esteE A S T E R N S A M A R N E W S S E R V I C E VOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 2018

“COMMUNICATING HOPE AND TRUST IN OUR TIME.” - POPE FRANCIS

Borongan diocese reopens radio stationBy Roy Lagarde

THIRTEEN years after it went off the air, the Diocese of Borongan’s radio station will be heard again over the air waves.

Bishop Crispin Varquez led the relaunching of the DYVW-AM station located on Baybay Boulevard in Borongan City on June 26.

With the use of social media and live streaming platforms, the station’s programs will also be broadcasted globally.

“With the use of our radio station and live streaming online, we can bring objective news and information to our people,” Varquez said.

The diocese has re-branded its media facilities as the Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN) that includes a cable TV channel, an online news service, a local newspaper, a terrestrial AM Radio and an online FM radio which are intended to help, among others, arrest the spread of disinformation and fake news.

“This is a big challenge for us in the Church, how we counter the fake news done by irresponsible people who just want to advance their selfish goals and interests,” said Varquez.

Fr. Neil Tenefrancia, the assistant director of the Diocesan Commission on Mass Media and Social Communications, said “all programs will be on teleradio that can be viewed in the local cable TV, and will be streamed live on Facebook and Youtube.”

In his message, Papal nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia lauded the project, saying that instruments for social communication are “great gifts from God” and should be utilized for the common good.

“The use of these media by the Church ought to be exemplary and reflect the highest models of truthfulness, while being at the same time instruments of hope,” Caccia said.

“I wish you many more years of service to

the Gospel and to the truth it proclaims,” he added.

Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig, head of the church’s Episcopal Commission on Social Communications, also hailed the diocese “for responding to the call to proclaim the Good News” through the media.

“A diocese that recognizes social communications as a tool for evangelization in the digital age is truly commendable,” he said.

The diocesan radio station building and the 180-foot antenna tower that were built in 1991 were totally destroyed by super

typhoon Yolanda in 2013.The reopening of the radio station

coincided with the relocation of the dioceses’ various other media initiatives within the old DYVW compound including the editorial office of its Este News Service and newspaper.

Borongan clergy to promote vocation through musicA LOCAL concert tour by the clergy of the Diocese of Borongan is one of the highlights in their local celebration of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.

Dubbed as “Dayaw” or Praise, the theme of the concert is inspired by Psalm 52:9: “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.”

Fr. Jan Michael Gadicho, the chair of the diocesan Commission on Clergy and the overall director of the concert, said “our life and ministry as priests is a total praise to God, leading and serving our people to give praise to the Lord.”

He said the main objective of the activity is “to evangelize people about vocation and priestly life, and to thank the faithful for their support”.

While the concert is free for the public, there will be paid seats to help organizers defray the production cost.

“The proceeds from this concert shall be used in the ongoing formation of the clergy so that truly we may become renewed

servant-leaders,” Gadicho added.Fr. Andiy Egargo, the concert’s musical

director, said “the repertoire of this concert is centered on the ‘life and love of a priest.’ The songs hopefully will capture our story, our life, our love as ministers of God.”

“You’ll Never Walk Alone, for example, is a theme that we have always shared together as Borongan clergy, even while we were seminarians. Waray mag-uusaan ngadto han altar ni Kristo; The Lord’s Prayer, and Ave Maria are prayers close to our hearts,” the musician-priest said.

Asked what people may expect from the concert, Egargo said: “It will be an evening of wholesome fun where we see our priests not as presiders of sacraments or servant-leaders engaged in pastoral ministry but the human priest, always in love with God and his people.”

The concert shall be held in the following towns and dates: Dolores on August 13, Borongan on Aug. 29, Balangiga of September 27, and Guiuan on October 4. (Edmel Raagas / Este News)

Borongan Cathedral holds updating in liturgyTHE Nativity of Our Lady Parish in Borongan held a one-day semi-nar on Liturgical Renewal on June 23, 2018. Attended by the members of the parish liturgical commission, parish lay leaders and other parishioners, the seminar was conducted by Msgr. Lope Robredillo, Vicar General and head of the Commission on Liturgy of the Diocese of Borongan. (Alren Beronio / Este News)

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez is flanked by Msgr. Lope Robredillo, Vicar General and Msgr. Pepe Quitorio, head of the diocesan media commission, as he cuts the ribbon at the re-launching of the diocesan radio station DYVW in Baybay Boulevard in Borongan City on June 26, 2018. (Photo by Alren Beronio / Este News)

este VOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 20182A WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS

JOSHUA ALDWIN FISH DEALER Sabang South, Borongan City

Bishop hits Duterte’s SONA remark on human rightsA ranking Catholic Church official lashed out at President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that he doesn’t care about human rights as he refused to backdown in his bloody war on drugs.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said this means killings will continue and more lives will be lost along the way.

“His warning was scary. It means we have to brace ourselves for more killings,” he said.

Duterte, in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), said that his administration’s fight against the illegal drugs trade is far from over.

Instead, according to him, it will be as “relentless and chilling” as the day it started two years ago.

Hitting back at his critics, Duterte said, “your concern is human rights, mine is human lives”.

The bishop lamented that such statement implies that the victims of drug-related killings are not human lives, something that “the Church can never agree with”.

“The statement is illogical but not really surprising because it has been stated plainly on several occasions,” David said.

“Addicts, for us, are sick people;

drug use is not a crime that deserves death. What people with substance-use disorder need is rehabilitation and we in the Church are willing to help out in this endeavor.”

“Yes, use the full force of the law, file charges against violators, jail the pushers and the suppliers, but save the users; do not kill them! Besides, we cannot rehabilitate dead people anymore, can we?” he added.

David said they would have long agreed with Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs if only it was directed against the correct individuals, specifically the big time drug suppliers.

“How come the supply of illegal drugs remains steady in spite of all the killings?” he said. “Is it not obvious that addicts and small-time peddlers and pushers are not the root cause of the drug problem? Isn’t it obvious that they are also victims, and that they also need to be saved, not killed?”

“The fight against illegal drugs must indeed be relentless, but the killings—either by the police or by masked vigilantes—must be stopped! This will remain as our stubborn and relentless plea,” said David. (CBCPNews)

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan celebrates Mass at the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization at UST in Manila, July 19, 2018. ROY LAGARDE

Seminarians issue statement on ‘growing culture of violence, death’

Seminarians from the Diocese of Imus issued a statement regarding the growing culture of violence and death that many believe is widening a growing rift between Church officials and the government. TAHANAN NG MABUTING PASTOL FB PAGE

A group of seminarians from the Diocese of Imus in Cavite recently aired their sentiments regarding the “growing culture of violence and death” that many believe is sowing growing division between the Church and the state.

In a statement issued July 15, Pagtatalaga ng mga Seminarista Tungo sa Lingkod ng Kabite (PASTOL KA) said that being under seminary formation does not prevent them from staying involved in social issues.

“Deaths, which has become part of daily news, became so ‘ordinary’ for some of us, that they do not catch our attention anymore nor become part of our prayers. Worse, some even find their deaths as fitting and just; passing swift judgment to their dead bodies instead of consoling the grieving loved ones they left behind,” the group stated.

‘Growing animosity’According to PASTOL KA, the gap between

the Church and the government is alarming since both are supposed to serve the common good.

“We are troubled with the growing animosity between church leaders and the government who serve the same Filipino people. We detest the proliferation of fake news and harsh statements against humans and against God. Our language, which was developed to connect people, is now used to sever relationships,” the seminarians said.

This June, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was under fire for allegedly bashing the Christian concept of God but later said he already “asked God for forgiveness.”

Hope for healingIn the end, the group reminded the

faithful that despite having “differences and weaknesses,” everyone remains “children of God” who never lose hope because “Jesus never lost His hope for us.”

“May this hope heal the wounds we have caused to each other. May it inspire us to return once again to the Word of God and proclaim it anew; a proclamation that warms the heart, directs our thoughts, and guides our actions,” the seminarians added.

PASTOL KA is the official organization of Catholic seminarians in the province of Cavite which is under the territorial jurisdiction of the Imus diocese of Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista. (Jonald Justine Itugot / CBCPNews)

Bishop bewails killing of drug war widowA Catholic bishop has condemned the murder of a drug war widow who was leading a support group for families of victims of extrajudicial killings.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said Jennifer Taborada, 27 and a mother of two young children, was gunned down by masked killers in Caloocan City at around 8pm on Wednesday.

As shepherd of a diocese that has become a “killing field”, the bishop said he is saddened that he cannot protect his flock from the “wolves”.

“And so today in utter shame and frustration I declare I have not been a good shepherd to my flock,” David lamented in his homily during a Mass for the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization in Manila on Thursday.

“The wolves, they have been prowling the streets and alleys of Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas for almost two years now! They have killed hundreds already, and I am unable to protect them with my life.”

“I will bow in shame if the Good Shepherd will denounce me as a mere hireling who remains very safe and very secure, who can get a good night’s sleep in his warm bed while his sheep

are being slaughtered. And this is what i was saying in tears to myself last night,” he said.

Citing a report from his informant who was at the crime scene, the prelate said what’s appalling was the killers were not even rushing and just took their “sweet time”.

