BAKWIT October 25, 2011
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Diocese of Ipil, JPIC, Mabuhay, Mission Anecdotes, Zamboanga Sibugay.Tags: Municipality of Mabuhay, Parokya San Miguel, Payao, Talaib
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According to Fr. Bert Alejo, SJ in an interview regarding the war in Mindanao, “For almost three decades now, the war had cost the economy some ten billion pesos per year.” He added that the rebellion had killed at least at least 50,000 people, driven 2 million people out of their homes, destroyed more than 500 mosques, 200 schools and 35 cities and towns.
In Mindanao, “bakwit” is a popular word. It refers to displaced residents who are caught in the cross-fire between the “lawless elements” and the military and have no choice but to flee from their homes to avoid being sandwiched in the battle.
Batang Bakwit
Since the start of the military operations against the “lawless elements” last October 15 in Talaib, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, many of my parishioners opted to leave their homes. I was moved by the story of Lolo Jose (not his real name) who narrated to me their journey to the Poblacion for refuge: “ang among gisakyan nga bangka nga naay 21 ka sako sa bugas ug 1 sa baboy nakulob. Ang tanan namong dala nabasa, among kaldero wala na makit-an.” (our boat capsized, together with the 21 sacks of rice and 1 pig. All our belongings are now wet, our kettle already lost).
Mga Bakwits sa Mabuhay
Today, there are 35 families totaling 115 pax who are “bakwits” in the municipal gym. But that is not all. Many other ‘bakwits” sought refuge in the houses of their relatives. I know there are also “bakwits” who are staying at the WMSU classrooms. A good number of “bakwits” are also in our formation center in the parish convent of Parokya San Miguel.
Please do include us in your prayers. It will still be a looooong journey for us. We literally live each day according to the grace and mercy of God. Tomorrow is uncertain, but our faith feeds us with hope that in the end, the good always triumphs against evil. God bless us+
KABUGAN ISLAND! August 18, 2010
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in JPIC, Subanipa Diaries, Tourism.Tags: Kabugan Island, Olutanga Island
84 comments
Singkit in the Sea
Last month, naisipan kong mag-adventure kasama ng aking mga selected parishioners. Ang aming destination: Kabugan Island. Ang Kabugan Island ay isang maliit na island dito sa Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay na punung-puno ng mga mangroves. Sa mga mangroves na ito malayang nag-sa-sunbathing ang mga malalaking paniki. Sa salitang Bisaya kasi ang “Kabugan” ay galing sa salitang “kabug” na ang ibig sabihin ay “paniki.”
Bats in the Sun
Manghang-mangha ako sa dami ng mga paniki dito sa island na ito. Naalala ko tuloy ang sabi ni Gerald Manley Hopkins na “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.” Ang mga locals dito sa Olutanga ay malayang nakakapunta sa maliit na isla na ito, lalo na kung lowtide para manguha ng mga shells, crabs at agar-agar para sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pagkain.
Nagluluto Kami!
Napakaganda ng lugar na ito. Nalibot ko na ang Pilipinas from A(bra) to Z(amboanga) at masasabi kong may “K” ito para maging isang eco-tourism destination. Yon nga lang, until now, hindi pa ito nadedeklara bilang isang bat and mangrove sanctuary. Mahalaga na ma-protektahan ito lalo na sa mga bad elements na mahilig kumain ng mga exotic animals gaya ng bats (ewww!).
Solitary Bat
Ayan, Lilipad na!
Ayun O!
JUSTICE!!! November 25, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in JPIC, OMG!, Pastoral, Quotes, Scandal.Tags: iblogforpeace, Konsult Mindanao, Maguindanao
131 comments
My heart bleeds for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre!
I strongly condemn the heartless acts committed by these savage beasts!!!
The horrible massacre that occur last November 23 is a great tragedy that will be sadly remembered as we celebrate the Mindanao Week of Peace this November 26-December 2, 2009. It clearly goes against the Mindanawons’ aspiration and need for lasting peace.
Let justice be served!!!
As of this post, the death toll already rises to 57.
“Therefore, if peace has to be brought up personally to Mindanao by every Mindanawon, this need and aspiration must influence the individual thoughts and feelings of us all. Since our holy scriptures remind us always that each of us bears the image of the Almighty and Merciful Creator in our souls and spirit, this godly gift must always be in our minds when we think, in our hearts when we feel, and in our behavior when entire Mindanao as one and solid community calls for a just and lasting peace.”
