‘Salubong’: a display of unwavering faith even in modern times

‘Salubong’: a display of unwavering faith even in modern times

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

Caniogan Chapel. This is where the Salubong ends.

Barangay Caniogan in Malolos, Bulacan has a unique way of celebrating its patroness Maria Salome’s feastday every Easter Sunday.

It is marked by the traditional march well-known as Salubong from Sta. Isabel Church to the Caniogan Chapel.

The parade is well-celebrated because of its grand parade wherein numerous devotees from all over the province of Bulacan participate. During the parade, a re-enactment of Maria Salome’s visitation to the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning is done as a form of devotion.

Because Maria Salome is a witness who stood by Jesus during His crucifixion, and because she had an encounter with the Risen Christ, the devotees believe that she can bring miracles if they pray and silently ask for a wish while dancing during the parade.

Elisa Moncayo, a resident of Barangay Balayong in Malolos, Bulacan had a difficulty in getting pregnant when she got married when she was already past thirty. She and her husband also tried dancing in Obando, but to no avail.

Instead of consulting for a doctor again, Moncayo and her husband tried their luck in attending the Salubong which is commonly known as simply “Salome”.

“Akala namin sa Obando lang ang puwedeng humiling na magkaanak. Pero dahil siguro sa pananalig namin sa Salome, nagkatotoo ang hiling ko na mabuntis,” Moncayo said.

Rosalina Varino, also a resident of Malolos, believes her second life is indebted to the patroness. When she had a gunshoot in the chest eight years ago because of an unfortunate event, the bullet was left inside her body.

The week after she was released from the hospital, in hope that the bullet will not put her life in danger anymore, Varino was asked by a friend to participate in Salome. She wished for a longer life and after surviving a year with the bullet inside her body.

“Ginawa ko nang panata na kada taon, mag-sa-Salome ako. Bilang pasasalamat na rin na hanggang ngayon, buhay pa rin ako at dahil sa pananalig ko sa Salome, hindi na ko nangangamba na baka mamatay ako dahil sa bala sa katawan ko,” Varino said.

Another devotee shared her experience in attending Salome. Marlen Fronda Lazaro, a mother of three, during her first attending the feast day, prayed for her eldest daughter to pass the board exam for nurses. And her daughter did become a registered nurse.

“Nakakatuwa kasi unang beses ko `yong sumama sa Salome, `tapos natupad agad ang wish ko. Lumakas ang paniniwala ko sa Salome kaya ginawa ko na rin `yong panata,” Lazaro said.

But not all Bulakenyos believe in the miracle of Salome. The non-believers think that the devotees should keep their faith in moderation.

Ofelia Crisostomo, a housewife, said that people should not only believe in miracles, but they should act to create a miracle.

“Sabi nga, nasa tao ang gawa, nasa Diyos ang awa. Kung natupad man ang wish nila, siguro ay dahil pinagsikapan din nila. Pero hindi ko sinasabing hindi iyon himala. Siguro malakas lang talaga ang paniniwala nila,” Crisostomo said.

On the other hand, Romy Lazaro a fourty-year old construction worker said he would rather work than join the parade to make a wish.

“Siguro naniniwala sila kasi napatunayan na nila. Mahirap namang makialam sa paniniwala ng ibang tao, pero `yong paniniwala ko, matutupad ang pangarap ko kapag pinagtrabauhan,” the laborer said.

The Filipinos are known all over the world for their strong faith. They believe in miracles, and they are devotees of different churches, patron and patroness. Pastor Lino San Juan of Paombong, Bulacan who preaches in Campo Crame.

“Ang tao kasi, nais ng katunayan na totoo ang pinaniniwalaan nila. Dala na rin iyon ng matindi nilang pananalig na may sagot ang bawat pagsubok na dumaraan sa buhay nila. Hindi naman masama iyon, pero kailangan din alalahanin ng mga tao na piliin mabuti ang mga paniniwalaan nila at alamin muna kung may basehan ang mga ito,” San Juan Said.

Isang Paglalakbay: Ang Pugad Ng Natatagong Yaman ng Hagonoy

Isang Paglalakbay: Ang Pugad Ng Natatagong Yaman ng Hagonoy

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

                                     

 

Lakbay Coastal. Mga estudyante ng BAJ-3A.

Isang isla sa gitna ng karagatan. Ang Barangay Pugad sa Hagonoy, Bulacan ay napapaligiran ng tubig, kung kaya naman bangka ang nagiging tulay sa pagtawid ng mga mamayan mula sa isla, patungo sa patag.

