Sunday Gospel Reflections (June 9 2013)

My Own Short Sunday Gospel Reflections by Klein F. Emperado 

June 9, 2013 - Second Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity 

The Holy Gospel from Luke 7: 11-17 

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, ” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. 

Reflection: 

The Gospel (Luke 7:11-17) tells of Jesus' miracle when he raised a child to life. Here we see Jesus, as a compassionate God who sees the grief of a mother for the death of an only child. 

On the other hand, people reacted and said,“God has visited his people.” Human as we are, we often do not to feel God's presence in our lives unless we see that we can call a miracle.

We define miracles as unusual things that happen which are far beyond our human understanding. But we should also realize that everything that we have, the air we breath, the water we drink, the food we eat and the family we share our lives with, are miracles that we often neglect. 

Sometimes when God visits us, His people, we tend to ignore His presence. 

Ang Lima ka Buok Pan ug Duha ka Isda Uban sa Damgo sa Usa ka Batang Buluyagon

( A message I delivered during the Santacruzan sa Iglesia Filipina Independiente 2013 last May 30 at the Tayasan Municipal Trading Post .) 

(Greetings...) 

Niadtong panahon nga si Kristo nanginahanglan ug pagkaon aron ihatag sa kapin lima ka libo ka tawo, kinsa man ang wala magduha-duha pagtugyan sa unsa man nga anaa lamang kaniya? Kinsa man kato nga wala magduha-duha sa paghatag sa lima ka ukob nga pan ug duha ka buok isda? Ug sa makaulahi, kinsa man kato nga mitabang kang Hesus nga mapakita ang Iyang gahum aron mapakaon ang kapin lima ka libo?

Usa ka bata nga trese anyos. Usa ka bata nga sama niining mga naa sa atong atubangan nga atong pangisgan kung maglangas, sapoton ta kay samukan, apan luyo niana, adunay dakong katakus nga naa kanila nga wala kanato, nga maoy gikahimut-an sa Ginoo kanila. Ug mao kana ang ilang pagkamatinud-anon, pagkamanggihatagon sa uban ug pagkamasaligon sa Ginoo. Uban sab niining mga bataa, ang dakong paglaum sa kabag-ohan ug paglambo nga usahay, kita isip mga katigulangan, magduha-duha sa pagdawat.  

Niadtong pagpakaon ni Hesus sa lima ka libo, makita nato nga ang Diyos nga gamiton ang matag bata aron mapakita ang Iyang gahum dinhi kanato sa simbahan ug sa tibuok katilingban.

Sa makadaghan na nahitabo bisan pa sa panahon sa daang kasabotan sa Bibliya nga ang mga kabatan-onan nga ato dayon nga tawgon nga dili kabalo, nagpataka-taka, walay alam, maoy gigamit sa Ginoo aron magdala sa Iyang maayong balita sama ni Propeta Jeremias ug ni Propeta Samuel, ug gani sa Haring David nga mipildi sa higanteng si Goliath.

Kining mga tawhana dili mga perpekto, mga naay apan, pero ang Ginoo, mihimo kanila nga takus sa pag-alagad Kaniya ug sa iyang katawhan.

Sama niadtong trese anyos nga bata, ang nakalahi niining mga bata mao ang ilang walay pagduha-duha nga paghatag kung unsa man gani ang bisan gamay nga naa kanila. Kita man gud, naa kitay mga pagduha-duha sa atong pag-alagad bisan sa atong isigkatawo, ug sa atong Dios. Bisan man gani sa pag hatag ug panahon nga musimba o mualagad sa Diyos sa matag Dominggo. Ang mga bata ug sa ila pang sulti todo bigay gyud sa pag sayaw, pag-awit ug pag-alagad kung hatagan ug responsibilidad sa simbahan.

Pila ka tuig na ang milabay, adunay usa ka bata nga nagdamgo nga unta munindot ang mga awit sa Misa dinhi sa Parokya sa Tayasan. Usa ka bata nga buluyagon, walay batasan, babaon, palaaway ug gani yabag – apan naa siyay damgo nga iyang gibutang sa Iyang alimpatakan aron kini mabuhat niya sa umaabot nga panahon.

