always a BukYo by heart!)

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Banagbanag | 48

don’t know how I survived those blue and painful nights. Charooot! Praise be to God kay na kaya ra. :D Abi nakog dili nako kaya mag start sa akong adlaw kung wala siya. Abi nakog kulang ko kung wala siya! HAHA! Nakalimot ko nga I existed in this world for seventeen years nga wala siya. Two years, four months and five days ra siya nagsinamok sa akong life. Bitaw! I never expected that he will easily give up on us. That was really surprising! Surprising tungod kay wala ko nag expect nga mag bulag jud mi kay nag tuo ko ug “Forever,” pero wala man diay!

Walay forever sa among duha (how sad).

I

“Sorry.”

“Sorry wala naku na tuman ako promise sa imo.”

“Sorry naka sala ko sa imoha.”

“Sorry di ko gusto masaki-

49 | Banagbanag

tan ka.”

“Sorry love kaayo ta ka.”

And I was Like “WOOOOOOOOOT HAAAPPPPEEENNNEED? BAAAKKKKKKKIIIIIITTTTT?? ANYARIII??

Okay pa man kaayo mi. I thought okay pa mi.

Daghan kaayo nag sulod sa akong mind na mga possible niya nga nahim o but

hopeful pa rin nga DILI LANG unta 3rd party kai mag party jud mi. I asked him, “Na unsa diay? Unsa diay imong sala?” 3 minutes had passed… 5 minutes, pero wala pa reply, basin BUSY. 10 minutes na lang nilabay, wala pa gihapon nag reply.

Busy jud kaayo lugar? So nagtawag ko sa iyaha, hoping nga iyahang tubagon but wala gyud ni tubag, nag 10 missed calls na lang. Pinatext dayun siya sa ako ug, “Sorry Ma, dili pa ko ready makig storya sa imuha.

Dili ko gusto makadungog nga mag hilak ka.”

(WOW. Maldi-

ta mode on.) “Unsa man ka? Mura man kag bayot!

Kusog kai ka mag ing-ana sa akoa unya karun dili ka makig storya? Storyahan ta ni,” akong reply. Pero sa kasamaang palad, sawi na naman. Wala na pud siya nagreply. So, nangita na pud kog pamaagi nga ma storya siya kay di man jud ko niya tubagon ug di pud gyud ko ganahan ipa dugay pa kay di ko gusto mahimong miserable hangtud mag istorya siya. (Mao na. LDR pa! haha) So nag tawag ko sa iyang kuya. (It’s now or never besh. ) Maskin ulaw kaayo. Ug na reach ko rin siya ug nakig istorya na jud siya naku kay wala siya’y choice.

Ako: Unsa diay imong sala? (Pa sweet pa kaayo.)

Siya: Ayaw lage ug hilak?

Ako: Dili lage ko mo hilak, promise.

Siya: Na INLOVE KO SA LAIN.

gaaaaaaaaay! Ooouuuccchhh! So mao ni imong gi ingun nga dili ko mo hilak sa imong gibuhat? Mag katawaha lugar ko kay na inlove kag lain??)

Ako: Nganu? Dili na ko nimo love?

Siya: Love kaayo taka

man.

Love

Ako: Unya, nganu lugar na inlove ka sa lain? Unsa lugar na nga love imo gibati sa akoa? Unsa lugar nga love imo gibati sa iyaha.?

Siya: Parehas ta mo ka love.

Ako: Wow. Ayahaya niya ui! Unsa diay ako kakulangun? Nganu na inlove ka sa iya? Unsa diay wala sa akoa nga naa sa iya?

Siya: Perfect na man ka (Sus trying to make me feel better nga mas na bitter nuon ko.)

Ug daghan pa mi giistoryahan na mga drama until gipapili n a k o siya,

Ako: (Agg-

Banagbanag | 50

Heroine, cocaine, opium, marijuana, excessive alcohol, not to mention hallucinogenic drugs like mushrooms (psilocybin) and LSD – he consumed most of these before the age of 18, many before he turned 14, the addictions growing stronger as the existential emptiness deepened. What sounds like an introduction to a Hunter S. Thompson novel actually constitutes the autobiography of a Catholic priest. Fr. Donald Calloway of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception retells his dramatic and heart-wrenching life story in No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy.

As a destructive youth, Calloway spent his adolescence succumbing to temptations

51 | Banagbanag

large and small, from sins of the flesh with constant promiscuity, to crimes against the law with thousands of dollars of grand theft in stolen merchandise, as well as nightly partying with friends consuming all forms of drugs and addictives while listening to heavy-metal music.

At one point, Calloway became a follower of the rock band the Grateful Dead, inspiring entrance into a psychedelic culture which—among other things—left him with a big Grateful Dead tattoo on his arm. To this day he has it, as a remembrance of the past he lived. The past he left. To this day he doesn’t have a clue how that tattoo got there, being stoned to oblivion during

t h e night of its implementation.

During his youth, Calloway was such an angry and rebellious kid that he names a chapter in his book “Animal” in describing himself, his early mentality, his vicious ways. His family (especially his parents) suffered great emotional trauma as a result of their son’s behavior. For a while, they lived on a military base in Japan, for Calloway’s stepfather was an officer. This didn’t last too long. Running around with Japanese gangs, stealing tens of thousands of dollars in mer-

chandise—from electric guitars to cars—got young Donald Calloway arrested and deported from the country.

He was escorted through the airport by military guards with chains and shackles around his hands and feet, while he spat at his captors and threw out verbal obscenities to surrounding pedestrians, angrily cursing his way onto the plane.

Although, like any angst-filled adolescent, Calloway developed a strong hatred for his parents—notwithstanding

their efforts to help their struggling son, praying for him and checking him into rehabilitation facilities numerous times—a guilt-stricken consciousness still haunted him about his younger brother, where a stronger bond existed. Fr. Calloway describes his feelings poignantly: “The only bond that I had left with my family was with my little brother, Matthew. When it came to him, I felt terribly, almost inexplicably conflicted. Ten years younger than I, he would often plead, ‘Brother, play with me.’ A part of me wanted to stay home and be the big brother I wanted to be and thought he needed. But I was so preoccupied with my girlfriends and drug buddies

that I didn’t want to commit to anything domestic.”

