“PADAJON” TAKES CONTROL OF DIST. 2

Rod S. Catoto

The only COMELEC accredited and recognized local political party in Caraga region, the Partido Padajon Surigao has virtually taken full control of Dist II in Surigao del Norte following the conquest of the remaining frontier town of Malimono, Surigao del Norte lorded over by Mayor Teodoro Senaca Jr., an erstwhile Barbers ally who returned allegiance to political mentor Cong. Francisco Matugas.

Malimono fell into the hands of the Matugas-Romarate political alliance after Mayor Jun Senaca abandoned Abante Surigao, the Barbers’ political party, and took his oath as party member of Partido Padajon Surigao last Thursday.

Senaca’s oathtaking to the Matugas party was witnessed by over 3,000 town residents and leaders who also joined their town mayor in pledging allegiance to the Partido Padajon Surigao.

The downfall of the Barbers party in Malimono followed a series of massive oathtaking rites of thousands of Surigaonons for Partido Padajon Surigao in such towns as Sison, Tagana-an and Gigaquit within the span of two days last week.

Cong. Jun Romarate chairman of Partido Padajon Surigao and Cong. Lalo Matugas, its president and founder, personally led the series of oathtaking events in the said towns which looked more like a victory celebration judging from the multitudes of crowds that converged and overflowed the municipal auditoriums of eleven towns in District II.

Barbers’ Abante Surigao party was left with only one town as all other towns and their Mayors in District II have now jumped into the Padajon bandwagon.

Veteran politicians in Surigao predict that the exodus of local leaders to the side of Matugas and Romarate could spell the end of the Barbers regime even before the elections next year. The present situation besieging Abante Surigao party of Governor Ace Barbers has placed itself in serious doubt in terms of survival in view of the same political debacle it suffered in Siargao Island which is now firmly controlled by the Cong. Francisco Matugas and his allies.

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Casurra-Barbers tandem: Shaken No Way!

Natz Corbeta

The Casurra-Barbers “POWER TANDEM” tagged as the original Lakas boys in Surigao del Norte will no way bury the hatchet and reconcile with their arch rivals, following the rhapsodized Lakas-Kampi merger in the national level. The co existence principle is entirely impossible as both Abante and Padajon camps were considered North and South poles in Surigao’s political history. The looming judgment of the arbitration committee in the merged party heirarchy, resolving the conflict in the local level is the much awaited political development to which groups be IN or OUT from the merger.

At any rate, the outcome of which will solely depend on the so called power play by both party stalwarts, an insider said. Some sources assumed that administration bigwig Prospero Pichay who is now named as the new arbitration chief will play a vital role in the power struggle which possibly sway judgment in favor to the Matugas-Romarate group. However, anticipating the scenario will take place may trigger Casurra and Barbers to swing out support and coalesce to other political group but remain to be LAKAS ORIGINALS.

Ace the resilient

“We are loyal Lakas members.” Governor Ace Barbers in reaction to the issue parroted by their rivals that there absence during the convention signifies their lack of interest in the merger and might be the basis of their expulsion from the party.

“We never committed any act which is inimical to the party, whatsoever, in fact, we are the original Lakas members in this province since we started our political career…If there will be somebody booted out from Lakas, its not us, but maybe them. But if worse scenario comes, we will cross the bridge when we will get there”,

Barbers said.

Casurra’s part

The City Mayor reacting to the issue insinuated by some pretenders that his relationship with the Barbers is getting cold; Casurra dismissed the misleading information by saying, its absolutely NOT TRUE!” Those are baseless information and probably part of the strategy to derail my good relationship with the Barbers, he said.

“I will reiterate further that I remain consistent with my statementss that since the time I entered politics, Surigaonons knew and I am tested… I never changed loyalties”,

said Casurra

Unfazed Abante

Amid the snowballing pride of their political arch rivals on the so called exodus of their former allies bolting to local party Padajun Surigao, the Casurra-Barbers solid team up remains unfazed over this issue saying the game is not yet over.

