ACTS HANDA NA

PARA SA IFI @ 110

Vol. III No. 1 August 2012 * Vol. III No. 1 August 2012 * Vol. III No. 1 August 2012 * Vol. III No. 1 August 2012 * Vol.

Isang malaking pagkakataon na naman sa Aglipay Central Theological Seminary ang maging kaisa ng buong simbahan sa Ika-110 taong Ani-bersaryong pagkakatatag ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Isa sa pangunahing tagapagtanghal ang mga seminarista ng ACTS upang lalong maging makulay at buhay ang gaganaping Banal na Misa sa ika-3 ng Agosto 2012 sa Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Lungsod ng Maynila. Sa pangunguna ni Rev. Danilo C. Ito bilang tagapagturo ng ACTS teatro, magkakaroon ng maikling pagsasadula ng kasaysayan ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente at iba pang mga liturhikal na sayaw na napapaloob sa Banal na Misa. Kaisa rin ang mga seminarista ng ACTS sa pag-awit sa nasabing Banal na Misa na pangungunahan ni Rev. Francis Lucero. Isa pa rin itong paraan sa patuloy na paghubog sa mga seminarista sa pagkakaroon ng malikhaing isip sa pagpapaha-yag ng patuloy na paggabay at pagtulong sa atin ng Diyos ng Kasaysa-yan. (Bro. Ramoncito Tadepa)

-Teodoro Agoncillo

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 2

Editors Plume Rectors Desk Editorial IFI 110th Proclamation Anniversary: Aglipayan Identity

Column Philosophical Milk

Feature TEC DIOCESE OF HAWAII VOWS INCREASE SUPPORT TO ACTS

News Welcome First Year!!! ACTS goes for Lenten Retreat ACTS RECTOR ATTENDS THE SEV-ENTH CONGRESS OF ASIAN THE-OLOGIANS

SoTaNA sa SONA

Independence Day Celebrated! Seminarians sing for ABC: stage concert in Ilocandia A Learning and Meditative Experience ACTS Hosted Vocation Campaign Rector opens the Academic Year 2012-2013 Nine seminarians march to receive diploma; priest, certificate of study Nanumbalik sa hanay ang SoTaNA G.A. elects officers of the

Council of Seminarians

Through the shutter Reflections Literary

Acknowledgement

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Greetings to our readers! Today we are celebrating the 110th Proclama-tion Anniversary of our adored Iglesia Filipina Independiente in high spirits. A century and a decade of our beloved church had come and she still continues to exchange blows with the rapid-changing cloaks of the society and coping up with the challenges while staying burly. We are very thankful to Yahweh for giving us the patriotic courage and psyche for the past 110 years and for the coming years to come. This issue of INTERACTS is said to be a special edition in connection to our churchs festive atmosphere. Most of the major articles written are of concern with the celebration.

The editorial staff would like to thank all the first year seminarians who contributed their feature write ups and articles for the success of this issue and likewise to the new members of the editorial staff and contributors who diligently dedicated their time despite the hectic schedule in the performance preparations for the 110th Proclamation Anniversary.

We are looking forward to your optimistic approach and hoping that you will be pleased about our toils.

AGBIAG TAYO NGA AGLIPAYANO! AGBIAG TI SIMBAAN TAYO, IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE!

We would like to extend our gratitude to the persons who willingly shared their time to our queries.

We regret for any errors or omissions we committed and we are asking for your contem- plation regarding these matters. AGYAMAN KAM LA UNAY

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Our beloved Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) now turns 110 years old and her festive celebration gathered under the theme Mamuhay ayon sa pagkatawag ng Diyos na maglingkod (1 Cor. 7:17). St. Paul exhorts us through this letter to continue living our individual calling by holding Christ as our supreme riches and not counting on our own achievements, privileges and ambitions in life.

One nationalist play writer depicts the IFI as altar na may laya while another composer describes her as pinalaya ng Diyos upang mag-palaya. This por-trayal is in essence her calling, that is, as one of Gods chosen instruments to liberate the nation from principalities and power that enslave the land and its people in any moment of history. This given vocation is what St. Paul exhorts to lived-out not for self-preservation or gratification but for the glory of God who is the source of IFIs being.

It is therefore not a mere creative brilliance of an artist or ambiguous co-incidence in Philippine history that the IFI logo vividly depicts the sources of her strength, the pillars of her authority and the vocation she is task to minister. These four sources and pillars of our being a church are: Scripturae (the Bible as the Living Word of God that reveals His salvific plan), Sciencia (the Use of Rea-son and acquired Human Knowledge to discern the Word and understand the World to rightfully participate and experience the Reign of God), Caritas (the Manner to Practice Gods desire through love, justice and solidarity with our neighbor especially the poor), and Libertas (to Attain the Liberation of people from Ignorance and all forms of Domination and Oppression). Doing it in praxis makes us true to our claim as altar na may laya and pinalaya ng Diyos upang mag-palaya.

ACTS as a seedbed called to nurture and mold future ordained servant-leaders of the IFI is challenged to be true in following the vocation of this church. There-fore, it is the prayer and a commitment of this seminary in celebrating the 110 proclamation anniversary of the IFI, a theological education rooted in the light of the Word of God and critical theological reflection on praxis, and a seminary formation that engage students to practice love, justice and solidarity with the people towards Gods promise of liberation.

Mabuhay ang ika-110 taong proklamasyon ng IFI!

Ipagpatuloy ang makabuluhan at mapag-palayang teolohiya! Itaguyod ang ACTS!

