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Philippine Carmel Launched Spiritual Preparation

Towards Independency

The Philippine Carmel Commissariat launched a spiritual preparation of all the

members of the commissariat towards the forthcoming independence. This personal,
community and commissariat- wide preparation will help facilitate the readiness and
coming of age of Filipino Carmel, thus; spiritual, organizational, technical preparations
are ongoing. It is hoped that by February 2005, the Provincial Commissariat in the
Philippines will become a General Commissariat as prescribed by the Constitutions of the
Order. Here is the open letter of the Commissary Provincial to all the members of the
provincial commissariat.

March 25, 2004

Feast of the Annunciation

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel:

From St. Albert of Jerusalem, I would like to echo once again his greeting to our
forefathers on Mount Carmel, Palestine some 800 years ago; “ Health in the Lord and the
blessings of the Holy Spirit!”

After our assembly last October 2003 which moved and approved for the
Philippine Carmel’s application for independence, with its mandate, the CP-CC had sent
its formal communiqué to the General Curia in Rome for the said intention. Our Prior
Provincial, Fr. Tjeu Timmermans, O.Carm. gave his full support to our move and had
asked the Commissariat to prepare the necessary requirements.

Simultaneous with our organizational, apostolic and technical consolidation is the

most important preparation that all the members of the new General Commissariat have
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to undergo: the Spiritual Preparation Towards Independence. It is a personal,

community and commissariat- wide processes where discoveries and rediscoveries,
retrievals and dispositions, appreciations and reaffirmations, lessons and corrections,
reflections and prayers, hopes and wishes are shared and deepened.

I urge you then; solemn and simple professed friars, associates and novices to take
this moment of grace and opportunity to pause and take this time of reckoning in our
personal, fraternal and commissariat- wide preparations in all spheres.

May I request all the Community Priors to please ensure the individual and
community spiritual preparation and document all the processes and proceedings in
every moment (joyful, sorrowful, glorious and luminous) for future reference, publication
and archival documentation and interest.

On the occasion of the 47th year of the Order of Carmel’s presence in the
Philippines, let us prepare hand-in-hand and side by side, as we await for the coming of
age of Philippine Carmel in February 2005, the birth of the future “Philippine Carmel
General Commissariat”.

Sincerely in Carmel,

Fr. Antonio D. dela Cruz, O.Carm.

Commissary Provincial
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The Birth of Carmel Youth Philippines

For the past several years the local communities, through the schools and
parishes, had acquired sufficient experiences and insights in the formation and
organization of youth ministry. In line with the call of the Order to evangelize young
people friars assigned in the parishes and schools had begun to organize Carmel Youth,
Singles for Christ and Charismatic Youth. These youth organizations have been formed
in order to draw them to Carmel spirituality and to mobilize their energies for the
different programs of the local communities and to integrate them into the dynamics of
the Christian communities. The members and leaders were exposed to and formed on the
charism, tradition and history of Carmel. They had also undergone trainings and seminars
on leadership, theater arts and music ministry.

When the youth ministry was decided to be accorded primary attention during the
Chapter in 2000, the Commissariat had created the Youth Ministry Commission. The
commission was tasked to come up with a discussion and orientation paper on the
Carmelite Youth Ministry in the Philippines. To gain data and information on the
situation and perspectives of youth ministry, the commission had conducted an inventory
of the different forms and expressions of youth organizations in the Carmelite parishes,
schools, monasteries and formation houses. The comments, insights and suggestions of
the respondents served as the material in the drafting of the orientation paper on youth
ministry.

At present, a number of friars are involved in the development of youth ministry

through the assistance and formation of Carmel Youth in different centers of Carmelite
communities. In the meantime, Carmel youth groups and organizations in the parishes
get guidance and direction from the pastors, those in the monasteries from nun-in-charge,
and those in the schools from the religious sister-in-charge.

