Msgr. Buentiempo nagselebrar kompleanyo

Sarong dakulang urgolyo an sakong namatean kan ako naimbitaran sa selebrasyon kan kompleanyo kan satong kura paroko, si Msgr. Juan Buentiempo kan nakaaging Martes, Pebrero 27, 2007, sa kumbento kan parokya. Dakul na mga bisita an sakong naabotan: nagkapirang padi sa Caceres, mga parokyano kan Santa Ana, mga kaakian, asin mga kapamilya ni Monsigñor na maorogmang nakiselebrar.

Sa sakuyang paghiling, an satong Kura Paroko na naglingkod sa Parokya ni Sta. Ana nin haros 9 na taon na poon kan Oktubre 1998, sarong simpleng tao.

Istorya kan sarong padi, “Si Mamo (an apod ki Monsignor) ngonyan na sanang mga taon nagusto na magselebrar kan saiyang kompleanyo. Huli ta kan kami mga seminarista pa sana, amay kaming nagmamata para mag-mañanita saiya sa may pwertahan kan saiyang kwarto. Alagad naaaraman mi na mayo man palan siya sa laog.” Kan hinapot ko si Mamo kun tano ta siya minahale sa aldaw kan saiyang kompleanyo, siya nagsimbag, “Kun saimong kompleanyo, gabos na tawo nagsisibot, minagastos, para saimo. Ika an ‘star.’ Habo kong pagkasiributan.”

Alagad, sarong pagkakataon, sinabihan siya ni Bishop Balce, “Dai ka na magtago kun kaaldawan kan saimong kompleanyo. Let the people come and greet you. Ini an saindang paagi para makapagpasalamat sa saimo.” Saiya ining tinubod.

Nagka-igwa ako nin pagkakataon na maka-olay si “May Kikay” (Mrs. Francisca N. Belleza) nin nagkapirang minuto asin sakong naihapot an manongod sa kun ano kaidto an satong Kura Paroko.

Sabi ni May Kikay, “Kan aki pa si Juan (an apod saiya kan saiyang kapamilya), nagkapirang senyales an sakong nahiling na siya magpapadion. Arog kan paglaag nin katsa bilang saiyang sotana asin an pag-aktong padi na nagmimisa kun ini solo sana; an pag-ukit sa kahoy nin imahen kan mga santo; an pagsakristan niya asin an pagkanuod kan mga Latin na mga pamibion; asin orog kaini, an pagsabi niya, “Gusto ko na maging Padi.’”

Si Alejandro Juan N. Buentiempo (“Juan,” “Johnny,” “Good Time,” “Mamo”) namundag kan Pebrero 27, 1948 sa Napawon, Goa, Camarines Sur, ikaduwa sa apat na magturugang. Si Mamo nagtapos kan saiyang elementarya na sarong achiever sa Goa Elemetary School. Saiyang ipinadagos an High School sa Partido High School. Kan taon 1963, siya luminaog sa Seminaryo na pusog an paglaom sa kabotan asin pangataman nin Dios. Si Mamo inordinahan bilang padi kan Marso 24, 1974 digdi sa Arkidiocesis nin Caceres. Pagkatapos kan pag-orden, siya nagklase nin Civil Engineering sa University of Nueva Caceres.

Kabali sa saiyang mga nagin assignments bilang padi iyo an mga minasunod: Formator kan Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, assistant priest sa Basilica Minore, asin parish priest sa Caramoan asin Iriga City.

Kan kami nag-orolay-olay bago pa kan saiyang kompleanyo, sakuyang nahiling na an saiyang oro-aldaw na pagkabuhay minalipas arog man satong mga layko. Alagad, an saiyang personal na disiplina sa salud; an hilig niya sa pagbasa nin manlaen-laen na libro; an mga ataman asin pag-iriba niya sa kumbento; an saiyang dai-matawaran na engineering skills; asin orog nang gayo an saiyang kakaibang talento sa akrobatiko na iyo an tripod (an pagtindog na baliktad kun sain an payo niya nasa daga na nakapatong sa saiyang mga kamot) -- iyo an mga bagong bagay na sakong naaraman.

Sa saiyang mensahe sa programa kan saiyang kompleanyo, sinabi niya, “Naapreciar ko an birthday message na sinabi sako kan saro saindo, ‘Mamo, Thank you for the simple life.’” An simpleng pagkabuhay iyo an nangongorog na prinsipyo asin gawe kan saiyang pagkabuhay. Dagdag pa kaiyan sinabi niya, “Pinagmamawot ko na ako pirming yaon saindo digdi sa simbahan, digdi sa kumbento. Ini tanganing bilog na mapaglingkodan kamo. Yaon ako digdi tanganing masimbagan an saindong pangangaipohan.” Sinabi niya pa sa samong pag-orolay, “Para sako, the vow of poverty is availability – to be fully present to the persons whom you serve.”

