Sr. Sto Niño de Kalibo 2020

Here we go again! Many people celebrate the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño here in Kalibo but only few understand why we celebrate the said feast. Even some Kalibeños or Kalibonhons are confused about the reason for the celebration. Why? This is because of the various versions of its origin.

When we were young, we used to present the “Barter of Panay Reenactment” during our Boy Scouts’ gathering or camping. We were told then that “Kalibo Ati-Atihan” started when in 1200 A.D., ten Bornean Datus led by Datu Puti were allowed to settle in Panay Island by the Ati tribe, in exchange for a golden salakot, brass basins, bales of cloth and a long necklace. A celebration followed thereafter the exchange. Because of this story of “Barter of Panay”, it is said that the celebration was originally a pagan festival. It was only during the Spanish Period that the Catholic Church placed a Christian meaning on it and celebrated it as a religious festival through what is called inculturation.

However, on May 9, 2013, it was written in Madyaas Pen, a local newspaper, by Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, that there was no Barter of Panay that ever happened between the Bornean Datus and the Aeta natives, not so in any province in Panay Island, neither in Aklan. This statement was stressed by Professor Jose Eleazar Bersales and in so far as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts were concerned, the Barter of Panay is a hoax. It was also said that Ati-Atihan all over Aklan have no historical basis. It could never be associated with an event which never happened.

With this contention, there is no good reason to celebrate an event when the event that gives us reason to celebrate does not exist at all. We have to settle then with this knowledge that the origin of our celebration here in Kalibo can never be farther from the celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño in Cebu. It is written in history that the statue of the Sto. Niño was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. This Sto. Niño was given by Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift after the latter’s baptism to Christianity. The devotion to the Sr. Sto. Niño is neither a legend nor a fiction but factual and real. This is why the former Bishop of Kalibo, Msgr. Gabriel V. Reyes exhorted the local government of Kalibo then to call this celebration as Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan and not only Kalibo Ati-Atihan. This is why we celebrate this feast in honor of our dear Sto. Niño because Sr. Sto. Niño is real and historical to us. This is why we shout out loud: Viva kay Sr. Sto. Niño and not Viva Datu Puti. The origin of this celebration is our devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño, and the reason why we celebrate this feast is Sr. Sto. Niño Himself who works in our personal story and even in our history.

I remember when I was assigned at St. Jude Parish, a woman was carrying her 5 year old son and she asked me to bless the dress which her son would wear. Some minutes after the blessing, I was surprised to see the boy dressed up as a Sr. Sto. Niño. But I was even surprised to learn that the woman was not a Catholic. She said she must have dressed her son in a Sr. Sto. Niño costume to express her gratitude to God. She said she gave birth to a dying son and someone told him to pray to Sr. Sto. Niño to save his life. She made then a promise to provide her son a dress like that of the Sr. Sto. Niño if her prayer for her son would be granted. The rest of her story is now a religious history.

This is why my dear friends, do not forget the religious or spiritual reason for this celebration –i.e., to foster our devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño. But this is more complicated nowadays. The government’s main thrust in celebrating the feast is to promote tourism and not to foster our devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño. This was the reason why the former President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared our celebration of the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño as the “Mother of all Philippine Native Festivals” to promote Kalibo as a premier tourism destination in Aklan aside from Boracay. She even “sadsad” after giving this statement to Aklanons in 2006. With her declaration, it boosts tourism in Kalibo. This sounds good for our local economy but not so good for the Church. Let us compare the former president’s declaration with the Holy See’s declaration that the Minor Basilica of the Holy Child or Sr. Sto. Niño in Cebu is the Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines. After the Sinulog Festival, people still go there to the church because of their devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño. Even without the festival, guests and tourists enter the church as pilgrims. How about us in Kalibo? After the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan, can we still see devotees and pilgrims in our Cathedral praying before our dear Sto. Niño? Hopefully, we Kalibonhons, do not forget, we have the duty to foster our devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño and be proud to cry aloud, “Viva kay Sto. Niño!”

PI Thaddeus and Cresta Lyn's Wedding

PI and Tata, let me tell you today how I made my homily for your wedding; it was with difficulty. Why? Well, this is my first time to deliver a wedding homily for my very own nephew -the son of my brother. I have already written three books about marriages and wedding. I have also delivered many wedding homilies. I have done what I have to do as a priest to preserve the sanctity of marriage. But today is different, I am not just speaking as a priest but above all as an uncle to you PI and Tata.  So, how shall I deliver my wedding homily today? With pleasure.  

PI and Tata, most couples who passionately love each other dream of a great wedding. But a great wedding is subjective. A wedding may be great to both of you but it may not be so to other couples. Be that as it may, a great wedding simply means a celebration of love between a man and a woman. Without love, the  wedding may still be in the public eye, it may run viral, it may go trending and the couple may become briefly famous, yet what will happen to their married life after it (the wedding)?

