STVI holdS 14Th commencemenT exercISeS

Bible Week /Page 3

environment /Page 5 lenten Pilgrimage /Page 4commencement

/Page 08

STVI Graduates in a wacky pose after the graduation ceremony.

STVI Ventures to Social Media

The St. Thomas of Villanova Institute has again produced

another batch of graduates. Last March 16, 2013, eight seniors were conferred with the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy. Very Rev. Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, the Prior Provincial, with the Provincial Council and some friars from the Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass at 4:30 pm in the San Agustin Chapel in SACS. This year’s graduation theme was “Faith in Christ: A Journey Towards Wisdom.”

After the mass, the graduation rites started with the entrance of colors beginning

SACS Celebrates National Bible Week

Simply Professed Friars Undertake a Lenten Pilgrimage

The Education Committee and the Information on Academic Affairs (INFACAD) Committee

of the Professorium and Collegium communities, respectively, spearheaded this formation year’s Bible Quiz Bee. This was held last January 18,

2013, in connection with the National Bible Week of the Catholic Church in the Philippines that commenced Monday, January 21, 2013, and ended in January 27, 2013, the National Bible Sunday. In his welcome address, the chairman of

Last March 2, 2013, the Professorium community of SACS, together with Rev.

Fr. Harold Langahin, OSA, and Mrs. Pining Sim, an Augustinian affiliate, had a pilgrimage to the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban of the province of Quezon. The shrine was founded by the initiative of the healing priest, Fr. Joey Faller, who also conducts healing masses at the shrine. The place is popular not only to those who seek

Last February 1, 2013, Reverend Father Stephen A. Cuyos, MSC, gave a talk on the

use of social media for evangelizing the world. The event was attended by STVI aspirants and their Father Master, Rev. Fr. Pacifico C. Nohara, OSA. Fr. Stephen highlighted ways on how to communicate the Gospel through social media. First, is to “fish where the fishes are,” the

02 COMMON ACTS SACS Update vol. 13, no.3January to May 2013

SACS Community offerS tribute to the Sto. niño

the first year College seminarians offer their dance to the niño God as part of SACS tradition every year.

Asp. Wilfredo Generales receives his prize for winning the Best interpreter of the composition “Ilang Siglo Man, Ika’y Mamahalin.” The entry is the grand prize winner of the SONGS 2013.

Mass goers, devotees, seminarians and priests

religiously performed the traditional Sinulog dance as the San Agustin Center of Studies (SACS) celebrated the feast of Sto. Niño de Cebu last January 20, 2013 at the San Agustin Chapel. “It is our own simple way of spreading the devotion to the Sto. Niño de Cebu here in Manila. We want to make the Holy Child, brought by the Augustinians to Cebu centuries ago, widely known also here in the northern part of the Philippines,” Mrs. Myrna Garrido, lead servant of the Cofradia del Sto. Niño de Cebu, SACS Chapter, said during the interview conducted by the SACS Update correspondent. Before the celebration of the Eucharist, a solemn procession was held around SACS compound followed by a rite of enthronement of the

As part of our celebration of the Fiesta Señor, a song

writing competition was held in January 19, 2013 at San Agustin Chapel. The Committee on Music of both Collegium

SeminAriAnS SinG their tribute to the holy Child

and Professorium communities organized the event. It was not merely a competition but rather, an offering to the Holy Child through singing. There were nine entries composed by some

image of Sto. Niño de Cebu. In his homily during the celebration of the Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA, Prior of the SACS community, said that “the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño every Third Sunday of January is something unique that each Filipino has to be proud of. It is also a unique

Augustinian celebration since it was the Augustinian friars who brought the image to the Island.” Reflecting on the theme ‘Journeying Together in Faith with Sto. Niño,’ Fr. Delariarte challenged the faithful to be “always childlike not in age but in wisdom because it is through this that our Faith to the Holy

Child will bear fruits of kindness, humility and generosity.”

The celebration ended with pomp featuring the traditional Sinulog presentations by the First Year STVI students and by the youth performers from the San Agustin Compound. Fray Melitito Pocholo Visda, Jr., OSA, their trainer-choreographer, asserted that it is in dancing the traditional Sinulog that one may express his or her devotion to the Holy Child. For his part, it is the Sto. Niño who gives him the inspiration as he journeys in his vocation to religious life. With colorful and festive mood, priests and nuns, adults and children, boys and girls turned out to dance the traditional Sinulog with prayer petitions in their hearts. Of course, the festivity would not be complete without the sumptuous foods prepared for visitors and guests. Fray Rodel D. Magin, OSA.

talented formands of SACS. These compositions varied in style and they were either in English or Tagalog. Each of these original compositions portrayed the composer’s faith experience in a song of praise and thanksgiving to the Nino God. The winning piece which received the grand prize was the song entry entitled “Ilang Siglo Man, Ika’y Mamahalin” composed by Post. Christopher Bajamonde. It was interpreted by its lyricist, Asp. Wilfredo Generales, who also received a special award as the Best Interpreter. Moreover, some of the compositions will be used in the Holy Eucharistic celebrations and in celebrations that will be organized in honor of the miraculous Señor Sto. Nino de Cebu. Fray Peter Cantones, OSA.