After returning from Japan and checking into an ineffective rehabilitation clinic in Pennsylvania, things did not get any better. For years the drugs continued, so did the promiscuity, the theft, and another arrest. In terms of his growing addictions, Calloway describes vividly what a poisonous rabbit hole he fell into, hitting rock bottom in what reads like a distant and dreary space.

“On one occasion, I even found myself in a crack house, crawling around on the rug on my hands and knees looking for any cocaine that might have fallen on the floor. There were

continued to page 65

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LITERARY ATTEMPTS

For the Love of Remembering Charien R. Sumagang

As it was painstakingly infused in me, That I had no grasp of it.

I endured every anguish it imparted, I felt the wound solitary.

It shattered the little self inside, Into fragments and morsels.

The retention of that damsel sojourns, Within you is a standstill.

I am unacquainted of what you feel, Is it for me or for the other?

Am I the one you’re seeing?

Am I the one you’re enchanted with?

It sluggishly smashed me apart.

That you had her first, And she’ll permanently be a portion of you.

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AMAZING LOVE Lovella

A man hanging on the cross.

A man who is crowned with thorns.

A man that stabbed with a spear.

A man that betrayed by His people.

He let them condemned Him to make the will of His Father.

He sacrificed His own flesh for the freedom of His people.

He died to save the sinners.

And He rose again to bring a new life for all.

A man that gives a hope.

A man bring us to the Heavenly Father.

Amazing man that proves a 100% LOVE; And He is JESUS; OUR TRUE SAVIOUR.

Falling St r Kevin Jay S. Dinapo

Meeting you wasn’t an accident Hence, you gave all the love that I shouldn’t deserve.

You gave me strength, you gave me will.

You light up my days that is so much darker.

At first, our love is like a star That is so high and brightly shining.

It is beautiful to stare at Unreachable-- as if no other else is allowed to cling.

We share thoughts, likes and hobbies We almost perfectly knew each other.

We throw jokes—exchange laughters Dreaming of this will be forever.

But somehow a nourished flower will die.

Stripped off its fragrance and let it fly And so others will smell and keep it.

That’s all that’s left to our relationship.

Ours to Conquer Charien R. Sumagang

We were young back then, We were innocent of what’s happening.

We watched how they courted people, We witnessed how they were deceived.

We were taught to be the hope of the future, We were supposed to bring back our country’s dignity.

We were expected to do something, We were asked to be the judges of the ones ‘in power’.

We are the young, the mighty and protectors of truth, We must exercise our rights over those conceited people.

This era will be owned by us -- the young people, Let this season be ours to conquer.

I admit I let you see my flaws I made mistakes and I do it most.

But I tried my best to make you stay, I gave you love and you just threw it away.

Is it truly hurting me? It’s a big YES. I put on a thousand of masks to my face.

To show others I am I enough to handle this I cheated myself, I pity myself for this big disgrace.

At the end of the day I will walk alone Bearing this pain you gave me and try to go along.

I know my life won’t stop here I’ll start walking again until I find a new flower at the perfect garden.

I hope I am now like the air moving freely.

Freeing myself from the pain you gave me But don’t worry I am not throwing you all the mistakes.

Because if you still love him I will never be a duplicate.

Go now and join the constellation.

I think our star had just fallen Be happy in your new life journey.

Be happy for I set you free.

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Dear Papang, Hi Pang! Maayong adlaw diha kanimo ug sa imong mga kauban sa buhatan sa Dear Papang. First of all Pang, magpasalamat ako kaninyo tungod sa inyong makugihon nga pagtabang ug pag-inspire sa mga Ka-BukYo nato, ilabi gayod katong naka bati ug kalisdanan sa ilang kinabuhi. Mao pud na ang rason Pang kung nganong nadasig ko s a pagsulat niining akong lisod nga kasinatian kay basin unya ug makahatag ko ug lesson didto sa uban.

Pang, palihog ko ug tago sa akong true identity ug tawaga lang ko sa ngalan nga Shane kay mao na akong dream pud nga name. Thanks. Usa ako ka estudyante sa usa ka eskwelahan sa Probinsya sa Bukidnon ug usa pud ako ka member sa Parish Youth Apostolate sa usa ka parokya. Pang, isip usa ka estudyante, nakabati na ako ug gitawag nga gugma sa usa ka lalaki nga atong itago sa ngalang Dodoy. Estudyante gihapun siya sa maong eskwelahan kung diin ako nagskwela. Ganahan kaayo ko magskwela kay naa siya akong makita. Sa tunga-tunga sa among relasyon Pang, mga 1 year, 2 months ug 3 weeks na mi ato ni Dodoy, adunay usa ka tao nga nagpadayag kanako sa iyang tinago nga pagbati. Nganli lamang siya ug Dodong. Nagtuo ko nga siya gyud si Mr. Right para kanako. Sa wala damha, nag-uyab pud mi Pang. Oo Pang, nag-uyab ming Dodong Pang. Ug wala kabalo si Dodoy Pang. Wa magdugay Pang, nag two years pud mi sukad nga nag-uyab mi ni Dodoy. Nakabalo na pud siya nga naa koy laing uyab Pang, ako siya giignan kay makonsensya na jud ko Pang. Nagbulag mi ni Dodoy Pang ug nagpadayon mi ni Dodong. Abi nako siya na gyud kay nag two years pud mi ni Dodong. Pero wa ko nasayod nga 2 years na pud diay ko nga iyang giilad. Gi two-time man diay gihapon ko niya. Sakit ug pagbasol akong nabati sa nahitabo Pang.

Karon Pang, nakita nako ang ka importante ni Dodoy. Siya man gyud diay ang tinuod nga nahigugma kanako ug ako lamang gisayangan. Pang, unsa akong buhaton? Gusto ko mubalik sa dughan ni Dodoy apan mahadlok ko nga basin dili na ko niya dawaton ug maulawan lamang ako. Mao lamang Papang, hinaot nga inyo akong matabangan ug daghang salamat. Maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan.

Kaninyo nagalaom, Shane

55 | Banagbanag

Mercy or

Dear Shane, Daghang salamat sa panahon ilabi na sa imong courage nga ipadala sa amoa ang imong kasinatian sa gugma. Maayo kay na realize nimu nga si Dodoy diay ang tinuod nga naghigugma kanimu apan ang pangutana, ikaw ba nakabati gihapon ug ugma diha kaniya? Kay unya’g imuha lang gihapon siyang paasahon kay na konsensya lang ka. Ayaw na lang usa huna-hunaa ang imong pagbalik diha sa dughan ni Dodoy kay lisod kaayo na buhaton hehehe... Loading..... Hahaha.

