BROOK OF 2013 | 2014

The official newsletter of Karith Postulancy Community, Order of Carmelites—Pilipinas

 table of contents ed team
Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, OCarm
From the formator’s desk 3 Editorial Adviser

Understanding me 4 Bro. Wilson Bolocboloc

Bro. Clark Canillo
Enriching the soul 6 Bro. Vinson Luayon
The plight for Bro. Joiezl Fern Piñon
Bro. Ritche Salgado
human dignity 7
Writers
I am yours forever 9
Bro. Ritche Salgado
Celebrating life 10 Page Design

Transcending self 11 the cover

Community life 12
Sexuality 14
Knowing the self 15
Authentic faith 16
Community, simple
living, vocation 17
Learning from Drawn by Bro. Joiezl Fern S. Piñon
as output of one of the modular
goodbyes 18 sessions of Fr. Noel Rosas,
O.Carm on sexuality. The artwork
Igniting the being 20 illustrates the six dimensions of
psychosexual development:
Enlivening the spirit 22 biological, cognitive, emotional,
social, moral, and spiritual.
Divine intimacy 23
Snap to download
Karith news 24
The postulants 30
Gratus 31

You can reach us through...

Karith Postulancy Community Order of Carmelites (O.Carm)
Carmelite Monastery Province of Bl. Titus Brandsma—Pilipinas
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Titus Brandsma Center

2
Brgy. 3, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur 26 Acacia St., New Manila, 1112 Quezon City
 from the
formator’s desk
a journey of commitment
The beginning of this year’s Postulancy Program in the community of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus Parish in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur is somewhat a combination of joys,
challenges and commitment.

Joy because we were blessed with five young men who joined the Postulancy Program
for the school year 2013-2014.

The first two months served as a period of adjustment for these five postulants who
came from different provinces and of different family backgrounds. Some of them got
their feel of seminary life while others are still making effort to go by and it became a
real challenge as they experienced the day to day program of postulancy.

Commitment for these young men became an essential part of their journey to
Carmel. Being true to a commitment does not mean to behave exactly the same way
always, or to stick to a certain view. Rather, it means that we have to live our basic
values today as well as we did yesterday, but according to present conditions,
possibilities, and requirements. Sooner or later we will discover the significance and
demands of our commitment in our day to day lives. Upon knowing
our discoveries we ought to listen consciously to the
‘calling’ which evokes an invitation to trust and to
commit.

As our Postulancy Program is about to end with

a good number of postulants, the more we
become committed, the more we face the daily
challenges that come our way. We can move
forward with the courage and optimism of
proclaiming the Good News because we are a
community in ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS.

Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, O.Carm

Postulancy Director, Order of Carmelites

3
 O
nce I decided to follow the footsteps of Christ and put
myself into this formation, I recognized the need to strive
strong and to always look for whatever oppurtunity that
would come.

Understandin By Bro. Vinson P. Luayon

Month of September became so were good at anything.

memorable for me and I am very thankful I have learned the moral of this story
for the outcome of the processing with when I finally closed the month of
Ate Cynthia and Fr. Noel, summing up September especially ending with my
how I should carry and handle myself as processing.
me, recognizing that I don’t fully know
myself. I see myself growing in terms of knowing
myself more; that I dont need
This reminded me of a good story I read to try being what I am
about a group of animal friends who not, for if I’m not what
decided to go to school. Each was going I am, then who am
to study a skill that he was not good at. I? That’s the big
thing that I
The duck, an excellent swimmer, took up need to
running. Try as he might, he remained a carry
poor runner and because he stopped
practicing to swim, he became a second
class swimmer as well. The dog was a
good runner, but when he studied
how to fly he broke his leg. The
eagle was natural at flying but
almost drowned when he
tried to swim.

At the end of the

special courses
none of the
animals

4
Photo from the net.

ng me
– being what I am to my brothers, to
others and to gain respect as well as to
respect them. And being who I am to
God – to be honest, be more faithful, and
prayerful and that is what I am thankful
for; that my prayer life became more
strong and consistent aside from reading
the Bible every night, inspirational stories
and especially my personal prayer life.
I am so thankful for my brothers who,
having their strength and weaknesses,
shared their pasts. I thought I already
know them all but in terms of sexuality it
is again another unfolding of our life
maps.
Ate Cynthia is right when she
said that knowing and
relating with each other is
a life long process and
we cannot say that
we are fully
adjusted.
Sometimes I
empty myself so
that in whatever
circumstances I
am in, I am
always ready to
reflection
render heartwarming understanding and
patience.
I am now also aware that I need to know
myself well – to know, appreciate, and
honor who I am now. This is the first line
that I appreciated with sexuality. This
captured the essence of sexuality and it
allowed me to clearly see how I should
handle and accept myself.
I was able to recognize the importance of
a mature and healthy sexuality; how I
should carry myself and be aware of it;
and understanding who and what I am
and stand by it.
The difference between sexuality and
genitality also became clear to me.
Respect is the key for me to be able to
relate, manage, and have a healthy
relationship with others – making friends.
Loneliness is part of life that cannot be
hidden. I should be aware of this so that I
would understand the triggers of my
urges although I am able to manage to
balance my spirituality and sexuality.
As a straight man I have fantasies and I
appreciate the opposite sex but I have a
fear of falling into the trap. But having the
gift of faith which God gave me, I am
devoted not to let go of my commitments
and to nourish it and honor this life that I
have chosen at this early stage of my
formation.
5
snapshots
Bro. Wilson assisting Fr. Tim at a
baptism in Brgy. Ormaca.