Bishops Ulama Conference
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KIDNAP! October 15, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in JPIC, Mission Anecdotes, OMG!, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: iblogforpeace, Kidnapping, Zamboanga
332 comments
Siguro hindi na lingid sa inyo ang balitang may bago na namang pari na nakidnap. Paggising ko ng umaga noong Lunes, October 12, at habang ako ay naghahanda para sa aking 5:30 am mass, napansin ko na may mensahe pala galing sa Prelature of Ipil.
Please ask for prayers for the safety of Fr. Mick Sinnott, Columban priest of Pagadian, who has been kidnapped at about 7:40 pm in Sta. Lucia Parish. Message from Bishop Cabajar. Pass please.
Noong nabasa ko, kinilabutan ako. Few weeks ago, andoon ako sa Pagadian, para umattend sa burial ng aking tiya. Noong pauwi pa nga ako, naka-receive pa ako ng text mula sa aking mama, sabi niya, ingat daw ako lagi para di ako makidnap, dahil wala silang pang-ransom sa akin. waaaaaa!
Then ito, may isa na namang paring nakidnap. Tama nga ang hinala ng mga kapatid kong kaparian sa prelatura: “Since na-release na ang mga tatlong teachers, ingat kayo dahil tiyak maghahanap na naman ng bagong kikidnapin ang mga mokong na yan!”
Totoo nga. At di ko mapigilang masaktan din sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ayon sa report, “The six gunmen entered the Columban House in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur province, and dragged Michael Sinnott into a van in front of his horrified aides. The van was later found abandoned and burned near the convent. The kidnappers then took the priest away by sea on board a motor boat.”
Tsk! Tsk! Kaming mga SVDs na dito na-assign sa Zamboanga ay may ganyan ding threat. Mayroon kaming SVD na Indonesian missionary few years ago na pinagplanuhang kidnapin — our superiors immediately pulled him out of the island!
Pagdating ko dito sa Zamboanga, mayroon ding intelligence report na mayroong kikidnapin: isang teacher, isang doctor, isang businessman, isang pari. Kaming mga 4 na SVD missionaries na na-assign dito sa isla ay nagtinginan na lamang at nag-ngitian sa isa’t isa. No ransom policy kasi ang congregation namin. May isang nag-tip na rin sa aming mga pari na wag magpalapit sa mga coastal areas. Kaya naman, di ba, noong naligo ako sa dagat, may bodyguard talaga ako.
Ngayon ko lalong na-appreciate ang mga taong nagbabantay sa akin. Noon pong October 9, Friday, sa barrio po ako natulog in preparation for the fiesta kinabukasan. The barangay captain gave me 5 bodyguards to look after me and follow me habang pa-stroll-stroll kami during the night.
Eh, may pagkapilyo po ako! Noong pauwi na kami, habang sunud-sunuran sa akin ang mga 5 bodyguards, may nagsuntukan. Takbo agad ako sa suntukan (dati akong runner, remember?). Ang 5 kong bodyguards ay humabol din sa akin. Paglagpas nila sa nag-away na naawat na, di nila ako nakita. So, bumalik sila. Andoon ako sa harap noong nag-away, nakikibalita.
Hehe, di ko man lang napasalamatan ang mga bodyguards ko…di ko na sila nakita bago ako umalis pauwi ng parokya. Sana sa muling pagbalik ko sa barrio, makikita ko ulit ang mga bodyguards kong yun, at maghahabulan ulit kami….waaaa…joke!
Ito serious na: magpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanila.
Hinihiling ko po sa inyo, aking mga mababait na mga kaparokya at kapatid sa pananampalataya na ipagdasal po natin si Fr. Mick. Mananatili po ang picture niya sa sidebar ng aking blog habang siya ay nasa kamay pa ng kanyang mga kidnappers na hanggang ngayon ay di pa nagpapakilala.
God bless us +
MY NEXT POST WILL BE OCTOBER 20, TUESDAY.
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MY FARMVILLE/FARMTOWN October 8, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Facebook, JPIC, Mission Anecdotes, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Farmtown, Farmville, Zamboanga
299 comments
This is the reason why I don’t indulged myself with Farmville and Farmtown despite the million invitations I received from my friends. I am into the real thing!
Tuwang-tuwa ang madre na nakakita niyan!
