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WHATS INSIDE
THE CROSS
B1
PH seafarers
toughest
competitor:
China
A REPRESENTATIVE of the
Vatican-based Apostleship of
the Sea-International has called
on Filipino seafarers to improve
their competitiveness to become
maritime officers as Chinese
sailors start to dominate the
world market.
Fr. Bruno Ciceri, C.S. said
Filipino seafarers and the
Philippine government should
work double time to keep up
with the global demand for
maritime officers, especially as
Chinese seafarers have already
overtaken Filipinos in numbers.
Filipino seamen must
improve their competitiveness to
beat back the challenge of China
as the worlds top producer
of seamen. The Chinese are
now taking over and there are
other nationalities that are
coming forward, especially for
the officers, and Filipinos should
work double time, he said in
a speech during the National
Seafarers Day held Sept. 25 at
the SMX Convention Center in
Pasay City.
Competitiveness, positive
attitude
According to the Scalabrinian
priest, Filipino seafarers are
the top choices of international
maritime companies due to
their good grasp of the English
language, competitiveness, and
positive attitude towards work.
However, Filipino sailors
are mostly classified as
ratings or non-officers. Data
from the Philippine Overseas
Employment Agency revealed
that out of 10 deployment
categories for Filipino seafarers,
seven were classified as ratings
and only three were officers.
This becomes a cause of concern
due to the rising demand for
ship officers across the globe.
Citing the latest reports from
the Baltic and International
Maritime Council and the
International Chamber of
Shipping, Ciceri said Chinese
seafarers are meeting the
demand and taking jobs away
from Filipinos.
Wanted: More officers
There are many Filipino
ratings but for Filipino officers,
we have less. We need more
Filipino officers, and I would
advise Filipinos to work hard
to improve their capacity to
become officers, because that
is what is lacking in the world
maritime industry.
China / A6
Nuns light candles and pray for those who died during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda at a memorial dedicated especially for those whose bodies were not recovered after the catastrophe in Tacloban City,
November 8, 2016. Thousands of candles were also lined up along major roads in the city to mark the third anniversary of Yolanda. ROY LAGARDE
Aerial shot showing the devastation of Super Typhoon Lawin in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
Palo Archbishop John Du blesses a memorial that marks a mass grave of hundreds
of victims whose lives were claimed by Typhoon Yolanda in Tanauan, Leyte, Nov. 8,
2016. EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS
provinces of Leyte,
Samar, Eastern
Samar, Cebu,
Palawan, Antique,
Iloilo, Capiz and
Aklan and were
recognized for
their contributions
Anniv / A7
A2 NEWS
t
Vatican Briefing
Pope seeks clemency for prisoners during Jubilee
After celebrating Mass for prisoners in St. Peters Basilica,
Pope Francis in his Angelus address appealed for better
prison conditions and asked that as part of the Jubilee
of Mer-cy, competent global authorities would consider
granting clemency to eligible inmates. I would like to make
an appeal for better conditions in prison life, so that the
human digni-ty of the detained is fully respected, the Pope
said Nov. 6. He emphasized the im-portance of the need a
criminal justice which isnt just punitive, but open to hope
and the re-insertion of the offender into society. (CNA)
Anyone could be forced to migrate, Pope says
In his most recent prayer video, Pope Francis focuses
on migrants, refugees and countries who assist them,
stressing that its possible for anyone to be placed in
a situation forcing them to leave home. The video,
released Nov. 4, shows men and women refugees, law
enforcement, media and a doctor walking through
a revolving door as the Pope asks the question, can
one country alone manage the problems of forced
migration? We must move away from indifference
and the fear of accepting others, he says in the video.
Because that other could be you. Or me (CNA)
Pope calls on religions to condemn acts of
terrorism, violence
Pope Francis spoke to representatives of different
religions Thursday, telling them that acts of terrorism
and violence must be very clearly condemned, while
love and mercy the heart of authentic religion must
be promoted. May there be clear condemnation of
these iniquitous attitudes that profane the name of
God and sully the religious quest of mankind. As part
of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis met with around
200 members of different religions at the Vatican
Nov. 3. The representatives included Christians, Jews,
Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and others, who all work
in fields related to charity and mercy. (CNA)
Church never likely to ordain women, pope says
The Catholic Church insistence that it cannot ordain
women to the priesthood and epis-copacy is a teaching
likely to last forever, Pope Francis said. After being
hosted by the Lutheran Church of Sweden, which is led
by Archbishop Antje Jackelen of Uppsala, the nations
first woman primate, Pope Francis was asked Nov. 1 if
the Catholic Church might one day have women priests
and bishops. As he has done in the past, the pope responded that the question was settled in 1994 by St.