Bro. Jo assisting Fr. Billy in

one of the barrio masses.

Enriching the Soul

Postulancy is an opportunity for postulants to enliven their spiritual life, adding more
zest to their personal devotions and at the same time opening themselves to new
ways, new methods, and new paths that would bring them closer to God.

This is achieved not just through activities like retreats or by participating in the
different happenings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish like processions or the barrio
mass, but also by nurturing the love for the Eucharist and prayer, including moments
of solitude and reflection.

Mass with Fr. Clyde

during the mid-year
Reflecting after a session retreat.
with Fr. Clyde

All Souls’
Day.

6
 reflection
The plight for human dignity
By Bro. Ritche T. Salgado
“The development of peoples has the church’s close attention, particularly the
development of those who are striving to escape from hunger, misery,
endemic diseases, and ignorance; of those who are looking for a wider
share in the benefits of civilization and a more active improvement of
their human qualities; of those who are aiming purposefully at their
complete fulfillment.”
Pope Paul VI
Populorum Progressio, 26 March 1967

A
t first thought, one might say that our
immersion with the palm oil workers in
Barangay Mate, San Francisco, Agusan
del Sur last November 25 to December
26 was a failure because when we arrived, the
residents were no longer working at the palm
oil plantation or the palm oil mill.
For several months before we arrived, the
palm oil company, where majority of
the residents of Mate were
employed, was beset with one
problem after another,
forcing them to lay-off a
significant number of
workers.
Gone was the
chance for
us to

7
experience the hardship of work done by
palm oil workers, but then, now we are
faced with another reality that every
worker, especially casual and contractual
workers, are made to face due to greed,
globalization, and the profit-oriented
attitude of companies and businessmen
— the absence of job security.
Desperate, many residents resorted to
destructive and dangerous illegal,
unregulated, open-pit, small scale
mining.
Enterprising individuals took advantage
of the situation; providing the much
needed financial support for the mining
activity on the
condition of getting
a share of the
“What this episode
proceeds in in our postulancy grave in which the
addition to the
payment of the program has given digger’s
expenses incurred
plus interest. me is new respect True wealth is
At other times the for the struggles of of a strong family
financier gets the
exclusive buying the poor workers.” community
rights for the mined
gold, and they get to dictate the price.
In any case, whether they work for the
palm oil company, the cooperative who
now runs the plantation, or the gold
mines, the workers are always at a
disadvantage.
Despite their unfortunate condition,
they continue to make the best of what
they have, but until where? Until when?
Already, poverty has pushed the laid-off
workers to engage in illegal and
dangerous activities because according to
them, how else could they survive? How
else could they lift their children out of
the pit of poverty? How else could they
live a dignified life?
What this episode in our postulancy
program has given me is new respect for
the struggles of the poor workers. That
many are pushed to participate in illegal
activities because in their present
condition, that is the only way they know
to survive, for them to get some
semblance of human dignity in their
desperate lives.
For many, gold represents wealth, but
for those whose life has become
dependent on this symbol of wealth,
including the laid-off palm oil workers of
Mate, it is far from becoming a source of
wealth, so much more of human dignity.
Rather, it has become a source of
indignity, where
every shovel-full of
soil deepens the
dignity is
being buried.
hidden in the depth
bond and a
that
supports and promotes the welfare of
each of its members, regardless of the
extent of their contribution.
Poverty and desperation is slowly
corrupting this treasure as each member
of the community starts to fetch for their
own needs, even giving up on God and
their spiritual obligations in favor of the
hunt of a better future.
This is made evident in a loose
organization in Mate called Dayong.
Dayong is a Visayan word which means
to carry together, and the object of the
organization is to help members with a
death in the family. A recent death in the
barangay, however, revealed the

8 (Human dignity | 28)

 literary

Photo from the net.

I am yours forever
By Bro. Joiezl Fern S. Piñon
Like a sweet little child To you, O Lord, I am grateful
I am yours my loving father For the call to which I answer
I am like a lamb so meek and mild I desire to be your disciple
You are my dear shepherd and no other A believer, a servant, a follower

You have lavished me with love Teach me your ways, O Lord

My sweet and gracious maker As you are my friend and brother
Filled with liberty like a dove Let your words be my shield and sword
You have lifted me higher My salvation comes from your power

In the darkness of the night From the depth of my heart

You are my guide, my leader My love and gratitude to you I offer
I am a candle who needs your light My Jesus, never set me apart
Let your spirit burn in me brighter For in heaven I want to be with you forever

9
snapshots

The first
birthday
celebrant,
Bro. Jo.

