CITIZEN JOURNALISM TO WIDEN ELECTION NEWS COVERAGE IN CENTRAL PANGASINAN

By FRANKLIN Q. DE GUZMAN
Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate Lingayen-Dagupan

BINMALEY, PANGASINAN – Wider news election coverage in Central Pangasinan is expected as some 30 volunteers were trained in this town to become effective citizen journalists.

In a seminar-training on Citizen Journalism on 24 April 2010, Saturday, some Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers from the different parishes of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ALD) were taught about responsible news gathering, writing and reporting by some professional journalists. Session on photojournalism was also given. The said event, conducted PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan (PPCRV LD), aimed at making election monitoring and reporting wider through citizen journalism. This endeavor is a part of PPCRV’s program to ensure a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful (CHAMP) May 2010 Elections.

“If more people are informed about what is happening (during elections) through news reporting, the candidates will be more afraid to do evil,” said Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, exec chair of the Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate (ASAP) of ALD.

To have a rigid election monitoring and reporting, PPCRV LD, through its Media Desk, will have a blow-by-blow account of the May 10, 2010 elections through its Facebook and Twitter accounts which are accessible to the public. News leads and tips will mainly come from PPCRV volunteers deployed in every precinct of ALD’s covered municipalities and cities.  

The participants are expected to re-echo their learning to their co-parishioners who will also act as PPCRV Poll Watchers.

“Our PPCRV volunteers will serve as media’s ‘extended arms, ears, nose and mouth,’” said Janice Hebron, coordinator of ASAP.

According to Fr. Mendoza, PPCRV LD is hoping to fill up all the precincts with PPCRV Poll watchers, as well as fill up all the PPCRV volunteer types. PPCRV LD is hoping to get an ideal 15,000 volunteers to ensure CHAMP Elections.

Prior to the training-workshop, PPCRV LD’s Media Desk has built partnership with other local media and Vera Files, a non stock and non-profit news organization, for wider dissemination of news information.

Archbishop Soc’s Message on the 10 May 2010 Elections

HONORABLE  ELECTIONS

The month of May carries two meanings for us Filipino Catholics. The month of May turns our eyes to the beautiful Mayflower devotion and the refreshing sight of the most beautiful young ladies of the community walking in procession around the town for the Flores de Mayo festival.

May is also the month of the fall of Corregidor which happened on May 6, 1942. That day in Philippine history spelled frustrating defeat and shattered hopes for our forefathers. It cost the vanquished and the victor one thousand seven hundred lives leaving two thousand two hundred wounded in body and an infinite number of people scarred in soul.

The month of May can spell a fresh springtime or a gloomy ignominy. It can be grace or disgrace!

The forthcoming May 10 elections can be an occasion too of hope and a fresh springtime. It ca also become a contemptuous day of shame and dishonor.

To the voters and to those who seek to be voted I say: Look beyond May 10. There is still life after May 10. Do not compromise your soul just for a victory for that single day or a meal for a few days. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul? Choose eternal life not ephemeral life!

To the candidates I say: You shall not steal. The only moral way to assume your power is through the vote that is cast wisely and freely and counted honestly and respectfully. It is not enough not to steal. It is imperative that we also prevent stealing victory in elections. The Philippine bishops in 1986 said:  “According to moral principles, a government that assumes or retains power through fraudulent means has no moral basis.  For such an access to power is tantamount to a forcible seizure and cannot command the allegiance of the citizenry.”  Choose honor not disgrace!

To the candidates and their supporters I say: You shall not kill. We must not allow blood to stain the ballot. Away with the use of force, coercion and intimidation! Those who live by violence will die in the same way. In a violent election, everybody is a loser. Choose God not guns!

To the candidates and to the campaign strategists I say: It is a sin to tell a lie! It is immoral to concoct, to spread and to repeat vicious lies. It is immoral and sinful to take away the good name of another. The tongue is a small part of the body; the computer keypad is likewise small and so are cell phones; but they can spread so much poison when lies and gossip and detraction spread through them. Reject lies and stand up for truth!

To the elections officials I say: Choose heroism not compromise! Yours is the heroic mission to make the elections credible and meaningful. At the historic first automated elections in the Philippines, you can go down in history as heroes or traitors. Defend the people’s civil rights from all attempts to rig the elections. Great trust has been reposed on you. Do not betray us for thirty pieces of silver. When the new winners have been proclaimed and the election fever has gone, may you COMELEC officials all come out clean and honorable not disdained and scorned. It is immoral to thwart the free will of the people. It is also sinful to just allow cheating to happen and not lift a finger to prevent it. COMELEC: We do not believe those who say that the first automated elections will also be our first automated cheating. It should not be so. Please make it so! COMELEC: Live up to your honor!

May the forthcoming elections become a real feast of the flowers of May—a new hope for tomorrow and a new pride for us Filipinos!

This is our only choice. This is our single mission. Let us choose grace and honor!

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, April 18, 2010

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
   Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

“Mapagalang ya Eleksyon”: Pangasinan translation of Archbishop Soc’s Message on 10 May 2010 Elections

Say Mayo so bulan ya walay dwaran kabaliksan to ed sikatayo ran Katolikon Filipino. Diad bulan na Mayo, say mata tayo so akenengneng ed say marakdakep ya Mayflower dibosyon tan saray magaganganan mamarikit na baley ya manaakar ed prosisyon ed Flores de Mayo festival.

