Archbishop Calls for Continue Battle against Immorality

(Batangas City) –  ”Let not the Evil One triumph in our midst!”

This battle cry echoed in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in this city as it opened  the nine-day preparation for the traditional fiesta

of

the city’s patron,  Sto. Nino, on Januray 16.  In his homily he mentioned the proliferation of lodges, which he said everybody a

greed that these are not places where families can go.

“Lodges, motels and the like are places which promote infidelity among married couples.  They victimize mostly young girls, who are in dire need of money to support their lifestyle or school expenses,” he continued.

 

 

He also cited the impertinence of some people who put up a tent which caters to number games — jueteng or the legal STL — adjacent to the wall of the Basilica.  Before the Mass,  he was led by Fr. Nonie Dolor, director-manager of the local church’s radio station, to see the place where the tent once stood.  Apparently,  this was dismantled just that morning by the local security men of the City hall.  The priest-mediaman showed the Archbishop a picture taken of the tent which shows the results of the number game, among others.

He also called on Batanguenos to continue to fight the RH Law, as this lessens the dignity of people.  He urged his listeners to “paint the province red”, referring to the red ribbon campaign launched by pro-lifers, to signify the opposition to the recently-signed and published RH Law.

“Let us show that we Batanguenos support our congressmen who voted No to the Bill when it was put into vote in the House,”  he explained.  The putting of ribbons all over the province was one gift he asked of those who greeted him in his 19th episcopal anniversary last January 6.

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Marian Regatta at Taal Lake to be Held Annually!

(Lipa City) –  It’s final!  The Marian Regatta at the scenic Taal Lake will become a yearly affair, and for next year 2013,  San Nicolas will again be the host town among the 12 towns surrounding the lake.  This the Executive Committee, headed by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, decided during the evaluation meeting held last December 5 at the Archbishop’s Residence.  

The Committee cited the successful launching of the first-ever fluvial procession around the Volcano.  The unexpected attendance, not only of local devotees but also of other devotees coming from Manila and even from overseas, was seen as a propitious kick-off activity to the annually held National Marian Pilgrimage to Lipa for Reconciliation, Peace and Sanctification of the Clergy, held every September 12.  

In choosing San Nicolas to be again the host parish/town of the Regatta 2013,  the Committee said that the parish/town’s accessibility to the participants is the number 1 factor in the successful holding of the first regatta.  The Mayor of San Nicolas, Hon. Epifanio Sandoval, and the parish priest, Fr. Sabas Titular, readily accepted this decision and vowed to prepare way ahead and outdo the celebration held last year in the same venue.  

Archbishop Arguelles said that he was overwhelmed at the devotion showed during this first fluvial procession, which drew the participation of more than 300 vessels coming not only from the 12 towns surrounding the lake but also from the towns outside the lake.  The vessels were adorned not only by flowers but also carried the Marian images that were the objects of veneration in their parishes.  On the other hand, the local and provincial governments saw this as also good vehicle for promoting tourism.  Governor Vilma Santos Recto led local government officials in joining this primarily religious activity.  

“This is our way of honoring the Mother of God during her birthday.  We also show our gratitude to God for sparing Batangas from calamities.  We offer prayers so that the Volcano would do less harm, if ever,” so said the actress-turned-governor.  

The Executive Committee, on the suggestion of the Archbishop, re-appointed Fr. Eleuterio Ramos, parish priest of Alitagtag town, one of the towns around Taal Lake, to be the over-all chairman of next year’s festivities.  It also re-appointed Mr. Pepe Alcantara, a resident of San Nicolas and a non-government official, as the co-chair.  It would name the chairmen of the ad-hoc committees like program, invitation, security and promotion.  It would also name coordinators from the Chancery, Provincial Government, and other Sectors to the Executive Committee.    

Balangakas ng Bagong Buong Commission on Clergy, Iniulat

Nagdaos ng kanilang unang pagpupulong ang bagong buong Commission on the Clergy sa pamumuno ni Rdo. P. Cecilio Arce.  Nag-ulat ang huli ng kanilang binalangkas sa regular na pagpupulong ng klero noong ika-12 ng buwang kasalukuyan sa St. Therese Hall,  Carmel Lipa.