Celebrating life
Surrendering oneself to God is one way of
celebrating God’s gift of life.

Even though the postulants are far from their

families and friends, they managed to express
their gratitude for the gift of life together
with their new family.

When there were opportunities, a special

birthday liturgy was included during the
community’s mass at the chapel and ending
Bro. Wilson’s Birthday cake.
the day with a special dinner.

Bro. Clark’s
simple birthday
celebration with
the brothers.

Bro. Ritche’s confirmation with Nanay

Emma Montecillo, TOC as sponsor.

10
L reflection
ast November 18 to 22, Ate Cynthia Lakip
facilitated once again our third processing
for the postulancy program. This time, our
challenge is not only to see and know more
of ourself but also to transcend it. We were then
asked to re-examine ourselves and see whether
there is a transformation that happened since our
Lumad immersion, to our mid-year retreat, and in
our one month stay in the formation house.

TRANSCENDING SELF By Bro. Joiezl Fern S. Piñon

After a month long exposure together energy that trapped me for months. I was
with the Manobos at Sitio able to talk more freely and
Binatunan, San Luis, a intimately to God in my
whole week of retreat moments of
is what we really solitude. And, I
needed. Thus, was able to
from November slowly and
11 to 15, we gradually let
had our retreat go of my
at the personal
Stigmatine desires and lift
Fathers Novitiate them up to him.
House in Cagayan de Surrendering my
Oro City. Our retreat personal desires to
master for the entire week God allows me to see things
was Fr. Clyde Salitrero, O.Carm. The place in different ways. I became more
is very conducive for prayer, silence and optimistic and calm within. Although total
solitude; and our retreat master serenity was not yet completely
has facilitated our week long achieved, yet I am beginning to
spiritual refreshment filled accept things if they do not
with reflections and prayer. turn out my way as patiently
For me, the as I can. My prayer
retreat made life
me a new developed
person. I all the
was able to more,
breathe out and my
a lot of devotion
negative
11
(Transcend | 29)
Photo from the net.
Community life
By Bro. Clark B. Canillo

W
hy do you gather? Are you gathered together as a
religious for the purpose of a particular job or task? Is
ministry, relationship, and security the primary reason
why you come together as one community? These are
the few questions my friends, who does not know the real essence of
community life in the light of religious life, have asked me .
As one community in the Order of religious for we live a life of humility,
Carmelites in Agusan, consequently, simplicity, and economical living —a life
relationship and companionship must be of poverty.
nourished. I myself, together with my
fellow brothers were indeed called to be In addition, there has to be more to
in relationship both with God and with religious community than any of these.
each other as brothers.
Further, security cannot be the We are formed as
purpose of coming together as one community
because it
brings us
together
not simply
for the
purpose
of

12 The Karith Postulants

e
togetherness but to support each other
in the hardship and joy, happiness and
reflection
sadness, consolation and desolation,
of the journey of our life especially in Postulants at
our inward and spiritual journey. San Elias
Chapel.

The inward journey is focused on my

inner self, which is indeed
demanding and rigorous. Along the
way, the road can be rocky and there
are snares which lurk in my path.
There are times wherein I experience
periods of discouragement as well as
periods of joy, peace, and love. There
are also moments when I am astonished
by the graces and blessings; times when
I am strong against the wiles of the
enemy; moments when I have glimmers
of understanding and times when I am Postulants in
miserably confused. Truly, it is a Butuan City
rigorous journey; more rigorous than
wall climbing, than any sports activity
like marathon or even mountain
limitations. This journey obliged me to
climbing in Mt.Apo. One that is much
take one step at a time, without knowing
too ardous and toilsome to be
where it ends and often uncertain
undertaken alone.Without the
whether the next step is the right one. It
community, the journey can be nearly
can take me through a wide range of
impossible. I believe that when I said yes
horizon where it may seem as if someone
to religious life,this journey is filled with
removed all the markers on the road I am
its challenges and blessings. It is a
traversing.
purpose that God knew,even if i did not-
the call to give my whole self to God in
But the burdens and blessings I
this journey of transforming union in
encounter along the way in my spiritual
love.
journey are intermingled and are often
vague, one from the other. What seems
With regards to my spiritual journey, it
like a burden may in reality be a blessing,
blesses me with the joy of being loved
and each blessing tends to bring its own
and forgiven by God.This requires me to
weight, imperceptible at times. In
learn compassion toward the
community, each of us accompany each
uncompassionate and to love those who
other by supporting each other in the
do not love me. It tells me to see
rigors and hardships of this spiritual
loveliness in those who appear unlovely,
journey. We are for each other burden-
recognizing how incredibly beautiful we
bearers, burdens, and blessings.
all are. The spiritual journey demands an
acknowledgement of my own sinfulness,
(Community | 28)
my helplessness, my frailties and
13
literary
Sexuality
By Bro. Vinson P. Luayon

S pirit filled sincerity;

olitude and sharing.