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Christians comprise the biggest portion in terms of religious denomina-tions. It includes the Roman Catholic Church, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Iglesia Ni Cristo, of course, other Chris-tian churches and the rest are the indigenous animistic beliefs of some people in the upland areas that resisted 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. This means that most of us live as influenced by our God and as what is written in the Scriptures. This also tells us that the Span-iards had successfully converted the bulk of Filipino people in their religious be-liefs, which is not a bad thing also; how-ever, we might not be in no way different

as Christians but how we recognize and accept our churchs identity is a big dif-ferent story. So as we celebrate the 110th proclamation anniversary of our

church, let us not focus on what we usually do, -- reminisce and remember sig-nificant events, rather we must also give our attention to one of the frequent problems our church face, the IDENTITY. Unlike the IFI, the Roman Catholic Church and even the Iglesia Ni Cristo which are two of the big churches in the country became more popular because of their members or parishioners who are very vocal and proud of their religious affiliations. Aglipayans used to claim that they are Roman Catholics. Hence, one cannot help but ask , Why do some of our members do this? Are they ashamed of our church? In a Pastoral Letter issued by the SCB in 1988, it says: The IFI has no land to give and wealth to offer. We only have ourselves to share. Living out our heritage is our response. We might not have big churches and classic cathedrals to boast but we have our beliefs to be proud of. Going back to the question, why are some of us deny our church? Is it because we only have few active members as compared to other churches? Or we do not usually appear on the television conducting masses during Sundays, singing praises to the Lord, whatsoever? My brothers and sisters in Jesus, our church does not live with these things, rather it lives by its undying commitment to serve the Lord and the coun-try. Big events may not be noticed but this is not important at all, because what matters most is the fulfillment of its commitment without braggart telling the world about it. So the next time when somebody will ask you about your church, never be ashamed to claim the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. This may some-how serve as an eye opener to everyone who is still at the midst of accepting the church. As Filipinos, let us all be proud of our church, our heritage, the concrete expression of our nationalism, Pro Deo et Patria!

EDITORIAL

IFI 110TH PROCLAMATION ANNIVERSARY:

AGLIPAYAN IDENTITY

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Filipino mariology

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All throughout the centuries, many scholars have spilled ink to produce sound theological treatises on Mariology. Such effort have produced diverse theological inter-pretation that created debates among the learned from different denominations.

During the early medieval era of the church, Mary has been the center of con-troversies discussed by the early councils particularly the Council of Nicaea. The con-troversy was in regards to the theotokos, i.e. God-bearer. (The controversy was raised by Nestorius one of the prominent Antiochene theologians. He taught that Christ consisted of two distinct per-sons (human and divine) rather than a unified person. The nature of Christ is divided equally between His divine nature and His human nature, but the two are distinct and separate. God the Son, Jesus Christ, took on

a human nature, yet remained fully God at the same time. Christ is both the Son of God and the man Jesus

It is through the above teaching that the Antiochene theologian concluded that Mary cannot be the Mother of God because Christ consists of two distinct persons, human and divine, which are also separate. Since he only took on a human form he remained fully God. Hence, Mary cannot be the Theotokos.

But such theology is so western. No matter how much a great theologian will explain it, it will not have any meaning or even appeal to people who are rustic and brought up in a different culture. It is therefore better to have a contextualized understanding of Mary so people can easily understand who she is. How Juan Dela Cruz sees Mary

The Filipinos see the Blessed Virgin Mary as a padrina --- as someone who can bridge people to God. She is someone who can bring to the Father the prayer requests of the people. In this aspect, Roman Catholic Filipinos and most IFI would see Mary as someone who would pester the Father until the latter gives in and answer the prayers.

In the Filipino family if the mother is seen as the one who holds the fathers hand not to give a hand to any of the children when committed mistakes, Mary is believed in as intercessor.

In a typical Filipino family, the mother comforts her children from pain. She does it through her gentle touch and warm embrace. Usually, a child who is hurt immediately stops crying when the mother rushes to comfort. Again, Filipinos who

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always experience economic suffering, disheartened because of failure would turn to Mary. Why? Precisely because faith tells them that such characteristics are possessed by Mary. All of the things mentioned above about Mary are part and parcel of a culture whose past has been marred by tyranny and oppression by the powerful. No wonder, Filipinos would always find figures may it be political or religious, to unload their bur-densome suffering. It is not also surprising why Filipinos would seek miracles and do not care if such is authentic or not. What is important to them is to relieve themselves of pain. Again they will not care whether it is temporary or not. Such beliefs about Mary led Filipinos to celebrate her goodness. As a matter of fact there are so many feast days that are celebrated every year for Mary: her Immaculate Conception every December 8, the Assumption, Mater Dolorosa, Holy Rosary, her apparitions in many places like that in La Salette, France and the celebration of her birthday every September 8, just to name a few. Although the Catholics (Roman and Filipino) and the Orthodox may honor and venerate Mary, they do not view her as divine, nor do they worship her. Catholics view Mary as subordinate to Christ, but uniquely so, in that she is seen as above all oth-er creatures. Similarly, the theologian Sergei Bulgakov wrote that although the Ortho-dox views Mary as "superior to all created beings" and "ceaselessly pray for her inter-cession" she is not considered a "substitute for the One Mediator" who is Christ. "Let Mary be in honor, but let worship be given to the Lord" he wrote. Similarly, Catholics do not worship Mary, but venerate her. Catholics use the term hyperdulia* for Marian veneration rather than latria that applies to God and dulia for other saints. The Virgin Mary was chosen by God to be the Mother of Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ is truly God and Mary is the Mother of

Jesus Christ, she is the Mother of God in his human generation. She whom God honored is to be honored

above all* (DFAR, Articles of Religion #14). Roman Catholics and other religious denomina-tions belonging to the Catholic tradition are criticized for the devotion and attention they give to Mary. Seemingly they are worshipping Mary but as they say: You only establish a crime with the motive. The action may tell, perhaps, that most people wor-ship Mary. But when they are asked whether they worship Mary, their answer is clear, we are just venerating her, give her due honor and respect because she is Jesus mother. Such is very Filipino. We highly respect mothers. Whether they are not our mothers or friends mothers, the respect is there. Other denominations should not deter or criticize people who express their utmost desire to pay respect to Mary. Clergy, too, who think of stopping people from doing so, should not only think twice but many times. They should rather take part in the proper education of the people on the veneration of Mary not eradicate or stop it. Devotion to Mary survived centuries of tests and it will not be until this day if it did not give any good to people. Trying to stop this kind of belief and practice of the people will only establish ill-will between clergy and the laity and might cause division among Church members. Remember the words of the wise Rabbi Gama-liel: Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find your selves fighting against God (Acts 6:35-39). If the venera-tion of Mary enriches the spiritual aspect of the lives of people and help establish a har-monious relationship with others, let it be so!