The First National Congress of Carmel Youth Philippines was held on April 16,
17 & 18, 2004 at the San Alberto Carmelite Formation Center in Cebu City with thirty
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(30) official delegates representing fifteen (15) Carmel Youth communities. Fr.
Christian Buenafe, O.Carm. welcome the congress delegates on behalf of the O.Carm.
Youth Ministry Commission followed by the keynote address of Fr. Toto Jaranilla,
O.Carm. entitled Who is the Filipino Catholic Youth Today? Fr. Christian Beunafe
expounded Carmel Youth: Who are You? He described the qualities of a Carmel Youth,
some historical notes of the Carmel Youth movement in the country and its challenges
ahead. Strengthening of the Carmel Youth community and federation was formalized as
the congress delegates enriched and approved their common and unified Vision and
Mission, Statues and Program of Action. The eucharistic celebrations and liturgies, the
Cebu and Mactan Tour (the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu are historical and cultural
destination, being the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines), solidarity night
fellowship and integration with the local Carmel Youth of Cebu in the beach outing had
further deepened and fortified the bonding of the young members of Carmel.

The Carmel Youth Philippines also elected their National Leadership Ad Hoc
Committee: Christian Joseph Penueco (Luzon region); Mark Anthony Tan and Demetrio
Anticuando (The Visayas region); and Rio Jane Ladaga (Mindando region). The theme
of the first national congress is “Carmel Youth… the journey continues!”

Center for Spirituality - Manila Conducts a Survey – Inventory of

Spirituality Studies in the Philippines

The Center for Spirituality – Manila (CSM), a Carmelite research-based

institute in the study of Spirituality in the Philippines and in Asia is
conducting a survey-inventory of Spirituality studies in the Philippines.
This project is aimed at mapping areas or focus in the field of Spirituality
in the Philippines that has been studied by researchers, as well as
identifying the methodologies used and the gaps in the studies conducted.
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The survey started last Feb. 18 up to the present. One of the staff was sent as
representative to visit different universities in order to gather copies in the different
library holdings all literature necessary for the completion of the project. Four of the
prominent universities in the Philippines visited were University of the Philippines (UP,
University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila
University (ADMU).

Balitaan

Escalante

1. Sectoral Leaders Meeting at the Pastoral Center of Escalante. Different leaders

coming from various sectors and organizations gathered together on March 2, 2004 at the
Pastoral Center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (formerly: Vocation Center),
Escalante City, Negros Occidental. Fr. Paul Medina, O.Carm. attended to represent the
Parish and the Church sector. The gathering was focus on the burning issues like human
rights violations and militarization, likewise the conduct of election campaigns was also
discussed.

2. First Communion in Highland Area Provided an Opportunity to Visit a Sick Lay

Minister. Fr. Paul Medina, together with Butch Ondoy, Regina Juvahib, Sr. Ruth Diaz,
SFIC went to Binaguiohan, Escalante City on March 4, 2004 for the First Communion of
the school children of Binaguiohan Elementary School. A casual question was asked:
"Where is Bro. Berting? Why is it that he is not around to help us?" Bro. Berting is a lay
minister who is always very active in the local church of Binaguiohan. Bro. Dan
informed the group that inquired about him that he is now sick with cancer. So the group
walked for another mile to go to his house in order to visit him. Berting looks pale and
thinner but still quite spirited in his conversation with the visitors. Clasping a bible, he
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was so happy to be visited and all the etched of pain in his face is somehow gone. Only
the glow of hope radiates in his face as he was laying on a hammock. Not all First
Communion activities have that dramatic scenario but they are so special an event in the
barrios that the hacienda workers do stop working just to be around when their children
receive for the first time the Body of the Lord Jesus. The First Communion activities
were done in the different places almost everyday. On March 9, the First Communion
was at Pinapugasan, on March 10 at Nabutaan, on March 11 at Tamlang, and on March
12 at Washington.

3. The Essential Jesus Seminar-Reflection. On March 5, 2004 Fr. Carlos Abesamis,

S.J., gave a seminar-reflection to the faculty of MCC (Mount Carmel College, Esclante,
Negros Occ.) on the Essential Jesus, a third look Christology. On March 6, 2004, he
gave a seminar to the participants coming from the whole Vicariate of St. Anthony of
Padua and this includes the Parishes of Toboso, Escalante City, Old Escalante, Dian-ay
and Vito, Sagay City. On March 7, 2004 he gave a special seminar to the Formation
Team of the Vicariate. On March 8, 2004 he gave a recollection on the same topic to the
Clergy of San Carlos Diocese at the Diocesan Benedictus Hall, San Carlos City.