Para sa mga taong nasanay sa malulubak, tuwid, mapuputik at baluktot na daan, ang pagsakay sa bangka papunta sa isang isla na malayu-layo sa sibilisasyon ay isang kalbaryo.

Para sa mga estudyanteng nasanay sa komportable – sabihin nang mahaba – na paglalakbay mula sa kanilang tahanan patungo sa unibersidad na halos dalawang oras ang biyahe, hindi pa rin iyon maikukumpara sa paggamit ng de-motor na bangka sa pagtawid sa tubig upang marating ang barangay na destinasyon ng pag-aaral.

Nag-aalok ng serbisyo ang Hagonoy, Bulacan na tinatawa na Lakbay Coastal, isang pagkakataon upang maranasan ang buhay sa isla, at pagkakataon na rin upang mapasyalan ang natatagong mukha ng isang lugar na inihihiwalay ng tubig sa siyudad.

Dumayo ang mga nasa ikatlong taon ng kursong Bachelor of Arts in Journalism mula sa Bulacan State University para sa pagkakataong masilip ang itinatagong yaman ng mga taga-Barangay Puagd – ang inosente at magagandang kislap ng ngiti sa mga mata ng kabataan.

Pagtapak pa lamang sa isla, sasalubong na ang amoy ng dagat, ang kapayakan ng mga bahay, at sabihin nang mukha ng kahirapan. Subalit ang unang aagaw sa iyong atensiyon ay ang nakangiti at mapagtanggap na mga mamamayan sa barangay.

At hahabulin ka ng mga batang nagkukulitan, mga batang punung-puno ng kuryosidad ang mga mata, mga batang nagbubungisngisan at nag-iiyakan.

Para sa isang estudyante na napapaligiran ng iba’t ibang eskuwelahang puwedeng pamiliin mula elementarya hanggang high school, nakakalungkot isipin na ang Barangay Pugad ay mayroon lamang paaralan para sa mga bata sa elementarya. Pagtuntong ng mga ito sa susunod na taon, kinakailangan na ng mga ito na magbiyahe sa bangka upang marating ang kabilang barangay kung saan may mataas na pamantasan.

Kung tatanungin ang mga bata kung nanaisin ba nila na tumira sa patag kung saan hindi nila kakailangang sumakay sa bangka at mabilad sa mainit na araw upang marating ang eskuwelahan, iisipin agad ng mga tagalabas na oo, gugustuhin ng mga paslit na tumakas sa lugar na iyon.

Subalit isang bungisngis na may kasabay na iling ang sagot ng karamihan.

Sina Angeline Tolentino at Mariel Lontic, kapwa nasa grade four at magkaklase, ay tumawa nang tanungin kung gugustuhin nilang lumpipat ng paaralan, subalit tumanggi sila at nagkasundo sa isang sagot kung bakit.

“Paglalaro,” sagot ng magkaibigan.

“Masaya rito kasi lahat kami, magkakakilala. Kapag walang pasok, sigaw-sigaw na lang,” paghahayag ni Tolentino.

Tinanong ang mga bata kung madalas bang bumagyo at mawalan ng pasok sa kanilang eskuwelahan dahil sa pagbaha, at positibong sumagot ang mga ito ng “oo”. Subalit hindi makikita sa mukha ng dalawa ang hirap.

“Magkakaibigan kaming lahat kasi magkakakilala na kami,” sagot ni Angeline Lontoc.

Angeline Tolentino (kaliwas) at Mariel Lontic (kanan)

Subalit para sa mga magulang, kung maaari lamang ay nais nilang magpatayo sana ang pamahalaan ng mataas na pamantasan upang hindi na kailangan pang lumayo ng mga bata kapag papasok sa eskuwelahan.

Si Josephine Atienza, ina ng tatlong bata, at may bunso na magtatapos ng elementarya ngayong taon, ay binabalak ipasok ang anak sa Ramona High School kung saan hindi maiiwasang bangkain ang lugar.

“Mas maganda talaga kung mayroon dito para ‘yong mga kabataan natututo at saka hindi na nakakapaglakwatsa,” sintimiyento ni Atienza.

Idinagdag naman ni Alfredo Fajardo, may dalawang anak, na mas makakatipid daw kung sana ay hindi na kailangang lumayo ng anak niyang nasa high school para mag-aral. Ang kanyang panganay ay labintatlong taong gulang at nag-aaral sa SACS (Saint Anne Catholis School), at nakatira ang kanyang anak sa hipag niya.

Subalit alam ni Fajardo na para sa ikatatagumpay ng kanyang anak, kailangan nilang magsakripisyo.