Si Msgr. Johnny sarong ladawan nin simpleng surogoon nin Dios. An sinasabi sa ebanghelyo ni Lukas 5:4 na Duc in Altum (Put out into the deep) saiyang isinasabuhay sa paagui kan pagpararom kan simple alagad maogmang pagkabuhay na iyo an minataong inspirasyon sa saiyang mga parokyano.

Pagkamoot sa Paglingkod

by Kenee Sambo

Nakatukaw sa sarong dakulang sofa sa sala na may lanob kun saen nakasabit an mga retrato kan paggradwar kan mga aki, si Nanay Placer Galvo, nagsaysay kan saiyang buhay nin paglingkod sa simbahan asin sa saiyang presenteng kamugtakan. An saiyang pinagduonan na tataramon: “An paglingkod sa Kagurangnan nagtatao sako nin biyaya asin dakulang kaogmahan.”

Si Nanay Placer, 71, dating public school teacher sa Magarao. Sa simbahan, siya nagin kaayon kan dakul na organisasyon. Siya nagin presidente kan Parish Pastoral Council sa laog nin duwang taon kan panahon ni Fr. Lorenzo de los Santos (1994-1996). Ngonyan si Nay Placer saro sa unit heads asin talk-giver kan Handmaids of the Lord, asin board member kan MBG asin CWL.

Sarong dakulang kaogmahan ni Nay Placer iyo an pagkakaigwa nin aking padi, si Fr. Judiel Galvo, an presenteng parish priest kan Agdangan, Baao. Walo gabos an saiyang aki asin sampolo na an mga apo. An saiyang agom nagadan sa helang sa puso kan taon 2000. An saiyang mga aki haloy na nagin kaayon sa parish choir, kaya pinagkanigo niya na magmukna kan saindang family choir na kaayon pati an mga maku-apo. Sinda minakanta sa simbahan duwang Domingo sa sarong bulan. Kun mayo an mga kasibotan na ini, siya pirmi man sanang nasa harong.

Nakasulot nin pulang daster, si Nay Placer naki-olay sa staff kan Probatica:

Anong pangyayari sa buhay mo an nakadara saimo na magdesisyon na aktibong maglingkod sa simbahan?

Nagpoon ako magserbi sa simbahan huli kan sakong mga aki. Sinda an enot na naglingkod sa simbahan sa pagigin kaayon kan Potentials of St. Anne Choir, an orihinal sa Magarao under Fr. Villamor (1972-83).

Ano an pinaka-magayon asin makangangalas na experyensya mo bilang tagapaglingkod sa simbahan?

An pagkakaigwa nin oportunidad na magheras kan liwanag nin katotoohan, an makaheras sa iba dapit sa Mahal na Diyos. Ini an tamang oras na itinao sako dahil kaidtong nagtutukdo ako sa eskwelahan dai ako makabwelo dahil bawal samo.

An makangangalas na experyensya bilang tagapaglingkod:

May Christian Life Program seminar kami, ako an team leader. Pero kan oras na idto nasa ospital ako asin naoperahan. Pinamibi ko sa Kagurangnan na tabangan niya an sakong mga kairiba. I was then assigned to talk on the topic “Siisay si Jesukristo?” Naghagad akong tabang sa Dios na itao niya sako an oportunidad na ipabisto ko siya sa samong mga bagong recruit. After five days of my operation, nagkusog boot ako na magtindog sa enotan. I prayed to God to give me strength kaya mayo lamang akong namatean na kaluyahan kan ipabisto ko si Jesus. Nagtutubod ako na an Banal na Espiritu tunay na nagtrabaho sa sako.

Ano an saimong mga pagmawot sa buhay ngonyan?

Lugod tawan Niya ako nin grasya na magibo ko an itinao niya sakong mga trabaho tanganing maski anong oras ako kuanon nin Diyos handa akong mag-atubang saiya. Pero hinahagad ko saiya na tawan niya ako nin haro-halawig pang buhay na mapamaray ko pa an paglingkod sa simbahan.

Mensahe sa mga Magaraoeños:

Maggibo nin tama sa kabotan nin Diyos asin sa atubangan nin tawo para mabuhay kita gabos sa katoninongan.

