Fr. Roque Ferriols' Tribute to Fr. Eddie Hontiveros

"He loved to sing. He loved to talk. He loved to laugh. Towards the end of his life, he could no longer sing. He could no longer talk. But he still laughed."

In the Society of Jesus there are certain people who appear and disappear in your life – depending on the vagaries of the assignments you receive. You begin to take it for granted that they will always be near. They are like fixed stars that are so present that you do not notice them. When they suddenly pass away you realize that you have lost a friend.

The early Jesuits referred to themselves as a company of friends in the Lord. In his quiet loyal way, Father Eddie was – is a friend in the Lord to all of us. Memories of Father Eddie are now flooding my mind and I will share a few of them.

Father Eddie, Father Jess Diaz and I took our first year theology in St. Mary’s, Kansas. There was a steep slope in the Theologate golf course. Eddie was one of the few brave souls that learned to ski on that slope. I remember seeing him coming in, his face red from the cold raw air. I admired his courage but was unable to imitate it.

Years later we were in Baguio for a province retreat. I had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Eddie accompanied me. Before I was wheeled in the operating room, I asked him to hear my confession. Across the years, I remember his words of consolation and I am grateful for them.

St. Augustine says that to sing is to pray twice. Eddie has filled our churches with people who pray twice. They love to pray singing melodies composed by Fr. Eddie. Eddie’s music is in the style of Ilonggo folk music. He loved the music. He loved the people who created the music. He learned from their music and spread their style throughout the world.

Eddie loved to talk, he loved to sing, and he loved to laugh. In the last years of his life he could not sing, he could not talk. All he could pronounce were a few words, but he could still laugh.

And he lived life with zest. He communicated animatedly using the few words he could pronounce and gestures. He composed music using a computer, and he laughed. He so alive and cheerful that we sometimes failed to notice, the courage with which he embraced life. He was cheerful. He spread his cheerfulness to the people he lived with. That is the word I will use to describe Eddie: Courage.

He spent time everyday praying before the Blessed Sacrament, that was the source of his courage. He loved to live life with joy at a time when physical energy to him was in diminishment and inspired courage in others.

We thank God for giving us Eddie as brother and friend.

Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ
Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies
January 15, 2008

Newman Reader - Works of John Henry Newman

http://www.newmanreader.org/
One of the greatest Catholics of the 19th Century. His life can be an inspiration to people searching for the true Christian faith. His works are masterpieces of thought enhanced by clarity of expression. Here in this site, one can find electronic copies of almost all his writings.

A Prelude to Hancock: I am Legend

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

I will publish this comment on the movie I Am Legend because yesterday I saw the trailer for Will Smith's new movie about an unlikely hero: Hancock:

If only to watch Will Smith's performance, I am recommending this film to everyone. Smith has become capable of such unbelievable acting that although he was the lone human actor for about 90% of the film, he fills up the whole screen with his presence. I have grown to love this actor since I first saw him in Men in Black.

fluidity - the Cate Blanchett fanlisting

http://fani.nippu.net/cate/
My favorite

APPLICATION for PERMISSION to DATE my DAUGHTER and DADDY's RULES for DATING

Hi y'all.  This might come useful...

NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement, job history, lineage, and current medical report from your doctor.  

NAME_____________________________________  DATE OF BIRTH_____________

HEIGHT____ _______  WEIGHT____________  IQ__________  GPA_____________  

SOCIAL SECURITY #_________________  DRIVERS LICENSE #________________

BOY SCOUT RANK AND BADGES__________________________________________

HOME ADDRESS_______________________  CITY/STATE___________  ZIP______  

Do you have parents?                     ___Yes  ___No
Is one male and the other female?  ___Yes  ___No
If No, explain: _____________________________________________________________
     _____________________________________________________________________ 

Number of years they have been married ______________________________

If less than your age, explain
      ____________________________________________ ________________________

      ____________________________________________________________________ 


ACC ESSORIES SECTION:

A. Do you own or have access to a van?              __Yes  __No

B. A truck with oversized tires?                             __Yes  __No

C. A waterbed?                                                     __Yes  __No  

D. A pickup with a mattress in the back?                __Yes  __No

E. A tattoo?                                                          __Yes  __No

F. Do you have an earring, nose ring,                        
  pierced tongue, pierced cheek or a belly button ring? __Yes  __No 

(IF YOU ANSWERED 'YES' TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION
AND LEAVE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY.  I SUGGEST RUNNING.) 