He claimed that the police seemed to be alerted about presence of the killers “because they are not supposed to meddle”.

“If the police wanted to pursue them, they could have, because they stayed for more than three hours,” David said.

After the killing of Taborada, he said that the killers just moved a few blocks and killed Alvin Teng, 36, at around 11:30pm.

He recalled that Taborada was one of the widows who applied for a scholarship for her kids just a few months ago.

“At that time I remember how she narrated her husband’s death, how Ryan was mutilated by the killers. He had to be abducted and tortured first. They gouged his eyes and cut off his private parts,” added David.

“Now her two children, named Princess and Prince, are complete orphans,” he also said.

esteVOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 2018 3 ANEWS FEATURE

Borongan lauds DPWH for ‘successful’ Pentecost celebrationTHE Diocese of Borongan in Borongan City, Eastern Samar has recognized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Samar for its efforts in helping make the celebration of Pentecost Sunday on May 19 in the interior town of Maslog “successful.”

B ishop Crispin Varquez personally presented a certificate of appreciation to DPWH Eastern Samar District Engineer Manolo Rojas in a simple program at the DPWH Eastern Samar Engineering Office in Borongan City on June 27.

The prelate praised the DPWH for ensuring the security and safe travel of hundreds of Catholic devotees from various parishes of Eastern Samar that trooped to the

interior town of Maslog.Varquez said with the help of

the DPWH, travel was convenient and fast from the interior town of Maslog to Barangay Carolina in Can-avid, Eastern Samar.

“The maintenance of the road and the motorists assistance center of the DPWH are big factors in the success of the Christian event. We express our heartfelt gratitude to District Engineer Manolo Rojas and is staff and field men of DPWH Eastern Samar who gave their full support [of] the Pentecost Sunday,” said Varquez in his citation.

Meanwhile, Rojas expressed his thanks to Varquez for the commendation given his office which will boost personnel morale. (Nestor L. Abrematea)

Focolare group visits Borongan, conducts outreach programs

MORE than five hundred children from four elementary schools in Borongan received bags and school supplies from a group of young people from different countries, who were in town recently.

This was part of the outreach program of more than seventy young people of the Focolare Movement, who were on their one week post Genfest outreach program in Borongan.

They visited the elementary schools of Canjaway, Punta Maria, Maypangdan and Catian, where they conducted a literacy program in coordination with the Eastern Samar State University’s College of Education.

The group interacted with the children, and shared food with them, at the same time, taking time to visit the beaches, islands and other sights in the city, and experience the culture of the local

communities.They were supposed to visit

communities where projects and programs are being implemented by the Social Action Commission of the Diocese of Borongan, but did not push thru since the sites were in remote barangays.

But they were given an orientation of these programs. When the group asked Fr. Juderick Calumpiano how can they help, he said that support for a scholarship program for needy children would be welcome.

These young people were a part of the more than 6,000 people from all over the world who gathered from July 6-8 in Manila for the 11th Genfest, the international youth festival of the Focolare movement.

This was the first time that it was held in Asia. (Eden Cidro/Este News)

Salcedo declares state of calamity due to dengue outbreakA STATE of calamity was declared in Salcedo town last week. after an outbreak of dengue.

This was confirmed by Meghann Villanueva, surveillance coordinator of the PHO.

Data from the Provincial Health office showed 93 cases reported in the municipality from January to June, this year.

Mayor Melchor Melgar immediately activated the Anti Dengue Task Force in the municipal and barangay levels, and ordered barangay captains to lead in cleaning their barangays.

The whole municipality participated in the search and destroy campaign to get rid of mosquitoes and destroy their breeding grounds.

In an interview, Dr. Rodel Delgado, Technical Section Chief of the Provincial Health office said that 46 dengue cases were reported in Salcedo from June 11 to July 3, higher than their five year average which was the basis for declaring an outbreak.

Eleven barangays were affected. He said that about 60% of the

victims were children five years old and below.

Two deaths were recorded in Bgy Casilion, two boys, 8 and 13 years old. Both died at the EVRMC in Tacloban.

Dr. Delgado said that the municipal government has decided to buy dengue test kits, fogging machines and reagents for blood testing.

Delgado lauded the fast action of the municipal government to combat the outbreak. He said that even if a state of calamity was declared, the calamity is under control.

While there are still reported cases of dengue, the number is now going down.

The PHO continues to monitor the situation in Salcedo, with daily reports coming from municipal health officials.

The PHO said there were 145 reported cases in the province in the first half of the year, with Salcedo having the most number of cases, followed by Borongan, San Policarpo, Dolores and Can-avid. (Eden Cidro/Este News)

Jipapad town cleared of illegal drugsJIPAPAD, Eastern Samar, August 4, 2018–The Philippine drug enforcement agency lauded the officials of Jipapad town for their cooperation and efforts to make the town illegal-drug free.

PDEA Regional Director Edgar Jubay said that the Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs will not be successful without the support of barangay officials, especially barangay captains who head the Barangay Anti Drug Councils or BADAC.

Jubay was in Jipapad to attend the ceremony declaring the town, drug cleared. He stressed that illegal drug use is “not just a peace and order problem, but also a health and a community issue, hence the cooperation of everyone is needed to solve the problem’.

Of the thirteen barangays, Brgy Dorillo was the only one not affected by drugs. Data from the PDEA showed that there were 92 users who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang, and not a single pusher was arrested.

Those who surrendered were assessed by the Department of Health as low risk, and they have finished the Local Based Rehabilitation program.

The local government unit has given them seed capital for their livelihood. Jipapad is the latest town to be declared drug cleared.

To date, 12 municipalities have been cleared by the PDEA,

including Gen. McArthur, Mercedes, San Policarpo, Balangkayan, Maslog, San Julian, Can Avid, Balangiga, Sulat, Oras, Hernani and Jipapad.

Director Jubay hopes that the Eastern Samar province will be free from drugs and he is looking at Eastern Visayas to be declared the first drug free region in the country. (Eden Cidro/Este News)

(Photo courtesy of Jipapad FB)

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez (third from left) turns over the certificate of appreciation to District Engineer Manolo Rojas (third from right) of the Dept. of Public and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Samar Engineering District in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, June 27, 2018. (Photo by Nestor Abrematea / Visayas Times)

(Photo by Manny Arago / Eastern Samar News Service)

este VOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 20184A EDITORIAL

Editorial

Media at the service of the truth

Simple and humble thoughts

Bishop Crispin B. Varquez, D.D.

ConcernsA. On The New Financial System (NFS)

June 30,2018 was the 3rd year since our implementation of the New Financial System in our diocese. I would like to give my utmost gratitude to those who gave their whole-hearted support and cooperation to the NFS. It is our concrete expression of our capacity to think not only for the good of our respective parishes /chaplaincies but also for the greater good of the Presbyterium and the whole diocese.

I appeal to those who are still struggling to give their full cooperation ang support to the NFS to faithfully observe the guidelines and to conscientiously implement them so that we can better reap the benefits of the NFS as a local church.B. Parish concerns

Regarding the organization and

administration of the parishes /chaplaincies, I offer the following concrete actions:

1. The parish and the chapels are to be organized in view of our unified and comprehensive diocesan pastoral thrust. The “TARAMDAN HAN PAGDUMARA HAN PAROKYA” will be our reference and guide.

2. Aside from the celebration of the Mass and other sacraments, our communities are to be organized as PRAYING COMMUNITIES, both at the parish / chaplaincy level and the chapel level. Consistent activities for the spiritual nourishment of our parishioner can be initiated or reinforced (if they are already on-going)like the following: monthly or weekly Holy Hour, prayer meetings, Bible sharing, Holy Rosary, novenas, blessing of Family Altars, Weekend Catechism

classes, etc.3. There is an urgent need to

strengthen, support, and encourage all existing religious organizations, renewal movements, cofradias, and ministries in all parishes/chaplaincies. Pastors can make their ministry of personal presence more effective by attending their meetings, giving them regular inputs for their spiritual growth, providing them consistent on -going formation, and assigning to them specific ministries or tasks in the parish.

As we approach the 5th Centennial of the Christianization of the Philippines this 2021 of which our diocese is a significant witness and participant, it is but fitting that we renew and reinvigorate our commitment to “live Christ ” through various concrete and realization initiatives within our Christian communities.

esteE A S T E R N S A M A R N E W S S E R V I C E

Editor: Pepe Quitorio

Associate Editor: Neil Tenefrancia

Managing Editor : Sr. Marinel Velasco, LGC

NEWS Writers:RJ Abonal Eden CidroRoy Lagarde Medora QuiranteEdmel Raagas

Photographer: Alren Jerome Beronio

Layout Artist: Sky Ortigas

Wed Admin: Nani Ramos

Account Executive : Sr. Marinel Velasco, LGC

ESTE is published monthly by the Diocesan Commission on Mass Media and Social Communications, with editorial and business offices at the DYVW Building, Baybay Blvd., Borongan City.

