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PHoTo: JoEL NoorA
NAGA CITY (14 SEPT) -- THE highest Aquino III, took cognizance of the annual
political power in the land has declared celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of
during the Peñafrancia Novena Week Peñafrancia as an “epic historical event
Naga City and the province of Camarines that [had] become part of our cultural
Sur as ‘pilgrimage capitals’ of the Bikol heritage,” and that Naga City “where
region. the 300-year old image is enshrined, has
In his Executive Order (EO) #33 long been recognized and considered as
dated September 10, President Benigno PILGrIm CITY / PAGE 5
shabu seized in
Masbate port - PDEA
LEGAZPI CITY (14 SEPTEMBER) --
LABORATORY experts of the Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bikol
said that only 3.98 kilograms of metham-
phetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” were
seized on Wednesday by anti-drug opera-
tives in Masbate and not 5.28 kilograms as
earlier reported.
In a joint PNP-PDEA press conference
mASBATE / PAGE 8
2 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| Vox Bikol ViewPoiNts 13 - 19 september 2010
Editorial
resolution instituted Naga space of this pilgrim city that anyone estimating the multi- There is enough wealth, both spiritual and material, in
as “pilgrims’ city.” tude is bound to exaggerate and be convincing. being a pilgrim capital. In the absence of hotels, the city
WE thus laud that the The possibility of millions coming to Naga is always can engage homes to offer Bed-and-Breakfast services. This
there from now on. The declaration has me counting both is done in other places that are noted for big tourist influx.
President directed that the privileges and the problems – what business people call These homes should be accredited and their owner/operators
“[T]he programs and activities instituted during the Pe- the strengths and weaknesses, the threats and opportunities – asked to undergo orientation. We do not need homes exploit-
ñafrancia Festival must be conducted in an atmosphere in this city and the neighboring towns of the province. ing tourists/pilgrims.
of peace and order that must be assisted and maintained First of all, it is a smart move to expand the pilgrimage We need markers and maps are significant. They should
by the government, and that the solemnity and sensitiv- territory into the other towns around the city. For around not only guide the stranger to the city; these markers should
ity of the nature and character of the festivities must be Naga are sites that have links with colonial history and ar- inform the tourist/pilgrims about the many sites related to
rival of the new faith. Immediately, places like Canaman, their pilgrimage. We have to work on humble sites and grand
preserved.” For this, in fact, had been the plea of the
Magarao, Quipayo and Milaor come to mind. I do not count symbols. The old San Francisco Church and the Lady of the
local church and many sectors of the community to the out the other provinces of Albay and Sorsogon that will Porteria will gain their prominence. The Colgante Bridge
Naga City government in recent years: that of preserv- become the other entry points for the pilgrim. must be properly designated. Where the old settlement of
ing the solemnity of INA’s fiesta while at the same The declaration is an urgent call for us to prepare even Naga was located should be identified.
time, securing the numerous pilgrims from both here more. The 301st anniversary is even a more auspicious year. We should rework a history from below: people desig-
and abroad who call themselves devotees of Our Lady If the 300th enabled people to look back and do the reck- nating sites and explaining them. Already, in one of the inte-
of Peñafrancia. oning, next year is the time to look forward in the future, rior streets near Mabini a banner hangs which says the street
marking time and, who knows, initiating the first step into was where the bodies recovered from the Colgante incident
This newspaper had earlier expressed its opposi-
the next hundreds of years of devotion. were taken. They call it a hallowed street.
tion to the commercialization and prostitution of INA’s The city and the province have to do many things. More Then the most difficult part comes: the cleaning of the
feast through the staging of street parties and public than ever, the Church and the State (the local government river. For the river represents what the Church and the State
drinking sprees which exploited the fiesta celebration. units) have to try to work together. The citizens have to be should commonly hallow.
Malacañang’s further prescription in the EO is thus
certainly most welcome. It stated “the government shall
ensure that the conduct of the observances essential
Babaye
to the feast, which include but are not limited to the
Traslacion, the Fluvial and Dawn Processions and other
cultural and historical remembrance activities, shall
be respected, and that commercial exploitation during
the pilgrimage period such as street parties that may
become rambunctious, drinking sprees in plazas, street
vending that obstruct passages towards the pilgrimage Babaye, ipinagboot Tibaad, ini man an dahilan
sites, and other similar activities, shall be discouraged.” kan karpinterong aki mo kun tadaw sa pagpintakasi
an samong pagkakan saiya.
The institution of Naga City as a “city of pilgrim-
niyamo ngunyan, an inaagod
age” has long been hoped for our community, toward Sa saiyang mga ngimot man mi babaye man. Labi-labi
which end the Council of the Laity of the Archdio- nagluwas an kahurutan an samong kamawotan
cese of Caceres had sought to petition then Naga City na inomon siya kan gabos.
