The Itinerant’s Path

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. Continue reading and give a comment » » »

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. Continue reading and give a comment » » »

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

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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. Continue reading and give a comment » » »

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! Continue reading and give a comment » » »

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. Continue reading and give a comment » » »