4. Spirituality of Stewarship. Sr. Angie Donado, O.Carm. and a certain Michael

__________ from Denver, U.S.A. came to Carmel Monastery, Escalante City on March
9, 2004 to promote the "Spirituality of Stewardship". This is a deepening on the meaning
of tithing and on all our activities related to treasure sharing and services. There was an
informal sharing of ideas on this with Msgr. Dodo Dejilla, Fr. Jing Baldo, Fr. Ciano and
Fr. Paul. The conclusion is to coordinate with Sr. Alma, ADD and Bishop Nicolas
Mondejar who are also giving a series of seminars on this. Somehow the "Spirituality of
Stewardship" complements the on-going program on "Self-sufficiency" in the Diocese of
San Carlos.

5. Pastoral Visit of Bishop Jose Advincula Jr. On March 27 and 28, 2004 Msgr. Jose
Fuertes Advincula, Jr., D.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos Borromeo made his
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Pastoral Visitation in the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Escalante City. Before
this visit, a meeting was held by the Parish Staff and the President of the Parish Pastoral
Council, Mr. Alfonso Ricafort on March 10 to prepare this official visit of the Bishop.
The books of the parish were already inspected ahead of time, on March 24, in order to
devote the pastoral visit on having a good dialogue with the parishioners of Escalante
City. On March 27, Bishop Advincula was met by the Knights of Columbus at 8:30
A.M. at the boundary between the town of Toboso and the city of Escalante and a
motorcade led the bishop to the parish. At the road leading to the parish church, the
Bishop was met by Mayor Santiago Barcelona and Provincial Board Member Rolando
Ponsica. The Bishop confirmed 500 persons and then held a dialogue with the parish
leaders without the presence of priests, so that the lay people will be free to talk to the
bishop certain things on parish management. After that the bishop had a dialogue with
the priests of the parish. The Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of St. Anthony of Padua, Fr.
Wilson "Embong" Mendoza, also came later and have a dialogue with the bishop and the
idea of clustering the clergy for team work and easy access of the clergy at the Bishop's
residence were suggested.

6. Escalante City Mayor Barcelona had a dialogue with the Carmelites. On March
26, 2004, Mayor Santiago "Maymay" Barcelona came to the Carmelite Monastery of
Escalante with his wife to have a dialogue with the Carmelites. Several points were
raised like the existence of armed groups, the infrastructures of the city which are loaned
from World Bank, the status of land at the city center which is claimed by the Caminos
Clan, the treatment of the cases of the sectors and so on. Some of these points were
already discussed when Mayor Barcelona paid a surprise visit in the evening of March 24
during the celebration of Fr. Paul Medina's birthday but these issues were not discussed
in depth at that time. The Mayor assured the Carmelites that he will always listen to the
suggestion of the Carmelites for a better management of the City and acknowledges the
role of the Carmelites in making this city as it is now.
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Cebu

1. March was quite hectic month for our community. We had our evaluation of the
seminarians and planning for summer activities. We have three (3) fourth year students,
five (5) in their third year and fourteen (14) in their second year can come back in June
this year. Out of thirty- one (31) seminarians during the second semester of school year
2003- 2004, only one graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from
the University of San Carlos. Nine (9) were advised to either take regency or leave the
seminary for good. The culmination of the year-end evaluation was an outing at Vaño
Beach Resort in Mactan Island.

2. The friars held their annual retreat last March 26 to 30, 2004 at the Our Lady of the
Philippines Monastery- Trappist in Jordan, Guimaras Island. It was a good time for the
community members to relax, reflect and be with each other more closely from the hectic
activities of the seminary. Immediately, Fr. Arnel Glodobe went to Manila to attend the
Finance Commission meeting, Fr. Max Zapanta proceded to Negros Island for the follow-
up of the incoming college seminarians. Frs. Toon Mol and Emmanuel Vallega went
straight to Cebu.