Mayor Jesse Robredo to consider enacting an ordinance na makiparte sa gabat kan
which would declare the city precisely as a pilgrimage Aram niyamong ini makulog saiyang andas. Mala ta minsan
city. Alas, Robredo and his City Legal Officer, Angel asin matarom sa saimong daghan. nakakaagid kami sa mga kapay,
Alagad, ika man nagpahunod.
Ojastro, hid behind the excuse that such an ordinance
daing kabaing an pag-otob kan panata.
might violate the Constitutional provision on the sepa- Babaye, tadaw ta pirmi Tibaad iyo ini an samong maldisyon
ration of the Church and State. ika na sana an minapahunod? huli ta kami mga sumbikalan.
Robredo and Ojastro believed that an ordinance Tadaw ta ika na sana
which established Naga City as a “pilgrims’ city” in Kami na sana man an pagabat
which devotees would be provided the necessary basic an minasapo kan kulog? sa maninigo kutang kagianan.
services and facilities when they make their pilgrim- Tadaw ta ika an sa daghan Pagiana man an samong mga daghan.
may nakatadok na punyal? ***
age here; and that which protected and preserved the Ay, abaa nang kasakitan! Maogmang fiesta sa saindo gabos!
solemnity of the Peñafrancia Fiesta celebration; might
be contrary to the Philippine Constitution and thus ef-
fectively rejected the idea.
Fortunately for us, the President of the Philippines
and his team of legal advisers, and the new Naga City Gospel...
Mayor John Bongat and the City Council, thought quickly and write there fifty.’ To the second he
otherwise. put the same question: ‘How much do you
owe?’ The answer was: ‘A hundred measures
of wheat.’ Then he said: ‘Take your bill and write
eight hundred.’
“The master commended the dishonest
steward for his astuteness. For the people of
this world are more astute in dealing with their
own kind than are the people of light. And so
I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for
yourselves, so that when it fails, these people
may welcome you into the eternal homes.
“Whoever can be trusted in little things
can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is
dishonest in slight matters will also be dishon-
est in greater ones. So if you have not been
trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could
entrust you with true wealth? And if you have
not been trustworthy with things which are not
really yours, who will give you the wealth which
is your own?
“No servant can serve two masters. Either
he does not like the one and is fond of the other,
or he regards one highly and the other with
contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God
and to Money.”
13 - 19 september 2010 Vox Bikol ViewPoiNts Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 3
BATA PA AKO NOON NANG una kong masaksihan ang ang daan patungo Basilika kung saan tuwinang ginaganap lunsaran ng ating mga etikal o moral na pananaw ang ating
prusisyon sa ilog. Maaga pa lamang ay lumisan na kami sa ang misang pamumunuan ng mga obispo ng Bikol. Patuloy alaala. Maaari bang tukuyin na ang Ina ang nagpapatalas sa
aming bahay, upang maglakbay ng isang oras patungo sa ang paglakas ng mga sigaw ng pagbubunyi samantalang gunita samantalang ang mukha ng kanyang anak ang moral
Naga. Sakay kami ng inupahang dyip, kaming magkakamag- tila bumagsak ang mga bituin sa kalupaan sa dami ng mga na sandigan na nag-uudyok para gawin ng tao ang angkop at
anak at ilan pang mga kinumbidang kapitbahay. Tamang-tama kandilang nakapalibot sa harapan ng altar. Umaawit ang koro wasto sa kanyang kapwa? Maaari.