PI and Tata, history tells us there were great weddings but they never ended great due to the absence of love. Among those was the wedding of the century, the wedding between Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana which took place in 1981 and was watched by millions of people on television. But in 1992, they announced their separation. Then there was this celebrity wedding, the wedding between Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston who seemed to be a perfect couple. In year 2000, Brad Pitt and Aniston had their great wedding with classy decorations at their wedding venue, with multiple bands and fireworks galore. In 2005, they ended their marriage in divorce. I tell these to you PI and Tata, so that you should know that love matters to throw the best wedding ever. No matter how much you spend on this wedding, without love, it cannot guarantee a happy marriage.  

PI and Tata, I know you love each other. Tata, I remember the first time PI introduced you to me as his friend. I know he is not a good liar because the truth is -you are the only person, the only woman whom he has allowed to enter their home. Since birth, PI had never been with a woman except for his mother and sister. I know you are special to him. You are special to him because you make him feel loved. 

I remember when you PI got sick, it was discovered that you have had a heart problem. Your uncle Boyet and uncle Randy immediately advised you to see Dr. Jessore Ibabao Isidro because he is the best doctor who can help you with your medical condition. Then came my advice; I told you to look for someone to love and be loved. Right there and then, you brought Tata into your family home. Tata patiently took care of you until you finally met Dr. Isidro. PI, your doctor gives you a healthy heart while Tata gives you a loving heart.  

PI and Tata, I know you love each other that is why you have this great wedding. You both have the P-assion, I-ntimacy and T-rust. You also are C-ommitted and L-oving to each other. But PI and Tata, how shall this great wedding end? What is next after #PInally got Cresta?  

Obviously, your flowers and wedding bouquet wither, your wedding dress is kept, your printed wedding invitations go straight to the trash, no more leftover food and drinks to take home, your guests go home, you make your wedding announced officially in Facebook letting the world know you are "Married" and then  have your honeymoon. Of course, after the wedding, you open all of your cards and wedding presents and finally look at your wedding pictures and post them in Facebook as a sequel to your prenuptial photos. But I tell you PI and Tata, sooner or later, you will realize you barely remember the details of this wedding. Like what some married couples experienced with their wedding, your wedding day goes by in flash and the details of which are blurry. This is why you have your prenuptial photos and wedding pictures -to capture the day you celebrate love. Yet, even with those photos which remind you of how you celebrate love, you will struggle to keep your love alive. 

Once the passion to celebrate love runs out, there is a risk to fall out of love. Such was the experience of the unnamed couple during their wedding at Cana. The Gospel of John 2: 1-12 tells us that during the wedding, the wine ran out. Interpreted allegorically, "the wine runs out" connotes a lack of joy or that the passion to celebrate love runs out. Thanks to Jesus through the intercession of Mama Mary, a miracle happened that the best wine was served to save the couple on their wedding day from embarrassment. 

PI and Tata, I ask you then, "What shall you do when the wine will run out?" When there is no more passion to celebrate love, will you run away Tata and await for PI to get you back into his arms to suit the theme, PI finally got Cresta? Will you turn your back PI on Tata to let her feel that nobody has got her back? I hope not. I rather ask you to go to the Church together and pray incessantly to celebrate love.  

PI and Tata, I have counseled many couples with various kinds of marital problems and I have to be honest to tell you this -when marriage is at its worst, only prayer can bring the best out of which. Most married couples in difficult situations and strained relations only need prayers. It is true, prayer is more effective than any advice.  

PI and Tata, when you pray together and ask for the intercession of Mama Mary and for the presence of Jesus Christ in your married life, there will be miracles in your marriage like what Jesus did during the wedding at Cana. Thus, PI and Tata, pray incessantly to celebrate love. So that you will not forget this, remember the first letters of your names PIT-CL -Pray Incessantly To Celebrate Love.  

And as I end my homily, let me pray this to you PI and Tata, "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." (Numbers 6: 24-26) 

PI and Tata, have a happy married life. Amen.

Eliana and Boom's Wedding

Today is a very extra-ordinary day to celebrate love in a wedding. I say this because December 12, 2012 or 12-12-12 happens only once in our lifetime. In addition, number 12 is rich with significance like there are 12 animals in a chinese calendar, 12 zodiac signs, 12 tribesof Israel, 12 disciples of Jesus, 12 months in a year, 12 hours for A.M. and another 12 hours for P.M. to  make a one whole day. 

My dear Eliana and Boom, as you celebrate your love today, you also want to convey to the world that your wedding is an extra-ordinary event or occasion.  But how do you make your wedding an extra-ordinary one aside from the date 12-12-12 which happens only once in our lifetime? Well, Eliana and Boom, you have an extra-ordinary story of love and relationship. Boom, you have met many women but you have chosen Eliana to be your partner. Eliana, you also have met many men, but you have chosen Boom to be your beloved. Aside from this fact, a teacher helped you to build love in your relationship, which means she chose both of you to be together. She trusted both of you that you can make a difference in the field of love. Eliana and Boom, trust also yourselves that you can make a difference.