Magnificent Altar

Church general construction progresses

DECEMBER – The construction of the new parish church altar (retablo) is almost done. Msgr. Buentiempo, the parish priest, presented the general construction and renovation plan of the whole church when he arrived in Magarao six years ago. The work started with the roofing of the church which was completed in 2003. Then, the filling of the entire ceiling with ply woods followed. This was completed in 2005. Next is the construction of the new altar (retablo) admired by dignitaries like Bishop Rojas commenting during his arrival at the church entrance on his Pastoral Visit last May, “It is beautiful.” It was first lighted in December 25, 2005. The altar is built with Roman architectural style having pillars, rounded arches, vaults and domes.

After the life-size image of Anne, Mary and Jesus at the center, and the two main pillars are placed, it will all be completed. After the roofing, ceiling and altar are all done follow the painting and lighting of the whole church. Finally the back of the church will also be renovated.

Magarao parish takes pride of having Msgr. Juan Buentiempo, a priest with a wisdom and heart of an architect and engnireer. He studied Engineering at the University of Nueva Caceres after he was ordained as priest. He has helped in construction projects in the Archdiocese.

A Football Story

Magarao has a football story to tell

From a town with no football field and with most players from low income families, having only determination and support of generous patrons, Magarao young booters are winning championships and going places.

It was in Summer 2003 when Msgr. Juan N. Buentiempo, parish priest of St. Anne Parish, Magarao, met with Mr. Virgilio Imperial, general secretary of Naga City - Camarines Sur Football Asssociation, Mr. Huberto Villaraza, a sports enthusiast parishioner, and Fr. Pablo Carpio, the parochial vicar then, and expressed his desire to teach football to the children of his parish. The good Monsignor imparted to the group, “Part of my mission as parish priest is to form children as future leaders of the parish. And football, aside from being an attractive activity, is a good means for character formation for the children.”

The group then organized a Football Summer Camp, their first activity. 48 boys and girls from different barangays of the Parish joined the event. As a culminating activity, selected players from the participants played a “home and away” friendly competition against the St. Jude Football Club, organized by Fr. Bob Carpio. The next summer, no less than 250 children participated in the an Inter-barangay Football Fiesta.

The first big exposure for the club was the 2004 Red Ribbon Under-14 National Football Festival at the Ateneo de Manila University. Though the club did not win any game, they brought home a medal when Edmund Bunao was adjudged the Best Juggler after he made 111 touches. After that, the St. Anne FC became a force to reckon with in football as they started to win championships. Most notably was when they bagged the championship of the PFF-Sportsplus World Cup Football Festival (U14 Category) over the Ateneo de Manila University on May 13, 2006, at the Ateneo Football field in Manila. And last Sept. 24, 2006, the club, representing the Naga City – Camarines Sur Football Association, won the bronze medal in the 2nd Aboitiz National Football Festival in Cebu City.

Fr. Pablo Carpio, the main trainor and coach of the club says, “All these tell us that God’s grace is working. The small seed sown by Msgr. Buentiempo in these children is bearing much fruit!”

Msgr. Buentiempo installs Confraternity of St. Anne pioneers

Pioneers pledges membership

JULY 16, 2006 – Twenty-two adult women, headed by Mrs. Emma Villaraza, pledged as pioneer members of the Confraternity of Saint Anne during their installation presided over by Msgr. Juan N. Buentiempo, the parish priest.

The confraternity was formed six years ago. On July 1, 2000, twenty-four of them, most were not yet affiliated to any parish organization, met and formed themselves as a parish auxiliary group. Initially, their main purpose was simply to maintain cleanliness inside the church and its premises and consequently support the projects of the parish. Msgr. Buentiempo and Fr. Benito Velasco, the parochial vicar then, considering the needs of the parish, soon decided to name them “Confraternity of Saint Anne.” Their main objective is to promote the devotion to Saint Anne, the parish patroness. They started the novena prayer in honor of St. Anne every Tuesday.

Since then, the Confraternity has been actively participating in parish activities. The group leads the planning, preparation and organization of the activities for the parish fiesta in July.

New PPC Executive Board

Parish pastoral council elects new officers



JUNE 2006 – Following the evaluation of May 2006 Pastoral Visit, the St. Anne Parish conducted the election of the new set of Parish Pastoral Council Executive Board. The elected officers were: Mrs. Emma Villaraza, Chairperson; Mr. Joe Estefani, Vice-Chairperson; Arsenia Tocloy, Secretary; and Manuelita Adorna, Treasurer.


Mrs. Emma Villaraza, the elected Chairperson said, “I thank everyone for the big trust and responsibility given me to serve our parish. And I ask the assistance of Ms. Vita Q. Avenido, our predecessor, for consultation and assistance. Ms. Avenido, the PPC President for a number of years, imparted her congratulations to the new officers and openness of her assistance.