ang dating namin, nagsisimula pa lamang ang misa at may at nag- aamoy insenso ang paligid. Sa sanaysay ni Ross Poole Kung gayon ang handumanan ng Peñafrancia ay hindi
garahe pa kaming nakuha sa loob ng seminaryong malapit sa na Memory, History and Claims of the Past, tinukoy niya na lamang natatapos sa mga ritwal ng pagsalat dahil mananatili
katedral. May bayad ang parking lot dahil nakita kong nag- maliban sa pagpapakahulugan sa nakalipas, ang kolektibong itong salat kung hindi nito magagawang tingnan ang mukha
abot ang tiyo ko ng pera sa security guard. Mula sa katedral, alaala ay hindi lamang tagapag-ugnay o tagapagpa-kahulugan ng banal sa kapwa. Sa pamamagitan ng pagluluwal sa
kahit hindi pa naigagawad ang huling basbas ng pari ay ng kung ano ang nakaraan, kundi ito rin ay bukal ng tunay na pagpapakahulugan ng debosyon sa Peñafrancia,
nagsimula na kaming bagtasin ang daan patungo sa malapit kolektibong identidad. Ang identidad na ito ay nakita kong maitatampok ng mga Bikolnon, hindi lamang ang kanilang
na tulay, sa may Colgante, kung saan nangyari ang malagim itinatanghal sa buong espektakulo ng Peñafrancia. Ayon kay identidad o ang kanilang mga ritwal, kundi ang partikularidad
na trahedya noong 1972, ilang araw bago tuluyang ideklara Poole: “ It (Collective Memory) is also a source of group ng kanilang mga pagsakit at tagumpay, ng kahirapan at
ang Batas Militar. Ilang oras ang ginawa naming paghihintay identity: it provides an account of group’s existence up to— ginhawa na kinukundisyon pa rin ng mga makapangyarihang
sa pagdaan ng pagoda ni Inâ. Habang naghihintay, nang- and even beyond the present moment. It provides a narrative institusyong itinataguyod ang pyudal na sistema ng pulitika,
aakit naman ang mga kalembang ng mga sorbetero sa paligid of struggle and achievement, victory and defeat, in which turismong walang pakundangan sa kapakanan ng kapalibutan
habang may isang booth ng Pepsi ang may napakamalaking members of the group can find their present identity.” at samu’t sari pang mga trahedyang madalas ay isinisi na
megaphone kung saan lumalabas ang mga dasal: ang mga Sa isang rehiyon katulad ng Bikol kung saan lamang nila sa langit, mga pangyayari na dumarating o
misteryo ng santo rosaryo. May mga lobong napakawalan namamayani pa rin ang Katolisismo, hindi mapapasubalian na nagsasalitan lamang sa dalumat ng kasaysayan at biyaya ng
kung kaya paminsan-minsan may umiiyak na bata at may ang kasaysayan man o ang gunita ng nakakaraming Bikolnon gunita.
nagmumurang matanda. May naglalako ng panyo, pamaypay ay may pagdulog sa imahe ng Inâ bilang isang di-mahawakan Totoong isang historikal na imahe ang birhen, antigo at
at may mga naka-unipormeng nagroronda sa Colgante, na handuman. Maaaring ito ang malalim na dahilan ng minsan na rin itong ninakaw9 at patuloy ang banta na ito’y
samantalang nakahanda naman ang isang ambulansya. pagnanais na makasalat ng mga deboto at boyadores sa mawala uli dahil na rin sa nakapatong nitong korona sa ulo.
Matapos ang ilang oras na paghihintay sa ilalim ng imahe. Ngunit kailangang mabatid na hindi lamang sa imahe Ngunit sa tingin ko, kinakailangang hindi lamang manatili
araw ay nagsimula ng magsigawan ang mga tao na parang natatapos ang karanasan ng pagsalat. Ang buong proseso ng sa lebel ng historikal na pagpapahalaga sa imahe man ito
may parating na artista, parang dumalaw si Nora Aunor, pagpapakita ng debosyon kay Ina ay tinitingnan ko bilang o sa kasaysayan ng tatlong daang taon ng debosyon kundi
paglalarawan ng isa kong tiya. Inilabas ng mga taong primodyal na pagpapakahulugan ng mga Bikolnon sa buhay kailangang ipagpatuloy ang pagsasalaysay at ang pagtatagpo
naghihintay sa tulay ang kanilang mga puting panyo. sa anyo ng tubig, sa ilog at dagat, kung saan umiinog ang nito sa mga “saysay” na umiinog at tumatatak sa mga
Iwinagayway, parang akto ng pagsuko. Habang nag-ayos nagbabagong kultura, kung saan unang hinubog ang mga personal na karanasang naitatala sa gunita ng kanyang mga
ng kanilang puwesto ang mga nasa tulay at ang mga nasa bagyong sa kalauna’y humubog rin sa mga taong sinubok deboto upang patuloy nitong taglayin ang lakas at bisa ng
pampang ng ilog. Naglabas ng mga sagradong bagay na ng kalikasan. Ang mga ilog at dagat na ito ang nagsilbi pananampalataya sa ating mga buhay.
