My side of the story (this time, i'll mention names) DO NOT READ IF YOU FIND THIS OFFENSIVE... :)

For the past few months, there has been issues between the Ministry of Altar Servers and The Youth for Christ. The issue started few months ago when one of our members, Patrick joined the YFC's. Patrick's reason is easy to understand, I just don't get the reason of why people are still talking about it, which makes it more difficult for the Altar Servers and Patrick. The parents of Patrick are the coordinators of the Couples for Christ in our parish. Since YFC is a product of Couples for Christ, out of due respect of his parents, Patrick will join the YFC.

Few weeks later, Jiovanni and Charlie of the Ministry of Altar Servers joined the YFC. Which makes them active to the organization knowing that they are still commited to the Altar Servers. Then the day came when the YFC's had their "youth camp" and all members joined that youth camp and non-members were invited to join. Jiovanni and Charlie joined that youth camp. They say that they improved their personality and gained some maturity. I could not judge them from what they have experienced and learned from that youth camp cause I did not join them.

Few days later, the altar servers had a meeting, and luckily, Jiovanni and Charlie was able to attend that meeting. The meeting is mostly about the 2 of them joining the YFC and why they did not inform Abraham, our coordinator and Kuya Dave that they will attend the youth camp. That time, we were not that aware that Charlie and Jiovanni are members of YFC, so what practically occured in that meeting, was a verification of the things that are occuring. In the meeting, Charlie and Jiovanni said that they are active members of the YFC and are proud to be one. Kuya Dave and did not like the idea of Jiovanni and Charlie joining the youth camp without his permission. So that probably made another issue between the 3 of them. In that meeting, each of us, got the chance to talk in front to cite our opinions on the things that are happening. Even some of us cried, but not me, I will not mention the names of my comrades that cried cause it might be ambarassing for them for me to post it here in my blog for the whole world to see.

I would like to repeat partly what I have said during that meeting...

Freedom is a gift from God. Each one of us today are gifted with that freedom and freedom to do whatever we want. So we have a choice to serve God or not; we have a choice to use this freedom for Him or for our own selfish needs to sin. In the case of Jiovanni and Charlie, who joined the YFC, they used their freedom for themselves by joining the youth camp but not to sin, but for the better improvement of themselves, and with this "better self", they can use it for the society and environment; For me, this is actually good, because you focused on yourself first before you could focus on the environment and the society. This is what I believe the motive of Charlie and Jiovanni in joining the Youth Camp or the YFC; and besides if we altar servers really love Jiovanni and Charlie, we would support them in whatever they do. Also in that meeting, Charlie said that he is not that happy anymore in the altar servers and that's one of his reason of why he intended to join the YFC. He said that in the YFC, he feels complete and more focused. I can't blame him from his feelings, we're not the same.

After that meeting, I thought that everything would go out well and normal, but few weeks later, Gelo, my friend and co-altar server Gelo (treated the him as my brother now) sent me an instant message in Yahoo Messenger asking me to visit his blog. I asked him why he wants me to visit his blog. He answered nothing. I was worried that time for Gelo, so I visited his blog only to see a post wherein Gelo had a quarrel with a YFC member Ricille Roscios. I copy and pasted the conversation of Gelo and that YFC girl. The conversation below that I copied from Gelo's blog is the exact conversation that happend.


