KAINAN NG BAYAN August 22, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Family Feast, Jesus, Mama Mary, Mission Anecdotes, Politics, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Bishop Julius Tonnel, Fiesta, Fr. Danny Noval SVD, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Fr. Roger Alasan SVD, Mama Mary, Mayor Joel Capotulan, Zamboanga
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Procession During the Fiesta
Ako at si Mama Mary
Fiesta sa aming parokya dito sa Olutanga tuwing August 15. Masaya ako kasi maraming mga tao ang lumapit sa akin at nagpasalamat dahil sa ginawa ni Fr. Roger Alasan, SVD, ang pioneer SVD missionary dito sa isla four years ago. He united the LGU and the Parish. Dati kasi bago siya dumating, ang town fiesta at ang parochial fiesta ay separate. Dati naman talagang August 15 ang fiesta ngunit dahil sa mga di maiiwasang “irreconcilable differences” ng dating parish priest at ng mayor, nilipat ang fiesta sa third week of November.
Fr. Roger Alasan, SVD
(note: I first met him when I was assigned in Surigao.
Akala ko siya si Lito Legaspi!)
Pero nang dumating si Fr. Roger Alasan, SVD ay talagang sinikap niyang maging magkaibigan ang LGU at ang parokya. Dahil sa kanyang initiative at dala na rin ng peaceful dialogue (which is one of the trademarks ng SVD), nagkaroon ng memorandum of understanding. And what better way to celebrate unity kundi sa isang banquet!
Please welcome, ang aming KAINAN NG BAYAN!
Sari-saring Shells
Fr. Dan: “Wag muna tayong mag-usap Bishop. Concentrate muna.”
Bishop Julius Tonnel and Mayor Joel Capotulan
Crabs of Different Sizes
Masarap!
Indeed, Kainan ng Bayan
Like the multiplication of bread, they all ate and were satisfied…
…and there were twelve baskets left…
MORE PICTURES HERE!!!
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SILIP SA BUHAY-PARI July 31, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Jokes, Mission Anecdotes, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Abu Sayyaf, Cebu, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Zamboanga
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Hindi Po Ako Power-Ranger. Papunta lang po ako sa Barrio!
One of the interesting things being a priest is the opportunity to meet many people from all walks of life and gain insights from them. Hindi lang yan, it also becomes an avenue for me to discover my own vulnerabilities which sometimes puts me into weird and funny situations. LOL.
1. Asar-talo. My confreres back in Cebu inasar ako. They told me: “mag-ingat ka sa backhoe!” Yong isa kasi naming pari ay nahulugan ng kalaykay ng backhoe. Kaya pagdating ko, ako at ang kasama kong pari ay di sumakay ng barge. Andoon ang backhoe. Nagtiyaga na lang kami sa canoe.
2. Sakay na. Ang Olutanga Island ay napakalapit lang sa isang municipality ng mainland Zamboanga Sibugay. Pwedeng languyin actually. Ten pesos lang kung sasakay ka ng barge. In less than 3 minutes, nasa kabilang island ka na. Kaya, sakay na!
3. First things first. When I reached my mission area, ang pinakauna kong ginawa ay maghanap ng hideout in case dumating ang Abu Sayyaf. Nada. Wala akong makita. Lo and behold, sa kwarto ko, may washing machine. Sinubukan ko ngang pumasok sa loob ng washing machine. Hehe, praktis lang…
4. Iskop na sana. On my first day dito sa isla, early in the morning ay nagkaroon ng sunog. Several houses and commercial establishments ay tinupok ng apoy. To my excitement, kinuha ko kaagad ang camera ko at takbo sa pinangyarihan ng sunog. Muslims and Christians helped each other. Talagang bayanihan. Sa isip ko, iskop ito! I set my cam for picture-picture, and to my greatest horror, wala palang battery!
5. Intsik ba ako? Almost 20 people have already asked me if Chinese ba daw ako. Ngek! Sabi ng friend ko dito, ang mga Chinese daw kasi ang potential kidnap victims. Aba, sabi ko agad, Pinoy ako!
6. Heavyweight! It was a very embarrassing experience (nahihiya magkwento ang baby priest!). After the Holy Mass in the barrio, pinakain ako ng mga parishioners ng masasarap at malalaking crabs. Pagkatapos kong kumain, gumuho ang upuan ko. What a shame!
7. Khaki. Since naging deacon ako last June 2008, I already abandoned khaki pants kasi mas lalo akong nagmumukhang “high-schoolish” (term borrowed from Frt. Ritchelle, SVD), meaning, parang high school. But dito sa Subanipa, it’s a need to wear khaki pants para magsurvive ako sa super muddy and super-lubak na mga roads. Ang kulay kasi ng khaki at putik ay pareho lang. This is what you call camouflage (very creative lang ang baby priest, bow!).