pinaniniwaalang magkakaroon ng pagbasbas sa pagdaan ring lagusan at tagpuan ng mga katutubo at dayo, ng mga Matapos ang misa sa Basilika, bumalik uli kami sa
ng birhen. Sa may pampang at sa tulay, nakahilera ang mga nananahan at nagkikipagsapalaran. Ang konstelasyon ng aming dyip at bumiyahe pauwi ng Iriga. Tila hinihele ng
pula at puting kandilang may sindi, paminsan-minsan, sa kanilang (Bikolnon) na kamalayan ay konektado sa tubig, sa buong kalangitan ang dyip namin, pinapatulog ang lahat sa
isang nagmamadaling sandali, maaninag ang kanilang mga agwa, na maging ang pinakamatayog na bundok sa Naga, ang loob—mga hapong peregrino. Ngunit alam kong may kanya-
liyab sa rabaw ng malabnaw na tubig ng ilog. Nakapuwesto Isarog ay tinatawag na Vulcan de la Agua. kanyang kuwentong nakalaang pag-usapan sa mga darating na
ako noon sa isang bahagi ng tulay kung saan tila binigyan Kapansin-pansin na sa pagtukoy sa imaheng ito ng birhen araw: mga alaala ng pagbisita sa Naga. May mga inaasahang
ako ng pagkakataong makita at marinig ang lahat sa aking hindi siya tinatawag na reyna o senyora o birhen ng mga sagot sa mga dasal marahil ang mga matatanda, mga lumang
paligid. Ilang minuto pa’y mas lalong lumakas ang hiyaw, Bikolnon, siya ay tinatawag na Inâ, ang umaangkin sa atin na dasal na nangangailangan ng panibagong artikulasyon at
iba’t ibang tinig subalit tila iisa ang sinisigaw, Viva La Virgen! atin rin. Ang pagpapangalang ito bilang ina ang kagampan kasagutan. At dahil ito ang piyesta ng mga bagsak-presyo,
Viva Patrona kan Kabikolan! Pagbubunyi sa birheng ina na tinitingnan ko na patuloy na tinatangka ng maraming may mga bagong nabiling gamit ang ilang kapit-bahay namin
na napapalibutan pa rin ng mga boyadores at saserdotes sa Bikolnon, na bagamat namamayani ang mga ‘kasalatan’ habang may dalang mga kinulayang sisiw ang dalawa kong
kanyang pagodang hila-hila ng mga bangkeros. Kinakanta itinatawid pa rin ng mga Bikolnon ang kanilang mga buhay na pinsan. Samantalang ako naman ay ibinili ng Nanay ng isang
ang himno opiysal—ang Resuene Vibrante, sa Kastila ang tila nasa pagitan ng tunggalian ng kosmolohikal at temporal larawan ni Inâ, sa larawang ito nakasulat: “Siisay ini na
koro samantalang ang mga berso ay sa Bikol. na kaasyusan. nagbabanaag siring sa kaagahan? Magayon siring sa bulan,
Lumakas nang lumakas ang hiyaw habang papalapit na Sa pamamagitan marahil ng patuloy na pagturing maliwanag siring sa saldang asin mangirhat siring sa hukbo
ang birhen sa aming kinalalagyan. Sa pagdaan ng pagoda, sa Penafrancia bilang isang Ina/ tao/ semi-divine/ o na andam sa pakilaban?” Tinangka kong basahin ang mga
isang pambihirang eksena ang kumintal sa aking alaala: kapangyarihan na tumatalab sa kanyang mga deboto, nakasulat at marahang sinalat ang larawan ng Peñafrancia,
Nakita ko na may mga batang inilublob ng mga matatanda Bikolnon man ito o iba, mananatiling mas higit siyang ni Inâ, nagdasal yata ako noon, bago ko ito isinilid sa aking
sa ilog habang ang iba namang di-hamak na marunong ng gunita sa halip na isang tuldok o muhon lamang sa akdang- bulsang puno ng barya.
lumangoy ay lumukso din sa tubig. Tila pagbibinyag, isang kasaysayan ng Bikol. Sa sanaysay ni Poole, binaggit niya na
inisasyon upang kamtin muli ang identidad, sariwain ang ang histograpiya ay nanatili lamang sa ikatlong panauhan, Mga Tala
kaakuhan, gunitain ang mga pangyayari katulad nito, ang samantalang ang gunita ay isinasalaysay sa unang panauhan. Poole, Ross. Memory, History And Claims of the Past.
pagbabalik na muli sa sinapupunan ng buhay—ang tubig. Hindi rin nakakapagtaka para sa akin na sabihin na ang gunita (Photocopied Material) 21 pahina.