Last January 27, 2013, Sunday, the brothers of

both the Professorium and Collegium communities, formators, Cofradia del Sto. Niño de Cebu (SACS Chapter) members and friends who have deep devotion to the Sto. Niño de Cebu joined a religious parade for the Holy Child from the Philtrade Grounds which traversed Roxas Boulevard up to Quirino Grandstand. On top of the tenth carroza (processional carriage) was the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu enshrined at the STVI Chapel. This was the seventh year that the Cofradia and the seminarians joined the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus in honoring the Holy Child. The Cofradia del Sto. Niño de Cebu - SACS Chapter with its President, Mrs. Myrna Garrido, sponsored this activity. Fray Oswald Duran, OSA.

CofrAdiA JoinS reliGiouS PArAde

03COMMON ACTSSACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

Members of the team, St. Matthew the Man, receive their prizes for being the cham-pion of the Bible Quiz Bee.

“bible WeeK” from PAGe 1

The Augustinian family in Asia Pacific announces the

launch of a new website as part of their pastoral work in the region.

The site, www.apacweb.org, was launched in Manila during a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Augustinian Conference (APAC) held at the La Consolacion College auditorium last March 9, 2013.

The website was a decision undertaken by the APAC Executive Council and its Commission on Communication for a more effective means of sharing information among its

member congregations.Fr. Michael Endicott,

OSA, has worked tirelessly as its web editor. Bro. Blair Nuyda, AA will serve as webmaster along with Fray Genesis Labana, OSA.

The launching coincided with the special gathering convened by the APAC to celebrate the Year of Faith with the theme “Vatican II Today in Asia Pacific for the Augustinian Family.”

In his keynote address, APAC President Fr. Bernard Holzer, AA, gave the basic orientation on the spirit of the Vatican II.

Coming from a generation who had experienced the transition to the new dynamism brought about by the Council, his insights and personal memories shed interesting moments.

He said that the APAC is the fruit of the Council: a venue for sharing and dialogue,

AuGuStiniAnS lAunCh neW WebSite

Last February 26-27, 2013, seminary employees

from SACS held their annual recollection and overnight excursion in Almalin Beach Resort located in Brgy. Fabrica, Lobo, Batangas City. They arrived in the resort around 11 o’clock in the morning and after some relaxation, while enjoying the ocean view and the cold breeze of the place, they were served lunch. The whole afternoon was allotted for their annual recollection. Fr. Harold Langahin, OSA, facilitated their Lenten recollection and was assisted by Fray Julius

SACS emPloyeeS Went to bAtAnGAS

Tubid, OSA. The faith sharing was centered on forgiveness in anticipation of the coming Lenten season. A Eucharistic celebration was held after the said activity. Then, the rest of the day was meaningfully spent by everyone through karaoke, swimming, volleyball games and simple salo-salo with foods and drinks. Before bidding a sweet farewell to that place, Fr. Ericson Borre, OSA, celebrated the Sunday mass with the group. At around 11:30 am, everyone left for home. Thus ended this momentous event for our beloved employees. Fray Julius D. Tubid, OSA.

revisiting common roots, having a joyful encounter with Christ, being in solidarity with the people especially the poor, and for celebrating the faith in our own languages and culture.

The participants were divided into smaller groups for the concurrent sessions on the following topics with competent resource persons: Religious Life (Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA), Justice and Peace (Fr. Chuvi Adubangho, AA), Augustinian Roots (Fr. Peter Casino, OSA), Liturgy (Fr. Gilles Blouin, AA), Dialogue with Religions and

Cultures (Sr. Ma. Luz Mijares, OSA), and Laity (Sr. Niceta Vargas, OSA).

The Oblate Sisters of the Assumption also joined in the gathering for the first time as a step to become an official member of the APAC. Among the participants were the formands of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu – the Simply Professed friars of the San Agustin Center of Studies, Quezon City and the Professionals Vocation of the Monasterio de Guadalupe, Makati City. The province was also represented by Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, Prior Provincial, Fr. Victor Gonzaga, OSA, Provincial Counselor, Fr. Danilo Carido, OSA, Prior of the Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod, and Fr. Tito Soquiño, OSA, Province’s Chairperson of the Commission of Justice and Peace. Fray Genesis P. Labana, OSA and Bro. Blair Nuyda, AA.

the Education Committee of the Professorium community, Fray Reo G. Cabahug, OSA, unraveled one irony that we can discover in the believers – Bible relationship. He said, “The Bible may be the most familiar thing that we have, but there are many things inside that are waiting to surprise and inspire us.” Furthermore, he verbalized two reasons for organizing the event. First, it was a form of heads-up to the upcoming National Bible

Week of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Second, this activity was in lieu with the Professorium community’s thrust for this formation year, Kerygma or Proclamation of the Word of God.

The event was participated by six teams. The champion, after a crucial race to five points in the tie-breaking questions against St. Peter the Rock, was the team St. Matthew the Man. Fray Joffrey Ocat, OSA.

