Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
SANO ……….. A VANISHING BREED?
Yayes basares
There was much discussion, sometimes heated, at the Alumi Tambayan of olpseminarista@blogspot.com after a recent picture of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary refectory was published showing a dismal number of present seminarians of our beloved OLPS. (The site is linked to other web sites of different batches of former seminarians: olpsbatch86, batch 87, 83, 81 among others, where each member of the batch gets in touch with one another sharing their achievements, reflections and insights.) The refectory is one place in the seminary where at a given time you can find all the seminarians. It is our dining hall. In the seminary we live a community life, eat together, sleep together, pray, study, work and play together. If a picture paints a thousand words, that picture wails a bucket of tears. The deluge of comments both from the alumni and Sano was unprecedented but was not surprising.
The gist of the comments and feedbacks seems to point to two itchy questions: (1) Is priesthood not that attractive anymore?; and (2) Is Sano a vanishing breed?
What is so special about priesthood is not for me to answer. I am sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the afternoon the clergy would claim to be in a better position, by whatever mandate they clout themselves with, or imagine themselves with. To deny them this is to invite the lightning and thunder.
What is special with being a seminarian is easier for me to answer. A simple question demands a simple answer. FOR EVERY SEMINARIAN LIES A POTENTIAL SANO.
The feeling of loss shared by many sano (alumni or not) in the present predicament of OLPS, at least in terms of number of enrollment, at worst on the chances of the diocese of producing more priests, and at an even worst scenario of OLPS closure, as some would suggest, lies on the ever-burning flame of affection, sincere gratitude and deep respect in every SANO for the indelible effect seminary life and training left in all of us.
OLPS existence is defined by its purpose–-to produce priests for the diocese of Sorsogon. Young minds and young hearts answering that call live there in deep understanding and practice of the tenets and principles, the doctrines and teachings of the catholic faith. The irony exists perhaps that this happens at a time when these young minds and young hearts entering their puberty with all the psychological and physiological enigmas thereto attached are trying to embrace and accept a life demanding for sacrifices of earthly pleasures too hard to resist. Thus, it is no wonder that “mortality” in each class is high. While other batches can boast of higher numbers, our batch, batch 86, produced only one priest. Whether that is good or bad news for the diocese is our pleasure to discuss every reunion. The road is too long ridden with too many crossroads and too many doors offering too many pleasures too hard to resist. Whether or not those who made it are holier than us at the most or better than us at the very least remains the other pleasure we have for discussion during reunions.
With this in mind, it is safe to surmise that gathering all the names of former seminarians from the first day of OLPS existence and to date, SANO far outnumbers the clergy.
Every SANO failed to become a priest. YET SANO IS NOT A FAILURE. Our vocation simply took a different color, our response a different tenor. In whatever field you find a SANO, in each of them, you find the unmistakable trademark of OLPS : the discipline, the faith, the character.
ORA, STUDE ET LABORA was not a failure. It continues to guide us. More than the rituals practiced and doctrines professed, it can be glimpsed in the lives of SANO in their deep respect for the institution they once dreamed to belong to and the personalities representing the institution. It is mirrored over and above, behind and beneath the successes and wealths accumulated by most, and also in their families united by filial love and living simple lives. Sometimes I wonder if SANO better understood the essence of the vow of poverty than most clergy. It can be gauged on the work ethics displayed, making them reap their successes and triumphs. All of these have their roots in the values and the formation OLPS gave.
No, don’t close OLPS-–too many orphans it will have.
Us ….. SANO.
Yayes basares
There was much discussion, sometimes heated, at the Alumi Tambayan of olpseminarista@blogspot.com after a recent picture of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary refectory was published showing a dismal number of present seminarians of our beloved OLPS. (The site is linked to other web sites of different batches of former seminarians: olpsbatch86, batch 87, 83, 81 among others, where each member of the batch gets in touch with one another sharing their achievements, reflections and insights.) The refectory is one place in the seminary where at a given time you can find all the seminarians. It is our dining hall. In the seminary we live a community life, eat together, sleep together, pray, study, work and play together. If a picture paints a thousand words, that picture wails a bucket of tears. The deluge of comments both from the alumni and Sano was unprecedented but was not surprising.
The gist of the comments and feedbacks seems to point to two itchy questions: (1) Is priesthood not that attractive anymore?; and (2) Is Sano a vanishing breed?