Bitaw, imo usang unang buhaton mao ang pagpangayo og kapasayloan diha ka niya ha. Kay daghan kag angay nga ipangayo og pasaylo labi na sa imong mga nabuhat diha kaniya. Inday Shane, nagbasul ka karon dba? Dapat lang!!! Tungod kay wala ka namalandong sa imong gibuhat. Nagpadala ka sa tintasyon sa gugma nga abi nimo tinuod apan diay ilad ra. Sa imong kasigurista, tan-awa gisigurista pud diay ka ni Dodong. Sa tamang panahon, andama usa ang imong kaugalingon. Pamalandungi, paningkamuti og kung mahimo paning tiili pa ang butang nga imong buhaton og ipadayag ngadto kay Dodoy. Kabalo ka nga dili lalim ang gibati karon ni Dodoy.

Ang kapait og kasakit ni Dodoy tungod sa imong gibuhat nga pagtraidor sa iyang gugma alang kanimo. Maong dapat lang mag-antos ka ha! Jowk lang! Sa relasyon man gud, ayaw tan-awa ang kakulangon sa usa para mangita kag lain nga makapuno niini. Kung siya adunay kakulangon, dapat ikaw ang mu-puno niini. Daghan na mga bata pa lang karon nga gugma-gugma na ang problema. Pagpuyo daw mo beh. Mura pud mo og mga korek dah! Dili pa man gani mo makapanglaba sa mgsa kaugalingon ninyo nga hugaw. Unya mag gugma-gugma pa more! Wow! Grabe… Puslan man nga sige ra tag gugma- gugma ani, ningon akong igsoon nga si Justin Beiber, “You should love yourself.” Unsaon? By loving yourself, you should value, give worth, and accept the very core of your being.

Kay kung imuha kanang mahimo diha sa imong kaugalingon, masinati nimo ang tinuod nga gugma nga imong gipangita. Ug sa tamang panahon, ako nagatoo nga tanan natong gipangayo sa Ginoo ihatag Niya kanato. Maong everyday sa atong life, dili natu hikalimtan ang pagduol Kaniya. Siya lamang ang makapuno sa tanan kakulangon og panginahanglanon natu ilabina sa gugma og sa tanang aspeto bahin niini. Walay bisan kinsa kanato ang makahatag sa perfect love gawas ni Kristo apan kita maningkamot maka sunod diha Kaniya.

One day, kung magsige lang kag ampo kay God about loving yourself, for the people around you and for the one nga gi reserve ni God for you, makakanta pud ka nga with feelings, with pakurog-kurog sa voice, piyong-piyong, dala tulo sa luha og sip-on,sama naku. Sa kanta nga tag-ana unsa? Bitaw kani oh!!! Kantaha pud ha!

“You’re the reason I believe in love and you’re the answer to my prayers from up above, all we need is just the two of us! My dreams came true, because of you. From this moment, as long as I live, I will love you. I promise you this mmmmmmmmmm!” Dah daug! Mapakanta pud tag ahat diha! Busa sa pagkakaron, ayaw usa hagua imong kaugalingon bahin anang uyab-uyab. Daghan pa makapalipay sa imuha. Focus in yourself by developing your gift and talents into service. Diba ingon ka nga naa ka sa youth ministry? Perfect! Maayong mag serbesyo sa ta sa Ginoo kay adunay dakong ganti nga Iyang ihatag kanatu sa tamang panahon. Kana nga ganti nagpakita sa dakong gugma kanato sa Ginoo. Kana pagatiman-i. Daghang salamat sa pagpaabot sa akong reply. Hinaut nakatabang kami dinhi sa Dear Papang. Ug sa mga kaBukYo natu out there, daghang salamat sa inyong makanunayong pag tangkilik sa Dear Papang. Sa mga adunay problema diha bahin sa gugma, pamilya, youth ministry ug ayaw lang ang kwarta, Hahahahaha, ang buhatan sa Dear Papang makanunayong abli alang sa pag abi-abi sa inyong mga suliranon. Ayaw kamu kaulaw sa pag padala sa inyong mga sulat og ihatag lang kini sa atong opisina og kana pagadawaton sa atong ambongan, abtik, maabi-abihon, niwang pero dli masakiton nga si kuya Budoy...

Hehe peace!

Kanimo Nagahandom, Papang

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Bantay mga Batan-on... from page 10

Sa pagpadayon ni Fr. Vir sa pagpalawom sa tema sa maong kasaulogan, iyang gipaambit ngadto sa mga batan-on nga bisan pa man sa mga dili maayong gakahitabo sa kalibutan, nanghinaot siya nga makita gihapon sa matag-usa ang Ginoo.

Gikinahanglan ang pagputli sa kasingkasing tungod kay diha lamang makita ug masinati ang Dios. Adunay duha ka klase matud pa sa kaputli. Una, ang kaputli sa intensyon. Ang tawo nga

Cabustam...

from page 18

had a glimpse on what a diocese has to offer in terms of formations, practices and culture during the Gallery Walk. After which, the delegates went to St. Micahel’s College for the ‘Breakout Session’ wherein the Eucharist and its elements, flow, relevance, etc. was thoroughly explained and deepened. After the ‘Breakout Session’, the Day 2 mass was celebrated by Msgr. Arturo Langit, DCT, the Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Tandag, and Fr. Jeffrey Balanay, the Youth Director of the Diocese of Iligan and one 59 | Banagbanag

adunay putli nga intensyon kanunay mag-agad sa unsa ang makaayo ngadto sa iyang isigkaingon. Ikaduha mao ang kaputli sa panglantaw (vision) internal man o external; sa sulod man o sa gawas sa tawo.

Matud ni Fr. Vir, kung putli ang kasingkasing, makita niya ang Ginoo diha sa kabuhatan sa matag usa ug sa kaugalingon, sa simbahan, sa Bibliya, sa mga sakramento, diha sa pag-ampo ug paghilom ug labaw na diha sa mga kabus ug mga nag-antos.Gihangyo usab niya ang mga batan-on sa dili pagpalya sa pagsimba of the MSPC Youth Director who gave the homily. In his homily, Fr. Jeffrey encouraged the youth ministers to receive Christ more than a God and a Lord in the Eucharist. The day ended with a Eucharistic Adoration and a confession.