Ngayon ko nauunawan kung bakit kahit na marumi na rin ay higit na pinapatalas ng mga ‘personal na engkwentro Tolentino, Roland. Ang Birhen ng Peñafrancia at South
ang agwa bendita sa mga simbahan, kahit na pinamumugaran sa kapwa o ang pagbibigay mukha sa mismong karanasan, Border sa Sa Loob at Labas ng Mall Kong Sawi/Kaliluha’y
na ito ng mga kiti-kiti ay nagagawa pa rin nating idutdotang absurdo man o abstraktong pagpapakita o rebelasyon katulad Siyang Nangyayaring Hari:
mga daliri at mag-antada, katulad ng kung paano ng banal o sagrado. Ang Pagkatuto at Pagtatanghal sa Kulturang Popular.
nakikipagsapalaran ang buong katawan sa maruming tubig ng Kakambal ng debosyon sa Inâ, na hindi masydaong Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2001.
ilog kapalit ng ginhawa o lunas na inihahandog ng patrona. napaglalaanan ng kritikal na pagtingin ay ang Divino Rostro. Aureus, Carlos O. Nagueños. Quezon City: University of
Pagkatapos na makadaan ng pagoda, dahan-dahan Sa sanaysay na ito, tinutukoy ko ang kaugnayan ng debosyon the Philippines Press, 1997.
naming tinahak kasabay ng marami pang daluyong ng tao sa banal na mukha sa Ina, sa kung paanong paraan nagiging
4 Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| Vox Bikol BiKoL News 13 - 19 september 2010
AdNU Hosts Dolot Ki Ina 2010 During the said event, the
UNEP Chorale belted out amaz-
ing pieces of its various rendi-
and Children’s Festival held at the
former’s Crown Colony’s Cultural
Center. (Lizel Macatangay)
sociation of Virac (CEAV), and the
NAGA CITY (9 SEPTEMBER) - Association of Catholic Schools
Masbate Catholic Educational As- is Balaog Inako, Balaog Itao. initiates a corresponding responsi-
JUST a day before the Traslacion, (BACS). Participants coming from
sociation (MACEA) all gathered in The theme is BACS` collec- bility. It is not just for the Bikola-
the Ateneo de Naga University was the Catholic Educational Asso-
the university from the afternoon tive answer, especially the youth nos but also for others. It must be
once again packed with students ciation of Caceres and Libmanan
of 9 September to the early morn- who are the present and future nourished, protected, and shared.
and faculty members from various (CEACAL), Catholic Educational
ing of 10 September. caretakers of this great devotion Dolot Ki Ina 2010 officially
Catholic schools all over the Bikol Association of Daet (CEAD),
Over 2,500 representatives and tradition. started at 4:30 PM with an opening
Region to celebrate Dolot Ki Ina Catholic Educational Association
coming from 23 schools partici- Balaog Inaako pertains to program in front of the Ateneo de
2010. of Legazpi (CEAL), Catholic Edu-
pated in the special event. the positive response to the gift Naga’s Four Pillars.
The annual event is a col- cational Association of Sorsogon SADI BALOY AD
This year`s theme is Balaog From 7:30 - 10:00 PM, the
laborative project from the Bicol (CEAS), Catholic Educational As- that is the devotion and also an
1/8 page,
Inaako, b &Itatao
Balaog w, 3.8”
(Gift xto 5.14” affirmation that Ina is God`s gift to students participated in various
Position
receive, GiftRequest:
to Share), aon Page 4. Bikolanos. The nature and devo-
variation parallel activities on different loca-
Note/Instructions:
of bottom
the theme for the celebration of right
tionposition
is initiatedon
bytop
God.“Buy
We haveMe Ad”.
tions within the campus. At 10:30
the Tercentenary of our Devotion received Ina from God. Balaog PM
to Our Lady of Peñafrancia which Itatao means that the gift received Afterwards, the students
proceeded to
the front of the
Christ the King
Church for the
Living Rosary; a
Midnight Mass
was then held
at the Univer-
sity Gym with
Fr. Wilmer
Tria serving as
the main cel-
ebrant.
After two
hours of rest,
the participants
went to the
Basilica Minore
at 3:00AM and
Restaurant-Bar joined the Dawn
Procession.
Barlin St., Sta. Curz, Naga City (formerly Oasis) Tel. 478-46-93
13 - 19 september 2010 Vox Bikol BiKoL News Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 5
Unit D, A r istocr a t Hotel Bldg ., Elia s A ng eles St., N a ga C ity Tel.N os.: ( 054) 811. 5471/ 4 73.4822
the pilgrimage capital of the Bikol Exec. Secretary Fr. Andrew age City This September 2010 PETITION The petition, moreover,
region.” Recepcion said that it “[was] a And Every Year Thereafter” had Two years ago, the Council asked that the city government
The President’s EO stated gift from INA. It will preserve the reportedly undergone “styling” of the Laity of Caceres (CLAC) ban “civic activities that are
that programs and activities held religious nature of devotion and from Vice-Mayor Gabriel Bor- filed a petition with the Naga offensive and scandalous to
as part of the Peñafrancia Fiesta the continuity of the changes in- dado before reaching the desk of City government who was then pilgrims, and are not in harmony
NAGA: G/F Aristocrat Hotelstituted Bldg., Elias Angeless St., Naga the
during the tercentenary.”