Ayon kay P. Cecil, limang aspekto ng buhay ng mga pari ang kanilang pinagtuunan:  ang psycho-spiritual, ang academic-pastoral-cultural aspect, health & sports, events coordination, at priests-in-special-situations.   Si Rdo. P. Jojo Mendoza (kinatawan ng Bikariya 2)  at Rdo. P. Jojo Gonda (kinatawan ng Bikariya 6) ang napagpasyahan ng kanilang komisyon na manguna sa pagtingin sa aspectong pang-psycho-spiritual;  Rdo. P. Junie Maralit (rektor ng Seminaryo Teolohiko) at Rdo. P. Toter Rosuello (rektor ng Seminaryo Menor)  ang mangangasiwa sa aspectong academic-pastoral-cultural ng mga klero.  Ang mga batang pari, Rdo. P. Gerard Macalinao (kinatawan ng Bikariya 3)  at Rdo. Rolan Indicio, OSJ, (kinatawan ng Bikariya 4) ang naatasang pangunahan ang aspetong health & sports.  Sa mga pagtitipon para sa gawain ng mga pari,  si Rdo. P. Edd Pagcaliuangan (kinatawan ng Bikariya 1) at Rdo. P. Junjun Ramos (kinatawan ng Bikariya 7) ang magiging tagapamahala.

Binigyan-linaw din ng chairman ng komisyon na kailangang pagtuuan din ng pansin at tulungan ng komisyon ang mga paring nasa sa natatanging situwasyon.   Dalawang konsiderasyon, aniya ang dapat isaalang-alang:  una, kung sino ang nais italaga ng Arsobispo na maging gabay ng nasabing pari, at ikalwa,  ang pari mismo ang magmumungkahi ng kapwa-paring may tiwala siyang gumabay sa kanya.

“Ang mahalaga ay di ito dapat kaligtaan,” giit ni P. Cecil. “Kailangang matulungan ang kapatid na paring malalagay sa kakaibang situwasyon.”

Making Sure of its Safety

(San Nicolas, August 31,2012) – The Executive Committee for the first-ever Marian Regatta at Taal Lake is not taking any chances.  It is bent in making this a prayerful and joyful celebration of Mama Mary’s birthday on September 8;  it is also bent in making this as safe and pleasurable as any fluvial procession should be.

 At 6:00 am this morning, a simulation of the fluvial procession around the Taal Volcano was conducted.  From the 12 different ports coming from the towns surrounding the lake took off bancas carrying passengers and traversed the sleepy lake.  According to Police Col. Ferdinand de Castro, Deputy for Operations of Batangas PNP, the lake was calm and barring any change of weather,  the time set for the procession was just best suited for such activity. Each of the contingent coming from the different take off points from the town of San Nicolas (host town/parish), Talisay, Laurel, Tanauan, Balete, Lipa City, Mataas na Kahoy, Cuenca, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita and Alitagtag was led by their respective Chief of Police (COPs).  The Mayors of San Nicolas, Agoncillo, and Sta. Teresita joined their delegation during the dry run.

The two radio stations of the Archdiocese provided contact among them, interviewing them during the one-hour radio test.  Fr. Edgar Villostas, who came along with his Mayor and other people, expressed his elation over the successful run-test.  He said it would only take minor adjustments to make the September 8 affair perfect.  For his part, Fr. Jing Buensalida, parish priest of Talisay who also joined the dry-run,  enjoined all to pray so that September 8 would have as calm and good weather as it was today.  

Organizers are expecting more than a thousand boats to participate in this singular event,  which hopes to provide the province tourism the needed boost.  

 

Marian Regatta . . . Its Social Implications

           Taal Lake (and Volcano) is the heart of Batangas!

            According to Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, it was His Emminence, Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales who has implanted this in the minds of Batanguenos. That is the reason that the official logo of the Archdiocese and many Catholic institutions always include this God-given gift of nature that belongs to the 7 wonders of the world.  The same Lake cum Volcano finds its way to many a government logo, making it the identity of Batangas, alongside the famous balisong. 

            Ironically, it took an outsider to come up with the brilliant idea of a  Marian Regatta to be held around the Lake and Volcano.  The date set is September 8, the Church’s date for the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The local church authorities, led by our outspoken Archbishop, saw this as an opportune kick-off event in preparation for the well-established Marian Pilgrimage to Lipa to culminate on September 12.  This year is the 9^th of such event which aims to pray for world peace and reconciliation, and the sanctification of the Clergy, calling on the intercession of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.  This is a devotion surprisingly more actively attractive for the people in Mindanao and Northern Luzon. This year a group of around 150 Malaysians informed the organizers that they will be coming to pay tribute to the Lady, whose alleged appearance in 1949 to 1950 has caused a stir in the local church, reaching the very halls of Vatican.