The third day was started with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Bishop of Butuan, the Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos, D.D. He challenged the youth ministers to not be afraid of making Jesus known to their friends, that we shouldn’t be afraid and ashamed of telling the world of His love. Next up is the

ug pag-apil sa Eukaristiya.

Sa katapusan, nanghinaot si Fr. Vir nga ang mga batan-on sa Diyosesis sa Malaybalay mamahimo untang ehemplo ngadto sa uban ilabina kadtong mga nasalaag sa ilang dalan aron sila ang mokabig kanila paingon sa Dios. Ang kasaulogan mao ang pinakaunang hiniusang NYD sa diyosesis.

Adunay 1,237 ka mga rehistradong delegado ang miapil, walay labot ang mga miorganisa, mga mibisitang kongregasyon sa mga kaparian, kamadrehan ug mga formands.

talk about “The Eucharist and the Environment”. The input was delivered by Fr. Emmanuel Dumadag, DCT. Fr. Dumadag is the parish priest of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur where mining is very chronic. He presented in his talk the many and prevailing problems that our Common Home is facing today especially in their locality. He stressed that the Eucharist is the prayer of the Church and of the whole creation, thus it becomes more meaningful when it is celebrated with it. “…and at the same time an eye-opener of what is happening now to our Mother Nature. As 21st Century youths, we should not

just stand firm for our faith but also stand for our environment,” Arshiley May Camarillo said, a pilgrim from our Diocese. His talk was ended with an open forum.

In the afternoon, the Pilgrims went on a Pilgrimage to Ina Poon Bato, a pilgrimage site in Cantilan where the delegates offered the deed for the environment.

While the delegates are off for pilgrimage, the Drafting Committee, which comprises of representatives from each diocese started to conjure up for the Congress Statement, a document produced at the end of every congress which will then serve as benchmarks for every diocese for their plans and activities. The statement is rather suggestive than imposing. The evening is such a blast for everybody as the delegates showcased their innate talents and skills in a thematic presentation assigned to them for the ‘Duyom nan Pasundayag’ (CYC 2016 Social Night). The following are the presentations shown by each diocese: Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro – HIV/AIDS, Diocese of Butuan – Drugs, Diocese of Surigao - Society, Diocese of Tandag - Environment and Diocese of Malaybalay – IP Situation.

Every good thing must come to an end as the con-

gress is now on its last day.

Everyone woke up with the realization that before 12 noon, everyone must set off foot in Cantilan to return to their individual places.

Before the tears and goodbyes, the last day started with a send-off mass together with the community of Cantilan. It was presided by Fr. Roimar Montezo, Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan’s representative from the Diocese of Malaybalay. The homily was at the same time the synthesis of the entire congress. At the end of his homily, he left everyone a challenge; he asked them, “Do you love me?” (stating Jesus’ question to Peter in reference to the gospel that day), everyone answered a resounding “YES!” He then ended with a challenge, “… then vote wisely. “ After the send-off mass, the MSPC Youth Secretariat through the presence of its staff, Ms. Karen Lei Talidano and volunteers conducted the KAMI NAMAN Roadshow. The roadshow aims to present to the youth in Mindanao the present and chronic problems that Mindanao is facing today, specifically its impact to the children thus, would hopefully encourage everyone to vote wisely. In the roadshow, the pilgrims were shown short films produced by the sec-

retariat which was launched and is currently showing on Facebook through its official page, Kami Naman. They were then given reflection questions to ponder upon and the results were collected by the secretariat for documentation purposes.

As the congress is on its final moments, the Cabustam Cross which would represent the journey of the Cabustam Youth in the years to come has been turned over to the Diocese of Malaybalay as they are to host the next congress in 2018. To entice the pilgrims, a teaser video was shown to show what to see in Bukidnon and what awaits them in 2018. The delegates of the Diocese of Malaybalay danced to the tune of Saulogon Ta as a sort of joyous acceptance of the responsibility now passed on to to them.

As the 10th Cabustam Youth Congress finally came to its close, the delegates were once again filled with fresh enthusiasm, vigorous eagerness and clear new views to make the youth ministries in their respective dioceses more animated and more alive.

Banagbanag | 60

FeelGrim from page 29

we were reminded of how strong the foundation of our Catholic faith is.

That experience led us to deepen our understanding on our tasks as ‘pilgrims’. We were not only there to walk the way that locals do, but we’re there to know the real reason why the local have these ways. We’re not only there to connect the dots between their parish and our diocese, but to pay homage for the efforts of the late missionaries who pave way in making our diocese abundant with hope, love and

Pilgrim Experience... from page 30

the other was assigned to the hall and for the program.

We had a short program that night after everything was all set. It was started by Fr. John Rey’s opening remarks.

I really liked it when he said that “the Church is not just only for the Adult but also for the Youth.” We also had the presentations like dancing, singing including the priests and sisters. After that, we played some funny games. The program has ended with a message from Fr. Nonoy and he caught 61 | Banagbanag

faith. We did not just witness history, but witnessed how that history changed us. There, we rendered the song, “Sa Iyong Mga Yapak” and it gave us all the light on why we are pilgrims on a journey. We are pilgrims because we follow His footsteps and walk in His ways.

We are pilgrims because no matter what we face along our path, we still continue on moving forward.

Being a pilgrim isn’t just about being named a pilgrim, it’s about feeling the essence of our journey and becoming Christ-like in Mission. Being a pilgrim

my attention when he said, “Kami daku og suporta sa inyong mga batan-on busa ani-a kami karon nakig uban kaninyo... pag- enjoy kamu.” After the program, we were free to do what we liked to do but we were also reminded by Fr. John Rey and he said that “we trust you.” And because of that trust, I was reminded to be responsible to what I will be doing and where we’ll be going. He also asked us to have a companion always.

The next day was indeed an awesome experience.

The first thing we did was to celebrate the Holy

entails responsibilities and accountabilities. Being a pilgrim means that we visit a place not only to appreciate its beauty but to gain the lessons a place can offer us. We are never pilgrims for nothing, but we are pilgrims for something— something great. Pilgrims don’t just travel, they live with the people they visit and journey with them without complaint, without pride and arrogance. They live out Christ’s teachings and do not depend on what a place could offer but extend what they could share to the community as they stay.