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THE PARISH/TOWNSHIP of San Julian owes its origin to the pre-Spanish settlement of Libas. When the Jesuits started evangelizing the inhabitants on the eastern littorals of Samar island in early 17th century, Libas was already a small settlement, although the term village could not be applied to it. The houses were far removed from each other, and the place was without streets. It was simply a group of houses that dotted near the mouth of Libas river. The inhabitants, whom from time to time the Jesuits from Sulat gathered at a makeshift chapel for worship and the doctrina, were engaged in farming and fishing.

The establishment of Libas in 1781 as a village was largely the work of a Franciscan parish priest of Sulat, Fr Melchor Claver. Through his efforts, a church was constructed, and houses were gathered around it. He directed the construction of a casa tribunal, a cemetery, and a rectory (convento). On July 4, 1863, Libas was separated from Sulat politically and ecclesiastically, and as it already had enough population and revenues to support a priest, was erected into a diocesan parish on August 25, 1871

The new parish included the visitas (barrios) of Nonoc, the patron of which

was St Pascual Baylon, Simangan, dedicated to St John the Baptist, and Pagbangbanan, placed under the protection of St Francis of Assisi. The first parish priest was a diocesan, Fr Pedro Badul, who was assigned in Guiuan from 1865 to 1866. Tradition has it that he was pastor of Libas from 1871 to 1874. The seat of the parish was, of course, Libas, with a wooden church dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. In 1865, the whole parish and town had a population of 2,940, and a total of 835 tributes. It also had a escuela de primer enseñanza (roughly, a primary school) located at the parish seat. Its big church bell was acquired in 1885.

When commerce in Samar island improved in the late 19th century, the priest and the people recognized that the location of the town placed it at an economic disadvantage. In

1886, during the incumbency of Don Granizo Calim as gobernadorcillo, when the town had a total of 3,645 population, and the people were already part of the inter-town commerce, Fr Julian Diaz, the parish priest, proposed that the poblacion be transferred to the visita of Nonoc largely for economic reasons. Reads a document:

R.C.P. Fr. Julian Diaz propuso que el pueblo se trasladase al sitio se encontraba la Visita de Nonoc, como asi se hizo por las siguentes razones:

1. Que “Libas” era y es un lugar bastante apartado del transito para los pueblos inmediatos de Borongan y Sulat, mientras que trasladando al lugar antes mentionado de Nonoc, tendria facil y rapida comunicacion son los mismos, y tendria ademas un aumento notable de negocios debido por frecuentes viajeros que van y vienen de pueblos inmediatos.

2. Que los que tienen todos sus intereses en Libas no podian ser perjudicados el que los mismos trasladaron al lugar antes mentionado, puesto que se pasa per via maritima y no dista mas que dos millas poco o menos.

Having been seconded by the majority of the principales (town’s leading men), the proposition for the transfer of the poblacion, after much deliberation, was locally approved on April 7. 1886. With the stamp of approval by the governor general in Manila, with the assistance of the Gobernador Politico-Militar Don Pelayo Echacon y Lopez, the transfer became effective on August 14, 1887.

Nonoc, the new poblacion,was renamed San Julian, after the friar, Fr

WHEN a church puts up a media facility, the obvious agenda is evangelization. This was the overarching reason why the diocesan radio station of Borongan was established in 1991.

In his circular to accompany the launching of DYVW some 27 years ago, then bishop of Borongan, Most Rev. Leonardo Medroso, wrote: “Henceforth, Borongan Diocese will utilize radio broadcast as one of its important instruments in bringing the Word of God to the people. This act implies a courageous decision. First, it acknowledges the definitive influence of mass media in the shaping up of a worldview in the minds of our people. Second, the act of utilizing radio as a tool in bringing the Gospel to all underscores the determined pastoral effort of the diocese, that is, the clergy and the lay leaders, opting mass media as one of its strategies. Third, though it involves logistical support as prices have gone astronomically high, yet, the decision of Borongan is firm and final: let’s have a radio station to bring the word of salvation to our society. What precipitated us to embark into this apostolate on the air is the heightened awareness of our mission. The diocese exists precisely to accomplish a mission. And the mission is: ‘Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you’.” (Mt. 28:19-20).

When the same radio station was re-launched this June 26, 2018, after a hiatus of several years, the media landscape has changed significantly—and so is the work of evangelization. As pointed out by Pope Francis in his message for the 52nd World Communications Day in May this year, one of the contemporary problems the world is facing today is disinformation. Fake news has become pervasive and it is impacting not only on the socio-political sphere but even on one’s practice of faith. “Constant contamination by deceptive language can end up darkening our interior life,” says Pope Francis.

The re-launched media facility of the Diocese of Borongan is not any further from this target. In its own modest way, it will be at the service of pursuing the truth—in dispelling the darkness that fake news and disinformation have engulfed on the minds of people, especially the youth. It has been rebranded into the Voice of the Word Media Network that carries the following platforms: AM Radio, Cable TV Channel, ESTE News Service, Online Radio, and social media, particularly Facebook and Youtube.

The “Voice of the Word” call sign, looks back to St. John the Baptist, who was the voice crying in the desert, to prepare the way of the Word-made-flesh.

Blad Uzi

AntigoMsgr. Lope C. Robredillo, VG

History of San Julian, Eastern Samar: It’s beginnings

History / A7

esteVOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 2018 5 AOPINION

Balik-balaySarah Mabansag Puno

Food for love!“WITH food we go further…” says the theme of the Nutrition Month Celebration this year.

This inspires me to reflect and realize the importance of this grace from God that food is not just for filling our empty stomach but for more.

We need food from the womb for nourishment to grow to full development. We need food to maintain good health to sustain life for our daily grind so the purpose of life is fulfilled. We must be productive, be producers of food not just consumers to have a joyful and fulfilling life.

With food we develop relationship. We often hear, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Through this, love can blossom and can build a home. A happy family dines together joyfully sharing the grace of God with worship and thanksgiving. We also often hear, “kahit saging basta loving”.

But God is generous to us of His wisdom, knowledge and strength to be able to make use of His grace of food to discover variety of healthful food not just ‘saging’. We must value this food by avoiding wastage. The value of food is not in its price but the nutrients in it with proper and safe handling and preparation. The rising price of food

and the desire to eat safe and nutritious food encourage families to be producers not just consumers, may be inspired by “Bahay kubo kahit munti, ang halaman doon ay sari-sari…”

Food unites people for peace and joy. There is no celebration without food. Our parents reminded us always to respect the presence of food in our midst in every gathering because we must respect our Provider, the source of all graces and blessings.

Being mindful of the generosity of God, we are moved to extend our heart and hands to others in gratitude of the love of God and thereby we become instruments of God’s love as we share our food to others especially to the last, the least and the lost.

As we open ourselves to the love of God, we not only seek for the food for the body but also for the food of our soul. We allow ourselves to be soaked in His word and be nourished by His sacraments. As we know Him deeper, we learn to love others more.

The grace of God, the food for the body and the soul can nourish us to love more, strengthen and sustain us in our journey through life until our time to be with Him in heaven. Thank you Lord for the FOOD FOR LOVE.

Voice of the Voiceless

Fr. Fernando Navidad Egargo, Ph.D

My God and the President

Points to Ponder

Atty. Ceferino Baquilod, Jr.

Of muds and faith

BECAUSE of the recent blasphemous ‘stupid God’ rant by President Duterte, social media had been flooded with varied reactions. Most of these were from Catholics and other Christians, who felt violated and hurt by his utter disrespect and irreverence.

For how could one not be offended when the very God who we not only love but worship and adore, implore, pray and give thanks to everyday, was being mocked and cursed by no less than our country’s president.

Duterte is either just lost and confused in the Christian faith, or just trying impress us by postulating ideas as though he was some religious expert or scholar. Or maybe, he is really pursuing his idea of creating his own brand of religion. But either way, he clearly went too far and crossed the line. Known for his swearing and obscenities, and speeches that are mostly littered with foul and profane language, Duterte was not content with merely assaulting church leaders. He went for the very core of Catholicism and cursed God.

My initial reaction was similar to most. Only a person who is not in his right mind is capable of saying what he said. At the same time though, despite my disgust in him, I could only pray to God to ‘forgive him for he does not know what he is doing’.

Mocking CatholicismThis country is

predominantly Catholic. Any political leader who makes a mockery of the Catholic faith, is courting disaster and will suffer the consequences.

There are those, including the president, who try to deny he cursed God. But his statements were straightforward, unequivocal, unambiguous and recorded. His supporters attempt to validate his behavior by discussing spirituality, freedom of speech, or right to belief and religion. Not only are these arguments lame and beside the point, all these can never justify cursing God. Yes, all of us have rights. But all rights have limitations.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s explanation why Duterte did it seems believable. He said Duterte is still fuming mad at the Catholic Church because he was molested by priest when he was young. But come to think of it. If indeed the molestation occured, the logical remedy is for Duterte not to keep the anger boil within him. He needs to seek professional help. By so doing, he can spare the entire nation from the ill effects of his unmanaged madness and hostility. He can also hopefully function well by making better decisions for himself and for this country. Unless that happens, we can only expect from him the same frame of mind not only against the church but likewise towards

killings, rapes, disrespect for women, vile language, etc.

