1

Being a healthcare servant is a health witness of compassion to the sick in solidarity

with other healthcare providers.

AS A PERSON.

A healthcare servant nourishes healthy lifestyle, avoiding vices detrimental to health.

AS A COMMUNITY.

The community nurtures social determinants of health: standard of living, clean air and water,

quality housing, healthy workplace condition, access to quality health and education services,

healthy ecosystem, government health policies, equal distribution of life-giving resources,

uprooting discrimination against the sick, etc.

Camillians are one in charism, spirituality, and ministry as they witness the ever-present love of

Jesus Christ for the sick. (Camillian Constitution #1)

2

shepherd’s care Provincial’s Corner

I gnorance of what HIV/AIDS truly is leads one to commit the damaging dis-

crimination against the ones with it. This brings about uneasiness to both the

not well-informed and the infected. Thus, education about this illness is a must.

In January 2011, the Department of Health reported that there were 152 new HIV Ab

sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory

(SACCL), meaning a 6% increase of cases compared to the same period of last year. Up-

on learning that the youngest person diagnosed that time was 17 years old, I was per-

sonally alarmed. This convinced me more that we Camillians have to be actively

involved and contribute something to address this pressing problem.

The Woodwater Center for Healing is our concrete response to this challenge. It is a

place where a person loaded with negative experiences due to the illness that, again,

is not well understood by many of our people, can freely come and refresh their wound-

ed spirit and seek consolation if not total healing. We want it to become their home

where we hope we can help them reclaim their shattered/wounded selves.

The Woodwater Center for Healing aims, too, to network with different groups,

organizations, social-minded people, etc. working for the prevention of this illness and

to promote Christian values that I personally believe could help everyone to value more

and more life and persons whoever they are.

The most scary and devastating experience of those infected with HIV is not the sick-

ness per se but the rejection they got from their loved ones – the people whom they

thought to be the ones helping them out especially in this very trying moment of their

lives. The feeling of being alone in the midst of

many is what consumes their hopes and beauti-

ful dreams in life. Life for them becomes useless

and meaningless. Death seems to be their only

closest “friend” to end their pain and agony.

To the “positive community,” the Woodwater

Center for Healing would try to quench your

thirst to give meaning to your “meaningless”

lives and longing to be whole again: one with

God and with others. Let us help one another to

appreciate the beauty of life by caring and

loving one another.

God bless us all!

By Fr. Rolando J. Fernandez, MI

Our Response

3

blessing & inauguration Woodwater Center for Healing By Fr. Rolando J. Fernandez, MI

4

his is it!

After half a decade of toil, the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm

(Camillians) – Philippine Province, with humility, gratefulness, and joy, finally

realized its dream of establishing a center for its HIV/AIDS ministry.

The Camillians, a congregation of religious priests and brothers who

dedicate their lives to the service of the sick, christened it Woodwater Center

for Healing. Though its services are already in function a couple of years ago,

the center was blessed and inaugurated on March 18, 2011. Gracing the

occasion were the Camillians’ partners in the HIV/AIDS world: representatives

from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Department

of Health (DOH), San Lazaro Hospital (SLH), Research Institute for

Tropical Medicine (RITM), Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI),

and Pinoy Plus Association (PPA); advocates from non-government, civic, and

religious organizations and the entertainment industry; and individuals from

the “positive community” and those who make HIV/AIDS awareness and

prevention their personal advocacy.

“Woodwater? What’s in the name?” you may ask, as many people usually

do! So here’s a little history crash course for you:

Around five centuries ago, St. Camillus de Lellis (founder of the Order of

the Ministers of the Infirm who is now the patron saint of the sick, hospitals,

doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers) served at St. James of the Incurables

Hospital in Rome. During those times, this hospital was the leading charitable

institution catering to the needs of those suffering from incurable diseases.

While St. Camillus was working there, the “woodwater” cure was in vogue. He

assisted in administering to the sick the “woodwater” which gained great faith

from the people for a whole century for its efficacy.

