THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...
JOURNAL PART VI
FEBRUARY 3-MARCH 5, 2009
Sabaah Ilheer kull kom (Good morning to all) or Masah Ilheer kull kom (if afternoon or evening). Kiff halkom? (How are you?) Assalaamu aahlayykum. (May peace be on you). Allah yssallmak (God keep you safe and sound). I hope you are all in the best of conditions. The picture below, taken during my Silver Jubilee celebration was a unique pose of the three Filipino priests in Israel. Fr. Angelo, OFM, is the Chaplain of the Filipinos in Israel, Fr. Ric, SDB, is the assistant chaplain, and I took care of the “crumbs that fell from the tables”. Naahtrak Saahiid (Have a nice day).
On February 3, 2009, Tuesday, I had a little emotional and spiritual trip. I felt nostalgic reading the news and pictures from the Philippines at www.dadbulol.com. In the afternoon, I watched the CD produced by the Franciscans on the Holy Land, a 3-hour presentation. Still in the glow of my Silver Jubilee as a priest, I was very grateful to God my life and vocation. I was also grateful to Fr. Nonoy for the very good web page where I could be connected to the community and to the world at large. Congratulations for a job well done! Sukran ktiir! (Thank you very much.)
In the evening of Wednesday, February 4, 2009, Fr. Roberto and I attended the birthday party of Martha, the wife of Massimo, at their residence at Al Azarriya. At 5:30 together with Ogette and John Paul (mother and son, our guests in the small house near the gate), we passed through the checkpoint. I met some of her co-workers in the orphanage, including some orphans. We had a good sharing on the Palestinian situation and culture. One of the guests was a polio victim but could walk with difficulty. He shared his struggles with their culture that ostracize their kind but eventually overcame that and became a successful social worker. I also knew more of the struggles and frustrations of the Palestinian people in the current situation of Israel deprived of land and rights.
On Thursday, February 5, 2009, I reviewed my Arabic lessons, refreshing my vocabulary so that I would not forget it. That day Sr. Marie asked me to translate some words into Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic. Fr. Sebastian helped me in doing it. After lunch, we had a heated discussion with Fr. Roberto and Fr. Sebastian regarding our tasks in the community. It was triggered by the absence of our cook since the previous day, and Fr. Roberto felt it was not properly communicated. The discussion extended to the situation in the community in general, quoting from Fr. Francesco and Hugo and even from Martha and Massimo. I felt bad about it, because I thought we were doing well in the community despite our cultural differences. At least these negative feelings surfaced and we could do something accordingly. I personally felt I was badly misunderstood and judged. I just kept these things in my heart and made them additional fuel for my prayers.
The next day, Friday, I chatted with Rev. Chris Akiatan, one of our deacons, from the Philippines. He informed me of the on-going meeting with the PASPAC leaders including Fr. Clemente Barron in Loyola House. This was in connection with the Restructuring Program of the whole Congregation. Chris, also informed me of his passing the comprehensive examination and his coming ordination sometime in the proximity of the Chapter. I also chatted with a cousin, Mike Castro who just had a job in Saudi Arabia; also with Ayet Mac Laughing in Germany and with, Miramar Muesco, in Japan. In the afternoon, Fr. Sebastian and I attended the Stations of the Cross at Jerusalem. In going home, we dropped, Sr. Liliana and Sr. Wendell, who also attended the Via Cruces, to their house before proceeding home.
(Sr. Liliana Buenaflor and Sr. Wendell Divinagracia at Holy Sepulcher)
On Saturday, February 7, 2008, I received an update of my sister Dina on her health. She finished her third chemo last January 29 and she was waiting for the final assessment of her doctors if they were successful. Until then, she would decide to stay in US or go home to the Philippines. I assured her of my prayers and love. On the morning, four SPC Sisters (Cora, Ruby, Rose, Rebecca)had a recollection at our chapel on their own. Before they left, I had a little conversation with them. They seemed to change their mind about staying at our little house. They found it not so accessible to most migrant Filipino workers in Jerusalem. At most, they could use our facilities for week-ends, like inputs and recollections. I told the community about the change during our lunch, which they found no problem as long as they don’t reserve the use of the Caseta only for that purpose.
On Sunday, February 8, we had our usual 11:00 Mass attended by Sr. Rebecca, Cathy, Amy, three Comboni Sisters, Massimo, Martha, and Laila, their friend, Favio, Francisca and her sons, Giovanni and Alessandro, Ogette and John Paul, Fr. Sebastian and me). After the Mass, I invited Sr. Rebecca, Amy, and Cathy for lunch of pasta which Ahmad, hurriedly prepared. Sometime that day also, I received the Greetings of the Passionist Nuns in Marbel for my Silver Jubilee. Their hand-written notes were very meaningful for me. At supper, we celebrated the birthday of John Paul, 48 years old at our dining hall, because there was not enough space in the small house, they rented. Ogette, asked our cook to prepare and she paid for the expenses. We had Massimo, Martha, Favio, and Laila as other invited guests.
