‘The Love of Christ Impels Us ’

have encountered many diagrams in the past that explain how an individual develops and flourishes in an environment that is outside of their daily routine. Some people would refer to this as “outside of their comfort zone”. These schemas seem impressive and inspiring, especially if one would find time to analyze their details. On my part, would always ask myself, “What can I do outside of my comfort zone?” As I think of this, cannot help but feel nervous, and unprepared, and would even panic at times because who would want to be removed from their places of security and comfort?

This year, God has challenged me by putting me in the Dominican Students’ Media Center (DSMC). That situation led me to ask, “Can I do it or not?” admit that I am not a technologically inclined person. In fact, my batchmates would even teach me how to creatively design my presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. But here I am, assigned to the apostolic group of the Dominican Studentate which focuses on preaching by the means of the media of social communications. What do I know about this? I only have Facebook and I just use it to be updated with my friends. YouTube only serves as my pastime.

DSMC Boot Camp 4: Aspiring photographers tour the walled city

Boot camp 4 Photography Workshop was conducted by the Dominican Students’ Media Center (DSMC) last February 11 and 18, 2023. The invited speaker and mentor, Mr. Davy Chioa, OP, Media Assistant of Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Manila, led the student-brothers in developing their photography skills in order to boost their evangelization efforts through so cial communications. The two-day workshop was held first in the Dominican Studentate, then in Letran Manila for the second session.

The first part of the workshop was a symposium on the fundamentals of photography, picture-taking principles, and practical pieces of advice from the mentor. Mr. Chioa discussed the topics at length while sharing his experiences in covering festivities and events as an official photographer. The second part was a practical application of the principles which the brothers had learned.

Mr. Chioa organized a studio photoshoot in Letran to instill in the brothers the practicalities of studio photography. After that, the brothers went around Intramuros, Manila for a “Photo Walk”. wherein the student-brothers were able to take pictures around the area, applying what they have learned from the workshop. The photos taken by the brothers were reviewed and critiqued by the workshop mentor who then gave suggestions and recommendations on how to improve their shots.

Having been equipped with the principles, techniques ans skills in photography, the student-brothers, who joined the photography boot camp, are already able to contribute more effectively to the social communications ministry of the Dominican Studentate. Some of the participants have already become content contributors to the various social media platforms managed by the Dominican Studentate like La Naval de Manila Facebook page and YouTube channel, DSMC Studios YouTube Channel, and the Facebook pages of the various apostolic groups. BR. RAE AARON A. AGUILAR, OP

PULONG-PULUTAN 2023: Living the Truth in Love

On June 3, 2023, the KADAUPAN Apostolic Group organized its annual discussion centered around the critical topics of justice, peace, and care of creation. The event, entitled “Pulong-Pulutan 2023:

Living the Truth in Love,” was facilitated by Prof. Joel C. Sagut, Ph.D., at the Aula San Pio V. This engaging activity served as an avenue for the student-brothers and the lay affiliates of KADAUPAN to reflect and to uphold their commitment to keep being informed about pertinent social issues.

Remarks on Truth and Charity

In Caritas in Veritate Pope Benedict highlighted the persistent problem of charity or love being misunderstood and stripped of its true essence. This distortion of love poses the risk of misinterpretation, detachment from ethical principles, and ultimately, undervaluation. Regrettably, love can be subject to misinterpretation and abuse. However, charity can serve as a genuine reflection of human nature and a crucial element in various human relationships, even in the public sphere. Genuine charity only flourishes in truth; it can only be authentically lived when rooted in truth. Truth serves as the illuminating force that grants significance and worth to chari ty. In today’s social and cultural landscape, where truth is often relativized and disregarded, the act of speaking truth becomes increasingly significant, and its existence is often met with reluctance.

Advocating for Truth

This year, however, the Lord has made me realize how important these tools are in spreading the Good News. If there are learnings in this present pastoral formation year, one thing would be the fact that it really takes time to be well-versed in using these platforms and programs. Knowledge, time, and effort are needed so that you would be able to troubleshoot if there are some technical glitches. The next realization is that you do not need to learn everything at once. Since it happens one step at a time, it is significant that one should be able to be open to the help that would be given by other brothers. It is not good to be always self-reliant since people (the brothers), in one way or another, would be important in each phase of the learning continuum as they guide you in achieving the goal of the apostolic group.

