Inay

Who would believe that this woman will be 86 this May 19?  NOt if you see her going around the house, cleaning and ordering her apos -- Lonlon and George --- to do some errands for her.  She even washes the clothes of those around,  as she is left alone in the house during the day when all are out working.  She cooks and for her entertainment,  watches her favorite TV shows.  At six in the evening,  she hollers to call all those present to pray the Angelus plus the other prayers she inherited from her own mother. 

     She is happy just to see Fr. Lou come (usually on a Tuesday) and bring his regular pasalubong -- his dirty clothes which she personally washes or if she can't because of sudden rise of blood pressure she supervises very closely the lavandera -- and feed him with her menu for lunch or supper.  "Ay luto ko yan!"  she would brag to Fr. Lou,  who'd give her whatever he has in his pocket for her allowance.  The smile on her face!  

     If Fr. Lou won't come during the whole week,  she would wonder, "Bakit kaya?  Paano ang mga damit noon?"  But actually,  it is Fr. Lou she misses not the laundry!  She'd get upset and really burst out in anger and frustration over Danny's coming home late or not coming home at all.  She'd lecture at him the next morning because Danny kept her awake the whole night,  or that she was awakened by his coming in the wee hours of the morning and she could not go back to sleep.  And yet,  she still washes Danny's clothes and even secretly setting some portion of the viand during supper -- knowing that Danny is fond of eating whatever time he comes in during the day!  She would rue over El's fate, "kawawa naman si El!"  And she shows her concern as she showers her grandmaternal affections to Camille and Cj when they come home to visit their lola.

     That's Inay to us -- to Ate Coring and her family, to Ermie and her kids (the first grandchild, Erick, Inay publicly professes to be her favorite!), to Danny, to Fr. Lou, and to our intimate friends who also call her Inay!  Incidentally,  she's an avid Vilmanian!  And that is why Ate Vi fondly calls her "Nanay"!  

Wait,  I forget to tell you,  she is MY mother also!  

The De La Salle Bros of the Phils. at Retreat 2008

I have been chaplain to this band of religious brothers,  whose main charism is the Christian education of the young, for since the summer of 1997.  I was assigned chaplain to their school community and the Brothers at the Lipa Community in the summer of 1966.  In a sense,  since I have been accompanying them during their annual retreat as a district,  I have become the District's unofficial chaplain.  I preside over the liturgy, as this Institute has no priest-member.  

It is not only during their annual retreat that I get to be invited.  I presided over countless district rites, e.g., acceptance to postulancy or to the novitiate,  most of the time in Greenhills  and Lipa, where the Novitiate is located;  jubilees of brothers in their silver or golden as religious brothers,  beginning or ending of important occasions like assemblies, chapters, etc.; the annual memorial of the dead.  

      I have always described my 11 year stay at the Lipa community as my utopian stage.  I have found much spiritual solace as I have a community to pray with,  work with and grow with.  I have been blessed even with material amenities that helped me grow as a person and a professional.  For instance,  this technology -- I never had so much access to it than when I was with the Brothers.  The Lipa community gave me my first ever laptop!  

      As long as I can and it is officially permissible (e.g. not assigned to take care of a parish),  I will continue to be at their service (for spiritual exercises).  Of course,  it will depend also -- and that is the deciding factor -- if the Brothers still appreciate my being with them during those moments!

  

My Holy Week

I spent the Holy Week with the La Salle Brothers of the Philippines.  I was their Chaplain in their annual retreat, held at PHINMA Training Center,  which was given by the Del Rosarios to La Salle Philippines.  I went there Tuesday afternoon (that morning I joined the Lipa Clergy, led by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelless in renewing our priestly vows.  I was annotator for Spirit-FM during the Mass -- what else is new?).  

     The retreat was facilitated by an American La Salle Brother, Br. James Zullo, FSC, a noted speaker and practitioner of counseling in the UNited States.  The theme for this year's retreat was "The Paschal Mystery:  An Invitation to Explore our Life Transitions".  Gosh,  this spoke to me a lot since I have experienced a radical transition since I left La Salle Lipa to live on my own at the Pater Putativus Publishing House at Marawoy, Lipa City.   Definitely,  Br. Jim's lectures and sharing spoke loud and clear to me.  they helped me a lot in understanding and finding more meaning to my present ministry.