04 PROFESSORIUM SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

Last February 3, 2013, the simply professed friars of

SACS attended the Juniors-Seminarians Forum (JSF) Big Day celebration held at the Singson Hall, Grade school of the Ateneo de Manila University. The theme for this year’s annual convention was: “Celebrating Faith, Growing in Mission.” It was attended by more than 200 religious men and women from different religious congregations and Orders in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The Big Day started with a talk by Rev. Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ, Rector of the Loyola House of Study, with the theme: “Rekindling the past & presenting the challenges of the future.” Fr. Jose talked about the historical development of JSF; he was the very first chairman of JSF when it was formally organized in 1986. His talk gave the participants a sense of history and purpose. It was followed by a second talk about the importance of prayer in ministry facilitated by Rev.

friArS Attend JSf biG dAy

With the grace of God, last March 4, 2013, Fray

Oswald F. Duran, OSA, together with his thesis adviser Rev. Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco, Jr., HP, SThD, defended his thesis with the title Pastoral Care of the Elderly: A Paradigm According to St. Augustine. The thesis defense was undertaken to comply a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theology (MAT) of the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila (SSC-R), Institute of Graduate Studies. The defense panel included Very Rev. Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, PhD, Prior Provincial of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, as the chairman; Rev. Fr. Emilio Edgardo A. Quilatan, OAR,

A SimPly ProfeSSed SuCCeSSfully defendS mA theSiS

healing for their infirmities but also to tourists. The friars prayed the Stations of the Cross at the hill of the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine; at the top is erected a 50 foot image of the “Ascending Christ.” On reaching the top of the hill, they enjoyed the fresh breeze of the air and the scenic view of the Province of Quezon. After filling their souls with spiritual food, the friars had a sumptuous lunch at the parish church of Lucban sponsored by the family and friends of Fray Antonio “Tony” Nombrefia, OSA, who hails from the place. They were served delicious “Lucbanon” delicacies. After the pilgrimage to the Shrine, the friars visited the Mother House of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (MCST) at Tayabas,

“lenten PilGrimAGe”from PAGe 1

Quezon. They visited the tomb of the Servant of God, Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, founder of the MCST congregation and a candidate for beatification. One of the sisters, Sr. Asuncion Lanete, MCST, briefly shared the life of Bishop Obviar and their congregation. She assured the friars that they are always included in the prayers of the sisters. After visiting the tomb, they proceeded to the museum of the convent dedicated to the memory of the late bishop. The activity was organized by the Committee on Vocation and Spirituality which served as the monthly Recollection of the simply professed friars for the month of March. Fray Cyril Tagalog, OSA.

Fr. Christopher O’Leary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. His talk gave the participants some insights about the importance of contemplation even in active ministry. After a sumptuous lunch shared by everybody, the participants proceeded to the different workshops facilitated by some invited guests. The different workshops included Photoshop, Liturgical Dance, Theater Arts and Voter’s Education. At the same time the representatives of the different religious congregations proceeded to the election of the new set of officers that will become the JSF core group for the year 2013-2014. A member of the Order of St. Augustine was named the secretary for the group of religious men. The Big Day culminated with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ and Rev. Fr. Christian Buenafe, OCarm, the JSF adviser. Fray Cyril Tagalog, OSA

HED, Dean, Recoletos School of Theology; and Vaughn Elwyn S. Buaquiña, MS, ScM, MBA-MIM, Ll.B., ScD, Dean SSC-R Institute of Graduate Studies. The researcher owes this feat from the support of friars and friends of San Agustin Center of Studies, his family and St. Rita of Cascia’s intercession. Fray Aimark, OSA.

FrIArS HeAd To exCUrSIoN

Simply professed friars reflectively pray the Way of the Cross at the hilltop of Lucban.

The Formation Year 2012-2013 culminated with an

excursion at the Amalin Beach Resort in Lobo, Batangas last March 24-26, 2013. Twenty-eight simply professed friars, with two Chinese brothers and some solemnly professed friars, left SACS at 5 pm and headed for Batangas. This three-day activ-ity was held to celebrate a suc-cessful formation year and to give the friars a venue and time

to relax from their academic and community responsibilities. Such activity was facilitated also to allow the friars to enjoy more each other’s company in a differ-ent environment before they go to their respective assignments for summer and pastoral expo-sures. The group left the ven-ue on the third day after taking their lunch. Fray Reo Cabahug, OSA.

05COLLEGIUMSACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

StVi ColleGe And ASolC SiSterS ShoWCASe World literAture

The STVI seniors together with the STVI freshmen and

some Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (ASOLC) celebrated World Literature Day 2013 last January 26, 2013 at the STVI Multi-purpose Hall. This year’s world literature day featured the most renowned characters in fiction the world over. Ranging from the heroes of the Trojan War, to the mobs of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, up to the gang wars of the West Side Story, the students of STVI with the sisters vividly portrayed the most beloved and consequently the most inspiring characters in world literature and history. This event featured literature coming from ancient Greece, Hebrews, France, Spain, Rome, Russia, British Isles, Ireland and England, China, Japan, United States, and the Philippines. Some were read aloud; some were presented in poems, dances, and songs mingled with simple stage plays. The seminarians and the sisters presented short

“SoCiAl mediA” from PAGe 1

yet heart warming glimpses of world literature in its many faces the world over. It began with the Sinulog presentation of the freshmen and ended with the singing of the Hymn of the Province.