On Monday, I went with Fr. Sebastian to a travel agency to inquire about my trip to the Philippines and back. The cheapest airline I could avail would be KLM, but I have to be in the airport at 2:00 am for a 5:00 am flight, and have to wait in Amsterdam for my connecting flight. A round trip ticket would cost US$1,250. We were given until February 17 to confirm my bookings. The next day, Tuesday was the general elections of Israel. Despite the bad weather, the turnout was good enough. By the afternoon, the initial results of the elections were announced. Livni and the moderates got 28 seats in the Knesset, Netanhayu and the hardliners got 27 seats, Lieberman another hardliner got 15 Seats and Barak of the Labor Party got 13 seats. With a small majority, a lot depends on who could form a coalition with the other parties and hence led the government of Israel. We would know in the coming days or weeks.
(A pose of the Pinoys with the Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco)
Thursday, February 12, 2009. I went with Fr. Sebastian to the Office of the Licensing for Drivers. After getting a form, we went to the photo and eye inspection shop and then to the doctor for medical certificate. By 12:00 noon, we finished the papers, and Fr. Sebastian returned to the Office to submit it while I returned home for the Mid Day Prayers. In the afternoon, I receive communications from our lawyer regarding the draft of the letter to the military. The lawyer sent copies to the Nuncio and to Fr. Gianni who was on Finland for a retreat with the Bridgettine Sisters. In general, it was agreeable to us with some minor additions. As I mentioned earlier, we could not demand much if it were a matter of National security for Israel. We hoped we could finish this negotiation for peace of mind for all concerned. Later, I did my laundry and some ironing of linens.
On Friday morning, February 13, I had a sort of recollection reading on the reflection papers sent by Fr. Bert Alegre, CP. I particularly liked his reflections on St. Paul the Apostle vi-avis St. Paul of the Cross. It was very scholarly and informative. I wished I had it earlier in my recollection with the SPC sisters last December. In the afternoon, Fr. Roberto and I attended the Stations of the Cross at Jerusalem. The crowd was big, with many tourists. Three Bridgettine Sisters were there (Guadalupe, Liliana, and Wendell). One Comboni sister rode with us and joined the Stations. In our Evening Prayers, I was doing the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Every night, I would be doing it starting today. Fr. Roberto used to do it for the last five months I was here. Today, he gave the task to me, saying it was proper for the superior to do the Benediction. I found no problem in this, and I even liked it.
The whole day Saturday, we were cleaning our grounds from leaves and branches. Fr. Roberto swept and piled them while I gathered them with a wheel borrow and throw them. Later in the afternoon, I finished ironing the linens in the laundry. I also was able to send some Valentine’s Day greetings to friends until my load expired. Some of those who greeted me were; Sr. Lilian Espinosa, Cyrel, Glenda Obias, Esmie Devilles, Isang Ybanez, Julie Cinco, Miramar Muesco, Jing Teves, Tancing Gandionco, Kayla Roxas, Gina Palomares, In-in Osano, Kim kim Garcia, Virgie Ilmeng, Lucille Dispo, and Cirila Hungayo. That was how I celebrated Valentine’s Day here, with the Lord and my community, doing our usual activities of “Ora et Labora”.
Before the Mass at 11:00 on Sunday, I worked on the invitation letter for our celebration on Friday, the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion. After the Mass, I distributed them to those present; Sr. Rebecca and her group, the Comboni Sisters and Massimo and Martha. The Filipinas brought food but left immediately and gave the food to us. In the afternoon, I read the email of Fr. Nonoy Plaza and Fr. Glenn Maga. In the comments section of the Web site of the CMIP, I read the greetings of Ivy Balitaan, an HCA of Calumpang parish, Jilljoy Patricio, a former CYM of OLPGV, and Phea (nee) Palalon, from Canada, a former choir member of the Novitiate. I was very happy to read their notes and answered them through text messages in their cell phones. Fr. Glenn informed me that he went to the USA instead of Bethany due to the Gaza war. In the evening, I read my sister Dina’s update of her health, in the email. In my response, I advised her to go home to the Philippines.
(Our Filipino churchgoers with Sr. Rebecca, Fr. Columbus, and Fr. Joey)
On Monday, February 16, 2009, we returned to the Licensing Office, but I did not like the procedure. I could not leave my Philippines driver’s license in the Office for three months since I would need it here and in the Philippines on my vacation. I decided to wait until my return from vacation on June. When we arrived home at around 10:00 am, we saw Fr. Roberto and Ahmad, our cook talking with the soldiers. Ahmad was caught when he tried to enter into our property from the Comboni Sisters, unescorted. Usually, one of us escorts him, but that time, he was alone using the key lent to him by Sr. Dwella. The soldiers could not be persuaded, even with Sr. Dwella’s pleading. An officer of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was called and was angry with Fr. Sebastian who pleaded for Ahmad. He even threatened to arrest Fr. Sebastian for illegal collaboration with a Palestinian, but fortunately, the Nuncio interceded for him through the Ministry of the Interior. With our cook gone, hopefully temporarily, Fr. Roberto and I would take turns in preparing our meals, he on T-Th- S and I on M-W-F.