E ndurance in emotional struggle;

nergy to enhance self-intimacy.

X erox copy of all experiences and learning;

ylem in my spirit, transporting energy,
giving me joy in serving my community.

U nited with understanding;

sed in enhancing underdeveloped skills.

A uthenticity of actions aided by awareness;

ccepting and applying the proper attitude of establishing
a deeper degree of intimacy.

L earning to accept;
ove and live to the fullest.

I ntegration of personal issues for self-knowledge;

mportance of integrity as an individual.

T ruthfulness in a healthy way of transference;

ime, talent, and treasure management.

14
Y
Photo from the net.
earning for intimacy with God;
ielding God’s love as I walk my talk, making me
a new person, whole and better.
 snapshots

Bro. Clark
sharing his life
map with the
group.

Knowing the self

Postulancy is an opportunity for each postulants to dig
deep into themselves to discover unrecognized and un-
named fears.

With this awareness of the self, each postulant is given

the opportunity to accept his weaknesses and appreciate
his humanity. In the process, he is able to heal himself,
explore untapped potentials, and conquer the self.

This was achieved with the help of Ate Cynthia, Fr. Noel,
Fr. Alain, Ms. Ann, and of course, each other and our
Bros. Wilson and Vinson
painting their masks very own father, Fr. Billy.

The postulants
were guided into
discovering,
recognizing, and
uncovering the
masks that they
wear in their day
to day
interactions.

15
 reflection

F
aith, for me, and its expression, has always
been and will always be very personal. It
transcends the outward expression of my
beliefs. It is a way of life, a guide, a map that
would bring me into a deeper relationship with God.

Authentic faith By Bro. Ritche T. Salgado

Joining the seminary was a leap of Each of us is on a journey that would
faith for me. It was an act of surrender bring us closer to God. Every journey is
and trust that God called me into this unique and we can only appreciate these
life, and so, as a servant, it is my duty journeys when we are able to understand
to answer this call just as young and own the treasures that we uncover
Samuel answered the Lord when he along the way.
was called (1 Samuel 3:10).
The journeys we make are personal and
With no delay, I surrendered no one, not even Christ, could make the
everything to God – a stable and journey for us.
promising job and an opportuity for a
Well, Christ already did that when he
much comfortable life abroad as my
journeyed for our redemption, but now it
application for immigrant status was
is our turn to make the journey to meet
about to be deliberated by the US
him and the Blessed Virgin and all the
Immigration.
angels and saints in heaven.
I told myself, the sacrifice I am making
This journey we have to make on our
is nothing compared to that made by
own.
God when he sacrificed his Son for my
sins; by Christ when he made the And so, as I make my
sacrifice; and the Blessed Virgin (Faith | 29)
when she bore the pains of her
Son’s sacrifice for me.
If there is something
much more minute than
an electron, the sacrifice
I made, is making, and
will be making is even
much more insignificant
compared to that made by
Christ for me.

16
Photo from the net.
 reflection

simple living
vocation
By Bro. Wilson C. Bolocboloc

L
umad immersion was one
of the best experiences I
had in my whole religious
journey.
It was indeed an enlightenment and a
turning point to a more certain response
to God’s call of living a simpler life.
difficulties. There is the need to
talk to someone. One who would
listen to my cries.
Second is simple living. Without
snacks and lack of food during
meals is not a hindrance for me
to enjoy life. Simplicity is also a
way of giving and helping others,
like sharing what they have.

Moreover, the immersion inculcated in Third is that it strengthened my

me the appreciation and understanding vocation. I have seen that there is
of little things. a need of shepherding through
good education and right
The duration was enough for me to find information.
myself and to remove my old clothes,
replacing it with a new one.
I respect the assessment of the expert
and I believe that this is the right way to
fill and respond to the needs of my
existence as an aspiring member of the
Order of Carmelites family.
There are three important things that I
gained from my immersion: First is the
importance of community. Towards the
venture, I experienced hardships and
Enjoying lunch with the
Title photo from the net. 17
brothers and the lumad family.
S aying goodbye can be a sad experience. I suppose that this is
true of farewells in every place or culture. I guess, it is also one
of life’s most stressful events, though I am not so sure.

I remember leaving this place two and accepted as who I am.

months ago — looking at the four corners
of San Alberto Carmelite Formation All these helped me realize and
Center in Cebu. The scene remains vivid appreciate how much I mean to them
in my memory. and how much they mean to me.