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ACTS Rector together with OM Fajutagana & Bishop Fitzpatrick

of TEC Diocese of Hawaii

he Diocese of Hawaii of The Episcopal Church (TEC) vows to in-crease its commitment to ACTS in support to its theological educa-tion and formation program. This pledge was made by the Rt. Rev.

Robert L. Fitzpatrick, the Diocesan Bishop of Hawaii to the ACTS Rector, Rev. Dr. Eleuterio J. Revollido during the IFI- TEC Concordat Council meeting held at Tampa, Florida on April 19-20, 2012. ACTS has been re- ceiving an average of five hundred dollars a year coming from the collection of the annual 1% Theological Education Offering of the diocese. The support from the Diocese of Hawaii has been going on for a decade already that started in 2002. It was made possible through the generous leadership of the Rev. Canon Randolph V.N. Albano, who was installed Vicar of The Episcopal and Philippine Independent Church, Parish of St. Paul, Honolulu, in 1999. Fr. Albano has been instrumental also in ACTS campaign to acquire relevant books in its library to comply with the standard set for an accredited member of the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA). His untiring effort to support ACTS either through books, money or encouraging letters continue to flow. As of this writing the Rector was informed that three more boxes of books that he solicited from the library of the Rev. Dale C. Hathaway, Rector of St. Marys Episcopal Church are on its way.

For the last ten years ACTS has been using the Hawaii theological educa-tion offering to support indigent but deserving seminarians. The follow-ing are its recipients: Saturnino Agustines, Jr. (2003-2006, Tuguegarao), Khristine Sampayan (2006-2007, Tarlac), Clifford Bayod (2007-2010, Ilocos Norte 1), Philip Jake Grande (2010-2011, Ilocos Norte 2), and Ce-sar de Guzman, Jr. (2011-2012, Tuguegarao). ACTS is hopeful that the increase in theological education grant this year will in any way help ease the increasing needs in running a theological seminary.

Feature

TEC DIOCESE OF HAWAII VOWS INCREASE SUPPORT TO ACTS

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ACTS NEWS

These words were heard after the newly en-rolled freshmen were ma-triculated as seminarians of Aglipay Central Theologi-cal Seminary last June 10 , 2012. The ceremony was incorporated in the liturgy presided by Rev. Dr. Eleu-terio J. Revollido with the

Rev. Ramil Aguilar as hom-ilist. It was Bro. Roehl L. Baldonado who presented the first year to the Rector to be matriculated. The new seminarians are the following : Philip An-drewR.Belarmino (BILLESA), Jim Zedrick O. Bondad (DAGUPAN),

RichardR.Borzon (BILLESA), Aldrin R. Cas-tro (BILLESA), Jelo M. Dedumo (AGUSURIS), Ana Marie Aldon R. Diaz (LAGUNA), Mark Anthony H. Ecalne (BILLESA), Ro-gelio Cornelio V. Molina (BATAC), Manuel M. Pachoca (EASTERN PAN-GASINAN), Christian Ed-ward D. Padua (LUISA), John Cedric C. Tolentino (LAGUNA), and Rivera Mark Anthony (BAT-BUL) (College Program). They signed in the book of life of the seminary as they prom-ised to devote their whole life in the service of God and people, obeying the seminary policies and com-munity rule of life. After signing and receiving the blessing from the rector they were presented to the congregation as new semi-narians for the Academic Year 2012 - 2013 (Bro. Jim Zedrick Bondad).

WELCOME FIRST YEAR!!!

Ang mga seminarista sa unang taon. Top Layer from Left: Bro. Rogelio,

Bro. Aldrin, Bro. Philip, Bro. Jim, Bro. Mark, Bro. Cedrick. Second Layer from Left: Bro. Manuel, Bro. Richard, Bro. Christian, Bro. Jelo.

Bottom Center: Sr. Anna Marie

ACTS GOES FOR LENTEN RETREAT The seminarians of the Aglipay Central Theologi-cal Seminary went off for their lenten retreat. The Annual Lenten Retreat was held in the Diocesan Center of the Roman Catholic Dio-cese of Lingayen-Dagupan from February 22 to 23, 2012. The retreat was facili-tated by the Rev. Ramil M. Aguilar, ACTS Chaplain, with the Very Reverend Eleuterio J. Revollido,

S.Th.D. (Bro. Roehl)

Photo Taken by: Bro. Mon

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The seminarians together with the Rector and the Chaplain during the

Lenten retreat culminating activities.

Photo Taken by: ACTS Administrative Office

ACTS News 10

The Rector of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS), the Rev. Dr. Eleuterio J. Revollido attended the Seventh Con-gress of Asian Theologians (CATS VII) held at the Meth-odist Theological University, Seoul, Korea on July 1-5, 2012. The congress was par-ticipated by 24 women and 46 men Asian theologians who gathered under the theme Embracing and Embodying Gods Hospitality Today.

CATS is a move-ment of Asian theologians that was organized in 1996 and held its first congress in

Korea the following year. The Philippines on her part hosted its sixth Congress at Central Philippine University, Iloilo City in 2009 where the Rev. Revollido was first in-troduced to this important

gathering of theologians. One of the main objectives of CATS is to clarify, promote and enhance the co-operative process of theological studies and reflection among commit-ted Asian theologians who are prepared to deal with critical Asian issues as part of the Asian theological agenda.

The prominent role towards its establishment was played by the Christian Con-ference of Asia (CCA) espe-cially the contribution made by its former General Secre-tary, Dr. Feliciano Carino, a Filipino. The other founding members of CATS are the

Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) in which ACTS is an accredited member, the Board of Theological Educa-tion of the Senate of Serampore College (BTE/

SSC), the Program of Theolo-gies and Culture in Asia (PTCA) and the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) of the Roman Catho-lic Church.