This third World Literature Day was a joint project of the current students of Professor Carmen D. Nietes for their English classes. The following literary selections were featured:

• The Iliad by Homer• The Odyssey by Homer• The Book of Job• Les Miserables by Victor Hugo• Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes• The Aeneid by Virgil• The Confessions by St. Augustine• Divina Commedia by Dante Aleghieri• Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak• The Arthurian Legends• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare• West Side Story – Broadway Musical• Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw• My Fair Lady – Broadway Musical• The Analects of Confucius• Japanese Poetry• The Gift Outright by Robert Frost• Mi Ultimo Adios by Jose Rizal

Asp. Yurii C. Ramos

speaker said. The fishes are now commonly found online; thus, we should really use this media in evangelizing. The facilitator also added that “we can fish there by fostering honest, sincere, and loving relationships even through the media.” Another way of

communicating the Gospel is by posting photos that proclaim the beauty of the faith. The photos that we are uploading should be those that show experiences of grace and joy. And these photos should also promote the rediscovery of faith since many Catholics now are only Catholic

Post. Boyoc (left) and Post. Olita (right) lead an ASOLC Sis-ter towards the centerstage as they perform a scene in “Les Miserables.”

by name and not by faith. Another way to proclaim the gospels is by sharing videos that would refresh the faith. We should share videos that would intensify the dynamic presence of the Church in cyberspace. We must also use these videos to bring people to God. The last thing that he shared is about security in using the web. He gave tips on how to be secured from hackers. He explained the reason why we should be careful with what we are doing in the internet. Fr. Stephen concluded the entire talk with a statement, “Social media leads to real world actions. Social media leads to the strengthening of the faith.” Asp. Ronnel Garcia.

Post. Cañete wholeheartedly delivers his piece in a dialogue with his partner.

Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC, on evangelization through social media.

Frays Elmer Lendo, OSA and Ric Anthony Reyes,

OSA completed the ten-week Clinical Pastoral Education Pro-gram at the Philippine Heart Center on March 18, 2013. After the CPE progam, the two fifth year simply professed friars will spend the whole month of April at SACS for their Integration Program and eventually for the preparation of their solemn pro-fession. CPE program is a new feature of the pastoral year that helps those who are preparing for solemn profession and for ministries in their human and emotional formation. Fray Reo Cabahug, OSA.

tWo friArS ComPlete CPe

ProGrAm

principle to ride in tandem with our formators. I could still recall what the Father Prior told us during the first recollection we had last June. To him, kerygma is not just a proclamation of the Gospel but more than that, it is the witnessing to what we proclaim. I agree. Our life as religious, precisely, goes beyond lip service; it is a radical witness to and of the Gospel. Seriously, when we just proclaim the gospel, we are actually and strictly speaking, introducing the “textual God” of the Scripture - someone who is limited in human language and culture, thus open for

“Vote for me!” This is what we willl hear from our candidates running for public office. Politicians and party groups are busy preparing for the upcoming May 2013 elections. They prepare the best meal that they can serve to people to please them and for them to cast a vote for them. Election, for me, is the funniest event in the Philippines due to the reason that politicians go out from their offices to help their constituents at the peak of their energy and act as the most humble people in the country ready to serve the poor and the needy. When I go for my apostolate, I always laugh when I observe the streets. Many tarpaulins and posters are dangling from cable wires and electric posts (which I think is not allowed) with the candidates’ smiling faces. The worst picture I have seen in the streets is that politicians pose like a happy family helping one another and sending their greetings, such as Merry Christmas and Happy Valentine’s Day, and they treat the streets like a family album where they can be seen by people as active and hardworking people. Still, people believe.

The Philippines will be in a new phase of its history where the Filipino people will cast their votes to elect candidates who will represent them in Congress and in the Senate. This is a crucial time that may lead the country to progress or stagnation again for the coming years. I always ask myself, why do politicians gamble millions of pesos in their pockets for a seat worth only for a minimal monthly salary? It is time for the Filipino people to open their eyes and see the reality of the country. Plans will always remain plans. It is ironic that many Filipinos shout for change while always

ready to eat their principles by selling their votes. A kilo of rice in exchange for a future will never help bring the country to progress. There is a need for “metanoia,” a total change of mind and heart. The country must learn from its past mistake in order not to repeat the wounds of history. Filipinos must learn to think in a long-term plan basis for what is at stake is the welfare of future generations. There are still many poor people around the streets begging for food and shelter to sleep in. Some politicians always present their platforms and promises and advertise at their best to be saleable in the eyes of the people even though these are just mere lip service.

I do believe that many still find it difficult to choose public servants thinking that there are many politicians whose family names are associated with various issues and achievements. However, it is not the family name that can make a politician a good public servant but his sincerity to serve the people wholeheartedly without compromising his principles in life. A good public servant will always think for the good of his constituents. “If

anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all”(Mk. 9:35). Good public servants have a heart for true service without making their achievements and faces known.

