Song of Years

This year is one of those years where it left a mark on me and a year that can never be forgotten.

After how many years, I finally made a new article! This project was thrust upon me by Rev. Fr. Belstar Ediang who asked for my help to create a brief history of the Diocese which will be published for CBCP. He provided me with the data and I just sort of summarized his article. This took 3 days to write. Getting out of Writer's Block is difficult indeed.

Leafing through the pages of an old newspaper, I came upon an article about the history of the Diocese of Pagadian. I was struck with awe and wonder at how this Diocese fought through the challenges of the times and emerged victorious. And isn't it amazing how we can look back a year ago and realize that everything has changed? More so when we look back 50years. 

From a small town in the western part of Mindanao, measuring only 2,807 square kilometers, Pagadian derived its name from the word “Pangadyean” which imply “a place to be prayed for” due to the Malaria epidemic that seized the town in its early days. Today, Pagadian is fondly nicknamed “The Little Hongkong of the South” because of its mountainous topography and undulating terrain.

Pagadian is mostly populated by the Tri People: The Subanens in the uplands, the Muslims in the coasts, and the Christians, who are the majority, are in the lowlands. But despite the differences in culture and religion, the people are united towards peace and the development of Pagadian. Indeed the fruits of labor, especially the efforts of the church paid off, and the generation of today is reaping its harvest.

When Pagadian, which was used to be part of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, was elevated as a Diocese on Nov. 12, 1971 by His Holiness Pope Paul VI, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Jesus B. Tuquib was its first bishop. The Columban Fathers from Ireland, America, Australia and New Zealand continued the work of the Jesuit missionaries and this greatly helped the young diocese. Aside from being the first parish priests of the 13 parishes that initially made up the Diocese, the Columban Fathers also fought illiteracy by founding High School educational institutions for the poor and the needy in almost every parish they served. 

The missionary work of the Columban Fathers yielded abundant fruits of priestly vocations as well. Among the first Filipino priests were Rev. Fr. Francisco L. Pintac in 1976, Rev. Fr. Salvador Banga and Rev. Fr. Cresencio Suarin in 1977. Also, the Holy Infant Seminary was created that same year to cater to the fertile vineyard for vocations. However, since the harvest is plenty but laborers are few, priests from neighboring provinces of Bohol and Dipolog were enlisted at Pagadian.

The Diocese paid attention not only to priestly vocations, but also to lay formations. Numerous training and seminars were initiated for the formation of the laity which paved the way to the organization of full-time parish workers. The PRL (Priests, Religious and Lay) an offshoot of this collaboration, addresses the different issues that confront the Church - be they economical, political, ecological or moral.

In August of 1976, when the Diocese was still 5 years old, a terrible earthquake shook the city of Pagadian. The tidal waves or tsunami killed many people, brought great and vast destruction along the coastal areas of Pagadian and destroyed many buildings and properties. The Diocese helped bury the dead, fed the hungry and relocated the homeless. 

Aside from natural disasters, the Diocese also confronted socio-political issues in order to bring justice, peace and equality to all.Issues like mining, Swertres and peace and order of the City were faced head-on. The Diocese stood firm in its convictions, did not tolerate unfairness and did not waver in its mission. Additionally, massive campaigns through homilies and assemblies were conducted to educate the people.

In order to realize its vision and mission, the Diocese created different programs and apostolates such as: Hatag-uli, Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC), Parish Youth Apostolate (PYA), Vocation Promoters, Family and Life Apostolate (FLA), and Sabakan among others. These programs and apostolates cater to the different needs of the parishioners. Most of these programs are parish-based so that they are able to reach even the remotest family or individual.  

After 50 years, the Diocese continues to uphold and serve its people while staying true to its mission: To bring the love of God to everyone. That is what makes it awesome and amazing: That no matter the change in the times, the Diocese will continue to adapt to the changes. We can be sure that with the guidance of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Pagadian Diocese will continue to do God’s work for many years to come.

Was just randomly scribbling this while thinking of him. I wasn't able to put the date when I did made this. But here it is.

Wrote this a month after I came home to Pagadian from college. There were many realizations, and this was one. This is specially dedicated to my true friends- May, Sha, Carol, Steph, Jenie, Nino and Vincent.

I have been staring at the wall for a couple of minutes now and I can't seem to find or decide on what to write. I feel so many emotions in my heart and I think about a lot of things to make me undecided on a certain topic.It seem queer to finally understand and realize that a friend of yours for years now is really very different from you. And I have made that realization with my true friends.

When we were still in High School, life seemed to be very smooth and worries were nothing at all. Our friendship was as strong as steel and whenever one cries, the others empathize. We didn't have arguments because we were of the same mind. There were no misunderstandings because each one perfectly understands the other. All have the same, if similar likes and dislikes.

But how wrong I was to think that! It takes years, distance, experience, and environment to make you realize that you are completely different from your friends, no matter how true and tested they are.

I always tease my escort and sometimes call him my knight in shining armor. He laughs whenever I do that and he in turn calls me "chinita". The joking is really fun and gets me in the mood throughout the day especially when he wakes me up very early in the morning with his message and initiates the teasing. Yes, it's pathetic, but fun anyway.

Now I haven't told my escort yet that I once made a poem entitled "My Knight" back when I was still in High School. I am currently on the process of getting to know him better and there are of course, still some things that I am holding back from him. I will not reveal everything yet. I will only do that when I am already married to him.

Since it's a new year, thought I might post the very first poem I wrote when I was still a sophomore in high school. And brave as I might seem to be, I am compelled to add that I do this with downcast eyes and a blush on my cheeks because I am posting it the way I wrote it back then. Though I am very much tempted to edit all the wrong tenses, still I am prevented by my 'better nature' to not do anything and just leave things the way they are. After all, it is nice to laugh at yourself once in a while.