With the significant and creative theological de-velopments emerging in various Asian settings through the articulation of Asian theologies like the Minjung theology in Korea, Homeland theology in Tai-

wan, Dalit theology in India, theology of struggle in the Philippines, theology of dia-logue and many more have made Asian Christianity and ecumenical life more relevant and challenging. The partici-pation of ACTS through the Rev. Dr. Revollido, who was selected as part of the six member Continuation Com-mittee to plan for the next congress is another great op-portunity to share the IFI heritage, theology and strug-gle, Pro Deo et Patria to the theologians and Churches in

ACTS RECTOR ATTENDS THE SEVENTH

CONGRESS OF ASIAN THEOLOGIANS

ACTS rector together with other theologian dele-gates of Seventh Congress of Asian Theologians

held in Seoul, Korea.

SOTANA SA SONA

Hulyo 23, 2012 muling ipinakita ng Seminarians on Transformation and Nationalism (SoTaNA) ang kanyang pakikiisa bilang mga taong-simbahan na makabayan sa masang Pilipino. Kasama ang ibat-ibang makabayang organisasy-on, sama-samang nag-martsa sa kahabaan ng Commonwealth Avenue, (continue to page 24)

ACTS NEWS

The Parish of Divine Shep-herd and ACTS community celebrated together the 114th Independence Day festivity. The Seminarians on Transformation and Na-tionalism (SoTaNA) orga-nized the activities during the said celebration. It start-ed with the Eucharist at 8 oclock in the morning which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Ramil Aguilar and The Very Rev. Eleuterio Revollido as the preacher, then followed by a clean-up drive along the highways of Nancamaliran East and West. This was made suc-cessful through the collabo-rative efforts of the semi-narians and the congrega-tion. They had their lunch

together and everyone shared in the said feast. After the ban-quet, SoTaNA set up a film viewing entitled Zone Pass. At 3 oclock in the afternoon Larong Pinoy was conducted. Among the games were patintero, Maria Maria went to town, and sinabot or

coconut shell race. Other games were also played like tug-of-war, sack race, and volleyball. With the success of the said activities, the seminarians, together with the parishion-ers, look forward to cele-brating the same event next year.(Bro.Manuel Pachoca)

The seminarians of the Aglipay Central Theologi-cal Seminary staged concert

in the dioceses of Ilocandia. The first phase of the con-cert tour was held in the

Diocese of LUISA with the Parish of IFI Sinait as host. The second phase was staged in the Diocese of Batac in the Shrine of The Most Rev. Gregorio L. Aglipay. The proceed of the concert will go to the repair of the ACTSs ABC Building and the Parish of the Divine Shepherd. The concert tour participants were trained by the able deacons of the church, the Revs. Danilo C. Ito, Ed.D, for choreography and Francis L. Lucero for music and vocals. (Bro. Roehl Baldonado)

I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y c e l e b r a t e d !

Seminarians sing for ABC, stage concert in Ilocandia

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The ACTS teatro during the ACTS Ilocandia concert tour

A C T S seminarians together with the congre-gation of the Divine Shep-herd Parish during the Clean-up drive last June12, 2012

Photo Taken by: Bro. Mon

Photo Taken by: ACTS Administrative Office

Who said that meditation is boring? And indeed it is bor-ing. Yeah, it is boring for those who do not understand it clearly and do not know the true worth of meditation. There is no other way to dis-cover that but to start practic-ing and incorporating it in our daily lives much more for seminarians who are consid-ered as men of prayer. Hence last July 12, 2012 a four-man delegation from Aglipay Central Theological Seminary composed of Rev. Ramil Aguilar, seminary chaplain, Bro. Roehl Baldo-nado, seminary registrar, Bro. Ramoncito Tadepa and yours truly attended two confer-ences on meditation at De La Salle University Manila Campus. Supposedly there were three conferences but we opted to attend only two for the seminary administra-tion thought that these two were what the seminary need. These were the The Experi-ence of Townsville for Edu-

ACTS NEWS

The Aglipay Central Theologi-cal Seminary (ACTS) yearly conducts vocation campaign to find people who want to serve God and his people. Every year, some people who attend-ed the activity, however, are not really ready to face whatev-er challenges they might face; some only wants to attend this activity to test themselves if they are really capable of living in a community like this and if they really want to enter the seminary for their study. But only few responded and contin-ued to enter the seminary. The most recent last vocation cam-paign was conducted last March. It began with fellow-ship led by the seminarians with the presence of faculty lead by Rev. Eleuterio Jose Revollido, the rector, and Rev. Ramil Aguilar, the chaplain of seminary. There were 5 candi-

dates who came from different dioceses that attended the cam-paign. Four of them were only high school, so they were ad-vised to finish first their high school study because they were not yet qualified to enter the seminary due to the qualifica-tions that a candidate must be at least a college level having 72 units from college before being admitted in the proper study of Theology in the ACTS. As a result of the said activity, one candidate was able to enter the seminary to study. It is in the person of Manuel Pachoca, from the diocese of Eastern Pangasinan, particularly in parish of St. Maria under the supervisory of Rev. Laarni Salaguinto-Inguito. He was admitted to the seminary because he is highly qualified; he doesnt have any problem about the requirements and he is commit-ted to serve God and people. God called unto him and he responded it. (Bro. Jelo M. Dedumo)

A C T S H O S T E D

V O C A T I O N C A M P A I G N

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cators and The Other Half of Prayer for Men and Wom-en. Rev. Aguilar and Bro. Ramoncito joined other priests, pastors and seminari-ans and lay people in the lecture of Fr. Laurence Free-man on The Other Half of Prayer for Men and Women. They did not only listen to the lecture but experienced the meditation propagated by the late Fr. John Main, OSB. On the other hand, Bro. Roehl and yours truly lis-tened to Dr. Cathy Day and Ernie Christie as they shared to educators, catechists and seminarians their experience in the Diocese of Townsville in Australia in incorporating