BUZZ!!!
javs_52: ano?
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): glit kah?
javs_52: indi bkit?
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): my share me sau
javs_52: ano?
javs_52: ano ung ishe-share mo??
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): kttpoa lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): kttpos lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): kttpoa lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kttpoa lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): kttpoa lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kttpoa lng ng couples for christ 25th anniv. knina sa quirino grandstand sa luneta at umapaw ang tao at take note archbishop ang ng-mass smen dun kya yan ptunay lng nah d kme protestante o aglipay nah wlang pinaniniwalaan nah pope,,,,,,,,,,,todo2x nga ang puri smen dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kayo mga altarserver sa transfi npuri nb ng gnun tke note archbishop un!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUZZ!!!
javs_52: ouch tagos un ah... na-offend ako dun ah.. bkit sinabi ko ba na prostestante ang yfc??? bkit napuri naba keo ng CARDINAL??? nagpunta kami sa cainta para sa isang funeral mass si Cardinal ang nagmass, 18 ung mga pari. Diocese of cubao servers ang nagserve... Napuri kami habang nagbibihis para makauwi na lumapit si Cardinal para pasalamatan kami at i congratulate ang diocese of cubao servers..
javs_52: na isa kme sa mga nagserve para sa kanya na magagaling.. take note 1 practice lang ang ginawa namin dun..
javs_52: wala pa kaming mail...
javs_52: *mali
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): pinuri ang diocese of cubao servers hindi ang altar servers ng transfi
javs_52: so anu pinag kaiba nun???
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): hindi mo nga sinbi na protestante kmi but ur leader dave said that na ung leader nyo na naniniwala ding UNDER nya kayong lahat
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): hahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hehehehe
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): ui.........anuh..wlng walk-out huh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): ui my tnungin me sau
javs_52: xori di kxe ako ma pride eh.. Yan ang pinaka ayaw ko sa isang tao ang laki ng ulo.. xori di ko na pinapansin mga taong ma pride... HIDI KXE AKO MA PRIDE EH
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): cnu bah sten ang ma-pride!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): altar server o YFC?
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): dave o c cedrick?
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): kayo o kami?
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): sbhnm mo ngha
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): ako bah o ikaw
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): ?????????????????????????????????
BUZZ!!!
ZhELLe03 CuTe : ): bye na nga mdali pala maasar ang mga duwg n tuta ni dave!


To be really honest, I was offended in the conversation of Gelo and that YFC girl even if I wasn't present during that time, I was really strucked to see 2 servants of God fighting one another. To the YFC girl that had an argument with Gelo, hear this. ( I made it in a language that I'm sure you'll understand) ....

Pinapaalala ko sayo na ikaw ay isang YFC, matuto ka maging mapagkumbaba. Ano ngayon kung ang archbishop ang pumuri sainyo? It does not make any sense naman na ipagmayabang mo na isang achbishop ang pumuri sainyo. BE mature, THINK mature, ACT mature. Yan lang gusto ko sabihin sayo. Try to reflect on what you did or said to Gelo, see the mistakes and apologize for the wrong doings. At isa pa... di mo dapat pinagyabang kung ang archbishop ay pumuri. Mapa-pari, mapa-obispo, mapa-cardinal o santo papa man yang pumuri sa inyo, di mo dapat ipagyabang yan. Tao lang yan na pumuri sainyo, hindi Diyos! Ipagmayabang mo samin kung ang Diyos mismo bumaba sa mula langit at pinuri kayo sa ginawa nyo. Alam ko na may mali din si Gelo, dahil nagmayabang din sya, pero nagsisi sya sa ginawa nya. E ikaw? nagsisi ba? and another thing... The Diocese of Cubao Servers are the official altar servers of the Bishop of Cubao, and they are mostly composed of altar servers coming from our parish. That's one thing you probably don't know. Just to let you know(again), Kuya Dave is the Diocesian Coordinator of Altar Servers for the Diocese of Cubao, so he's right, we are all under him, I mean, the whole Diocese is. So please... understand that. And let me get one thing straight! WE'RE NOT TUTA OF KUYA DAVE!!! We vowed obedience to him and that's that. Maswerte ka, dahil buti nalang di ako katulad ng ibang young saints dyan na kung saan pag narinig yang mga sinabi mo, todo mura with some slobby english pa, regardless kung gaano pa sila kabanal. So I hope I made it clear na even if I'm not that active in Altar Servers anymore.

So sana tapos na ang lahat. I pray that this issue could be finished, I can't stand to see some of my brothers being hurt because of some immature issue.

Thank You for your effort in reading this very long post (or rather issue)... and the last thing I want to tell to the people is....

ACT mature, BE mature, and THINK mature...

Pardon my grammar...

I am human
I commit mistakes
I am not perfect

If you would read some of my entries here in my blog, you would actually notice that my english sucks. I accept that for it is the truth and I apologize for it. I am quite weak when it comes to speaking and writing english. I find it hard to express what I think or what I feel in the english language. So all I'm asking is, pardon my grammar.

I really don't value my grammar that much, cause the important thing is that you understand and get my point even if the grammar mainly is incorrect. What's the point in writing correct english if the point is not understood that much?

I'm not saying that we must not give too much effort in improving our english skills, believe me, I am giving all that I can to better improve my knowledge in writing and speaking in english.

You don't need to have an environment filled with english speakers, improvement may be from yourself... :)

Heavy burdens... (reflection for June 25, 2006)

We sometimes get scared and lack fatih as we journey in life. Sometimes, because of the too much burdens that we have, we tend to lose faith. The spirituality of most people nowadays are weak, that's one reason of why they lack confidence in themselves.

