National Pilgrimage

September 12 is a red letter day for the Archdiocese of Lipa. All roads lead to Carmel, the site of the famous "shower of roses" during the late 40s, as Lipa hosted the Third National Pilgrimage for Peace, Reparation and Consecration. More than eight thousand pilgrims from all over the country -- delegations from Davao, Ilocos, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Tarlac, Quezon, Marinduque, and of course, host province Batangas -- flocked to Carmel to listen to the conferences and then attend the Mass in the afternoon.

The above photo shows our interview with Sec. Cerge Remonde, a former KBP president with whom I was acquianted even during the martial law days as an actgive media person. Cerge hails from Cebu City. Fr. Ilde Dimaano has his baptism of fire in covering an outdoor activity like this. This is his first since he took reins of the FM radio of the Archdiocese. We were able to interview Ms. Tintin Versola Babao of ABS-CBN, who was also there as a devotee.

(These photos are courtesy of Bing Recio!)

Emceeing for Fr. JQ

This was a photo taken when I emceed Fr. Jun's fund-raising concert at the cathedral. He'd be holding another one when he celebrates his ordination anniversary sometime this October. He asked me to again emcee the show. Of course, I'll do anything to help!

This is me and Fr. Hermogenes Quiambao a.k.a. Fr. Jun or Fr. JQ. (Fr. Jun and I are both godsons of Msgr. Elias Poblete, now a retired priest in Pansol, Calamba. Our ninong just celebrated his 65th sacerdotal anniversary this year at San Pablo Cathedral.) We are shown here comparing notes during our SOLTARE II in Queen Margaret Hotel in Lucena City. He is so excited to learn how to use his top-of-the-line mobile phone. I showed him some of its features -- as if I was an expert. The truth of the matter is that I still consult people like Fr. Ilde to teach me how to manipulate my own Treo 650 he he he.

SOLTARE II

Last August 21-25, the Bishops and priests of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lipa (Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque and the Island of Mindoro) gathered at Lucena City for the Second Southern Luzon Tagalog Region Priests' Retreat and Congress. Stewardship is the main theme of the retreat. For the first time, we had a teleconference with a priest-speaker. Fr. Andrew Kimberely could not make it so from his St. Thomas More Parish at the Archdiocese of Denver, he talked to us for more than an hour. The power of modern technology at the service of the Gospel!
The two top prelates of the country, former Metropolitans of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lipa, were there: His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales of Manila, and His eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal of Cebu. There were around 320 Arch/bishops, priests and deacons who participated in this one-week retreat-congress in Lucena City.
Here are some pictures taken from that almost a week affair!


See if you can identify priests or bishops you know. If you want some updates on them, just post your requests in this blog. I am willing to provide you updates on your priest-friends, including tsimis (joke only).


Please pray for us, priests, so that we may not only be faithful but also holy priests. Pray that the apostolic zeal may continue to breath its consuming fire in this region of the country. Pray for more vocations to the priesthood -- and to the religious life as well. Pray that these servant-leaders may have the compassion of Christ, the High Priest. We need your prayers as we are also vessels of clay!

More Photos of My Sydney Vacation

I was able to concelebrate with His Eminence, George Cardinal Pell of Sydney. He introduced me to the Sunday congregation. I read the Gospel and and old Aussie lady came to me later to say "you sound like a television announcer!" If only she knew! later, the Filipino community present came up and greeted me. This was taken at Blue Mountain, their version of "Tatlong Maria". It was wet and foggy when we visited the place. From there we proceeded to Jenolan Caves. This was taken by Didi.
We really enjoyed our walk at the park beneath Harbor Bridge, which is just a stone throw from Ricky's (Mayet's brother-in-law) flat. This was taken by Didi of Mayet and me with the Sydney Opera House at the background. Later, taking a walk at the bridge, we visited that famous landmark.
Inside the flat. This was taken shortly before we went out. As it was winter, it was very cold, even inside the house. We went out at daytime and come back late in the evening. Didi and Mayet would still go to Ricky's restaurant to fetch Dra. Lulu (who aside from studying Oriental Maedicine acts as Ricky's assistant in the restaurant).

Why the Long Hair and Beard

The "vow" not to shave and not to have my haircut started as a political statement during the Marcosian days. Aside from vowing not to write for any paper (remember I was editor of Peoples' Courier and WPC's Westernian Advocate when ML descended quite unexpectedly, I decided to sport long-hair and beard during the duration of Lent.
However, I must admit that even as a kid, I hate haircut! Then the Beatles influenced me a lot during my adolescent years. I recall one incident that my father would offer me a bottle of orange if only to convince me to have a haircut. He was my barber. I shiver at the contact of that pair of scissors on my head. Of course, my father would have his way.