We already had our “farewell party” the
night before our scheduled trip to
Agusan. Though I was not able to join the
party but I could hear all the merry
making, fun-filled laughter, and the lively
music as I scribble to finish all the paper
works needed by the Cebu NVAT office.
At the party, there were lots of
As I start a new chapter in my formation,
I often think about settling down with the
formation I had in pre-postulancy and
make a new home in Agusan.
The idea of moving to a new place as I
advance in my formation, making new

LEARNING
visitors and friends, as well as
sumptous food and cold
beverages. Yet, there they were
the next morning, standing just
near the refectory. Some waving
goodbye, others sharing a huge hug and a
By Bro. Clark B. Canillo
simple tap on the shoulder to say their friends and starting all over again,
well-wishes for our safe travel, watching though enjoyable to a certain extent
as we and the seminary service that
and at times even exciting, is to be more
brought us to the sea port disappeared
from their sight. mature.

It was a moving experience for me since I
am not really one for long goodbyes.
Saying goodbye to the place which I
already consider as my second home, the
ambiance that has brought me joy;
goodbye to the dear friends that made
my stay a happy one; goodbye to the
anatgonist-potagonist battles I had with
my personal crises with those walls as the
sole mute witnesses.
Goodbye to so many wonderful and
painful memories; goodbye to old
relationships; goodbye to everyone in
this shelter which made me feel secure
18
One good thing about moving forward
with my new formation is the invitation
to learn and to grow more mature
spiritually, emotionally, and
psychologically.
Living in a new place for my formation is
like an experience of “starting over
again,” something I’ve experienced in
the past, but its time to wrap up the
past and the experiences I had, learn
every bit from it and move on to
something new with the Carmelite

community in Agusan del Sur.
As the few remaining days of my stay in
San Alberto Formation Center came to a
close, I found myself ready to move on,
with the opportunity for a final backward
glance.
In any case, I want to take this
opportunity to write this down and thank
everyone for all the love, kindness, and
understanding they showed me. I’ve
learned a lot from the two-months pre-
postulancy formation in San Alberto.
Different culture and upbringing with my
fellow brothers, the friars, the workers,
G FROM
reflection
friends, and, perhaps most of all,
myself.
I want to thank them for
accompanying me in this journey.
Life in pre-postulancy can sometimes
be an intense experience, but finding
one’s self and learning how to share it
with others is a great way to move
beyond loneliness or isolation,
towards understanding, fellowship,
and brotherhood –and I have been
very fortunate to be given the
opportunity to move on with my
formation officially with the
Postulancy Formation Program. For
that, my heartfelt gratitude to the
Order of Carmelites.
Well, its time for another farewell as I
say goodbye to all my friends, kuyas
and ates, the friars in San Alberto. Its
been a great experience to be with
you all. I want to thank everyone for
their supoprt as well as to my family
back in Iligan. And most especially to
God. Instead of saying “Goodbye”
allow me to say this: “I am
looking forward to seeing
all of you there again
someday!”
19
Photo from the net.
snapshots
Igniting the being
Living with the people is an integral part of the postulancy program.

For four months, the postulants immersed with various sectors of society to better
understand and appreciate their struggles, their desires, and their hopes, in the hope
of finding Christ and understanding themselves.

For the month of August, the postulants were given the chance to know and learn
from the students and staffs of the Agusan Carmelite Schools. By October they
immersed with the Manobo tribe of San Luis, Agusan del Sur. And then on December
they spent their Christmas with the palm oil workers of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
In February they also immersed with the
farmers of Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

Palm oil workers immersion.

December 2013.
Mate, San Francisco
Agusan del Sur.

20
 Lumad immersion.
October 2013.
Purok Binatunan, Culi,
San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

School immersion.
August 2013.
Agusan Carmelite Schools.

21
snapshots
Island hopping
in Britania, San
Agustin with
Cabanban
family.

Enlivening
the spirit
Holistic formation is not just about
physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. It is also about social development.

For the last six months, the postulants were given the opportunity to learn how to
connect with other people through the many opportunities for fellowship with
members of the Agusan Carmelite Community, visiting Carmelite friars, Parish workers
and volunteers, and partners of the
Carmelite family.

Most especially, they were given the

chance to strengthen their bond as one
community and family.
With Kuya Noel Valencia
at Enchanted River.

In Cagwait with officers of the

Parish Pastoral Council of
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

Community night with the

Agusan Carmelite Community.

To the Carmelite Beach in

Lianga with Convent staffs.

22
 reflective art
Divine intimacy
By Bro. Wilson C. Bolocboloc

Wherein my intimacy
with God is being
practiced as I respond to
His call in the Carmelite
way of life.

As I go along in
this journey, I
need to be aware
and vigilant in
dealing with
different people so
that the Kingdom
of God may
realize in this
world.