“Reality is different from appearance,” as Parminedes would say. It is always better to ask our candidates, “Why do you bother to run for office? Is

06 OPINION

Formation Year 2012-2013 has come to an end; thanks to the formators and brothers who in one way or the other, to say the least, have made it a great success. Perhaps I should say, all members of the formative community have been worth our salt. And to me, there are two reasons that bring us to win our spurs. First, the formation theme “Kerygma,” introduced by the new batch of formators to begin the four-year plan of formation in SACS, has made us to get in the swing of religious life. In fact, it becomes a guiding

“VIVA VOX EVANGELII”fray rodel magin, oSA

EDITORIAL

SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

it because of me or because you want to protect your own family pride or because you have the same family name with our present lawmakers?” Filipino people, stay sober and alert. It is not the name, the eyeglasses, the hairdo that make a candidate a good public servant but it is the dedication to be a servant of all. Fray Melitito Pocholo Visda, OSA.

07SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

FAIth: A GIFt IN CrIsIsOPINION

interpretation. However, when we live

our religious life as a witness to and of the gospel, we are, with profundity, introducing the “actual God” who is affirming, merciful and most of all, loving. This God, of course, is part of our proclamation but the descriptions, as what Fr. Alberto Esmeralda, OSA said during the 5th AIFC, are “images of human subjectivity called to Transcendence.” True enough! The reason why we CHOOSE this kind of life is to transcend our own humanity prone to, borrowing the language of pious Catholics, sin and imperfection. Perhaps I should say, reading the Bible is not just for theology’s sake (because it is the soul of theology as Fitzmyer describes it), but a

way of life that transforms us to agape and koinonia. Second, to align to the theme Kerygma, the Executive Committee of SNTH community formulated as one of its missions: To intensify the love and study of the Sacred Scriptures as an Augustinian value. I must confess, to this day, this first of the three mission statements of the ExeCom amuses me, and sometimes impels me that it is all in my day’s work. Seeing my brothers’ intense desire to implement the love and study of Scripture, as a consequence, I am far too optimistic about a genuine Christianity existing among us. The lectio divina of the Liturgy Committee not to mention all liturgical activities it holds are

scripture-based; the retreat and recollections facilitated by the Spirituality and Vocation Committee are profoundly structured through the use of the Scripture, and so forth. The Editor of this publication had said it unwittingly. These were his exact statements during the Bible Quiz Bee held last January 19, 2013:

“If we are to form ourselves to become competent evangelizers in the future, we should know beforehand our scriptures…In fact, experience would tell us that being a seminarian does not mean that one is already well-versed with the Bible. We have to admit, there are even many lay faithful who are well-equipped than us when it comes to this aspect despite the fact that we should

supposedly master it before any people… This activity deems to serve as an invitation to know God better through scriptures. Open it and see it for yourselves.” He sees the problem mainly as a problem of an attitude towards the Sacred Scripture: our sluggishness to “take and read” the Scripture outside structures implemented by any committee in the seminary. From my point of view, his concern illustrates once more the problem of our personal relationship with our God. And again, as I underlined already, we could never proclaim unless we read; we could never read unless we believe in the One who is written in the Scripture. He is the living voice of the Gospel. Viva Vox Evangelii!

Faith is a gift; it is a Divine gift to mankind for our salvation. There is no doubt about its origin for we are convinced that faith is given by God; He alone can grant access to the knowledge of Him. Though faith gives us only knowledge of God dimly as in a mirror (1 Cor. 13.11), this gift is certainly necessary because it brings us knowledge of salvation to which we do hope for. Augustine surely approves this when he recognized the gift of faith – the authority of Christ – not merely as a coming into the knowledge of God. He lauded faith as a key towards happiness, that is, towards salvation.

But this gift remains inert if man will not assent to it in the most radical way. Hence, man has to receive such precious gift of God to him. In doing so, “man submits to God his knowledge and free will upon hearing the Word of Truth guaranteed by God himself.” We realized how it takes man to surrender his own rational powers in order to assume within him a knowledge which is revealed by God to him. It is the whole person

who is involved with all his capacities and including his own weaknesses. So, the process of reception in the spirit of humility is a hard process. Moreover, this birthing of faith in man must be a free act. Upon receiving the streak of faith, he knows that he is not above faith; rather, faith is above him. Realizing this, man must allow himself to freely accept the building of faith over him, accepting it by surrendering his volition to the grace of God. In this sense, Saint Thomas Aquinas’ famous dictum finds its real application: “gratia super naturam aedificat” – grace builds over nature. The grace of faith is being built, and more appropriately according to the words of the Scriptures, like seeds that fell over the good soil. In receiving this gift of faith, man must break himself in order to allow the seeds of faith to be buried deep within him so that it may grow a hundredfold.

In our preliminary reflection, we already saw the drama of the beginnings of faith. The dialogue of God’s initiative and of man’s graced acceptance of God’s invitation to believe

directs us more deeply into the realization that the gift of faith is a necessity in man’s personal and communal pilgrimage of earth. We discovered above that “God allowed access through faith the knowledge of him in order to attain salvation.” Unfortunately, most of us misread this fact as a mere pragmatic function of faith. Possessing faith is equivalent to a “one-admittance ticket” to salvation. It is as if possessing faith in God is a one-month reserved booking for an airfare. But salvation is not only a one-day event to happen some time in the future. The work of salvation is presently immersed all the time and all places: we are presently journeying towards the high endpoint of God’s time. Thus, as much as salvation encompasses all, faith must also encompass everything. Faith thus becomes a daily necessary ingredient of life.