When I was in college, after graduating from the dreaded ROTC course, I had my long hair. However, during those days that we did not hear of "straightening" or "rebonding" or "relax", I hated my long hair curling. When I was at UST Central Seminary, my gosh, that's where I had my heyday with long hair.

When I went on vacation to Sydney, as it was winter, I had my hair long. In fact, I was "inspired" to see many clerics in Australia with long hair and beard. The Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, His Eminence George Cardinal Pell, did not object to my long hair and beard when I concelebrated with him at St. Mary's Cathedral.

But know what? the longest hair I sported was during this year 2006. I really had it long for our R&R (Re-union and Re-juvenation) last February 17-19 and then Lent came.

And know what also? I take note of the cost of razor blades that would been bought had I shaved for the time of Lent. Why? That amount I would make as my "Alay Kapwa" share... since 1975. So from a political statement, it has evolved into a (folk) religious practice for me.

More photos

Inay, Ate Coring, Ermie, Mayet and Didi (Mayet's hubby)

My Inay at 84 years old still strong and beautiful!

Fellow ex-Juvenists attending Fr. Ernie's Silver Jubilee last May 16, 2006

One of my many Faces!

My RED Family

Last February 17 - 19, I was re-united with and was re-juvenated by my RED family. RED, of course, is the Redemptorist Juvenate (Minor Seminary). After more than 40 years or so, we (at least close to sixty) finally met and re-lived the good old days at the hills of Antipolo, Rizal. It was really a trip in memory lane... and what a journey it was: nostalgic, touching and poignant!

We were among the first batch of First Year Latinists when Our Mother of Perpetual Help opened in June 1963. Among my classmates who showed up for this R & R were Chito Desuasido and Melchor Cruz (who just came here for the R & R as both are based now in the USA), Rodolfo Racoma (Rocky as we call him, who came late Saturday) and Capuchin priest and whom we just discovered weeks before the R & R, Fr. Dominic Abella, OFM Cap.. Anyway, some guys from the Special Latin class who eventually joined us in the Fifth Year were also there: Angelo Baybay (who was with me during the Novitiate days) and Stanley Lee (who is now a permanent deacon, working with the poor of Camarines. Among our seniors who showed up were Joe Vergara (who was the most senior, as he entered the Juvenate in baclaran way back 1961. Joe is now based in Melbourne, and has 10 kids, and is also a grandfather. Prolific!), Rey Culaba (now a Redemptorist based at the Formation House in Quezon City), Constantino Cruz (who's a retired US Army but has chosen to settle here), Augusto Evangelista (who has converted to Islam). Also my seniors were Oscar Tence (based now in the USA), Joselito Palapal (still the quiet one), Fr. Ernie Garcia (who is presently rector of Lipa -- that made our R&R easier to host), JOe de Mesa (yes, the lay theologian), Dodo Elefano (who was just widowed two weeks before this R&R, and Fr. Manny Thomas (who is now with Redemptorists of the Province of Cebu).

The rest of the REDs who came were my juniors: Bernie Justimbaste (now with DST), Jose Padilla (AVP of Insular Life), Robert Castro (fertilizer and insecticide magnate), Roberto Demegillo (now a lawyer but still his humble and simple self), Jack Dumaup (one of my favorite basketball players when I was coaching the midgets), Errol Collado (again, one of my favorites), Rouan Opeda (wow, he's got a Ford Expedition), Dr. Jorge Emmanuel (now a brillinat scientist and works for the UN-WHO, which means he travels a lot. He is BRILLIANT!), Anthony "Tom" Borja (now based in Canada), Gerry Luistro (kababayan from Lipa City), and Emmanuel "Basing" Basabas.

Those remaining were the REDs who entered the Juvenate when we were novices already or when we were no longer novices. The Juvenate in Antipolo started in 1963 and was phased out in 1975. After that it became the College, then Mission house, then was temporarily abandoned and then finally sold out in 1993(?). Now it is an exclusive subdivision.

Who could not be impressed with Ted James Mendoza? He was the one whom I left to coordinate all these things. Indeed he was the event manager: hosting, etc. He even came up with a Souvenir book, took care of the program, took a video of what was formerly our HOME (there was an eerie silence when the video was being shown. Did I see people misty-eyed afterwards?). DO-IT-ALL GUY! This is TJ. His sidekick (one who took care of the registration, running after those who forgot to pay, distributing the kits, the T-shirts) was balikbayan Edwin Guevarra!