Fearing repercussions, presidential daughter Sara admonished the public not to believe his father’s statements on religion. This to me confirms our president’s attempt to fool us, again. There is a big chance though, that he will say he was just joking, or that you are a fool or ‘buang’ if you believe him, as in the past whenever he was cornered. Right now he seems to have changed gears already by claiming that he did it just to ‘shake up the tree’ or ‘test the limits’ of the people. Clearly by this admission, his utterances were just figments of his imagination, a game, and not even out of conviction.

Steadfast BeliefGoing to church on Sundays

where masses are constantly overcrowded, one can only conclude that despite Duterte’s mocking our faith, we the faithful have remained steadfast in our belief in God, who we all love above all things. I also believe that Duterte’s shaking up or testing the limit proposition has only made us stronger in our faith and closer to our Creator. And, some of Duterte’s avid followers have finally awakened and had a change of heart.

As one reflects on our Lord’s grace and goodness, it is so inconceivable how some worshippers can even start to think of justifying the cursing and calling God stupid.

The Millennial CatholicMau Obon

“Let them praise his name in dance, make music with tambourine and lyre” (Psalm 149.3)There are countless ways of glorifying God.AS a way of celebrating the “Year of the Clergy and the Consecrated Persons”, the Bishops and priests of the Diocese of Borongan ventured into something which has never been done before by the local clergy— concert! Fr. Mike Gadicho, the head of the Diocesan Commission on Clergy and the Young Clergy of the Diocese of Borongan wholeheartedly accepted the challenge of spearheading this enormous task of producing the show.While it is true that not all priests are blessed with extraordinary vocal and dancing skills, it is a fact that singing and dancing have been significantly mentioned in the Bible as a way of praising God. In the Book of Exodus, Moses and Miriam led the Israelites in a triumphant song and dance glorifying God after they were freed from slavery (Exodus 15).The DAYAW Concert of the Borongan Clergy is not a way of showcasing the angelic voices nor the acrobatic dancing skills of priests. Far from it. Rather,

it is our way of giving back to God and to the people. God has been gracious to us, priests, in spite of our unworthiness and blemishes. Moreover, the lay faithful of the Diocese of Borongan have been consistent in their unqualified support for the Catholic Church. We cannot but echo the Psalmist’s question: “How can I repay the LORD for all the great good done for me?” (Psalm 116.12). This Concert is our way of expressing our profound gratitude to God and to the people of God.As the music director, I have to admit rehearsal days were exhausting. For one, gathering the priests for the practices was a big challenge. Not that priests were uncooperative. Rather, the demands of parish work sometimes coincided with concert rehearsal days. Yes, liturgical and pastoral ministry is still our priority. We would like to assure you that we did not neglect any of our parish responsibilities in the whole duration of the rehearsals. Talk about time management J. Also, we certainly do not pretend to be as gifted as the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contenders or the Mastermind dancers. But be prepared to be surprised by how well “conservative and

shy Father XYZ” dances. Some teaser videos have been posted on social media to tickle our fancy.Meanwhile, please keep us, your priests, in your prayers. There is nothing in our hearts except our sincere desire to live a life worthy of our Master and Lord. We will try our best to have the heart of Christ whose love is pure and boundless, the hands of Christ who reached out to both the deserving and the underserving, the feet of Christ who wandered and searched the least and the lost. We do humbly acknowledge that we have and had moments of weakness. But those weaknesses, notwithstanding, will never discourage us from rising every time we fall and meekly placing our lives in the service of God.In this DAYAW, please allow us to serenade you, the people of God in the Diocese of Borongan, with songs coming from our heart. Never mind the dancing; we were not trained for it J. The performances will be held in Dolores (August 13), Borongan (August 29), Balangiga (September 27), and Guiuan (October 4).Thank you for your love and patience.

DAYAW: Glorifying God in Songs and Dances

I WAITED at the pier for at least an hour before the motorboat came. I was that eager to set foot in Maslog, the only municipality in the province that I’ve never been to. Then I saw her dock gracefully at the berth. As soon as the seats at the back were vacated, I went in, through the window. I perched myself in middle of the backless wooden bench and the longest river cruise of my life began.

I spent the next four and a half hours feasting on the lush greeneries that outlined the blue-green water and chatting with fellow passengers. After a series of twists and turns, evading rocks and fallen trees, I finally spotted the red rooftop of the Maslog gymnasium. But the trip isn’t over yet. The fully loaded vessel I’m in, got sidelined in the shallow part of the river. It was a “so near yet so far” moment. It felt like we were moving an inch per 10 minutes. Luckily, the boatmen were skilled enough to get us through the mud and into the riverbank, safe and dry.

That part of being stranded was the most difficult part of the journey. My shirt was damped with sweat, my limbs felt heavy and my stomach was complaining a bit loudly. But that moment reminded me of one of the toughest chapters of my spiritual life. The time when my belief in God became like a boat that ran aground in a mud.

I was born into a prayerful family that observed Catholic traditions. It was a smooth journey at the beginning until the bibliophile and curious me got exposed to different teachings. From occultism to communism, plus the influence of protestant friends, I was swamped with doubts regarding my Catholic faith.

During those times, I would argue

with the priest in my head as he delivers the homily at the Sunday mass. My mind was always on the lookout for loopholes and would always find the sermon incredibly puritanical and yes, even hypocritical. Most of the time, atheism will be playing in my head but my heart constantly fought for my faith. The confusion led me to start digging the internet and bookstores for anything that could teach me about Catholicism. I wasn’t trying to choose between staying Catholic or becoming a protestant. It was about being a believer or a non-believer.

My quest for knowledge had somehow loosen the grip of the mud of doubts that blinded me from seeing the true beauty of Catholicism. Slowly I began taking small strides towards the Church. My heart won that day, not through my own efforts, but because of the seeds of faith that have been planted in me when I was younger.

In his homily during the 2018 Pentecost Vigil, Bishop Crispin Varquez appealed to the people to tell the story of God, especially of His love, to their children; to teach the children by their words and actions on how to be a good Christian; and to teach the children to love the Church, and the Catholic faith.

I am grateful that my imperfect family actually did these things to me. It was even made better because I had the privilege of attending Catholic schools and I had the opportunity to serve the Church. Everything that was imbued in me when I was a kid by my family, school, and the Church, became that tiny voice in my heart that urged me get to know the Catholic faith more, before letting go. It was the act of love that guided me back to the shores of my faith.

ESAMELCO

ESAMELCO – AN ATON KOOPERATIBA! For three consecutive years, it was categorized by National Electrification Administration (NEA) as Triple “A” Cooperative. This prestigious recognition is heartily dedicated to our member consumer owners (MCOs) and the men and women behind ESAMELCO. This is our success!!

With ESAMELCO’s 40th Founding Anniversary Bonghon Elementary School at Brgy. Bonghon, Dolores was a beneficiary of our feeding program. North Area office spearheaded the conduct of this CSR.

ESAMELCO participated in the conduct of Brigada Eskwela Program, held last May 28, 2018 until June 2, 2018. This photo was taken at Maypangdan National High School.

esteVOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 2018 7 A

Julian Diaz, the last resident priest of Libas and the first resident one in Nonoc. Its first gobernardocillo was Don Francisco Villarazo. Since Nonoc had not a single street, one of the first projects of the parishioners was the opening of streets And in compliance with the usual requirements of a poblacion, Fr Diaz led in the construction of a parish church of stone (traditionally dated 1890),

a church plaza, a casa tribunal (roughly, municipal building), a convento, a cemetery (1888), and a primary school (escuela de primer enseñanza).

Meanwhile, Libas reverted to the status of visita, populated by those Libasnons who chose to remain in the settlement. Before the end of the Spanish regime, one more visita was added to the pueblo (township)

San Julian, namely, Nena, which was already known for its agricultural products. Originally known as Bulauan, its creation into a visita in 1893 was recommended by the Gobernardor Politico-Militar, Don Ricardo Nouvilas, who named it after his beloved daughter Nena. (Simangan became part of Sulat.)

At the same time, another barrio

(probably Lunang) was made, and re-named San Antonio, after the name of a well-loved pastor of San Julian, but its existence was short-lived, not only because the place was sparsely populated, but also because many of its inhabitants transferred to the poblacion. In 1909, San Isidro was separated from Pagbabangnan, and became and independent visita.*

History / A4

“Tinimbang ka, ngunit…”: An ordinary priest reflections on the 2018 SONA

By Rev E B Belizar, Jr. , SThD

FIRST, credit is due to the chief executive’s people for steering him to a “cursing-free” content and delivery (at least, from my standpoint) of the written piece. In effect, it was easier to listen to his address and focus on the points that deserve attention. Coming from a more-than-an-hour-long suspension due to an unexpected but highly suspicious ruckus involving the position of Speaker of the House being taken over by Representative Arroyo from Representative Alvarez, the leader

of the republic might have been ecstatic or angry, but it did not show. Very few, however, believe he was not in the know. Days before the event news media were abuzz with rumors of a change of leadership in the House, courtesy of the presidential daughter’s behind-the-scenes efforts.