But faith’s necessity does not stop from its inherent future relatedness to salvation. Salvation as a future event directs faith toward future’s direction. Nonetheless, as salvation affects the present

journey, faith must have an effect on the present, too. Faith’s present function brings forth life’s meaningfulness. It is a giver of meaning, shaping our understanding of who God must be in our lives and how He works in us. Pope Benedict XVI had recognized this present function of faith in us. He said in this Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei: “It often happens that Christians are more concerned for the social, cultural and political consequences of their commitment, continuing to think of the faith as a self-evident presupposition for life in society.” The Pope’s recognition of this fact is an essential acknowledgment of faith’s effect not only on our personal dialogue with God but it also affects our total perspective of our life’s meaning according to the will of God. Man has used faith as an essential criterion in doing his daily endeavours, making it the point of origin for every stroke drawn.

But following now the

Faith /Page 10

Fray Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA

08 FEATURE SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3 January to May 2013

from the faculty members, the school officials, and the graduates with their parents and relatives. There are six brother-postulants, and two externs. The graduates were:

Post. Christopher Rey Bajamonde (Lilo-an, Cebu)Post. Patrick Boyoc (San Pedro, Laguna)Post. Mark Louie Cañete (Lilo-an, Cebu)

Post. Eduardo Fortuna Jr. (Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol) Post. Junrey Melisimo (San Isidro, Davao Oriental)

Post. Hareld Olita (Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte) Bro. Agustin Jun Emon III (Tanjay City, Negros Oriental)Bro. Jose Ruben Garcia (Parañaque, Manila)

The graduation rites started with the welcome address of Post. Hareld Olita, the over-all decano of the college seminarians, followed by the address of petition by the decano of the graduating class, Post. Patrick Boyoc. The imposition of the academic hoods followed, and after it was the awarding of medals. The Academic Awards given to the top three students

“commencemenT”of the graduating class were awarded to Post. Patrick Boyoc, followed by Bro. Jose Ruben Garcia, and Post. Christopher Rey Bajamonde. The Best in Thesis award was given to the student who got the highest final grade of at least 1.10 in his thesis. It was conferred to Post. Christopher Rey Bajamonde. The Distinction in Philosophy Award is given to the student who got the highest average in all philosophy subjects. Bro. Jose Ruben Garcia merited the award. The Prior Provincial’s Award for Academic Excellence given to the class valedictorian who must have a general average of at least 1.50 was awarded to Post. Patrick Boyoc. The awarding of medals was followed by the conferment of the Bachelor Degree of Philosophy, then the distribution of diplomas, and the transferring of tassels. The Valedictory Address then followed, then the graduation song. Among those who witnessed and joined the commencement exercises were friends from different religious congregations, professors, friends, and benefactors of the graduates. A sumptuous dinner followed in the St. Thomas of Villanova Multi-Purpose Hall, and the night ended with the program prepared by the brother-seminarians. Asp. Jules Van Almerez.

from PAGe 1

09FEATURESACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

Frays Wendell Allan Marinay, Imman Noel

Abellana, Aimark Asor, Oswald Duran and Antonio Nombrefia, received their diplomas for having successfully completed the requirements for their studies in theology last March 14 and 22, 2013, respectively. Fray Wendell Allan, a second year simply professed friar, earned the degree Master of Arts in Theology (Major in Pastoral Ministry) conferred on him by the Faculty of the CICM Maryhill School of Theology (MST). He received his diploma with honors last March 14, 2013 at the Fr. Mark Horan Hall after the Baccalaureate Mass presided by Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez,

Jr. D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Caloocan at the Mt. Carmel Shrine, Broadway Avenue (formerly Dona Juana Rodriguez Avenue), New Manila, Quezon City. After the Graduation Rites a sumptuous dinner was served. Last March 22, 2013, Frays Imman Noel, Aimark, Oswald and Antonio received the degree Bachelor of Arts (Major in Sacred Theology) at the Recoletos School of Theology (RST) at the Mira-Nila Homes, in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. RST is an affiliate of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, a Catholic University in the Philippines (UST). Fray Antonio received the academic award of cum laude. The

Baccalaureate Mass was held at the Recoletos Formation Center Chapel presided by Rev. Fr. Lauro Larlar, OAR the Prior Provincial of the OAR Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. Lunch was served at the Bulwagang Recoletos after the Graduation Rites. The friars attended the graduation rites in union with the graduating class’ act of joy and thanksgiving to God for the blessings received. Fr. Nelson G. Zerda, OSA, the Master

of the simply professed friars, shares in the happiness of his formands in these occasions of grace. Fray Wendell will be continuing his formation program in SACS. Frays Imman Noel, Aimark, Oswald and Antonio, on the other hand, will have their year of pastoral exposure. Fray Imman Noel is

assigned at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Socorro, Surigao del Norte; Fray Aimark at the Colegio San Agustin, Biñan, Laguna; Fray Oswald at the St. Lawrence the Deacon Quasi-Parish, Bagacay, Gubat, Sorsogon; and Fray Antonio at Sta. Ana Sub-Parish, Burgos, Siargao Island. Fray Oswald Duran, OSA.