Christian Meditation in the educational system of the diocese. Of course we also experienced Christian Medi-tation during the lecture. We came out from the conference rich with experiences and information on how to prac-tice Christian Meditation and teach it to young people. We went home filled with hope that what we experienced will provide a new perspective for seminarians to enhance their contemplative life as men and women of prayer responding to their calling ACTS/14

A Learning and Meditative Experience

ACTS NEWS

Seminarians were gathered at the conference hall of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary last June 17 for the opening of the academic year. The program started with a community song by the seminarians together with members of the

faculty headed by Rev. Dr. Eleuterio J. Revollido ,the rector of the seminary. It was followed by a prayer. The seminarians in every year level showed their hidden talents in singing, dancing and acting. The festive night ended with a message from the rector wishing

the seminarians to become responsible, obedient, and strong in faith as all members cross the treshhold of hope towards better theological education, fruitful ministry, and harmonious relationship among church members. (Bro. Jim Zedrick Bon-dad)

After four years of formation in the seminary, nine semi-narians received the fruits of their labor during the 21st Graduation Rites of the Aglipay Central Theological Seminary in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. The graduates were: Bros. Armando M. Casim (Cavite), Cesar F. De Guzman, Jr. ( Tuguegarao), Felix F. Fam-

ini (Romblon-Mindoros), Ferdinand L. Geraldino (Surigao), Carl Winstone L. Norbe (Cavite), Eumer E. Pascual, Saranay P. Respicio (LUISA), Sherwin I. Sapngad (Ilocos Norte I), and Sr. Jessa L. Rebenito (BILLESA). Bros. De Guzman, Pascual and Sapngad received latin honor as cum laude. It was Bro. Cesar De Guzman who

received the Isabelo I. Delos Reyes Award for academic excellence for having the highest general average. Part of the rites was the granting of Cerificate of Study to the Rev. Ricardo M. Aguilar of the Diocese of Surigao who completed all the requirements to qualify for the award. The Graduation Rites was held at the Parish of the Di-vine Shepherd at two oclock in the afternoon and attended by proud parents, close friends and benefactors of the IFI community. The guest speaker, Congresswoman Emmeline Aglipay, delivered the inspirational message to the graduates.

Prior to the event was the baccalaureate mass which was officiated by the Obispo Maximo, His Eminence Ephraim S. Fajutagana, D.D. with his Reverence Buddy Ballesteros as preacher. (Bro. Roehl Baldonado)

The Most Rev. Ephraim Fajutagana, D.D., and the other clergy together

with the ACTS faculty and the new graduates.

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Nine marches to receive diploma,

priest, certificate of study

RECTOR OPENS THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013!

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Photo Taken by: Bro. Mon

ACTS NEWS

to serve God and People. We also hope that we can impart this to children and young people to raise them as a peo-ple of prayer always seeking and listening to the will of God in the silence of their hearts.

Would you still say that meditation is boring? If yes, you better sit down with your back straight, hands on your lap, then gently close

your eyes and start saying the shortest prayer for Christians, MA RA NA THA, ma ra na tha, ma ra na tha (Bro. Hardelio Alfeche,)

Hunyo 26, 2012, ito ay isang makasaysayang araw para sa mga kapatid nating seminarista ng Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) sapagkat muling nakibahagi at nakiisa ang Seminarians on Transformation and Nationalism (SoTaNa) sa Ecumenical Prayer na ginanap sa Lapaz at Tarlac City sa Lalawigan ng Tarlac. Binuo ito ng mga makabayan at patriotikong mamamayan sa Gitnang Luzon upang gunitain ang ala-ala ng mga biktima ng tortyur at upang kalampagin narin ang Rehimeng-Aquino na

palayain ang mga political detainees at National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants. Sa pagtitipong ito, ang mga taong simbahan ay nakiisa sa panawagan ng mga mamamayan na ibasura ng Rehimeng-Aquino at Estados Unidos ang napagkasunduang Human Security Act of 2007 . Sapagkat ayon sa tagapagsalita ng grupong Bayan Muna, ang batas na ito kinakasangkapan lamang ng administrasyon laban sa mamamayang naghahangad ng isang tunay na malaya, demokratiko, at makatarungang lipunan. (Bro. Aldrin Acoba)

The General Assembly

and the election for the

new set of officers of the

Council of Seminarians

was held last June 15,

2012 at the conference

hall of the Aglipay Cen-

tral Theological Semi-

nary. The said assembly

has been formally started

by an opening prayer fol-

lowed by the roll call and

presentation of the agen-

da. The assembly was

presided by Bro. Mi-

chael Consigna and Bro.

Ramoncito Tadepa. Dis-

cussions of the past

events and reports were

presented after which the

orientation for the elec-

tion procedure began.

The Committee on Elec-

tions composed of the

Class Representatives,

prepared the ballots in

which the voters will

write the name of the

candidate.

The newly elect-

ed officers are the follow-

ing: Bro. Hardelio

Alfeche Jr. as Chairman;

Bro. Invensor Lastimado

as Vice Chairman; Sr.

Angelyn Dela Torre as

Secretary; Bro. Arvin

Mangrubang as

Treasurer; Sr. Jewel

Tumaliuan as Auditor;

Bro. Junimy Madrona as

House Master; Bro.

Fernando Ellano Jr. as

Refectorian; Bro. Juanito

Lomocso Jr. as Sports

Coordinator; Bro. Aldrin

Acoba as Chief Sacristan;

Bro. Ramoncito Tadepa

as Student Librarian;

Bro. Jim Zedrick Bondad

as 1st year Class repre-

sentative; Bro. Gemar

Luyas as 2nd year repre-

sentative; Bro. Dexter

Solleza as 3rd year repre-

sentative; and Bro.

Dervin Consigna as 4th

year representative. (Bro.

Jim Zedrick

**** **** ****

G.A. elects officers of the

Council of Seminarians

NANUMBALIK SA HANAY ANG SOTANA!