The next day, despite the cold weather, I spent the whole day cutting the branches of the fallen tree and throw them to our compost pile. At least I got some perspiration and exercise. Ahmad called up telling he is sorry for the incident and assured me he is alright. He said that while we were inside the house, one of the soldiers hit him in the stomach and he is still feeling the physical and emotional pain. He sent an email to Fr. Gianni, and Fr. Gianni inquired to me about him. I hoped this incident would not affect the processing of his documents with the help Ilham. It was supposed to be released on coming Thursday. I also chatted with Julie Cinco of FVR who was at Davao reviewing for her CPA exams. She was amused when I told her we always have panga for viand that is pangalawang init (recycled food). That day was Fr. Roberto’s turn to cook and he cooked good soup and pasta together with chicken.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009, was home economics day for me. At lunch, I cooked ginisang talong (sauted eggplant) and carrots with canned tuna matched with fried rice from last Sunday and fish steamed with Sprite. In the evening, I cooked fish burger with boiled vegetables. I learned this recipe when I was still a novice with the SPC sisters at General Santos City Doctor’s Hospital. My companions liked the food and the serving dishes were “cleaned to the bones”. They thought the fish burgers were bought from the restaurant. They even recommended the same dish for our visitors on the celebration of the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion.
In the morning of Thursday, Fr. Gianni arrived from his retreat with the Bridgettines in Finland and Lithuania and Fr. Sebastian fetched him at Notre Dame Center at 6:00 am. Ahmad, our cook could not come because he still had no documents. We decided to ask help from the Comboni sisters regarding our feast on the following day, especially with the Nuncio. The sisters came in the afternoon to look what materials we had and what to buy. They suggested that it would be all finger foods for the others while only the priest and the Nuncio would be served dinner. The plan of cooking fish balls for them was scrapped, so I was spared from more work.
(The Nuncio, Officiating the Mass at the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion.)
Friday, February 20, 2009, the Titular Feast of the Congregation, the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion. In our Morning Prayers, we sang Hymns and antiphons in Latin, led by Fr. Gianni. The rest of the Psalms were in Italian as usual. While everyone took one Mass each with the Sisters, I stayed and continued my Meditation until breakfast time. At noon, I was again the cook and prepared a famous Filipino way of cooking fish called “paksiw”. In the afternoon, the Comboni sisters were busy with the food preparations, Fr. Roberto with the decorations and Fr. Sebastian with the cleanliness. We had our Mass at 5:00 with the Nuncio accompanied by his secretary, Mons. Paolo Borgia. All in all there were eight priests who concelebrated with the Nuncio, Daniele, the Comboni, Javier and Oscar, and the four of us, Passionists. Sr. Rebecca provided music on Entrance, Offertory, Communion, and Recessional, while Fr. Gianni led in the Kyrie, Gloria, Santo, and Agnus Dei. The Mass was in Italian with Fr. Gianni giving the homily. After the Mass, we serve refreshments and after an hour we served dinner to the priests. At eight everybody left and we cleaned the dishes and the tables.
On the morning on February 21, on my way to the Bridgettine Sisters for Mass, I had a hard time opening our gate because the rain disconnected the circuit. After a while I managed to open it with the mechanical key but had to suffer with the very cold metal and the wet pavement. After the Mass, I had a short conversation with the Patriarch on our Feast the previous day and with the Filipina Sisters, Liliana and Wendell who would be home on vacation the following week. At lunch we were invited by Samar at Al Azzariya, celebrating the 12th anniversary of the orphanage she managed. Despite, the strong rain, everybody enjoyed the celebration. I met many volunteers and benefactors from England, Italy, Holland, Spain, and Palestine. I had the chance to hear Palestinian songs and see Palestinian dances. The orphans were basically like the orphans in St. Gemma.
(Twin orphans, Wala and Ala at Al Azarriyah Lazarus House receiving the award of best in academics.)
February 22, Sunday was very cold. We served tea to some of our churchgoers after the 11:00 am Mass. After that I brought Sr. Rebecca, Cathy, and Amy back to Jerusalem. Maribel, who just returned from Bicol, Philippines, invited us for lunch in her flat which she shared with eight other Filipinas. It was an opportunity to know more Filipinos in Israel and to know more of their lives here. Some of them had to take extra work, even on Sunday to earn extra money. After lunch, Cathy and Amy accompanied me to their friend, Senen, who had a shop in the Old City. She was able to get a very good bargain with the Arab shopkeeper. Sr. Rebecca gave me a piece of Filipino delicacy (Paksiw) and at supper Fr. Gianni ate it because he could not eat meat. At late afternoon, I chatted with Julie Cinco who was at home in Gensan at that time, hence her relatives were able to join. They were amazed at what I was doing now in Israel, cooking, washing, ironing, and gardening, etc. I teased them that I could establish a carenderia in the Philippines with my acquired skills.