Tinuod gyud diay nga ang Ginoo mutawag dili sa mga perpekto apan himoon niyang takus ang tawo, ug gihinay hinay niya pagmatuto ang maong bata aron iyang mahimo ang iyang damgo nga dili iya lamang sa usa ka bata, apan dinhi misalmot usab ang Ginoo. Bag-ohon gyud sa Ginoo ang usa ka tawo ug gamiton niya kini nga mahimong instrumento sa panalangin alang sa ubang tawo.

Sa pag-abot sa tukma nga panahon, nahitabo ang damgo niya ug ang maong children’s choir nga iyang gihandum, midako ug nahimo kining bugtong pormal nga koro sa tibuok diocese. Pormal masulti kay anaa gyuy pormal nga voice assignments ug mao kana ang IFI Choristers nga karon nag saulog sa ikaunom nga tuig human kini nahimugso gumikan usab sa Flores de Mayo niadtong tuig 2007.

Ug niadtong miaging dominggo, nahimugso na usab ang Holy Trinity Young Voices nga maoy produkto sa usa ka bulan nga katesismo karon tuiga. Sila mao ang mag alagad kanato sa parokya pinaagi sa awit diha sa Balaang Misa.

Atong makita nga dinhi sa parokya sa Tayasan, ang Flores de Mayo dili kawang lamang. Dili lamang kini usa ka bulan nga pagtuon sa mga bata kung unsa ang atong pagtoo apan sila, gitudloan sa pag-alagad sa Ginoo, sa paghalad sa ilang mga talento kaniya, Siya nga mao usab ang gigikanan niini. Ug usab, ang usa ka bulan nga katesismo nanganak ug mga lideres dinhi sa atong mga kabatan-onan nga mao na unyay mupuli kanato sa pag-alagad sa atong simbahang pinangga, ang Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

Dako akong pagpasalamat kang Lola Linda ug Lolo Vencing Infante, nga maoy nidala kanako ug sa akong mga ig-agaw aron musimba sa matag Dominggo niadtong bata pa mi. Kay kung wala pami nila sige ug gidala, dili unta nako makit-an ang kakulangan sa atong Simbahan diha sa aspeto sa Liturgy and Music, ug unta wala ako magdamgo aron mapanindot ang atong pagsaulog sa Santos nga Misa diha sa mga awit nga makapadasig kanato.

Dili pa man gyud nako masulti nga ako successful na sa kinabuhi apan, niining puntoha samtang ako (nagsulti sa inyong atubangan karon), nga mao na katong batang buluyagon, nga tabian, nga mag-una una ug halad sa bulak, mag una una ug boluntaryo nga mukorona sa Birhen, ug makig ilog nga musolo sa pagpanamilit bisan yabag,

(Ako usab) nakahuna-huna ko kung asa kaha ko karon ug wala pa ko nagdako sa simbahan, ug unsa kaha ang akong kinabuhi karon? Sa tinood lang, dili gyud nako ma-imagine sa akong kaugalingon ug ang akong kinabuhi, kung ako wala pa nagtubo sa simbahan. Dili nako mapicture-out akong kaugalingon kung wala pa ko namatuto sa simbahan (diha sa kumbento ni Lolo Brix ug Lola Pang.)  

Gani, ang akong amahan ug inahan, dili na mangita nako kung wala ko sa balay, automatic na gyud na nga naa ko sa simbahan. Wala ko karon sa inyong atubangan unta karon kung wala ko magtubo diha sa simbahan nga maoy nagpalig-on kanako sa pag-atubang sa kalisud sa kinabuhi, nga ang atong unang daganan, mao ang Ginoo, nga mao ray naay gahum nga musulbad sa bisan unsang dako nga unos nga muabot kanato.