Eucharist, and then ate our breakfast and finally, we were able to ride the banana boats and play in their different rides. For me, those rides were not just simply rides. Those really tested my ability to help my colleagues in times when they need someone to carry them, guide, and conquer their fear; an awesome experience that also need to be cherished because I was able to talk to them and know them better. The day was very fruitful because I was able to talk to some of my colleagues, to some members that I need to talk, need to say sorry and need

to know more. It was very helpful I believe for it really allowed me to understand our differences through dialogues to strengthen our relationship as a family.

The highlight of this pilgrim experience happened during the afternoon when we went to Immaculate Conception Parish, Jasaan.

What keep me interested of the historical church aside from its long years of existence was that it was the center of the missionaries who went to Bukidnon.

They also have the records

of the first Catholics in Sumilao. When we visited the church, we were able to touch it, saw how it was made and looked in the collections they have. It was very fulfilling after knowing the history of the church, on how it was connected to us people of Bukidnon because I knew that our faith “was learned” and I am thankful for those missionaries who bravely came to our place to share their faith about Christ through our ancestors which was passed to us youth of today.

As a whole, my experience with my PYA Family was indeed unforgettable. I need to cherish those moments because of the lessons I gained from the significances of the historical church and to the experience that I have with my colleagues that strengthened our friendship and made the PYA a much united and stronger family.

The day was so short yet the experiences is worthy to remember.

Bigas na ikinabubuhay...

addressed, if not, it will create devastating impacts to the social order and stability of our nation. The farmers now have a different call.

They are not only asking for rice, but justice, too, for Darwin. Now is the time that we should support each other and fight for what is right and change the society for the better. If not, bloodshed will continue unabated with civilians fearing the economic and political unrest. More and more wars will break out, more revolutions. Injustices will continue to emanate in different forms if we will just stood in silence.

Unification of the people within the state is necessary so that it remains politically stable and viable in the long run. But, unity is difficult to achieve if there would be in-

justices. We should be catalysts for change and start now building our society for the better.

from page 32

The conflict that happened in Kidapawan will continue to happen in the different parts of the country if the government could not provide basic services and couldn’t protect its own citizens from disasters like this.

Despite of the government’s attempt to resolve issues of poverty, farmers are still deprived of their fundamental human rights as to human dignity and justice. We condemn these systematic dysfunctions and join the cry of the oppressed against all forms of exploitation and violation of justice and human rights. Violation of human rights, social injustices and food insecurity should be

Darwin, as one of the sacrificial lambs due to his untimely death, dispel the curse of the sun and made a rain for the first time after 3 months of dry season. Darwin and the rest of the victims sacrificed themselves to nourish and nurture the land. Now imagined as catalysts for change.

Learning from this tragic event could mean stopping more bloodshed and injustices. Mistakes should be regretted, learn from them, put it behind us but never bring forth with us to the future.

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Ang Pasyon sa atong Ginoo from page 31

ko, ug mag-atubang sa mga problema pirmi naku madumduman ang sobra-sobra nga nasinati ni Kristo sa iyahang pasyon mao nga pirme ko maremind nga ang akong mga tanan nga nasinati gamay lang sa Iyahang nasinati, busa gapadayon ko sa pagatubang sa mga mo abot nga mga kasinatian. Tungod niini nga panghitabo, nakahatag kini kanakog dakung grasya ug ilabi na sa pagpamalandong nga kini ako nang himoon nga panata sa atong Dios.

Ang kinabuhi sa pasyon ni Kristo dili sayon. Sa akong experience mobati jud ka ug kakapoy, kasakit, ug uhaw sama sa nabati ni Hesus diha

Cabustam Youth... from page 21

si BukYo sa Eucharist Adoration uban sa Confession nga gipahigayon sa maong adlaw.

Sa ikatulo nga adlaw ni BukYo, miduyog siya sa tulo ka kilometro nga Pilgrim walk paingon sa INA POON BATO, inubanan sa pag-ampo alang sa kinaiyahan sa Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur kay ang ilang mga kabukiran 63 | Banagbanag

sa iyang paglakaw paingun sa Golgotha. Kini nga mga kasakit nga akong nabatian nagpamatuod lang nga ako buhi pa, nga kinahanglan nakong magkinabuhi hisubay diha kang Kristo. Kinahanglan nakong pas-anon ang akong krus nga adunay paglaum, pagsalig ug gugma.

Kay kung kining mga butanga dili naku pas-anon sama lang ako sa usa ka tao nga patay ug walay kinabuhi. Aduna koy Bible verse na i-share. I hope inyo pamalandungan.

Mateo 16 24:28 “Ug sa iyang mga tinun-an misulti si Jesus nga nag-ingon, “Kon adunay buot mosunod kanako, kinahanglan magdumili siya sa iyang kaugalingon, ug magpas-an sa iyang krus, ug magsunod kanako. Kay bisan kinsa nga buot magpatunhay sa iyang kinabuhi, mawag-

naghinay-hinay na ug kadaot tungod sa MINING, nga maoy hinungdan pud sa pagkadaot sa ilang pangkinabuhian nga pagpangisda. Pagkagabii, nagpakita si BukYo sa iyang talento sa pag-arte ug pagkanta sa “Duyom nan Pasundayag: 2016 CABUSTAM Youth Congress Social Night”.

Sa ika-upat nga adlaw, gidawat ni BukYo ang CABUSTAM Cross para sa sunod nga CABUSTAM YOUTH

tangan hinoon siya niini; ug bisan kinsa nga magawagtang sa iyang kina-buhi tungod kanako, makakaplag siya niini. Kay unsa may kapuslanan alang sa usa ka tawo kon maangkon niya ang tibuok kalibutan nga pagapil-dihan sa iyang kinabuhi? O unsa may ikahatag sa tawo nga arang ikabawi niya sa iyang kinabuhi? Kay uban sa kahimayaan sa iyang Amahan, moanhi ang Anak sa Tawo uban sa iyang mga manolunda, ug unya pagabalusan niya ang matag-usa sa tumbas sa iyang mga binuhatan.

Sa pagkatinuod, magaingon ako kaninyo, nga sa mga nanagbarug karon dinhi adunay pila ka buok nga dili pa una makatilaw sa kamatayon, hangtud nga makita na nila ang Anak sa Tawo sa iyang pag-abut diha sa iyang gingharian.”

CONGRESS nga ipahigayon sa atong diyosesis, Diyosesis sa Malaybalay. Ug tuod man dako ang kalipay ni BukYo sa pagdawat niini.

