The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

Leaders are in a position not only of great responsibility but also of great stress. Nothing can be more stressful than being in a leadership role. Leaders face many challenges every day, some of which are invisible to the others and are only explicit to the leaders themselves. Challenges can come from within, e.g. a struggle or conflict between personal core-values and the differing values of others and the world. Challenges can come from outside as well, such as the weight of the work, the lack of appreciation of others and even public criticism. Leaders run on motivation and passion but they don't function in a vacuum. Most often than not, leaders can experience burn outs, even frustrations and waning of passion and motivation. It is important that leaders must find time to take care of themselves, to "step out of the office" and renew the passions and internal drive. If one is hungry, one goes to find food. If one is thirsty, one goes to find a drink. If one is ti...

Today the Church in Quiapo is celebrating the feast of the Black Nazarene. Every year, thousands and thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene, mostly males, would join the almost chaotic procession of the image of the Suffering Christ arrayed in kingly clothes but carrying a large cross and crowned with thorns. I attended mass yesterday at Quiapo Church and it was really very crowded. I had to settle standing outside of the Church and watch at the huge TV monitor broadcasting the mass inside. It was raining as well so it was a good thing that I brought my jacket with me. Perhaps it was my standing outside the rain that is making me quite under-the-weather today. Luckily, during communion, I was able to find my way inside the church where it was warm and also very crowded. After the mass, everyone took out their images of the Black Nazarene and their rosary beads, raised it high above their heads and the priest blessed them. Every one then rushed to touch some of these blessed objec...

Back in 1996, in order to attract more male students to join the female-dominated Campus Peer Ministry (CPM) in USLS-IS, I decided to form the CPMales, an all-male movement that would somehow draw more young men to actively participate in religious endeavors inside the school. With the support of Ms. Boogie (a.k.a. Mama Boogs) and then USLS-IS Principal Bro. Gus Boquer, FSC, the CPMales was born in October 18, 1996 with around 30 plus third year and first year male students. The following year, the second council of CPMales was formed in October 20, 1997 and the third council in October 14, 1998. The last council was formed in 2001. Since then, the CPMales no longer conducted a retreat. It has already satisfied its objective. By the end of 2000, there were as many boys as there were girls and the boys were the ones leading the organization already, at the same time becoming role models of fine Christian gentlemen in the campus. I was happy though that a few weeks ago, Vince, the presen...

Who is Mary, Mother of Jesus (who is God the Son)? For Catholics, she is the ultimate model of Christian Faith, the First of All apostles, the First to believe in her Son and her Savior. Mary is mother to Jesus and eventually to His disciples. At the foot of the cross, Mary received her "second Annunciation". But who is Mary to non-Catholics? Present-day Protestants criticize Catholics for their "adoration" of Mary, calling it idolatrous. It would be interesting though how the Founders of Protestantism, from Martin Luther to John Calvin, look at Mary. Present-day Protestants would be surprised. Martin Luther said Mary is " the highest woman ," that "we can never honour her enough," that " the veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart " and that we should "wish that everyone know and respect her." John Calvin said, " It cannot be denied that God in choosing and destining Mary to be the Mother of...