Blog Title: Vinceleste.com - I am Balong

Passing the Professional Teachers’ Exam is and the Many Blessings

Many reasons to thank God for the past days, weeks and months! I just celebrated my birthday last week after visiting my family in my hometown, in memory of my father…

Monthly Recollection

What a blessed week I have! For the fact that I just came from our recollection, I have been blessed with experiences of being in a community of supportive brothers. The weekend was spent for our regular monthly community recollection. It was held at Dominican House of Prayer in Davao City. It’s also the place where the Marist Ad Gentes Brothers hold their retreat and commissioning rites. The rainy afternoon last Friday gave me such soothing feeling after a week of school activities; I need a break from time to time to be energized and be enthusiastic again in teaching Values to our high school students. Saturday was a good one also. As I led the community into a prayer atmosphere, God’s presence was with us in our sharing. That was the best sharing we had; intimate and fraternal. Now, I have more courage to be me as one of the community members trying to live my vows faithfully with them.

Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)

Now that the result of Licensure Examination for Teachers has been released today, I immediately browsed the net searching for my name. Thanks to inquirer.net, I easily found my name! I thought for a while that I never passed the Professional Teachers’ Board. I can still remember how did I take that exam at MSU Gen. Santos City. Together with other examinees, I was nervous but full of hope that I can make it. I never got a chance to be in a review center nor in in our own school at NDMU to take a mock test just for this licensure exam but thanks for the quality times given to me every Sunday by my community here in Kidapawan. That was also a tough one. Every Sunday at the farm just to spend an hour or two for review and the rest of the day, whether to make a lesson plan for the week or to check almost 300 journal notebooks, whew! I really never thought about making it. But again, thanks to God’s faithfulness. He always give chance to his unworthy servant.

Thanksgiving!

I am now challenged to face the reality as a Marist Educator. My gratitude goes to the Marist Brothers next to God. They taught me to look for meaning in life by giving my own self self, sharing the love of God to me for others. They help me develop my innate capacity and talents; and to grow more into God’s love. I am aware of the grater responsibility ahead of me. I pray to be strong enough to face the challenges of our ministry; to be with the young educating them in Mary’s school.

Thanks to my brothers here at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Kidapawan community. Your presence and fraternal support made me stronger everyday, especially during the time when I easily gave up, complaining about my advisory class and other difficulties. But I learned to be more patient and be a happy teacher everyday. I hope that my students will learn a lot from life, not only from me but from the constant grace of God for them. Thanks to Br. Willy of Notre Dame of Marbel University for trusting me, giving me advices for my near future. And also to Br. John Tan of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University for helping me develop my talents and skills in my interest. Thanks to my mentor at Marist Asia-Pacific Center, Br. Manny, he is a great teacher; and to our Brother Provincial, Br. Manny de Leon. For my mother, who is always my inspiration together with my whole family especially my nephew, my beloved one.

For my advisory class that always inspire me to go back inside the classroom, not to reprimand them always but to be withem them, salamat sa cake at ballons last birthday Ambait nyo….

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

My Gratefulness to God’s Faithfulness

It was just like yesterday when I celebrated my birthday. That was indeed a good time to reflect more on being a gift from God to my parents and to my love ones and most of all, to the congregation that help me look for meaning of life through its charism and mission. Now that it is another year to thank God for the life he has given me. I belief, I’m not worthy enough to serve him in this way of life but through his unconditional call, I am trying to be faithful to this call as he has been faithful to me in spite and despite of my limitations.

I am still the “Balong” of my parents, of my family. The “kuya” to my students (I hope so… Hahaha!) And for many years of existence, I have a lot of stories to share… Hmm, I’m not a good storyteller but maybe through my daily experiences, I can say, I have enough and much to come in my life to make me contented and happy for the rest of my life as a Marist Brother.

Basta, masaya ako for this another year to serve the Lord, for the greater glory of God in many ways na pwede kong gawin sa tulong nya.

Here in Kidapawan City, my first year of active ministry with the young of NDKC high school students, is just the beginning of everyday engagement. That always reminds me of Champagnat telling the brothers: “Love the young equally… Make Jesus known and love… in the way of Mary… Mahirap din kaya, but with God’s grace, compassion for them always come… that’s passion for God, ika nga… Thanks to my confreres here at Kidapawan community for helping me grow into maturity, not only as a young brother but also in the reality of active ministry. It was always a struggle for me to wake up very early for Morning prayer and to go to school early and well prepared but the joy always follow: to be with the young entrusted to me… Ey, SMCians, totoo ito, ha.