The similar situation happend in today's Gospel, when Jesus with His apostles went out to fish. Great waves are faced by the apostles boats. Peter was starting to lack faith that time. Yet when he went to Jesus, Jesus ceased the viloence being made by the sea.

As some of the great saints say, "If God is with us, who can be against us?" and as I said before in my previous reflections, "have Jesus, and have everything". Peter and some of the apostles that time had Jesus physically, but maybe not spiritually. Cause if they have Jesus in their hearts at the time when they were about to get eaten up by the waves of the sea, they would be confident in everything they do.

Have Jesus and have everything. If He is with you, who can be against you?

Rude students of Ateneo de Manila University

Like the title says, Ateneans are rude these days. Here's what happend...

It was 6:30 in the evening of June 20, 2006, which was, 3 days ago when I went to National bookstore in Katipunan Avenue to buy some of my things in school. The place was crowded with people (mostly students buying supplies for school). Then I accidentally bumped an Atenean with his barkadas. The Atenean is tall and Chinese and is fond of speaking in english. He said, "oh fuck! watch where you going naman!", then I said nicely, "sorry", then he replied, "you better be!". Then when I turned my back, he looked at me badly.

I was really frustrated with that Atenean. Di ba sya nahihiya? suot suot nya ang uniform ng Ateneo, tapos mambabastos sya ng tao. My God! binastos ako ng isang estudyante na nagaaral sa isang eskwelahan na napakaganda. Take note! in front of other people pa! Napahiya na nga ako, nasigawan pa ako ng Atenista na mapagmataas. To the point that it was him who bumped me and not me who bumped him, tapos ngayon, siya pa may karapatan magalit sakin at sigawan ako ng ganun ganun lang. Buti nalang di ganon kalakas sigaw niya at buong national bookstore nakarinig, buti nalang din konti lang ang tao na nasa paligid na kung saan napahiya ako.

Buti nalang din na I'm not like most of the bosconians na kung nakabangga mo, masasapak kana or mumurahin ka ng "putang ina!"... buti nalang na di ako ganun. Good thing I was patient enough and in a good mood. The Atenean wrecked my day. Everything was going so well that day but he destroyed it all!!!

Ganyan pala mga taga Ateneo, bastos...

Kaya pala sabi ng ibang friends ko na taga Miriam, "wag ka mag Ateneo, mayayabang mga students dun"... The first time I heard this, I did not believe, cause I know that Ateneo is a very good school and some of the great leaders and successful businessman in the Philippines studied in Ateneo, kahit ang pambansanag bayani dyan nagaral. Kaya mataas ang tingin ko sa eskwela na yan. Pero after nung nangyari sakin, medyo bumaba yata tingin ko.

Upon arriving home, I asked myself, "yun ba ang tinuturo ng mga Heswita at mga guro ng Ateneo?"

What inspired saints to be saints?... (reflection for June 18, 2006)

Sacrifice may be a difficult word, a difficult task, and especially, a difficult action. Some may think that sacrifice leads to death. That's why people today (especially Christians) find it so hard to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. But not all sacrifices leads to death. In fact, most of the sacrifices made leads to glory even if its end is death. Sacrifices of others may be an inspiration for us to sacrifice too.

Saints, from the sacrifices they have done inspires many souls (especially the martyrs who died painfully and bloody). They must be our models of sacrifice who through sacrifice, attained glory. But let us ask ourselves, what inspired saints to be saints? Have you ever encountered a similar question before?

My friends, in my point of view, what probably inspired saints to be saints is to be inspired by the model of sacrifice, Jesus Christ, who was nailed bloody to the cross, just to save us from sin. Out of love He sarcrificed Himself without any condition.

My friends, today is the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), let us be reminded that Jesus did not sacrifice Himself only when He was nailed to the cross but also when we receive Him in liturgy, where our soul is being fed.

are bosconians young saints?

Yesterday, we were oriented by our rector, and once again I heard him say, "Don Bosco is a school for young saints" and I would like to recall a post I made few months ago when I was frustrated with their so called young saints of Don Bosco. Well... I would like to recall that post. It's just a click away.

http://iwillbecomeasaint.blogspot.com/2005/10/truth-of-todays-don-boscos.html

Bosconians... Prove to me that you are really a Salesian Youth, a YOUNG SAINT....