We have to thank Tito Alcala for the ID with our pictures from way-back-when! The irrepressible Atty. Vic Verdadero, the silent, impish but very principled military Pompeo Limbo, the serious Tony Luistro, chubby Ching Uy(?), the silent Ricky Gonzales, The Katigbak cousins (Fr. Pete, Jing of the Hampas Lupa group and Elmo, who provided us with pan de sal and kalihim), the late (very much alive; he arrived Saturday) Resti Reyes, the ever dancing Henry Natundan (who was the sound master during the evening programs). I hope I did not miss any of these very much juniors to me.

Of our formators we had Fr. Regs Ahearn, who flew all the way from Sydney; Fr. Ron Murray (who is still very much around and part of the formation team), and Mr. Clemente Bautista (who was with us since 1963 till it was phased out, as a Pilipino teacher. I learnt later on he also taught Spanish.) We paid tribute to them.

This is one re-union that I would not exchange for anything. I hope we can come up with another one with a bigger attendance-- or probably much longer time spent together.

Surprise, Surprise

I got the surprise of all surprises when I opened my blog and found this comment from Eric Cristal y Castillo. I remember this young teener during my stay at UST Central Seminary, when once in a while I would drop by their Sampaloc residence. I had lost contact with them ever since they migrated to the States.
Eric's mother Tessie is my first cousin. Tessie's father and my mother are siblings. Tio Abling (Pablo) was the only boy among my mother's six other siblings. We are the closest cousins, i.e., Tio Abling's children and we, my mother's offsprings. In fact, even though it was my Ate Coring and Tessie who were of the same age, it was Tessie and I who hit it off quiet well as we shared some common passion -- dancing and music! It was Tessie who taught me how to rock and roll, dance the boogie. It was Ermie and Marison, Danny and Ferdinand who were not only of the same age, but were quiet close. Of course, the "manong" of San Roque, Arthur was always around during occasions at our house. The younger ones like Junjun, Fatima, Abet and the rest of their brood would come and visit Inay when they happen to go to San Roque.
Tio Abling was a veteran of the Phil. Scouts. I recalled those days -- I was a kid of about three or four -- when he would show me off to his companions (barkadas). Even if I was already asleep, he would wake me up and make me stand on their drinking table. He would bark his commands: 'tenshun! (Attention!) I would then stand in attention even if I was hardly awake. then the next order, hand salute, or march time march 1-2, 1-2, etc. Of course, like a machine I would execute the commands to the delight of Tio abling and his visitors but to the consternation of my mother and Inang (grandmother).
When he got widowed, I was one of those who persuaded him to marry Tita Herminia, instead of just having her as his mere companion. We had a simple but very meaningful wedding at our barrio chapel. Tita Herminia took good care of Tio Abling till his last breath.
Back to Tessie and her kids. Ryan was my inaanak. I don't even remember the last time they were at San Roque. However, I think he was already a chubby teen-ager when they left for the States. I am looking forward to see Eric when he comes to visit the Philippines. I did not even know that he was in New Zealand.
To Eric, make good you're stay. I am glad that you have grown to be a good family man. Ipakilala mo ako sa iyong asawa at mga anak. I am still learning how to post pictures in my blog so that you could see how pogi your Tito is, even at 55 ... Beatles pa rin, kasi Beatles forever tayo!

Fr. Lou

PRIESTLY CASTE?

Consider this: We are two priests in the family. Fr. Romulo “Lou” Dolor is my brother. He is presently assigned as pastor at San Isidro Labrador Parish at San Isidro, Batangas City. But my relatives abound in the ranks of Lipa Clergy. Fr. Juan Nepomuceno D. Fruto is my nephew. His mother is my second cousin. The D in his middle initial stands for “Dolor”. His maternal grandfather was a former seminarian – already in Theology, I believe. In Fr. Nepo’s family, another brother entered the SFS Minor. Among his first cousins (my nephews), the Medranos: Monching, Tadeo, Jojo and Double were former seminarians. Another of Fr. Nepo’s first cousin – Ariel Mercado – also finished at SFS Minor.
If you think, I am through with that list, you’re dead wrong. Fr. Conrado Castillo is a relative on my mother’s side, who is a Castillo. That is why many priests are curious if I am also related to Fr. Eyong C. Ramos, whose “C” also stands for Castillo. But I can’t quite establish the relations even after much research from my old folks – as San Roque and Inicbulan are really neighbors (if we use the backdoor and the short-cut trails). But I am digressing! Fr. Dado and I call each other “pinsan”.

