Jose Epimaco R.

Arcega

History 130

March 18, 2015

ABSS4
The History of Oblate Apostles of the Hearts (OATH):
A Religious Congregation from San Jose City

Seminaries were the continuation in the church of the apostolic community 1. Therefore
seminary was the first and foremost of the basic organizing principle which served a learning
community. Seminary also was a community of charity and friendship, where fraternal bonds
were anchored in genuine relationship with the Lord. Finally, according to Malloy (2006) he also
defined the seminary in his study that seminary was a worshipping and praying community that
finds its source and submit in the celebration of the Eucharist. Governance in terms of religious
responsibility playing important role in a religious community. Inside the seminary, in order to
fulfil this seminary, governing bodies of the seminary must work in collaboration with the
seminary board/s and other religious ordinary delegate. As what Malloy (2006) also stated in his
study that the governing authority establishes the mission and exercise general oversight of the
seminary. The seminary should have a precise program also as it must be characterized by its
being organized and unified by its being in harmony a correspondence with one aim which
justifies the existence of the summary: preparation of future priest (Pasotres dabo vobis: 61). It
means that with the programs of seminary, through the span of time in planning, with the effort it
organize and unifies. It was supported by the Committee on Priestly Formation that the
governing authority does not normally enter directly into the day-to-day administration of the

1 Pastores dabo vobis: 60 retrieved December 9, 2014 from

https://www.academia.edu/UploadPapers#
1

seminary, since such duties were the responsibility of the rector who was assigned accordingly to
the process stated above.
Seminarians are to be fully committed to the life of the seminary community and learn
how to contribute generously to it and to receive humbly from its resources.
Environment was one of the major factors that can affect ones human life. It mirrors the
person of who will be he or she in the future which can be the same in the seminary. Seminarys
community is one of the major factors that can developed a seminarians resiliency to his
vocation. According to Malloy (2006) that the essential work of the seminary takes place in the
context of community. It means that community plays a great role to the seminarians because
personal growth and character development should progress together harmoniously within a
deepening spiritual life. He also added that the experience of seminary community plays a
significant role in the role in the personal and spiritual growth of the seminarians.
Right Vocation as a Major Requirement in the Seminary, a Life Time Task
A special commitment that an individual must followed as it was his calling.
According to Chavez (2013):
The vocation is never a personal life-plan which the individual carries through
with his own strength or nurtures with his own finest dreams; rather, it is a call
from Him Who, going before and transcending him, proposes to the one chosen a
goal which is beyond him and his own possibilities
By calling us God has given us an identity.
It means that we only respond to Him in an appropriate manner when we ourselves
recognize our identities in His call. It means that identity is not to be equated with what we are
already, nor with what we want to be; but rather it coincides with His plan, with what He wants

us to become. So therefore, identifying ourselves with what God wants from us is the purpose of
all formation.
Motivations of an individual were important in terms of decisions. Especially in
following vocations as one wrong decision can affects the entire life of an individual. According
to Chaves(2013) the starting point is often a mistaken concept of vocation; sometimes it is
identified with a personal plan of life motivated by a desire for self-fulfilment. It means that in
terms of social sensitivity and even of economic concern and sociological approach or by the
simple searching for a quiet life, without serious commitments and without a total unconditional
surrender to God and to a mission in the community. This can be the main reasons why there
were leaving the seminary without any prior commitments.With these motivations, clearly it was
invalid according to Laguerta (2013) as quoted by Chavez(2013)These motives are not valid
ones, or at least are not sufficient in order for the gift of consecrated life to be accepted; they are
not always expressions of faith, but of wishful thinking or of a social or a search for security. But
also everyone must remember that being a person means to have your life in your own hands
which means to decide what an individual want to his/her life. As Chavez(2013) stated that
Freedom is an opportunity because it is the only way to arrive at making values an inner reality
and the processes of formation a deeply personal matter and therefore to come to true maturity.
Seminarys Community also plays a significant role to the seminarians especially to the
personal and spiritual growth of the seminarians. Its also because occurred in the context of
community whether as a seminary or a house of formation. In this community also where the
spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation of the future priest were developed.

In 2004 , according to Fr. Jerry Laguerta (2012) the ratio of Catholics per priest in the
Philippines was 8,500. He also added that figure ballooned to at least 11,500 Catholics per
priest in 2010, an indication that the nations Catholic population is growing faster than the
number of priests. Therefore if seminaries do not fill up the slack, a vocation crisis may be
possible in 15 years.
Maybe many were still asking if why some seminarians were leaving the religious
community after being stayed inside the seminary for some many years. As what said in
Matthew 22:14 many were called, but few were chosen. Therefore not all entering the
seminary were not called to become a priest. Many seminarians also entering the seminary with
their own personal reasons that can lead to the some of them to leave the seminary. And as these
seminarians went out as quoted by Uy (2012).