14

15

Reflections

Buhay-Seminaryo ni Bro. Jim Zedrick Bondad

Sa panimula ng bagong taon ng pagaaral sa seminaryo, ay lubos na nakalulugod sa pagpasok ang Masaya at nakangiting pag salubong ng mga butihing guro at iba pang miyembro ng komunidad, panibagong taon, panibagong pag subok ika nga. Bawat umaga, sa pagmulat ng mga mata ay kampana ang maririnig, hudyat ng pagsamba at pagpapasalamat sa bagong umaga. Dasal at mga awit ang laging hinahanda. Sa pagkain ay laging magkakasabay at sa hapag laging may kasamang dalanging pasasalamat may mga paalala pa nga bago sumubo ng kanin. Bawat isa ay may kanya kanyang mga gawain, may tagaluto, taga walis at meron din namang tagahugas ng pinggan. Ilan lamang ito sa mga gawain ng mga mag-aaral sa seminaryo bukod pa sa Sabado na kung saan ang lahat ay dapat gumising ng maaga upang mag-ehersisyo na may kasamang pagsamba. Sa pagaral ay laging dapat magaral at magsunog ng kilay sapagkat nariyan ang mga butihin at magagaling na mga guro na may laging may nakahandang tanong at pagsusulit, sama-sama sa pag-aaral at nagtutulungan sa bawat leksyon na natututunan.

Dito ay hindi lamang kaalaman ang hinahasa kundi pati rin ang talento sa pagkanta. Sintunado man ang tono, naiwawasto sa tulong ni Deacon Francis. Sa pagsasayaw, kaliwa man ang dalawang paa ay nagkakapantay sa pag indak matapos ang pag-uunat ni Deacon Danny. Sa mga problema ay sama-sama at sa kalokohan ay kanya-kanya. Masaya ang grupo lalo nat nagkakaisa. May bangayan man at pagtatalo, hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagmamahalan sa bawat isa. Sa buong araw ng pag-aaral at paggawa, bago matulog ay dapat sumamba ng sama-sama upang pagpapala ay madama. Sa pagtulog man ay may biyayang buhay na kakamtin pagsikat muli ng araw.

Ganyan ang buhay seminaryo, masaya at laging nadarama ang Panginoon sa

kabila man ng pagsubok at kalungkutan. Laging nariyan ang mga guro at mga

kasama upang masandalan, at dito sa mahal na seminaryo ay iyong

mararamdaman ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, at

pagmamahalan.

16

17

Psalm 8 consists of two parts, Gods Glory and the Dignity of Man. This OldTestament textwas also used in the New Testament particularly on verse 3, which can be seen on the Gospel of Matthew 21:16, verses 4-6 on the book of Hebrews 2:6-8, verse 6 on the letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15:2.

Psalm 8:3 when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place Matthew 21:16 Do you hear what these children are saying? They asked him. Yes Jesus replied, you have never read. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.

Psalm 8:4-6 what is man that you are mindful of him the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him rule over the works of your hands; you put every-thing under his feet. Hebrews 2:6-8 but there is a place someone is testified:What is a man mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than angels you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.

Psalm 8:6 you made him ruler over the works of your hands you put everything under his feet 1 Corinthians 15:27 for he has put everything under his feet.

This some proof text the Old Testament in the New Testament, but lets try to zero in, in Gods Glory and the Dignity of Man. In the Old Testament Gods Glory was shown in the crea- tion story Genesis 1 from empty and formless mass cloaked in darkness. God started to show Gods Glory thru the inhabited world. Likewise Old Testament people also des- cribe God as Anthropo- morphic mean- ing God is like a human who has body parts like;

1. God speaks Genesis 1:3 and God said, let there be light, and there

Reflections

Psalm 8: Gods Glory and the Dignity of Man by Rev. Dominador Nio, Jr.

18

was light 2. God hears Exodus 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the people Israel. 3. God sees Genesis 6:12 and God saw the earth, and behold it was corrupt. 4. God smells 1 Samuel 26:19 Now therefore let my Lord the King hear the

words of his servant. 5. God laughs Psalm 2:4; 59:9 He who sits in the heavens laughs, that Lord

has them in derision. 6. God whistles Isaiah 7:18 In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly

which is at the sources of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the land of Assyria.

7. God has eyes Amos 9:4 and though they go into captivity before their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall slay them, and I will set my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.

8. God has hands Psalm 139:5 thou dost beset me behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

9. God has arms Isaiah 51:9 awake, awake, put strength on the arm of the Lord.

10. God has ears Isaiah 22:4 therefore I said: look away from me, let me weep bitter tears, do not labor to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

11. God has feet Nahum 1:3 the Lord is slow to anger and of great might and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storms, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Marvelous things had done of God in the Old Testament particularly in the life and works of Israel. While in the New Testament Gods glory was shown in many parts of the Gospel but more so in John 114 when the word became flesh and dwelt among us! And in John 3:16 for God so love the world that he gave his only begot-ten Son! Here, Gods Glory is really shown.

On the other hand take a look at man! What is Man? The philosopher says, I am what I become. The capitalist says, I am what I own. The scholar says I am what I know. The existentialist says, I am what I do. The radical says, I am not what I re-ject, but for us Christians, we say, by the grace of God I am what I am (1 Corinthi-ans 15:10).

All the writers of the Old Testament were concerned with the life of mankind. They describe the thoughts, feelings and actions of men in many different ways. Scholars have found evidence to support several different views of mans essential nature. Some speak of man having 3 parts: body, soul, and spirit. Most agree that whatever parts of human nature are distinguished in Israelite thought, the most important be-lief is that human life is a unity of being.

Therefore Gods glory is made manifest in man, His image and likeness and the crowning glory of creation!

Reflections

When I was younger I thought it was just an ordinary day. I thought it was just my birthday that will be celebrated. When I was still in high school, I often wondered why there was a parade. I asked my mother, why but she could not give me a good answer I began to search for answers to my query, Why do people in festive mood? Do they celebrate also my birthday? To satisfy my inquiry I took a calendar to see what event coincides with my birthday. Unfortunately the calendar did not give me the information I needed. I was then a sophomore when my friends convinced me to serve as an altarboy in our parish. It was then that my query was answered. My birthday coin-cides with the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. I realized that it is a great day of merriment not only for me and my family but also for the faithful of our church and some Filipinos who have known the great contributions of Fr. Aglipay and Don Belong for our countrys independence. I am grateful that I was born in my Church, with my Church, and for my Church! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! HAPPY BIRTHDAY IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE!