Fr. Daks
One of the newly-ordained priests, Fr. Dakila Ramos – who graduated from the Minor Seminary during my short stint as its rector, one of the unfortunate ones he he he – has discovered from his sleuthing that we are related. I have known this for quite sometime already, although I did not tell him at that time. His mother’s grandmother is very closely related to my mother’s family. Fr. Daks’ mother comes from Talaga, Mabini where the Castillos are a dime a dozen.
That’s the Castillo side of the story. Let’s go back to the Dolor side, as it is this clan that produced a lot of would-have-been priests but the Lord’s call to be “in the world” dawned on them to be their calling.
The Dimalibot Brothers – Dodi and Rado – are my nephews in the same vein as Fr. Nepo. Their mother, Ate Nene Dolor, is my second cousin. Our fathers were first cousins. In fact, the relations were so close: my father’s godfather in baptism was the grandfather (Ate Nene’s father) of Dodi and Rado.
Another set of brothers (SFS Minor has a lot of these brothers and cousins entering its venerable gates) August and Claudio de Joya are also my relatives. Their maternal grandmother (our Kakang Maria Contreras) and my father are first cousins. I leave it to you to decide our close relationship, so close that even now, August lives just adjacent to our house in San Roque; so close that Claudie asked me to stand as one of his wedding sponsors when he got married in Davao City, with his classmates Fr. Mike Samaniego and Fr. Glen Cantos officiating at the wedding. Of couse, it was Fr. Totit, Fr. Eyong, his classmate Fr. Ilde, and I who concelebrated when August finally decided to settle down! Incidentally, I also stood as wedding sponsor or “ninong” to Double Medrano when he got hitched in St. Philip Neri Church in Mandaluyong City.
Let’s talk about relation by marriages.

Well, Fr. Jing Buensalida’s auntie married my uncle, the brother of my father! And once upon a time, both Fr. Jing and I used to visit the same seminarian at SFS Minor: Manuel B. Dolor -- his nephew (son of her sister) and also my nephew (son of my second cousin).

My second cousin (on my mother's side), who happens to be my baptismal godfather, married a Lopez, who had two of her nephews as former seminarians also. Their names: Louie and Larry Lopez. You see, I have not run out of relatives, he he he! #

My Family

I was born to a couple named Genaro T. Dolor and Juana Castillo, of lower middle class. My father comes from a fishing and farming village of San Andres, Bauan, Batangas. My mother came from San Roque of the same municipality. It was from my father that we all took our love and dedication to education.
It was from my mother that we took our determination and love for household chores. It was indeed a very good combination. My father was honed in ecclesiastical chores, having been a household help/sacristan major/a jack-of-all-trades to some of his relatives who were priests. My mother comes from a very religious family.

We were eight siblings. However, the seventh died at the age of 3, of leukemia! Jim was born when I was at the Juvenate. He died when I was a Novice in the Redemptorists. Ate Coring is our eldest.
I came in second -- the oldest among the five boys, and by Filipino culture the "heir" to my father's patriarchal role in the family! After me came Ermie, then Danny, El, and Fr. Lou. Jim was in between him and Mayet, our youngest.
My father died on October 24, 1975. Of him, I will write later and much more! That left me, Ate Coring and Inay to fend for the others who at that time were not yet through with their formal education. It was providence that kept the boys and Mayet in school. Ermie finished in about a year and was soon employed as teacher at St. Bridget's where she is now the College registrar. It could be said that we were never been in want since Tatay's death and my eventual (re)entry to the Seminary. By the grace of God, Danny and El got through with their studies and landing on decent employments. Then Lou decided to leave his engineering course to enter the seminary. How we financed his priestly formation, that itself is another story.
All the girls are now married. Ate Coring has two girls; Ermie has three boys; Danny has a boy (out of wedlock but not necessarily without love); El has a boy and a girl. It is only Mayet who did not have her children -- however, she is mother and provider to our nieces and nephews that keep her company.

We still gather for a family get-together at least once a month. Together with Inay, we go out to eat, to take a sight-seeing tour, or simply to gather at the house to have informal programs and prayers. This is what that saying goes "the family that prays together stays together!" We are not materially rich; it is our sense of family that is our treasure!
I love my family!