1+1+1 = 1? (reflection for June 11, 2006)

Even the most considerate math teacher would flunk your grades if you would answer 1+1+1=1. But when it comes to God, 1+1+1 is indeed equals to 1. This is one of the reasons of why some catholics are changing their religions. They simply don't understand the Holy Trinity. Some might ask, "how can 3 divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be 1?"

Let us not focus on the Holy Trinity for a moment. Let's focus more on the physical reality that is present within us. Let's take me for an example. I am just 1, but to my parents, I am their son, to my teacher, I am a student, to a pet, I am a master. You see, 3 different personas, but still one me. The same goes for the Holy Trinity, 3 different persons but only one God.

Everytime we start a conversation with God, we first make the sign of the cross. It is a symbol of God's love for us. The Father as the creator, the son as the redeemer, the Holy Spirit as the consoler. The Holy Trinity is with us, always. When we make the sign of the cross, we are reminded of the Holy Trinity.

When newly weds said their vows, there was the sign of the cross.

Holy water poured to the forehead of a baby, there was the sign of the cross.

Passing by a church, there was the sign of the cross.

Today, we are reminded that the Holy Trinity is always with us, and there is nothing to fear. May God be with us always...

June 6, 2006... cursed?

June 6, 2006... They say it's cursed, maybe because of 666 is the devils number and June 6, 2006 is 6-6-06. I have been receiving e-mails for the past few weeks regarding June 6, 2006. They say that there will be an outbreak of satanic cults, kidnapping people and offering them as a sacrifice for June 6, 2006. They also say that there will be processions with people wearing a black robe with a print of a devils 5 pointed star.

None of the things I have mensioned above are present during June 6, 2006. I have not seen on the news about people missing and cases of kidnapping neither the processions with people wearing black robes with hoods chanting some satanic chants. It only proves one thing, people today thinks what they are not suppose to think, and expect the things that are not worth of their expectations.

No day is cursed. Each day is a blessing that we must be thankful for. See the things that the Lord pours out from His heart just to make each day special and beautiful. Enjoy your day! :)

The Ghost... (reflection for June 4, 2006)

If you see the things in your house floating in the air, what will you do? If you hear voices while you are lying in your bed or just doing your chores, what will you do? If you see footprints on the floor, what will you do? or rather, what will your hypothesis for these supernatural happenings? You'll probably think that there is a ghost in your home, or there are spirits living inside your house, that's what will an average person think if these instances could happen to him.

These are only physical things in life that some may experience, but there is an another ghost, a ghost who is present not only physically, but spiritually. A ghost that does not make any strange noises, nor weird themes of the atmosphere. It is a ghost that is present since the beggining of time, a ghost that is united with the Father in Heaven, the Holy Ghost, or better known as the Holy Spirit.

My friends, today is pentecost sunday, it is the start of a new beginning with God, which is through the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity. As St. John Vianney said, "Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas. That's why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned."

The Holy Spirit will guide us to the truth. Let the Holy Spirit come to our hearts so that we may be guided.

Using freedom

People sin because of free will. It what makes people do evil and we suffer because of this free will. So why did God give us freedom? He could have made us puppets dancing while he pulled the strings, yet beacause of love, He gave us the freedom to do what we want.

The problem is not in God nor in freedom. The problem is us! We are not using freedom properly and wisely. We are using it for our selfish needs, it is why we sin. We sin not because of freedom itself, we sin because we are using freedom foolishly and unwisely. Keep in mind that God cannot break free will. As Morgan freeman said in his movie, Bruce Almighty where he played as God, "do whatever you want, but don't break free will". You see! Even God cannot break free will! He can of course with His own free will can do that, but His love for us never fades. He does not take back something that He has already given.

I know the fact that Adam and Eve sinned and disobeyed God beacause of freedom, but why do we focus on that? why do we focus on the bad side of freedom while we can focus on the good side of freedom. We sometimes only see the negative things about everything. But not to appreciate the little things that are happening.

Freedom is used wise if it is used for the sake of our neighbor or for the greater glory of our Saviour, and that is true freedom.

What if? (a love poem)

What if?

If life is beautiful, will you be my life?
If you would say yes to me,
My love for you will be sharper than a knife.

If nobody is perfect, will you be my nobody?
But since you’re far away from me,
I’ll just wait for you and be ready

If everything happens for a reason, will you be my everything?

Hoping that when you arrive,
In your heart I will reign as king.

If time is precious, will you be my time?
I keep on praying that someday you could arrive
And when that time comes my heart will be yours and yours will be mine…


By: Rodrigo A. Escobar