Say bulan na Mayo met et pakanudnunotan na Fall of Corregidor ya agawa nen 6 Mayo 1942. Ed saman ya agew ed Philippine history, say inkatalo tan say aderal ya ilalo na saray lalaki tayo so agawa. Say atalo tan analo balet so naandian na 1,700 ya bilay, tan 2,200 ya asugatan tan agnabilang ya totoon asakitan ed linawa tan kamarerwa.

The month of May can spell a fresh springtime or a gloomy ignominy. It can be grace or disgrace!

Say arapen ya May 10 elections so sakey ya pankanawnawa met na ilalo tan balon panagpasimbalo na bilay. Saya met so sarag a magmaliw ya agew na kababaingan tan kabalang na kagalangan.

Para saray botante tan saray ontatagam, saya so ibagak: Look beyond May 10. Wala ni so bilay kasumpal na May 10. Ag yo komon ikompromiso so kamarerwa yo para labat ed pakapanalo ed sakey agew odino panangan ed pigaran agew. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul? Pilien so maandon bilay, aliwan man-sampot a bilay! Choose eternal life not ephemeral life!

Para saray kandidato: Agkayo mantatakew! Say saksakey ya pamaraan ya nagamuran yo so pakapanyari tan posisyon et no say boto et anunot tan ag pinasoot, tan saya et abilang ya ag sinaol tan naitday galang. It is not enough not to steal. Manepeg ya ag tayo abuloyan ya takewen so sakey ya inpanalo ed eleksyon. Inbaga na saray Obispo na Pilipinas nen 1986: “According to moral principles, a government that assumes or retains power through fraudulent means has no moral basis. For such an access to power is tantamount to a forcible seizure and cannot command the allegiance of the citizenry.” Pilien so kagalangan aliwan kababaingan.

Para saray kandidato tan saray supporters da: Agkayo mamapatey! Agtayo abuloyan ya namansaan na dala so saray balota. Ipolisay so panag-usar na pakayari, panagpasoot tan panagtaktakot. Those who live by violence will die in the same way. Diad magulo tan violenten eleksyon, amin et natalo. Pilien so Dios aliwan paltog! Choose God not guns!

Para saray kandidato tan saray campaign strategists da: Kasalanan so mantila! Immoral so mangawa, mangikayat tan man-ulit-ulit na tila! Immoral tan kasalanan so manderal na maong a ngaran na sakey. Say dila so melag labat a parte na laman; ontan met say keypad so melag ya parte na computer, tan cellphones, balet saraya so mangikayat na dakerakel ya samal no saray tila tan tsismis tan panagderal so onkayat ya manlalapud saraya. Ipolisay so tila tan pilien so katwaan!

To the elections officials I say: Choose heroism not compromise! Yours is the heroic mission to make the elections credible and meaningful. At the historic first automated elections in the Philippines, you can go down in history as heroes or traitors. Ilaban so kanepegan na saray totoo ed saray saolan ed eleksyon. Baleg so talek ya inter ed sikayo. Do not betray us for thirty pieces of silver.

No niproklama la ra so analo tan asumpal la so eleksyon, sikayo ran opisyales na COMELEC komon so ompaway ya malinis tan walad kagalangan, aliwan walad kababainga. Imoral ya say linawa na say totoo et ag tooren. Kasalanan met ya abuloyan ya nagawa so panagsaol tan anggapo so gawaen pian napatunda iraya.

COMELEC: We do not believe those who say that the first automated elections will also be our first automated cheating. Aliwan onya komon. COMELEC: Live up to your honor!

Komon say arapen ya panamili no Mayo et magmaliw a twan fiesta na rosas na Mayo --- a salanti say balon ilalo ed say arapen tayo tan balon kagalangan para sikatayo ran Filipino!

This is our only choice. This is our single mission. Let us choose grace and honor!

Diad Katedral nen San Juan Ibanghilista, Dagupan City, 18 Abril 2010.

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Arsobispo na Lingayen Dagupan

Pangasinan Walks for CHAMP

By Franklin Q. De Guzman
Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate Lingayen-Dagupan

17 April 2010 - LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN. - More than two thousand Pangasinenses gathered together to express their call for Clean, Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) May 2010 Elections. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, and the volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible (PPCRV), walked around the streets of Lingayen, Pangasinan last 17 April 2010, Saturday morning. The gathering was dubbed as “Lakad Pangasinan, Malinis na Halalan”. Lingayen is the capital town of Pangasinan.

“Lakad Pangasinan” can be understood in two ways. From the Pangasinan language, it is an invitation to “go to Pangasinan”; in Filipino, it means “walk Pangasinan.”

Contingents from the different parishes led by their parish priests from the three ecclesiastical areas in Pangasinan : the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ALD), the Diocese of Alaminos and the Diocese of Urdaneta , were on hand for the walk.

