BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE AS AN EVANGELIZER

Although I was not ordained a priest, God gave me several opportunities to serve Him in spreading the “Good News”.

1.In the CURSILLO - a short course in Christianity, I was involved in giving talks, and even in serving as Rector several times. A co-seminarian and at that time (1968-1971) a parish priest in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Rev. Fr. Elpidio Sison, became a close friend of mine and through him I immediately gained the trust and confidence of the lay church leaders in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

2.In the Christian Family Movement, I was chosen together with my wife, Pilar, as the CFM Regional Director in the province of Pangasinan. With our own example as a CFM unit in the parish of Urdaneta, we spread this movement to several parishes in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

3.In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement – Pilar and I were among those who participated in the First Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) that was conducted in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. That was in January 31 – February 2, 1977 at the Social Hall of St. Paul College of Tuguegarao. Coming out spiritually renewed from that seminar, we spearheaded the holding of LSS in the different parishes of the Archdiocese, and conducted Prayer Meetings at the Ermita Chapel and in several houses. We then were guided by some priests as our Spiritual Directors, namely: Rev. Fr. Arnulfo Ventura (RIP), Rev. Fr. Ramon Villena, who is now the Bishop of Bayombong Diocese and Rev. Fr. Rogelio Cortez.

From 1982, Ofel became my partner in this new style of evangelization, called a Second Pentecost. Together we led a team in the conduct of LSS and Deepening Seminars and continue up to this time to lead the St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Group which meets every Tuesday evening. During this time, we were guided by Rev. Fr. Dante de la Cruz, Rev. Fr. Jovencio Masirag, Rt. Rev. Marcelo C. Bassig, P.A., Rev. Fr. Adalbert Barut, and Rev. Fr. Bernard Corpus, who is now our present Spiritual Director.

While deeply involved in this movement, I had a dream. It was about 4:00 0’clock in the morning when I vividly saw in my mind a horse and Someone riding on it. And then I heard a voice telling me: “You are the horse, Christ is the Rider. Go wherever I want you to go.” This dream touched me so much that I woke up and scribbled in a notebook the words I heard. Later on, I saw the significance of this dream when as a Leader of the Charismatic Movement, as the Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator and Trainor and as a Chair Couple with Ofel in the PREX Secretariat, I actually went from parish to parish driving a “Toyota Tamaraw” vehicle, to bring CHRIST to these different places and peoples.

Shortly after that dream, I was inspired to compose a “PERSONAL CREDO”, wording it as follows:
I believe that
God has invested in me life and several talents,
God has given me the privilege to be the manager
of these investments;
Managing these investments means:
making the best use of them,
under the particular circumstances
of my everyday life,
to serve the people I come in contact with,
so as to manifest His Goodness, His Wisdom,
and His Power.
Towards the end of my earthly life,
my performance as a manager
will be evaluated by the rate of return
of God’s investments in me.

I pray and expect
a high rate of return of God’s investments in me,
relying not on my limited capabilities,
but on the limitless support
of my Sole Proprietor, Savior and Lord
JESUS CHRIST.



4. In the Knights of Columbus – It was at the KC Loreto Council in Sampaloc, Manila, that I was initiated to the First Degree in 1956. After two years, however, together with Mr. Francisco Tantoco, Jr (now a priest with the rank of a domestic prelate) we established a new Council No. 5350 at the Holy Redeemer Redeemer Parish at Sta. Mesa, Quezon City. We named it GOMBURZA Council, in honor of the three priest martyrs, Rev. Frs. Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora. Mr. Tantoco served as the first Grand Knight. I followed suit as the second Grand Knight for two terms. I was blessed by the wholehearted support of our Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Pedro Magugat (RIP) and the very active cooperation of our Deputy Grand Knight, a priest, Rev. Fr. Romeo Pelayo (RIP), and some officers, especially, Mr. Alejandro Judan, Jr. (RIP) and Engr. Jose Hipolito.

Being connected with the KC Headquarters in Manila I oftentimes joined the KC Territorial Deputy, Rev. Fr. George Willmann in visiting KC councils in the Philippines, and also in conducting the Second and Third Degree Exemplification Ceremonies.

Later on, when already residing in Tuguegarao, I got an appointment as a District Deputy for the Vicariate of Tuguegarao. When I reached the age of 70, having been a KC member for more than 25 years, I received from the Supreme Council a Life Honorary Membership Card.