ESSAY SECTION:  

In 50 words or less, what does 'LATE' mean to you? 

      ______________________________________________________________

      ______________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does  'DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER'  mean to you?

      __________________________________________________________ ____

      ___________________________________________ ___________________  

In 50 words or less, what does 'ABSTINENCE' mean to you?

      ______________________________________________________________  

      ______________________________________________________________


REFERENCES SECTION:

Church you attend ___________________________________________________  

How often you attend ________________________________________________

When would be the best time to interview your:

      father? _____________

      mother? _____________

      pastor? _________ ____ 


SHORT-ANSWER SECTION: 

Answer by filling in the blank.  Please answer freely, all answers
are confidential.

A: If I were shot, the last pl ace I would want shot would be: 

      ______________________________________________________________

B: If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my:

      ______________________________________________________________ 

C: A woman's place is in the:

      ______________________________________________________________

D: The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is:

      ______________________________________________________________  

E. What do you want to do IF you grow up? ___________________________

      ______________________________________________________________

      ; ______________________________________________________________  

F. When I meet a girl, the thing I always notice about her first is:

      _________________________________ _________________ ____________

F. What is the current going rate of a hotel room? __________________  

I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO
THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT,
NATIVE AMERICAN ANTI TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE  
WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, AND HILLARY CLINTON KISS TORTURE.


_________________________________________________________ 
Applicant's Signature (that means sign your name, moron!)


_______________________________      ________________________________
Mother's Signature                                 ;              Father's Signature 

_______________________________      ________________________________ 
Pastor/Priest/Rabbi           ;                                 State Representative/Congressman

Thank you for your interest, and it had better be genuine and non-sexual. 
Please allow four to six years for processing.

You will be contacted in writing if you are approved.  Please do not try to call or write (since you probably can't, and it would cause you injury).  
If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentleman wearing white ties carrying viol in cases. (you might watch your back)  

To prepare yourself, start studying  Daddy's Rules for Dating.



Daddy's Rules for Dating  
Your dad's rules for your boyfriend (or for you if you're a guy)  :

Rule One:
   If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking any thing up.  

Rule Two:
   You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them..  

Rule Three:
   I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers s ecurely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
   I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.  

Rule Five:
   It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: 'early.'  

Rule Six:
   I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with m y little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I   will make you cry. 

Rule Seven:
   As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the  Golden Gate Bridge . Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car? 

Rule Eight:
   The foll owing places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing< /FONT>   or holding hands. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.  

Rule Nine:
   Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, baldi ng, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, t he whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.  

Rule Ten:
   Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near  Hanoi . When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and ea rly, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

 

Me, me, me, me, me, me. Me?

What a very philosophical title for a photo album...

Just a proof of how egotistical I am (although di halata!)

A Lesson in Arithmetic: Subject: Fr. Ed Panlilio - Governor of Pampanga

This was sent to me over yahoomail.  I just want to share this to everyone to show that all is not hopeless in our beloved Philippines. 

The newcomers in the local political scene (let us not talk about the people at the national level please) are changing the color of our politics in the countryside.  There is Padaca of Isabela, Umali of Nueva Ecija, and Santos of Batangas, among others.  Among the veterans are Lim of Manila and Fernando of Marikina.  If only the leaders in the national level would be as revolutionary as the abovementioned persons, our country will be like Singapore or even Canada in my own lifetime and I am now counting 34, 35 in a few weeks time. 