Others might be asking that what will be

the life of those who left the seminary. And also how about the vows that they pledge will they
still carrying it as they live in the secular world? As what Chavez (2012) said that For the
believer life is not a matter of chance or still less the result of human will: every life is willed by
God; to every human life God assigns a place, a task in His saving plan. It means that whoever
comes into existence has been willed by God: that existence has a meaning at least so far as God
is concerned, and such a life achieves its full meaning only from God.
Role of the Seminaries and Religious Persons in the Community
Religion today plays a great role in our social community and can be considered as one of
the most influential institution in our country. Despite of being that every Filipinos knew that the
there was a separation between the church and the state but yet religion plays a great role in

balancing the state. Equal worth, dignity, reason, conscience, and community these traits of
common humanity provide the clues to the right and scope of religious liberty (Hertzkey 2012)
Religious participation of course was a participation in the church. It was differ from
religiosity. Because some were attending or participating religious activities and yet being a
religious cannot be seen in their faces nor even with their actions. Religious participation also
was an important activity in terms of integrating the social and individual well-being. Because it
was associated with the involvement of the family and friends and as what quoted by Stolzenberg
et.al (2009) serve as a bridge between various institutional involvements and thus a major
source of cohesion. In our country also there was what we called the Catholic University but it
was not an unused institution. Rather it was a group of human beings, teachers, scholars,
administrators and staffs in pursuit of truths. This can help Catholic faithful to renewed their
faith (Villegas 2013). In the study also of Larlar (2013) which assessed the status of Catholic
Theological Seminaries in the Philippines as education and information centers, identified
institutional strengths and weakness and developed a heuristic model for the enablement of
Catholic Theological Seminaries. It means they can help also the people or the communities to
help them in uniting with Jesus. Wherein it was concluded in that study that the Catholic
Theological Seminaries in the Philippines were very satisfactorily, more consistent as formation
and according to the setting of the seminary and the strength was found out in the resolve around
its emphasis in human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral development.