John Paul II, who taught that because Jesus chose only
men as his apostles, the ordination of women in the
Catholic Church is not possible. (CNS)
As battle for Mosul rages, Pope appeals for an end
to violence in Iraq
With the Iraqi Army currently embroiled in an effort to
liberate Mosul and the Plains of Nineveh from the Islamic
State, Pope Francis Sunday offered prayers for an end to
vio-lence in the country so it can move forward on the
path of hope and reconciliation. In these dramatic hours,
I am close to the people of Iraq, in particular those from
the city of Mosul, the Pope said Oct. 23. Our hearts are
shocked by the heinous acts of violence that for too long
are being committed against innocent citizens, whether
they are Mus-lims, Christians or whether they belong to
other ethnic groups and religions, he said, and voiced
his sadness that many have been killed in cold blood,
including children. (CNA)
Fighting over liturgy distorts purpose of Mass,
papal liturgist says
When a choir director and parish priest differ over
liturgical music, the choir should fol-low in good faith
the wishes of the priest for the sake of unity, said the
papal liturgist. When it comes to celebrating the liturgy,
we should never fight, Msgr. Guido Marini told choir
members, directors and priests. Otherwise, we distort the
very nature of what the people of God should be doing
during the Mass, which is seeking to be one body before
the Lord. The papal master of liturgical ceremonies
spoke Oct. 21 at a conference opening a three-day jubilee
for choirs. Hundreds of people involved in providing
music for the liturgical celebrations in Italian dioceses
and parishessuch as singers, organists and musicians
attended, as did directors of diocesan liturgy offices and
schools of sa-cred music. (CNS)
The reality of poverty is challenging, but dont avoid
it, Pope says
Pope Francis said that while donating money to charity
might make us feel good, seeing real poverty in the flesh
is a challenge we have to face, rather than trying to avoid
it. Poverty in the abstract doesnt challenge us, it makes
us think, lament, but when you see poverty in the flesh
of a man, woman or child, yes, this challenges us, he
said Oct. 19. To see our brothers and sisters in this state,
he said, questions the attitude we have to run away, the
attitude of running away from the needy and not drawing
near to them. Pope Francis comments were made during
his catechesis for the general audience, which cen-tered
on the passage in James 2 that says faith without works
is dead. In particular, Francis highlighted the corporal
works of mercy of feeding the hungry and giving drink to
the thirsty. (CNA)
Popes Iraq envoy says peace stifled by lack of
political will
Archbishop Alberto Ortega, the Popes Apostolic Nuncio
in Iraq and Jordan, has said that in the midst of a drawnout humanitarian crisis and ongoing feelings of mistrust
and be-trayal, Christians can be a sign of reconciliation
where political efforts continue to fall short. In order for
current conflicts destroying much of the Middle East to
come to an end, there is first of all the political will,
Archbishop Ortega said. If the international community,
if they really want to make peace, to promote peace, they
can engage more intensively and to reach the agreements
necessary to reach peace, he said, stressing that dialogue
is also important. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor
Mulrynes conversion,
eventually inviting him to
enter the seminary.
I know for a fact that this
is not something he took
lightly as the training to
be or-dained as a Catholic
priest consists of a two-year
philosophy degree, followed
by a four-year theology
degree and only after that
will he finally be qualified
as a priest, McVeigh said.
In 2009, the Irish native
entered the Irish Pontifical
College in Rome, where
he has been pursuing the
priesthood through studies
in philosophy and theology.
Last week on Oct. 30,
he was ordained a deacon
in Belfast by Archbishop
Diarmuid Martin of Dublin,
and is set for priestly
ordination in 2017. (CNA)
CBCP Monitor
NEWS A3
womans protector.
Since the rib is also close to a mans
heart, it means a woman should be loved
and held close.
Man cant be alone There is always
a companion. It is always a community,
added Garcera.
This truth behind the dynamics
between man and woman, explained the
prelate, goes beyond the physical or the
merely sexual.
Marital union [is not] just about the
body or the sexual act No, it is always
a voluntary, self-giving love, not forced
Its love that binds you.
The hearts eyes
This design for the relationship
between the sexes is not man-made but
divine, said Garcera, noting how God
initiated womans creation as mans
natural companion while Adam was
asleep.
When you are asleep, you are
defenseless, you are at the mercy of
somebody.
But far from being a design for chaos,
the partnership of the sexes will bring
fruitful love into the world, explained
KIRKUK, IraqSeven
young women in Kirkuk
credit the Virgin Mary for
their safety after spending
a harrowing eight hours
hidden underneath beds
while Islamic State group
fighters used their room as a
hideout during an assault on
the city.
The Virgin Mary was with
them, Fr. Roni Momika told
CNA Oct. 23.
The priest, who ministers
in refugee camps of Ankawa,
Erbil in northern Iraq, was in
cell phone contact with two of
the girls while they hid under
the beds. They gave him a
play-by-play account of what
was happening.
Seven women, university
students in Kirkuk, found
themselves threatened by the
Islamic State groups assault
on the city Friday, Oct. 21.
ISIS entered the house of
our students, the girls, the
priest reported.
When they heard the
militants coming, the women
quickly darted under four
beds in one of the rooms,
where they remained
undiscovered for eight hours
as ISIS fighters used the room
as a refuge to eat, pray and
hide from Iraqi Army forces.
I was speaking with them
all the time, Fr. Momika
said, noting how there was
a strong girl who told
him Father, I will continue
speaking with you and tell
you all our news and what
ISIS is saying.
For the duration of their
time there, the militants
not only ate and prayed, but
used the beds to care for two
of their fighters who were
wounded.
On one bed there is a lot of
blood, the priest said.
He shared with CNA some
photos taken of the room
after the soldiers left. He
explained that when ISIS
was attacked by our army
(the Iraqi Army) there were
two people from ISIS injured,
and ISIS put them here on
these beds...and under the
beds were the girls.
Fr. Momika said he was
in constant contact with the
girls, telling them not to
MARIA TAN
Christian girls who barely escaped ISIS credit Mary for their safety
Over 1,000 parents, educators, and homeschoolers attended the Philippine Homeschool
Conference 2016 held at the SM Aura Premier, Oct. 23, 2016. NIRVA DELACRUZ
Lawin / A1
A4 OPINION
CBCP Monitor
EDITORIAL
Monitor
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Ronalyn Regino
Editor-in-Chief
Design Artist
Nirvaana E. Delacruz
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Associate Editor
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News Editor
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A new normal
Living Mission
Candidly Speaking
A good homilist
of the
covenant are continually
restated. (137)
As such, it cannot be a form
of entertainment though it
should be engaging, able to
give life and meaning to the
celebration of the Mass. He
should be brief, avoiding
the semblance of delivering
a speech or a lecture, and
much less, a scolding. In this
way, he can manage to make
Christ the center of attention,
and not his own self.
He should make his homily
assume the character of a
mother who speaks to her
child, knowing that
CBCP Monitor
OPINION A5
Duc in Altum
By the Roadside
Fr. Eutiquio Euly Belizar, Jr. SThD
Perplexed by words
Have you seen a man hasty in words? There is more hope
of a fool than of him. Solomon in Proverbs 29:20
A COMMON saying to the effect that a picture paints a
thousand words was once met by a witty retort saying that it
takes words to say that. Whatever evaluation we give to words,
we cannot do without them. Leaders use them to inform, warn,
unify, secure, inspire and move people to action; so does the
Church, except that in her regard words are primarily tools of
proclaiming the truth of Gods saving love. In that sense they
are of primordial importance (pardon my making the point
using such a formal expression).