City Tel#:
Mayor. (054) 811-5471 / 473-4822
headed by Mayor Jesse Robredo or congruence with the religious
“must be assisted and main-
tained by the government, and But unlike the President’s EO to enact an ordinance which nature and character of the Peña-
that the solemnity and sensitivity NAGA SP RESOLUTION which contained directives and declared Naga City as a “pilgrim francia Fiesta.”
to the nature and character of the An earlier resolution by the guidelines pertaining to the sta- city.” Robredo, who had been
festivities must be preserved.” Naga City Sanggunian Panglung- tus of Naga City and Camarines The said petition urged the severely criticized by the local
Moreover, the EO stipulated sod (SP) declaring the City as a Sur as “pilgrimage capitals,” the city government pass an or- church in previous years for
that government must ensure that “Pilgrimage City” had been spon- Perez resolution merely declared dinance which would provide abetting the “commercializa-
aside from respecting the essen- sored and subsequently adopted Naga City as a pilgrimage city basic services and facilities such tion” of the Peñafrancia celebra-
tial activities of the feast, “com- last August 24. owing to the annual Peñafrancia as shelters and parking places tion, sent the petition to City
mercial exploitation during the However, Resolution No. Fiesta celebration and to the to the huge number of pilgrims Legal Officer Angel Ojastro who
pilgrimage period such as street 2010-280 received approval from significance of 300th year com- who visit the city during the stated that such an ordinance
parties that may become ram- Naga City Mayor John Bongat memoration of the devotion to feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia “may violate certain legal te-
bunctious, drinking sprees in pla- only on September 13, three days Our Lady of Peñafrancia. every September. nets” found in the Constitution.
zas, street vending that obstruct after the President’s EO had been Unmentioned in the Perez The ordinance, the petition Ojastro alleged that an
passages towards the pilgrimage issued. resolution were possible func- indicated, would also identify ordinance declaring Naga City a
sites, and other similar activities, Sponsored by Hon. Joaquin tions or tasks of the City govern- “religious zones” that would ‘pilgrim city’ might violate the
shall be discouraged.” Perez and co-sponsored by Hon. ment in view of its declaration be free from commercial and legal doctrine on “the separation
Remarking on the President’s Cecilia de Asis, the resolution of Naga as “pilgrimage city.” “distracting” activities inimical of the Church and State.” (F.J.
EO, Tercentenary Celebration “Declaring Naga City As Pilgrim- to the religious celebration. Lagdameo)
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CAMARINES SUR AS PILGRIM- recognizing its duties and responsi- was signed by PVB President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. (2nd from left) and
AGE CAPITALS OF THE BICOL bilities, as expressly prescribed in PhilHealth President Dr. Rey Aquino (3rd from left) during the inauguration of PVB’s
REGION AND RECOGNIZED TOP Section 15, Article 14 thereof, and San Fernando, Pampanga branch. Witnessing the event were PhilHealth Area Vice
TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF cognizant of the contributions of the President for NCR and North Luzon Tito Mendiola (leftmost), and key local officials
THE PHILIPPINES Peñafrancia festivities to the local from Pampanga including (from left) Vice-Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, San
WHEREAS, Section 15, Article economy, regardless of religion, pro- Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, and Governor Eduardo Panlilio.
14 of the 1987 Constitution de- motes peace and order, provide an
clares that the State shall conserve, environment conducive to tourism,
promote, and popularize the nation’s a venue for appreciation of Bicol must be preserved. Towards this end, to disturb and disrupt the activities, ticipate in the conduct of trade fairs,
historical and cultural heritage; arts and culture, its indigenous and the government shall ensure that the but shall be confined to enclosed job fairs, skills training and seminars
WHEREAS, the Feast of Our culinary arts, natural wonders and conduct of the observances essential places such as in malls, supermar- on agriculture, aquaculture and crafts
Lady of Peñafrancia is the only archaeological treasures. to the feast, which include but are kets, hotels, restaurants, theatres, during the months of September and
regional feast in the country and, NOW THEREFORE, I, BENI- not limited to the Traslacion, the Flu- assembly halls and the like. October, and the Philippine National
for the past three (3) centuries, has GNO S. AQUINO III, President of vial and Dawn Processions and other Consistent with the foregoing Police is hereby mandated to provide
become an epic historical event the Republic of the Philippines, by cultural and historical remembrance premises, and in recognition of the security assistance to the pilgrims
that has become part of our cultural virtue of the powers vested in me by activities, shall be respected, and that feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia to and maintain peace and order during
heritage. Beginning every September law, do hereby declare and proclaim commercial exploitation during the the local economy and to our na- the period of celebrations and festivi-
of every year until mid-October, the the City of Naga and the Province of pilgrimage period such as street par- tion’s cultural heritage, the govern- ties.