FIVe SP FrIArS FInISh TheoloGIcAl STUdIeS

10 COLLEGIUM SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3January to May 2013

STVI seminarians and some solemnly professed friars

were off for their annual summer excursion in Lobo, Batangas last March 18-19, 2013. The event was not only about having fun away from tons of studies and loads of stress but also of thanking God for granting the formands another successful and memorable formation year. The group left SACS at 5:00 am of March 18 and

• The Committee on Vocation and Spirituality, headed by Fray Cyril Jeth Tagalog, OSA, had a vocation campaign in the Assumpta Academy in Bulacan, Bulacan last January 9, 2013.

• The Committee on Vocation and Spirituality facilitated a search-in encounter last January 25-27, 2013 for applicants who wish to know more about the Augustinian way of life.

• Father Jose Francisco Teves, OSA left for Rome last February 23, 2013, to finish his studies in the Gregorian University for a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Major in Biblical Theology.

• The Provincial and Council approved a project proposed by the SACS Community to construct a covered court this coming April 2013.

awareness the Pope has brought us in his apostolic letter, the landscape of faith’s matrix has been disturbed and thus has resulted into a catastrophe. The Pope has called it a “profound crisis of faith.” Worldwide, it is rampant and it has severely depleted the number of Christians. But, it has been more alarming that these Christians had missed to appreciate the integrity of their faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, true to what we said above, Christians had seen no meaning in this faith for they had replaced God with something which comfortably suits them. Hence, there is an alarming level of profoundness in this crisis because its depth had affected the “large swathes of society.”

In our country today, there is much to be drawn to our attention as servants of God and teachers of this faith. The Church in the Philippines has been threatened by the instability

of moral orientation especially in the field of politics. Affected by many factors around, the foundational values which have been rooted to the criterion of faith in God are being dissected by mere relativistic judgments. The issues surrounding the current Reproductive Health Law and its accessory effects, added by related violent upheavals of the marginalized and of the rising materialism, scourge the Catholic Church in the Philippines as backward-looking and a harbinger of the old-fashioned and totally unrelated issues of “frailocracy” and clericalist domination.

These ghostly shadows that haunt Filipino believers continue to scare out faith from their hearts. What scares our faith out of our souls is the fear of being left behind. In the world of fast-moving and flashing digital technology, we are afraid that we may be left ignorant. True, many of us have to ride with the

current and to follow the ways of the world. What makes up this following are the constant denial of the power and the role of the Divine to the “large swathes of the society” today. Consequently, God is seen as having nothing to do with the championing and mastering of man. Thus, He is being replaced by man himself. The values which are rooted in the Gospel itself are being replaced by the values of the world. Our culture as Filipinos and our identity as truly God-fearing persons and respectful of the gift of God are replaced by the global values which are unfortunately rooted in materialism, sensuality and “feel-good” eclectic spirituality. These things are the ones we are actually afraid to lose because they are the ways of the popular and of the majority. Assuming it in ourselves, then, we are just beginning the erosion of the authentic person. Not only do we replace God and the values of

the Gospel as standards of our living but we also unconsciously destroy our very identity by living with a concocted masquerade. We do not become authentic but we fool ourselves by believing that we have no need of God, of faith and of a self that inherently needs Divine aid.

God’s precious gift is being beset by the world slowly drifting away from God. The world who, as it flows away from the Spring of Life, feeds itself into the illusion of its autonomy. We, who are still conscientious to fight for this faith, are called in a mission to tug back the world to God. By doing so, we are called to replenish ourselves with the richness of faith, the meaningfulness of believing in God. Thus, we are asked in this graced season to refresh our lives into the One who gives life in abundance. Let this crisis be healed by our commitment to live this faith in a life of total witness and dedication to God’s will.

halted for about two hours at the Colegio San Agustin - Biñan. After having their snacks, everyone boarded the bus and arrived in Isla Verde at 1:00 pm. After taking their lunch, everyone attended a mass presided by Rev. Fr. Harold Langahin, OSA.

After the mass, the seminarians enjoyed more than before as they began singing, dancing, swimming, riding

StVi CulminAteS Another formAtion yeAr

“fAith” ContinuAtion from PAGe 07

kayak, and watching movies, yet some preferred to stay in their dorm and preserve energy for later activities. As expected, the videoke singing session lasted all night long! A mass was officiated the following day by Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara, OSA, to culminate the entire activity. A quick lunch followed before everybody went home to SACS.Asp. Roy Echeveria.

News Tidbits...

11SOCIAL ACTIONSSACS Update vol. 13, no. 3 January to May 2013

On April 1 to May 10 of this year, the first to third year simply professed friars of SACS will be having their summer exposure to some of the Province’s communities. The

following are their respective assignments for the formation activity:

A. BEC-Community Organizing Exposure: First Year Professed1. Fray Jefferson B. Labadan, OSA Socorro, Surigao del Norte2. Fray Alvin John V. Salgado, OSA Burgos, Surigao del Norte

B. Parishes: Second Year Professed

1. Fray Reo G. Cabahug, OSA Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

2. Fray Peter John C. Cardos, OSA Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City 3. Fray Peter S. Cantones, OSA San Jose Parish Iloilo City

4. Fray Christian E. Funtanares, OSA St. Augustine of Hippo Quasi-Parish Saguday, Quirino Province 5. Fray Rodel D. Magin, OSA Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish Mohon, TalisayCity 6. Fray John Ion C. Miranda, OSA Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish Mohon, Talisay City 7. Fray Cyril Jeth N. Tagalog, OSA Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish Chrysanthemum,San Pedro, Laguna 8. Fray Ian Geoffrey D. Kasilag, OSA Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish Biñan, Laguna