            This is not only a religious event; it is cultural as well.  Taal Lake cum its volcano is a money-maker.  Local and foreign tourists usually flock to Tagaytay City, who actively sells and earn from the Taal scenery.  Tagaytay makes money from a Batangas property.  That is why a year back, it was erroneously reported that our Governor Star-for-all-Seasons planned to build a marker ala-Hollywood to declare and remind everybody that this is Batangas Province’s landmark and not Tagaytay’s.  Admittedly, Tagaytay has the better view from atop.

            What made Archbishop Ramon Arguelles agree at once to the proposal of a Marian Regatta is the fact that this occasion can very well be an evangelization event.  After all he has called for a Decade of  Evangelization and Renewal, following the Ruby Jubilee of the Archdiocese.

            It is timely to remind Batanguenos of how they have mis-used and abused this God-given gift to us.  The regatta which would entail a procession around the Volcano, moving clockwise from some 12 or 13 points around the Lake while reciting prayers invoking the Almighty to spare Taal (and the whole of Batangas Province) from the destructive activities of the very people to whom this was entrusted for them to use and enjoy.

            While the local church fully supports the provincial government’s drive against illegal fish cages and other unlawful practices by the so-called legal ones,  the Archdiocese maintains that there should be no commercial and big-time fish cages at all to maintain the freshness of the waters, home to indigenous tawilis and maliputo.  The local church frowns at the burgeoning fishing industry in the area, which grows tilapia and bangus, and other species posing danger to the native fish of Taal Lake.

            Care for environment is what this regatta highlights, aside from the devotional aspect of the event.  This first-time activity is jointly sponsored by the church, the provincial and local governments, and the private sector, including the resort owners around the lake.  This writer prays that Batanguenos see beyond the religious and cultural aspects of the regatta.  This should put our feet on the ground and see the importance of taking good care of Taal Lake!  Otherwise, its volcano might take an active part in reminding us of our responsibility – to keep Taal Lake clean, productive and aesthetically picturesque!

 

First Marian Regatta to Open 9th National Pilgrimage to Lipa

(San Nicolas, Batangas) –  The first-ever Marian Regatta to be held at scenic Taal Lake around its volcano will be held on September 8, birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This event, sponsored jointly by the Archdiocese of Lipa, the Provincial and local governments of Batangas, and private sectors, will serve also as the kick-off ceremonies for the forthcoming 9th Marian National Pilgrimage to Lipa on September 12.

Rev. Fr. Eleuterio Ramos, the over-all chairman, said that the theme “Taal Lake Batangas 2012, Marian Regatta:  A Fluvial Procession for Peace, Family and LIfe” jives very well with the local church’s advocacy on environment centering on Taal Lake, and the need for more awareness of the faithful about the importance to defend the family and life.  He said that the 13 municipal mayors surrounding the lake have agreed to promote this as they themselves would be beneficiaries from local and foreign tourists that would flock to witness this historic and first-ever regatta.

Mr. Pepe Alacantara, lay co-chairman for this event, disclosed that more than 50 boats with the images of the Blessed Virgin and their patron saints will participate in a synchronized  fluvial procession to be assisted by the Coast Guard,  the Maritime and the Provincial PNP.

“We will not be doing anything that will destroy the environment.  The local governments have committed to do the clean-up of whatever things that would be left at the lake after the event,”  he assured those who aired their concern over the materials to be used, and even the proposed fireworks display that would be one of the highlights of the event.

For his part,  Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles said that it is only right to bring to the attention of the Batanguenos to the plight of Taal Lake,  which he said, quoting his predecessor, Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales,  ”Taal Lake is the heart and identity of Batangas”.

“We should learn how to take care of the lake and its resources,” he said reiterating his plea for the fish cages to be dismantled and for the re-cultivation of the indigenous species that could only be found in Taal Lake.  ”We will storm heaven with prayers during the fluvial procession, which will have the two Lipa Marian images prominently participating — the Lady of Caysasay and Mary Mediatrix of all Grace.”

It was learnt that the Archbishop will bring the Blessed Sacrament around the lake.  Among the passengers in his boat will be Governor Vilma Santos Recto, who threw her full support to this project.  The Governor said that this is an opportune time to promote tourism around the lake,  which has a lot of resorts and other recreation centres, notably in San Nicolas, Talisay, Balete and Laurel, among others.