What is so special about priesthood is not for me to answer. I am sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the afternoon the clergy would claim to be in a better position, by whatever mandate they clout themselves with, or imagine themselves with. To deny them this is to invite the lightning and thunder.
What is special with being a seminarian is easier for me to answer. A simple question demands a simple answer. FOR EVERY SEMINARIAN LIES A POTENTIAL SANO.
The feeling of loss shared by many sano (alumni or not) in the present predicament of OLPS, at least in terms of number of enrollment, at worst on the chances of the diocese of producing more priests, and at an even worst scenario of OLPS closure, as some would suggest, lies on the ever-burning flame of affection, sincere gratitude and deep respect in every SANO for the indelible effect seminary life and training left in all of us.
OLPS existence is defined by its purpose–-to produce priests for the diocese of Sorsogon. Young minds and young hearts answering that call live there in deep understanding and practice of the tenets and principles, the doctrines and teachings of the catholic faith. The irony exists perhaps that this happens at a time when these young minds and young hearts entering their puberty with all the psychological and physiological enigmas thereto attached are trying to embrace and accept a life demanding for sacrifices of earthly pleasures too hard to resist. Thus, it is no wonder that “mortality” in each class is high. While other batches can boast of higher numbers, our batch, batch 86, produced only one priest. Whether that is good or bad news for the diocese is our pleasure to discuss every reunion. The road is too long ridden with too many crossroads and too many doors offering too many pleasures too hard to resist. Whether or not those who made it are holier than us at the most or better than us at the very least remains the other pleasure we have for discussion during reunions.
With this in mind, it is safe to surmise that gathering all the names of former seminarians from the first day of OLPS existence and to date, SANO far outnumbers the clergy.
Every SANO failed to become a priest. YET SANO IS NOT A FAILURE. Our vocation simply took a different color, our response a different tenor. In whatever field you find a SANO, in each of them, you find the unmistakable trademark of OLPS : the discipline, the faith, the character.
ORA, STUDE ET LABORA was not a failure. It continues to guide us. More than the rituals practiced and doctrines professed, it can be glimpsed in the lives of SANO in their deep respect for the institution they once dreamed to belong to and the personalities representing the institution. It is mirrored over and above, behind and beneath the successes and wealths accumulated by most, and also in their families united by filial love and living simple lives. Sometimes I wonder if SANO better understood the essence of the vow of poverty than most clergy. It can be gauged on the work ethics displayed, making them reap their successes and triumphs. All of these have their roots in the values and the formation OLPS gave.
No, don’t close OLPS-–too many orphans it will have.
Us ….. SANO.
Up for grabs!: the last shirt
i always forget to bring this with me during our get togethers but here it is, the last remaining shirt from last year's homecoming.the first one who gets it from me can have it. its XL and newly laundered kay in-alamag na sa baul :D
an qualified palan tabi an mga dili nakakuwa sin shirts last year. no reserve palan :p
text me if u want to get this tomorrow in my office in katipunan or if u want me to bring this on friday
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Our latest Flickr albums
i have uploaded almost all our pictures --at least the ones i have. view them by clicking on the pictures
2006-06-02 meet at yellowcab mall of asia
2006-06-10 Maelstrom 20th Anniversary Reunion
2006-06-15 Maelstrom Inc. Meeting
you can also upload pictures by logging in to our flickr account. far easier though to upload by using the uploading tool. you can also upload via email or your cellphone.
2006-06-02 meet at yellowcab mall of asia
2006-06-10 Maelstrom 20th Anniversary Reunion
2006-06-15 Maelstrom Inc. Meeting
you can also upload pictures by logging in to our flickr account. far easier though to upload by using the uploading tool. you can also upload via email or your cellphone.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Maelstrom is a Flickr PRO!
salamat kay mervs we now have a flickr pro account! it means we can upload and store our pictures on flickr!!! we can upload around 2000 pictures a month (2 gigs kasi ang limit ng monthly uploads)to upload pictures:
1. go to http://www.flickr.com
2. login using our account
3. click the upload link or here
4. alternatively if you have broadband, you can download the uploader here
5. pls. dont forget to create a set and label it ok? para organized naman ang album ta
junie, we owe mervs 25$ palan
Friday, August 11, 2006
The Eagle Will Fly
(with apologies to ANTONIO P MELOTO of Gawad Kalinga)
YAYES
Tyrone recently bought a private plane. His excitement in flying shone through his eyes. His first Maelstrom passenger Rino quickly caught the excitement that over and above Bohol’s famous chocolate hills he sent us text messages saying that they looked like miniature "dodo". Nice birds' eye view you got there, bro.