     The stay at PHINMA also provided me some relief from the tensions and pressures of work at PPPH and even from the Ranch Property.  (I talked to the couple,  who are supposed to be the "tenants" in the ranch property of the ARchdiocese.  They claimed innocence why there are a lot of dwellers there.  I also was bombarded by requests related to rentals from the Villa San Jose dwellers.)  The accommodations are excellent (this is my second time there).  the Brothers are as usual very jolly and because of their present involvement in the current issues in the country,  are every open to share the latest.

     In fact,  we had the Lozada family as guests during the Easter Vigil rites.  I had the chance to talk to Jun and his wife.  After the program that evening,  I went home to Pater.  I had a Mass on Easter Sunday at Villa San Jose. 

More pictures: 

 

More pics at BCAP Seminar

Coaches Alfrancis Chua, now a very active in BCAP,  and Alaska's Tim Cone pose with members of BCAP-Batangas Chapter.  At right,  Coach Ryan Gregorio lectures on defense.  Note the players of Lyceum of the Philippines in the background. They served as "demo players".  

Coaches Seminar-Training

As Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) - Batangas Chapter coordinator,  I led several member-coaches from Batangas (and Laguna) to the recently concluded Coaches Seminar-Training held at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum last February 28 - March 1.  Shown in the picture at right are the BCAP-Batangas Chapter coaches with legendary Korean shooting star, Shin Dong Pa, now in his early 60s  He came with his coach Yoo Hee Hyung, in his late 60s, yet still able to demonstrate for filipino coaches the Korean-style of basketball.

 Other prominent resource persons,  who shared their God-given talents in coaching big-time basketball included Purefoods' head coach Ryan Gregorio (who lost the following Sunday to Sta. Lucia's Boyet Fernandez), Alaska's Tim Cone,  my good friend Bingky Favis of Coca Cola, and the fiery (on court) but very gentle (off-court) Red Bull Coach Yeng Guiao.  Mr. Lazaro, therapist of TNT lectured on sports medicine.

It was a time for fellowship with coaches coming from all over the Philippines -- Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga, Bicol, and even Kalinga-Apayao,  and of course, Metro Manila.  Among old friends I met were ex-Blades Ralph Rivera and Dennis Madrid,  Coaches Eric Gonzales and Nash Racela.  Of course,  Coach Chito Narvasa (BCAP President) and his able assistants Coaches Tanny Gonzales (Sec-Gen) and Alfrancis Chua were there to facilitate the whole procedure.  I was asked to deliver the invocation at the first day.  I also helped in moderating the Q & A with Coach Tim Cone, and read the citation for him.

Pictures at our UST-Alumni Priests Homecoming

Here are some pictures taken during our successful homecoming last January 22-23 at the Central Seminary of the Royal and Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas. Priest-turned-Governor Ed "Among Ed" Panlilio of Pampanga was our guest-speaker on the first day.  

The youngest Centralite Bishop, Most Rev. Ric Baccay of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, was there.  He officiated at the opening Mass in our Seminary Chapel.  Another Centralite Bishop, Most Rev. Julius Tonel of the Prelature of Ipil, was the Lauds' presider the next morning.  

We played with the UST Tigers in the afternoon of the first day.  The famed Salinggawi  Dance Troupe gave the entertainment at half-time.

The Nuncio was our guest and presider at the closing Mass the next and last day.  We had a grand time with him.  The Jubilarians -- Batches 81 & 82 -- were feted in a glamorous ceremonies during lunch time.  

UST Central Seminary Homecoming

They came, they saw and they were conquered!

This year's UST-ALPA homecoming -- January 22-23 -- outdid last year's homecoming  which was already a breakthrough in the annals of the Central Seminary's homecoming.  Although the hosting batch started late,  the diligence of the seminarian-coordinators saved the day for them.  Of course,  the close to P100,000.00 our batch left with them to start with was a big boost.  Aside from that our batch (composed of 81 & 82) donated to the Central Seminary foundation almost the same amount.  

The latest Thomasian Bishops -- Bishop Ric Baccay (auxiliary of Tuguegarao), Bishop Julius Tonel (of Ipil Prelature) and a Chinese-Taipei bishop (whose name escaped me) -- were special honorees.  

As usual,  the games with the UST Tigers were well attended.  This time,  we played at the University Gym.  The electrifying Salinggawi Dance Troupe provided the half-time entertainment.  I coached the white team,  which won for the second consecutive year.

Priest-turned-governor, Ed "among Ed" Panlilio,  was guest speaker in the first day.  Again,  this is the first time that the auditorium was filled with the alumni (they normally stay out and continue bonding with their classmates).  His message which came out loud and clear:  "Don't imitate me!"