Sa wa pa manglakaw aron sa pag-uli, nagpicture-picture ang mga pilgrims sa mga BukYo ug nagbilin sila sa ilang mga mobile numbers ug sa ilang gugma nga way sama sa matag batan-on sa tanang Arko/ diyosesis.

Of Longings and Desires from page 37

woods Academy. A blessing indeed!

Oftentimes, in the adoration chapel, I keep whispering to God to use me for His goodness not just in the previous years that I have been serving Him with the youth in the music ministry but also in the remaining

10th Bugwalan Youth Festival...

from page 22

prepared by the officers and the committee with the help and support of our local parish priests namely; Fr. Conrad Casas, Fr. John Paul Tuble and Fr. Alex Indino. The officers and the committee gave all their best undeniable efforts with the preparations such as conducting meetings with the cluster representatives, distributing the pre-registration forms, collecting the materials needed, cleaning the venue, and providing the

New Breed of YE Facilitators... from page 24

Maghanoy. They will continue their journey from that day on as official trainees hence, bigger responsibilities in the team will be expected to be

years of my life. I will serve the Lord up to the very last days of my life in any way that He wants me to be. My Mission is to share Jesus to all! And I am very grateful for all of these that is happening in my life, which also led me to be with the Medical Mission Sisters in their mission, the “Making the Cause Known,� where healing charism is abundantly available by anyone

for everyone. It felt great to belong!

right information to the local people. Bugwalan Festival was celebrated last May 4-8 in the year of the Lord Like the people behind the scenes would say, expect the unexpected during the activity. Through this, the young generation could learn so much more about the real thing. Learning how to serve and learning how to be with a new environment and of course meeting being one with new friends by simply aiming the same spiritual experience in another different angle. Bugwalan festival recently invites and encourages the local youth and so was with the other

young people who are interested to join for the future gatherings. It aims to develop the holistic being of the young people of the present generation. The celebration does not only about fun but more than what you think. Another thing is to dig in deeper in knowing the real message behind the activity instead of being a normal person in the society. Before I end my article, I congratulate the Nuestra Sra. De Guadalupe Parish for the success of the event and wishing for the next Bugwalan years to come. God bless and more power with love!

shared by them. Those who were not yet accepted will also continue as aspirants, thus continuous self-formation and purification of their commitments is expected from them.

of emotions during the seminar-workshop was very evident, the YE-FSW ended-up as a big success, not just to them as future YE Facilitators, but also to the Diocesan Commission on Youth in general for in them will rely the future of YE in Bukidnon.

Albeit the roller coaster

My deepest longing and desire for this year 2016 is to be a happy follower of Jesus each day of my life carrying my cross daily‌patiently enduring the pains... the sufferings...that will lead me to my salvation...and a lovely dwelling place in heaven.

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I Will Survive... from page 50

hoping na ako iyang pilion but I failed. “Gusto nako siya panguyaban,” ingon niya. Kana nga line. Kana jud nga line. Feeling nako gi tabunan ko sa world.

Dili ma explain ang kasakit.

But I never quitted. Ako gigamit tanan nako powers to try to convince him nga ako na lang iyang pilion ug among i-saveang among relationship. I even told him nga napasaylo na naku siya ug dawatun japon naku siya even sa iyang nahimong sala. I really begged for his love, I really begged him to stay.

Dili ko anad nga wala sya.

Mingawon ko sa iyaha. I really need him. I want him to stay in my life. Pero

Rescued by the Virgin... from page 52

cockroaches running around and maggots in the sink from all the unwashed dishes. A crying baby could be heard, unattended in a back room. Yet there I was on the floor, right along with the baby’s mother, searching frantically for white specs on the floor. If we found anything white, we’d put it in the bowl and smoke it, even if we didn’t know what it was.”

65 | Banagbanag

maskin pa unsaun nako to win him back, dili na man jud sya. So I gently let him go maskin sakit kaayo . I saved our friendship arun dili lang jud siya mawala sa akoa kay dili naku kaya mawala siya. Pero nagbulag jud mi, walay forever sa amoa.

Maayo na lang naa ko’y mga angels nga love kaayo ko ug willing mo dawat maskin pag buang ko usahay (aww permi diay) ug willing to feel and support my brokenness. (Tsada man pud diay ma broken usahay bessh kay daghan offer na foods, left and right ang libre). ;) Pero despite sa kasakit, I found that brokenness as a blessing. Kung wala ko na bulagan, dili nako ma realSo, what on earth could have turned this rebellious youth, this struggling addict, this “animal” (as he later described himself), into a devout Catholic priest, not to mention into an eloquent author of books on theology and Mariology?

It all began one night in March 1992 when, to the surprise of his friends, Donald decided not to go out partying, as was the usual routine, but to stay at home for the night. He felt immensely depressed, a longing and emptiness occupied his very being. “I found

ize nga dili na diay healthy nga mag stay ato nga relationship kay dili na ko ga grow. Nga dili diay mao ako pag love (I loved him too much, to the point nga nalimot na ko unsaon pag love sa akong self). Ug labaw sa tanan, nakita nako nga daghan diay nag love sa akoa. HAHAHA! Love nga tinood. Char! (Love you mga guyst). Ug narealize nako nga tsada man diay ma single ug labaw sa tanan, I learned to trust more in God’s will and his timing.

Right time is God’s time. Sa tamang panahon. Makita ra japon nako akong forever.

Two months had passed and I’m still on the process of moving on. Kaya ko to! :D

myself sitting there alone in my room with nothing to do and no one to turn to. My existence was laughable. My life was a waste, and I was hoping it would somehow come to an end…I hated my life. I was restless and anxious about everything.” Looking for a way to fill the time, he began browsing his parents’ bookshelf, not to find anything to read but, preferably, land on a National Geographic for the pictures.

Instead, his hand landed on something else, an odd book

continued to page 66

about a subject so alien and obscure to the teenager that it was intriguing enough to read. The book was called The Queen of Peace Visits Medjugorje.

Essentially, it was the story of the Marian apparitions in Medjugorje which brought on the crisis of his conversion. He was only one of the first of a long line of Christians who were to fall under the spell of the mystical Bosnian village, embracing that land of mystery.