“Kasi dito sa amin kailangan magsipag para maidaos ‘yong pag-aaral,” sabi ni Fajardo.

Maaaring para sa mga nag-aalalang magulang, ninanais nila kung ano’ng mas makakabuti para sa kani-kanilang mga anak. Inaasam nilang mas mapadala ang buhay ng mga ito, upang hindi maranasan ng mga paslit ang hirap na kanilang naranasan.

Subalit para sa mga bata sa Barangay Pugad, hindi nila alintala ang mukha ng kahirapang nakikita ng mga tagalabas. Pero sa mga mata ng isang hindi kabilang sa isla, nakakalambot ng puso na makita ang kainosentihan at kasiyahan sa mga mata at mga ngiti ng mga musmos na normal lamang sumuong sa baha, normal lamang ang sumakay sa bangka at normal lamang na hilingin na sana, habambuhay nilang makalaro ang kanilang mga kaibigan.

Kung sana ay normal lang din sa pamahalaan ang sikaping pagandahin ang buhay ng mga tao sa Barangay Pugad, nang sa gano’n, hindi man lumisan sa isla ang mga bata na ito balang-araw, ay masiguro nating lahat na nasa mabuti silang kalagayan.

Dahil ang mga bata ito na mulat man sa kahirapan ng buhay, ay mga naitatagong yaman pa rin ng Hagonoy na kailangang pag-ingatan at linangin.

Soc Rodrigo (Unveiling of National Marker In His Ancestral House)

Blas Ople Day

Jasmin Lorraine Tan Character Profile

The underdog takes it all
By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

The underdog has turned into a monster, and if you are Jasmin Lorraine Tan, it's a good thing.

Tan, a 20-year old graduating Journalism student from Bulacan State University (BulSU) marks history before she leaves her Alma matter. Being the first Journalism major who takes the role of being the editor-in-chief of Pacesetter, BulSU's official student publication, she also serves as the "curse breaker" as the publication she leads once again reigned as champions after three years of placing second at the prestigious 13th Regional Higher Education Press Conference. After bagging gold medals for the Sports Writing, Devcomm and Opinion Writing English category, and for coming out as the individual highest pointer, the officials of the competition labeled Tan as a "monster".

"Beyond what words can describe," Tan explained her feelings after their big success. "Kailangan naming mag-champion, `yon talaga mindset ko."

Tan also expressed her joy for emerging as champions despite some people telling her that their batch is the weakest editorial board in Pacesetter history. But that wasn't the case when she was younger. Tan even believes that she has an unfortunate childhood, for she always struggled in reaching for her dreams. Tan finished her high school from Holy Spirit Academy and during her stay in the campus, she experienced being rejected from their school publication three times.

"Kahit sa mga essay writing contest within the school lang, hindi ako nag-pe-place," she said.

However, the rejection didn't disheartened her. During her freshman year in BulSU, she applied as a staffer in Pacesetter. This time, she finally made it in the cut. For a year, she became a newbie staff, a senior writer during her sophomore year and fortunately, she became the literary editor on her third year in the publication. But her time came during her senior year as she bested her other staffers for the EIC position. She became the first Journalism student to lead the publication.

Still, Tan has regrets during her four year stay in Pacesetter. "Kung gaano `yong tinagal ko sa Peys [Pacesetter] ngayong EIC na ko eh `yong dinalang ko naman no'ng literary editor ako. Sana mas naging malapit ako sa mga bata para hindi sila naiilang i-approach ako," Tan said.

Looking back, Tan said that she didn't expect to achieve everything she has won now. "Last year, ninth place lang ako sa Sports Writing," Tan said.

She then explained her "secret" for her success. "`Yong sports editor kasi naming noon, si Kuya Shin Jalothot, parati kaming pinagsusulat ng sports news."

Aside from being a trusted student-journalist, Tan is also an achiver in her academics. She is running for cum laude. She shared how she balanced her two responsibilities. "Nag-aaral ako sa acads at kapag papadilim na, saka ako mag-e- edit," she explained.

Inspite of her achievements, Tan admitted that her journey to success has never been easy. It was a road of tears and laughter, sucess and failure. But she gets her strength from the people who believes in her. "Sing dami ng iniisip ko ang mga taong sumusuporta sa akin," she said. The number of people who support her is overwhelming, and Tan humbly said that Jasmine Lorraine Tan is composed of three things: appreciation, love and respect."

Despite a good future ahead of her after college, Tan plans to take a break for at least one month after graduation instead of applying for a job. "Buong student life ko naman eh pagod na pagod na pagod na ko kaya magpapahinga muna ako," Tan explained.