The rift between these two intense personalities inspired not so secret unfriendly exchanges doubtless fanned and bruited about by media. When people in power quarrel, those closer to the

more powerful of them wins. This was no exception. As a priest and an ordinary citizen I am appalled not at the former Speaker Alvarez’ downfall but at how treacherous politicking and politicians can be. Still, whatever basest of human emotions and behavior transpired before the SONA, no sign of it was visible in the chief executive’s eyes or face. He could have given it his complete blessing or bitter objection but only a few knew, aside from himself. All the more reason politicians and politicking should follow moral norms.

Even the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines teaches that the exercise of the prophetic ministry means not only “criticizing, condemning” and doing “all it (clergy) can to lessen” what is “bad” or wrong in Philippine society but also “enhancing, encouraging, supporting what is good” in it (PCP II 346-347). Thus, even we priests admit the need to support this administration’s obviously good intentions and programs: anti-corruption measures, stronger defense and promotion of environmental protection and of the welfare of migrant workers, genuinely independent foreign policy, more effective ways to uphold our territorial integrity through peaceful means, peace efforts with all stakeholders in Philippine society, truly poor-

friendly tax reforms, and the like. I wonder though how these good intentions and programs fare when gauged by important value tools, such as: (1) truth (are they based on true assessment of facts and conditions?); (2) justice (do they give the country and Juan de la Cruz their due at the service of his life, dignity and welfare?); (3) common good (do they really serve the common good as defined by Pope John, i.e., “the sum total of all conditions of social life which enable individuals, families and organizations to achieve complete and efficacious fulfillment” [John XXIII, Mater et Magistra: AAS 53]? Or are the efforts one-sidedly geared towards material and economic development?)

One thing bothered me after listening to the SONA. I believe it should bother all of us. I’m speaking of the president’s re-affirmation of his commitment to pursue the anti-illegal drug war in a way he characterizes as “relentless” and even “chilling”. If this is to mean more forceful application of the law, it is to be welcomed. But if this means more killings and travesty of human rights, no one, not even government forces, can stand on solid moral ground and at the same time continue allowing such actions.

It is clear that the administration is less bothered by its human

rights violations record than it is by its own dogged determination to achieve success in the anti-drug war. The trouble is that it seems to see success not in people being brought from drug dependence to drug independence. Success is seen in getting rid of whatever and whoever it defines as involved in, or hindering the resolution of, the problem: drug addicts and pushers (mostly poor), drug lords (mostly untouched or at large), and, figuratively or literally, critics (some politicians, some church leaders, some human rights advocates). Already the chief executive has been taken to task for falsely dichotomizing human rights and human lives. His statement directed to human rights advocates: “Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives” ignores the fact that the right to life is the first and fundamental human right. It is this false dichotomy that is behind the thousands of deaths and killings directly or indirectly related to the drug war. To recognize the right to life of one segment of the population (those outside the drug war) and to deny it of another (drug addicts, pushers, and their kind) duhumanizes everyone ultimately. To deny the right to life of any human being is to deny not only his humanity but even of the one who does the denial.

T h a n k s t o o u r D o n o r s / B e n e f a c t o r s f o r t h i s i s s u eBORONGAN

Donors: Adelaida UyAdorers of the Blessed SacramentAllan – Cleofe Baquilod Angel Dulfo Bea & Joyce Ampong Benito Alfeo B. Cabato, Jr. Celma & Fauato YarasCorazon LuposDr. & Mrs. Rolando C. Solidon Duanie Paperprint Gen. MerchandiseEd de Guzman Edgar Andor Elsie CargandoEmie LaurestaErlinda A. LangomesErna Ester A. CabusEvelyn Norma Padrilan Felipe – Jovita BatingaFloria Montes Gabriel Louis & Isabelle Louise Buna Peralta Iñigo EvardoneJesse EscotoJudith A. Eljira Lea L. Cardona Leoncia Fuentes Lilia PeviarLydia D. Amoyo Mano Lando & Ate Flor Aquino Marife Bencito Mark Christian M. Salamida Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo BasadaMother Gemma A. Silvero, MSHMr. & Mrs. Alfredo Basada Mr. & Mrs. Edilberto Cardona Ms. Celita Agus Noel C. Discar Patricio Balsacao Rowena PantaleonRuby Ann C. Balbin Ruth Straka Vianney Earl Agnes Water Avenue c/o Ms. BelmaMabao WHEELERS APARTELLE Wilma Caspe Tavera

Benefactors: Angelina N. Villasin

Antonieta C. AnaArnulfo & Doris CajegasAileen Singson Antonio & Becky Campomanes Christian Wixar Ty LimEastern PolymedicCorason Rubio dela RosaEllen Grace AbudeGina P. DelgadoHarold P. LabroIan Carl C. AmoyoJonie Allan & Elena & Florens DulfoJosephine Rivera dela RosaKris Ann DalaLuisa M. Duzon Luisa PayuyaoMarilou G. CastilloMarlyn DadullaMarlon – Aileen AragoMary Jane G. GapudMr. & Mrs. Alfredo Cabato, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. German Silvero and Children Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rosales Mrs. Blys C. BlancoMyrna P. Guasis- KAHLUCZI Convenient Store Neuro Medical ClinicOscar – Noraliza TañadaRalph Justine C. AmoyoRebecca PicardalRegalado & Erna Opeña Rogen Alegre & Children Rommel/ Gina Robredillo Ronnil Jim A. LadiaoRosaleo & Clariza PromedaSarah C. GeroyTeresa L. AbelgasTony & Becky Campomanes

GUIUAN

Donors: Anastacia Bustillo Bec Lucy DistuinguidoMarcelos Restotel Mr. & Dra. Reynaldo Miflores & Children

Benefactors: Angelina de Paz AnonymousDra. Pilita B. Sinagbuhan Edgardo Juaban Francis Vic, Shery Jane & Louraine Jane Guitieres Mr. & Mrs. Antonio LomeroMr. & Mrs. Aurelio Magalona & FamilyMr. & Mrs. Carlos Cunanan Mr. & Mrs. Dante Badar Mr. & Mrs. Renato Gaytos Mr. & Mrs. Rey SabidoMr. & Mrs. Ronquillo Salvedia Mr. & Mrs. Rufino Garado Mr. Nilo Naing Mrs. Alma Mabansag Mrs. Beatriz Egargo Mrs. Concordia Lumain Mrs. Cristita Ablay Mrs. Dolores Delleva & Family Mrs. Epifania de Vera Mrs. Eva Diaz Mrs. Gregoria Calumpiano Mrs. Luz Perez Tabernilla Mrs. Mary Grace Soraya Duran Mrs. Mila Obias Mrs. Princilla Badoc Mrs. Resalina Abogadie Mrs. Riza Lozada Mrs. Rosemarie Amistoso Mrs. Veronica Miflores Orocay Family Pablo Cabugawan

GENERAL MACARTHUR

Donors: Vice Mayor Joel Baldo & children

Benefactors: Alexius & RenzyAbellaAlyson Store Fe Navales & ChildrenFelisa Malindog & Family Kier Andrei Gloria Mr. & Mrs. Randy Castillo & daughter Unah Mae Mr. & Mrs. Raul Romanca & Brielle Mrs. Myrna Isaig & family Patrocenia Canites William Kessler Algo

SULAT

Donors: Hon. & Mrs. Jun M. Gecomo & Children Ma. Nida L. Baldado & children Rex Peter & Roselle Marvi Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie S. Campomanes & Children

Benefactors: Catalina J. OperarioEdel A. Aboga-aElizabeth Aclo- BalitaEvelyn A. OpimoIda M. EvardoneJosephine C. LimboLeonarda PadriquelaMa. Bibian C. Yaput Matilde C. PalileoMr. & Mrs. Dante R. Sumbilla Mr. & Mrs. David Jasojaso & family Rebecca C. Pitogo Roxanne D. Sumbilla Teresita B. LusicoWinefreda C. Acong Zita D. Acampado

SABANG

Donors: Aida AnasariasElena LobederioJoshua Emmanuel & Ella CeladaGemma G. ApitaMarvin RosalesMulti LinkPerla BalagapoTracy Lou ObonLiving WaterMr. & Mrs. Armando ApitaMr. & Mrs. Cris LimMr. & Mrs. Gary Peter GazoAira Antonette, Kaye Vicenta Feliza,Edward Francis Ang

Benefactors: Antonio & Lilibeth CidroAri Lloyd & ClementineArlu & Risa LeiBrent Gaillian M. DagandanCarl Niño D. Amoso, Charlie & Charles MatthewGlenda CasillanoJeric Paul AfableJosefina RavilasKit Edgar BaleinDario Wilmer PenarandaMichael AmbilPrincess Lexi P. AcalaTita BeatoYolanda MorteMr. & Mrs. Fernando CantilangIda SesoMr. & Mrs. Allan AnerMr. & Mrs. Arnaldo Amosco, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Leo EsquierdoMr. & Mrs. Moises GermudoMr. & Mrs. Renato WongMr. & Mrs. Romeo DevoraMr. & Mrs. Joseph BingcoMr. & Mrs. Lucito BingcoMr. & Mrs. Michael NervesMr. & Mrs. Allan WaniwanNimfa AfableNora Paez