Brothers Ted, Noel and Joe and I, celebrated my birthday at AJ’s. With a simple birthday celebration, I am already happy and contented. Salamat brothers… Salamat nga pala, Bro. Ted, sa “reading light” at sa keychain na “Chelsea Football Club.” Kuhang-kuha mo talaga ang inaasam ko, hahaha! Salamat din sa AJ Hightime Hotel, sa free cake na gift n’yo. Roswell, pakisabi kay mama mo na salamat sa cake, heheheh….

Nag-iisang candle ito dahil first year ko pa lang dito sa Kidapawan…

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

In Memory of Papang

One reason why I went home to my native place is not only for vacation but for my father. As long as I can, I wish to visit his burial place and pay homage for the legacy he left me.I have a lot of memorable experiences with him that brought me to my present time. Childhood memories; madami… I started appreciating him as my father after taking a course Marriage Counselling sa Mary Hill School of Theology under Fr. Arsie, MSC. Genogram helped me a lot to understand him. Sa isip ko lang, ano kaya ang naging pananaw n’ya sa buhay when he was at my age…

He was such a kind of a hero for me. Kaya, ito… dedicated ‘to para sa kanya… Kantahin mo na rin while listening to it… mapapaiyak ka, hehehehe…

Dance with my Father again

Last year, the same thing I did for him; clean his burial ground, nagpintura ng nitso and said a little prayer para sa kanya. Since the time he died, I longed for more time to be with him and that became true in prayers. As a catholic who believe in the communion with the saints, my father is truly always with us his family especially during times of difficulties. He always reminded me when I was still a young boy, a hard-headed young boy to listen always to the wise. He was wise, though not really a learned one who graduated from a prestigious university. He was a carpenter, his last profession before he went ahead of us. Thus I became a son of a carpenter. Miss you, ‘pang! Salamat for being a good father to me…

Ito naman ang pamangkin ko… after a year, exactly…

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Religious Brothers of the Philippines Gather for 9th Triennial Convention

Madayaw Davao, Welcome to Mindanao!

That’s the greetings of warm welcome given to us by the host of the 9th Triennial Convention of the National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines (NFRBP) at Mergrande Ocean Resort and Convention Center in Talomo, Davao City. The host of this year’s convention, the Association of Mindanao-Sulu Religious Brothers (AMSRB) officers and the Secretariat headed by Br. Erwin Sayson of the Sacred Heart Brothers gave the participants a welcoming presence to all the Brothers of different religious congregations from different parts of the country; as far as from Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao.

This year’s theme is, “One Heart, One Nation, One Mission: A Spirituality of Communion.” While last 8th Triennial Convention’s was, “Kuya ng Bayan, Kuya ng Simbahan.” It was held on October 2005 at Capuchin Retreat House of the Friars Minor in Lipa, Batangas which was attended by 150 Brothers from all over the Philippines.

The Welcome ceremonies started with the opening ritual by Kalumon Cultural Group as they sung the “Pasasalamat Song.” Sa opening ritual pa lang, inspired and full of life na ang mga brothers. The NFRBP National Chairperson, Br. Amado Ancla, CFA gave his welcome address while Br. Jose Godofredo G. Sapigan, SC, the Convention Director gave an orientation about the activities to happen and the place. He introduced to us the different convention areas of Mergrande Ocean Resort and he assured the Brothes of tightened security by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Talomo Precinct, ordered by the Davao City Mayor Duterte.

Spirituality of Communion

One of the important parts of the gathering was the Keynote Speech of Br. Karel San Juan, SJ. He started his talk with the topic assigned to him saying that both spirituality and communion are familiar and unfamiliar.  He further explained the familair to the Brothers that spirituality is something we live and breathe everyday, and this defines the identity of the Brothers as Christian apostles on mission. Same with spirituality, communion is also something we live and breathe everyday, which defines the way of life characterized by community, brotherhood, fraternity. He continued explaining the shared life in community life and its challenges and struggles. He also presented the practical challenges and guidelines toward a spirituality of communion; our communities as places for healing and conversion, the necessity of conversion and dialogue and the centrality of prayer.

Brother Karel, is a Jesuit scholastic, preparing for his priesthood.

Community Life, in a Vocation Story

After the talk of Br. Karel, Bishop George Rimando, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Davao celebrated the Eucharist with the Brothers and was followed by a dinner and sharing of vocations by group; sharing what is the role of community life in our vocation stories.