The two main candidates for Pangasinan governorship, re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino, Jr., and former Governor and now 2nd District Congressman of Pangasinan, Victor Agbayani were both present in the said event. Former Philippine National Police (PNP) NCRPO Chief Leopoldo Bataoil, who is running for a congressional seat in the second district, and other local candidates also joined the walk.

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) representatives from the different parts of Pangasinan headed by Provincial Elections Officer Atty. Reddy C. Balarbar and the Pangasinan PNP led by PNP Region I Director Police Chief Superintendent Constante D. Azares, Jr. and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director, Police Senior Superintendent Percival G. Barba, also went out to the streets to manifest their support for the said cause.

Lakad Pangasinan gained a lot of positive comments among people.

“This is a very significant event. I have been working for the COMELEC for so many years now and this is the first time that this event happened in our province,” Balarbar said in Filipino.

“This event is a very strong manifestation that here in Pangasinan, we are united in calling for a clean and honest elections,” a 22-year old participant also said with optimism.


Thou Shall Not Steal, Kill, Lie

“Our love of country is another expression of our love of God. If you say that you love God but you don’t love your country, you are a liar.”

These were the strong opening words of Archbishop Villegas in his homily at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan . Msgr. Villegas presided over the Eucharistic celebration just before the walk for CHAMP. He said in Filipino that the gathering was “a response to the Christian responsibility to change the society and to evangelize every person that we meet.”

In order to realize CHAMP Elections, the prelate urged everyone present never to do anything on May 10 2010 that will compromise their salvation. He asked each one especially the candidates and PPCRV Volunteers to obey the commandments of God especially the commandments not to steal, kill and lie. He also appealed to everyone to be vigilant in ensuring that nobody will steal, kill and lie this coming May Elections. He challenged both the candidates and voters “to stand up for life, human rights and truth” instead.

Villegas was very hopeful about Pangasinenses’ ability in realizing CHAMP Elections this coming May. “We can do this,” he said in Filipino.

He ended his homily by wishing that all candidates will win. “But it is not possible”, he continued. “However, I hope that when you win, you win according to God’s way,” the prelate said. (Listen to Archbishop Soc’s homily)

I Pledge

The walk started from the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex. It ended in front of the Provincial Capitol where a simple program was held. A little girl, called the “hope of the nation” by the emcees, led the gathering in singing the National Anthem. A young girl in her teens led the “Panunumpa sa Watawat”. Both evoked from the people who gathered in front of the Provincial Capitol Building a sense of hope, and a greater zeal to make the CHAMP a reality for their sakes.

Archbishop Villegas, the clergy, the PNP representatives, the COMELEC Officials, the PPCRV Heads from the different parishes of Pangasinan, and the local candidates pledged to be united in ensuring CHAMP Elections in Pangasinan. Each one made an imprint of their hand on a black wall set up on the stage with “Pangasinan is for CHAMP Elections” imprinted on top of it. The handprints served as concrete evidence and manifestation of their collective oath in ensuring CHAMP Elections in Pangasinan. Msgr. Villegas was the first to put his handprints on the wall.

“This is a very meaningful event. If all candidates will take up the challenge of Archbishop Villegas not to steal, kill and lie then we will have a peaceful and truthful elections here in Pangasinan,” Congressman Victor Agbayani commented on the event.

Asked on what can he do to ensure CHAMP Elections, “Just obey those things (referring to the homily of Villegas),” Governor Amado Espino also said.

On the part of the COMELEC, “we are also educating the voters on how to vote the right person. Just like what Archbishop Soc (Villegas) said, that is also what we are telling the voters, “ Balarbar said in Filipino.

PPCRV General Orientation

The thousands of PPCRV volunteers proceeded to the Sison Auditorium to undergo a general orientation given by the COMELEC Officials headed by Balarbar. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Social Action Director of the Archdiocese, also gave an orientation to the volunteers on their various responsibilities and duties. The Archdiocese is hoping to fill up all the precincts with PPCRV Pollwatchers, as well as fill up all the PPCRV volunteer types. PPCRV LD is hoping to get 15,000 volunteers to ensure CHAMP.

One of the highlights of the said orientation was a simulated voting process participated in by the PPCRV Volunteers.

The highlight of the general orientation was the demonstration by the COMELEC officials of the Precint Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine which will be used during the first national automated elections. A sample ballot was given to all the volunteers. 30 volunteers “voted” using the PCOS machine.

“It (PCOS) is OK. It is easier and faster,” said Elvira Guno, one of those who “cast” her ballots during the mock elections.

Although the COMELEC assured the volunteers that the PCOS would be very hard to hack because of its security code, some were still doubtful about it. “It is still a machine that can be possibly manipulated by humans. What we must do is to be very vigilant about it (PCOS),” said Edgardo Salinas, one of the PPCRV volunteers. This was reiterated by the provincial COMELEC. “As PPCRV, you must be vigilant about what is happening in the elections because this is your responsibility why you are here,” Balarbar said.


PPCRV-LD Partnership with the local Media

In a related development, the PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan forged a partnership with the local media in a meeting held at the Chancery last 16 April 2010. The partnership will provide news and feature stories from different parts of Pangasinan (specifically those areas covered by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan) regarding May 2010 elections which will be delivered by the local media partners and PPCRV online sites. Reports will be given by the PPCRV volunteers down to the precinct level.