In reaction to former allies who swings support to the Matugas-Romarate groups will not be a conclusion that Abante Surigao weakened its structure, said the Governor.

Barbers disclosed, if some mayors are jumping off to their rival’s nest, there are also Padajun Surigao members who are silently veering to Abante’s camp.

“We are not like them always doing the grandstanding… We just keep it secret, MASUSI RA SA FINISH LINE. (We will find out in the end).”

he added.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, 4th movement-Allegro by Karajan

When my deceased mother was first diagnosed with a life threatening sickness years ago, I tried some to comfort myself and ease the anxiety that I felt. The very first music which I started to listen was the religious music of Cary Landry and that of John Michael Talbot.

Then that graduated to more serious stuff like classical music. My first classical music tape was that of Mozart. That was the first time I become acquainted with pieces like “The Marriage of Figaro.” That prompted me to buy the tapes of  classical composers later.

I rummage in the record bars in Cagayan de Oro City to find tapes of Ludwig Van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Peter Tchaikovsky and Antonio Vivaldi. I went to Astrovision in LKKS, (when the LKKS arcade is not yet airconditioned) some record bars along Divisoria area and there I was able to get several tapes. Later I bought some Brahms, Chopin, Verdi, Handel and Mendelsohn. The last classical music I bought was an expensive CD of Camille Saint Saens in his symphony Organ sometime in 2001 at Robinson’s Place in Manila. That was the last time I commune myself with classical music.

Now that my Mama is gone, I have this feeling of listening back to classical music. I felt alone, sad and lonely. Somehow classical music will fill the emptiness inside and around me aside from being always uplifting to the spirit. Classical music is in some way have a significant connection to the spiritual. Like the Roman Catholic Church, Classical Music is enduring, and timeless.

Classical music uplifts my soul in this time of great grief.

The video I am featuring above is one of my favorites. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, 4th movement. Its grand! I always exclaimed  “Bravo!” after the last notes are played.

Here’s also another favorite, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, a music you can relate to Dracula movies. But its nice and uplifting music.

image lifted from paterhermon.blogspot.com

Tandag Bishop Nerio Odchimar was elected as the new CBCP President for two years (2009-2011). Expectedly, his appointment was hailed by his provincemates including Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr. and former Congressman Prospero Pichay Jr. Governor Pimentel and Bishop Odchimar has been at odds on the issue of mining in the past but the former congratulated the latter and hopes that with his election as the top man at the CBCP, he will re examine his position on mining.

As to the concerns of other sectors that Bishop Odchimar may not be as outspoken against the administration as his predecessor Jaro Bishop Angel Lagdameo, maybe we should give Bishop Odchimar the benefit of the doubt. However his stance against mining and illegal logging is something everyone can be hopeful for that he will be taking a stand on some social issues.

What do I expect of Bishop Odchimar? As the events unfolded, Bishop Odchimar belongs to the Bishops in Caraga region (the other two are Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos and Surigao Bishop Antonieto D. Cabajog) who are known to be conservative. Pueblos, on his part is concededly a friend of Gloria Arroyo. Notably, Bishop Odchimar met with Gloria Arroyo days before his election accompanied by Bishop Pueblos.

Thus, I can say that Bishop Odchimar may not be as confrontational as compared to outgoing CBCP president Angel Lagdameo. Besides the Bishops in general and the CBCP in particular will not directly involved themselves in politics as this is contrary to principles of the organization and perhaps the stand of the Vatican.

Anyway, let’s give a benefit of the doubt to Bishop Odchimar and hope and pray for a successful leadership in the CBCP. After all, Odchimar is a Mindanaoan. He is ours.

Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

source:

This feast was instituted by the Carmelites between 1376 and 1386 under the title “Commemoratio B. Marif Virg. duplex” to celebrate the victory of their order over its enemies on obtaining the approbation of its name and constitution from Honorius III on 30 Jan., 1226 (see Colvenerius, “Kal. Mar.”, 30 Jan. “Summa Aurea”, III, 737). The feast was assigned to 16 July, because on that date in 1251, according to Carmelite traditions, the scapular was given by the Blessed Virgin to St. Simon Stock; it was first approved by Sixtus V in 1587. After Cardinal Bellarmine had examined the Carmelite traditions in 1609, it was declared the patronal feast of the order, and is now celebrated in the Carmelite calendar as a major double of the first class with a vigil and a privileged octave (like the octave of Epiphany, admitting only a double of the first class) under the title “Commemoratio solemnis B.V.M. de Monte Carmelo”. By a privilege given by Clement X in 1672, some Carmelite monasteries keep the feast on the Sunday after 16 July, or on some other Sunday in July. In the seventeenth century the feast was adopted by several dioceses in the south of Italy, although its celebration, outside of Carmelite churches, was prohibited in 1628 by a decree contra abusus. On 21 Nov., 1674, however, it was first granted by Clement X to Spain and its colonies, in 1675 to Austria, in 1679 to Portugal and its colonies, and in 1725 to the Papal States of the Church, on 24 Sept., 1726, it was extended to the entire Latin Church by Benedict XIII. The lessons contain the legend of the scapular; the promise of the Sabbatine privilege was inserted into the lessons by Paul V about 1614. The Greeks of southern Italy and the Catholic Chaldeans have adopted this feast of the “Vestment of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. The object of the feast is the special predilection of Mary for those who profess themselves her servants by wearing her scapular.

OLMC Parishes in Northern Mindanao

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (F-1963)
Carmen, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City
Tel. 72-67-81

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
Talisayan, 9012 Misamis Oriental

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (F-1961)
Bobontugan, Jasa-an, 9003 Misamis Oriental

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (F-1959)
Carmen, 8603 Agusan del Norte

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL PARISH (F 1876)
Tagana-an, 8403 Surigao del Norte

OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL PARISH ( F 1635)
Del Carmen, 8418 Surigao del Norte

OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL PARISH
Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

My mother was brought to her resting place yesterday afternoon in a simple yet solemn ceremony attended by close relatives and friends somewhere in a town in a Northern Mindanao province.

Preceding before that is a Catholic funeral mass and a necrological service where moving eulogies were given by her colleagues in the public service. My mother is serving the public for 31 years. It capped the nine days prayer for the dead.

My grandma who is the matriarch of the family has been very meticulous about beliefs and ceremonies. She always stick to tradition and so the family don black garments because according black is the traditional color for mourning, of which I fully agree being a traditionalist myself.

I miss my mother so much. Her loving, tender and generous care for us. We will never find that kind of love from anyone else. Though she have already been laid to her final resting place, my grieving does not end there. I am totally devastated of her loss. This may even lasts for years. I am very sorry.

I will be mourning for one year. After that, I will assess if I can move on already. I will resume my blogging activity slowly in the coming days but maybe not in the usual way. It is still hard to resume again the way it was.

I am ending this entry with the lyrics of the entrance song of Mama’s funeral mass, “I am the Bread of Life” by Suzanne Toolan.  It is so comforting to us and full of hope for the love one that departed.

I am the bread of life

He who comes to Me shall not hunger

He who believes in Me shall not thirst

No one can come to Me

Unless the Father draw him

And I will raise her up

And I will raise her up

And I will raise him up on the last day

The bread that I will give

Is My flesh for the life of the world

And he who eats of this bread

He shall live for ever

He shall live for ever

Unless you eat

Of the flesh of the Son of Man

And drink of His blood

And drink of His blood

You shall not have life within you

I am the resurrection

I am the life

He who believes in Me

Even if he die

He shall live for ever

Yes, Lord, we believe

That You are the Christ

The Son of God

Who has come

Into the world

Goodbye’s the Saddest word – Celine Dion

the most kind and loving person in the world left…

saddest day of my life…

Though Gold Star Daily was established in 1989, I first took notice of the paper in 1993 when its circulation increased. I failed to notice that paper back then but I do notice that our newsman will peddle the paper at his newstand. When I read for the first time, I was interested since its treating the news for the entire Mindanao. No paper at that time was doing it. It was novel, bold and revolutionary.