In many cases of marital break-ups or troubled marriages, couples forget to make a difference in their lives. After their wedding, their interest for each other fades as they see their marital life monotonous and ordinary. They wake up, they have their breakfast, they go to work, they come home and everything is just customary, everything is part of an ordinary routine including their kiss. But for you Eliana and Boom, try to make a difference each day. When you are happy, praise God. When you encounter problems in life or you are in a conflicting situation, hold each other's hands and face everything as a partner. See each other as a solution to any problem and not as a problem to be solved. Then pray to God. By these, you can make a difference.

But  remember also that to make a difference is not easy. We are human beings and being human, we have limitations. Eliana and Boom, there are times that you reach your limits especially in expressing your love. You get tired, bored,doubtful, etc. and you do not feel that passion to love each other. When this happens to you, please be patient to each other. When you find yourselves quarreling, shouting, screaming or crying, please see to it that after the quarreling, shouting, screaming or crying, you do not forget how your love begins. End the day by recalling the happy moments you have had as partners. Make it your daily habit to spend your day with a happy ending.

To end my homily, Eliana and Boom your wedding has no magic to make you happy. Rather it is both of you who can make this wedding a happy event or occasion when you are happy being together. You can notice that your family and friends are at the back. Yes they love you. They can give you some advice on how to make your marriage a happy marriage. But the secret of a happy marriage is not so much about the strategies or techniques (most marriage counselors are also separated) they give. You can build a happy marriage when both of you remain in the love of God. Be focused on God who is the source of love. He said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love" (John 15:10). Eliana and Boom, if God is with you, your marriage shall remain extra-ordinary as it is only in Him that you can love with an unconditional love. Thus, pray to God, stay in love. Amen.

Lovely and Gliford's Wedding

Lovely and Gliford, long have you lived your life by simply existing. But you know and feel deep inside you, you do not just live for the sake of living. You know that life is more worth living when there is happiness.  This is the reason why every time something bad happens in your life, initially you react negatively, yet you bounce back over time. You believe that life must go on. You believe there is happiness and that happiness comes in God's time. Then one day, it happens that God leads you to each  other. It happens that you realize the time you spend for each other is a moment of happiness. So here you are now. You are happy to be together that is why you decide to get married.

But take note, Lovely and Gliford,  it does not always mean that when both of you are happy, you will also have a happy marriage. There is a distinction between personal happiness and marital happiness. Lovely, I am sure you are happy as a lawyer and you are happier to be with Gliford, a nurse, and soon to be a doctor. Gliford, I am sure you are happy too as a nurse and you are happier to marry Lovely, a lawyer. This is your personal happiness. This personal happiness of yours may affect your marital relationship positively. Positively, in the sense that with your job, you can secure a better future. With your combined work force, what else would you ask from you partner in marriage? You have money, property and industry. You have all the reasons to feel fulfilled and live a life of happiness. You have a very ideal wedding as both of you enter into this with emotional maturity and financial stability.

However, you should be aware that your personal happiness may affect your marriage negatively. Sometimes, your work demands from you most of your time. You have to respond to a call beyond your duty. This means that at some point in your life, you have to sacrifice your marriage for a greater cause i.e., service to mankind. Gliford, I personally know Lovely being my classmate in the College of Law. She often forgets herself just to serve and help those who are in need. In this sense, your marriage is not one without a struggle.

But Lovely and Gliford, this does not mean there is no happy marriage for you. There is a happy marriage as long as both of you never give up despite the struggle. A happy marriage is your reason why every time something bad happens in your married life, you must bounce back over time. Believe that married life must go on. Believe there is a marital happiness and that happiness in marriage comes from God. As you struggle to get hold of happiness in your marriage, and you find yourselves beset by your weaknesses and imperfections, just let God be your guide.

Lovely, remember when Gliford extended a friend request to you on your Facebook account, you could have ignored or deleted his name in your list like what you have done to others. But God is good. God has guided you to give a special attention to Gliford's name.  Gliford, if Lovely had not accepted your friend request, you could have go on with your life without her. You do not just waste your time with people who make you feel unimportant. But God is good. God has guided you to express your particular interest to Lovely. Lovely and Gliford, nothing happens by chance. Everything about the two of you happens because God has guided you.

If you think that Dr. Porferio G. Bullo has guided you to know each other, well, believe that it is God who has guided Dr. Bullo to make all these happen. It is God who has guided you to celebrate this wedding! Therefore, remain in Him; for in Him alone your happiness is made complete. Jesus Christ confirmed this when He said, "Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete" (John 16: 24).

Moreover, Lovely and Gliford, a happy marriage is not made by chances. Rather, it is a gift from God. Yours then is a happy marriage as you believe that God has lead you to each other and to no other. Believe also that what God has joined together, no one can put asunder (Mark 10:9). Just like the marriage of St. Joseph and Mary, your marriage is in accordance with the will of God. Gliford, you are from Banga, Aklan and the patron saint of your place is St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph was married to Mary, the Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of Batan, Aklan where Lovely comes from. I say this again, just like St. Joseph and Mary's marriage is according to the will of God, yours too is according to the will of God. As your marriage is in accordance with the will of God, yours will be a happy marriage. So be happy together. Amen.