SALCEDO

Benefactors: Marina P. CayosaMarcia C. AldeMasmar D. Delista Virginia A. Abunales

MATARINAO

Benefactors:Erlinda GuiraIrish CaparaLuz Felicen & FamilySusan Capara

LAWAAN

Benefactors: Jose M. Trajano & Family SB Member Raul C. Gade& Edna D. Gade Yhanna S. Elacion

TAFT

Donors: Mrs. Dionisia C. DonozoMr. & Mrs. Ambrocio ChicanoMr. & Mrs. Fidel VistaMr. & Mrs. Pedro BalequiaMr. & Mrs. Rodrigo TaninasMr. & Mrs. Rodrigo Ceblano

Benefactors:Mr. & Mrs. Pascual A. DocenaMrs. Agnes P. GaleMrs. Elisa S. ChicanoMrs. Flores LebrillaMrs. Jovita DotingcoMrs. Lydia AdelMrs. Lydia CaspeMrs. Milagros BusaMrs. Natividad MacahigMrs. Paz Q. AdelMr. & Mrs. Rico Eldefonso AmoresDominga DolioMs. Conception Balbaboco

SAN JULIAN

Benefactors:Mr. & Mrs. Alejandro AmbalMr. & Mrs. Gervacio AmboyMr. & Mrs. Gloria A. Mercado Mr. & Mrs. Kelvin Lisaca& FamilyMr. & Mrs. Noe L. PomentilMr. & Mrs. Tito C. Agarpao Mr. & Mrs. Yvenn J. Casinillo Mrs. Ma. Marina Q. Orgen& Family Ms. Elvira Amoyan Ms. Gilda Doligon Sean Marpit G. Ty Zoila M. Cajipo

LLORENTE

Donors: Dra. Bernadette GalacanNancy AldeEdsel Ian & Karen Bormate Jesseth L. Adora

ORAS

Benefactors: Judge Margie MutiaPalaña Mrs. Aida S. Isaig Mrs. Aquilina Lomuntad Mrs. Corazon N. Senofa Mrs. Delia N. Jongco Mrs. Lydia Mutia Mrs. Virginia M. Raagas

(Photo from the FB of Fr. Euly)

esteVOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 2018 1 B

Taboc, Borongan City

The media apostolate of the Diocese of BoronganBy Pepe Quitorio

THE establishment of a local AM Radio station in 1991 was the biggest leap in the media apostolate of the Diocese of Borongan. “Henceforth, Borongan Diocese will utilize radio broadcast as one of its important instruments in bringing the Word of God to the People,” said then Borongan Bishop Leonardo Medroso at the inaugural of DYVW.

Obviously following the pastoral directions of Vatican II’s Inter Merifica and Communio et progressio, the Diocese of Borongan has been quite on tract when it comes to Catholic media ministry. In the early 70s, Borongan Diocese joined the fray of Fr. Jim Reuter’s Rural Mimeo press. A fortnightly diocesan newsletter called “An Tiklos” was edited by Msgr. Conrado Balagapo and circulated to all the parishes. That could have been easily the first print medium that was widely circulated throughout the province. An Tiklos was not sustained for long. It folded up after a couple of years.

There had been newsletters published by a few parishes in the diocese, but they also were not sustained. In 1984, the Cathedral parish of Borongan had an evening radio program at DYES, a government AM radio; it never lasted a year. When Fr. Jim Reuter, who headed the National Office of Mass Media, gave a Media Awareness Seminar in Borongan in 1988, his joke was, “In Borongan, I was looking for a betamax; but I was told they only had petromax!” Of course, in some better-off homes, betamax was already in vogue by then.

In 1990, Cable TV began proliferating in Eastern Samar. The influence of national television was manifested in social or school programs when children or young people started aping the dances of noontime TV shows. Notably, the impact of the evening news and telenovelas was massive in people’s psyche.

But it was only in October 2010 that the diocese of Borongan was able to set up a Cable TV Channel. It was occasioned by the golden anniversary celebration of the Diocese. It was also made to fill up the lacuna left by diocesan radio DYVW since it became non-operational in 2006 due to disrepair. Called Borongan Catholic TV-13, the facility

was made possible through the financial assistance of Ay! Borongan, which is a US-based organization of Boronganons.

Although Borongan Catholic TV-13 has not stopped broadcasting until now except during typhoons and power-outages, it never had the logistical and technical capability to produce its own programs. What it has been airing for some years now is 95% canned and sourced from external content providers. That resulted in observably low viewership. Nevertheless, this facility persisted until today.

With the emergence of the internet technology, the Diocese of Borongan may be one of the first to establish an internet café in the locality. Intended primarily for the students and the out-of-school youth, the facility which was filtered of pornography and gambling sites, had a connectivity that was delivered via satellite (VSAT). But due to high cost of bandwidth it was operational only from 2003 to 2005. The engagement of the diocese with online media later developed into creating its own website and several social media pages in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, not to mention those of the parishes, commissions and organizations.

In early 2013, the Diocese of Borongan launched its first newspaper. Starting as a monthly 8-page tabloid, it later developed into a broadsheet. This maybe the only Catholic newspaper in circulation until today in the whole of Region VIII. This newspaper is called Este, referring, of course, to Eastern Samar where the Diocese of Borongan is geographically located.

In March 2017, the Diocese launched a news service with the end in view of answering the Catholic Church’s call to neutralize the spread of fake news and the seemingly organized disinformation prevalent in contemporary Philippines. Named Eastern Samar News Service, or Este News, this service is staffed with local Catholic journalists who are trained to write stories from the perspective of Catholic news values. To date, Borongan is the only Catholic diocese in the whole Philippines—or maybe in Asia—that owns and manages a news service.

Thus far, the biggest breakthrough of

the Diocese of Borongan in the media apostolate happened on June 26, 2018. It was the day when its diocesan 5-kilowatt AM radio station was re-launched. This radio station was non-operational for about 13 years due to disrepair for lack of funds. Although off-air, all its facilities, including the building, transmitter and antenna tower, were intact until super typhoon Yolanda knocked all of them down. This date saw also the launching of the Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN) and the renaming of Borongan Catholic TV-13 to Voice of the Word Television (VWTV).

The Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN) which is under the auspices of the Commission on Mass Media and Social Communications of the Diocese of Borongan manages the following media entities: 1) Voice of the Word Television (VWTV) that is propagated through local cable TV systems in the province of Eastern Samar; 2) DYVW-AM, a 5-kilowatt terrestrial radio; 3) DYVW-FM which is an online-radio that broadcasts 24/7 at www.estenews.org and

shared with other online radio integrators; 4) Video/audio streaming through several Facebook pages and a VWMN Youtube Channel; 5) Este News Service, and; 6) Este Newspaper.

The Diocese of Borongan is in the league of the poorest dioceses in the Philippines. Its only wealth is its persistence to proclaim the Gospel in and out of season—even with the constant threat of killer typhoons. “Though it involves heavy logistical support as prices have gone astronomically high, yet, the decision of Borongan is firm and final: let’s have a radio station to bring the word of salvation to our society,” said then Borongan Bishop Leonardo Medroso during the launching of DYVW in 1991. It looks like that missionary courage and impetus has doubled today.

At first blush, the Diocese of Borongan cannot really afford to operate or manage such a highly complex media operation; but neither can it afford to set back and not use the modern tools of social communications at the service of the New Evangelization.

A drone-view of the Media Center of the Diocese of Borongan where the facilities of the Voice of the Word Media Net-work are located. It is nestled in an area about 50 meters from the shoreline of the scenic Borongan Bay. Note the 180 ft antenna tower of DYVW at the foreground. (Photo by Alren Beronio / Este News)

este VOL 6 NO 7 & 8JULY & AUGUST 20182B

The Christian Way of Using Social MediaBy Fr. Andiy Egargo

Creating Community through Communication

Man was never created to be alone. The Creator intended man to be a relational being—a person ca-pable of relating with nature, with his fellow men, with His God. For a relationship to happen, it must be-gin, progress and continue through the process of communication. Communication is the process of bonding, a process of gathering to-gether, a process of realizing God’s intention for man. Communio et Progressio teaches that “commu-nication is more than the expres-sion of ideas and the indication of emotion…It is the giving of self in love.” When man communicates, he opens up himself in love in order to understand and be understood. Communication, then, should help create a community through dia-logue and “giving of self in love”.

To communicate is to recognize the “other” as a person worthy of attention. This, in an impera-tive way, sets the tone of what all types of Christian communication should be —from the level of the personal, family, community, soci-ety, and so on. It excludes, from this understanding, all other types of interaction which is selfish, unjust, dehumanizing, enslaving and ma-nipulative. To define communica-tion as a gift of self in love situates communication as a process of a humanizing interaction.

Communication takes in differ-ent forms. Social media is just one among so many. Vatican II (Inter Mirifica #1,3)affirms the contri-bution of the means of mass me-dia in “(touching) man’s spirit and (opening) up new avenues of easy communication of news, of ideas and orientations” so that it sees in it the reason of “employing (it) to announce the good news of sal-vation.” Communio et Progressio, moreover, situates the means of so-cial communication as the instru-ment for the “unity and advance-ment of men.” In the 1991 World Communication Day, Pope John Paul II reiterated this opinion by saying that “the chief aims of social communications and all the means it uses is the unity and progress of human family.”