Gold Star turns 20 with more commitment
Updated July 1, 2009 12:00 AM

THE Gold Star Daily celebrates its 20th anniversary today without much fanfare but with a renewed commitment to contribute in ensuring a well-informed citizenry.

The publication, the oldest and the premier daily in the region, has humble beginnings. It started as a six-page daily in the city with a small building on Pabayo St. as its center of operations.

It all started when businessman Ernesto Chu dared to defy the odds and prove that coming out with a daily newspaper for such a small market in Cagayan de Oro in the late ’80s can be viable.

The Gold Star Daily started with a lean pioneering staff with the then Philippine News Agency bureau chief Cris Diaz briefly serving as its first editor-in-chief. Bingo Alcordo, who was also manager of radio station DxCO then, wrote Gold Star’s first banner story. Diaz is now this paper’s business editor and Alcordo is still one of its columnists.

One of the Gold Star’s pioneering reporters, Herbie Gomez, is now the paper’s editor-in-chief.

In 1991, Gold Star Daily made the big move outside its home base, expanding its business first to Iligan City then to Malaybalay and Gingoog cities. Initial success encouraged Chu to venture further on to Caraga: Butuan City, and the two Surigao and Agusan provinces.

The growth of Gold Star Daily prompted it to move out of its original home in Pabayo Street to its present production and editorial offices in Gusa.

The paper is now being read daily in many cities and provinces in Mindanao. -MARK FRANCISCO

Honestly, Gold Star Daily was my inspiration in creating this blog. Big time news organization seldom make reports about our place here in Mindanao except for news about crimes, and wars. If there are other news most of it are confined to a specific area where there is a limited readership.

Thanks to Gold Star. The people of Mindanao became well informed not only of their respective localities but in other areas as well. They are now linked to each other.

Lastly, Gold Star contributes to the development and progress of Cagayan de Oro and its environs. Happy anniversary and more power!

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Misor’s ‘chicken man’ not bent on running for governor

By LITO RULONA and SUSAN PALMES – Correspondents
Updated June 30, 2009 12:00 AM

PROVINCIAL board member Peter Unabia is not bent on challenging the likely reelection bid of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno in 2010 but he is preparing for a potential four-cornered fight for a congressional seat that could include the governor’s younger brother.The neophyte politician, who gained prominence because of his ‘‘Sr. Pedro’’ chickens, announced that he was preparing to run for congressman in the 1st District of Misamis Oriental and not for governor.

The announcement came after former governor and now Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Vicente Emano said he would support Unabia in his supposed bid to become the next governor of Misamis Oriental.

“To be honest, I am for the position of congressman. Being a neophyte in politics, I cannot stand alone and I need the support of members of the party,”

Unabia said.

He said he discussed his political plans with his family, associates and supporters, and the consensus was that his political machinery was only good for a campaign in the province’s 1st District. Unabia said a campaign for the highest position of the province would be too much for him to handle. He said he would listen to his political supporters even if his party, the Emano-led PaDayon Pilipino, insists that he launch a gubernatorial bid.

“Istoryahan kini ug mayo usab sa pamilya tungod kay dako ang resources nga magamit for the 2nd District, if ever,”

Unabia said.

Unabia is facing the prospects of fighting it out for the congressional seat of the province’s 1st District against former governor and now Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona, lawyer Karen Lagbas and Gov. Moreno’s brother Emeterio Jr.. Lagbas served as chief of staff of her father Danilo whose death left Misamis Oriental’s 1st District without a representative. Guingona, considered the biggest name among the prospective aspirants for the House seat, has yet to make an official pronouncement about her plans but Vice Mayor Emano has claimed that she told him that she would run for congresswoman.