Kaimito ng Parokya
Tanglad ang tawag namin dito. Ito ay panghalo sa sabaw ng tinolang manok. Tsalap!
Sagingan!
Ang aming solitary langka.
Moral lesson???
If you take good care of the earth, it will also take good care of you.
Nahahawakan mo ang iyong harvest.
Higit sa lahat, nakakain mo ang napaghirapan mo.
NEXT POST WILL BE OCTOBER 15, THURSDAY.
I WILL BE OUT THIS FRIDAY EVENING TILL SATURDAY. MAY PUPUNTAHAN AKONG FIESTA, OVERNIGHT…GOD BLESS +
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FREE DAY! September 5, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Arnold Janssen, JPIC, Mama Mary, Mission Anecdotes, OMG!, Subanipa Diaries, SVD, Tourism.Tags: Contest, Flamindevil, Fr. Joseph Audiencia SVD, Frt. Benedict Awitin SVD, Frt. Manuel Mijares SVD, Lhen, Mama Mary, SVD
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I really love going to the sea. You see, Pisces po ang zodiac ko and I always affiliate myself with water. Ang sarap maligo sa dagat! But I am always reminded by my parishioners here in Olutanga Island to stay away from the sea because there are pirates and small-time kidnappers. Nakakatakot din makidnap ha. Virgin and martyr ang labas ko nyan!
Si Ate Inday and Mga Suki niya sa Copra
But, last Monday, Ate Inday texted me that we go to Long Beach, Moalboal, still of part of Subanipa town of Olutanga Island. It was so sudden, yon daw ang strategy…di dapat pinagplanuhan pag maligo sa dagat…so that no bad elements can also plan against us.
Naghahanda si Manong ng Lunch
Ang isa naming kasama iba ang pinag-iinitan…
Halu-halong Crabs, Octopus, Fishes
This is not Boracay! This is Long Beach, Moalboal, Olutanga Island. White sand yan! Paging, investors!
Wala akong kalaban sa pagswi-swimming! Ako lang ang malakas ang loob na naligo dito. Strategy din ito na maligo during low tide para di masyado makalapit ang mga bangka na galing sa laot. So, in case kidnappers come, makakatakbo pa ang baby priest.
This is Dargum, our bodyguard
But more than this strategy, I also learn to entrust my life to God each day. Naniniwala ako na di ako pababayaan ni Bro. Pag nasa loob na ako ng room ko every night, I pray na bantayan niya ako lagi. To Bro, I entrust my full trust and confidence. Thanks Bro!
P.S. Happy Birthday to Rye (September 6)! Rev. Benjo, SVD (September 7)! Marie (September 7)! Lhen (September 8)! Mama Mary (September 8)! SVD (September 8)! Frt. Mannix, SVD (September 9)
P.S. This is my first post for the Base Awards. The next post will be September 12.
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PHILIPPINE SVD @ 100 August 30, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Arnold Janssen, Bible Animation, Family Feast, Jesus, JPIC, Mission Anecdotes, Pastoral, Pilgrimage, Pink Sisters, Prayers, Subanipa Diaries, SVD, SVD Philippines Centennial, Vocation Story, XVD.Tags: Bishop Arturo Bastes SVD, Blue Sisters, Cebu, Fr. Anthony Salas, Fr. Carlos Lariosa SVD, Fr. Eleno Bucia SVD, Fr. Felicito Borres SVD, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Fr. Jingjong Rocha SVD, Fr. Joseph Audiencia SVD, Fr. Juan Scheiermann SVD, Fr. Ludwig Beckert SVD, Fr. Melencio Balay SVD, Fr. Ramilo Mapaye SVD, Fr. Roger Solis SVD, Fr. Ruel Lero SVD, Fr. Tony Pernia SVD, Fr. Virgil Alejandria SVD, Fr.Heinz Kulueke SVD, PHS, Pink Sisters, SVD, University of San Carlos
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The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) is now celebrating our one hundred years of missionary presence in the Philippines. On August 15, 1909, the first two SVD missionaries arrived in Manila and began their long journey to Abra, a landlocked province in Northern part of Luzon. With only a bamboo raft, Fr. Juan Scheiermann, SVD and Fr. Ludwig Beckert, SVD journeyed on Abra River to Bangued, the capital. They reached Pilar, Cagotungan, Abra — their mission station, by horse — in their full black cassocks! Perhaps they never thought that one hundred years after, the SVD mission in the Philippines will be this big and this successful. We owe all to the grace of God.