5. In the Holy Name Society (HNS) – Way back in 1977, when I was already
a Dean at SPCT, I joined the Holy Name Society, which was then headed by Atty. Pedro (Didi) Perez, Jr. Under his leadership we went from barangay to barangay in the parish of Tuguegarao conducting Religious Instruction, leading the Holy Rosary Devotion, and oftentimes culminating with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass whenever our Chaplain, Rev. Msgr. Benjamin Lasam, was available.

Due to multifarious commitments, my participation in the meetings and activities of this Society was adversely affected for quite a long time. Now, however, under the leadership of Atty. Bartolome Baligod and Ex-Judge Cirilo Lasam, I am again gradually being involved in its program of activities.

In this society, I was greatly edified by one of its leaders, Bro. Eliseo Baylon (RIP). The virtues of humility, sincerity, generosity, patience and perseverance were exemplified in an outstanding manner by his words and deeds. When his gasoline station was operating profitably he voluntarily gave a monthly subsidy of P3,000 to the parish of Cordova, Amulung for the Catechetical Ministry of Rev. Fr. John Iringan. Due to some incidents that greatly diminished the income of his business, he was forced to stop the subsidy. Nevertheless, now and then he still managed to share generously thru the Holy Name Society and the PREX Secretariat some sizable amount of donations for the work of evangelization. Bro. Ely passed away last May 15, 2004, but the memory of his exemplary Christian life shall remain in the hearts and minds of his brother Holy Namers and friends.

6. In the Legion of Mary – In 1983, thru the invitation of Evie. my sister-in-law, Ofel and I joined the Annual Recollection of the Legion of Mary. Inspired by that spiritual exercise where Most Rev. Diosdado A. Talamayan was the Retreat Master, we were persuaded to form a new preasidium. Together with Sis. Lucita Casem and Sis. Mary Guzman, “Praesidium Mary, Queen of Peace” was formed. As active legionaries, we met regularly once a week, and being officers we participated in the monthly meetings of the Comitium “Our Lady of Lourdes”. In the year 1987 my wife, Ofel, was elected President of the Comitium and served in this position for six consecutive years.

During her term as Comitium President, I joined her in visiting praesidia, helped her in organizing annual Lenten recollections for legionaries, in preparing programs for Christmas reunions and the Acies. As a praesidium we also held the usual legion functions of outings and fellowship gatherings.

There was a time when I was elected Vice President of the Comitium. I served, however, for only a few months in this capacity, because of the many responsibilities that I had to attend to as Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator and Trainor which oftentimes had overlapping schedules with the Comitium meetings. I continued, however, to remain an active member of our Praesidium until the year 2002. Again due to conflicts in schedule with my work as a member of the Board of Directors of the SPU Multi-Purpose Cooperative, I had to ask to be just an auxiliary member.

As a Legionary, I had the privilege of encountering a saintly lady, Miss Eufemia Durian. She was the President of the Comitium when we joined the Legion. I was impressed by her humility and wholehearted dedication to her duties and responsibilities.

7. In the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Seminar - Ofel and I were among the graduates of the First PREX Seminar that was conducted in the Parish of Sts. Peter & Paul, Tuguegarao on Jan. 14-16, 1994 by a team from the Parish of the Good Shepherd, Fairview, Quezon City, headed by Rev. Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco and their Chair Couple, Kuya Rene and Ate Imelda Isidoro. Among those who assisted in this seminar and became very close friends of ours were: Kuya Guillermo A. Pecache (a retired Army General), his wife, Ate Fe Pecache, and Ate Lynnda Dilan. On several occasions we were the recipients of their hospitality. From Ate Lynnda I received a Crucifix from Rome and on my 75th birthday last year I decided to wear this cross with a necklace around my neck as an act of faith in the Reality of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and thus make amends for the time in my past life when I did not like to think or talk about Him to the extent of not going to Mass anymore, and to almost committing suicide were it not for the miracle of grace poured on me when I participated in the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) at SPCT on January 31, 1977.