Ako usab muingon gayud nga ang akong leadership nagsugod gyud dinhi sa Flores de Mayo,ug tungod niana, naabot nako sa pagka SK ning maong lungsod, pero sa pagkahuman sa termino, balik gyud ako sa akong matawag nga first love: ang simbahan, nga dako ko ug utang kabubut-on labi na sa mga pari nga nilabay, ug nila manang racquel, nang raquesa, nang crismer, nong glensol ug kang nong jovie nga maoy naa sa akong likod kanunay ug usab kang lola panyang.  

Niining panahona, hatagi ko ninyo ug higayon nga mupasalamat sa akong ginikanan nga walay pagduha-duha nga musoportar sa akong pag-alagad sa Ginoo karon ug sa mga tuig nga nilabay. Sa ako pang gisulti didto sa Davao, dili ako ang founder sa choir sa Cathedral, kung dili si papa kay sa una namong pagsimba, nakita dayon niya nga kinahanglan gyud padasigon ug mag-organize ug choir didto ug ako kanang nahimo sa hapit duha ka tuig nako nga pagpundo didto. Sa ako pod nga mga igsoon, salamat kay gidungog sa Ginoo ang akong mga pag-ampo nga kitang tulo na gyud ang nag-alagad na sa Ginoo.

Ug sa katapusan, sa matag damgo sa usa ka bata sama nako, nagdala kini ug bag-ong paglaum sa simbahan, sama sa mga binhi nga itanom ug sa umaabot nga panahon, kini mamunga ug maghatag kanato ug bag-ong kinabuhi.

Hangyoon ko kamo nga ayaw ug i-look down ang mga gagmayng bata kay matag usa kanila adunay dakong damgo. Ang ilang mga paglaom gahatag kanato ug kasigurohan sa nabag-ong simbahan, nga puno sa kadagaya sa talento sa mga kabatan-onan. Dili usab kita maghunahuna nga negatibo nga kining mga bataa dili mausab sa umaabot nga panahon gumikan sa ilang pagka buluyagon.

Ang pag-usob sa usa ka tawo, nagsugod kung adunay usa nga mutoo kaniya nga dili siya puro lamang kabuluyagon ug salawayon, apan adunay maayo nga nahisulod kaniya. Nga siya naay naangkon nga pinasahing katakus aron magamit pag-alagad sa Dios ug sa iyang isigkatawo.

Sa matag bata nga muhalad sa iyang kaugalingon diha sa pag-awit, pagsayaw, pagbasa o sa bisan unsang paagi sa pag-alagad sa Diyos, nagdala kini ug bag-ong paglaum kanato.

Sa makausa pa, palihug atong padayonon sa pagsuporta ang Flores de Mayo o Vacation Church School ug hatagan nato ug dakong pagtagad ang ilang mga kinahanglan, kay kini mao ang atong investment sa umaabot nga panahon, nga maoy mupadayon sa pagdala sa Simbahan.

Mabuhi ang mga kabataan, mabuhi ang Iglesia Filipina Independiente! Ug sa mga katuigan pang muabot atong ipadayon pagsinggit, PRO DEO ET PATRIA!! PRO DEO ET PATRIA! Daghang Salamat ug maayong gabie.

  

  

  

Living in Davao: An Exile Turned a Beautiful Experience

Coming to Davao was like an exile to me. It meant a new life and a brand new environment to be embraced. But this exile is not the miserable or lonely one like those of refugees and political prisoners. What I have felt during the 1 year and 8 months of stay right at the heart of the "city in bloom" was a sweet and worthwhile learning experience in all aspects of my life.

Among the many reasons why I called my stay in Davao a sweet exile, here are but five big reasons which I have pointed out after I thought of making this blog.

Fulfillment in Church Ministry

When I came to Davao, I was aiming for fulfillment and stability in my professional career but later did I know that God has His greater plans for me. He has sent me to a new mission field in spreading His love trough music. 

In May 2011, I arrived to seek employment in Davao City and for me to cope with the homesickness which could possibly make me die later, I went to the nearest Iglesia Filipina Independiente which was located just blocks away from where my father and I lived. 