Reflect, reflect and reflect…

The next day, we started the day right with a creative morning prayer led by Br. Luc Boudreault, SC. The next big thing happened during the day was the group reflection facilitated by Br. Karl Gaspar, CSsR. He is a Redemptorist Brother teaching at St. Alphonsus Theologate and at the same time, BOT of Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue, solidarity with the Lumads and Interphasing Development Interventions focusing on ecological advocacy. In the group sharing, we were asked to answer the guide questions in response to the presentation of Br. Karel, SJ. He was asking us of what struck us most and give practical suggestions to concretize the theme of this year’s theme. Indeed, the syntheses of the group were fruitful and worthy to ponder. Whew! Mahirap din pala maging secretary ng grupo lalo na kung magagaling sa sharing, full of wisdom ang mga kasama mo, hahaha!

Looking Forward For the 25th Year

Looking forward for next year’s Mindanao regional gathering! That would be in Zamboanga! We were fortunate, Mindanao Brothers to have Br. Raymund, SJ; the present Ateneo de Zamboanga Treasurer. The 25th year of National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines (NFRBP) will be in 2010 in Cebu! Wonder why 25th anniversary in 2010 while we are on the 9th trienneal gathering? Something happened which I wasn’t able to understand why, hehehe… Thanks to Visayas region Brothers. Business Meetings by region; part of our convention. And during the meeting, new set of officers were elected. Let me copy and paste the result para madali…

Night of Cultural Awareness

The final night was started with the celebration of the Eucharist by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, DD; the  Archbishop of the Diocese of Davao. He welcomed us again as he expressed his support to the Brothers. During the dinner sponsored by the owner of Mergrande Ocean Resort, the Evangelista family. Other than that, we were entertained with MIndanaoan Cultural presentations by the famous Kalumon led by Mario Lim, the director choreographer of the group. Kalumon group helped a lot of young people. Mario helped them to discover their talents and be creative. Most of them play different instruments, dance, sing and they are good actors and actresses! Napakaganda ng kanilang mga presentations. Another good thing with their group is their presentations. They act and play about the real situations of Mindanaoans, especially the oppressed people.

Meeting the Blogger Brothers

Before I end this entry, I would like to thank my fellow blogger brothers from different congregations. I appreciate your patience reading my blog, Br. Miguel del Corro, FSF; Brothers of the Holy Family. He is blogging at De Peregrinos. He stopped blogging for a while for certain reasons but it’s quite worthy reading about his pilgrimage… Thanks also to Br. Jeff Pioquinto, SJ. He is Multiplying at JeffSJ. He surprised me during the meal, I was wondering who was this person na lumapit sa akin, hahaha! I thought he was not able to attend to the convention. Nandun din pala sya.

So much for the stories… Until next time, Brothers… posing muna tayo

That’s me and Br. Jeff, SJ

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

SMC Class: The Winning Crusaders

Better late than never to congratulate my advisory, the Saint Marcellin Champagnat Class. I know, you’ve been following my blog when and how would I post our class pictures especially that we became champions for Volleyball boys, Basketball and Dart in Junior division during last intramurals!

Your effort and determination are admirable since you were able to unite as one class despite and in spite of difficulties at first. Planning stage was difficult for us especially in choosing our best players for the different games during intrams. But when we were on our way to the College covered court, I was amazed with our section. Remember that you chose your name as “Crusaders” without knowing what does it really mean. The banner, which I personally made, was for all of you; ang-galing ano! Simple nga pero cool!

During the games, I sensed your determination to win by cooperating with your teammates. You did not forget the objective of the Intramurals. Most of you joined the competitions (and just few did something stupid that affected our good players).

Though wala ako during the third and last day of the Intrams, you constantly updated me of what was happening during the basketball game; reason why I was not able to concentrate well to my review. But that was fine. I was excited, too. As if I was still with you , cheering with the team! Basketball and Volleyball boys players, that was something memorable. Eizer Soliman, one of those who “graduated” during the basketball, you did your best, too kaya h’wag mag-alala… Nalipay man gyapon ko ninyo tanan, hehehe…To all class officers led by Jude Campued and Oryl Arnoco, Darlene Beltran and company, Flora Vi Soria and friends, team captains and cheerers, you are all winners! Kaya magsaya kayo.

But sad to mention that when I wasn’t around, most of the open game players did not compete. We lost points that I believe, supposed to lift us up to be the overall champion. Di bale, I admit, wala ako that time to supervise as your coach/adviser.

Remember what I told you before I left last Friday? Being crusaders is not only aiming to be the champion, but also as winners by heart, following the rules and objectives of our activity, the High School Intramurals. Congratulations!

Thanks also to Saint Joseph Class for the moral support to the SMCians!

P.S.: Yung swimming plan natin, later na lang….