  

Latest picture of Lonlon & Vince

On the left is Vince,  son of Danny.  This intelligent young man is with his mom at Virginia.

On the right is Lonlon,  the youngest of the three boys of my sister Ermie,  who was widowed March last year!  Lonlon is graduating from his course, B.S. Psychology, at the Lyceum of Batangas.  A computer buff and a dancer,  Lonlon is now taking up his OJT.

Some of my latest activities

I visited the Home for the Aged in Bauan, Batangas.  In this picture,  Ms. Paulina Rosales, one of the Trustees of this Charitable foundation is talking to the visitors,  some parishioners of St. Mary Euphrasia, Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City,  who at that time of my visit, went there to feed the old people of the house. Among those who visited the aged was Ate Unding Arazola,  whom I asked to pose behind Ka Isidro Marasigan.    

New Year Exchange Gifts

As usual, we decided to open the christmas gifts during the day when everyone would be available. It was decided that the evening of January 1 was the best time for this. So, even if this was my first day in my new residence, I made myself free. So with Fr. Lou, who was fortunate to have his masses all in the morning. After taking siesta to recover some lost strength (from the December grind of daily Masses/marriages/blessings), he arrived home shortly before six in the evening. It was only Dannie who was not around.

Ate Coring came with May, who gamely worked on the white hair on my head. When it was decided to ahve the exchange gifts, she called for Kuya Leo, who was so thin and haggard, who drove together with Ana Lea.

Ermie, who prepared the food, has only Eric who's not around.

El was there together with wife Cena and kids -- Camille and CJ. El was so profuse with his gratitude to God in seeing his family complete and his wife accepted by Inay.

Mayet and Didi were the usual gracious hosts to the exchange gift. It was around the Christmas tree in their house that we gathered in the evening, after supper.

Inay, the center of the event, was there ever radiant, wearing the earrings and necklace that Fr. Lou gave her for Christmas. Fe Aguila (whom we call chairman) was our special guest. Fe arrived shortly after lunch and exchanged stories with everyone, especially on her newly-married Kuya Ambo, who is also a family friend.

Inay gave her message and of course, I gave the more serious message. It is not only for Inay and her sons and daughters but I emphasized the "handling on a family tradition to the next generation", that exchange of gifts are really exchange of ourselves, a bonding in unity and love of brothers and sisters, of the members of God's family. It is the family that is the first church, the first temple of God.

We remember those who are not with us physically like Vince, Danny's son, who is in the United States with his mother.

After the exchanges of gifts, we departed: Ate Coring's family to their residence at Bukal, Manghinao; Fr. Lou to san isidro, Batangas City and myself to Lipa City. Fe rode with fr. Lou; while El's family I drove to their home at Balete, Batangas City.

That's how the Dolor Family started the New Year!

So Far, So Good

I have written this mainly for my brother El, who is at Dubai. He has commented that I have forgotten to update this blogsite. I promised him I would.

Much have expired since my last posting. Just before the elections, I was given a new assignment by the ARchbishop. I was asked to be the General Manager of the printing press of the Archdiocese of Lipa -- Pater Putativus Publishing House. This completes my media assignment as Director of the Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media of the Archdiocese, which I asked to be retired in the year 2000.

Seeing that the printing press needs my fulltime attention, the Archbishop decided only last month to recall me from my current assignment as Chaplain of the FSC at Lipa and DeLa Salle Lipa. This did not surprise me at all. The Boss said that 11 years as chaplain is enough as the Archdiocese needs me to continue my rehabilitation work at the printing press.

So folks, I am moving out of De La Salle Lipa by the end of this month!

Kids' Basketball Clinics

Basketball is still a passion to me. I have been conducting a summer camp for the kids here at De La Salle Lipa for the past eight years. Last year, due to insistent demands from friends in Batangas City, we opened our first summer camp at the gym of the University of Batangas. This year we transferred to St. Bridget College. It was also last summer that Mon Araneta of First Gas Power Corporation invited my team of coaches to conduct clinics for kids in the two barangays where they are located as part of their social out-reach. The pictures here are from the clinics we conducted for First Gas.

I believe that footwork is very important in basketball. The very first thing I concentrate on the kids' fundamentals is their feet -- correct running, pivoting, lateral moves, back-pedalling, correct defensive stance. This is do even before teaching them the rudiments of ballhandling. If you're wondering why I still look and feel young -- this is my secret: stay with young people!