3. The Vocation campaign is in its final and acceptance stage for college. We hope to
have 17-20 freshmen seminarians for the 1st semester of the SY 2004-05. As of the
moment, we are expecting five (5) first years will be coming from Luzon, six (6) from
Cebu, two (2) from Bohol and the seven (7) from Mindanao. At present, there are five (5)
seminarians who are taking their summer classes at the University of San Jose- Recoletos
(USJR) to take the courses required by the seminary

4. The pre-postulancy program started on April 1, 2004 with ten (10) young
professionals coming from the different parts of the country. The pre- postulancy is a
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two- month program in preparation for the intensive ten (10) month postulancy program
that will statt in June this year. The pre- postulants had a taste in community building
and special classes in Philosopy, Communication Skills, Bible, Liturgy, Sacraments,
Prayer, Carmelite studies were given to them by Carmelite and lay resource persons.

5. The community hosted the First National Congress of Carmel Youth. Thirty (30)
official delegates, ten (10) observers, and four (4) members of the O.Carm Youth
Commission participated in the Congress from April 16-18, 2004. There were lots of
activities such as input, lectures, lectio divina, holy Eucharist, prayers, agape, fellowship,
tour around Cebu city, and outing to the beach. As host, we took care of the
accommodation of all delegates and visitors.

6. Frs. Max Zapanta, Arnel Glodobe and Emmanuel Vallega are attending the Formators'
Ongoing Formation and Training at St. Scholastica Retreat House in Baguio City from
April 20 to May 5, 2004. Fr. Toon Mol will take charge of the monastery and seminary
in Cebu together with the assistance of Fr. Aris Escobal and our Associate Linda Barairo.

Spring of Carmel

1. On February 24, Fr. Perfecto Adeva, Jr., O.Carm., had two visitors, Allan and Hilda
Dulaogon. Both of them were from San Francisco originally. Allan was a member of the
church choir. After their marriage, they settled down in Bukidnon. On Thursday
evening, Allan would return by Superferry 14, while Hilda stayed in Manila to follow up
application papers as migrant worker.

The news was broadcasted this morning, February 27 that the Superferry 14 was on fire.
This had started in the area of cabins and tourist-class from where a strong explosion was
heard. There were 879 persons on the boat, passengers and crew members, from whom
about 130 persons were dead or missing. Allan Dulaogon is one of the missing
passengers. Fr. Jun went more times to the pier, where he met Hilda among many other
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relatives, waiting for any news or developments. Also the parents of Allan and Hilda
had come from Mindanao.

On March 14, we had a Eucharistic Celebration in our chapel at 4:00 PM for Allan,
attended by Family members and friends. It was from our side a token of moral support
and prayer for Allan and all persons involved in this terrible disaster.

Student-friars

1. March 23 is the last day of classes at the Inter-Congregational Theological Center

(ICTC) and the school year ended in a simple closing program of the academic year
2003-2004 held at the Redemptorist Rest House in Pansol, Laguna.

2. The student friars held their year –end retreat from March 27 to April 1, 2004 at the
Bulong ng Simoy (Gentle Breeze) Center in Dipaculao, Aurora Province. It is a ten (10)
trip by car from Manila. Jim Schortz facilitated the retreat that focused on Silence and
Contemplation.

3. On March 31, Bros. Junel Ryan Denolo, Jerry Cañas, Gerald Flor Guiterrez and
Eugene Horca started their Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at the Makati
Medical Center in Makati City. On April 5, Bro. Domingo Beato, Jr., O.Carm., started
his Clinical Pastoral Education program at the Philippine Heart Center; Bros. Allan
Hagoriles and Realino Hermo at the National Kidney Institute, both in Quezon City.

4. Bro. Alaindelon Balasabas started his community integration program in Mindanao

and Cebu. The in-coming third year student friars started their summer program in
Communication Skills. They are enrolled in Corporate Academy in Quezon City.
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Postulants

To follow

Manila

1. Fr. John Caroll Futrell, S.J. was the community’s visitor from April 1 to 12 this year.
Fr. Futrell is a well- known lecturer and retreat master on Religious vows, Spiritual
Diection, Religious Discernment and Team Leadership in Team Ministry. The
commissariat in cooperation with the Carmelite Community of St. Teresa of Avila
sponsored the whole day session with Fr. Futrell on “Ministry of Leadership of Ministry
Teams” held on April 3, 2004 at the Titus Brandsma Center in Quezon City. Around
seventy (70) religious and lay leaders attended the forum. It was a good day for leaders
and members; the lectures and open forum sharing gave the participants more ideas and
skills.