Read on and be amazed by THE man, a  former priest, named Ed Panlilio.  A side note: for the critics of the Catholic Church particularly those who distort our history because of ignorance and personal agenda, here is a present day Catholic (in the very real sense of the word) who shows in his actions--in your face!--that you are wrong.

Now the article:

"I'm 100% sure this income disparity is replicated in all the  provinces of the Philippines.
If we had more Ed Panlilios in our government, we would be just  like Singapore in a short  time. Read on......

We hope we are witnessing what will be a sustained revolution in  good governance in  the Province of Pampanga , under its newly elected governor, Fr.  Ed Panlilio.

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer of August 26, only one month  after Fr. Panlilio  assumed his gubernatorial duties, the province's income from the  quarrying  of volcanic  ash from Mount Pinatubo had reached P29.4 million. (Haulers
pay a  fee of  P300 per truck  of volcanic ash that they haul from the quarry.)


By contrast, during his predecessor Mark Lapid's term as governor,  the province's income   from the same quarrying operations amounted to only P29 million a year.
This gaping variation in official incomes from the same activity should  inspire a new set of  textbooks in Arithmetic, especially for the school children of Pampanga.

There is nothing  like local color and local situations to cultivate comprehension in  young  minds.

Sample problems: If Fr. Ed's provincial government can collect  P29.4 million in 26 days  (we assume no quarrying on Sundays), how much does it collect in  one  day?

Answer:    An  average of P1.130 million.

If Fr. Ed's provincial government collects an average of P1.130 million  a  day from quarrying
operations, how much can it collect in one year of 313 days (365  days  less  52 Sundays)?

Answer:    P353, 690,000, or P354 million.

If Fr. Ed's provincial government can collect P354 million a year,  and Mark Lapid's provincial
government collected only P29 million a year, what is the  difference in  their official yearly  collections?

 Answer:
   P325 million a year.

If Mark Lapid was governor for four years and his provincial  government's  annual collections
from quarrying amounted to an average of P29 million, how much did  his provincial govt. officially collect in four years?

 Answer:   P116 million.

If Fr. Ed manages to remain as provincial governor for four years,  and  his  provincial government's annual collection from quarrying were to average P354 million, how  much will his provincial  government collect in four years? 
 
Answer:    P1.416 billion.
 
What is the difference between P1.416 billion and P116 million?
Answer:    P1.3 billion.

Where did this P1.3 billion go?
Answer:   Only God and the Lapids know.  ('Lapids' is in plural because  Mark, as a second  generation political dynast, succeeded his own father,  now Sen. Lito Lapid. 
               
We don't know how much Lito's provincial government officially collected from quarrying operations  during his watch. Should be a good investigative project for media.)  

 

If Gawad Kalinga spends an average of P75,000 per low cost house,  how  many  low-cost houses  can P1.3 billion build?

Answer: 17,333 low-cost houses.

If the average Pampanga family were to consist of five persons (father,  mother, three children), how many people would be benefited by 17,333 low-cost houses?
Answer:     86,665 persons.    
 

End of Arithmetic lesson.

Fr. Ed is to be congratulated for setting a high benchmark for  collection  from quarrying operations against which his predecessors have a moral obligation to explain  why their collections were so low,  and against which future governors will be judged by the people of  Pampanga.

Volcanic ash, by the way, is a superior building material. Many of the buildings, aqueducts &
monuments of the Roman Empire that have survived for almost 2,000 years  are  known to have been  built w/ volcanic ash, quarried from the environs of Mount  Vesuvius after it erupted in 79 AD.  

We don't expect Fr.Ed's moral victory in Pampanga to be  remembered for
the next 2,000yrs.

We would be happy with five, ten or 20 years, enough, we hope, to spawn a  moral-revolution- by-  example to save the Filipinos from their worst enemies - themselves.
GOOD  LUCK  Philippines ! 
  

'Therefore, the primary cause of poverty is not overpopulation of the Phil!
It's because our counrty is overpopulated with corrupt officials'"