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Busy Days and Weekends

Blogging was almost forgotten, tasks and responsibilities were in waiting to be done, and so on and so forth, whew! But then, after the Notre Dame Day, I was able to move again for the next activities that kept be busy during weekdays with my advisory and other students, which also consumed most of my weekends. Weekends for me are important; really important.

The next big event after the Notre Dame Day was my advisory’s recollection. I really convinced our Assistant Principal that I must be with them during their recollection. It was more than fun but to be present with them. That’s one of our spirituality, right? PRESENCE. Indeed, my students appreciated it much especially that one Mexican Brother, Br. Cesar Barba from Ad Gentes Davao was with us. For the fact that we had our meaningful recollection at NDKC Farm, we’re able to know one another better, which I believe, essential to our relationship in the classroom. Teenage quarrels, misunderstanding, teasing and laziness sometimes are obvious to them sometimes. yet I understand that it’s part of growing as a united class we can have. During the recollection, most were touch with stories of the facilitator. Some cried, some just kept silent after the processing. I hope that the recollection itself for them is now bearing fruit: to have a united class, dedicated in studies and have good relationship with one another.

As I mentioned above, Brother Cesar Barba, FMS, had his 10-day exposure immersion here in Kidapawan City. He went to different Extension Program Areas of the school to be in solidarity with them. Our community was thankful of his presence. Know what, I learned from him to slow down. For the past weeks of activities, I find myself busy with many responsibilites that even my prayer life was affected. Thanks for being with us, Brother Cesar.

Weekend Recollection

Of course, not only my students enjoyed a day of recollection. Just last weekend, together with my Brothers Ted and Noel and Cesar, we went to a retreat house in Davao to spend sometime of solitude and shared our insights for the 21st General Chapter of the Marist Brothers. After three days, I spent the whole Sunday strolling and bought some needs of my students in the classroom. I was grateful for the opportunities to be away from school those days.

Second Unit Test

As I cam back yesterday, here is another reality of apostolate. The high school students started their second unit test for the second grading. Before I left last Friday, I already prepared my test papers for first years and second years students. No hazzles, right? So to have more time with other tasks, I was assigned to supervise the distribution of test papers instead of proctoring just like last periodical exam of the students.

High School Intramurals

Intrams is coming on Wednesday! My advisory class is getting excited as we planned together our team’s name and banner and logo and players! Will keep you inform nest entry about this!

Licensure Examination for Teachers

But as soon as the Intrams ends, I have to go to Gen. Santos City to take a Licensure Examination for Teachers. This will be held at MSU Gensan on September 28, Sunday. This really keeps me busy these days, reviewing and studying topics I already forgot when I was still in College taking up Education course, whew!

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

MBS 2 Sponsors Banner

The 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit is one event that bloggers in this island should not miss.
You want to know why? Just read more from Bariles Republic….

As one of the original soccsargen bloggers, I, myself am going there for sure in solidarity with other bloggers coming from different parts of Central Mindanao.

I am even planning to organize a group of bloggers from Norh Cotabato who might want to go to gensan together.
So just leave a message here and let us start from there.

Attending? Get your Banner now!

How does it look like? Just see the sample at my sidebar. >>
Below is the HTML Code, copy and paste this in your blog.

If you need only the button of I-AM-JOINING, here below is the code:

Likewise here below is a separate Code of MBS2 SPONSORS without the button attached to it.

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Celebrating Life with Notre Dame

All Notre Dame schools here in Mindanao celebrate Notre Dame Day today. Here at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC), it’s always a part of being a Catholic School to celebrate our Lady’s day. From the history of all Notre Dame Schools here in Mindanao, Mama Mary is honored by dedicating all the schools established by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Later, the different schools were handed over to different Congregations.

The Marist Brothers were invited in c.1945 to be part of the mission of the Oblates in Cotabato City. Some schools were given to the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), Dominican Sisters (OP) and to the care of the Diocese of Marbel and Archdiocese of Cotabato. The Notre Dame Educational Association (NDEA) was created as part of of the goals to help build better futures of the young students from cultural groups/society here in the southern part of Mindanao.

NDKC celebrated the feast of Notre Dame (Our Lady) with an Eucharistic Celebration in honor of Mary this morning, Fr. Gerry was the main presider of the Mass. This was attended by pupils from Elementary, High School and College students. All the Faculty and Staff of the Institution joined also to the Forum on  Memorandum of Agreement- Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (MOA-BJE); with Dr. Lacson as the Guest Speaker.

Walang pasok ang mga estudyante, dahilan para makapagdiwang ng matiwasay na Notre Dame Day… Masaya na rin sila… Kabilang na rin ako, hehehe… See, my students waiting for the Eucharist io start  in honor of Mary …

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

NFRBP 9th Triennial Convention

LUZON ASSOCIATION OF RELIGIOUS BROTHERS

National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines

ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS OF MEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Cordially invites you to attend our National Convention

“One Heart, One Nation, and One Mission:
A Spirituality of Communion.”