I was thankful to be welcomed by Bishop Callao and some other loyal parishioners. Right then, I started to build a choir for the Cathedral of the Risen Lord. In May 2011, Risen Lord Chorale was established and the group has constantly evolved into a bunch of singers for the Lord with almost difficult repertoires for the Mass. 

As a loyal member of IFI, I also learned some new things from resources and from Bishop Callao himself on the conduct of the liturgy and the basic beliefs of IFI regarding the Eucharist and other sacraments.

My ministry here in IFI Davao City has opened many doors of learning and experience for me. Back then in my home diocese, I was only in-charge of songs but in Davao, I became like a coordinator for the whole liturgy. I printed readings for Sunday and special celebrations and also, I was made responsible to make slides for the Mass containing the responses and the songs. This made me realize one of the most essential things in the liturgical celebrations: the participation of the congregation. 

Apart from those, I also accomplished some unexpected outputs which I cannot believe to have done. In the need for new songs for the Diocese of Davao, I compiled songs for the Seasons of Lent and Advent. I also was able to manage to conduct music writing workshops in preparation for the Diocesan Music Festival last August 2012. Given the authority by the diocesan bishop, and with his assistance and with Fr. Dennis Maquerme, the three workshops in three separate areas were made into full completion. One of the most fulfilling and teary-eyed moments happened as performers from different parishes in the diocese went up on stage to showcase their own liturgical compositions born out of the song writing workshops I've conducted.

In my home diocese, I used to compose songs which had the song themes regarding the youth or the environment but last October 2011, I was able to come up with one of my first few liturgical song compositions entitled: "Binhi sa Gugma." A line up of songs for the Mass will soon be completed this year and I hope to launch it in my home diocese. 

As with working with the young, I was like an older brother, a youth organizer, recollection facilitator and even a chaperon for the youth camp. To the extent that I had to be the Menu Planner for their meals during the youth camp last May 2012 at Labangal, General Santos City. 

Foster Family

"I have not much realized how meaningful my 1 year and 8 months of stay in the IFI-Cathedral of Davao until that Sunday morning (January 27, 2012) when a short program was inserted during the Sunday Mass (after Communion). I was not able to hold my tears as the faithful also shed their tears in appreciation for what I have done. 

I was so thankful  to all, the young people, the Nanays, the Tatays, to Bishop Callao and family, and to Fr. Jorge. It is an honor to be a part of such a beautiful faith community here in Davao. Hugs, kisses, and tears were like a pay-off for all the sacrifices, including personal sacrifices just to give the people a fitting and solemn feel during worship and above all, to glorify the Lord through music." 

The reason why I was not so home sick during my stay in Davao is because of the people who have treated me as their own child. Parishioners have opened their doors and became my adoptive families. Indeed, the IFI of Davao City has given me a family away from my family. 

INTERMISSION DAW! A SERIES OF THANKS.....

To Elsa and Paul Daguplo, thank you for giving me such a wonderful family. Through joys, pains, happiness, struggles and victories, you have supported me along the way. Treating me like your own child was the most profound way of showing your love for me as well as to your kids who also consider me, their true sibling.

To Tita Letty and Tito Rizal Saligumba and Maam Teodora Dajalos: I would always be grateful that I met the kind of people like you who love the church the same way I do. Thank you for the love and the care you have shown me. I maybe "pasaway" at times, but you continue to see the good side of me. Thank you for the gifts, and all that you have contributed in my life and in the enrichment of my ministry. 

To Bishop Callao and family, I thank you a million times for welcoming me into your flock and for being so proud of my achievements. You may have not known this but I thank you for educating me to become a true IFI through your words, actions and even your constant encouragements.  Thank you for giving me the chance to work for the diocese in such a short yet worthwhile time. Thank you also to Tita Ging-Ging and Karla for the love and care they have shown me. God bless you in the continued journey of faith in the ministry. 