“This book showed me a side of things I had never really heard of or experienced before, but I certainly could relate to the radical nature of the message…It wasn’t long before I realized this book was presenting me an offer to change my life and surrender to something greater than myself – to believe in God and be different. It was a revelation that required a revolution in my thinking. Could this be the way out I was looking for?”

He spent the whole night reading the book, until the early hours of the morning. In the process, the inner beings of his soul were transformed from the anxiousness and restlessness he previously experienced to a deep serenity and peace that radiated and pervaded his spirit. The messages of Medjugorje touched him on a higher level, the return to prayer, peace, fasting, a reconciliation with God and the need for conversion. For the first time, something of-

fered him hope from his abusive past, from his life of sin and despair.

“The Virgin Mary was saying things that were so clear and captivating that I found myself moved and literally experiencing emotion in a deep way.

This was a kind of emotion I hadn’t experienced since I was a little boy who really loved his mother and wanted to make her happy. And yet the Virgin Mary was saying that she was my mother, that she was the mother of those who had gone astray and was calling us back to God, to Jesus. She made it clear that she was not God, but she was pointing to her Son and saying He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. I found myself totally falling in love with this mother, this woman.”

The aesthetical quality was sublime. He was experiencing a beauty he hadn’t felt in a very long time. In this Woman, the Virgin Mary, he found a beauty that was not poisonous and sinful—like his past encounters with women—but pure and refreshing, an immaculate gentleness that offered a ray of hope and emanated a radiant light into Donald’s darkened world.

Spiritual and sublime, this attraction led Donald to a small prayer of the heart, in which he revealed his longing for this mysterious presence in front of him.

“As I continued to read, I said to her in my heart, ‘I want to believe. I really do. You are

piercing the little bubble of my world and offering me something more than I ever heard. I need this.’”

This inner need, this spiritual longing, was being satisfied.

As he continued reading, a strange, but wondrous, rebirth from death to new life occurred. “Although I was in serious despair about my life, as I read the book, I felt as if my heart was being melted. I hung on to each word like it was transmitting life straight to me.”

Then a new day came. “Early in the morning, when I closed the book, I said, ‘The message in this book is life-changing.

I have never ever heard anything so amazing and convincing and so needed in my life.’

One might say that this was my first prayer. Whoever this Virgin Mary was, I believed what she was saying – that she was my mother and came from heaven for me.”

Instantly, after telling his overwhelmed mother about the experience, Donald—though not a Catholic yet—ran off to Mass for the first time in his life, speaking to a priest afterwards, confessing his entire past to the man. When he came back home, Donald began throwing out all of his filthy possessions from his past life, from drug paraphernalia to pornographic magazines ranging from his Playboy and Penthouse collections, to his heavy metal records, and his water bongs and pipes.

continued to page 67 Banagbanag | 66

from page 66

Six 30-gallon bags were the result.

After clearing his space of all distractions, Donald knelt by his dresser and deeply desired to go into prayer. But he didn’t know how to pray. As he recalls, “Until earlier that day, I had never said a prayer in my entire life.” This did not stop him, however, from falling into an overbearing ambiance of deeply healing and purifying tears. His past was still very prominent in his mind and the remorse, the regret that was felt was overwhelming – the need for forgiveness encapsulated his entire being.

“In fact, I started crying so hard that I could hardly breathe. I had to literally gasp for air because I was crying so uncontrollably. There were torrents of liquid coming out of my eyes. Before long, the clothes I was wearing were soaking wet.”

Hours of such excruciating crying led to inexplicable tears of joy and, all of the sudden, Donald felt an immense peace in his heart, a tranquility that surpassed understanding. “I started to feel almost bubbly and giddy, almost like a child being tickled by his father.

Suddenly, I was animated. I had life again and felt so much different. My body tingled all over. I was so wrapped up in Jesus that I became aware of how much I was loved.”

This purifying peace led to something inexplicable, a

67 | Banagbanag

mystical—if not downright supernatural—experience. Like thousands of patients who have reported undergoing near-death experiences, Donald left his body.

“But all of a sudden something below me and within me – this is very difficult to explain – knocked me out of my body.

I literally felt as if I had left my body. My physical form remained on the couch, but my soul or spirit had left.” The experience paralyzed him, as he gradually saw his body farther and farther away from him, his spiritual presence being slowly removed from the physical. Out of desperation, he led out a penetrating, spiritual cry to that person who had just touched his soul.

“Mary!” What happened next was phenomenal. Donald was “violently slammed back” into his body.

“After I got over the shock of the impact, a feeling of peace overwhelmed me, a peace that was tangible. Then I heard a voice, the most pure feminine voice I have ever heard and ever will hear. It was within me, it was outside of me, it was like liquid love being poured over me. It was pure maternal love. It said, ‘Donnie, I’m so happy.’ That’s all I heard, but I knew who it was. Nobody called me Donnie but my mother. Nobody.

I knew this was the voice of Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I was so at peace that I felt like a little boy snuggled close to his mother’s breast. I was so at peace, so loved, and so at

rest that I went into a deep sleep. I hadn’t slept like that since I was a young boy.”

The phenomenon that Donald experienced, in addition to leaving his body, is called an interior locution (locution cordis), the mystical grace of hearing a spiritual presence – in this case, Our Lady – in an interior way through the depths of the soul.

After his profound spiritual experiences, an official conversion to Roman Catholicism followed. What also followed was the desire for the priesthood. Not just any priesthood.

Donald wanted to become a Marian priest, both for Our Lady and for the reason that the Marians of the Immaculate Conception are the official promoters of the Divine Mercy devotions of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun and mystic who experienced visions of Christ in the 1930s.

Donald saw himself, through his past, as the poster-boy for Divine Mercy. For, through the grace of God, he received the greatest mercy after a life of sin.

Becoming a priest meant going back to school. For this high school dropout, this wasn’t the easiest task.

Notwithstanding, through his subsequent education and efforts, Donald was able to encounter some of the most eminent Catholic intellectuals and scholars in the world. After earning his GED and spend-

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from page 67

ing some time in community college, the Marians sent Donald to study at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where he earned his B.A. in theology and philosophy. It was at Franciscan that he encountered some of his favorite professors, including the prominent Catholic intellectuals Scott Hahn and Mark Miravalle. Donald admits that Professor Hahn had an influential impact on his studies, implementing a deeper love of God in his mind.

Professor Miravalle, a theologian and Mariologist, is a leading figure in the Marian movement, and also played a great influence on Donald.