The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is “a planning and coordinating assembly which, under the guidance of the parish priest, promulgates the parish pastoral plan and coordinates activities of all parish organizations. Its main objective is to form and develop the parish into a truly Christian community of worship, witness and service in accordance with the vision-mission of the Archdiocese of Caceres.” (PPC Constitution and By-Laws, art. 1, sec. 1)

“Buhay ni Santa Ana”

Bikol book on St. Anne launched

MAY 14, 2006 – St. Anne Parish, Magarao, launched An Buhay ni Santa Ana, a Bicol-translated book written by Erwin Blasa, during the solemn concelebrated mass of Bishop Rojas’ Pastoral Visit. Erwin Blasa, a theology seminarian from Magarao, translated the book of Eugene Lefebvre’s The Life of Saint Anne (Quebec, Canada: Sainte Anne de Bueapre, 1981).

“The translation work and publishing of the book comes from the request and inspiration of Msgr. Buentiempo, our parish priest,” Mr. Blasa said. The book mainly features the life of Saint Anne, the mother of Mary, from her birth until his death and the growth of devotion to her. The book also contains two other features: Mga Nobena asin Pamibi ki Santa Ana and Halipot na Istorya kan Parokya ni Santa Ana sa Magarao.

The main purpose of the book is to help the Bikolano devotees have a true knowledge of Saint Anne and her life, to nurture their devotion to her, to make them aware of the history of the parish.

May 2006 Pastoral Visit

Bishop Rojas visits Magarao

MAY 14, 2006 – Most Rev. Jose R. Rojas, Jr., D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres, had his whole-day pastoral visit to St. Anne Parish, Magarao. He arrived in the morning for the 7:30 Solemn Concelebrated Mass attended by six other priests. After which, the bishop had a one-on-one interview with the two priests, Msgr. Buentiempo and Fr. Larry Mijares, Parochial Vicar, and the convent and office personnel. After lunch, he met the parish pastoral council officers. Then, he celebrated the closing liturgy.

A week before the said event, a Pre-pastoral Visit was done by Fr. Domingo Florida, Archdiocesan Financial Adminstrator, and Fr. Roy Remo, Chancellor. The visiting priests checked the parish official records and the financial reports and minutes of the parish religious organizations. Then they gave orientation to the pastoral council officers regarding things pertinent to the visit. They asked, in particular, to write about the officers’ suggestions and comments about parish life which would be answered by the bishop when he comes.

The main concern brought up in the dialogue with the bishop was the reorganization of pastoral council officers. The bishop said, “To have a new set of officers – this is one of the main things you are asking. So I request Msgr. Buentiempo, your parish priest, to conduct elections after the pastoral visit.” This and other parish concerns were openly discussed in the dialogue.
Bishop Rojas gave the participants rosaries as gift before he left.

Little STARS are born

New parish children’s choir formed

JANUARY – In the week of the Feast of Santo Niño, Mrs. Diana D. Abiog, a resident of barangay Santo Tomas, Magarao, gathered 26 little children coming from the said barangay to form a children’s choir. The main objective of the group is to assist in parish liturgical celebrations through singing. Mrs. Diana calls the group as LITTLE STARS, an acronym for Little Santo Tomas Angelic Redeemer Singers. Mrs. Abiog initiated and organized the group as part of her community service. Ms. Angeline Brazal and Mr. Joe “Niño” Fortuna joined her as first musical accompanists.

The Little STARS has regularly assisted in parish Sunday afternoon masses, barangay Santo Tomas monthly mass (every 18th of the month), and during special occasions like Flores de Mayo, Hossana and Christmas celebrations. They heartily live the motto, “We do not seek for perfection but for the purity of our intentions for God’s glory.”

Now, the Little STARS have expanded to 24-member school-based group in Bell-San Francisco Elementary School and 22-member barangay Santo Tomas-based group. Each group has its own volunteer trainers and accompanists. Generous persons have also blessed and helped them in procuring their needs .

Pasko sa harong ni Santa Ana

Sunod sa harong kan pamilya mahihiling an tunay na kahulugan kan kapaskuhan sa selebrasyon sa simbahan.
Hilngon ta an kahulugan kan liturhiya na ginibo sa satong simbhan:

Misa sa Pasko

Sa misa sa matangang banggi kan Pasko, tinawan nin importansya sa liturhiya an imahen kan pagkamundag ni Jesus sa puso kan mga tawo, orog na sa mga nagtitios ngonyan na natapos pa sana an dakulang kalamidad huli kan bagyo.