To Fr. Jorge, you may be misinterpreted by some but I am so thankful to know you personally and deep down. Thank you for the encouragements, love and generosity. Your appreciation of my work in the church goes beyond affirmation and I would keep it in my heart till I end this journey on earth. Thank you for treating me like how you treat your child. I admire the discipline you impose on those who belong to your circle. 

To the young people and the choir, continue what we have started. Yes, we are the seeds of change and from us, will sprout the developments of the church. You already know what to do in church, keep the fire of service. From this day on, I pass on the torch with a burning flame of service to God and country. With the music mission, I know you can do it. God will bless you and will equip you as long as you ask for the Spirit's guidance in all you do. 

FRIENDS 

My life's journey in Davao would not be completed if not without the presence of friends aside from those in church.  My friends from Tubigon or L.A. (Likod sa Aglipay) would always be remembered as they have been also my confidants in the very low and up times of my life. 

I maybe so "IRO" to you at times but you don't know how much I appreciate the respect and love you gave me not thinking that I am a total stranger who just came into the scene. 

I thank you all for the friendship you gave me and all of you will always be part of the best scenes of my life here on earth. 

NEW AND UNEXPECTED CAREER VENTURES

My first job with ABS-CBN Davao was that exciting and the way I look at myself, I really cannot imagine myself being in a broadcast media outfit. My mind was focused on the ministry because I have seen the great need so I had to choose alternative jobs which could make me earn some good amount of income and at the same time, volunteer for church programs. 

God is indeed a Constant Provider and so he has opened doors of opportunities like article writing, blogging and SEO jobs. I know more about writing but not online writing. I had to learn how such pieces are written, its tone, and what kind of words to use for the copy.

Also in Davao, I was made into a more computer savvy person as I knew how to convert file formats and other stuff of the like. In short, I was opened to the virtual world while I was in Davao. 

FOOD AND ADVENTURE

Definitely one thing I would surely miss about Davao is the food. First of the kind is the street foods made available in San Pedro during the afternoons of each day. The "kwek-kwek," "fried isaw and isol," chicken skin and fish balls and more would always be missed by my tastebuds. 

Buffet which costs at P99 to P150 would give a glutton like me some satisfaction. It is only here in Davao where you can also find fried chicken sold at P35 with unlimited rice. No wonder, my stomach grew bigger during my stay. 

Aside from that, I have learned to love Durian (fresh ha?) and it would give me some feel of being energetic. Fruits like mangosteen, watermelon, mangoes, papaya, lanzones, rambutan and a lot more are available whole year round at a low price. Not to mention the low priced vegetables sold near Magallanes St., and it makes me remember that we used to buy eggplant for breakfast (Tortang Talong) sold only at P15 per kilo.

Places like the Crocodile Park, Jack's Ridge, Malagos Garden Resort, Philippine Eagle Center,  People's Park, and many more are what I also love about Davao. Also, the trips to Samal Island and Talicud esp. at Isla Reta. 

I didn't expect living in Davao would turn into a very fruitful and meaningful stay. From being like an exile, the stay was turned into a very beautiful experience of learning, survival, success, education and many more. 

Indeed, I can say that in Davao, "Life is Here."

Voices in Praise of God and in Defense of His Creation

“Voices in Praise.” The Parish Choir from Malimono emerged as the Champion for the 4^th Diocesan Choral Festival held last August 6, 2012 at Provincial Capitol Area, Surigao City. 

 Not too long, the IFI faithful all over the country felt the pride as the revolutionary and Filipino-made church celebrated its 110^th year of existence. I also felt the same when I was able to view the 110^th Proclamation Anniversary Mass via live stream.

My feel of pride was heightened when I got the privilege to witness the live performances of the parish choirs in the Diocese of Surigao as they held the 4^th Diocesan Choral Festival. It was also timely as the Mindanao Committee on Liturgy and Music was to hold a meeting also in Surigao City and I was tasked to represent the Diocese of Davao.