But what do we do when a leader uses words that inspire and
move his minions of supporters as well as perplex, anger,
confuse, deeply wound others, even creating enemies out
of friends here and around the world?
In the words of an American government official, one effect
of such use of words is unnecessary uncertainty (which
prompts me to ask, Are there necessary uncertainties and
Who decides on who can create them?) and consternation
particularly among erstwhile friendly people (which again
prompts me to ask if words from leaders of Third-World
countries are supposed mainly to please their hearers in the
developed world rather than advance the interests of their
own people).
I would not be surprised if even members of the Philippine
Church, both the hierarchy and laity, who are trying hard
to be as objective as possible to the plethora of words from
the countrys chief executive, could also be described as
perplexed. Often the combination of silence and expressions
of support or protest from various rungs of the hierarchy seems
more an indication of this perplexity than any clear direction on
what to do in the face of a predictably unpredictable leader.
Years ago we were already reminded by the Second Vatican
Council and the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines
that we cannot remain in a state of perplexity vis--vis the
political realities of our country or of any country simply
because we are the Church. In fact, as Church we are not only
bishops and priests but also the vast array of the lay faithful,
many of whom are deeply involved in various fields of politics.
Important words from Vatican II and PCP II tell us that even
the political exercise must follow guidelineswhich makes
necessary the Churchs intervention: first, that it must work for
the common good; second, that political authoritymust be
exercised within the limits of the moral order (The Pastoral
Constitution of the Church in the Modern Word or Gaudium
et Spes, no. 74; PCP II 334-337).
It occurs to me that because of this twofold guideline, the
Church in the Philippines might do well to:
1. acknowledge and support the words and actions
of the current leader of the country that uphold the common
good while opposing any violations of the moral order. Nothing
prevents us, for example, from standing behind his emphasis
on a real independent foreign policy (in the sense of one
beholden to no foreign country) but one, however, that creates
friends of all nations/countries and renounces words or actions
that create enemies of some. We must also unequivocally
commend the campaign against criminality and the illegal drug
menace, laudable in themselves, but to do so, while respecting
the sanctity of life and the rule of law at the same time.
2. encourage frequent low-key visits by Church leaders
to whom the chief executive has friendly dispositions, in order
to clarify, explain or simply put across the Churchs concerns on
certain actions and programs of the government. Considering
his aversion to public criticism or his seeming hyper-sensitivity
to negative feedbacks, he might be more easily reached through
quiet recourses such as these or by tapping the help of faithful
sons/daughters of the Church from among his people in
making these concerns reach his ears .
3. although it is nigh impossible to crack, as it were, the
unpredictability of the chief executives words and actions, the
Church must also learn to prayerfully discern the right words
and actions to be adopted when addressing him and other
political leaders. We all must admit that this era is primarily
an invitation to deeper prayer and discernment among Gods
People in our land. In addition, we must also accept the
possibility that the Spirit might, at times, be using the chief
executive or other conscientious political leaders, to speak to
the Church and not only vice versa. The prophetic motto of
comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable does
not necessarily apply only to the Church in relation to political
leaders, but, however painful they sometimes are, even to
political leaders addressing or proclaiming the truth to Church
leaders and faithful. Prophetic words, as many proofs from
salvation and Church history attest, are not exclusive to bishops
Duc in Altum / A7
By the Roadside/ A7
Sorryful
Whatever
Fr. Francis Ongkingco
MOMMY, Im sorry, Im sorry, Im
sorry, Craig cried out.
Eeeasy, young man! I havent
even said something and youre
already saying sorry, his mom
removed her kitchen apron and
dried her hands with it.
Im sorry, coz I was playing
Pokmon again, Craig confessed.
So whats wrong with playing
Pokmon, dear? She suspiciously
wrinkled her right eyebrow.
Coz you said I could only play
after my homework! Craig started
sobbing.
And did you finish it like you
said you would? She feigned some
anger in her voice.
No! Thats why Im saying sorry
so you wont get mad.
Sit here, Craig dear, she pulled
him a chair.
Are you going to punish me,
mommy? Craig clambered up.
Nope, Im going to explain
something better, she said.
What?
You see, theres a little-big
difference between being sorry and
being sorrowful.
Sorrowful? Craig wiped his nose
on his right sleeve.
Yes. Its one thing to say sorry
and another to be sorrowful. She
said softly and finishing the job for
Craig with a napkin to clean his
running nose.
What is the difference mommy?
This time he wiped his nose on his
left sleeve.
Young man, if you dont stop
snotting around with your nose, I
studying!
That is being sorrowful, and
it makes Jesus and mommy very
happy! She gave him a kiss on the
forehead.
***
This scene reminded me about
St. Josemaras advice on the
importance of always being children
before our Father God. He says: ()
How often we have misbehaved and
then cleared the frowns from our
parents brows, telling them: I
wont do it anymore!That same
day, perhaps, we fall again... - And
our father, with feigned harshness
in his voice and serious face,
reprimands us, while in his heart
he is moved, realizing our weakness
and thinking: poor child, how hard
A6
Photo shows the main control room of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, in Bataan. FILE PHOTO
House Churches
Christian communities
whether it is the early
Christian House Churches
or todays BECsare situated
Free copies
Aside from the authors
research data and analysis,
the book utilized testimonies
of well-known proponents
people is the rule. Selling-buyingusing drugs equals death. But graft and
corruption practitioners, hold-uppers
and swindlers, stealing and raping,
trafficking women and childrennever
mind. All these downright anti-social
and anti-human crimes incarnate can
wait, can be explained, can even be
forgotten.
Thou shall not kill. What is that?
China / A1
PH youth release
statement before COP22
A TOTAL of 137 Filipino
youth from different parts
of the country issued an
official statement on
climate change on the 3rd
anniversary memorial Super
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
that devastated parts of the
Visayas in 2013, ahead of the
22nd Conference Of Parties
(COP 22) in Marrakesh,
Morocco.
Led by Climate Reality
Project Philippines, the young
leaders gathered during the
Youth Beyond Paris and
Future Negotiators Training
held in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao, from September
to October 2016.