The partnership aims to provide the public with accurate news and feature stories (text, photos, videos, audio) regarding election-related issues and event in Pangasinan.

For PPCRV LD, the partnership will serve as an outlet in disseminating information to a larger audience. It can be helpful in educating the public regarding election-related matters which can assist the public in coming up to an informed decision. It can also help PPCRV LD in ensuring a clean and honest elections through rigid election monitoring and reporting.

For the journalist, the partnership will serve as a reliable source of information, specifically tips and leads regarding election-related news and events, which will be provided by PPCRV LD Media Desk before, during and even after the elections.

PPCRV LD Facebook and Twitter accounts have been set up for everybody to follow news, events and updates regarding the May 2010 elections.

PPCRV Twitter account: http://twitter.com/PPCRVLD

PPCRV Facebook account: Just search for PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan

For more pictures, click the following links:

PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan

Walk for CHAMP

Seminarians on Summer Apostolate

11 April 20010 – San Fabian. The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, welcomes three seminarians who will be in the parish for one month as part of their formation. The three seminarians are spending their summer apostolate in Inmalog Sur and Inmalog Norte, two of the upland barangays of the parish.

Sem. Joseph Fernandez is a Third Year Theology student of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan City (Ilocos Sur), and Sems. Joseph Austria and Julius Bagaoisan are both college seminarians of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.

Part of their summer apostolate is the formation of the Basic Ecclesial Communities in the two barangays while giving catechism to the children.

Joseph Fernandez is from Brgy. Calmay, Dagupan City; Joseph Austria is from Lingayen and Julius Bagaoisan is from Dagupan City.

Skills and Livelihood Training on Hairdressing starts

10 April 2010 – San Fabian. The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr Social Action Apostolate has launched today the first of its several skills and livelihood training programs. The parish Social action Apostolate through its Caritas Ministry has scheduled a Hairdressing Skills and Livelihood program which will last until 16 May 2010, or a six-weekend program with 12 sessions, including the final examination for the participants on 15 May 2010.

Vibrante Training Center and Caritas-San Fabian

The Parish Social Action Apostolate has asked the help of Mr. Marcel Jon C. Mendoza, the lead trainer for the seminar-workshop, who has undergone Trainor’s Methodology Training Program ( TMTP ) and Competency Assessment Methodology Course ( CAMC) held by TESDA ( Technical skills Development Authority ) which qualifies him to train and assess students taking up Hairdressing National Certificate II.

Mr. Marcel Jon Mendoza has been a hair artisan for over 5 years. He is one of a very few practitioners of ‘Flying shears’ technique, a technique developed by Bruce Choy ( an internationally acclaimed hairstylist ) where hairstyles are done with great precision, integrity, natural and seamless. He has generously shared his talent to the parish. He is the Technical Director of Vibrante Training Center, where he is able to share his passion for hairdressing. Marcel Jon is a nephew of Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr. Vibrante Training Center is located in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Participants will receive certificates issued by TESDA.

The seminar workshop has the following schedule:

April 10: Hair science, haircutting tools and application (Demo ), hair treatments
April 11: Pre and post hair care activities and demo, Haircut primer, Haircut 1 and blow-dry (lecture and demo)
April 17: Haircut 2 and 3 lecture and demo( am) HANDS ON haircuts 1,2 and 3 (pm)
April 18: Haircut 4,5 and 6 lecture and demo ( am) HANDS ON haircuts 4,5 and 6 (pm )
April 24: Haircolor theory and demo
April 25: HANDS ON hair coloring
May 1: Rebonding Lecture and Demo
May 2: HANDS ON Rebonding
May 8: Manicure, pedicure and footspa lecture and demo
May 9: HANDS ON manicure and pedicure
May 15: Examinations
May 16: Graduation issue of certificates

During HANDS-ON sessions, students are required to bring their tools and ‘models’.

“Lakad Pangasinan … Malinis na Halalan”

INVITATION

Responding to the call of times for an even greater involvement of the Church in the mission of social transformation according to the spirit of the Gospel, I invite the People of God in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan and all people of good will in Pangasinan Province to participate in "Lakad Pangasinan .. Malinis na Halalan" on April 17, 2010 at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, Lingayen, Pangasinan starting with a Eucharistic Celebration at six o’clock in the morning.

The covenant for Clean Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) Elections will take place in front of the Provincial Capitol Building at half past eight in the morning. The General Assembly of PPCRV volunteers will take place at nine o’clock in the morning at the Sison Auditorium following the covenant signing.

Be part of this Lakad Pangasinan! Please come wearing white to express your love of God and country!

Thank you even now for your wholehearted participation!

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, April 4, 2010 Easter Sunday

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

ALD Clergy Easter Outing

5 April 2010 – San Fabian. The clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan together with Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, had an Easter Outing today. The Easter Outing was a much needed break for the clergy after the hectic Holy Week celebration.

The clergy went to Bagac in Bataan province to see the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”, a heritage park featuring authentic 19th century Principalia Mansions and original Bahay na Bato (Stone Houses), which stand resplendent around a cobblestone plaza and streets paying tribute to the magnificent craftsmanship of our Filipinos.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is composed of 30 combined, centuries-old Principalia mansions (bahay na bato), ‘indio’ stilt houses, and a recreated two-story Escolta commercial establishment, including the original University of the Philippines Fine Arts building on which restoration work is ongoing.