Miravalle is the president of Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici, a movement within the Catholic Church that hopes to gain papal approval to deem Mary as the Co-Redemptrix, becoming the fifth Marian dogma.

Interestingly, Miravalle’s own connections to Medjugorje are not small. He has written numerous books on the subject and, when he was a doctoral student in Rome, his dissertation was called, The Message of Medjugorje: A Postconcilar Formulation of Lourdes and Fatima. The dissertation showed how the messages of Medjugorje align with Chruch tradition, ranging from the Gospels to the teachings of the early Church Fathers in their foundational elements and, of course, to Vatican II and other approved apparitions. The thesis was

successfully defended in the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome in 1984.

Beyond inspirations like Professors Hahn and Miravalle at Franciscan, Donald went on to study with other greats. He received both his M.Div and S.T.B. at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., and then earned an S.T.L. at the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio. At the Institue, Donald studied with such prominent theologians and Mariologists as Fr. Luigi Gambero and Fr. Eamon Carroll. Most remarkably, Donald took the last class that the great French theologian and Mariologist Rene Laurentin taught at the Institute. Laurentin himself has been one of Medjugorje’s greatest supporters for years, with countless of books on the apparitions.

Donald’s S.T.L. dissertation concentrated on the Mariology in the diaries of St. Faustina Kowalska, combining his love for Our Lady with his love for the Divine Mercy devotions.

The dissertation was over 200 pages long, contained over 700 footnotes – in Latin, French, Polish, Italian, and Spanish – and, years later, was published into a book called, Purest of All Lilies: The Virgin Mary in the Spirituality of St. Faustina. He even graduated summa cum laude with his S.T.L.

school dropout graduated summa cum laude with an advanced degree, studying with some of the most renowned theologians in the world, and publishing his work into a book about the Mother of God. Today, Father Calloway is the House Superior for the Marians of the Immacluate Conception and their vocations director. He preaches his story throughout the world, reaching countless of hearts.

His life story is an example of grace and divine mercy in motion, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and particularly her continuing work in Medjugorje. No Turning Back constitues a powerful and poignant testimony about one man’s journey, being led out of a tunnel of darkness and despair into the radiance of hope and belief in something purer, truer, and warmer than the temptations of contemporary culture – what the human soul longs for, spiritual sublimity and meaning in one’s existence.

Br. Daniel Klimek is a friar in formation, studying to be a priest, with the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular (T.O.R.) of the Province fo the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

This article was published at ministryvalues.com and is reprinted here with permission. http://aleteia.org/2015/07/12/ saved-by-the-virgin-mary-drugaddict-turned-priest-donaldcalloways-conversion-story/

The former drug addict, convicted criminal, and high

Banagbanag | 68

WHO’S NEW???

Meet our new Sister-in-Charge

Sr. Dang Profile

Full Name: SR. FELDA MARLYN MAGCOSTA, FDCC Birthdate: SEPTEMBER 08, 1962 Birthplace: CAMP PHILLIPS, MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON Address: KAUSWAGAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

Education

Primary: PLANTATION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Secondary: HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL Tertiary: LOURDES COLLEGE BS Hotel & Restaurant Management 1980-1984 BS Nutrition and Dietetics 2006-2010 Theology Updating: St. John Marie Vianney Theological Seminary, 2005-2006 69 | Banagbanag

Religious Life 1986 - 1989 - 1995 -

Year Entered First Vow Perpetual Profession

Assignments

1990-1992 San Pablo, Rel. Ed. Teacher for Kinder 1992-1997 Sta. Rosa, G1 & G2 Teacher 1997-1998 Don Carlos, Youth Ministry 1998-1999 San Pablo 1999-2001 Tagaytay 2001-2003 Overseas Mission, Papua New Guinea 2003-2005 Manila 2010-2016 House for the Elderly, San Juan, Manila

Banagbanag | Tayo Naman February 20-21, 2016 DCYCC Formation and Meeting at San Fernando February 22-24, 2016 46th DPA (Diocesan Pastoral Assembly) at DFC Covered Court March 12-13, 2016 DYFT Lenten Recollection and Meeting at Canossa Youth Formation Center & Q-Park, Patpat, Malaybalay City March 20, 2016 Cabustam Preparatory Session at DFC Covered Court (1st Batch) March 25, 2016 Launching of 25th Canossian Volunteers of the Philippines.

March 29, 2016 DYFT Meeting for the Preparation of YE-FSW at DCY Office.

April 2, 2016 Cabustam Preparatory Session at Canossa Youth Formation Center (Batch 2)

SCHEDULES

May 15, 2016 DYFT Year-end Evaluation and Planning May 21-22, 2016 DCYCC at Maramag, (DYD Onse Launching) June 2-4, 2016 Youth Leaders’ Annual Retreat at Paul Institute of Liturgy, San Jose, Malaybalay June 18-19, 2016 DYFT Formation July 9, 2016 Vocation Meeting and Finalization July 16-17, 2016 DYFT formation (Parish Youth Formators’ Training July 16-17, 2016 DYFT formation (Parish Youth Formators’ Training April 7- 10, 2016 Cabustam Youth Congress 2016 at Cantilan, Surigao del Sur May 6-8, 2016 YE-Facilitators Seminar-Workshop at CYFC

April 7- 10, 2016 Cabustam Youth Congress 2016 at Cantilan, Surigao del Sur

September 3, 2016 Vocation Month launching at DFC Covered Court

May 9, 2016 DYFT Evaluation and Deliberation of Aspirants’ and Trainees’ Status

September 17-18, 2016 DYFT Formation October 2016 National Conference for Youth Ministers Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference – Youth Congress

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to send our joyful gratitude to all who continually and faithfully support the official publication of the Diocesan Commission on Youth - the Banagbanag; To our respected Bishop, Most Rev. Jose Araneta Cabantan, D.D; our ever generous guide, Sr. Leizyl G. Corre, FdCC; our ever supportive director, Rev. Fr. Ritchell S. Quita.

To our sponsors and benefactors who have always been there to assist us in our financial needs; To our ever faithful contributors and readers who have been our inspiration to produce a quality and formative issue every quarter; To the Almighty Father for His unceasing Divine Providence which sustains us in every step of the way; And to all that we’ve failed to mention, may you never cease to support.

Let us all continue our mission to proclaim Christ’s good news and live by His example Serving with Love and Faith, THE BANAGBANAG STAFFERS

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