UST ALPA Re-union

January 23-24 is a day to remember. Close to one hundred and fifty registered alumni bishops and priests came to this homecoming, after missing one whole year of such activity. In the 2005 November homecoming, it was decided to bring back this gathering to its original date, i.e, the Tuesday and Wednesday nearest to the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of this one and only royal and pontifical university in the Philippines.

Batches 81 and 82 are hosts batches. We are to honor Batch 80 and the other jubilarians. Among our batch(81) present were Fr. Boyet Montalbo (Diocese of Paranaque), Msgr. Nestor Cerbo (Archdiocese of Manila, Fr. Ananias Merida (guest priest in Cubao), Fr. Bonifacio Alcantara (Diocese of Dipolog), Msgr. Ed Pangan (Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga). Msgr. Elmer Abacahin (Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro), though our classmate for only a year, also showed up during the first day. Prominent among the Batch 82 were Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Fr. Ernesto Arceo, O.P. (Rector Magnificus of UST), Fr. Antonio Aureada, O.P. (Dean of Theology), Msgr. Mario Martinez (Diocese of Paranaque), Fr. Rene Vigilia (Diocese of Cabanatuan), among others.

Leading the honorees (batch 80) were Bishop Antonietto Cabajog, Bishop Jose Rojas, Fr. Onette Mangahas, among others; while Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, Archbishop Pedro Dean, Bishop Cirilo Almario were among the golden jubilarians.

The UST Tigers, UAAP basketball champs, were guests during the sports spectacular. They were even divided and mixed with the alumni basketeers, who gamely mixed it up to the delight of a full-packed gallery at the Seminary Gym. The Hall of Fame awardee in cheer competitions, the renowned Salinggawi, provided the intermission number at half time. Msgr. Salve Quizon enjoyed the game so much.

Newly-ordained Bishop Beltran, a classmate of Fr. Dado Castillo and Fr. Edd Pagcaliuangan, was the main celebrant in the opening mass at the Sto. Rosario Parish. He was accompanied by another newly-installed prelate, Bishop Jack Jose of Urdaneta Diocese. Both of them are my good friends, as we often meet during alumni gatherings. Bishop Jack used to handle their mass media in Laoag city. He was the main celebrant during the closing Mass at the seminary chapel. It was he who addressed me during his homily as "Fr. Nonie Dolor, O.P. that is Outstanding President" to the applause of everyone.

This homecoming was sort of a record. We had the most number of attendees so far. The alumni bishops and priests who registered total to almost 150. the Central Seminary staff said this is the highest so far in any alumni homecoming. And as last year, this is the only second alumni homecoming that did not operate on deficit.

MOre on Christmas Merry Making

This is El's family: Cena, his wife, and Camille Joy, his daughter, and Christian Jacob or simply CJ, his son. Camille stayed the longest in the house during this christmas break -- as she usually does during breaks from school. Cena and CJ stayed till the morning of the 27th.

This is also a longer time for Boss Didi to stay at San Roque. Here is a picture taken of the Ocampo couple -- Didi and Mayet -- at night when we had videoke to our hearts' delight. I hope the neighbors were understanding of our merry-making.

Who'd stop George and Lonlon from their "kabaklaan". They'd do anything to provide entertainment. Of course, Inay sometimes is not amused but she would also join the laughter and the sometimes would even give her funny anecdotes.

Fr. Lou, Mayet and Ate Coring join the kids in this picture. Ermie is usually the "Martha", together with Cena, in the kitchen. Of course, Kuya Leo, Didi and Danny would engage in "mens' talk" and sip a little spirit!

The Asilo Family

This is the Asilo Family. Our eldest, Ate Coring, married retired-Coast Guard Commander Leonilo Asilo of Bulacan, Mabini, Batangas. They have two daughters: Ana and May, both teen-agers. ana is taking up Computer Science at STI, while the younger May is an Education student at St. Bridget College.

These photos are taken by Boss Didi.

Early Christmas at Home

In a fit of humor and madness, the mother-sons tandem posed for photo ops after cleaning the house. "Sisa, Basilio at Crispin" could aptly be the caption of this. I wonder how Erick would re-act to this once he sees this.

Danny, in one of the rare working moods at home, puts an additional light. During the short vacation, we had out meals outside the house, along the end of the beautifully-paved driveway, which was done before my silver jubilee celebration last Dec. 2, 2006.

Photos taken by Boss Didi early morning of Christmas. Later, at noon, I arrived followed by Fr. Lou to spend the whole day celebrating Christmas.