Not just a mere paper
Dubbed the 2016
Philippine Youth Statement
on Climate Change, the
document will be submitted
to Philippine negotiators
and other youth delegations
at the ongoing COP22, from
Nov. 7 to 18.
The statement is not a
mere paper with words. It
carries the aspiration of
the Filipino youth of their
future. It carries the dream
of millions [of] Filipino
people, that should never
be taken for granted. This
statement is a reflection of
voices being threatened by
climate change, and the only
solution is climate justice.
This paper upholds our right
to develop and most of all,
live, said Ruzzel Morales,
representative from the
Visayas.
The youth statement
emphasized the Philippines
extreme vulnerability to
climate change as well as the
need to properly address the
plight of communities such
as women, children, people
with disabilities, indigenous
groups, and the marginalized
rendered twice vulnerable
by the devastation of such
natural calamities. The
document also recognizes
that the employment of the
human rights approach to the
negotiations is an imperative
Whatever / A5
CBCP Monitor
Condemn / A1
Candidly Speaking / A4
challenge of an inculturated
preaching consists in
proclaiming a synthesis, not
ideas or detached values...
Where your synthesis is, there
lies your heart. The difference
between enlightening people
with a synthesis and doing so
with detached ideas is like the
difference between boredom
and heartfelt fervor. (143)
Of course, a good homilist
prepares his preaching with
a prolonged time of study,
prayer, reflection and pastoral
creativity. In fact, everything
in his life and ministry should
go into the preparation of
his homily. He therefore has
to be true and faithful to his
vocation, living a unity of
life and avoiding hypocrisy,
pretensions, etc. To be blunt,
the effectiveness of his homily
would somehow depend on
his level of holiness.
He should personalize
Gods word by entering into
its spirit. In that way, he
becomes a true witness of
Gods word and can relive
what Christ said to his
apostles: Whoever listens to
you listens to me. (Lk 10,16)
This is possible if the
homilist reads, studies
and handles Gods word
spiritually, the way St. Paul
handled Gods word. We
speak, not in words taught
us by human wisdom but in
words taught by the Spirit,
he said, explaining spiritual
CBCP Monitor
Thousands of women from all over the Philippines attend the Mother Butler Mission
Guilds (MBMG) 25th national convention themed Women and the Eucharist from
Oct. 22 to 23, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang in Davao City. JOHN
FRANCES FUENTES
DAVAO City--Recognizing
the role of women in the
celebration of the Eucharist,
the Mother Butler Mission
Guilds (MBMG) held their
25th national convention
themed Women and the
Eucharist from Oct. 22 to
23 at the SMX Convention
Center in Lanang in this city.
Mother Butlers, who take
charge of priests vestments
during the dioceses big
events, devote huge chunks
of their time celebrating the
Eucharist, said MBMG Davao
City chapter president Maria
Socorro Feliciano.
The Mother Butlers
continue in serving the
Church, giving their time,
talents, and resources, she
said during her address.
She added that since the
Eucharist is the source and
summit of the Christian life,
MBMG members devote their
time in serving the Church
through their participation
in the Holy Mass.
Thousands of women
coming from the different
parts of the Philippines
gathered to participate in
the two-day convention with
Kalookan Bishop Pablo David
as keynote speaker.
The prelate also jokingly
stressed the centrality of
the Eucharist in the life of
Mother Butlers: If you dont
believe in the real presence
of Christ in the Eucharist,
you should have not been a
Mother Butler.
He added that in the old
times, women were only in
the background but during
the time of Jesus, women
Duc in Altum / A5
FEATURES A7
Anniv / A1
By the Roadside/ A5
to the communities.
Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive
Secretary of Caritas Philippines, said
Yolanda taught the world many lessons
about faith, hope and charity and there
are still many untold stories of heroism
and resiliency of survivors.
And these people from different
far-flung communities devastated by
Yolanda are the unsung heroes, who
helped the community to recover and
build back better, Gariguez said.
The commemoration activities
opened with a Mass presided over
by Palo Archbishop John Du with
Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria
Tirona, Caritas Philippines National
Director, in Tanauan town on
November 8.
After the Mass, a symbolic flower
offering was held in memory of the
victims of the typhoon in Tanauan, one
of the hardest hit areas in Leyte.
The activities include the True
Heroes of Yolanda photo exhibit which
was opened with a flash mob by 150
youth volunteers of the Sto. Nio Parish.
A8
Free copies
Aside from the authors research
data and analysis, the book
utilized testimonies of well-known
proponents of the BEC in the diocese
of Bacolod during the term of the
late Bishop of Bacolod Antonio Y.
Fortich, D.D.
During a session of the 113th
Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines Plenary Assembly on July
9, it was announced that the CBCP
will issue a Pastoral Letter on 2017
as Year of Parish as Communion of
Communities, which will be read
on Nov. 27, 2016, the 1st Sunday
of Advent, in parishes all over the
Philippines.
Those interested to receive a free
copy of the book may reach the author
through his email at rev.deocamon@
yahoo.com. (Fr. Mickey Cardenas/
CBCP News)
Priest-historian dies at 87
MANILA Dominican
Fr. Fidel Villarroel, an
educator and prolific
historian of Christianity,
died on Oct. 23 at the
University of Santo Tomas
Hospital. He was 87.
A longtime UST archivist,
the Spanish priest is a
renowned historian of the
Catholic Church in the
Philippines.
In brief statement posted
on its Facebook page,
the UST also described
Villaroel as a prolific
saint-maker.
He is also credited
for writing the positio
CBCP Monitor
Lack of atmosphere of
prayer
On the other hand, it has
been observed that many have
forgotten the true meaning of
these commemorations as
seen in the general lack of
atmosphere of prayer in the
cemeteries or during wakes.
Oftentimes, these
gatherings turn into mere
reunions, or worse, into
gambling or drinking sprees.
Spiritual work of mercy
Praying for the dead is
one of the spiritual works
of mercy. From the very
earliest days the Christian
religion has honored with
great respect the memory
of the dead and the Church
offers suffrages for them
because it is a holy and a
wholesome thought to pray
for the dead that they may
be loosed from their sins,
explained Belmonte.