It seems young priests are more comfortable in front of the camera
Last August 17, I arrived in Cebu for the Centennial Celebration of the SVD Philippine Southern Province. More than 100 of my confreres came to celebrate this significant occassion.
Hehe Parang Mag-Ama! Puros Hubag!
With the theme “We Remember, We Rejoice, We Renew”, we were delighted to hear anecdotes about the SVD in the Philippines. Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD shared to us never-been-heard-nor-published stories about the Divine Word Missionaries in the Philippines (Sample: Did you know that the SVD owned all the Church properties in one of the Archdioceses in the country after the World War II? Mahabang istorya ito!) I was really thankful to the good bishop who happened to be the ordaining prelate during my priestly ordination. So, i also took the opportunity to have photo op with him.
Fr. Tony Pernia, SVD shared about the facts and figures in the Philippine SVD. FYI, Fr. Tony is the Superior General of the SVD worldwide!!! Not only that, he is a Filipino!!! During our time with him, somebody made a remark, “100 years of the SVD in the Philippines is not enough to produce a saint, but enough to produce a Superior General.”
The SVD together with the Blue Sisters and the Pink Sisters
The Pink Sisters are praying for me! Ssshhh, wag maingay!
Our sister congregations also celebrated with us. The Centennial Mass was celebrated at the Pink Sisters Convent together with our lay mission partners, XVDs and the Blue and Pink Sisters. The presider and the mass homilist was Fr. Tony. Agape meal followed.
We also had basketball exhibition game: SVD vs. XVD (ex-SVD seminarians). Did I mention the SVD won? We were on the Sports page of the Sunstar Magazine the following day, and the whole of Cebu knew about it.
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also joined us for the prayer before the clergy religious night. He also expressed his appreciations for the missionary work done by the SVDs in the Archdiocese of Cebu.
The SVDs listened to a fisherman from Cordova
The last day of the Centennial Celebration proved to be the most memorable and most meaningful for me. Perhaps all my other confreres will also agree. We went to Cordova, where one of the housing projects of the SVD is located. Father Max Abalos, SVD, who spearheaded the project said that it is geared toward the development and liberation of the people from poverty and oppression. The Cordova fisherfolk village has now a cooperative business and will soon establish their dried danggit business.
Mabenta ang mais ng mga fisher folks. Mga pari nag-enjoy!
Our last stop was the Janssenville in Bangkal, Soong, Lapu-Lapu City. Janssenville is another housing project of the SVD. It is a compound of 100 houses with a gate and a chapel for the housing recipients. Together with NGOs, our mission partners, fisherfolks, street children, XVDs, students, visitors, Janssenville settlers and many others, we were given a tour in the area. Fr. Anthony Salas, SVD, JPIC-IDC director, said the houses were built through the consolidated effort of the SVD and the University of San Carlos (USC) community and the beneficiaries.
Fr. Tony is given a tour in the Janssenville Compound
The Holy Mass in the afternoon was presided by Bishop Bastes. He also gave the homily in flawless Visayan language. Hehe Bol-anon man pod diay siya mao nga hasler kaayo mobisaya. Paka-paka oy!
Bishop Bastes, SVD
After that, Fr. Tony led the blessing of the whole village. We blest the 100 houses, one priest per house. (siyempre sama ako doon). It was very touching…ang bawat pamilya may isa-isang paring dala papunta sa kanilang mga bahay. Masaya ang naging kwentuhan ko with the family na nakasama ko.
Fellowship meal followed. It was like a feast. I was happy and thankful to be part of that celebration. Indeed, it was a piece of heaven. More pictures HERE!!!
Congrats SVD and may the Triune God live in the hearts of all.
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GREAT (MIS)ADVENTURES June 25, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Jokes, JPIC, Mission Anecdotes, Pastoral, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Bishop Julius Tonnel, Bishops Ulama Conference, Fr. Albert Alejo SJ, Fr. Angel Angeles CMF, Fr. Danny Noval SVD, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Fr. Ian Conturno, Fr. Joseph Audiencia SVD, Fr. Mannix Suico SVD, Konsult Mindanao, Prelature of Ipil, Zambonga
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Gooooood dayyyyy to all! Nakawala ako sa isla ng Olutanga for few days. Last June 22, I went to Ipil together with my SVD confreres and some of our parish co-missionaries. We attended the 56th Prelature of Ipil Assembly.