Reflections

By Sr. Anna Marie Aldon Diaz 19

What is bell? What is the purpose of the first bell? Is it important? In the seminary, we can say that our day begins with a bell and ends also with

a bell. Bell is used as an alarm for all the people in the community. It is also a sign to give thanks to God for another gift of life that He gave to us. If you hear the first bell, its time for you to wake up because this is the time that God showers us His blessings and if you stay asleep you cannot have the blessings. The first bell is of no purpose if we do not make any move after we hear it. It is, perhaps, the sign that God is calling us to perform our task for him. Theologically, the bell is the voice of God calling people in his service. The bell, the first bell should remind us when Yahweh called out, Shemah, Israel! (Hear, O, Israel!) When the bell rings, let us quiet ourselves, listen intently that all of us may know his will for us and come together in His Kingdom. The bell should be a constant reminder of our calling to God and people. It should not pester us but rather ring in us the fatherly call of God to his children. When the bell rings, it implies listening and obedience. They prepare us for mission.

Literary 20

A symbol of sacrifice For a big prize

Their hand were slice And the servants will organize

Red, a sign of courage and blood That shower and create flood

Our nation cries very loud The voice heard God in the cloud

The natives remove the tie And they are prepared to die

And flow their blood like a tide For the future of child will shine

The result of blood and tears Is to use their bolos and spears

And they forgot their fear For the freedom of the people land

they can cheer.

Blood for freedom by Bro. Mark Anthony Ecalne

Literary 21

Bro. Christian Edward Padua Editor-in-Chief

Sr. Cherry Mae Felipe Associate Editor

Bro. Aldrin Acoba News Editor

Bro. Mark Anthony Ecalne Feature Editor

Bro. Juanito Lomocso, Jr. Sr. Anna Marie Aldon Diaz

Bro. Manuel Pachoca Bro. John Cedric Tolentino

News Writers Sr. Angeline dela Torre

Cartoonist Bro. Ramoncito Tadepa Lay-out/ Graphic Artist Sr. Jewel Tumaliuan Publication Manager

Bro. Roehl Baldonado

Adviser

Rev. Eleuterio Revollido S. Th. D. Consultant

Rev. Roderick B. Labog

Tayoy magbalikwas, sumulong at magbunyi.

Habang ang kadiliman ay nanatiling nasa karimlan,

Habang ang makapal na ulap sa kalangitan ay nagbabadya,

Habang ang nagngangalit na kulog ay dumadagundong,

Habang ang pusikit na gabiy binabalot ng kapalaluan,

Habang ang mga makamandag na ahas at loboy lantaran sa paglapa,

Liwayway ay sasapit, naiidlip na diway bubugso at sisilakbo,

Mababangis at mapagsamantalay

mangagsisikalat at maibubuyo. Tayo nat magkaisa at manindigan,

Nasa atin ang panahon at pagpapasya, Huwag manlumo ni manghina Tumayo sa ating makalangit na

prinsipyo, Ang bukang liwayway ay daratal,

Maningning na umagay ating masisilayan,

Pagdakay, sisikat ang araw sa Silangan,

Dooy ating makakamtan bagwis ng paglaya.

NASA ATIN ANG TAGUMPAY KAYAT HALINA AT HUMAYO,

SAMA-SAMA AT BUONG GITING NA LAGUTIN ANG TANIKALA

MANINDIGAN SA ALITUNTUNIN AT PANUNTUNAN NG

MAYKAPAL, IGUPO, MAKASARILING INTERES

NG MGA MAPAG-IMBABAW, KAYA NGA, SA LAHAT NG

PANAHON AT PAGKAKATAON, MAGBALIKWAS, SUMULONG AT

MAGBUNYI PARA SA GANAP NA TAGUMPAY

by Max Ehrmann

Maybe you have a still soul that

goes murmurless like water

in the deep of rivers;

And perchance you wander

silent amid the din of the world's

grinding barter like one journeying

in strange lands.

You, too, with the still soul,

have your mission, for beneath the dashing,

noisy waves must ever run the silent waters

that give the tide its course.

The Obtained Freedom by Bro. Jim Zedrick Bondad

From our great ancestors,

heroes and priests

To the poor and oppressed

exists,

The digging of freedom starts

And the struggles of life

thwarts.

They fought to reach the light

Through to dark and gloomy

night

Their faith made them to hold on

tight

In the time of movements,

sorrows and fight

After many scuffle for the

freedom

Our fore-fathers received

wisdom

To make us free from oppression

And build a church for the

Filipino nation.

Literary 22

Prisoner by: Bro. John Cedric Tolentino

Some of my decision Are affected of my emotion To give my love ambition

But I cant because of my situation

Please me if I can give my heart Because the wound is still fresh and

hurt And paradise for me is only an art

I cant appreciate the beauty of earth

I feel its better to be alone Than to hurt you like a flower

I need to be like a stone

Because I cant move and Im a

prisoner

Do all

the

Good t

hings

by Sr. A

nna Ma

rie Aldon

Diaz

Do a

ll th

e go

od th

ings

you

can,

by a

ll th

e me

ans

you

can,

in al

l the

ways

you c

an

in a

ll th

e pl

aces

you

can,

in a

ll th

e tim

es yo

u ca

n;

to a

ll th

e pe

ople

you

can,

as lo

ng a

s eve

r yo

u ca

n.