Br. Jaazeal Tagoy Dineros Jakosalem, OARs art work, Embracing Mercy, which
was presented to Pope Francis at the Sala Clementina, Vatican City after a special
papal audience granted to the Augustinian Recollects who participated in the 55th
General Chapter on Oct. 20.
CBCP Monitor
PASTORAL CONCERNS B1
tion in the Philippines, which the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines
already proclaimed in 1991. To that
renewed evangelization we brought
with us all the hopes and dreams of our
people for a truly renewed Christian
society, life and culture based on
the Gospel Beatitudes, suffused with
Christian values of love and peace, of
joy and hospitality, of patience and
justice. Thus also did we resolve that
the Church in our land would become
truly a church of the poor! (from
The Message of the Second Plenary
Council)
Live Christ, Share Christ! As we
open the Year 2017, we pray that God
may grant us abundant grace to make
it a year of fuller fulfillment of that
motto and that hope. 2017 has been
programmed to focus on the parish,
a community of communities. As a
center and fountain of missionary discipleship and zeal for renewed evangelization, a genuine center of constant
missionary outreach. in Evangelii
Gaudium Pope Francis insists that the
parish is not an outdated institution
and can possess great flexibility still,
depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the
community. (EG, 28)
Basic Ecclesial Communities consciously strive to integrate their faith and their
daily life. They are guided and encouraged by regular catechesis. Poverty and
their faith urge their members towards
solidarity with one another, action for
justice, and towards a vibrant celebration of life in the liturgy. (PCP II, 139).
How can we work at renewing our
parish communities so that they can
better respond to the challenge of restoring all things in Christ?
Parish / B7
B2 PASTORAL CONCERNS
CBCP Monitor
An urn containing cremated remains is seen in a niche in the Holy Rood Cemetery mausoleum in Westbury, N.Y., in 2010. GREGORY A. SHEMITZ/CNS
So what is new?
At first glancegiven the aforementioned CBCP Guidelines on
Cremationthe present Instruction
does not seem to present much of a
novelty (at least in the Philippine
setting), except perhaps a presentation of the theological reasons for
the earnest recommendation for the
practice of inhumation (instead of
cremation).
However, a closer look reveals
Cremation / B7
(The following is the full text of the Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ad
resurgendum cum Christo, regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in
the case of cremation, published October 25, 2016 and signed by Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mller
and Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, respectively prefect and secretary of the dicastery.)
Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo regarding the burial of the deceased and
the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation, 25.10.2016
1. To rise with Christ, we must
die with Christ: we must be
away from the body and at
home with the Lord. With the
Instruction Piam et Constantem of 5 July 1963, the then
Holy Office established that all
necessary measures must be
taken to preserve the practice
of reverently burying the faithful departed, adding however
that cremation is not opposed
per se to the Christian religion
and that no longer should the
sacraments and funeral rites be
denied to those who have asked
that they be cremated, under
the condition that this choice
has not been made through a
denial of Christian dogmas, the
animosity of a secret society, or
hatred of the Catholic religion
and the Church. Later this
change in ecclesiastical discipline was incorporated into the
Code of Canon Law (1983) and
the Code of Canons of Oriental
Churches (1990).
During the intervening years,
the practice of cremation has
notably increased in many
countries, but simultaneously new ideas contrary to
the Churchs faith have also
become widespread. Having
consulted the Congregation
for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments,
the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and numerous
Episcopal Conferences and
Synods of Bishops of the Oriental Churches, the Congregation
Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks
at a Vatican news conference Oct. 25. Cardinal Muller said that while the Catholic
Church continues to prefer burial in the ground, it accepts cremation as an option, but
forbids the scattering of ashes or keeping cremated remains at home. PAUL HARING/CNS
Instruction / B7
CBCP Monitor
FEATURES B3
Communion of communities:
Ecclesiological perspective
By Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD
2017- Parish as Communion of
Communities: In this year we will
discern the quality of faith life in
the parish, the fellowship, belongingness, and participation experienced by its members. Efforts will
be focused on making the parish
a communion of communities,
a communion of Basic Ecclesial
Communities and of covenanted
faith-communities and ecclesial
movements. All these various communities should be thus integrated
into the life and mission of the parish
so that the parish will be truly be a
faith community immersed in the
lives of its people.
Etymology of communion
Koinonia
Communion is a translation of
the original Greek koinonia which
has several connotations: Union,
unity; Fellowship; Community;
Friendship; Sharing; Participation;
Partnership;
Koinonia in Sacred Scripture
In the New Testament, there are
several texts that refer to the theme
of koinonia. Among these are the
following: John 17:20-24 they
may be one, as we are one; 1 Cor 12:
Body of Christ; 2 Cor 13/Phil 2:1
Communion of the Holy Spirit; Acts
2:42-46, 4:32-35 life of the early
Jerusalem community.
In these texts, Koinonia has both
vertical and horizontal dimension:
communion with the divine and
communion among the believers.
Communion of communions:
Levels of communion
The Church is a communion of
communionsa community of communities. There are various levels
of communion: Communion of
local Churches (universal, regional,
national); Communion of parish
communities (within the diocese);
Communion of BECs and other faith
communities (within the parish);
Communion of families/domestic
churches (BECs, neighborhood and
family groupings)
Communion among particular Churches
The universal Church is regarded
as a communion of communionsa
communion of local and particular
Churches: Communion requires
that the particular Churches remain
open to one another and collaborate
with one another, so that in their
diversity they may preserve and
Dimensions of communion
An analysis of the description of
Koinonia in Acts 2:42-47 and 4:3235, would show that communion
has four dimensions that are interrelated: Communion of Mind and
Heart (community, solidarity, fellowship, friendship); Communion
of the Word/Faith (apostolic teachings), Unity in Faith; Communion
of the Table (Table-Fellowship,
Eucharist); Communion of Goods
(sharing of material/spiritual resources, stewardship)collection in
liturgykoinonia
Communion is to be lived and
expressed within communities and
between communitiesat the local,
regional, universal levels.