Earlier that day, the Holy Eucharist in celebration of the Lord's Transfiguration was presided by the Diocesan Bishop of Surigao together with the bishops of Libertad and Oroquieta. Before the Eucharistic celebration, the blessing of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration’s new altar, pulpit, and stained glass walls took place.

"Glass Walls depicting Glory of Christ" The Cathedral of the Transfiguration's new altar and stained glass walls. In the morning of August 6, 2012 before the Eucharistic Celebration, the Bishop of Surigao presided over the blessing and the Holy Mass followed in celebration of the Lord's Transfiguration, one of the main activities for the Diocesan Thanksgiving Day and 110th IFI Proclamation Anniversary Diocesan Celebration. 

Meet, Greet and Discuss

As a volunteer worker for the Committee on Liturgy and Music in the Diocese of Davao, I was honored to represent in his behalf, our head, Fr. Ariston Raymundo at the Mindanao Committee on Liturgy and Music Meeting last August 6, 2012 held at Golden Mile Pension House, Surigao City.

“When Musical Minds Meet.” Rt. Rev. Rudy Juliada of Libertad Diocese presides over the meeting of the Mindanao Committee on Liturgy and Music held at Golden Mile Pension House, Surigao City. 

The committee was headed by the Rt. Rev. Rudy Juliada of the Diocese of Libertad. Members present were Rev. Fr. Michael Quidilla of Libertad Diocese, Rev. Deacon Jerson Nazareno of Pagadian Diocese, Rev. Fr. Elgen Escobal of Dinagat Diocese and Rev. Fr. Manuel Marasigan of Oroquieta Diocese.

As the appointed secretary for that meeting, I took note of the proceedings. Part of their discussions was how to popularize the songs which came from the previous Mindanao Music Festival held at Cagayan de Oro City in 2010.

In line with that notion, the members proposed on holding song workshops in the different dioceses and will be conducted by the Mindanao Committee on Liturgy and Music. Regarding this, the 11 Dioceses of Mindanao will be divided into four clusters thus, there will be four workshops to be done before the end of this year.

Watch, Judge and Decide

After the meeting, we hurriedly went to the Surigao Provincial Capitol Area as one of the highlights of the Thanksgiving Day of IFI-Surigao Diocese was to unfold at 6 in the evening. The reason for the rush: the committee members will also to sit as the jurors for the choir competition.

"Jurors on a Table" The board of Judges for the 4th Diocesan Choral Festival held last August 6, 2012 at the Provincial Capitol Area, Surigao City. Chair of the Board of Judges was Mindanao CLM Head, Bishop Juliada. 

Holding such kind of event is a remarkable move for the Diocese of Surigao led by its ever energetic diocesan bishop, Rt. Rev. Rhee Timbang. As stated during the program, before the very event last August 6, the deanery level eliminations were first conducted. The competition was not aimed at mainly to develop competition among parishes but on the other side, it encourages the establishment of a permanent choir in the parishes to serve the needs of liturgical celebrations.

The nine parish choirs were the “cream of the crop” as these groups have gone through the qualifying rounds. The original song compositions dwelt on the diocesan theme: “Called to Worship, Commissioned to Serve: "Pursue God's Peace! Uphold the Integrity of God's Creation!"(1 Peter 3:11/Genesis 1:31).

Here is a list of the Surigao Diocese parish choirs who made it to the final competition:

1.   Timamana Parish Choir

2.   Dapa Parish Choir

3.   Cathedral Parish Choir

4.   Rizal Parish Choir

5.   Alegria Parish Choir

6.   Malimono Parish Choir

7.   Placer Parish Choir

8.   Sison Parish Choir

9.   Socorro Parish Choir

"Voices from the Nearby Island" The Socorro Parish Choir, directed by fellow Sillimanian Mr. Florano, got the bronze (third place) as with the recently concluded 4th Diocesan Choral Festival of the Diocese of Surigao held last August 6, 2012 at the Provincial Capitol Area, Surigao City. 

The performances were worth the long hours of travel from Davao to Surigao City. The music coming from the nine choirs competing seemed to become a massage to my whole system as it helped take away the stress from the long travel.