23
karith news
Postulants arrive in Agusan,
starts personality and housekeeping class
Seven aspiring members to the Order of Davao City, a graduate of AB Literature;
Carmelites arrived in San Francisco, and Joiezl Piñon of Isabel, Leyte, an AB
Agusan del Sur last June 1 for the Philosophy graduate, magna cum laude.
Postulancy Program under Postulancy
The candidates finished the two-month
Director Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, O.Carm.
pre-postulancy program in Talamban,
The seven are Clark Canillo of Iligan City, Cebu City from April 1 to May 31, 2013.
a former finance officer for a Makati-
On their first month, they underwent
based construction firm; Ritche Salgado,
personality development sessions with
of Valencia, Negros Oriental, a licensed
Fr. Alaindelon Balasabas, O.Carm, parish
physical therapist and a practicing
priest of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
journalist in Cebu City; Mike Gaza of
Parish in Rosario, Agusan del Sur, and
Laguna who worked for Gawad Kalinga;
Ann Abelita, guidance counselor of the
Wilson Bolocboloc of Catmon, Cebu, a
Agusan Carmelite Schools.
licensed teacher and a Master in Arts in
Theology graduate; Brian Bantilan of They were also given classes on basic
Iligan City who taught Philosophy at housekeeping by Bebeth Rejas, aO.Carm,
Misamis University; Vinson Luayon of manager of Paseo de San Francisco.

Postulants celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

The six Mt. Carmel College of San Francisco.
postulants
On July 18, the postulants participated in
of the
a memorial mass for the first Carmelite
Order of
martyr in the Philippines, Fr. Engelbert
Carmelites
van Vilsteren, O.Carm, at a chapel
celebrated
erected in his honor by the Knights of
the feast of
Colombus at the San Francisco Public
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel last July 16 with a
Cemetery.
triduum at the community chapel and a
fiesta mass celebrated by Fr. Jun Nuñez
The mass was officiated by Fr. Eduardo
of Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish of
Albiño, O.Carm and con-celebrated by Fr.
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur at Brgy.
Eef van Vilsteren, O.Carm, brother of Fr.
Ebro, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
Engelbert and councilor for the Dutch
They also joined the torch procession of Province of the Order of Carmelites, and
the sacred image of Our Lady of Mt. Fr. Ben Wolbers, O.Carm, provincial prior
Carmel. The procession was initiated by of the Dutch Province.

24

Postulants hold school immersion
The six postulants of the Order of
Carmelites-Pilipinas started their school
immersion with the Agusan Carmelite
Schools last July 27, 2013 and ending it
on August 30, 2013.
The postulants were divided into three
groups.
Brothers Wilson Bolocboloc and Vinson
Luayon were assigned at Mount Carmel
College, while Brothers Clark Canillo and
Ritche Salgado were placed at Mt. Carmel
High School in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
Brothers Joiezl Piñon and Brian Bantilan
were detailed at Fr. Urios High School in
Babah, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The brothers were given special tasks:
Bro. Wilson was tasked to assist ACS
President Br. Sheldon Tabile, O.Carm,
while Bro. Vinson assisted in organizing
the simultaneous schools intramurals of
Postulants enrich their
spirituality, self-knowledge
The Postulants of the Order of Carmelites
initiated activities that would further
enrich their spiritual life, and at the same
time was accompanied by resident
counselor Cynthia Lakip, to better know
themselves.
Last September 8, 2013 they held their
first Dawn Rosary to conclude the
triduum celebration in honor of the
Nativity of Mary. In addition, the
postulants also held a novena prayer in
honor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
The novena, however, was held ahead of
karith news
the ACS.
Bro. Brian, on the other hand, helped
prepare the school’s documents for the
upcoming accreditations, while Bro. Clark
helped review the financial outflows of
the different schools to identify ways of
reducing and saving on expenses.
Brothers Ritche and Joiezl, meanwhile,
organized the Patik Journalism Fair
together with the Journalism advisers of
the different schools.
In addition to their special tasks, the
brothers were also asked to teach in the
schools where they were assigned. As a
special requirement to his students, Bro.
Wilson held a speech contest.
Meanwhile, Brothers Jo and Brian
facilitated the school’s recollection for
their students.
the feast day due to the scheduled area
entry of the postulants for their
immersion with the Manobo tribe of San
Luis, Agusan del Sur.
A week-long session was also held with
Cynthia Lakip focusing on the topic
Transformation Process and Spiritual
Integration. Activities included mask
making, body-mirroring, and psycho-
physical release.
After the processing, Fr. Noel Rosas,
O.Carm held a week-long modular class
on sexuality and spirituality.
Another session was also done with Noel
Valencia on current national issues,
especially those concerning the church.
25
karith news
Postulants experience IP culture in lumad immersion
To better understand the situation of the
indigenous people in Agusan del Sur, the
five postulants of the Order of Carmelites
lived for one month with the Manobo
tribe in Brgy. Culi, San Luis, Agusan del
Sur.
The tribe is co-led by Datus Hapao Tapid
and Tuay Fernando.
Each postulant lived with a Manobo
family, helping in their host family’s
livelihood and immersing themselves
Sunday apostolate and
All Souls, All Saints’
memorial
The postulants of the Order of Carmelites
started their apostolate with the different
Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK)
under the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Bro. Clark
Canillo was assigned in Barangay Mate, Bro.
Ritche Salgado in Mate Housing, Bro.
Vinson Luayon in Barangay Ormaca, Bro.
Wilson Bolocboloc in Ebro Housing, and
Brother Joiezl Piñon in Brgy.
26
into the family’s culture
and life. Bro. Clark
stayed with the family of
Raul and Lerma Ortega,
Bro. Wislon with Violeta
and Teodolo Alvaracin,
Bro. Vinson with Clarita
and Eddie Bongat, Bro.
Joiezl with Datu Tuay
and Herminia, and Bro.
Ritche with Datu Hapao
and Tabik.
The postulants were
able to experience
various tribal celebrations including the
Araw ng Binatunan, the Araw ng
Magdiwata, and the installation of the
new Datu of San Isidro (San Mariano),
San Luis.
The brothers, however, were not remiss
in enriching their spiritual life. In addition
to the participation in the Sunday
Kasaulogan sa Pulong at the barrio
chapel, they were also able to celebrate
the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi with a
community prayer.
Buenasuerte.
The purpose of the apostolate is for the
brothers to be familiar with the activities
 karith news
of the different GKKs.
On All Saints’ Day, the postulants joined
the mass celebration at San Lorenzo
Eternal Garden, and at Hubang Public
Cemetery for All Souls’ Day.
They also attended a memorial celebrated
by Fr. Billy Bong Manguiat, OCarm for the
late father of Carmelite Associates Engr.
Arlene Cabanban and wife, Leah, at the
Cabanban’s farm in Brgy. Alegria, where
the Cabanban patriarch was buried.