Since this study was focused in the history of the Oblates Apostles of the Two Hearts
(OATH), according to the superiors of this congregation that supposed to be to interview by the
researcher he was recommended to interview their files keeper. The researcher then interviewed
their files keeper, Br. Tarcisius J. Uy. He was in this congregation for 14 years. He was currently
studying at the University of Sto. Thomas for his Masters Degree in Philosophy.
As he narrated the background of the congregation, the OATH can be described to the
institution founded by Don Bosco during his time which was the Sallesian in honor for his patron
saint St. Francis De Sales that concentrated to the young people. Since Fr. Edgardo Bing
Arellano, the founder of the OATH was also came from the Salesian congregation, he used also
the system used by Don Bosco as he was experienced what the church called as the call within a
call. As quoted to the interview, Brother Tarcisius explained it as Tinawag na siya sa isang
congregation pero muli siyang tinatawag para magtayo ng halos katulad ng unang congregation
na sinamahan niya2.
The OATH was existed first not as its name today, there were other religious community existed
before. Youth Marian Crusade (YMC) also contributed in this congregation wherein Fr. Edgardo
Arellano was also a member where he was assigned by Cardinal Sin as his secretary and tasked
to create different Apostolic groups. Although those Apostolic groups created were almost the
same but there were specific and unique functions. These religious communities were first the
Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross and the Alagad ni Maria(A.M) and here comes the
2 Quoted to Br. Tarcisius J. Uy. Interviewed January 31, 2015
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OATH as the last which all of these was inspired under the spirit of St. John Bosco, the special
care of the young people.
It was in the law of the church (Canon Law) according to Brother Tarcisius that no one
can institute any congregation without through the presence and approval of a bishop. This was
pushed to Fr. Edgardo Arellano to find a bishop that will be ready to accept the inspiration came
from the Holy Spirit. With the patience and continuous prayers of Fr. Edgardo Arellano, his
prayers was granted and here came Most Reverent Bishop Leo Drona who also came from
Salesian Congregation in fact one of the first Filipino bishop ordained in that congregation.
Bishop Drona also became teacher of Father Edgardo when he was still a seminarian thats why
they already know each other and chemistry played a great role to their mission. As these two
religious person worked together, Father Edgardo named as the Spiritual Father while Bishop
Drona named as the Canonical Founder of the OATH congregation.
With the continuous working together of Bishop Leo Drona and Fr. Edgardo Arellano,
they met Br. Jojo Viola who became their first brother under the OATH congregation which later
on became Fr. Jose Viola who helped them in apostolate and preaching the words of God. And as
the blessings came in this congregation they were started to known as they were also recruited
other members. They were Brother Wealthy who was now a ordained priest as Fr. Philip
Gorecho, Brother Robert(Fr. Francis Tiquia), Brother John(Fr. John Santos), Brother Pedro (Fr.
Peter Albino and they became the core group that worked together with Father EdgardoArellano.
Wherein these five persons were called by Father Edgardo arellano as the five young, brave,
courageous, daring and radical youth young people. Father Edgardo also got the assistance of
Cardinal Vidal who was now in Cebu who was giving higher help and assistance to them.
Although there were other became members in that time but they were not named by the
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respondent because they were not stayed for a long time and just tried themselves into a religious
life.
According also to Brother Tarcisius that the OATH was known during its pioneering
years as the emerging group in 1991 in Manila. Specifically in the house of a lay person that he
was not named who was helping the emerging group in terms of financial needs where they
temporarily stayed. Most of the time they did not stayed a long time in their place and one can be
considered that they stayed for a long time was the upper floor beside University of Sto. Thomas
in the upper part of McDonalds in Lacson Street where the emerging group renting a room.
From 1991 in Manila, they were transferred in San Jose City 1993 and were known as the
OATH congregation wherein they were not longer known as emerging group because of the
increased in their population. Since Bishop Leo Drona was the one who accommodated to Fr.
Edgardo Arellano as his partner in instituting this congregation this became the reason why they
were transferred in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. The OATH was not transferred in Barangay Kitakita immediately, the place where it became known and popular. Because theres no yet an
available lot for their buildings thats why they were first stayed in the City Town proper besides
the church of Mormons in Del Pilar Street, San Jose City which was called today as haunted
house as it was now an abandoned house.
In 1997, as their prayers were granted, here came willing groups again of lay people that
were willing to donate a lot that can be located in the Sito Campo 3, barangay Kita- kita, San
Jose City. With this donation, in 1997 although their buildings were not yet done specially their
main building they were still transferred. The first building was the main building that was called

by the residence near to them as the Tren sa Gitna na Bukid because it was located in the
middle of the farms planted by palay.
As Brother Tarcisius also asked one of their ordained priests namely Reverend

Father

Basil Diosay who also from San Jose City. He studied in Constanscio Padilla National High
School in San Jose City and Central Luzon State University in the Science City of Munoz when
he was still outside the religious community. He was asked to give the reasons why it was
established in San Jose City specifically in Barangay Kita-kita. First reason it was because
Bishop Leo Drona was the bishop of the city during that time. According to him that it was
advicesable and healthy for a religious community if they were with their bishop protector and
the same time their Canonical Father. Secondly, it was because the lot offered was located at
Barangay Kita-kita, San Joe City that was patterned to Jesus said that we will go in the place
where we are accepted. Lastly, which was the most important was because it was far from the
civilization and it was good to start for them in the place where the indigent families can be
located. This were gave the opportunities to the families near in this barangay at the same time
the residents of the barangay Kita-kita to became closer to God which for them it was a Gods
will to establish it in this place which also one of the objectives of this congregation. In which it
can be compared in the establishments of the church in the Philippines in1620-1760 as
Schumacher (1987, 141) has demonstrated that villages in the Philippines in that time are
innumerable and have no person to tell them that there was a God.
The other objectives of this congregation were first started in keep love and care for the
young people. And later on the founder saw that the social environment of the young people also
influenced their spiritual life thats why it was included to their objectives. This was the reason
why the OATH created four sections that will apostolate to the youth up to their family. In which
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during those times they were asking the families to attend novena, and vigil every first Friday
and Saturday of the month so that they will became closer to the presence of God. Lastly, since
the technologies were started to become modern the spiritual founder of this congregation saw
that there were must someone who will guide specially the youth to use the technology in a
proper use and ways.
With the continuous preaching of the OATH in the different part of the country their
population started to blossom. In this regards, here were the requirements of the applicants in
their congregation. First, since this congregation was a male institute the applicants must be a
straight male which was according to Brother Tarcisius that nakakalungkot nga lang isipin na
may mga pwede naman sana na tanggapin ngunit dahil nagkakaroon sila well according nga sa
social science is ah am parang balance sa kanila hindi naman yung may tama kundi may
kaonting imbalance sa kanila. In short that there were capable but since because of their
strictness the applicants must be a straight male. Although there were exemption to this in which
the next requirement will enter which was the great desire. Again this will enter to the next
requirement which was the applicants must came from a good family and also must a baptized
Roman Catholic. There was exemption also in this, because as quoted by Brother Tarcisius that
Pero siyempre may exemption yun yan kahit na sabihin natin illegitimate child hindi naman
kasalanan ng mga bata yun tapos willing siya binibigyan exemption yun. Next was the health of
the applicants they must be physically fit that can respond to the life style of the religious life at
the same time to academic standard. Lastly, was the age limit which before they were accepting
16 years old because for them it was easy to mold and prepare the young people for they were
still innocent in some other things. But today they were now strict in terms of age limit as their