City of Naga and the Province of Camarines Sur as pilgrimage capitals ties that may become rambunctious, ment agencies in the City of Naga, IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
Camarines Sur welcome millions of of the Bicol region and recognized drinking sprees in plazas, street vend- in the Province of Camarines Sur I have hereunto set my hand and
pilgrims from different parts of the top tourist destinations of the Philip- ing that obstruct passages towards and in the Bicol Region, such as the caused the seal of the Republic of the
country and the world who partici- pines. the pilgrimage sites, and other similar Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines to be affixed.
pate in the celebration of the Feast of The programs and activities activities, shall be discouraged. Ac- Department of Tourism, Technical
Our Lady of Peñafrancia; instituted during the Peñafrancia cordingly, the local government units Education and Skills Development DONE in the City of Manila,
WHEREAS, the City of Naga, Festival must be conducted in an within the areas are thereby enjoined Authority, Department of Agricul- this 10th day of September, in the
the Heart of Bicol, where the 300- atmosphere of peace and order that to ensure that the nature and charac- ture, and the Department of Labor year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
year old image is enshrined, has long must be assisted and maintained ter of the Peñafrancia Festival shall and Employment, among others, in and Ten.
been recognized and considered as by the government, and that the not be unduly breached and that such partnership with the Archdiocese of
the pilgrimage capital of the Bicol solemnity and sensitivity of the commercial undertakings shall not be Caceres, shall put together their tech- (SGD) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
region; nature and character of the festivities conducted in public places so as not nical and financial resources and par-
13 - 19 september 2010 Vox Bikol Church News Volume XXVII | Issue no. 69| 9
Bastes said he was truly over- from September 16-17 showed that attributed his being able to over- from the archdiocese. tion of the participants,” he added.
whelmed to see the fluvial proces- the devotion has spread across the come trials through Mama Mary’s “The traslacion was a success, Cultural Presentations
sion and hear the Bikolanos’ shouts world, he added. intercession. from the procession from the Peña- “All the activities were done
of joy and victory He said the solemn Mass “I believe in her intercession francia Shrine to the Metropolitan by the Church with the exception
For his part, Virac Bishop presided by Archbishop Leonardo and as a businessman that I am, Cathedral to the security and the of the traditional Civic-Military
Manolo Delos Santos said his Z. Legaspi, OP with several arch- I am calling on my colleagues to traffic,” Msgr. Vergara said. Parade, which was supervised by
province of Catanduanes has its bishops from various places even seriously consider becoming devo- He acknowledged the close the city government,” Msgr. Ver-
share of significant number of outside the country showed the tees in the near future,” Tan said. coordination between the archdio- gara further said.
Peñafrancia devotees. “great fervor, which you don’t see Police Chief Supt. Cecilio cese and the city government and He said this year’s theme
Asked of ways to further in other places.” Calleja said he appreciates the other agencies including the mili- “Growing in Holiness with Ina”
deepen the faith, Bishop Delos The former lawmaker said a preparation and cooperation of tary and the medical professionals. is more than appropriate because
Santos said there should be renew- foreign bishop who saw the mul- Church leaders and local govern- “The procession which usually it emphasizes the devotion should
al, education and evangelization. titudes shouting ‘Viva La Virgen!’ ment units and national govern- last for four hours, has been sig- not end with Ina but rather on God
Former Senator Francisco S. almost broke down to tears be- ment agencies in keeping the nificantly reduced to an hour and a as the Blessed Mother is just an
Tatad said that while the Biko- cause it was a moving experience. Peñafrancia celebration peaceful half, through the spiritual forma- instrument, a way to God. (CBCP-
lanos’ devotion to our Lady of Filipinos look at Our Lady of and orderly. News)
Peñafrancia has reached various Peñafrancia as a source of hope, Interviewed by CBCPNews,
parts of the world, it has remained the former senator said. the Bicol police director said they
“basically identified with Bikol, “Inspite of all our problems, have not monitored any untow-
(the Archdiocese of) Caceres as the moral difficulties of the times, ard incident despite the influx of
we sing in the hymn Patrona del marked by secularism and relativ- hundreds of thousands of devotees
Bicol.” ism spreading around the world, from all walks of life, the country
“On the 300th year anniver- the faith seems to be strong,” he and various parts of the world.
sary of the Bikolanos’ devotion to explained. The Papal Nuncio to the Phil-
Our Lady of Peñafrancia, we’re Legazpi City-based busi- ippines Archbishop Edward Joseph
seeing the arrival of pilgrims from nessman Romeo Tan said he is a Adams led the Catholic Church
all over the world,” Senator Tatad staunch devotee of Our Lady of officials from other diocese and
said. Peñafrancia. Interviewed after countries. He presided the concele-
The presence of overseas the briefing for the voyadores and brated Mass at the Basilica Minore
Filipinos who participated in the other passengers of the barge bear- del Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia.