“Woodwater” was a concoction made from the wood of the tree quaiacum

officinale, a hard, resinous wood with a pleasant smell but a bitter taste, to

which was attributed special therapeutic qualities.

Outstanding doctors during the 16th century hailed it as “the remedy

above all others given by God to help humanity.” Others called it “the hope of

mankind, beautiful to behold, a new wonder of the world.” It was even called

“the holy wood” and “the most holy American wood.”

“Woodwater” cure was administered at St. James every other year from

the middle of May to the middle of June. The complete cure went on for forty

days. The reputation this “extraordinary cure” acquired drew considerably large

crowds of sick people for the occasion.

There you go!

WOODWATER Center for Healing

By Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI

5

in focus

Now, taking inspiration from this period of St. Camillus’s

life, the Woodwater Center for Healing aims to provide

pleasant smell, smile, and love in taking care of people living

with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Through this center, the

Camillians envision to bring the everlasting love of God to the

people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. By continuing

the healing mission of Jesus, and following the examples of St.

Camillus, they work to foster God’s call for healing in this bro-

ken world, with special attention to people living with and af-

fected by HIV/AIDS, and to help achieve an HIV/AIDS-free Philip-

pines.

The Camillians’ work on HIV/AIDS endeavors to include

different aspects with the common concern of treating each

person as individual human being. It strives to cover all

dimensions of HIV/AIDS in this ministry, which give priority, not

on the illness per se, but in working with people living with and

affected by HIV/AIDS; allowing them to live with hope and dig-

nity.

Included in the center’s preventive programs are

education (Pastoral Training on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS

Awareness, Voluntary Counseling and Testing [VCT] Training,

Home-based Care Training, Grief and Bereavement Training,

and Palliative Care Training), advocacy, and positive

prevention. Under the treatment, care, and support programs,

the Camillians help in facilitating spiritual enrichment for

people living with HIV/AIDS together with their affected

families, and for people who are caring for them (doctors, nurs-

es, caregivers, etc.) through Recollections and Retreats, Spiritual

Counseling and Discernment, and Scripture Studies and Reflec-

t ions. Medical services, psychosocial support ,

shelter and protection, and nutrition are likewise given

attention by the center.

So far, the Camillians is currently the sole religious

congregation in the Philippines which offers Pastoral Training

on HIV/AIDS to various sectors in the country. And with the

range of services its Woodwater Center for Healing provides, it

is considered as the pioneer faith-based organization (FBO) to

have a holistic program on HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

In the Department of Health-Philippine National AIDS

Council’s Country Report of the Philippines for January 2008 to

December 2009, the Camillians was cited as the Catholic institu-

tion having a good practice in enhancing HIV/AIDS

prevention, treatment, care, and support services. The report

was a follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS

of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session

(UNGASS). For this reason, UNAIDS commended the

Camillians for being a faith-based organization in the

Philippines to have taken a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program

that can be considered a good practice and a pattern for

other FBOs to follow.

In 2010 alone, more than 400 people living with and affect-

ed by HIV/AIDS availed the abovementioned services of the

Camillians. Meanwhile, 4-6 people living with and affected by

HIV/AIDS presently visit the Woodwater Center for Healing per

day.

Being one of the founding members of the Philippine Cath-

olic HIV/AIDS Network (PhilCHAN) and a member of the Coali-

tion in Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network (CAPCHAN), the

O r d e r o f t h e M i n i s t e r s o f t h e I n f i r m

collaborates with the HIV/AIDS programs of the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

And just in case you are still wondering by this time on

why the Camillians aim to provide a refuge for those who are

infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS? With the “expanding

fast and furious” status of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, the

Camillians cannot just stay at the sidelines and watch. Moved

by faith, “We would like to bring God’s hope and love to you

because we SEE Christ in you and in turn we hope that you SEE

Christ in us.”

WOODWATER Center for Healing

…to provide pleasant

smell, smile, and love in

taking care of people living

with and affected by

HIV/AIDS.