She plans to work in a magazine, or in a broadsheet that fits her degree but she doesn't have a specific company in mind yet. Five years from now, Tan said she sees herself as a successful woman. "Someone na hindi na umaasa sa pamilya. Someone na sumusuporta na sa pamilya."

Tan also shared her motto ever since she was young that keeps her motivated. "Never think that God's delay is God's denial," Tan said. All of Tan's struggle has paid off, and she was grateful for it.

"Bawi na lahat ng failure ko simula kinder," Tan joked.

Students remark Angat Dam Break drill as a failure

Students remark Angat Dam break drill as a failure

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

Seven out of 10 students who participated in the Angat Dam Break Drill last December 13 don't believe that the drill would be helpful in a real-life situation.

The drill was performed to calculate how long it would take for the students in Malolos area to reach Bulacan Sports Complex, the official evacuation center the local government has decided on to be the safest place in the province.

However, most of those who participated in the activity said it was only a waste of time. The reason varies but the top explanation given was the weak foundation of the drill.

"Feeling ko naman hindi magagawa `yong drill kapag bumaha talaga. Hindi ako maglalakad papuntang complex. Magko-commute ako," Michiko Pineda, a second year Mass communication student from Centro Escular University (CEU ) said.

When it comes to real-life situations, Graccielle Solomon, a third year Journalism student from Bulacan State University (BulSU) believes that no preparation can really prepare the people from the possible chaos the catastrophe may bring.

"Sa totoong buhay, hindi magiging kalmado ang mga tao. Hindi yata nasaalang- alang `yong possibility na puwedeng mag-panic ang mga tao. Paano kung magka- traffic? O kaya magkasakitan sa pag-uunahan makapunta sa safety?" Solomon said.

One more thing the students complained about is the lack of proper explanation and instruction about the drill.

"Ni-require kaming maglakad dahil walang klase. Alam naming Angat dam drill siya, pero hindi namin exactly alam kung para saan `yon o kung ano ba ang mangyayari," Krishna Sankrea from CEU shared.

If ever the Angat dam unfortunately gets broken, flash flood would affect different areas of Bulacan. But most students who didn’t participate in the drill don’t have any idea on what has transpired, and what could possibly take place in an unfortunate calamity.

“Nakita ko lang `yong mga schoolmates ko na naglalakad pero hindi ko alam kung bakit. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na tungkol pala `yon sa paghahanda kung sakaling gumuho ang Angat dam,” Melvin Wu, a fourth year BS Computer Science major said.

Wu also said that it seemed like the university has lacked in spreading awareness about the event to the student body.

“Bakit pili lang `yong mga major na nag-participate? Sana man lang nagkaroon ng program na tumatalakay sa Angat dam break. Nababasa ko siya sa Facebook pero mas okay sana kung mas mapapaliwanagan kami. Kung totoong malaking peligro siya, bakit kaya kaunti lang ang aware?” Rissyan Jeheili de Guzman, BS Education major said.

BulSU’s men’s Track and Field team wins back championship

BulSU’s men’s Track and Field team wins back championship

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

After having the taste of defeat last SCUAA-III, Bulacan State University’s men’s Track and Field team gets back with a bang this SCUAA-III 2014 which was held at Nueva Ecija University Science and Technology (NEUST) last January 6-10.

Out of the 48 gold medals the Track and Field team bagged, 24 of them were contributed by the men’s team. Additional to its huge achievement were six silver and three bronze medals.

After placing second last year, the men’s Track and Field team celebrated as it finally emerged as champions once again.

“Masaya kasi last year second place lang kami samantalang champion `yong women’s team,” Jomar Rosas, a gold medallist from the Track and Field men’s team said. “Ngayon, champion na pareho.”

Rosas, who placed second last year for the 800 meter sprint run, now placed first for the Distance event. He bagged the gold medal for beating his opponents with the record of finishing the 10 kilometer run at 36 minutes.

But the gold medallist said that being a winner doesn’t mean he can relax now.

“May tune-up games kami sa Benguet sa February. Kung ano’ng laro ang puwede at kung sino ang puwede naming makalaban, hindi pa namin alam,” Roses said. “Pero hindi kami puwedeng papetiks-petiks. Tuloy-tuloy dapat ang practice.”

Continuous practice after being hailed as champions doesn’t mean their hard works didn’t paid off.

“Bukod sa medal, may cash prize din. Secret na lang kung magkano, pero malaking tulong `yon sa’min,” Rosas shared.

Aside from the recognition and cash prize, the BulSU Gold Gears are also set to go to Baguio this February for their victory party, to be sponsored by the university.