Goodbye, Celine!

This is Celine Aguila, the niece of "Chairman" Fe Aguila, of Bayanan, San Pascual. When I was assigned as parish priest of Bayanan, Celine was then a little pre-schooler who'd promptly answer the question "who's your crush?", with a straight "Si Fr. Nonie!" From then on, I always call her "Celine, my love!"



Now a fourth year high schooler at St. Bridget College, she would fly to USA to join her mother, who married an American in Oklahoma. We missed our usual lunch with the Aguilas during Christmas in favor of the despedida in her honor on January 1. Inay, Ermie, Boss Didi, Mayet, Lonlon, George and I hied off to Bayanan. I gave her a rosary, which I personally made, as a gift. Mayet has her own gift.



We wish Celine the best as she leaves Bayanan, where she grew up under her aunties and uncles, and of course her Lola. Knowing her as a good, intelligent and obedient child and teener, I believe that she'd be successful over at the States.

New Year Revelry

Of course, not to be outdone, although this year's family revelry has been greatly reduced due to financial constraints and safety concerns, Boss Didi, Mayet, Ermie, Dannie, George and Lonlon still had the usual fireworks and noise-barrage to usher the New Year 2007. The cars were started and the horns sounded. The skies were lit up, especially over at neighboring Bukal where Ate Coring resides.




Inay skipped the usual ritual of incensing for her health reason. She just watched and prayed in the family altar. Our dog Honey was inside the house even much, much earlier in the day. She was afraid of all those loud bangings. When we went to Mass in Bolo, she stayed inside Inay's room but looking through the window. When the fireworks grew louder and wilder, she went to my room and hid underneath the bed, with head head propping out through the sheets.



I myself refrained from going out. After I said the Office of the Readings and the night prayers, put on the Ipod Nano that my classmate Chito sent me as gift and enjoyed the music. Earlier, I added music from the CDs I bought of Glen Campbell and Peter, Paul and Mary. Never mind the loud revelry, I rather enjoy the music from my new Ipod.

More Pics of the exchange gift-giving

Inay (at the center) flanked by Fr. Lou (at left) and Mayet (at right)


The Asilo Family and the Ocampo couple


Fr. Lou with the Ocampo couple, and the kids hanging around to be in the picture. At the background is Ate Coring, the MC of the night!


Fr. Nonie (that's me), with George and Boss Didi. Notice that George is holding the picture of his elder brother Erick, who is at Saudi, working as a nurse. The gift that Fr. Nonie and Boss Didi are holding is actually for Erick!

Of course, the kids! Minus CJ and Vince! Vince of course is at Virginia with her mom Cora. CJ was out of the picture this time around. But he was there. At one instance, he even cried!

Our Traditional Exchange Gift-Giving

This is where the our family's traditional exchange gift-giving is done for many, many years. We put all our gifts there during the Yuletide season. The date varies depending on the availability of Fr. Lou and myself. Before there were songs and poems by the kids. Then they'd be given cash gifts by Tita Mayet, Fr. Lou or myself. But since the kids are grown-ups already, there were less singing and no more poetry. Inay is asked to say something before hand. Usually, I am also asked to say something. This year however, we less gifts as I have given the kids cash beforehand so that they could buy what they needed and wanted.



Of course, we had our supper before the exchange gift. The youngest in the family, Christian Jacob, was asked to lead the prayers before meals. Tita Ermie, Mayet and Cena were the "waitresses" to us. We had toasts. George and Lonlon had their familiar antics . . . look at their apparel.


Ate Coring would always act as mistress of the ceremonies. She would read the name of the giver and the receiver of the gifts. This year's visitors included Ate Bensing, Ate Behing, Joy and her boyfriend, and Kuya Ben's daughter, whose name escaped my memory. The ceremonies included many photo ops. Fr. Lou would always see to it that he be included in every picture taking. Later, after the gift-giving is over, all were asked to open their gifts.

It is only then that those who would go home would start to leave.



This year, we missed Erick, who's at Saudi working as a nurse! Danny missed the gift-giving as he opted to be with his friends outside the house, where we did not know. El is in Dubai. However, they were with us in spirit -- plus the gifts allotted to them. In fact, even Honey, Erick's pet dog, got a gift from Ate Coring. Curiously, she wrote: "Dear Honey, happy new year! Sana, magbait ka sa akin!" This dog always barks at her every time she comes! Honey's gift from Ate? A piece of dog soap!

I will publish more pictures in another post.