6

My solidarity and prayers are

with you, Ministers of the

Infirm - Philippine Province, as

you initiate your Woodwater

Center for Healing. May your

strong commitment to accom-

pany those living with HIV in

your country and to work to-

ward an "AIDS-free Philippines"

be realized through the grace

and force of God's blessing on

your ministry. In my frequent

visits to the Philippines, I have

been privileged to hear from

women and men living with or

affected by HIV about the

dignity and hope which they

experienced through the

pastoral and practical ministry

of the Camillians. May God

continue to inspire and

strengthen your commitment

to foster God's call for healing

in a broken world.

By Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo

Special Advisor on HIV/AIDS Caritas Internationalis

Pastoral and practical ministry

“A seemingly boring and technical topic was given in an interesting manner,”

commented Sr. Victoria R. Santiago, SPC, after the biomedical discussion of

HIV/AIDS. Working in the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Paranaque City, she

added that “the training opened my eyes with what is truly happening with

the youth and HIV/AIDS.”

Indeed, most of the participants in the Pastoral Training on HIV/AIDS

held last March 10-12, 2011 at St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center paved

the way for other dioceses and religious congregations to extend their arms

and hands in response to the Church’s call to appropriately serve and care

for the Filipinos living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Using the SEE-DISCERN-ACT approach of the Second Vatican Council, the

pastoral training started with cultivating the giftedness of each one by focus-

ing on the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit which everyone needs to use

in taking care of people living with the virus and in preventing the spread of

this pandemic disease. Then, the epidemiology of HIV was presented to SEE

the higher-population at greater risk of HIV infection and the vulnerable

groups like the youth and

migrants. An in-depth dis-

cussion on HIV/AIDS was

done with emphasis on its

causes and effects. On the

second day, the participants were led to DISCERN using the biomedical as-

pects of the disease. They were given the chance to put themselves in the

shoes of those people undergoing the testing, those who were diagnosed

positive of HIV, and those affected families. The culmination day was devoted

in deepening on what can Church healthcare workers do to help decrease

and ultimately free the Philippines from HIV by making an ACTion plan.

Some plans were realized after the training when, through the initiative

of the graduates of the said training, HIV/AIDS awareness was conducted for

the staff of the SPC-owned Our Lady of Peace Hospital, parish leaders of St.

Peter’s Parish (Diocese of Novaliches), and the youth of Nuestra Señora dela

Annunciata Parish (Diocese of Antipolo). Like the Augustinian Missionaries of

the Philippines (Diocese of Infanta), others have also started reaching out to

vulnerable groups. By Bro. Dan V. Cancino Jr., MI

aids does matter

SEE-DISCERN-ACT

Approach for HIV/AIDS

7

T he situation of HIV/AIDS in the

country was described as low

and slow, with prevalence of less than

1% among both the general population

and most at risk populations (MARPs).

However, the nature of the disease is

rapidly changing for the past 5 years

which was described as hidden and

growing. With the latest result of the

Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic

Surveillance (IHBSS) in 2009, the number

of new cases was doubled that of the

previous 10 years, which is now being

considered as an expanding epidemic.

Looking from the perspective of an

epidemiologist, the above are numbers

and statistics giving warning to an im-

pending outbreak of a disease. From the

perspective of a public health specialist,

the above requires the development of

strategic interventions to prevent the

spread of the disease. From the view-

point of a scientist, it means an urgent

need to discover vaccines or technolo-

gies to stop the virus. From the lens of

an economist, it means financial burden

to the society. And from the simple

mind of a common person, the situation

above is simply scary.

BUT… from the hearts of the Camil-

lians, the above are not just numbers

but people suffering from the disease…

They just don’t need strategic interven-

tions in paper, but direct services… Dis-

covery of vaccines and technologies

might fail and be delayed but the Camil-

lians’ helping hands and compassion are

here and now. Through the ministry of

the Camillians, people living with HIV/

AIDS are helped to be hopeful, empow-

ered, and strengthened so that they will

not be seen as burden to the society but

still have that feeling of dignity and

worth. From the Camillians’ minds are

deep understanding of the pains and

sufferings these people are experienc-

ing, which make them resolve to be

strong and brave because the Camillians

know that the patients whom they serve

are drawing the courage and spirit from

them.

