A post script of sorts

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s a new week and we are on the 9th day of our count-up to the next hundred years of the Diocese of Calbayog. Surely it’s nice to be back. Yup, I got so loaded I forgot about my columns days before and after the Centennial celebration. One way or the other, that event was a success. In the words of Bishop Abarquez, it was result of the collaboration of talents, resources and time of all concerned in the Diocese of Calbayog.

My first p.s. The dust has settled. The Nuncio, the Bishops and the guests have left. It’s the faithful of Calbayog by themselves again to face the realities of life. The realities which have characterized and will characterize the lives of the Samareños. Where we go next and how we get there is everybody’s guess. Many words were said during the homilies and speeches in the liturgical events and programs during the centennial week. One thing worth noting was the reminder of Bishop Soc Villegas about the event and the elections. The good bishop noted how the event fell exactly a month before the May 10 polls. He also reminded the faithful that the election is the (only) chance (or means) for us to instill the much-needed change in society.
More than elections, poverty, politics and what have you, let us always remember what the Diocese of Calbayog has been through. While we all relish to recall happy moments in our lives, let us always remember that only a couple of years ago crises struck the diocese which almost led the Vatican to demoted Calbayog to a mere titular diocese. I hope the celebration did strike a chord in the faithful of Calbayog. That it may serve to inspire all the faithful to move for a more vibrant church. Certainly, it’s a small price on our part to give to this institution of faith that inspired, cared, guided and sustained us in the past 100 years.

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Let me give you another p.s. It’s my holy week p.s. It’s something for my column after Easter, but thanks to the centennial celebration I completely forgot about it. Anyway, it’s my other way of looking at some holy week traditions in my hometown. I guess I call it my lighter way if looking at these tradition or stories of old.

Old folks fondly recall that many years ago the siete palabras at the cathedral ended with some sort of reenactment of the death of Jesus. Someone would say a line (supposedly the last line uttered by the Lord) and on cue, a parish worker in charge would pull a cord and the head of the crucified Christ (yup, the one with a movable head which one finds in the left wing of top of what used to be tombs of Calbayog’s first two bishops) moves or bows down portraying the death of the Lord and it always gave goosebumps to many parishioners. Alas, things can never go perfect. I’d like to recall this kwentong barbero about one particular Good Friday service in the city many years ago. The person in charge missed the cue, and forgot about pulling the cord and the head of the crucified Christ did not move. The (cue) line cannot be uttered again, so how did they do it? Someone supposedly called (‘twas more of a loud whisper) the name of the person in charge and said, “tiwasi na!” Ahh, Filipinos indeed can always make something light out of anything they go through.

And yes, I experienced something akin to that myself a few years ago. There was this guy who I presumed was inspired by the crucifixions of folks in Luzon or maybe in his effort to do penitensya, had himself crucified. And there he hanged on his cross somewhere in Rawis. It was some kinda sight to behold until he called on some of his companions, nope not to reenact the seven last words, but to ask for ice water.

Seriously, we have our own memories or images of Holy Week in our hometown. Whatever these are, it boils down to one thing. I believe that holy week have always been declared as a holiday, a long one at that, for us to spend some holy days before the big celebration which is Easter.

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Election season. Seen in town on Thursday last week was Kris Aquino who campaigned for Noynoy. Also in town minutes before Kris’ arrival was Bayani Fernando who was aboard a transformer truck with his wife, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando. Last Tuesday, Vice Presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay was in Calbayog with senatoriable Alex Tinsay.

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Congratulation and Best Wishes to Estanislao “Islaw” Tarrayo and Adoracion “Doring” Tarrayo. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Their renewal of vows will be held at the Holy Infant Parish Church in Oquendo. Reception will be held in Brgy. Jose Roño.

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This is it for now. Have a nice week everyone! Ciao!