If he runs for congressman, Unabia would likely not get any help from Moreno unlike in the 2007 elections. The governor made it clear that his brother Emeterio Jr. would have his political support if the younger Moreno decides to seek the congressional seat.

‘‘I am proud of him (Emeterio) and I am going to support him if he decides to run,’’

Moreno told a local TV station.

He said he needs a partner in the capitol’s development efforts for the 1st District. Moreno said he does not consider it establishing a political dynasty since governors and congressmen have different functions.

‘‘Different functions in serving the people,’’

said Moreno.

Moreno defines political dynasty as a situation where there is no check and balance of powers. Moreno claimed that his brother, a lawyer who has been with the interior department for some 20 years, was asked to run for public office in the last elections but decided not to. He said some groups were convincing Emeterio to seek one of the province’s congressional seats next year.

‘‘I am not ashamed of my brother… he has all the qualifications to serve,’’

said Moreno.

No More Amante in Butuan politics

AgNor Governor says they learned lessons

Herne Bagaslao, Caraga Freelancer

Butuan City – To quell speculations that Rep. Edelmiro “Edel” Amante is seeking the mayoralty post in this city, his Governor son has recently declared that “no more members of Amante family would joine in the 2010 electoral battle in Caraga’s regional center.

“I think my sister had learned her lessons during the last elections.”

Governor Erlpe John Amante here said when asked if his younger sister, former Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba or his father would join the electoral race in the city.

Amante-Matba, a former three term Agusan del Norte governor, ran but lost for the city’s mayoralty seat against Democrito Plaza II in 2007 polls.

Butuan, a former charter city of Agusan del Norte, became independent when it was reclassified as highly urbanized city in February 1995.

Amante told reporters that no more members of Amante’s immediate family wil be running in Butuan City in 2010 elections. He noted that theres a popular perception that the Plaza’s are strong and had done well in the city. The Governor even challenged the naysayers to see the records at the city’s Commission on Elections. if ever his father had transferred his residency on or before May 10, 2009, a deadline set for a six month residency requirement of those who wanted to file their candidacy in 2010.

“I hope the issue be put to rest,”

Amante said in a press conference held at the provincial capitol’s lobby here. He added that his father is now preparing for his return bid for the second congressional district come May elections. His sister, Amante-Matba is now a registered voter in Cabadbaran, the province new capital town. Amante however evaded the question if some members of their clan, some distant relatives perhaps, who are planning to run in Butuan have their “blessings.” He replied in jest saying “as far as he knew only God can give His blessings.”

The Governor said as far as his family members are concerned, no discussions with some relatives, distant or anybody concerning politics or the forthcoming elections in May. For his part, he said that he is also preparing for his return bid for the provincial office, saying that he is qualified until 2013.

A source on condition of anonymity however confided that the Amantes may field somebody to allegedly serve as their as a front and on the appropriate time may replace him with a family member when the filing time for candidacy comes. And he seems to imply Dr. Ferdinand Amante, a relative and a barangay captain of brgy Ampayon in the city’s Eastern Part

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Balanghai Boat launching

Pics by Franz-Bxu of Butuan SSC forum

No suspension of Masses yet despite A(H1N1) widespread—bishop

MANILA, June 26, 2009—If A(H1N1) cases in the country turned to its worse, church authorities are bent on taking “drastic” measures to thwart its further spread. The flu pandemic has tapped the country’s deep religious sentiment, but to avoid spreading infection some dioceses had to ban close contacts among churchgoers.

At least four archdioceses—Manila, Jaro, Lingayen-Dagupan and Cebu—have already asked their priests to communion hosts by hand to parishioners. The restrictions are to stay in force until local church authorities advise otherwise. But if the public health situation deteriorated severely, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the church might take steps other than just banning potentially infective precautions at Masses.