It started out as a hobby for real estate developer architect Jerry Acuzar who acquired old structures from all over the Philippines and rebuilt these in the new site. Extra effort was made to restore each building to its original state and glory.

St. Joseph Cathedral, Balanga

The clergy passed by the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Balanga before proceeding to Bagac town. Archbishop Soc gave a guided tour of the cathedral to the clergy. He showed to the clergy the beautiful murals on the ceiling of the cathedral tracing the genealogy of Abraham to Joseph. The first bishop of Balanga, Msgr. Celso N. Guevara, was laid to rest below the belfry. The church was established on 18 April 1739.

To the “Bahay Pari”

The clergy then went to the “Bahay Pari” of the diocese. “The Bahay Pari” is also the residence of the bishop. Archbishop Soc, when he was the bishop of Balanga, stayed at the Bahay Pari. A “merienda” was prepared by the generous faithful of Balanga.

Father Soc pointing to the clergy the genealogy of St. Joseph from Abraham a depicted in the cathedral ceiling.

Mass at the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”

Upon arriving at the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”, the priests were met by Architect and Mrs. Jerry Acuzar and their children. They attended the mass celebrated by Archbishop Soc and the clergy at the reconstructed University of the Philippines Fine Arts building. Msgr. Villegas in his homily shared his reflection on the meaning of “bataan”.

To the Aquino Center in Tarlac

The priests spent sometime at the Aquino Center located at the Hacienda Luisita on their way to Pangasinan. They were graciously met and showed around the museum by Pinky and Ballsy, the two daughters of the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazaon C. Aquino.

This museum houses the legacy of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Pres. Cory Aquino. The museum houses various memorabilia related to the political careers of both Ninoy and Cory. This includes Ninoy’s mayoral stint in Concepcion Tarlac, his Senate position, his detention under Marcos’ martial law, his exile in the U.S., and his 1983 assassination at MIA. (Prominently displayed is Ninoy’s blood-stained clothes that he wore when he was gunned down.) On Cory’s side, the museum includes material from the 1986 snap elections and her whole presidency until 1992.

Both Pinky and Ballsy provided personal anecdotes and made the pictures and various memorabilia of their parents become alive with their personal stories.

Maria Elena (Ballsy) Aquino Cruz with the ALD clergy

Aurora Corazon (Pinky) Aquino Abellada with the clergy at the Aquino Center

To see more pictures of the “Easter Outing”, kindly click HERE.

All pictures are courtesy of Fr. Jim Cerezo

Totoo Tayo na Paskua!

Message of His Excellency Most Reverend Socrates B. Viilegas, Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan for the people of God to be read as homily during the Easter Sunday Masses in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan (Pangasinan Free Translation)

Panaon la na Paskua! It is Easter. Sisilibraan tayo so sangkabalgan a misterio na pananisia tayo – saray salita na panangaro diad sampot a panden na Huwebes Santo so nagmaliw a kimey na panangaro diad Calvario nen Biernes Santo, tan saya so angawit ed sikatayo diad inpanalo na panangaro diad Simba na Inkioli.

Say SALITAN inbalikas nen Huwebes Santo tan say PATEY ya agawad Biernes Santo , tan say INKIOLI ed kabuasan na Simba so sarayan saksakey ya bengatlan. Saya so tatawagen na Santo Papa tayon si Benedicto XVI ya “trinity of the paschal mystery” odino say “trinidad na misterio na Paskua”.

Say misterio na paskua so walad puso na Makristianon pananisia tayo. Say pananisia tan say panagbilay na sayan misterio na paskua so kabaliksan na say Simbaan. No anggapo so misterio na paskua, amin ya pikakasi tayo , getma tayo, tan amin ya bangat tayo so anggapoy kabaliksan tan kakanaan.

Onya so ibabangat na Simbaan tinaon-taon: “Say Paskua na inpanirap, inpangiponpon tan say inkioli nen Kristo so mangisasampot na intiron kalendaryo na liturgia na Simbaan.”

Balet say ambelat ya tepet: wala kasi so twa, makana tan mabilay ya koneksyon na say misyon tayo tan saray ministries tayo tan say misterio na paskua? Say misterio na paskua kasi so tuan sobol tan inspiration na amin a proyekto tan actibidades na Katolikon communidad diad Arkidiosis na Lingayen-Dagupan? Walad sikatayo kasi, odino say mas maong, kayaryan itayo la kasi na panagbilay na misterio na paskua?

Sasaragen ko ya anggad nayarian ko, siak a pastor yo, so ondedengel ed sikayo no bibisitaen ta kayo ed saray parokya yo, diad saray eskwelaan tan barangay yo. Dakerakel la so akabat kod sikayo diad saray nanduroman seminars, recollections tan social gatherings. Tan diad idedengel kod sikayo, ondedengel ak met ed Dios tan manpipikasi ak ed Dios ya tulongan to ak ya mangiwanwan ed sikayo.