2. The community hosted the summer training of two (2) lay leaders and education
ministry heads from O.Carm. Agusan District. Mrs. Epifania Alburo of St. Michael
Parish in Prosperidad and Mr. Teodoro Tantoy of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in
Rosario in Agusan del Sur, Diocese of Butuan. They are both taking classes at the Inter-
Cogregational Theologcial Center (ICTC) Summer Program offering on fundamental
Theology, church History, Ecclessioalogy and Ministry, Sacred Scriptures, Christology,
Sacraments and Liturgy, Fundamental Moral Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral
Ministry.

3. The friars attended the Silver Anniversary of Sor Modesta of Tanay Carmel, Star of the
Sea on March 24 and of Sor Leonicia of Cabanatuan Carmel of Our Lady of Nazareth on
March 27. The friars joined the Second Order in this occasion of thanksgiving for the our
sisters in Carme.
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4. On April 10, the Carmelite Community in Manila was joined by some invited guests in
celebrating the Easter vigil at Titus Brandsma Center, at 8:00 in the evening. Fr. Martin
Pierik, O.Carm. presided the Easter celebration.

5. Fr. Ronnie Licayan, a Diocesan priest of Butuan is following a Clinical Pastoral

Education program at St. Luke’s Medical Center. He stays in our community in the
whole duration of the program. Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan Diocese paid a
visit our community and Fr. Licayan last April 21, 2004.

NEWS BITS from the Center for Spirituality-Manila

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On March 29-31, The CSM team of Fr. Christian Bunafe, Weng Ladaga, and Sr. Joce
Cacas, Carm.OL, together with Titus Media staff, Jofti Villena, attended Reflections at
Work Seminar Series in Makati City. The first seminar topic was presented by Ms.
Teresa Reyes Tunay of the Phil. Daily Inquirer and Blue Collar Magazine. She talked
about Reflections for the Working Soul: living our values at work. The second topic was
on Reflections for the Organizational Soul: building a community at work presented by a
known Organizational Dynamics (OD) specialist Ms. Jocelyn Marie Fallarme Neri. On
the 3rd day, Dr. Andre San Agustin tackled Enhancing Spiritual Intelligence. About a
hundred participants from corporations, parish councils, schools and some institutes
attended this seminar.

===============================================================

Fr. Christian Buenafe and Weng Ladaga experienced a different Holy week celebration in
the island of Bantayan, north of Cebu. From Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday, the team
was hosted by Carmelite associate, Ms. Len Negapatan. The celebration has a stark
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difference from most celebrations in other Philippine provinces and towns where people
retreated into relative quiet and businesses are closed to observe this Holy Celebration. In
Bantayan, there was a fiesta-like atmosphere. The whole island of Bantayan was filled
with families having barbeque chicken, lechon, and even cotton candy in the town plaza.
And most businesses are open to cater the influx of guests from other cities and nearby
islands.

Apparently, the Pope in 16th century dispensed the “no-meat rule for Holy Week”. This
was because most people in Bantayan Island are fisherfolks and they would not go
fishing during the Holy Week.

During Holy Thursday and Good Friday, a procession of caro - (a tableau depicting the
passion of Christ) is paraded around town. What is most interesting is the practice of
panaad - children are dressed in the saints they were offered to, so they can be cured by
their illness or any affliction besetting them. Fr. Toots and Weng saw kids dressed in
Santo Niño (holy Child), St. Terese, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Francis, St Peter and St. Paul.

The team found this Lenten practice a potential area for study, as part of our search and
research of the Filipino Spiritual Culture.