Best of Friends By: Phillip Andrew Bellarmino

It started with nothing

From then, comes a beautiful

thing

No one ever imagined

Two of us be close like weve been

Best of friends is what we call

But now, everything fall

Friends and best friends before

Now are hater and so much more

This is not what I wanted to be

Friends or best friends; that is ok

But we cant get it either

So we end up bitter

Literary

Ano ba ang habang

nagpapahinga? At bakit ito

ang pinaka ok alright sa

mga seminarista? Alam mo

ba kung ilang beses man-

gaanak si dada sa isang

taon? Ang terminong ito ay nabuo sa pamamagitan ng isang rector na masipag at

masinop pagdating sa kalinisan ng seminaryo. Bawal ang tumunganga lang

sa trabaho. Pero ano ang kaugnayan ng habang nagpapahinga? Ito ang

halimbawa base sa utos ni rector: O wala kang ginagawa? Mag

walis ka muna ng buong centennial building habang nagpa

pahinga. Ang saya diba, astig? Ito ang salitang madalas

marinig ng bawat seminarista. Kapag lumalapit na si rector,

nagkakandaugaga na ang mga seminarista, hindi sa

pagtatrabaho, kundi sa pagtakbo at pagiisip kung paano makakai-

was sa salitang pamatay. Parang sa special force pa nga ang bira ni

rector minsan, multi kill, maramihan. Ang mga bagay na ito ay nagaganap

sa work details pero ang mas grabe sa general cleaning, kasi always join si rector sa aming pagtratrabaho. Ang

bawat seminarista ay mayroong nakatalagang Gawain kada isang linggo na lilinisan mo, maaring mapunta ka

sa simbahan, sa C.R, sa grounds, sa staff house, sa centennial building, sa hallways, acts force at ang

masaklap na gawain, dishwasher at cook (ito ang pinaka-ayaw kong gawain) kung may hindi pa ako nalista,

itanong nyo na lang sa house master. Masaya maglinis, kasi may ibat-ibang mukha kang makikita: plot ups

ito ang tawag sa mga seminaristang walang reaksyon pag naglilinis, parang walang pakealam kung magiba

ang centennial o ang simbahan, basta siya naglilinis. joker ito naman ang taong mahilig magpatawa at tuma-

wa habang naglilinis, mas marami pa ata ang naitawa ng taong ito kesa sa nalinis nyang kalat. blood pres-

sure ang tawag sa taong laging high blood, un bang tipong laging parang walang ginagawa ang kasama niya,

madalas parang bossing umasta ang taong ito, tila may problema sa puso, nasosobrahan ata sa dugo.

etchusera/etchusero iba naman ang trip nitong mga taong ito, gusto nila laging kwentuhan muna bago mag-

details, mas malaki pa ang oras na tinambay nila para makipagkwentuhan kesa sa nagawa nilang trabaho.

Eskapology ang tawag sa taong mahilig mageskapo sa trabaho, hindi pa tapos ang gawain, nalarga na pau-

wi, syempre may baong palusot ang taong ito para makaligtas sa galit ng mga tinakasan niya. Rizalista ang

taong nagpapakabayani, naglilinis sa mga lugar na hindi niya sakop, at huli kung umalis sa gawain, un nga

lang pag nainis na sa kasama ang taong ito dahil siya lagi ang naiiwan, magiging escapology na din siya ban-

dang huli. lawyer ang seminaristang ayaw malamangan, gusto laging pantay ang trabaho, at kung hindi

naging pantay, lintik lang ang walang ganti, babawian niya ang kanyang mga kasama sa susunod na paglilinis,

mauuwi din sa escapology ang taong ito. boy logtu tawag sa seminaristang late sa details dahil nasosobra-

han lagi sa pagtulog. Commander in chief ito naman ung seminaristang panay ang utos sa kanyang kasama,

na parang ang pagod nya na lamang eh ung pagsasalitang ginagamit sa pag-uutos. H1N1 ang tawag sa semi-

naristang laging nagkakasakit kapag general cleaning na. mahusay ang taong ito, sa sobrang husay niya, kaya

niyang diktahan ang sarili niya kung kalian siya magkakasakit, at ito pa ang matindi, parang doctor din siya,

dahil alam niya kaagad ang kanyang sakit kahit walang matatawag na totoong sintomas. ulirang seminarista

ito naman ang taong aktibo sa mga details, walang sablay, ni minsan hindi tinamad sa paglilinis, walang pini-

piling trabaho at oras kung kalian ito gagawin at hindi dinadahilan ang karamdaman sa lahat ng gawain, dahil

ayaw niyang manlamang; mabuting halimbawa siya sa lahat. Sa kasamaang palad, wala pang ganito sa semi-

naryo. Sa kabila ng ganitong kalagayan, wala mang perpektong seminarista sa aming lahat, nagsusumikap pa

rin kaming ibigay ang lahat ng aming kakayahan upang mapaganda, mapaunlad at maging malinis ang semi-

naryo, ito man ay sa ibat-ibang paraan at pagkakataon, ang tanging mahalaga, iisa ang aming layunin, ang

mapabuti ang seminaryo. Sa aming pagtatapos, ang baguhin naman ang lipunan at ang bawat mananam-

palataya ng iglesya. Mahirap man, magulo, sakit sa ulo, pasaway o kung ano-ano pang katawagan ang taglay-

taglay ng bawat isa, ang importante ay natuto kami sa mga bagay na ito, sa bawat pagkakamali na aming

itinatama at matututo pa, upang mahubog sa pagsisilbi sa mas malawak pang sambayanan. Lalong-lalo na sa

mga pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulad namin.

Mga Kwentong barbero sa seminaryo

ni: Paeng Gulgulangot(4 President na)

Gusto mo ba ng habang nagpapahinga

23

To all our generous sponsors who extended their untiring support for the sustenance of the seminary, our sincerest

gratitude.

Thank you for all your support. Rest assured of our prayers

every time we celebrate the Eucharist!

- A.C.T.S. Community

24

Acknowledgement

(SOTANA sa..from page 10) Lungsod ng Quezon upang magprotesta sa araw ng State of the

Nation Address (SONA) ng Pangulong Benigno Aquino III. Ang pagkilos

na ito ay ang pagpapakita pa rin ng patuloy na pan-awagan ng mga mama-mayan, kasama ang mga taong-simbahan sa pagkakapantay-pantay na karapatan, paghingi ng katarungan at paglalahad ng tunay na nangyayari sa ating bayan at ang tunay na kalagayan ng sambayanang Pilipino. (Bro. Sherwin Fortu)