The globalization of media, espe-cially with the growing popularity and usage of social media, has cre-ated more transmitters and receiv-ers than people in dialogue and in-teraction. Being wired to the global media does not mean being a par-ticipant. The information super-highway, to a large extent, demon-strates the growing anonymity of a one-way communication process. This, unfortunately, has also cre-ated a venue for “trolls” and “fake news agencies” to flourish.

There is, therefore, a need to re-cover back the true nature of com-munication where two or more persons cooperate to create under-standing which did not exist before their interaction. We must all work hand-in-hand not only in providing an alternative to the centralized, vertical mass media, but also in combating an alarming trend in so-cial media that seeks to divide and destroy rather than unite.

Social Media and Education for Responsible Citizenship

Education does not only happen inside the four walls of a classroom. Traditional education claims that learning is achieved within the con-fines of the classroom carried out through a formal system and meas-ured through the achievement of predefined learning competencies.

Of course, education is much more than this. The teaching-learning process can take in different forms and media depending on contexts and needs.

The popularity of social media today can no longer be doubted. Among the more popular social media platforms are Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, to name a few. The number of social media users is in the millions. There is a lot of potential for social media in the teaching-learning process. If skillfully used, social media can be a most effective medium for educa-tion. The qualifying term “skillfully used” imply that social media as a tool for educating people is not a miracle worker. Just like any other medium of education, application of social media must be critically done by experts or at least experi-enced practitioners who have the necessary skills in order to maxi-mize the potentials of social media as an educational tool.

Employing the expertise of people does not mean that these so-called experts become the ex-clusive producers of educational content, just like in a traditional teaching-learning setting. We do not want social media to end up in the same way. A highly central-ized, top-down, teaching process using social media will not neces-sarily deliver the desired results. Such process becomes a tool for manipulation. What we need is an alternative medium that channels information to all social media us-ers who become rational and criti-cal transmitters and sharers of the same information.

One of the critical areas where social media can take a proactive role is in the field of responsible cit-izenship. A society needs citizens who are capable of contributing to the common good. The potential of social media as a tool in education for responsible citizenship is wide-ranging. Talk about educating people about rights and responsi-bilities, enlightening them to dis-tinguish the morally correct from the morally wrong, informing them

about social and political realities, opening a forum for informed and intelligent discourse, providing a venue for articulating one’s opin-ion about issues. An individual can only become a responsible citizen if his involvement in the social and political processes are supported by informed knowledge (of what is true and just) and that such knowl-edge is used for the common good. On the contrary, if a person’s par-ticipation in the social and political sphere is based on “bended” truths (the so-called alternative truth), that person has not yet raised him-self to the level of a responsible citizen. He remains in the level of the now-derided trolls.

It is very alarming, however, that social media has recently become a breeding ground for misinforma-tion. Some contents passed around through social media are mali-ciously intended to hide the truth and, consequently, deceive people. There is the case of the prolifera-tion of fake news from fake news agencies, as well as manipulated strategies of making a certain is-sue or item trend. This misuse (or irresponsible use) of social me-dia is a disservice to the nation because it promote ignorance, it sows confusion, and it preys on the gullibility of undiscerning victims. If only these creators of fake news and “trenders” would put their skills and time into something that would promote the common good…

In social media, teaching-learn-ing does not involve textbooks and tests. What we have is the sharing and interaction of a community of teachers who are learners and learners who are teachers. Hope-fully, this dynamic community of virtual teachers-learners would influence each other in honestly searching for truth and genuinely pursuing knowledge. No text-books. No Tests. Just honest-to-goodness responsible citizens searching for ways to promote the common good.

Ethical Principles in the Use of

Social Media “The Spirit of the Lord is upon

me, because He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, lib-erty to captives, sight to the blind…and a year of favor from the Lord” (Lk 4.18-19).

The gospel promises liberation and salvation for people. Before anything else, however, the gospel has to be proclaimed. The church, recognizing both its charismatic and ministerial characteristics, never ceases to look into new pos-sible means of gospel proclama-tion. It makes use of the product of man’s creativity and intelligence. It is in this spirit that the church em-ploys the means of social commu-nication (social media, especially) in the process of evangelization.

In a predominantly commercial-ly-oriented media environment in the Philippine context, there is an obvious and urgent need for an al-ternative media which is close to the heart of the people and which seeks to educate rather than ma-nipulate. There is a need for a me-dia which is concerned about pro-moting total human development rather than promoting a consum-erist-materialist culture. It is about time to rekindle the light in a soci-ety slowly darkened by unreason-able modernism and secularism and made callous by narcissistic tendencies.

Social media could be an instru-ment in building a free, just, and peaceful community of persons. It could be used to promote univer-sal values of human dignity, truth, and non-violence as transcendent moral principles. In other words, there is only one crucial purpose for a social media apostolate: the greater glory of God and the good of humanity.

As God-centered and human-oriented, a social media user must adhere and bind himself to the fol-lowing ethical principles:

1. Evangelization, through so-cial media, is not aimed towards proselytization. Rather, it aims to-wards allowing people to have an increased awareness of their digni-

ty as persons, loved and cared for by the Creator. In this sense, social media becomes an instrument of an act of love where the priority is service for the oppressed and pro-viding public voice for the voice-less. The contents are directed to all men of goodwill.

2. For people to intelligently participate in the affairs of soci-ety, they need to be truthfully in-formed. The people has the right to information in a balanced man-ner, without any stain of manipula-tion of facts. They have the right to know about the society they live in and the realities that have a bear-ing on their growth as persons. Moreover, the real mark of true de-mocracy is people’s participation. A social media user should know how to expose truth.

3. It is said that communication is more than just information. So-cial media should not only bring true and objective information to the people; it should help people become formed with respect to the universal values of human dignity, truth, and non-violence. A social media user, therefore, has the re-sponsibility of integrity, honesty, and objectivity at all times in or-der to be capable of informing and forming. He does not seek to serve himself, any individual or any in-stitution except that which is at the side of truth and justice.

4. A social media user shall never allow itself to be used as an instru-ment of hate, discrimination and division but an instrument of ser-vice, love and communion. He shall never lend himself to actions that may result to dehumanization or unjust destruction of reputation.

5. A social media user shall re-spect the opinion of others. It is fairly just to express contrary and contradictory opinion. As he/she expresses his/her opinion, he/she is morally-bound to be polite and respectful as manifested in his choice of words. Social media is not only a venue for self-expression; it is also an opportunity to show our acquired personal decency and discipline.

Photo: Unsplash

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Radio Apostolate in the Diocese of Borongan(We are reprinting this Circular which was issued by the Bishop of the Diocese of Borongan in time for the inauguration of radio station DYVW on June 5, 1991)

LEO-NOR STORE & RL EXPRESS CAR WASH

LEO - NOR STORELocated at : 176 E Daza St. Borongan City

RL EXPRESS CAR WASH Circumferential Road Brgy. Songco, Borongan City East-

ern Samar

Owned and Managed by:RUEL B. ORTIZANO

Diocese of BoronganCircular No. 22, 1991Re: Radio Apostolate in the Diocese of Borongan

JUNE 5, 1991 is a date to remember for the Church of God in the Diocese of Borongan. This hallmarks a point of departure on her bold march towards the 3rd millennium, drumbeat by the universal Church as a Decade of Evangelization. Henceforth, Borongan Diocese will utilize radio broadcast as one of its important instruments in brining the Word of God to the people.

This act implies a courageous decision. First, it acknowledges the definitive influence of mass media in the shaping up of a world-view in the minds of our people. Second, the act of utilizing radio as a tool in bringing the Gospel to all underscores the determined pastoral effort of the diocese, that is, the clergy and the lay leaders, opting mass media as one of its strategies. Third, though it involves heavy logistical support as prices have gone astronomically high, yet, the decision of Borongan is firm and final: let’s have a radio station to ring the word of salvation to our society.

What precipitated us to embark into this apostolate on the air is the heightened awareness of our mission. The diocese exists precisely to accomplish a mission. And the mission is: “Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:19-20). This mission is actually the mission of the Father to Jesus his beloved Son. As Jesus expressed it: “I came to do the will of him who send me.” (Jn 5:30).