On Media and Poverty: Catholic Press Forum

.Thailand, the Land of the Free, will be home to hundred or so journalists as the
International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP) holds their triennial world congress on
October 9-17, 2004 at Bangkok, Thailand. The second time a country in Asia will host
said congress; first time was at New Delhi, India.
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In preparation for this international event, Mr. Joseph Chitilapilly, secretary general of
UCIP visited the venue for inspection. Prior to the visit, he met with possible delegates
of the Catholic press in the Philippines during his overnight stop over in a dinner forum.

In his talk, he gave an orientation of what UCIP is and how it is distinct from other media
organizations. UCIP is a network of Catholic journalists from all over the world working
in the secular, religious and Catholic and even in Muslim press. An organization which
gives deep emphasis on value-oriented journalism and the works of young journalists
worldwide.

This year’s theme: Media Challenges Amidst Cultural and Religious Pluralism: For a
new social order, justice and peace

The full day exposure and study tour experience, sharing and interacting with journalists
around the world are the attractions of the UCIP World Congress aside from bringing the
journalists to discover Thailand, its scenery, landscape, cultures and peoples.

Target of the congress are the local press of each member countries (America, Europe,
Africa and Asia). However, estimated cost of participating in the congress is Euro 500-
1,000 (P 65-70,000). This would cover the registration (Euro 200/person), transportation,
Thai Airways ($200/person), accommodation, residence ($ 250/10 days), meals (Euro
100), exposure/excursion (Euro 100), congress book (Euro 40) and at least extra money
for emergency needs. For Asian and African “participants,” it would be rather difficult to
raise such funds.

UCIP calls for unity and camaraderie and appeal to those who can help media ministries
here in the Philippines in any little way they can to attend said congress and share the
experience of discovery and learning media in a new perspective.

PONDO ng PINOY
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In the forum, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales stressed on the increasing level of poverty
citing the 53% of Filipinos living below the poverty line, first time ever since the
founding of Manila as a city. During the 1950s, slums were in one concrete, definite
place such as Intramuros, Bago Bantay and Sapang Palay. “Now they are everywhere.”

Pondo ng Pinoy is a renewal movement that will alleviate the poor with the use of crumbs
and bits of food. He stressed, “the way to heaven is through small little ways, small steps
to progress and advancement. Christ uses small things like mustard seeds.”

The movement is education, a catechesis of a new mental behavior. This will be launched
on June 11-12, 2004. It is a community foundation that relies heavily on the “theology of
crops.”

“Nobody will be spared,” the Archbishop said. All will be asked to gather bits and
crumbs of food, a total of 25 centavo charity, if counted per person. Likewise, nobody is
also allowed to contribute more than a peso. An education module will also be released
for the guidance of all, even the poor is required to donate.

“Charity is a way of life. It is time to democratize ‘charity’ that rich people are not the
only one who can be charitable,” the Archbishop said. This time, “we are all working
with the poor.”

The Catholic Press Forum was held at St. Paul’s Quezon City, April 26, 2004.
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Spirituality of Filmmaking

In an attempt to understand ‘secular’ spirituality in media in an experiential level,

Film and TV Director-- Mr. Jeffrey Jeturian shared his challenges, struggles and
experiences as a film director in the forum, “Spirituality of Filmmaking.”

“Why be a sex film as a take off to discuss something like spirituality,” Jeturian
began and added that he believes an artist’s work is a reflection of his soul, beliefs, values
and principles.

He confessed that “TUHOG”, his second film after PILA BALDE, is a very
personal creation because it shows the type of filmmaker he wants to be.

“TUHOG” is described as “a film in a film.” It presented two different kinds of

film: the first version is the “real without fun fare” story of incest, wherein the father had
sexual relations with both his daughter (by his wife) and daughter/granddaughter (by his
daughter); and the film version of the incest story which was described by Jeturian as full
of ‘sensationalism.’ Both the mother and daughter agreed to sell their story and because
of that “loses their propriety over the truth.” The director and producer where they sold
their story decided to make the film “very bold” and doing so distorted the truth. After
watching their own film, the mother and daughter left the cinema and felt being raped all
over again.

The two versions were presented simultaneously – scene from real life and then
scene from film version. This was made to provide a point of comparison – to attack and
give a counter message to what Jeturian says as “gratuitous and exploitative films.”