Up to the middle of the first millennium, the dominant model of the
Church was that of the Church as
communion. This model was later
deemphasized with the dominant
model of the Church as institution.
This was retrieved by Vatican II.
Communion in Vatican II
The dominant image of the Church
in Vatican II is that of communion. It
is linked with the Church as People
of God.
General heading of ch 1 Lumen
Gentium: the Mystery of the Church.
Church is regarded as the sacrament
of communion: since the Church, is
in the nature of sacramenta sign
and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among
all men. (LG 1)
It is grounded on the Holy Trinity.
Echoing St. Cyprian, Vatican II views
the Church as a people made one
from the unity of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit (LG 4). Thus,
Ecclesial Communion is a reflection
of Trinitarian Communion.
The Church is the moon that reflects the light from the Sun (Trinity).The loving union (perichoresis)
of the Father, Son and the Holy
Spirit is the model and goal of Ecclesial Communion.
Vatican II links communion with
the people of God: Hence the messianic people, although it does not
actually include all men, and at times
may appear as a small flock, is, however, a most sure seed of unity, hope
and salvation for the whole human
race. Established as a communion of
life, love and truth, it is taken up by
him also as the instrument for the
salvation of all; as the light of the
world and the salt of the earth (cf
Mt 5:13-16) it is sent into the whole
world. (LG 9)
In a commentary written before
he was elected pope, Karol Wojtyla
explains how communion is intimate related the Church as People
of God: Communion is the link
binding together the community of
the People of God. Thus it appears
that internal development and re-
ROY LAGARDE
B4 PASTORAL CONCERNS
CBCP Monitor
ROY LAGARDE
Communion / B3
CBCP Monitor
STATEMENTS B5
Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez visits the convent of the Guiuan Parish Church in Eastern Samar that was destroyed during the onslaught of Yolanda, November
21, 2016. ROY LAGARDE
Conclusion
The third anniversary of Yolanda
cannot lead us to complacency.
It should and must lead us to
watchfulness and preparedness
marked by informed resilience. In
this regard I urge everyone to be
ever attentive to official news and
information sources, such as PAGASA on crucial details as the location, path, strength and projected
effects of typhoons, storm surges
(tidal waves) and other calamities
or emergencies. If there is no substitute to victory in war, neither is
there any substitute to preparedness in any emergency.
May Mary, our Mother, intercede
for our deliverance from all evil.
Yours in the Lord,
+CRISPIN VARQUEZ
Bishop of Borongan
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, speaks at the Holy
Sees Permanent Observer Mission to the U.N. in New York City. GREGORY A. SHEMITZ/
CNS. GREGORY A. SHEMITZ/CNS
Priests / B4
B6 REFLECTIONS
CBCP Monitor
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C), Luke 21:5-19; November 13, 2016
By Fr. Sal Putzu, SDB
JERUSALEM was particularly dear
to all the members of the Chosen
People. And in the whole City, the
dearest part of all was the Temple.
This was the pride of every generation; the source of inspiration for every young Israelite;
the most sacred place where
every pious Jew could experience Gods special presence
and favor.
For many generations, the Temple
had been a source of security and
hope, for many thought that the
Lord would never allow His House
to be profaned, and even less to be
destroyed. When Jeremiah dared
to question that certitude, he was
accused of treason and blasphemy
(see Jer 7:3-15.26:2-11), but the
events of history vindicated him:
the whole of Jerusalem, including its
Temple, were razed to the ground by
the Babylonians. (See 2 Kgs 25:9.)
For a time, the people of Judah
learned to put their trust in the living and all-holy God, rather than in
ENCOUNTERS
Beyond
appearances
TO truly live the faith is to be strongly rooted in the
love of God, over and above obeying His law and
following external observances. As we live out our
faith, we must be careful that it is not reduced to mere
external expressions or appearances. Jesus warned
His disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees:
So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the
cup and the dish, but inside yourselves you are full
of greed and evilA curse is on you, teachers of the
Law, for you have taken the key of knowledge. You
yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering (Lk. 11:39; 52).
Where the law of appearances matters more than
reality, it becomes easy to confuse the priorities. Or
where people obey all rules and attend Mass regularly, they may think this suffices for the standard
of goodness. While the external observances are
good, they are not the sole measure of ones goodness, especially if the underlying motive is pride or
vanity, or to pretend to be what one is not. A saying goes, Better to be than to impress. God looks
at the inner motive to please Him above self in the
service of others, especially those in need. Thus the
caution of Jesus to beware of the self-righteous path
of the Pharisees.
The path of Jesus in self-sacrifice for others leads
to self-purification and inner freedom. When one is
preoccupied with impressing or surpassing others,
one forgets the real source of any power or talent and
to whom all glory belongs. The way to the kingdom
goes beyond superficial appearances and points to
an inner journey of the heart with Jesus, praying,
reflecting, and discerning Gods will in our sinful
lives. Let us listen to St. Pauls plea: I plead with
you as a prisoner of the Lord, to live a life worthy of
the calling you have received, with perfect humility,
meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly (Eph. 4:1). As we go about our works of charity
and mercy, may the external activity further deepen
our quest for God and communion with His loving
will. May God strengthen you inwardly through the
workings of His Spirit... so that you may attain to the
fullness of God himself (Eph. 3:16;18).
CBCP Monitor
SOCIAL CONCERNS B7
Evelyn Duplito of Ajuy in Iloilo happily tends her vegetable garden, which is now her familys daily food source. CARITAS PHILIPPINES
Parish / B1
Instruction / B2
4. In circumstances when
cremation is chosen because
of sanitary, economic or social
considerations, this choice
must never violate the explicitly-stated or the reasonably inferable wishes of the deceased
faithful. The Church raises no
doctrinal objections to this
practice, since cremation of the
deceaseds body does not affect
his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence,
from raising up the deceased
body to new life. Thus cremation, in and of itself, objectively
negates neither the Christian
doctrine of the souls immortality nor that of the resurrection
of the body.
The Church continues to
prefer the practice of burying
the bodies of the deceased,
because this shows a greater
esteem towards the deceased.