The reason underlying this mission is love. For God is love. And it is the essence of love to keep in touch, to relate, to communicate. Isaiah expressed this love in a salvific language; he said: “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name, you are mine. For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy one of Israel, your savior.” (43:2-3). Christ is more direct: “I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” (Jn 15:9-13). St. Paul described these attempts of God to communicate in this wise: “In many and diverse ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but

in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” (Heb 1:1-2). Jesus communicated: he preached, he evangelized, he proclaimed the Good News: “This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand. Reform your lives and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15). This gospel is sealed with his own blood, establishing that definitive communication between God and the world in Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:19). With that St. Paul proclaims to all: “Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 5:2). For 2,000 years the Church has been spreading this good news of salvation. Strategies to effectively disseminate the love of God has been tried and faithfully carried out. Missionaries, men and women alike, blazed new trails, penetrating

lands still unreached even by adventurous colonizers. Today, the Church is aware of some heroic initiatives of evangelization—families, whole families, that is, father, mother, their children no matter their number, are fitted together as missionaries. They are leaving behind their rich culture, stable homes, education of children, their future—all for the sake of the mission of love and salvation. What witness they have given; how eloquent are their messages. And how, the mass media. Borongan embarks on this strategy of spreading the Gospel through the air. For, truly evangelization is the life of the Church. “She exists in order to evangelize,” so stated Pope Paul VI in his document “EvangeliiNuntiandi”.

It is true, pulpit preaching still goes on as the ordinary means of proclaiming God’s word, the platform where the homily presents the Word of God as food, for man lives not by bread alone, but by the words that come from the mouth of God. But the Church is aware that we live in the “Era of Communication”, that through mass media the secular news and all other information, the good, the bad, and ugly, all are communicated right to be very room of the majority of our people; that the “world of the mass media represents a new frontier for the mission of the Church, because it is undergoing a rapid and innovative development and has an extensive worldwide influence on the formation of mentality and customs,” so said Pope John Paul II in his recent Encyclical “Redemptoris Missio” (37, c). The Diocese of Borongan is aware of these. Hence, the establishment of the radio station.

Besides, man needs today the voice of the church. For many of our people are confused; disoriented. Symptomatic to

this phenomenon is the proliferation of drugs. Life is so harsh; so meaningless. The youth is especially vulnerable to this. They find no meaning to love, because what he experiences is hatred and violence. They find no values in society, for the teachers, the formators, the leaders whom they look up to, frustrate them: one thing is taught; another thing is seen. To escape from this reality, to experience pleasure in place of lost love; to enjoy life at least for a fleeting moment; to feel high for life is drub and dreary, they resort to drugs. The voice of the caring Mother must again be heard; the voice of the Church commissioned by Christ to direct the “people’s gaze, to point the awareness of the whole humanity towards Christ, who alone can give meaning to life, who alone can save, must be heard in this tumultuous traffic of meaninglessness and alienation”. Mass Media, radio and TV, could be the instrument of the Church for the service of humanity hovering in suffering and in pain.

As we formally switch on the Borongan Radio Station, that DYVW—the Voice of the Word—may we echo the words of Pope Pius XI when the Vatican Radio was switched on for the first time and beamed to the whole world: “Hear, O Heavens, what I have to say; listen, O nations.” For today, June 5, 1991, the Word of God is on the air in the Diocese of Borongan.

God bless us all.

+LEONARDO Y. MEDROSO, D.D.Bishop of Borongan

Diocese of BoronganBorongan, E. Samar 6800June 1991

File photo of the old DYVW

File photo of the old DYVW

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June 26, 2018 saw:

• The re-launching of the diocesan Radio Station DYVW

• The transfer of the studios and renaming of Borongan Catholic TV-13 to Voice of the Word Television (VWTV)

• The blessing of the studios of DYVW and VWTV; and the new office of Eastern Samar News Service (ESTE News)

• The birth of the Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN)

A video-grab of the program “Kabaysay han Liturhiya” anchored by Msgr. Lope Robredillo with Atty Maureen Obon and Grace Agnes. The program which is aired simulcast over VWTV, DYVW-AM, DYVW-FM online and streamed over the Facebook and Youtube, discusses the Vatican II’s liturgical reform and people’s queries about the liturgy. A vicar general of the Diocese of Borongan, Robredillo heads the Commission on Liturgy. Photo: Este News

GONE were the days when there were only three media gateways, namely, print, radio and television. And they were the exclusive domain of producers, editors, opinion writers and gatekeepers. It was a one-way traffic. At the receiving end, people were merely passive listeners or viewers. The editors or producers were demagogues who decide which news, for instance, would be fed to listeners or viewers.

With the emergence of social media, smart phones and ubiquitous bandwidth, the media landscape has substantially changed. Media has been democratized and expanded to so many platforms. Today a person can broadcast live on a smart phone, for instance, and get as many viewers as the big TV networks. Such is the case of famous video bloggers that are followed by millions of viewers over Facebook or Youtube. The publics of traditional media have waned over the years. With the migration of advertisers to social media, the survival of traditional media is threatened.

Fr. Euly Belizar, Jr., who heads the diocesan Commission on Doctrine of the Faith, hosts the program “Pass the Word”. He gives a down-to-earth reflection on the Sunday Readings. Daily Gospel readings are prominent in the programming of VWTV and DYVW. Fr. Jay Romualdo and other priests have joined in to give their daily meditation on the scriptures. These programs run daily across the media platforms of VW Media Network. Added to this are catechetical and value spots that are spread throughout the daily broadcasts. Understandably, religious programs get priority slots in the programming. Photo: Este News

Hosted by Fr. Andiy Egargo and Eden Cidro, VW Conversations, is gaining a popularity and good viewership. Running from Monday through Friday, this program discusses current issues and concerns. Every episode features guests that are at the thick of the issue at hand. Objective and impartial, this program aims at helping people build their opinion on local and national issues and hopefully help bring about change in the society. Photo: Este News

IN order to adapt to the changing media landscape, the Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN) has designed its programming so that every content would be simultaneously broadcast through: 1) DYVW-AM terrestrial 5KW radio at 1368 KHz; 2) Voice of the Word Television that runs on local cable TV channels in various localities; 3) DYVW-FM, a 24/7 online radio linked at http://estenews.org/ and other online radio integrators, and; 4) streamed of VWMN Facebook and Youtube channels.

In effect, the program content is no longer the monopoly of the terrestrial DYVW AM radio which is determined by the intensity, or the lack of it, of land airwave signal. Neither does cable TV get a majority share of followers. As proven by online metrics covering the period July 1, 2018 to August 15, 2018, the lion’s share of viewership is observably coming from social media users. That being the case, all contents are on audio and video format.

These are the people behind the complex operation of the Voice of the Word Media Network. At the forefront are the Content Producers that deliver the daily programs across all the platforms of the network. Here they are: 1) V & C Productions (Eastern Samar in Focus, two more are coming); 2. MW Production (P.S. Paki Sabi, Lakbay Laray and A Taste of Heaven); 3) Alren Beronio Multimedia Studio (Through the Eyes of A Wonderer, more are coming); 4) One Frame Productions (SINEKULTURA, more are coming); 5) St. Bede Production (Erienne’s Adventures, more are coming); 6) NLCS Digital Studio (Sacra Scriptura, Tingog han Pagtoo, Sumat Singbahan). News and public affairs programs are being produced by Eastern Samar News Service. Church organizations and diocesan commissions are coming up with their own programs. Photo: Este News

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After the mass, the priests of the diocese of Borongan pose for a souvenir photo with Bishop Crispin Varquez and Mr. Edwin Lopez, the Regional Manager of EWTN, who is seated in front together with Msgr. Pepe Quitorio and Msgr. Lope Robredillo. Photo: Alren Beronio / Este News

At 4 o’clock in the afternoon of June 26, 2018, the studios of DYVW and VWTV were blessed by Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed thereafter, with several priests of the diocese concelebrating. In the homily, that was delivered by Msgr. Quitorio, the Gospel of the day (Matthew 7:6, 12-14) was reflected on. The Gospel opened with “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” In the contemporary context where fake news and organized disinformation are orchestrated and harnessed tactically as political weapon, public opinion is molded by subtle propaganda, if not manipulated. When people are rubbed of the truth, “pearls” are wrongly perceived as something inconsequential and consequently thrown to the “dogs”. Crisis begins when lives are wasted and values are trampled underfoot. This poses a big challenge to every well-meaning media outfit. According to Pope Francis “If responsibility is the answer to the spread of fake news, then a weighty responsibility rests on the shoulders of those whose job is to provide information, namely, journalists, the protectors of news. In today’s world, theirs is, in every sense, not just a job; it is a mission.” (World Communications Day 2018) Photo: Alren Beronio / Este News

There are two buildings in the media center of the Diocese of Borongan. The renovated smaller building houses the Eastern Samar News Service (Este News) and the administration office of the Voice of the Word Media Network (VWMN). This was the original building of DYVW built in 1991 but destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. This was renovated in 2016 as convent of the Pastorelle Sisters, until they transferred on June 17, 2018 to another building to give way to VWMN.

The new two-storey building houses the VWTV and DYVW. At the 2nd floor is the Network Operations Center where the transmitter and the central control of the terrestrial radio, TV and online streaming are located. Studio One and Studio Two are also found in the second floor. The whole area of the ground floor is Studio Three. All three studios are equipped with audio, video and online facilities for broadcast and production.

The media center has a 50-KVA standby generator. It also has a satellite receiver used in rebroadcasting EWTN from 10PM till 6AM-- and in times of disaster, for monitoring. All sensitive facilities are elevated and secured in the event of flooding and typhoon. The network is expected to continue broadcasting especially in times of calamities when dissemination of information is needed the most. Photo: Alren Beronio / Este News

RON LADERA REAGO