Mga Participantes
Ayan ang Baby Priest katabi ni Obispo!
For the record, pinakilala na po sa buong prelature ang inyong baby priest. Kakatuwa naman. Sa assembly, si Paring Bert Alejo, SJ introduced to us the Konsult Mindanao. It is the flagship of the Bishops Ulama Conference (BUC) that leads the ongoing peace consultations across Mindanao. It seeks to assure greater public participation in the Mindanao peace process consultation by covering the various sectors among Muslims, Lumads, Protestants and Catholics.
Si Paring Bert at Paring Joseph
Maganda ang talk ni Paring Bert. Nainspire ako at mas lumawak ang understanding ko ng Mindanao, its history and culture. Kaya naman, I will blog soon My Vision of Mindanao…
Fast-track…..
Tulak to the Max!!!
Pag-uwi namin paputang Olutanga Island, medyo madulas ang daan kaya ayon na-slide ang gulong at pinulot kami sa side ng road…hehehe wala namang na-hurt sa aming mga pari…
Grace under Pressure!!!
Noong malapit na kami sa pier, ito naman ang tumambad sa amin. Isang malaki at mahabang dump(dumb)truck na humarang sa daan dahil sa wrong backing. Di na makaahon dahil sa laki ng hole sa side ng road. Kaya ayon, ung mga pasahero ay no-choice kundi maglakad na lamang papuntang pier. Kasama ako doon. Napangiti pa nga ako because yong pinakaunang na-stranded na sasakyan dahil sa dump(dumb)truck na ito ay may signboard na: “DON’T DELAY, GOVERNMENT PROJECT.” Hehehe.
So Near Yet so Far
Yan ang pier. Yong kabila, yan na ang isla. Ang lapit lang talaga ng Olutanga! I have to really confess pinag-iinitan ko talaga ang pier na ito. Gusto kong languyin na lang ang island!!! Imagine, ilang days na ako dito sa mission area ko and yet, di pa talaga ako nakaligo sa dagat! OMG! People here are afraid baka damputin daw ako ng bad people at ipa-ransom.
Kapit to the Max!!!
Sa dami naming mabibigat na passengers, muntik na tumagilid ang maliit na canoe na sinakyan namin! wahahahahaha! kuha lang ako ng kuha ng pictures. Sa isip ko, sana tumagilid para makaligo na ako sa dagat…(hehehe, very bad ang baby priest)…
Back to Reality
When we reached the island, back to reality na ako. Another missionary journey na naman going to our parish. At ito ay isa lamang sa mga enjoy na daanan papunta sa amin. And oh, you are all welcome here…hehe.
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ATLAS MINING TODAY May 31, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in JPIC, Tourism.Tags: Atlas Mining, Cebu
16 comments
I arrived sa Cebu last May 27 (Wednesday), mga six days ahead of my departure for Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay. I stayed at the SVD Provincialate and gi-welcome ko sa mga kasama nako na mga pari didto (Omg! What’s happening to my sentence construction! Halu-halong English, Tagalog, Bisaya na!).
Road to Atlas Mining
Ang aking good friend since college na si Joesard Ababa , xvd invited me the other day to go with him sa Atlas Mining sa Toledo City. Go naman ako.
I was so happy nakakita ako ng baka!
View from the Top
Atlas Mining is a firm primarily engaged in mineral and metal mining exploration. It has three open pit mines, three underground mines and milling complexes.
Look at that!
Atlas Mining’s Toledo mines used to be one of the largest mines in Asia and the third largest copper mine in the world, employing as many as 14,000 workers. It was, however, forced to close in 1994 when global prices of copper plunged.
Sarap ng Hangin Dito!
Today, binuksan na ulit ito…Actually, maganda ang lugar. The mountains surrounding the mining area can be compared to the beautiful mountains of Hongkong (yong maraming cable car!).
Breath-taking!!!
OH, LIFE July 9, 2008
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in JPIC, Prayers, Scandal.Tags: Msgr. Gerry Santos, St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish
8 comments
Prayer for the Helpless Unborn
Heavenly Father,
in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil,
those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.
Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today
who are not thinking of motherhood.
Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image
- as well as theirs – made for eternal life.
Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts
to love their babies and give them birth
and all the needed care that a mother alone can give.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever,
Amen.
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