Ofel and I were appointed by our then Parish Priest, Rev. Msgr. Marcelo C. Bassig, to serve as the PREX Chair Couple in the parish. The responsibility which is still on our shoulders up to now is to oversee and keep on going the conduct of PREX Seminars in our parish and in other parishes. After undergoing a “Trainors’ Training” at the Good Shepherd Parish, we were commissioned to conduct PREX Seminars and also Seminar Workshops for PREX Administrators and Speakers. As of this writing we have already conducted 104 PREX Classes in the parish of Tuguegarao and assisted in conducting about 170 PREX Classes in fourteen other parishes. At the 7th PREX National Convention in Baguio City on January 4-6, 2002, we were recognized as the Parish with the most number of Outreaches.

Through the PREX Seminar, God gave to Ofel and me “Mga Kuya & Ate” in Christ, who became very close to us. Deep in our hearts we do love each and everyone of them, and we shall forever treasure their love and memories. To list all their names would require a whole book. There are some, however, who stand out in generously sharing their time, talents and treasure and thus deserve a special mention.

In our outreaches, we owe a lot to Kuya Larry & Ate Nene de Leon, Kuya Roland and Ate Bless Diwa, Kuya Kiriks and Ate Nitz Capiral, Kuya Oca and Ate Tess Gannaban for providing us with transportation facilities. Likewise, we are very grateful to Ate Letty Doctolero for providing basic necessities, to Kuya Jimmy and Ate Conie de Austria for their culinary services, and to Ate Mely Molina and Ate Delia Juan for the documentation.

For PREX seminars in the parish, we have been blessed with the support of countless brothers and sisters in Christ, who consistently offer their time, talents and treasures and whatever capacity that is asked of them.. Outstanding among them are: Kuya Rudy & Ate Jean Amistad, Ate Upeng Bacuyag, Kuya Tino and Ate Linda Castillo, Kuya Charlie Adducul, Ate Puritz Licas, Ate Alice Taguba, Ate Epy Decena, Ate Santing Ferrer, Ate Esleen Marasigan, Ate Flor Caculitan, Ate Cora & Ate Jez Hipolito, Ate Pearlie Mahor, Ate Lynne Sarrail, Kuya Pete and Ate Erma Bariuan, Kuya Jun and Ate Marizon Bariuan, Kuya Vic and Ate Julie Balao, Kuya Tom and Ate Cionie de los Santos, Kuya Ed Liquigan, Kuya Larry and Ate Gigi Baculi, Kuya Abet and Ate May Coballes, Kuya Teddy and Ate Ging Lasam, Kuya Norie and Ate Fely Diaz, Kuya Bart Baligod, Kuya Ciring Lasam, Kuya Aris Salimpade, Kuya Henry Soriano, Kuya Jack Bunagan, Ate Tina Quintero, Ate Din Macutay, Ate Litz Piñera, Ate Gene Rios, Ate Beng Salamero, Kuya Pete Tumaliuan, Kuya Jimmy Amarles, Kuya Mar Talang. Kuya Archie Abreu, Kuya Roy and Ate Len Articulo, Kuya Perry Maguigad, Kuya Jerry Coballes, Kuya Efren Matammu, Kuya Tony Mallillin, Ate Flor Conel, Ate Grace Beran, Ate Grace Baquiran, Kuya Nilo and Ate Ne Aquino, Ate Myrna Pablo, Ate Ritz Caronan, Kuya Angeling and Ate Jean Savellano, Kuya Gerry Cirilo, Kuya Mar and Ate Letty Alariao, Ate Ming Ligutan, Ate Kathy Dayag, Ate Lorna Pagalilauan, Kuya Alvin Jayme and Kuya Tim Gayagoy.

Special mention is also due to the Speakers in the different PREX TALKS, namely, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Marcelo C. Bassig, P.A. our former Parish Priest, Msgr. Rodolfo F. Beltran, our present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Baculi, Rev. Fr. Domingo Langcay, Kuya Amoy Bautista, Ate Upeng Bacuyag, Ate Shirley Baylon, Kuya Douglas Soriano, Ate Jean Amistad, Kuya Rudy Amistad, Ate Violy Santos, Ate Letty Doctolero, Ate Evelyn Quimosing, Kuya Pepe and Ate Baby Erestain, Jr. and Ate Ofel Cagurangan.

Also worth mentioning is a PREX graduate, Kuya Alex Cipriano, who after being inspired by the PREX seminar, entered the seminary and was ordained a priest last April 16, 2004.