“TUHOG” is his rebellion against the film industry. He shared that as production
assistant he had to attend production meetings before and he observed that discussions
centered on the “sex element” of the story, how the love scenes would be shot rather than
concentrating more on what the film is trying to say and its message. With this frame of
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thinking, issues as painful as incest or rape presented in bold/erotic films loses the reality
of its trauma because erotic element of the scenes diffuses the pain.

Another statement that the film wanted to convey was the manipulation of media
and how people are often helpless because media is such a big entity. In the film, both
main female characters were an extension of the helpless audience. Jeturian challenges
the audience to analyze and discern well the films they watch. Often people are easily
deceived by films especially those that are well-made technically but actually very poor
in message. That audience should be clear and aware whether a film is for entertainment
only or if it conveys a message, an ideology, an advocacy, a teaching or a value. He also
added how most television programs based on supposed to be true-to-life stories are very
far from reality.

How does he prepare himself before making a film, does he attend retreats or has
quiet moments? He said that his preparation is a talk with his scriptwriter. “My greatest
fear is if I am not able to execute the way the material was written, I agonize over that.”

A Carmelite sister who worked in the rural areas shared and affirmed how films
are very powerful tools to educate. In the film, she shared that what was “strongly
realistic” was the poverty and that the “powerful message” that struck her in the film was
the father’s sense of ownership to his family. It reveals the “patriarchal system” that the
society is caught especially the poor. “I was looking at it from the pastoral point of view
and it encourages a commitment towards the re-education of women towards the system
we have to be careful of.”

Jeturian gives the film industry hope through the independent filmmakers and
producers. He stressed that “politics” has been destroying the film industry – the
producers and directors who “continually prostitute their art in the name of commerce.”

The sharing confirms what Prof. Kees Waaijman talked about in his article, “How
to Contextualize Spirituality?” that ‘secular’ spirituality, based on his working with
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people in Holland, was people working in education, health care, in the factories and
working in mass media. From the experience, “I’ve learned to develop spirituality from
within: What is spirituality of health care?” and now, what is spirituality of filmmaking?
He explained that the basic form of secular/lay spirituality is realized within the course of
a person’s life. Life itself is the material of spirituality – “my birth, personal
relationships, weak and strong sides, life and death and home,” are the categories of lay
spirituality.

The Spirituality of Filmmaking held last March 27, 2004 at Titus Brandsma
Center is the first of a series of fora on media and spirituality to be organized by the
Center for Spirituality- Manila and the Titus Brandsma Media Program, the Carmelite
Media Ministry of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines. This event was in
cooperation with the Philippine Church Communicators Network, an alliance of
journalists, correspondents, researchers and spiritual directors in communication and
media.

YCPF Corner

From the YCPF Director

This year the Young Carmel Philippines Foundation is given opportunity by the editorial
staff to put forward regular news bulletin pertaining to YCPF activities as well as to
publish new members and birthday celebrants of the said foundation.

I would like to express my gratitude to the staff for their overflowing support to promote
Carmel Foundation within and outside the country through this endeavor. This might help
me as the director of the foundation to continuously get in touch with and paid tribute to
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our members who have animated our Carmelite presence in the Philippines towards self-
reliance and independence.

This is also the time to be proud of extending this invitation for membership to all people
who are longing for an affiliation to a religious Order, and are very much willing to share
their time and resources for the education of the Carmelite seminarians.

Since January I had visited TOC Communities to introduce YCPF and its Orientation.
My great appreciation to the TOC's of Fatima, Tarlac, Cabanatuan, Guiguinto and
Kamias for their hospitality during my visit. I encouraged everyone to patronize
our Carmelite Mass Card, for the promotion of our Patroness, Our Lady of Mt.Carmel.

And we're happy to inform you that YCPF has an ongoing "Our Lady of Mt.Carmel Feast
Day -Raffle Draw." The Draw will be on July 16, 2004 and will be held in Titus
Brandsma Center. Proceeds will go to education of the Calced Seminarians. Tickets are
already distributed to the different TOC's and Carmelite
Communities.

(Picture of Raffle Ticket)...