Diad say pandarasal ko ed Dios tan say pitotoyaw kod sikayo, labay kon iparungtal ed sikayo pian namotektek yo so nayarin magmaliw a “statement of vision” ya sarag tayon tumboken diad Arkidiosis na Lingayen-Dagupan, laut lad ed sarayan panaon na paskua.

ICTHUS.

Say ICTHUS nen saman a panaon na saray Kristiano so sakey ya acrostic, odino saray unaan a letra na sakey ya sentence o poem so magmaliw a sakey a salita. Say ICTHUS so salitan nipaakar ed si Jesus a Kristo, Anak na Dios, ya Manangilaban. Tan say ICTHUS et say kabaliksan to ed language na Griego et SIRA. Para say Kristianos nen saman, no ibalikas da so salitan ICTHUS et ipapasen day dili da ed peligro. Say peligron ampan sikara so pateyan na Empirador. Say ICTHUS sirin so aliwa labat ya mangibabalikas ya si Jesus so Anak na Dios tan Manangilaban, say ICTHUS et mangibabawag na say katooran ya manbilay a twan disipulo nen Kristo, inpasak ed krus tan inmolid bilay.

Let us spell out the word ICTHUS.

I is for Integration of faith and life. Say pankakasakey na pananisia tan bilay. Makana ya ya ibilay tayo no anto so ibabawag tayo. The world does not listen to speakers anymore but to witnesses. Integrity of life is the opposite of split level Christianity. Integrity is wholeness. Integrity is the new name of holiness. The values of the Gospel must be allowed to transform society. We must evangelize politics, culture, economics and all aspects of human life. No anapen tayo so integridad na saray public officials tayo, siktayo komon so unaan ya manbilay a sakey a Totooy Simbaan unong ed say integridad.

C is for Catechesis, evangelization and mission. Nepeg ya sikatayo so magmaliw a missionero. Nepeg ya sikatayo so missionero diad kapegleyan tayo ni, tan komon, missionero diad arum a pasen, unong ed say linawa na Dios. The call of Christianity is to plunge into the deep and become fishers of men. The harvest is rich but the laborers are so few. We need to wake up a sleeping giant in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan—the laity. Kada Kristiano so nepeg ya magmaliw a katekista. Every Christian must evangelize. Every Christian is a missionary.

T is for Thanksgiving. Say letra T so wald pegley na ICTHUS. Saya sirin so centro, say sobol tan sankatageyan na say vision tayo – say Eukaristia. In envisioning to become a Eucharistic people, we do not only mean being “liturgy-centered”; we are called to live what the Eucharist celebrates which is to live and die for one another. The Church makes the Eucharist. The Eucharist makes the Church.

U is for Unity in diversity. Nanduroma so salita tan ethinc groups tayo --- Pangasinan, Ilocano tan Tagalog tan pati salitan Intsik et wala met lad sikatayo. Manlalapo tayod nanduroman kipapasen na bilay. Our Christian heritage is our source of communion. We all came from an ancestry of heroes like Urduja and Palaris. Our faith and our heritage of heroes in Pangasinan must make us one in spite of our linguistic or ethnic differences.

S is for Service, Justice and Charity. We shall promote social service and development. Itangoyor tayo so katunongan tan say kawayangan para saray walad kairapan, panbokbokor tan panaglames. At the sunset of life when we shall all be judged according to love, may God find us worthy to sit in His kingdom.

Inararok iran agagi ed si Kriston Inmolid bilay: sipaparaan kayo kasin magmaliw ya ICTHUS, a singa saramay Kristiano nen saman? Let us be ICTHUS! We want to be like Jesus! No onsabi lamet so Katawan, komon nanengneng to itayo tan naalmo toy dili to ya mansinag ed sikatayo. Happy Easter again. I bless you with Easter life and Easter joy!

Diad Katedral na San Juan Ibanghelista, Abril 4, 2010, say pinabli yo

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

Easter Sunday Readings in Pangasinan

Ononan Babasaen Gaw. 10:34, 37-43

Babasaen ya inaon ed Saray Gawgawa da ray Apostol

Nampaliwaway Pedro ed saray totoo: “Kabat yoy agawad intiron Judea, a ginmapod Galilea, kasumpal na binyag ya impupulong nen Juan. Amta yo no panoy impangiter na Dios ed kinen Jesus a taga Nazaret na Ispiritu Santo tan say pakayari. Nililiber ton amiy pasen, nanggagaway kamaungan tan nampapaabig ed saray papairapey dimonyo, ta say Dios walad sikato. Tasi kamin amin ed saray ginagawa tod dalin da ray Judio tan diad Jerusalem. Anggaman ontan, pinatey da diad impangipasak dad sikato ed krus. Balet diad kumatlon agew, say Dios pinaoli tod bilay tan inabuloyan ton nampanengneng. Balet ag nampanengneng ed amin a katoowan no ag ingen diad sikami labat a pinili lay Dios nen saman a tasi to. Akirongo kamid sikato ya angan tan inminom, kasumpal na inkioli tod bilay. Ingganggan to kamin mampulong ed saray katoowan, tan mamaneknek a say Dios et pinili ton sikatoy manintinsia ed saray mabilay tan saray inatey. Amin da ray propita nansalita ra nipaakar ed sikato, tan inkuandan siopamay manisiad sikato et napirdona ray kasalanan to diad panamegley na ngaran nen Jesus.”