8. Sta. Cruz. May isang chapel dito, ang patron nila si San Isidro Labrador pero ang fiesta nila ay May 14 (di yata tumama sa exact feast day yon ah!). They told me that originally ang patron nila ya Sta. Cruz (fiesta Sept. 14). Pinagalitan daw sila dahil di naman daw saint ang Sta. Cruz. Hahaha. And it did not end there – they took San Isidro Labrador as their new patron, changed the month of their fiesta into May but retain the day 14 ….kaya May 14!
9. For the record. Since dumating ako dito, never pa akong nakaligo sa dagat. Bigla-bigla na lang daw kasi sumusulpot ang mga pirates dito. The involved municipalities ay nagkaroon ng registration of boats/motor-boats ng mga fishermen but the problem with pirates ay di na-solved. Pati mga pirates ay nagpa-register din!
10. Brownout. Araw-araw brownout dito. At hanggang dito na lang at baka mag-brownout pa!
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MY JOURNEY SA FISHPOND July 26, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Mission Anecdotes, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Zamboanga
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Ito ay isa lamang sa mga fishponds ng isa sa aming mga parokyano dito sa Subanipa, Olutanga Island, Zambonga Sibugay. Hehe. I was invited sa harvest ng mga shrimps at bangus sa fishpond na ito. Di ko talaga ito tinanggihan. Go agad ang baby priest. Napag-alaman kong gabi pala talaga ang paghaharvest. Dumating ako sa fishpond at 4 pm. Kasama ko ang may-ari, si Ate Inday.
Ito ay isang ice bucket ng mga nahuling shrimps. It is very easy to catch them kasi kumikinang pala ang mga mata ng mga ito pag natatapatan ng flashlight.
Ito naman ang ice bucket ng mga live milkfishes. Buhay na buhay ang mga bangus! Nagparequest agad ako na makapagluto agad ng sinigang. Hehe.
Ito ang alimango na para sa akin. Tinalian namin kasi baka mangagat. Ang laki niyan! Itinago agad namin yan sa kwarto. Around 4 am ng umaga, humiga ako sandali sa loob ng kwarto. buti na lang di ako humiga sa sahig. Ginapang kasi nito ang iba naming kasama. Hehe, nakakakiliti kaya yon!
Bayanihan spirit ang namamayani sa fishpond harvest. Pasa dito, pasa doon. May mga tao doon sa bukana ng fishpond, may taga-hawak naman ng net, taga-pasa ng net….
…at mayroon ding taga-separate ng shrimps from the bangus…at mayroon ding taga-hawak ng ice bucket na nilalagyan ng mga ito.
Siyempre, ito na ang pinaluto kung shrimp. Pulang-pula! Ang sarap nyan! Natapos ang harvest 5:30 ng umaga. Isang truck ng bangus at shrimps ang naharvest…
…at umuwi ako sa parokya kasama ang aking mga mababait na kaibigang parishioners. At dahil malakas ang ulan at bumaha ang daan, muli kaming naging bata at nagbasaan ng tubig sa daan. Hehe. Next time ulit…
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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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WELCOME PARTY June 6, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Mission Anecdotes, Pastoral, Subanipa Diaries.Tags: Fr. Danny Noval SVD, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Zamboanga
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The parishioners of Nuestra Señora De los Remedios here in Subanipa, Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay prepared a welcome party for me the day after I arrived. Hehe. Maraming beses na ito actually na-postpone kasi maraming beses nabago yong date ng arrival ko. I was supposed to arrive May 20, then naging May 26, then naging May 29 then finally June 1.
Beside me is Fr. Danny Noval, SVD
Mga Lay Leaders
The lay leaders from the 32 BEC communities were there and nakakatuwa, sinabitan pa nila ako ng garland made of shells.
Hehe Parang Graduation
Nagpapasalamat ako sa mainit na pagtanggap nila sa akin…and of course, makakalimutan ba naman ang mga sea foods na inihain sa aming fellowship meal?
Hehe Parang May Naligaw Yata…
Sea Shells!
More Sea Shells!!!
Nakatingin Ang Crabs!
Masarap Din Ito!!!
Hehe Hindi Ito Seafood…Cake Na’to!!!