For more information, you may contact our national office located at #28 Acacia St.,New
Manila, Quezon City with the telefax #02-7258167 or email us at
young_carmelphils@yahoo.com.

May God's blessing be upon us, and may he give us the strength to realize our project,
Philippine Carmel Independence.

YCPF Pledger's Birthday for the month of MAY

* LUZON
 20

4 Maria Flordeliza Conejos

6 Carmelo Castillo
7 Eufrosina De leon
8 Susana Asuncion
13 Carmelita Dela Cruz
Gliceria M. Guerrero
Neneth Paliza
16 Pete Tan
17 Sr.Mercedes P. Castro,TOC
Elsa Manalili
18 Mariel Umila
19 Ruby Borja
20 Rosario Abarro
Nikki Tangcuangco
21 Jesus Remendado Jr.
22 Sr. Onnie Guevarra, TOC
Sr.Florecita Monilla, TOC
24 Atty. Luis Ma. Jose Sison
25 Sr. Nimfa Tangcuangco, TOC
28 Celestina Baldedara
31 Virgilio Miguel

* VISAYAS
1 Jose Sabac
3 Violeta Aoyama
7 Eufrocina Barbajo
23 Ruby Escobal
25 Dr. Rori Cayone

* MINDANAO
10 Antonia Fortun
 21

14 Teresita Bernal
17 Norma Dagaang
18 Julieto Hibaya
21 Quil Bayla

YCPF Pledger's Birthday for the month of JUNE

* LUZON
3 Corazon Baltazar
Oliva Abbot
4 Adelaida Ayroso
Cynthia Lustre
Atty. Carmel Grace Paredez
6 Jennifer Gaspar
Ma.Cristina Abad
Corazon Reyes
10 Jethro Aileron Bueno
11 Emma Ariola
14 Consejo Abustan
Erlinda Navalez
15 Vilma Malig
Michael Dennis David
16 Sr.Estelita Songcog,TOC
19 Portia Manga
21 Estela Payongayong
23 Atty. Agripinio Galvez
24 Ramona Racho
Dra. Natividad Santos, TOC
26 Juanita Mares
Teresita Velando
 22

29 Mia Reyes
30 Felicidad Pagtalunan

* VISAYAS

2 Febe Tan
Rhodora Artajo
5 Maria Alicia Sabac
12 Corazon Hinolan
Alicia Contiga
Tonette Sadaya
22 Linda Capa
26 Virgie Pastor
27 Leticia de Guzman
Diabel "Mimi" Rodriguez
29 Petring Cordova

* MINDANAO

4 Mrs. Contreras
5 Sofia Jaramillo
7 Jeremias Salapang
9 Rosalina Go

Titus Brandsma Corner

 23

Struggle to Maintain Contemplative Life

The mitigation of the Rule did not accomplish all that was expected. In theory the
trouble life seems to have been provided for; in practice, however, after a period of
fervent progress, the active life seemed to destroy the contemplative. In the succeeding
century this discrepancy gave rise to grave misgivings among the more contemplative
souls. So serious had their doubts become that Nicholas, the Frenchmen, the seventh
General and successor of St. Simon Stock, and Theodoric, his successor, finding the
responsibility too great, retired from their high office to live lives of solitaries. Nicholas
was a true contemplative and gave expression to his ideals in language intense and
impassioned. For him contemplation was the high and inalienable ideal of the Order and
he warns his brethren against the active life. He saw only too well that many would lose
their spirit of union with God by an activity not always necessary. With deep regret he
saw that many, betrayed by a too great, retired from their high office to live lives of
solitaries. Nicholas was a true contemplative and gave expression to his ideals in
language intense and impassioned. For him contemplation was the high and alienable
ideal of the Order and he warns his brethren against the active life. He saw only too
well that many would lose their spirit of union with God by an activity not always
necessary. With deep regret he saw that many, betrayed by a too absorbing activity, were
wandering far from the spirit of the first Fathers on Mount Carmel. Yet although this
may be true, the life of many Saints in the Order proves that the true spirit of the Order
could still live and flourish under the new conditions.

The Beauty of Carmel

By: Titus Brandsma Center, pages 53-54 ]
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