My High School Days!

MY HIGH SCHOOL DAYS!

I spent my high school at the seminary of the Redemptorists -- Our Mother of Perpetual Help Juvenate -- at the boondocks of Antipolo, Rizal. this was during the 60s. I was barely 12 years old when I was admitted to the seminary. Fr. Edmund Ryan, a Redemptorist priest at Lipa City, recruited me from Bauan Central School. It turned out that they were opening the seminary at that year in Antipolo. I belong to the first batch of seminarians in the newly constructed building that became a landmark till it was demolished several years ago.
I was at Antipolo from 1963 to 1968. This is my most memorable years in my life -- years that left an indelible imprint in me. Up to now, I always go back to those fruitful formative years I spent in the hidden yet breath-taking place we called home away from home.
How can I forget Fr. Reginald Ahearn, from whom I got my British accent. It was also he who got me as his working assistant since my first year up to the day I left for good. I was his side-kick at the little store we had. I was his helper in caring for the sick Juvenist. Of course, I may not have been his most favored but definitely I was his Friday man during those days, having free access to his room, to clean up, to get the things needed in the store, to get medicines for a Juvenist in bed. How I adored the man! I even imitated his writing!
A special friendship I developed with Fr. Owen Ryan. He was something else. Fr. Ryan was our Latin professor. In Little time, Latin became my favorite subject. I even got a flat 99 in Latin so much so that I was the first medalist for Latin among the first year students. Fr. Ryan was also our basketball coach. it was he who encouraged me to learn how to coached. He put me in charge of the midgets when I met that tragic accident which dislocated my hips and frustrated me to no end. To compensate my loss in the Varsity, Fr. Ryan made me a coach.
Moreover, Fr. Owen became a family friend. Every summer vacation, he would spend at least a week in our place at San Roque. He would sleep over, bring me to LIpa monastery, and together we would go on "vocation campaign". One of the products of this sortee was Doroteo Manalo from Calaca. I was already in 4th year when we recruited Dort or Doro as he was then known in the Juvenate. Fr. Owen and I also visited Quezon, my first province outside Batangas (and Rizal) to really explore! So close were we that around the 70s, when Fr. Owen was provincial (stationed in Australia), he paid me a visit in Batangas City (where I was already managing the Church's radio station).
I will write about my co-Juvenists later.
Let me end my account by saying that before the 80s, our Juvenate was phased out. The building became first a formation house for brothers and college seminarians. Then it served as mission house until finally, the Redemptorists sold it to interested business firm, Moldex -- I am not too sure about who really bought it! However, it was only in 2004 that I saw for myself that the buidling which became home to many of us, the building which became a landmark at Sumulong Highway, was no longer there to give way to a subdivision. How I discovered that and how I felt when I found this out is again another story.#

About the Owner

I am Fr. Leonido C. Dolor a.k.a. Fr Nonie D., a priest of the Archdiocese of Lipa. Aside from being an ordained Catholic priest, I am also a practicing media person -- broadcast and print -- since 1969; and a classroom teacher since 1973. I was ordained to the priesthood last December 2, 1981 by the late Archbishop Mariano Gaviola, D.D.
Together with now-Monsignor Alfredo Madlangbayan, I pioneered the Church's radio station in Batangas City -- DWAM 1080 Khz. on Am Band -- in 1972. Unfortunately, this AM station went off the air permanently in 2002. However, with Fr. Miguel Samaniego as my assistant, we were able to put up an FM station, now know as "Spirit 99.1 FM", in 1999. I left the administration and management of this -- and the whole of Social Communications -- to Fr. Mike in the following year, 2000.
I concentrated on my chaplaincy at De La Salle Lipa, to which I was assigned by Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, D.D. in the year 1996, after serving as Rector of the St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary during the school year 1995-1996.
I still work as an announcer-disc jockjey at the Church's FM radio every Sunday, 12:00nn-3:00pm. At 4:00pm on the same day, I go on Cable TV in Batangas City for the SUNDAY TV MASS, (most of the time I am the Mass celebrant; at times I handle camera work -- as I am the director of this cable event. I write for Dyaryo Veritas weekly. My column there is entitled "Seriously Speaking". Prior to that, I was with BATANGAN, writing for that weekly newspaper for about four straight years, gratis et amore. In 2004, I was invited to write a weekly column for THE MANILA TIMES.
June of last year (2005), I was asked to help ULAT BATANGAN. Now, this paper is thriving as the Archdiocesan newspaper, which comes out monthly.