8. In the Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao - Rev. Fr. Ricardo L. Baccay and I have been serving since 1988 as Archdiocesan Catechetical Director and Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator-Trainor respectively. The training I got for four summers at the Formation Institute for Religion Educators (FIRE) in Ateneo de Manila University prepared me for this great task. Rev. Fr. Joseph Roche, SJ, the Director of FIRE, has, indeed, enhanced my capability to serve in the Catechetical Ministry. After having decided to retire from St. Paul University at the age of 60, I presented myself to our Archbishop, Most Rev. Diosdado A. Talamayan, to help in the task of evangelization. He readily welcomed me and commissioned me to assist Rev. Fr. Ric Baccay in the Catechetical Ministry. Putting our minds and hearts together in this challenging task, we visited all the parishes in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, in order to assess the actual catechetical situation. Seeing the lack of an organizational set-up, the dearth of catechetical materials, and the inadequate training of a great majority of the catechists, we formulated a five-summer- training program and presented it to the Archbishop for funding. Fortunately a certain foundation in Germany gave its financial support to this program on a yearly basis. As an output of this training program we were able to:

a. organize the catechists on the vicarial level, letting them choose annually their Vicarial Officers;
b. prepare lesson plans for Catechesis in Public Schools covering all the different grades in the Elementary and Secondary levels; and
c. set up a program for a continuing regular quarterly recollection, fellowship and business meeting.

The ready-made lesson plans were later on printed in book-form and given to the catechists as guide for a systematic catechetical teaching. While they were meant originally for use in our Archdiocese, other Dioceses recognizing their value as teaching materials have purchased at cost quite a number of copies for their catechetical ministry.

In our desire to uplift the plight of our catechists, who receive a very meager remuneration, we instituted a scheme of funding that would provide an SSS and Philhealth coverage to all paid catechists who meet certain requirements. As of today, there are about 90 catechists who are enjoying these fringe benefits. Several of them have already availed of the benefits offered by the said institutions, such as salary loans and sickness, maternity, death, and retirement benefits.

Last October 14-15, 2003, the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, thru the coordinating efforts of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Staff, composed of Rev. Fr. Ric Baccay, our Archdiocesan Catechetical Director, Miss Ayleen Pagalilauan, our Secretary, and myself, hosted the Second Northern Luzon Regional Catechetical Council Congress. The theme of the Congress was: “Catechists – Towards a Participatory Church”. Our Resource Speaker was the Most Rev. Francisco Claver, Bishop of Bontoc-Lagawe. About a thousand delegates coming from 14 Dioceses, composed of priests, religious sisters, and lay catechists participated in this Congress. While the main venue was at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat, where Rev. Msgr. Gerard Ariston Perez is the Parish Priest and at the same the Vicar Forane, all the nine parishes in the Vicariate of Itawes played hosts and gave an example of a Participatory Church through a BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) Experience Exposure in their respective parishes. The Congress is considered as the biggest one, so far, in terms of number of delegates, in the life of the Church in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. In the holding of this Congress we owe a big debt of gratitude to the Officers of the Northern Luzon Regional Catechetical Council (NLRCC) particularly to: Most Rev. Artemio L. Rillera, SVD, DD, the Bishop Chairman, Rev. Fr. Floro B. Bautista, the Executive Secretary, and Sr. Mary Augustine C. Cuenco, OSB, the Secretary. Without their full support the Congress would not have materialized.

Rev. Fr. Ric Baccay is, indeed, a man with a vision and has the knack of knowing how to tap the resources and talents of people towards the attainment of his objectives. When we assumed the responsibility of taking charge of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry we worked together hand in hand towards the attainment of a One Hundred Percent Catechetical Coverage of all Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in our Archdiocese. In school year 1987-88, before we assumed office, the catechetical coverage of Public Schools in the Archdiocese was 35.67%. Last school year 2003-04, the catechetical coverage has reached 69.53%, an increase of 33.56%, or percentage wise, an increase of 94.93%.

As of this writing there are 13 out of the 40 parishes in the Archdiocese that will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition for having accomplished a One Hundred Percent Catechetical Coverage of Public Schools in their respective jurisdictions during a certain school year. They are as follows: Pamplona, Namuac, Abulug, Faire, San Gabriel, Naruangan, Sta. Teresita, Tuao, Cordova, Cataggaman, Mauanan, Claveria and Dana-ili. This means 32.50% or almost one third of the parishes in the Archdiocese have already attained the 100% Catechetical Coverage.