Congratulations to the Camillians

for setting up the Woodwater Center for

Healing. You have used different lens

and perspective of how the society

should act and respond to this impend-

ing epidemic of HIV/AIDS. I am proud to

have you as our partner in health and I

will pray for your success so that you

may continue to touch more lives and

ease their sufferings.

For they are not just numbers

By Yolanda E. Oliveros, MD, MPH, MHSA

Director for Disease Prevention and Control United States Agency International Development (USAID)

heartbeats

Through the ministry

of the Camillians,

people living with

HIV/AIDS are

helped to be hopeful,

empowered, and

strengthened...

I was sick, scared, alone, and angry. I couldn't speak the language to ask for the

help I so desperately needed and I was tired of the fight. I had a virus ravaging my

body and I was on the verge of giving up the fight. Then a friend brought me to

the Woodwater Center for Healing. Now, I’m on the road to wellness, and most im-

portantly for me, I’m no longer alone, sick, or afraid. Thank you, Camillians, for car-

ing for my body, my mind, my spirit - my well-being. I really don't know where I’d

be right now without you.

Messages for the Camillians

Right now with you

Jake HIV+

8

UNEXPECTED REFRESHMENT

After finishing the sessions on Religious Vows with our

Novice Master Fr. Ruben J. Mandin, MI, and on the

History of the Order with our Local Superior Fr. Ivo Z.

Anselmi, MI, we were refreshed by an unexpected

occasion with Msgr. Andres M. Cosalan Jr.! The Apos-

tolic Vicar of the Diocese of Baguio, he preferred him-

self to be called Fr. Andy.

A bible scholar, Fr. Andy was, for many years, a

professor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Theological

Seminary in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Currently the in-charge

of the Catechetical Ministry, Biblical Apostolate, and in

taking care of the old and sickly priests of the Diocese,

he is, for us, a holy, good, and humble priest.

Fr. Ivo actually invited him to give us a talk on

the Biblical Foundation of the Religious Vows. However,

due to his innate kindness and generosity, he unex-

pectedly gave us a spiritual refreshment! He trans-

formed our session last February 21, 2011 into a one-

day retreat!

Fr. Andy shared with us the nuances and reflec-

tions on the gospel passages related to religious vows.

And with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the

Holy Eucharist as conclusion, our day with Fr. Andy

was indeed a refreshing one!

UNEXPECTED TITLE

Grand street dances and extravagant floral

floats. What a wonderful entertainment

(and respite!) it was for us Novices during

Baguio’s week-long Panagbenga Festival last February

26 to March 6, 2011!

But here’s the more wonderful: On the last day

of the festival, the Novices presented in a program

staged at Baguio Convention Center. Organized by Mr.

Bob Aquino, the event was participated in by different

schools and convents in this City of Pines. And, lo and

behold, the Camillian Novices ended up garnering the

Best Inspirational Dance of the Year title!

UNEXPECTED JOY

The graduating elementary and high school classes of

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori had their retreat

last March 4 and 5, 2011, respectively.

Fr. Ruben and Fr. Ivo were the preachers while

we Novices were their assistants.

As those days became memorable for the stu-

dents, they, too, were joyful moments for us Novices!

As we shared with them our time and talents, we

likewise conveyed to these young generations our

religious experiences and the importance of our fami-

lies as the cradle of our chosen vocation.

Great [Un]expectations By Nov. Errol S. Salcedo

By Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI

“No sweat but no sleep”

After four years of “no sweat but no sleep” theological

studies (thanks for the description, Fr. Boy!), Camillian

scholastics Eliseo L. Navarro, John Jay C. Magpusao,

Jayson A. Labrador, and John Paul B. Alvarado proudly

received their certificates of completion of the General

Theology Program from the CICM Maryhill School of

Theology on March 11, 2011.