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levelled up their standards that was resulted to inreased it into at least 18 years old that can
decide with themselves.

Br. Tarcisius was very happy as he was interviewed. He was hoping that with history
he shared it can inspired its readers not necessarily to recruit them them to enter into a religious
life but laso to inspired the readers and remembered their purpose in this world. And also to
follow the way of ife which was developed by Pope John Paul II... to live according to the will
of God.
Conclusion
As the data gathered through an interview method therefore Oblate Apostles of the Two
Hearts of Jesus and Mary (OATH) can be defined as a clerical missionary society of apostolic
life of consecrated souls. Their spiritual source and summit was in living Christs Eucharistic life
as victim-priests. With faith in Gods mysterious ways, the members humbly believe that their
society is a gift of Divine Providence. It was founded by Fr. Edgardo Bing Arellano in 1991
with the approval of Bishop Leo Drona.
The OATH was established for the service of the Church. It offers to the youth, the
family, the clergy and the media a lifestyle of atonement, reparation and Eucharistic spirituality.
This pastoral thrust was possible because clerics become the priority audience of the apostolate.
The obvious reason was that the ordinary minister of the Eucharist was the cleric. Because of
being a clerical society of apostolic life they were also directed to the sanctification of the family,
but more particularly, on the youth through campus youth ministry.

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Through the various apostolate of the society namely, the First Friday/First Saturday
communion of reparation vigil, the house-to-house evangelism, Youth Marian Charismatic
seminars, vocation search-in seminars, youth leadership seminars, and catechesis, many young
people were encouraged to join the society.
For prospective candidates, the following were set as criteria to qualify for Postulancy to
the OATH:
1. At least 18 years old;
2. Physically, mentally and psychologically healthy;
3. Has above average IQ for minimum requirement;
4. Free from physical defects or handicap;
5. Has healthy family background, sacramentally and spiritually. Parents
should have been validly married in the Catholic Church, and are still
faithful to their marriage bond;
6. Is free from sacred bond;
7. Has the maturity and right disposition to the consecrated life.

Also it was resulted that the population of this congregation as of 2014 were composed of
36 postulants, 27 novices, 28 first and second temporary professed brothers, 40 third and
perpetually professed deacons, three (3) deacons and 11 priests. With the total of 145 seminarians
under OATH congregation they were distributed accordingly to their mission except for the
postulants and novices.
The name Oblates Apostles of the Hearts was named to this congregation was because of
its objectives which were to make closer the families and the youths to the heart of Jesus and

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Mary thats why it was named as two hearts. Also, it was also recognized in the early part of the
paper especially to the names of the seminarians were different when they entered to the
seminary from their original name. It was because when the seminarians became a professed
brother they were given what they called Marian Name which were usually came from the
name of saints and other religious related names. Furthermore, to leave their worldly personality
and have a new personality that will fully dedicated for Jesus and Mary.
It was concluded also that this congregation was not started in San Jose City. It was
started in Lacson Street besides the University of Santo Thomas in 1991 wherein they were
called as emrging group. Then since bishop Drona was the assigned bishop of San Jose City in
1993 they were transferred and stay in a house near the church of Mormons, Del Pilar Street and
called as Oblates Apostles of the Two Hearts. Then because

there were lay groups who

offered and willing to donate a lot in Sitio Campo 3, Barangay Kita-kita, San Jose City they were
transferred again. Where they started to known in the whole country and developed their
congregation.
The OATH congregation as they stayed in San Jose City for almost two decades really
contributed to the residence of the said city. Not materially but spiritually. Many families were
became closer to God and gave advices on how to have a strong family. The youths especially
benefited with their young age they were introduce and became to God.