I find it very amusing that you are the most makulit friend I have ever had (well, except sha2 of course, she has always been makulit and always will be I guess). But I salute you Nin for always trying my patience and for always quarreling with me. Only you can do that.

Ever since high school, we have always quarreled. Remember that very big argument we got ourselves into back in 4th year? You really made me cry. You did not say sorry and when I did asked for your apology, you turned away from me. You made me so furious that I did not talk to you for a week and acted like you did not exist even though your seat was just in front of me.

Last Sunday, while I was rummaging through my notes, I came upon this feature article I made years ago. As I read it, scenes of jubilee came into my mind and I was reminded again of that day, September 23, 2003 when my academic career took a turn for the better and college life was never the same again.

I was a junior in college then and was selected to be one of the two to represent our school for a city-wide travel feature writing contest. The competition was to be held on Sept. 23, 2003, 2:00pm at the Sunken Garden in Zamboanga City. It was to be one of the events for the annual Fiesta Pilar celebration.

My Department Head, Dr. Erlinda C. Espinosa, who later became my mentor and a very dear friend, informed me (I used the term because in the telling of the news, It was not as if I had a choice whether to join or not. She was merely informing me that she submitted my name to the dean) about a week before the contest. As I am obviously not from Zamboanga and knew very little of it's history, I was very anxious whether I am capable of the job, so I desperately searched for review materials.

But to make the long story short, I proceeded with it and came out victorious. When I told Ma'am Linda the following day what happened, you can just imagine her delight. It was as if she was the one who won. And as we were in the Faculty Room that time, she told all the teachers about it and the whole day, (I had 3 subjects that day with her - Shakespeare, English Lit. and Poetry) she couldn't stop from calling me to answer or read some lines out loud for her even if I was just quietly sitting on my place and not raising my hand.

Now, looking back at that day and reading that article, I blush. Why? Because with all the earnestness in my heart I confess that my piece does not deserve such recognition. It's not that good. Ma'am Linda didn't even ask what I wrote or how I wrote it because if she did, she would have second guessed my capability. But you know, on the other hand, there is a matter for self-congratulations at this time. My Essay teacher once told me that when you realized how mediocre your articles were in the past, it means you have grown in your craft. She's right of course. How could I have done better when I have not yet known better?

And so for growth's sake, I am thankful that I did not throw immediately that scratch paper until I had the chance to copy it. But what I have though is not the same as to what I submitted because in the rewriting to the final paper, I added and deleted some sentences.

Without further delay, I now present to you that feature article in it's entirety (wrong grammars including!). Be my judge. But I can assure you, I am much better now.

My teacher in History would often tell us how proud she is of Zamboanga. She would often relate to us the events that happened during the invasion of the Spaniards. Oh, she was indeed a proud Zamboanguena. But then I began to wonder why. What is it with Zamboanga that people of different cultures are attracted to it? What made the City of Flowers bloom amidst the others?

It need not take a long time for me to know the answers. I simply looked around- and then I knew.

Zamboanga the Beautiful. Zamboanga the Great. Zamboanga the Glorious. These and many more attribute to the intensity and the magnanimity of Zamboanga. But behind these names, we could never deny the fact that Zamboanga has a rich and beautiful past. The City of Flowers holds precious treasures in her hand that no one can ever take away.

Among the treasures she holds is the Fort Pilar – a place of peace and rest. For how many years, the Fort have been a place of refuge for weary souls. It have been a haven for the tired soldiers after a day’s work. It is a place of sanctuary where people can go and meditate upon the mighty works of God.

Another treasure the beautiful Zamboanga holds is its rich cultural diversity. Different kinds of people live in Zamboanga. There are the Tausugs, the Yakans, the Bisaya, the Badjaos and the Zamboanguenos. Each tribe has their own culture and style but each one becomes united when fighting for a cause.

Chavacano - the local dialect is one of the priceless treasures the people hold and honors. It is 70% Spanish and 30% a mixture of Bisaya, Tausug and Tagalog. The residents of Zamboanga are bilingual – they can speak fluently any of the languages. Sometimes, when I hear people talking to each other in Chabacano, I get fascinated. The language was intricately done that listening to it is like listening to music.

Another fascinating thing about Zamboanga is the City Hall. That building has also been a witness to countless meetings and debates in the past when the Spaniards and the Americans were still here. It’s halls were witnesses to brave Filipino men who fought and argued to the foreign invaders to stop their tyranny.

Zamboanga indeed holds a specific spot in everyone’s hearts because many people have already given their lives in order to protect it. A lot of people have already spent so much time and effort in keeping this city together. Many were the sweat and tears that were shed among the walls of this city.

As I was looking back on the incident about my teacher in the classroom, I suddenly realize that it need not take a long time for me to think about the answers to my questions. It is all there laid up for me. I only have to open my eyes and my mind to the wonderful treasures I have on my hands. I am a part of the whole. I am a resident of this city and therefore I am part of Zamboanga.

This is the 14th poem I composed during the Silent Hour of the Crossroad Retreat held at Bundok Aninaw, Camanga Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur last October 29, 2010 .

Finally, after 4 years, I was able to write a poem again and mind, the words came out automatically and very few erasures only - a testament that when God indeed speaks, there is no stopping Him.

May you be blessed as I was.

In the road that you're traveling,
Do not be afraid
For My love is unending
My comfort will aid


Be it smooth or rocky,
hilly or plain,
Be it clear or murky
My love will remain