“If the situation is already very alarming and its nature could be determined, then we bishops have to do something about it,”

he said.

Iñiguez heads the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). A(H1N1) cases in the country have already reached 861, but the bishop said that it was not enough ground to close the places of worship in an attempt to stop spread of the contagious disease.

In Mexico, the Catholic hierarchy had to suspend masses and discourage large gatherings of worshippers.But church leaders there have come up with several options to help arrest the spread of the virus. They distributed a prayer, which the faithful can recite at home, asking for divine relief from the influenza. They also called on the people to follow religious services on radio and television.

“It really depends on the kind of disease. If it’s really fatal and spreads so fast then we will have to take drastic steps also,”

said Iñiguez.

“But so far, we haven’t talked about it (closing places of worships) yet,” he also said. (Roy Lagarde)

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Pope opens Year for Priests, says they must witness God’s compassion

VATICAN, June 19, 2009– Formally opening the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict urged all priests to strive for holiness and said the ordained ministry was indispensable for the church and the world.

“The church needs priests who are holy, ministers who help the faithful experience the merciful love of the Lord and who are convinced witnesses of that love,” the pope said at a prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica June 19.

At the same time, in an apparent reference to cases of priestly sex abuse, he warned of the “terrible risk of damaging those we are obliged to save.”

“Nothing makes the church and the body of Christ suffer so much as the sins of its pastors, especially those who transform themselves into ‘robbers of sheep,’ either because they lead them astray with their private doctrines, or because they bind them in the snares of sin and death,” he said.

Thousands of priests packed the basilica for the evening prayer service, which was preceded by a procession of the relic of the heart of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. The pope proclaimed the yearlong focus on priestly ministry to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death.

Pope Benedict stopped to pray before the saint’s heart, exposed in a glass and gold reliquary. In his homily, he said the French curate’s heart was “burning with divine love,” a love that priests today need to imitate if they are to be effective pastors.

The liturgy was celebrated on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of prayer for the sanctification of priests.

In his homily, the pope said the “essential nucleus of Christianity” is found in the heart of Jesus: the saving love of God that “invites us to step outside of ourselves” and “make ourselves a gift of love without reserve.”

“God’s heart throbs with compassion,” he said.

He said priests should never forget that that are consecrated to “serve, humbly and with authority, the common priesthood of the faithful.”

“Ours is an indispensable mission for the church and for the world, which demands full fidelity to Christ and unceasing union with him. It demands, therefore, that we tend constantly to sanctity, as St. John Vianney did,”

he said.

Vatican warns against Society of St. Pius X ordinations

VATICAN, June 17, 2009– News that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) intends to ordain 23 priests in late June caused the Vatican to issue a statement on Wednesday saying that the ordinations will not be legitimate.

The statement from the Vatican made reference to the Holy Father’s “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church” from last March. The letter states, “As long as the Society (of St. Pius X) does not have a canonical status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries in the Church.”

The status of the SSPX within the Catholic Church remains in question because it has previously rejected certain portions of some key Vatican II documents.

“Until the doctrinal questions are clarified,” the Holy See’s press office said, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers … do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church.”

Created by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1969, the Society of St. Pius X has rejected the modern rites of the Mass, refused to accept portions of the Second Vatican Council and challenged papal authority on several occasions.

In 1988, Lefebvre consecrated four bishops against the will of Pope John Paul II, a move Rome declared to be “a schismatic act.” Archbishop Lefebvre and the four bishops were excommunicated by John Paul II in 1991.

In December of 2008, Pope Benedict lifted the excommunications in hopes of restoring “full communion with the Church on the part of the whole Society of St Pius X.”

In his “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church,” the Pope had also announced that he would make the ‘Ecclesia Dei’Commission, tasked with reconciling the Society to the Church, a part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The change in the commission’s status is intended to foster dialogue with the leaders of the SSPX and to resolve questions and disagreements over doctrinal matters. (CNA)