An liturhiya pinunan sa paagi kan palabas kan mga aki na ipinapahiling an imahen kan komunidad kan presenteng sitwasyon kan mga kaakian. Sa ginibong “Panunuluyan,” imbes na harong an dadagosan ninda Jose asin Maria, tolong makamundong sitwasyon o istorya kan mga kaakian an ipinahiling: pag-aabuso sa mga aki (exploitation and forced labor) sa enot na harong; mga aking nagigin kriminal sa ikaduwang harong; asin mga aking inaabuso sa laog kan saindang pamilya sa ikatolong harong. An hapot, saen madagos an Kagurangnan sa mga aking ini? Pano mahiling an imahen nin Diyos sa sainda.

Sa homiliya ni Msgr. Gilbert Garcera, H.P., an namayo kan Banal na Misa, saiyang tinawan nin doon an kahalagahan kan pamilya asin an responsibilidad kaini sa satong komunidad.

An Misa tinawan pa man nin kolor kan mga aking kuminanta nin Christmas carols asin luminibot sa pagkolekta kan mga dolot kan tawo para sa mga naapektohan kan bagyo.


Misa sa Bagong Taon

Sa Misa kan Enero 1 sinelebrar an pagpadagos kan kapaskuhan, an Solemnidad ni Birhen Maria bilang Ina nin Diyos, asin an ika-40ng World Day of Peace.

Sa pagpoon kan Misa ginibo an liturhiya kan ilaw asin an pagwirik nin benditong tubig sa paghagad nin bendisyon sa Mahal na Diyos sa pagsabat kan bagong buhay sa bagong taon. Dangan ginbo man sa liturhiya an pagtao nin omaw ki Birhen Maria.

An namayo kan Banal na Misa iyo si Rdo. Padre Norlan H. Julia, S.J..

Sa saiyang homiliya, sinadol ni Fr. Norlan an mga tawo “to Dream, Believe and Surrender.” Sinabi niya na an Pasko nagpoon sa pangaturogan (Dream!) kan Diyos para sa kaligtasan nin kinaban. Alagad an pangaturogan na ini nautob lang huli sa pagtubod (Believe!) ni Maria, asin huli sa pagdusay (Surrender!) ni Jesus kan saiyang sadiri sa kabotan kan Ama.”

Ginibo an pagpahadok sa Niño Jesus pagkatapos kan mga Misa sa Pasko asin Bagong Taon.

Reming’s wake at Christmas

by KENEE SAMBO

Christmas is the most popular and most celebrated Christian holy days in the Philippines. The origin of the celebration of Christmas as well as the dates on which it is observed was rooted deeply in the history of the early Church. We do all know that Christmas season commemorates the birth of Jesus. We can certainly say that Mary gave birth to his Son Jesus, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem.

At present, the celebration of this season is an amazing variety of traditions around the world. We can tell that Christmas is near because of the rush and bustle of the holidays. Decorations like garlands hanging on walls and the colorful lights that glitter in Christmas trees give color in the celebration of this season. Social gatherings such as Christmas parties and reunions could never be out of the way. For some people, Christmas would not be complete without the gifts they give and receive. Thus, Christmas is really a source of happiness for lots of people.

But sad to say that the true meaning of Christmas was only truly realized in the hearts of the few. With the dreadful event that happened in the province of Albay and in the near provinces of Camarines Sur due to super-typhoon “Reming” that had left many people dead, some were wounded, some families homeless, some had nothing to eat and drink and the others suffered from illness.

In our eagerness to wait for Christmas season, we may wonder why God sends us “Reming” and the other calamities that we had experienced and we are encountering right now. I think God is telling us that there are so many things we have to ponder on for a moment than preparing for the traditional Christmas celebrations that we are used to. Today, because of the tragic event that happened, may we seek the answer to this question -- What is really the true meaning of Christmas? This is a recurring question often heard year after year especially during Christmas season. It looks a little strange that as popular as this season seems to be, we continually ask this question.

During this whole busy season how many times do we stop to reflect on the One to whom we have to give reverence? Jesus is clearly the center of all these celebrations. Luke 2: 7 says, “And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” How simple it is to think that the Son of God was born in a stable surrounded by farm animals. The wonder at the simplicity of the expression of the infant child that has nothing of its own to survive will forever change the world. Jesus became human and suffered for the salvation of all humanity.

We in turn have the responsibility not only for ourselves but also for our community. May our celebration of this Christmas season be inspired by the lives of those people who are in need. Let us make this Christmas a season of sharing, love, hope and joy as we all celebrate simply this most important event of the year.