Nevertheless, cremation is
not prohibited, unless it was
chosen for reasons contrary to
Christian doctrine.
In the absence of motives
contrary to Christian doctrine,
the Church, after the celebration of the funeral rite, accompanies the choice of cremation,
providing the relevant liturgical
and pastoral directives, and
taking particular care to avoid
every form of scandal or the
appearance of religious indifferentism.
5. When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body
has been chosen, the ashes of
the faithful must be laid to rest
in a sacred place, that is, in a
cemetery or, in certain cases,
in a church or an area, which
has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the
competent ecclesial authority.
From the earliest times,
Christians have desired that
the faithful departed become
the objects of the Christian
communitys prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have
Cremation / B2
Poverty / B6
B8 ENTERTAINMENT
Moral Assessment
CBCP Monitor
Brothers Matias
Lolo Kiko
Bladimer Usi
Abhorrent
Disturbing
Acceptable
Wholesome
Exemplary
Technical Assessment
Poor
Below average
Average
Above average
E
xcellent
MISS
PEREGRINES
HOME FOR
PECULIAR
CHILDREN
MORAL ASSESSMENT:
CINEMA rating: PG 13
MTRCB rating: PG
JACK Reacher (Cruise) is back and this time he allies with Major
Susan Turner (Smulders) to help him arrest criminals across
America. He develops fondness for the Major and arranges to
finally meet her and probably date her. But when he arrives in the
camp quarters, he learns the Major has been arrested for treason.
Suspecting foul play, Reacher investigates and outsmarts authorities to break Turner out of prison before henchmen murder her.
Along the way, he is told that a paternity suit has been filed against
him and that he is the father of 15-year-old street smart Samantha
(Yarosh). Thinking Sam is Reachers daughter, a paid assassin
called The Hunter (Heusinger) goes after her, forcing Reacher to
take her along in their quest to uncover the truth. The trio travel
to New Orleans to question the only eyewitness to the case, clear
Turner and Reachers name from the murders they have been
framed for and keep Samantha safe from assassins trying to teach
Reacher a lesson.
British writer Childs Reacher
novels are about the adventures
of an American military-copturned-vigilante who hitchhikes
across his broken country seek- DIRECTION: Edward Zwick
Tom Cruise, Cobi smoling justice that institutions and CAST:
ders, Aldis Hodge, Danika
politicians deny him. How does
Yarosh, Patrick Heusinger
Reacher in the novels compare Screenplay: Richard Wenk,
Edward Zwick, Marshall
with Reacher in the movies?
Herskovitz
What Jack Reacher had in the
Running Time:130 minutes
first movie that viewers fell in TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:
love with is diluted in this sequel.
JACK REACHER:
NEVER GO BACK
Buhay Parokya
THE CROSS
Knights of Columbus State Deputies together with Keys Realty and Development Corporation key officers led by KRDC President and KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio
Isidro G. Yap proudly displays the Certificate as the Best Business Hotel Accommodation awarded by Golden Globe Awards for Business Excellence.
Officer and members of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines - Luzon South
gathered together during its community service called Linis Kalikasan 2016 led by
Luzon South State Deputy Ramoncito A. Ocampo
KC Philippines update
The Knights of Columbus in the Philippines Luzon South State Deputy and Kompass
Credit and Financing Corporations President Ramoncito A. Ocampo (far left)together with
Paranaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez (far right) clean up the shores of Manila Bay.
Visayas Jurisdiction led by State Deputy Anthony P. Nazario together with other State
Officers and KCFAPIs Vice President for FBG Gari M. San Sebastian, held its very first
eastern college council meet at the Philippine Science High School, Eastern Visayas
Campus, Palo, Leyte last October 23, 2016.
Last October 14, 2016 Luzon South Officers handed over Certificates of Recognition to
participating students who have completed the recently conducted seminar workshop
on Cooking and Food Processing program, headed by Luzon South State Deputy
Ramoncito A. Ocampo.
C2
Chairmans Message
DO you believe in a guardian angel?
After all according to many writings
not necessarily of the Faith, guardian
angels have been with us from the very
beginning. But what does it do or what
is the very purpose of its existence? It
is an accepted fact in the Faith that we
are all born with a guardian angel who is
assigned to each of us to guide and protect
us from harm and sin. However, in the
final analysis, its still our choice to heed
the warning or refuse the help of our personal guardian angel.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ confirms the existence of
guardian angels when He admonished his disciples in the
treatment of children saying, See that you despise not one of
these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven
always see the face of my Father who is in heaven (Mt 18:10,
emphasis added). This statement alone coming from our Lord
Himself not only confirms the very existence of a guardian
angel but defines its very role to each and every one of us.
Very few of us however, realize this or would even bother to
learn about them. Most of us would just consider our guardian
angels a mere pigment of the imagination inculcated in our
minds at an early age to keep us within the confines of our Faith.
Lets go further and try to learn more about these heavenly
beings. Here are some statements, writings and or beliefs
about our guardian angels as stated by the authorities of our
catholic faith.
1. Guardian Angels are with us from the very beginning of life
Saint Thomas Aquinas holds that, from the very moment of
his birth man has an angel guardian appointed to him (Summa
Theologica, I, 113, 5). Even more so, Saint Anselm states that at
the very moment of the union of soul and body God appoints
an angel to watch over him/her. This would mean that during
pregnancy a woman would be surrounded by two guardian
angels. They watch over us from the very beginning and it is up
to us to allow them to fulfill their duties for the rest of our lives.
2. We will NOT become a Guardian Angel when we die
All of the angels in the world were created at one instance at
the very beginning of creation. One theory that we are allowed
to believe is that on the first day when God made light, the
light He made was the angels (Gen. 1:3). This is further
confirmed when God divided the light from the darkness,
referring to the rebellion of the angels led by Lucifer (Gen. 1:4).