Salita na Katawan.

Ebat a Salmo

E. SIKATO YAY AGEW A GINAWA NA KATAWAN; MANLIKET TAN MANG GAYAGA TAYO.

1. Misalamat kayod Katawan, ta sikato et maung, tan andi-anggaan so panangaro to. Ikuan komun na saray totood Israel, “Andi-anggaan so panangaro to.” E.

2.Say pakayariy Katawan so angiter ed sikatayoy pananalo— say mabiskeg a pakayari tod bakal! Ag ak ompatey, no ag ta mambilay ak tan ibawag ko ray ginagaway Katawan. E.

3.Say baton impasen ya andi-kakanaan na saray karpintiro nagmaliw lamlamang a sankakanaan a bato. Ginawa ya na Katawan; makapakelkelaw a nengnengen! E.

Kumadwan Babasaen Col. 3:1-4

Babasaen ya inaon ed sulat nen Pablo ed saray taga Colosas

Pinaoli kayod bilay a kaiba yoy Cristo, kanyan panogagepan yo ray bengatlan walad tawen a kawalaan nen Cristo, ya akayorung ed tawen a kawalaan nen Cristo, ya akayorung ed nikawanay Dios. Nunnunot yo ray mangatatawen, aliwan saray mangaraldalin, a bengatla. Ta inatey kayo la, tan diad Dios akaamut so bilay yo a kaiba nen Cristo. Si Cristo so tuan bilay yo, tan no sikatoy ompanengneng, ompanengneng kayo met a kaiba to tan minabang kayod kagalangan to!

Salita na Katawan.

Alleluia

E. Alleluia. Si Cristo nagmaliw a bagat a para Paskua; mampista tayon magayaga ed Katawan. E. Alleluia.

Ibanghilyo Jn. 20:1-9

Babasaen ya inaon ed masanton ibanghilyo onung ed kinen Juan

Kabkabwasay Simba, nen ambilonget ni, linma lad lobuk si Maria Magdalena. Anengneng ton nakal lay baton akasarad sangab na lobuk. Binmatik a linmad kinen Simon Pedro tan say disipulon inararo nen Jesus. Inkuantod sikara, “Inala rad lobuk so Katawan, tan ag mi amtay anginan dad sikato!”

Kanyan pinmaway si Pedro tan samay asalitan disipulo, tan linma rad lobuk. Binmatik iran dua tan alumbaan toy Pedro may asalitan disipulo, kanyan akaonan akasabid lobuk. Yinmokon ninmengneng ed dalem na lobuk. Anengneng to ray abel a sida ya akagaton diman, balet ag linmoob. Tinmombuk a sinmabiy Simon Pedro tan linmoob ed lobuk. Anengneng ton wadman iray sidan abel. Anengneng to met so abel ya impamalkut ed olo nen Jesus, balet alokut tan akabiig ed saray sidan abel. Linmoob met la may akaonan sinmabi a disipulo; anengneng to tan anisia. (Ag da ni atalusan so ibabagay Masanton Sulat a nakaukolan ya onolid bilay si Jesus.)

Ibanghilyo na Katawan.

Panamasimbalo na Saray Sipan ed Binyag

Kakaarok ira, diad panamegley na mistirioy Paskua, nipompon itayon kaiba tiy Cristo nen abinyagan itayo, pian minabang itayod inyoli tod balon bilay. Natan ta asumpal lay nepeg tayon gawaen no kuarisma, pasimbaloen tayo ray insipan tayo nen abinyagan itayo, nen impolisay tayoy Satanas tan saray gawa to, tan insipan tayon matoor a lingkuran tayo so Dios diad masanton Simbaan ton Catolico.

Kanyan sirin:

Priest : Ibeneg yoy kasalanan, pian mankanawnawa kayon mambilay ya anak na Dios?

All : On.

Priest : Ibeneg yoy makaayayat a kaogsan, tan ag yo iyabuloy ya aripenen kayoy kasalanan?

All : On.

Priest : Ibeneg yoy Satanas, say ama na kasalanan tan prinsipi na kabilongetan?

All : On.

Priest : Manisia kayod Dios Aman makapanyarin-amin, manamalsay tawen tan dalin?

All : On.

Priest : Manisia kayod Jesu-Criston Anak ton bogbogtung a Katawan tayo, inyanak nen Birhin Maria, impasak ed krus, inatey, tan inkotkot, inmolid bilay, tan manyorung natan ed kawanay Ama?

All : On.

Priest : Manisia kayod Ispiritu Santo, say santa Iglisia Catolica, say pannanabangan day sasanto, say panamaandiy kasalanan, say kiolid bilay, tan say bilay ya andi-anggaan?

All : On.

Priest : Say Dios a makapanyarin-amin ya Ama na Katawan tayon Jesu-Cristo et initdan to itayoy balon bilay diad panamegley na danum tan say Ispiritu Santo, tan pinirdona ton amin iray kasalanan tayo. Pansiansiaen to itayo met komun a matoor ed kinen Jesu-Criston Katawan tayo ed ando lan ando.