The use of the media of social communications is not something to be afraid of but should be welcomed since it facilitates the widespread evangelization of the Church. As a matter of fact, whenever I would be assigned to man the live stream, I am surprised that the viewers of our daily Masses, prayers, and Rosary Hour would be coming from different parts of the globe. Some audiences are even from Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.

The love of Christ impels us (2 Cor 5:14). must admit that the thought of being assigned to DSMC is something that I dreaded in the past. What can I, together with my fellow members, do in this apostolic group?

My knowledge and skills are not enough to be able to perform my tasks as expected. And yet the given passage from St. Paul reminds me that we will be able to do the right things by having Christ as our motivation.

After staying for a year in DSMC and serving as its Coordinator, I could honestly say that without the help of my members, I will not be able to implement the annual plan that we have designed for this formation year.

Whenever mounting tasks are in front of us, I would always recall these words from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians. It is always for and through the love of Christ that we should forget our shortcomings and move as one team to achieve our common purpose.

DSMC joins Siete Palabras’ production

Dominican Students’ Media Center (DSMC) actively participated in and live streamed the different liturgical celebrations held at Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila, during the Holy Week, that is from Palm Sunday up to Easter Sunday, spanning from April 2 to 8, 2023.

One of the major events during the Holy Week 2023 at Sto. Domingo Church was the resumption of the annual collaborative live streaming of Siete Palabras with GMA Network. The theme of this year´s Siete Palabras resonates the theme of communion and synodality -- ”Krus ni

Hesus: Daan sa Pagkakaisa, Pakikilahok at Misyon.”

On April 5, 2023, the technical dry run was done, and the final rehearsal was conducted with the other cast members on April 7, 2023. Some DSMC members were given the opportunity to work hands-on as floor directors and assistants during the said big religious event.

Indeed, the humble contributions of DSMC to this year’s Semana Santa may be considered as a response to the call of God to preach the Good News in the contemporary world through digital means in the face of the sign of the times. BR.

IAN JOSEPH G. MELENDRES, OP

As part of updating the Manual of Operations and Procedures of the Dominican Students’ Media Center (DSMC), the members have decided to recreate the logo of the apostolic group.

The new logo of DSMC, designed by Br. Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, OP with additions from Br. Peter Lynnus C. Silerio, features a more modern look. It captures the apostolic group’s identity and mission as the social communications arm of the Dominican Studentate in the digital age.

Taking inspiration from the latest devices and technologies of the time, the design uses the play button, the energy sign, the Bluetooth logo, and the playback button to spell out the acronym DSMC respectively.

St. Dominic’s hound is depicted setting the logo on fire which symbolizes the brothers’ ministry of preaching the Word in the virtual world. The lines signify connectivity which springs from the brethren’s contemplation of the Gospel, reaching the minds and hearts of the people in the new media.

BR. JULIAN CHRISTOPHER C. MORADA, OP

Focusing the Lens, Capturing the Beauty!

One of the challenges I encountered in doing my apostolate as a DSMC member is to focus the lens and capture the beautiful grace of God’s presence. I tried to reflect on these activities and to connect them to my vocation. In order to achieve them, have come up with 3S (three senses): a sense of belongingness in a community; a sense of beauty to capture reality; and a sense of sharing for evangelization.

Pag-aalaala at Pagmamahal

A Reflection by Ms. Evangeline B. Santos, OP

Ang pagtulong sa mga tao ay palaging nagdudulot ng magandang pakiramdam sa akin. Ang makita ang kanilang mukha na tila ba malungkot at parang may hinahanap na napapalitan ng isang mukhang nagliliwanag sa kaligayahan, ay talagang nagpapagaan sa aking kalooban. Kaya naman ang pagtulong sa mga matatanda ay napakagandang karanasan para sa akin at siguro pati na rin sa aking mga kasamahan.

BR. DOMINICO XAVERIO BUDOYO

Dominican Students’ Media Center (DSMC) is for social communication evangelization. Indeed, it plays an important role in preaching the Good News through media. It also strengthens my vocation in many ways.

While focusing the lens of the camera while live streaming, I need to fix my eyes, that is, my point of view, to a specific object that is beautiful. Upon reflection, it is the same in my life. I have many things to do but I need to focus not only my eyes but also my life on what really matters in the present in preparation for the future. Yes, can explore many aspects of life but if fail to demonstrate the 3S, then I am only wasting my time in formation. Indeed, I need to

“seize” every moment for it can never be repeated. Hence, I must always be in “focus mode on”.