This is brought forth by Saint Augustine in City of God: For
when God said, Let there be light, and there was light, if we
are justified in understanding in this light the creation of the
angels, then certainly they were created partakers of the eternal
light which is the unchangeable Wisdom of God, by which all
things were made, and whom we call the only-begotten Son
of God; so that they, being illumined by the Light that created
them, might themselves become light and be called Day, in
participation of that unchangeable Light and Day which is
the Word of God, by whom both themselves and all else were
made. (Book 11, Chapter 9, emphasis added)This makes sense
as the Sun and Moon was not created until the fourth day!
As a result, angels are a separate part of Gods creation and
we do not become an entirely new being when we die. We
remain human and if we are granted the Beatific Vision, we
will be transfigured and receive our resurrected bodies at the
end of time.
3. Guardian Angels communicate to us through thoughts,
images and feelings (on rare occasions with words)
Angels are spiritual beings and do not have bodies. They can
sometimes take the appearance of a body and can even influence
the material world, but by their nature are pure spirits. It then
makes sense that the primary way they communicate to us is
by offering to our intellect thoughts, images or feelings that
we can either accept or reject. It may not be clearly evident
that it is our Guardian Angel communicating to us, but we
may realize that the idea or thought did not come from our
own minds. On rare occasions (like those in the Bible), angels
can take physical appearance and speak with words. This is
not the rule, but the exception to the rule, so dont expect your
Guardian Angel to show up in your room! It may happen, but
it only occurs based on the circumstance.
4. Our Guardian Angels do have names, but those names are
given to them by God
Holy Mother Church has instructed us that the practice of
assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged,
except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose
names are contained in Holy Scripture. (Congregation of
Divine Worship and the Sacraments, The Directory of Popular
Piety, n. 217, 2001).
The reasoning behind this is that a name contains a certain
amount of authority over another person. If I know your name
I can call you whenever I want and can feel a certain amount of
authority over you. We do not have authority over our Guardian
Angels. They only report to one Commander: God Himself. We
can ask for their assistance or help, but we should not feel like
they are at our beck and call.
The Church then discourages us from naming our Guardian
Angels as we may receive a name, but it may not be divinely
inspired. It could be influenced by the devil or by our own
human thoughts. We have only three names confirmed in
Scripture and so any other name we receive is invalid as it is
hard to confirm if it is from God or from some other source.
5. Guardian Angels can move faster than Superman
According to Saint Thomas Aquinas:[T]he swiftness of
the angels movement is not measured by the quantity of his
power, but according to the determination of his will (Summa
Theologica, I, 53, 3, ad 1)Angels are not bound by a material
body like we are and so they can move super-fast, the speed
of thoughtmuch faster than Superman. So if you ask your
Guardian Angel to help someone else out, they will be back at
your side before you realize.
I believe that with all the statements above, even the most
skeptic would have to believe that he also has his very own
guardian angel, ready and willing to guide and protect him
from harm and sins.
THE CROSS
The Cross
Presidents Message
Curia Settings
of Mother Teresa.
What do I learn from
Mother Teresa of Calcutta?
The call to holiness and
to service is open to the
religious and to the laity.
The convent and the
world are both venues
where we can follow and
meet the Lord.
Loneliness and
depression should not stop
us from doing what the
Lord wants us to do.
Inner conflicts and
struggles are not obstacles
to following the call to
holiness.
If we open the eyes and
ears of our hearts, we will
see the hand of God leading
us to do works of justice, of
love and mercy around us.
Millions of people in
the world belong to the
last, the least and the lost.
Many are helpless and
hopeless; let us not be
heartless.
May Mother Teresa and
all the saints who have
gone ahead of us inspire
us to love God and our
neighbours and to offer our
lives in service to others.
[The author, Maria
Theresa G. Curia, is the
Executive Vice President
of the Knights of Columbus
Fraternal Association
of the Philippines, Inc.
and also the Diocesan
Regent of the Daughters
of Mary Immaculate
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Diocese of Malolos.]
The Cross
C3
The Church clearly teaches that faithful citizenship begins with protecting innocent human life
By Supreme Knight
Cark A. Anderson
RECENTLY, Pope Francis was
asked to counsel Catholics in
America on how to approach
this years election. During
political campaigns, I never
say a word, he replied. I
would only say, study the
proposals well, pray and
choose with your conscience.
So, how do we choose with
our conscience?
Conscience must be
informed and moral judgment
enlightened, explains the
Catechism of the Catholic
Church. The education of
conscience is indispensable
for human beings who
are subjected to negative
influences and tempted by sin
to prefer their own judgment
and to reject authoritative
teachings (1783).
Our popes have provided
just such authoritative
teaching to guide Catholics
making moral decisions in the
political process.
In 2006, Pope Benedict
__________________________
C4
The Cross
In preparation for the business strategic planning of KCFAPI and its wholly-owned companies, officers and employees attended PDTs Planning Conference last September
21, 2016 facilitated by Mr. Paul Singh. The workshop was held at 3rd floor Social Hall, KCFAPI Center, Intramuros, Manila. This event was initiated by KCFAPI Vice President
for Financial Reporting and Controls Rowena M. Diapolit (1st row, far right) together with EVP Ma. Theresa G. Curia and KCFAPI Chairman Arsenio Isidro G. Yap.
Last October 27, 2016 members of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines together with KCFAPI employees celebrated Mama Marys Living Rosary. The said event was led
by the Spiritual Committee.
The beneficiaries of the late Brother Knight Romeo Ampil recently received the latters
special insurance the Special Plan for Elderly Knights (SPEK) given by former Area
Manager of Southwestern Luzon Stars Bro. Nonie D. Ayon (KCFAPI News).
An awarding ceremony was conducted by the Fraternal Benefits Group of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) on October 20, 2016 for
the qualifiers and awardees of the third quarter sales incentive program. Among the awardees who graced the program are Bros. Manuel Naldoza, Efren Casupanan, Edilberto
Fernandez, Ricardo Boringot and Mauricio Pangda together with FBG Manager Michael P. Cabra (far right) and FBG Staff Kris Jay Rolex Yngco (far left).
The Fraternal Benefits Group of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the
Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) holds the KC Care-avan in Palawan on October 1, 2016 at the
Aquari Hotel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. KCFAPI Vice President Gari M. San Sebastian
and FBG Manager Michael P. Cabra spearheaded the said event.