9. Fray Melitito Pocholo Visda, OSA St. Lawrence the Deacon Quasi-Parish Gubat, Sorsogon

10. Fray Wendell Allan Marinay, OSA St. Lawrence the Deacon Quasi-Parish Gubat, Sorsogon

C. schools: Third Year Professed 1. Fray Edmar A. Escobar, OSA Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod 2. Fray Genesis P. Labana, OSA Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod 3. Fray Robert Lee D. Lingo, OSA Colegio San Agustin - Biñan 4. Fray Ryan P. Pasabilla, OSA Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod 5. Fray Arvin C. Salceda, OSA University of San Agustin - Iloilo 6. Fray Mark Anthony Tampos, OSA University of San Agustin - Iloilo 7. Fray Julius D. Tubid, OSA University of San Agustin - Iloilo

On the other hand, the fourth year simply professed friars will be having their Pastoral Exposure from May 2, 2013 - January 8, 2014. The following are their respective assignments: 1. Fray Imman Noel A. Abellana, OSA Mother Perpetual Help Parish Socorro, Surigao del Norte 2. Fray Aimark P. Asor, OSA Colegio San Agustin - Biñan 3. Fray Oswald F. Duran, OSA St. Lawrence the Deacon Quasi-Parish Gubat, Sorsogon 4. Fray Antonio O. Nombrefia, OSA Sta. Ana Sub-Parish Burgos, Surigao del Norte

5. Fray Jasper V. Valmores, OSA Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

friArS ProCeed to exPoSure

Editorial StaFF

Fray Reo Cabahug, OSAEditor-in-ChiEf

Asp. Allan Martin Dosdos, IICollEgium AssoCiAtE Editor

Fray Aimark Asor, OSAProfEssorium AsssoCiAtE Editor

Fray Alvin John Salgado, OSAAsp. Keith Lawrence Ermac

CirCulAtion mAnAgErs

Fray Genesis Labana, OSAlAy-out Artist

Fray Robert Lee Lingo, OSACArtoonist

SACS Mass Media Center StaffPhotogrAPhErs

Mrs. Carmen NietesEnglish ConsultAnt

Fr. Nelson Zerda, OSAFr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA

modErAtors

For your feedbacks and suggestions e-mail us at:

sacsstvi@gmail.com

Dear brothers and sisters!

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you now and always. We hereby appeal for your support toward the training of our semi-narians. The following are the account details:

PESO SAVINGS ACCOUNT: Bank of the Philippine IslandsAccount Name: San Agustin Center of Studies LibraryAccount Number: 3371-0034-43DOLLAR SAVINGS ACCOUNT: Bank of the Philippine IslandsAccount Name:San Agustin Center of Studies LibraryAccount Number: 3374-0300-77

May the good Lord grant your heart’s desire and fulfill every plan of yours through Christ our Lord. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon. We count on your support.

SACS Friars

“Nobody may say: I give, he receives... Perhaps your need is greater than his. He needs bread, you need integrity. He is in want of a roof, you

are in want of heaven. His need is for money, yours for justice”- St. Augustine, Sermon 239,4,4.

12 SOCIAL ACTIONS SACS Update vol. 13, no. 3 January to May 2013

For Augustine, the concrete love for others is the

equivalent of love for God. It was in this spirit of love that the SACS community, through the initiative of the Committee on Apostolate and Mission of the Professorium and in cooperation with the STVI students, once again held an annual Medical, Dental, Legal Mission during the whole morning of February 23 at the SACS compound. Over 500 beneficiaries from the nearby neighborhood and San Agustin Compound received a set of medicines for their medical and dental needs. Meanwhile, only one sought legal advice on this day.

sACs CELEBrAtEs LOVE MONth thrOuGh VArIOus MIssIONs

Above: Group picture of the doctors, dentists, and nurses together with the Prior of SACS and some members of the com-munity. right: One of the volunteer doc-tors attending a beneficiary of the Medical Mission. left: Fray Imman Noel Abellana, OSA, assisting in a dental opera-tion.

The success of this activity was made possible through the generosity (in the sharing of time and resources) of some institutions and persons.

Sincere gratitude goes to the Pascual Laboratories, Unilab, Hizon Laboratories,

Santo Domingo Male Chorale, Fr. Dong, and Westmont Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the medicines. The same appreciation goes to the

volunteers of Quezon City Medical Society, Veterans Memorial Hospital, St. James

College of Nursing c/o Mrs. Amores, Philippine Medical Women’s Association, Philippine Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Inc., the UST Pharmacists c/o Carlo Oliver Olaita, Dr. Azucena de Jesus and company, Dr. Lourdes Ragos, and Atty. Ben Garido. Many thanks also for the financial assistance of Mrs. Teresita San Luis, Councilors Boy Calalay and Dorothy Delarmente, Ms. Ester Yusingco (for the doctors’ gift), Jollibee–Visayas Avenue (for the doctors’ food), Rene B. Encinas and those whom the Simply Professed friars had their caroling last December. Fray Wendell Allan Marinay, OSA