"Harmonic Singers Dressed in Dominant Pink and Violet" The Parish Choir from Placer bagged the Silver (Second Place)  for the 4th Diocesan Choral Festival of the Diocese of Surigao held last August 6, 2012 at the Provincial Capitol Area, Surigao City. 

“All of you are winners,” said Rt. Rev. Rudy Juliada of Libertad Diocese, before announcing the results. The groups which emerged victorious were Malimono Parish Choir won the first place and parish choirs from Placer and Socorro grabbed the second and third place, respectively.

"Belting out to the Gold" The Parish Choir of Malimono grabbed the gold for the 4th Diocesan Choral Festival of the Diocese of Surigao held last August 6, 2012 at the Provincial Capitol Area, Surigao City. 

The choral competition was a showcase of grandeur attained by the Diocese of Surigao. The voices in harmony conveyed the variety of people who worked in the local churches and may seem  to be different from each other but are united in Christ and in service to men. 

Food, Accommodation and Hospitality at its Best

My stay in Surigao City was made more enjoying and comfortable due to the warm accommodation given by the bishop of Surigao himself, and the pension house owner and attendants of Golden Mile.

Sumptuous foods were served with a smile and a high dose of hospitality by the host. The mouth-watering taste of seafood dishes like squids made into “kinilaw and adobo”, fresh fish cooked into the favorite “tinola and prito” in the table were never a miss in every meal we have had.

"Bon Appetit" The guests never hesitated to give in a smile after a sumptuous meal. 

The welcoming arms of the IFI-Diocese of Surigao would make its visitors to come back to its abodes once in a while.

The Glory of IFI Displayed in Surigao Diocese

For years, I have heard of Surigao Diocese and how it has put into great motion its ministry to God and His people, aside from being a model diocese for the church’s centralization program.

But being an eyewitness for two days gave me a nostalgic feel that the whole of IFI could have attained its grandeur as a church if only we have set aside our self-kept personal motives then, follow the sacrificial path for the church to become stable in finances and in the ministry to His people.

I was proud as an IFI to see and witness for myself that our church is being respected in the place. I was also touched by the firm stand of the diocese against large scale mining which was evident not only in their large posters outside the churches but also noticeable in their advocacy and programs in the local churches.

"The Living Heritage thru Banners and Flags" The Frontage of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, the Seat of the Diocesan Bishop of Surigao Diocese is being seen with a large poster with a very poignant advocacy of protecting the environment and upholding eco-justice. 

Ecumenism was also evident as they grow good relationships with ministers and faithful of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in the different locales. This church whom we signed a Covenant of Partnership also shares almost all of our advocacies as with the pro-people movements.

Even the recently conducted 4^th Diocesan Choral Festival is one of the indicators that the IFI in Surigao has grown so much more than the dioceses in the whole of the archipelago. The diocese now produces its own songs and music for the liturgical celebrations and pursues uniformity in songs and hymns usage in its parishes and missions.

To note the expansion of the church, the Diocese of Surigao gave birth to the Diocese of Dinagat and soon, the Diocese of Siargao. This is a proof of the growing that this diocese has caused to the whole of IFI. 

Indeed, the glory of IFI can be best seen in a diocese located almost at the tip of the Philippines, and that is  in Surigao.  Kudos to the great leadership of Rt. Rev. Rhee Timbang for the remarkable achievements and for letting me see the IFI’s glory right before my very eyes.

"A Temple at the Top" The Cathedral of the Transfiguration, Seat of the Diocesan Bishop of Surigao Diocese located at Km.2 National Road, Surigao City. 

(This is a Feature Article on the 4th Diocesan Choral Festival of the IFI – Diocese of Surigao. This is a personal blog entry and the opinions expressed on this blog is not of the IFI-Diocese of Surigao or any of the dioceses I may have belonged to. The reason why I published this is in my personal blog is for  me to convey that this is of my own opinion and thus, free from any external dictates.- Klein Emperado)