Everybody knew Tyrone. During our seminary years, Tyrone’s passion for flying was already evident. Equipped with the energy of the young, he would always dash for something new, always raring for adventure.
Twenty years after, the passion remains. Only this time, coupled with the wisdom of years, it has ensured him his success.
During our reunion in Cebu last May, Tyrone explored with us the idea of flying to greater heights, and this time taking the whole Maelstrom class on his wings. Rather than expanding his business in his hometown where success was guaranteed he chose to go home to his class. The invitation to form a corporation was laid down on the table over bottle of beers.
“Everytime we hold reunions, for a day or two we live the good life. Thereafter what?”
The idea of forming the class as a corporation and venture into business immediately caught fire. The class oozes with talents and skills, and the members have gained their respective competencies in both the administrative and technical aspects of running a business. The need to assist financially other members of the class and OLPS is its driving force.
Last June 17, 2006 the first ever corporate meeting of Maelstrom Incorporated was held at OLPS. It was the biggest gathering of the class since high school, with 17 in attendance–-coming in all the way from Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Cebu, Australia (with BJ Reyes on the phone). Our only priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Aurelius Renovalles, fondly to us Fr. Peewee, even took a day off from his parochial duty to be with us. It was a day when everybody became serious, a rare occasion for in each others company there never was a moment we never laughed. We came with a mission-– to discuss, argue, plan and carve the destiny and future of our class as a corporate entity.
Our first business venture will be launched on 15 August, 2006. With the Midas hands of Tyrone, Erwin, Nono, Dave in business, together with the administrative skills of Junie, Jason, Dante, the financial support of most members and the commitment of the whole class, Maelstrom Incorporated looks forward to bright years ahead.
On August 15, 2006 – the eagle will fly!
YAYES
Tyrone recently bought a private plane. His excitement in flying shone through his eyes. His first Maelstrom passenger Rino quickly caught the excitement that over and above Bohol’s famous chocolate hills he sent us text messages saying that they looked like miniature "dodo". Nice birds' eye view you got there, bro.
Everybody knew Tyrone. During our seminary years, Tyrone’s passion for flying was already evident. Equipped with the energy of the young, he would always dash for something new, always raring for adventure.
Twenty years after, the passion remains. Only this time, coupled with the wisdom of years, it has ensured him his success.
During our reunion in Cebu last May, Tyrone explored with us the idea of flying to greater heights, and this time taking the whole Maelstrom class on his wings. Rather than expanding his business in his hometown where success was guaranteed he chose to go home to his class. The invitation to form a corporation was laid down on the table over bottle of beers.
“Everytime we hold reunions, for a day or two we live the good life. Thereafter what?”
The idea of forming the class as a corporation and venture into business immediately caught fire. The class oozes with talents and skills, and the members have gained their respective competencies in both the administrative and technical aspects of running a business. The need to assist financially other members of the class and OLPS is its driving force.
Last June 17, 2006 the first ever corporate meeting of Maelstrom Incorporated was held at OLPS. It was the biggest gathering of the class since high school, with 17 in attendance–-coming in all the way from Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Cebu, Australia (with BJ Reyes on the phone). Our only priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Aurelius Renovalles, fondly to us Fr. Peewee, even took a day off from his parochial duty to be with us. It was a day when everybody became serious, a rare occasion for in each others company there never was a moment we never laughed. We came with a mission-– to discuss, argue, plan and carve the destiny and future of our class as a corporate entity.
Our first business venture will be launched on 15 August, 2006. With the Midas hands of Tyrone, Erwin, Nono, Dave in business, together with the administrative skills of Junie, Jason, Dante, the financial support of most members and the commitment of the whole class, Maelstrom Incorporated looks forward to bright years ahead.
On August 15, 2006 – the eagle will fly!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
You're invited!
Kit invites all maelstrom to his youngest's b-day party on sunday 2:30 pm at his house in greenhills garden square condo.
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