Most Rev. Teodoro C. Bacani, DD, Bishop Emeritus of

Novaliches and a professor at Maryhill, presided over the

Thanksgiving Mass held at the CICM Provincialate

Compound in New Manila, Quezon City. He stressed in his

homily that theology is not just about knowing and

discussing concepts, ideas, and explanations about the

divine, scriptures, morality, and others. For him, studying

theology should always be accompanied with action;

always putting it into praxis. Thus he exhorted the Batch

Liyab (the graduating class) that they should not end up

only in studying theology but they should now become

incessant in “doing theology.” A theology that is daily

lived and praticed.

On the other hand, the graduates took the occasion

as the best opportunity to express to everyone their

grateful and challenged hearts. Grateful: to all the people

who helped and supported them pursue, hurdle, and

finish their theological studies. Challenged: to enflesh

their theological learnings in their actual priestly and

religious ministries.

“Going into the deep”

At St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City

on March 19-23, 2011, the scholastics heeded the Lord’s

call to “go into the deep.” No questions about that, folks,

that was their annual retreat!

Well, what a privilege it was for them to have the

former Father Provincial, Fr. Ivo Z. Anselmi, MI, as their

retreat preacher!

With delight, Fr. Ivo shared with them his ideas,

insights, reflections, and personal experiences on the

following topics: Going the Whole Way with Jesus, Self-

determination and Responsibility, Maturity in Religious Life,

Mutual Support in the Community, Authority in Religious

Life, Prayer, and the Camillian Fourth Vow. He then

synthesized them all in his concluding session entitled

One in Mind and Heart We Move On.

Surely, through Fr. Ivo’s signature zealous inputs,

the scholastics learned a lot from him and were very

much inspired and challenged to live a meaningful and

well-grounded religious life. Grazie, Fr. Ivo!

And as the retreat gave the scholastics generous

time to contemplate, reflect, exercise, relax, listen to

stories, share stories, and, of course, eat well and much,

they were definitely rejuvenated, refreshed, and

reinspired to face off with their next big things:

summertime’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and parish

apostolate!

pine trees & cool breeze The Novitiate Bulletin

PUBLISHER

St. Camillus Provincialate 18 Nicanor Reyes St., Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City,

Philippines

EDITORIAL STAFF

Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI

Ms. Veronica Villegas Mr. Hubert Castro

Telephone: +63 (2) 929-6213/926-3506/

920-7621 Fax: +63 (2) 929-6215

E-mail: provhousephi@gmail.com Website: camilliansphil.org

March

BIRTHDAYS

07, 1977 - Fr. Renato Maliwat

24, 1971 - Fr. Tex Rico Buntol

24, 1974 - Fr. Gabriel Garcia

28, 1957 - Fr. Rolando Fernandez

PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS

19, 1966 - Fr. Luigi Galvani

19, 1966 - Fr. Felice Chech

19, 1962 - Fr. Giuseppe Didone

25, 1995 - Fr. Menardo Nono

25, 1995 - Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva

25, 2006 - Fr. Jacob Wong

PRESBYTERATE ORDINATIONS

02, 1975 - Fr. Ivo Anselmi

11, 2000 - Fr. Ruben Mandin

11, 2000 - Fr. Charly Ricafort

25, 1986 - Fr. Remegio Jamorabon

April

BIRTHDAYS

01, 1977 - Fr. Alfons Oles

04, 1947 - Fr. Raimondo Yang

21, 1939 - Bro. Davide Cattaneo

PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS

01, 1956 - Fr. Antonio Didone

17, 1995 - Fr. Marcelo Pamintuan Jr.

17, 1993 - Fr. Diosdado Haber

17, 1993 - Fr. Wilfredo Penoliar

21, 1996 - Fr. Samuel Cuarto

24, 1949 - Fr. Giovanni Rizzi

milestones

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