October 24-26, 2008
Mergrande Ocean Resort, Bago-Aplaya, Talomo, Davao City

R.S.V.P.

Br. Raymond, SDB - chairman (+63917) 793-0112, monsdb@yahoo.com, Telefax +632-8924787
Br. Ricky, FSC - treasurer (+63917) 541-5248,   brlaguda@gmail.com,
Br. Stephen, OSA - secretary (+63921) 483-9364, TAMASOK@yahoo.com, +632924-5001
Br. Madz Ancla, CFA – nfrbp chairman (+63917) 7020769, madzanclacfa@yahoo.com

Important reminders:

1. Regional Assembly Schedule: October 24, 2008     1:00pm Registration, Welcome, Key Note Address

October 25, 2008 8:00am Workshops, Business Meeting, Liturgy, Socials

October 26, 2008     8:30am Tour

2. Fee for Assembly Php 2,500.00 inclusive of board & lodging, materials, honorarium, souvenir t-shirt. Kindly inform us of your t-shirt size.

3. How to get there: You will be picked up from the airport, pier or bus terminal. Kindly inform us of your flight, voyage or trip details.

4. Please be informed that Davao City has a “NO Smoking” in public places ordinance.

5. 41 % from LARB are confirmed to attend while 75 % from VARB and AMSRB respectively are confirmed to attend. We are expecting more attendance from LARB members. Kindly submit to any LARB officers by txt, email, or calls your confirmation of attendance.

6. Please pass the invitation to all your brother confreres and to brothers from other congregations, societies and orders that you are in contact with.

7. Membership dues are taken only from those who are actively involved in the association. We are requesting the following:

Php 300.00 /per brother/per year for perpetually professed/solemn professed

Php 100.00 /per brother/ per year for temporarily professed/simple professed

8.     We are also asking Php 12,000.0/ per congregation/ per year as solidarity contribution for our KUYA street children apostolate. Please make your checks payable to KUYA Center for Street Children, Philippine National Bank (PNB), Account no: 257-522445-0. Please fax the deposit slip to 721-2352 and inform them that you have given your solidarity contribution so that they can issue an acknowledgment receipt.

9. We encourage all of you to attend. If you have any queries regarding the National Convention on October, please feel free to contact any LARB officer. Thank you!

Re-published only…

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Happy Ramadan!

First day of September is the first day of Ramadan here in the Philippines. According to the moon sighting, 35 countries starts on Monday, as calculated. But for me, the most important thing is not based on the phases of moon but on following the teaching of God in following his commandment. For us to attain salvation, we submit ourselves to the will of the Almighty and most merciful God.

It is time for all of us to fast (not only on required days for Christians) but at all times; not only to fast from food but from every thing that gives us burden in serving him totally, with all our hearts and mind, in peace with other people.

Call for Peace, not only the in absence of War, but peace in every heart of every individual. We’ve been afraid and desperate in looking for real peace. And yet we tend to deny that peace must come from the heart of every person, the place where must God dwells. We are asking for cease-fire this time of Ramadan, but it’s a worry for some, that insurgents may use the Holy days of Ramadan to rebuild forces, to gain more energy and effort to fight againts the government of this country. Pity realizations…

Let’s make Ramadan a real time for inner reflection, not for planning evil nor for evil deeds. Let us be aware of ourselves and let God control our lives, tune-up our spiritual lives, thus we become closer to God.

Together with other Christian communities who sees and experience God with real Muslims, those who really submit themselves to Allah, I join with your desire for peace, not only here in North Cotabato, not only in the whole MIndanao, but in the whole world. Happy Ramadan! Wishing you a Ramadan blessed by Allah, the Beneficent One!

©2008 The Itinerant's Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Links for 2008-01-27 [del.icio.us]

• .:: WRITING EDGE ::. Hector Miñoza personal blog

Links for 2008-01-18 [del.icio.us]

• Google

Links for 2008-01-17 [del.icio.us]

• Vector Logo Database

Links for 2008-01-12 [del.icio.us]

• SOCCSKSARGEN Blog Aggregator
• Vinceleste.com - I am Balong

Links for 2008-01-09 [del.icio.us]

• Filipino Librarian: FO: Journals
• Directory of open access journals
• Pinoy Entrecard Users | joanjoyce

Links for 2008-01-07 [del.icio.us]

• Give Them Food Yourselves | I am Balong

Links for 2008-01-06 [del.icio.us]

• Business and Blogging