Furthermore, to capture the beauty is to decide to “seize” the moment and to be confident about the results. In my life, I must also make decisions and be brave to face their consequences. Making mistakes is normal and part of life, but always trying to improve and doing better are signs of maturity. Life urges us to think and to take action but if they are not aimed at sharing the beautiful grace of God’s presence, then it is not showing my 3S. So, I always remind myself to be in “capture mode on”.

Lastly, I need to keep in mind that am a preacher of God and preaching is for His people. My lovely calling is then to create memories by focusing the lens and capturing the beauty of God’s presence everyday in order that I may lead others to God.

Noong ika-30 ng Abril 2023 ay nabigyan kami sa KADAUPAN ng pagkakataong magboluntaryo at bisitahin ang Home for the Aged and the Dying na pinangangasiwaan ng mga madre ng Missionaries of Charity. Ang pagbisita naming ito ay nakapagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataon upang makapagnilay tungkol sa aking buhay. Sa tuwing nakakikita ako ng mga matatanda, naalala kong palagi ang aking mga magulang na sumakabilang-buhay na. Kaya lagi ko tinatandaan ang kasabihan na habang nabubuhay ang ating mga magulang o kaya ang ating mga lolo at lola, ay ibigay na natin ang ating pagmamahal at pag-aaruga sa kanila habang sila ay nasa mundong ibabaw. Ito rin ay isang pagkakataon upang maipadama natin ang pag-aaruga sa mga magulang na kinalimutan at napabayaan na ng kanilang mga sariling pamilya, mga pamilyang minsa’y kanilang binihisan, inaruga, at patuloy na minamahal. Sila ay nagsisilbi ring tawag sa atin na ang pagmamahal ay hindi lang dapat limitado sa mga taong malapit sa atin, bagkus ang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga ay dapat ibinibigay natin sa bawat isa, bata man o matanda. Lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga madre at mga taong nagbibigay ng kanilang panahon upang magsilbi sa naturang Home for the Aged sa pagpapatuloy sa amin. Gayundinaman, patuloy kaming magdarasal para sa kanila at sa mga taong kanilang inaalagaan.

Advocating for truth as a Catholic is a profound and essential responsibility. As followers of Christ, we are called to be beacons of truth in a world that often obscures it. Embracing truth means seeking authentic understanding, engaging in critical thinking, and valuing objective reality over subjective preferences. It involves upholding the teachings of the Church, rooted in the Gospel, as a guiding light for moral decision-making. Advocating for truth requires courage, as it may involve challenging societal norms and confronting falsehoods. By embracing truth as Catholics, we contribute to the building of a just and harmonious society, where integrity, honesty, and transparency reign. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to truth, for it is through truth that we find genuine freedom and draw closer to God.

BR. TOMMY RIEZKY TIYANTO, OP

Walk for Life 2023: Synodality, Accompaniment, and Closeness

Saturday, February 18, 2023, was another memorable day for KADAUPAN. The KADAUPAN brothers participated in the “Walk for Life 2023” from Welcome Rotonda to the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The theme of this year’s event was “SANAOL” or “Synodality, Accompaniment, and Closeness” and “Let Us All Walk Together for Life,” taken from Pope Francis’ call for synodality.Walk for Life, which is open to all, is an annual event organized by the Philippine Laity Council. This event is one way of reminding both Christians and non-Christians that we must choose and work for the protection of life. Here we express our commitment to preserve and defend human dignity as the image of God. This event was also an expression of our solidarity with all the victims of injustice, addictions, sufferings, violence, and perversion of humanity.

Pope Francis reminds us that, “human life must always be suspended from its beginning in the womb and must be recognized as a gift of God that guarantees the future of humanity”. BR. ANDREAS PRIYANTO, OP

Sent to be Servants to the Peripheries

Last March 26, 2023, the KADAUPAN lay affiliates had their formation program. It was held at the Mezzanine of the Dominican Studentate. The theme of the talk that was delivered by Br. Ian Joeffrey G. Melendres, OP was “Servant to the Peripheries”. In his talk, Br. Melendres approached the topic by reflecting on the scriptural passage from the Gospel according to Luke on the encounter of Zaccheus with Jesus.

The main thrust of this activity was to form the lay affiliates of KADAUPAN to become servants to the peripheries. It also aimed to rekindle their commitment in serving as KADAUPAN lay volunteers. Moreover, this activity is a way of teaching them the social teachings of the Catholic Church, from which the advocacy of justice, peace, and care of creation of the Dominican Province of the Philippines and the Catholic Church in gen-