Our vision is, indeed, a challenging one – an uphill endeavor that requires a lot of perseverance, sacrifices and resourcefulness. But with God’s grace we are steadily moving towards our desired goal.

In the Catechetical Ministry we are blessed with the guidance and assistance of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE). For the past 25 years this Commission was chaired by one of the most outstanding Prelates in the Philippines, Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, DD, Archbishop of Naga. This year (2004) the Chairmanship was turned over to a young, humble, but very dynamic and knowledgeable Bishop in the person of Most Rev. Socrates C. Villegas, DD . Through “DOCETE”, a Quarterly Catechetical Review, the ECCCE has provided us with Articles of great value in the task of evangelization.

9. In the Council of the Laity of the Philippines (CLP) – the privilege was given to me to serve as Vice President for Luzon for two terms, being a delegate of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in my capacity as President of the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity. While serving in this National Office of the Laity, God has blessed me with living examples of holiness and unselfish dedication to the task of evangelization, particularly in the persons of the National CLP Heads, namely: Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa, Antonio B. de los Santos, and Sonia Saldivar-Ronda.

10. In the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) – I also had the
privilege to represent the laity in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, being the incumbent President of the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity. This was a two months live-in Conference of all Bishops in the Philippines together with about four hundred delegates consisting of priests, religious sisters and brothers, laymen and laywomen from all dioceses, religious congregations and some Catholic Schools and Seminaries. San Carlos Seminary at Guadalupe, Makati, served as the venue for this Council, which is considered, so far, to be the greatest event in the history of the Church in the Philippines. In the discussions and in the process of formulating the Acts and Decrees of the Council God has given me the grace to participate actively, so much so that, without my knowing it, I was considered as among the Ten Most Outstanding Laymen of the Council.

11. In the Tuguegarao Parish Pastoral Council (TPPC) - As of this writing I am serving as the Executive Vice President of TPPC, having been appointed as such by our parish priest, Rev. Msgr. Rodolfo F. Beltran. Since the thrust of the Church today in the Philippines is the building of Basic Ecclesial Communities, which in essence means to be a “Participatory Church”, we have framed a Constitution and By-laws and organized ourselves towards the Vision of becoming a Community of Disciples with a preferential option for the Poor. To achieve this Vision we have committed ourselves to embark on a Renewed Integral Evangelization, by becoming a witnessing, evangelizing and sharing community, guided by the Acts and Decrees of the First Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly (FAPA) of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, and further enlightened by the Acts and Decrees of PCP II.

Recently, this Council has played a significant role in the Quadricentennial Celebration of the Arrival of the Image of Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan and the Golden Jubilee of Her Canonical Coronation in June 21, 2004. Towards the implementation of several lined-up activities, the concerted efforts and cooperation of all the officers and members of this Council were mobilized. Despite inevitable shortcomings in the implementation, the celebration was considered a great success. All who participated in this grand celebration, who came from different places in the country as well as from abroad, did receive a special blessing from the Lord through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary.

As a consultative body, decisions of this council are still subject to the final approval of the Parish Priest, who is at the same time the President of the Council. However, the involvement of the parishioners in the church activities can be attributed to a large extent to the active support and cooperation of the Council Officers and members to the parish pastoral program. Since participation in the activities of the Parish Council is on a voluntary basis, there is a need for Christ-centered committed lay people to make it truly functional as a coordinating body of all the different religious organizations, movements, barangay pastoral councils, offices and schools who fall under its umbrella of membership and jurisdiction. I thank God that with all the spiritual inputs I have received thru retreats, seminars, conferences and the like, I have been given the grace to surrender myself entirely to God’s Holy Will and to say like St. Paul: “It is no longer I that live, but Christ Who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) I am still like any mortal man, with human imperfections and subject to sinful inclinations, but deep in my heart is a strong resolve to struggle against all obstacles that may hinder me from becoming what God wants me to be: A SAINT. For I do believe that this is the vocation of every human being – TO BE A SAINT – which, in other words, means to be truly united with God in love as His child and an heir in His eternal Kingdom. This is man’s destiny – the reason for his existence – as St. Augustine of Hippo, the great Doctor of the Church, has said: “ Man is created for God, and his heart is restless until it rests in God”.