Carmelite constitution, retreat for Postulants

To further enrich the spirit of community among the Carmelite postulants, a session on
the Carmelite Constitution was conducted by Fr. Alaindelon Balasabas, O.Carm
focusing on community life. This was followed by the screenings of The Nun’s Story
(1959) and Of Gods and Men (2010).
A mid-year retreat was also held at the former Novitiate House of the Stigmatine
Fathers and Brothers in Cagayan de Oro City. The retreat was facilitated by Fr. Clyde
Salitrero, O.Carm.
agencies including the Philippine
National Police.
Postulants celebrate And to enrich their spiritual growth,
group prayers were done, including the
Christmas with palm oil Office of the Dead in memory of the
grandmother of Bro. Joiezl Piñon, who
workers recently passed away.
All of the postulants were also able to
For the month of December, the five complete the Misa de Gallo in their
postulants of the Order of Carmelites lived respective GKK’s – in Mate Housing for
with palm oil workers of Barangay Mate, Brothers Clark Canillo and Wilson
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to Bolocboloc, and Mate Barrio for Brothers
experience the hardships of manual labor. Joiezl, Vinson Luayon, and Ritche
Despite the absence of work at the palm Salgado. This was concluded by the Misa
oil plantation, the postulants made effort de Aguinaldo on the 24th followed by
to experience work at the plantation humble Christmas celebrations with their
especially with harvesting, the hauling of respective host families.
bunches, and the gathering of loose fruits. The postulants returned to the Carmelite
The postulants also attended a meeting Monastery in San Francisco on December
between the local government, the 26, in time for the Christmas celebration
cooperative who now manages the of the Carmelite Community including