International Pilgrims Congress ing the region’s icon, Tan said he (Melo M. Acuna)
JOEL NOORA
Devotees of Ina along the riverbanks. VIC NIERVA
these prelates are that also receive, aid for the repair of their seminary
world.” great value on freedom of speech, more solid than social consensus,
not just jueteng money, but also which was heavily damaged by a
“So too in the political field,” freedom of political affiliation and then the fragility of the process
from the Philippine Amusement storm.
he added, “the ethical dimension respect for the rule of law, with becomes all too evident,” he said.
and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), a Cruz said he immediately re-
of policy has far-reaching conse- a strong sense of the individual’s “Herein lies the real challenge for
state-run agency which is in charge jected the offer which was amount-
quences that no government can rights and duties, and of the equal- democracy.”
of casinos around the country. ing to P3 million.
afford to ignore.” ity of all citizens before the law,” “The Catholic tradition
“These people (jueteng lords) “My point exactly is that we
Benedict XVI stated that the he observed. maintains that the objective norms
would like to earn or have good- don’t need money from jueteng for
central question at issue, then, is “Catholic social teaching governing right action are acces-
will of Church people and they our projects… that you don’t need
this: where is the ethical founda- has much in common with this sible to reason, prescinding from
would like to save their souls so these people to be able to build
tion for political choices to be approach,” the Holy Father noted, the content of revelation,” the
they are willing to pay for it,” he churches, etc,” he said.
found?” “in its overriding concern to Pope affirmed.
said. Asked whether he would bring
The Pope highlighted the safeguard the unique dignity of “According to this under-
“Of course if you are a big fel- the issue to the leadership of the
example of St. Thomas More, “the every human person, created in the standing,” he continued, “the role
low you have to pay more. It you Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
great English scholar and states- image and likeness of God, and in of religion in political debate is not
are a smalltime operator you have the Philippines, Cruz said it never
man, who is admired by believers its emphasis on the duty of civil so much to supply these norms,
to pay less. That is buying your crossed his mind as yet.
and non-believers alike for the authority to foster the common as if they could not be known
salvation through jueteng payola.” “Frankly, I can’t say that be-
integrity with which he followed good.” by non-believers -- still less to pro-
When he was still archbishop cause I’m no longer active (mem-
his conscience, even at the cost of He continued: “Each gen- pose concrete political solutions,
of Lingayen-Dagupan, he admit- ber of the CBCP). That is there
displeasing the sovereign whose eration, as it seeks to advance the which would lie altogether outside
ted he himself was offered by a command and responsibility,” he
‘good servant’ he was, because he common good, must ask anew: the competence of religion -- but
jueteng lord of a hefty financial said. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)
chose to serve God first.” what are the requirements that rather to help purify and shed light
The Pontiff continued, “The governments may reasonably upon the application of reason to
dilemma which faced More in impose upon citizens, and how far the discovery of objective moral
principles.”
Vox Bikol is now accepting short stories,
those difficult times, the peren- do they extend?
nial question of the relationship “By appeal to what authority The Pontiff said, “This is why poems and photo contributions.
between what is owed to Caesar can moral dilemmas be resolved?” I would suggest that the world of
Please submit your work to
and what is owed to God, allows “These questions take us reason and the world of faith -- the
me the opportunity to reflect with directly to the ethical foundations world of secular rationality and the
voxbikol.ibfi@gmail.com
you briefly on the proper place of of civil discourse,” Benedict XVI world of religious belief -- need
religious belief within the political stated. one another and should not be
process.” “If the moral principles under- afraid to enter into a profound and
“Britain has emerged as a pinning the democratic process are ongoing dialogue, for the good of Don’t forget to include your name, age and occupation.
pluralist democracy which places themselves determined by nothing our civilization.” (Zenit)
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8 bishops get
jueteng payola
too—Cruz
MANILA, SEPT. 14, 2010—
NOT just government officials but
even some Catholic bishops are
receiving payola from the illegal
numbers game called jueteng.
Retired Archbishop Oscar
Cruz admitted he is saddened with
what is happening but these church
officials are getting jueteng money
as donations from the illegal gam-
bling operators.
“There are about 12 dioceses
that we are looking into but we are
most certain of the eight (dioceses
that are getting jueteng money),”
he said.
Cruz revealed there were cer-
tain changes in the payola system
for Church officials because of the
new government.
In the past administration, he
said, they know very well who
JUETENG / PAGE 9