All : Amen.

Holy Thursday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the different ALD Parishes

All photos courtesy of Fr. Jim Cerezo

Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Divine Mercy, Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr

Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, Calasiao, Pangasinan

 

Parish of Cristo Divino Tesoro, Buenlag, Calasiao, Pangasinan

Parish of St. Therese, Dagupan City

Parish of St. Ildephonse, Malasiqui, Pangasinan

Parish of St. Joseph, the Patriach, Mapandan, Pangasinan

Parish of the Most Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Manaoag, Manaoag, Pangasinan

Parish of the Holy Family, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

Parish of St. Hyacinth, San Jacinto, Pangasinan

Parish of St. Thomas Aquinas, Mangaldan, Pangasinan

  Parish of the Annunciation of the Lord, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City

Parish of St. John, the Evangelist, Dagupan City

Archdiocese celebrates Chrism Mass

1 April 2010 – Dagupan City. In a solemn celebration, the Christian faithful of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan gathered together for the celebration of the Chrism Mass today at the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist in Dagupan City. The celebration began at 8:00 AM with the praying of the Morning Praise. It was followed by the recognition of the most generous Mission Sunday contributors among the parishes and the Archdiocesan Schools. 

In his circular addressed to the clergy of the Archdiocese, Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan reminded the priests that “the Chrism Mass is one of the sublime expressions of the sacramental brotherhood of priests under the headship of Christ represented in our particular Church by your Archbishop.” Every parish brought at least fifty lay delegates representing the parish pastoral council, lay liturgical ministers, youth leaders, social action ministers and BEC heads. Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary of Lingayen-Dagupan and Msgr. Jesus A. Cabrera, DD, Bishop-Emeritus of Alaminos concelebrated in the mass.

Blessing of Holy Oils

During the mass, the oils of the Sick and the Sacred Chrism were blessed by Archbishop Villegas. The Oil of the Sick is used in Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to bring the strengthening and healing power of Christ, who is at work in the Church by the action of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Chrism

Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil (a rich oil, symbol of richness of God’s grace) and balsam fragrance (symbol of sweetness of Christian virtue). The Oil of Chrism is a sign of fullness of grace and spiritual strength; it consecrates and enables us to live out the call to follow Jesus the Christ (the anointed one) as baptized/confirmed/ordained Christians: "The holy chrism consecrated by the bishop is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation, and to anoint the hands of presbyters [priests] and the heads of bishops at their ordination, as well as in the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars. The oil of the catechumens is used in the preparation of the catechumens for their baptism. The oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity." (Ceremonial of Bishops, 274).

The Sacred Chrism/Holy Chrism is used at Baptism, when the priest anoints the candidate on the crown of the head with Chrism saying: “God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of His body, sharing everlasting life. Amen.” It is also used at Confirmation when the bishop anoints the forehead of the candidate with chrism saying, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." When a man is being ordained to the priesthood his hands are anointed with the oil of chrism; and when a priest is being consecrated a bishop his head is anointed by the consecrating bishop with chrism.

Whenever the Holy Oils are used in a diocese, the ministry of the Bishop who consecrated them is symbolically present.

One Flock, One Eucharist Gathered Around the Bishop

The following statement from the Second Vatican Council can help us understand the significance of the Chrism mass for the Church:

The bishop is to be considered the high priest of his flock from whom the life of his people in Christ is in some way derived and on whom it in some way depends. Therefore, all should hold in the greatest esteem the liturgical life of the diocese centered around the bishop, especially in his cathedral church. They must be convinced that the principal manifestation of the Church consists in the full, active participation of all God’s holy people in the same liturgical celebrations, especially in the same Eucharist, in one prayer, at one altar, at which the bishop presides, surrounded by his college of priests and by his ministers. (Second Vatican Council. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium), No. 41)

“Treasure their love”

In his homily, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD said that “the priesthood is a mystery. The priesthood is  a gift. The priesthood is a promise of God.”

He reminded the priests of the love of God for them. “Brother priests, you are loved. Brother priests, I love you,” he said. He then went on to commend the people for their love for their priests. “The people of Central Pangasinan are so good. Do not take their love for granted,” he said. To the priests, he said, “Treasure their love!”

Renewal of the Priestly Promises

After the homily the priests renewed their commitment to priestly service in the presence of Archbishop Villegas and God’s holy people. He asked the priests if they are resolved to unite themselves more closely to Christ and to try to become more like him by joyfully sacrificing their own pleasure and ambition to bring his peace and love to their brothers and sisters”. To which each priest answered, “I am”.

Archbishop Villegas then further asked the priests: “ Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and the other liturgical services with sincere devotion? Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the head and shepherd of the Church, by teaching the Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve? Each priest answered, “I am.”

“Salamat . . .”

After the mass,  many of the parishioners who attended the celebration congratulated their priests. Some brought streamers thanking their parish priests. “Salamat ta nanpari kayo!” (Thank you for becoming a priest). Others wrote: “Thank you for being our parish priest!” The priests were greatly touched by the outpouring of love manifested by their parishioners.

“Visita Iglesia” On-line

To visit CBCP On-Line “Visita Iglesia”, please click the picture.