MY RECOMMENDED SVD SITES April 29, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Novitiate, Showbiz, SVD Bloggers, XVD.Tags: Arnold Janssen, Arnold Janssen Building, Bukal Newsletter, Christ the King Mission Seminary, Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Holy Spirit Novitiate, The Healing Eucharist, Verbum Class XVD Philippines, Verbum Class
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PLEASE TAKE TIME TO VISIT THESE SITES:
MY OTHER SITES April 29, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Family Feast, SVD Bloggers, SVD Philippines Centennial.Tags: Bishop William Finnemann SVD, Castrodes Clan, Center for Wholeness and Holiness, Doulos Class, Family Feast, Fiel Clan, Flickr, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Friendster, Hatid-Diwa Online, St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish, SVD Vocation Office, Youtube
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Here are the other sites I maintained:
Center for Wholeness and Holiness
CKMS Family Feast 2006: Mission 131
St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish
SUMMER THANKSGIVING April 24, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Mission Anecdotes, SVD, SVD Philippines Centennial, Tourism.Tags: Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish, Baguio, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao, Divine Word Formation Center of Davao, Fr. Aris Martin SVD, Fr. Dino Ariola SVD, Fr. Edgar Javier SVD, Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Fr. Gil Rochar Dulay SVD, Fr. Jaekel Solde SVD, Fr. Jhonatan Letada SVD, Fr. Magdaleno Fabiosa SVD, Fr. Melchor Cagape SVD, Fr. Raul Caga SVD, Fr. Redento Maniwang SVD, Fr. Reiner Franke SVD, Fr. Rico Glenn Deuna SVD, Fr. Roger Alasan SVD, Fr. Ronie Crisostomo SVD, Fr. Samuel Clarin SVD, Frt. Jules Sotto SVD, Iligan, Misamis, Pantas Class, Tagaytay
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Greetings from Davao!
For the past few days, I was always on the go. For your information, I already left St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish of Cainta after Easter. They prepared a program for me and that I really appreciated. Thank you to the many kind souls in the parish.
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Frt. Jules and the Knights of the Altar sang their farewell song for me.
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I went home to Davao last Easter Tuesday to also prepare the things necessary for my thanksgiving mass. The support coming from my relatives, neighbors and even of my parish was very overwhelming.
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Individual blessing
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Not only that, I also received the full support of the Divine Word Formation Center of Davao, the SVD seminary in this part of the world. Thank you confreres! Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD told me that in his long years in the priesthood, it was his first time to attend a thanksgiving mass. Maraming salamat talaga sa inyo.
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Fr. Edgar, Fr. Dino, Fr. Reiner, Fr. Gil, Fr. Jaekel, Fr. Fiel, Fr. Aris, Fr. Jhojo, Fr. Bong, Fr. Magdeng, Fr. Sam, Fr. Glenn, Fr. Manny, Fr. Ronie, Fr. Roger and Fr. Raul
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After my thanksgiving mass, I also traveled to Clarin, Misamis Occidental for the thanksgiving mass of Fr. Jaekel Solde, SVD. It was a very long travel, grabe! Maraming salamat talaga kay Fr. Sam Clarin, SVD who offered the car of the vocation office. Nadaanan ko ang Marilog District of Davao City (this place could be the next Baguio and Tagaytay of the Philippines), Bukidnon (wonderful mountains!), Cagayan de Oro City (beautiful cathedral), Iligan (we had to detour because of the bombing done sa isang tulay dito) and marami pang iba.
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Fr. Jaekel together with his mother and Fr. Arnold
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The thanksgiving mass of Fr. Jaekel was also very successful…He also received the full support of the people of his community.
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Boys’ Bonding at the Dolphin Rescue Center
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After the thanksgiving, the Pantas Class (minus Fr. Jhonatan Letada, SVD — tama po ang spelling ng name niya), had our bonding at the Dolphin Rescue Center. It was a wonderful experience for me to swim with the dolphins and feed them.
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A very rare chance…
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To Fr. Aris, Fr. Gil, Fr. Jaekel, and Fr. Jhojo, thank you very much and God bless us in our new mission. May the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all.
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MY BIRTHDAY MESSAGE March 13, 2009
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Birthday, Personal Message, Seminary Life, SVD, Vocation Story.Tags: Fr. Felmar Fiel SVD, Fr. Teody Taneo, Olutanga Island, Vigan, Zamboanga
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Birthday ko today. I am now 28 years old. This is the first year that I am celebrating my birthday as a priest. Parang kailan lang I could still remember the young boy playing with all the kids in our neighborhood. Wonderful! Ang layo na pala ng aking narating, and yet I am very much aware that a new missionary journey will unfold in the next few months for me.
Nais kong magpasalamat sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin, sa mga taong tumutulong sa akin, sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Salamat din sa lahat ng mga taong bumati sa akin at sa mga taong nag-alay ng kanilang mga dasal for me. God bless you po.
Thank you to all my teachers, my formators, my mentors and sa lahat ng mga nakasama ko sa aking seminary formation. Special mention goes to Fr. Teody Taneo, the vocation director who found my way in the SVD. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, wala ako ngayon dito.
Thank you also to my family sa magandang pagpapalaki sa akin. Kahit di ako lumaki (hehe), I have grown up naman. Haha. I also include them in my prayers.
I thank God for calling me. I know very well that I am still very young and marami pa akong kakaining bigas and so I rely so much on God’s grace daily. My friends, please double your prayers for me. On May 20, I will start my new missionary journey at Ulotanga Island, Ipil, Zamboanga.
Friends, do not worry. I will be okay. God is already there in my mission area, way, way before my arrival. I wish to celebrate my birthday in Zamboanga next year. Aabot tayo diyan. Basta God ordains, God sustains.
God bless you and happy birthday to me.
In the Divine Word,
Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD
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