27
plantation, and several government the parish and convent staffs.
Community...
(From page 13)
To nurture this wondrous journey and to
smoothen out its progress, that’s where
the community comes in. I, myself,
together with the Order of Carmelites-
Agusan Community come together and
gather in order to support each other by
our words, our prayers, and our
presence; to encourage each other as
Human dignity...
(From page 8)
difficulty of getting the cooperation of
the members, simply because many
thought that they’d make better use of
their time digging for gold rather than
digging the grave of a dead neighbor.
Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Populorum
Progressio best describes the situation
that the people of Mate is faced — “less
human conditions.”
As I have observed with the laid-off palm
oil workers of Mate this includes “the
lack of material necessities for those who
are without the minimum essential for
life, the moral deficiencies of those who
are mutilated by selfishness.... oppressive
social structures, whether due to the
abuses of ownership or to the abuses of
power, to the exploitation of workers or
to unjust transactions.”
However, there are conditions that are
more human like the “passage from
misery towards the possession of
necessities, victory over social scourges,
the growth of knowledge, the acquisition
of culture.... increased esteem for the
dignity of others, the turning toward the
spirit of poverty, cooperation for the
28
well in the silence and the solitude that
we need.
Packing relief goods at Ate
Leah and Kuya Arlene’s place.
common good, the will and the desire for
peace.”
These conditions used to richly exist in
Mate, but the drive to live, to survive,
have corrupted the situation of the
residents.
Perhaps, what is needed is “the
acknowledgement by man of supreme
values, and of God, their source and their
finality.... faith, a gift of God accepted by
the good will of man, and unity in the
charity of Christ, Who calls us all to share
as sons in the life of the living God, the
Father of all men.”
Conditions which Pope Paul VI describes as
much more human.
If all have the heart to create a world that
promotes more humane conditions,
situations like that experienced by the
workers of Mate would not exist and the
world would be a better place to live in.
As a Carmelite postulant immersionist,
there is not much that I can do except
perhaps to listen to their woes, to be in
solidarity with them in their struggles
when opportunity deems it, and to
earnestly pray that some day the rich
would find it in their hearts to live a
Christian life and be instruments in
promoting and lifting the dignity of the
poor and the marginalized.
Transcend...
(From page 11)
to the Blessed Virgin Mary was revived.
In this month, we also offered our
prayers for the soul of our beloved
relatives and friends who have gone
ahead of us to the eternal dwelling place
of our Lord Jesus Christ. We had a
special liturgy made in honor of all souls
in purgatory especially those of whom
we individually remember. On the
twenty-fourth of November, we
prepared and conducted a special prayer
for the death anniversary of the beloved
mother of our dear brother Vinson. Our
prayer was solemnly offered to our
heavenly Father as one family and
community.
Faith...
(From page 16)
journey, every interaction I am blessed
with becomes a gift that strengthens my
faith.
Journeying with my brothers; my
formator – Fr. Billy; the resource persons
for our modular sessions like Ate Cynthia,
Fr. Alain, Ms. Ann, Kuya Noel, and Fr.
Noel; the whole Carmelite family,
including the Carmelite Sisters of Our
Lady and the Third Order Carmelites; the
Agusan Community; and even my family
and friends, all of them allowed me and
inspired me to learn and imbibe the
teachings of the Church, the spirituality of
the Carmelites, the beauty of devotion,
Photo from the net.
In preparation for our third immersion,
we also had our Sunday GKK apostolate. I
was assigned in Brgy. Buenasuerte, San
Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Every Sunday,
the five of us visited our respective GKK
areas with an objective to observe in
their activities and to extend pastoral
assistance if necessary. November 25 is
the date set for our area entry for our
third immersion. We will be living with
different families of palm oil workers for
the entire month. I look forward to new
experiences that will give me new
opportunities of knowing myself better and
be able to transcend myself in becoming a
more mature individual fit to become a
faithful and humble instrument of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
the love for the Eucharist, and the
intimacy of prayer and solitude.
I feel that I am becoming whole.
The retreat with Fr. Clyde was most
instrumental in reaffirming my faith. It
was during this time that I truly
experienced conversion. I’ve
learned to love myself, my
brothers,
and my
vocation
even more deeply.
For all these, I am grateful, and as
I continue my journey, I will
continue to search and uncover
the treasures that I will definitely
find along the way.
29
the postulants
Bro. Clark, 36
Iligan City

A business graduate, he worked for a Makati-based

construction firm supervising projects in Mindanao.

Bro. Ritche, 35
Valencia, Negros Oriental

A licensed Physical Therapist, he worked in print and

social media for more than 10 years before entering
the seminary.

Bro. Wilson, 30
Catmon, Cebu

A licensed teacher, he finished his Master of Arts in

Theology at the Inter-Congregational Theological
Center in Quezon City.

Bro. Vinson, 28
Baguio District, Davao City

He finished his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Literature

at Holy Cross College of Calinan and served at their
district’s chapel as lay minister before entering the
seminary.

Bro. Joiezl, 20
Isabel, Leyte

A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Magna

Cum Laude) at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. As
a student he served at the Carmelite Chapel in
Talamban, Cebu City.

30
 gratus
Our deepest thanks to...

Fr. Tim, O.Carm Fr. Toots, O.Carm

Atty. Aloy
Br. Sheldon, O.Carm
Fr. Eddie, O.Carm
m.a. Sisters
Ma’am Ann
Kuya Noel Ate Cynthia
Fr. Clyde, O.Carm Junting Weng
Fr. Noel, O.Carm
Fr. Ken, O.Carm
Nanay Bebz
Fr. Alain, O.Carm
Kenneth
Nay Juling Cecil
Dodong Viemark Kuya Arlene and Ate Leah

Nanay Emma Daniel

Jenny Sr. Lurian, CarmOL Excel
Kuya Poyoy Totoy
Ate Grace Pitao

Ate Bebeth
Nay Narda
Precy
Fredo
Sr. Delia, CarmOL Ate Elvie
Cheerful giver Agusan Carmelite
Schools
Deo Danny
...our families, friends, and benefactors 31
32
To all who shared their lives with us...

Thank you!
Karith Postulancy Community 2013: (L-R) Bro. Ritche, Bro. Clark, Fr. Billy, Bro. Vinson, Bro. Joiezl, Bro. Wilson