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Transcription of Interview to Br. Tarcisius J. Uy

Researcher: Good evening brother, so mag introduction lang ako .. sir
Respondent: Ok..
Researcher: Good evening po am unang- una maraming salamat po sa pag papapunlak sa aking
interview. Although medyo naging complicated, nagpapasalamat ako dahil inallow nyo pa rin
ako na maima.. matanong itong mga hinanda kong katananungan sa iyo. So, ito po simulan na po
natin.
Respondent: Ok..
Researcher: Ito po yung unang tanong, so.. ano po.. ano po am.. maaaring po ba kayo.. maaari
ko po ba maitanong yung establishment nung congregation po?.
Respondent: Kung.. kung pag uusapan natin yung establishment yung sa historical background
lalong lalo na yung mga founding years makikita itong congregation na ito, itong parish
association na ito Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts (OATH) makikita mo yung ugat nya nasa
Salesian of Don Bosco tamang tama kasi ngayong araw na ito (January 31) sinecelebrate natin
yung feast day ni St John Bosco. Nagtayo siya ng congregation for the young people ang tawag
dun ay Salessian mula sa pangalan ni St. Francis De Sales na patron ni John Bosco noong
panahon nila. Dahil yung pinakafounder nitong community na ito na si Fr. Edgardo Arellano.
Siya ay former member ng Salesian Congregation. So, sabi nga nila sa lenggwahe sa simbahan
nakaexperience si Fr. Edgardo Arellano ng tinatawag na call within a call. Tinawag na siya sa
isang congregation pero muli siyang tinatawag para magtayo ng halos katulad nung ng unang
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congregation na sinamahan nya. So actually, hindi kaagad yan naging Oblates Apostles of the
Two Hearts may mga ibang naitayong community na religious community na nakakatuwa kasi
hanggang ngayon ay.. ay nagtatrabaho pa rin para sa simbahan. Makikita nga yong
pagkakatulad- tulad pero may mga .. may mga unique at specific na trabahao na specialized sa
bawat grupo na mababanggit ko na yung una ang pangalan nila ay Marian Missionaries of the
Holy Cross at yung isa pa A.M o mas kilala sa tawag na Alagad ni Maria tapos ito na yung
pinakahuli na Oblates Apostles of the Two Hearts. Pero lahat ng yan ay parang nag uugat doon sa
espiritwalidad ni St. John Bosco na special care of the young people. Kaya kung matatandaan sa
history yung.. yung sikat na naging youth group sa Archdiocese ng Manila panahon ni Cardinal
Sin pa ito na Youth Marian Crusade o YMC na isa doon si Fr. Edgardo Arellano kung saan
naging secretary ni Cardinal Sin kung saan ginagawa yung mga apostolado na yan para sa mga
kabataan. And then eventually, nakapagtayo nga siya ng ibatt- ibang religious community. Yun
nga.. amm.. later on nalang na tinawag na Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross yung isa.. yung
isa Alagad ni Maria tapos yung Oblates Apostles of the Two Hearts. Makikita yung linya ni St.
John Bosco yung spirit ni St. John Bosco na nakatutok sa mga kabataan. So, doon natin makikita
yung parang background ng pagkakatatag nito. Pare-parehas silang nakatuon o nakatuon sa ..sa
special care for the young people kaya.. parang ginawa ni Fr. Edgardo Arellano since ah
nakasama sa batas ng simbahan o Canon Law na Law of the church na di makakapagtatag ang
sino mang na ganitong congregation na hindi sa pamamagitan ng isang Obispo so humanap ng
katulong si Fr. Edgardo Arellano ng isang Obispo na handang sumang ah.. magsumang ayon sa
mga adhikain ng banal na espirito santo o mga.. mga inspirasyon na nanggagaling sa banal na
espirito santo kailangan niya ng isang Obispo at binig-biniyayaan siya ng isang.. isang
obis(Obispo).. na nanggaling din sa grupo ni St. John Bosco isang Salesian din siya in fact one of

15

the first Filipino Salessian bishop ahh na naging teacher niya sa noong siya ay seminarista pa
lamang ang pangalan niya ay Bishop Leo Drona.
Reseacher: Opo
Respondent: So, bali silang dalawa ang .. ang nag.. nagtulungan na maestablish itong religious
community na ito. Ah.. ang tawag sa isa is Spiritual Father o Spiritual Founder si Fr.
Edgardo Arellano yun kung saan.. kung kasi siya yong talagang naging inspiration. At yung nag
approve, yung nag aral sa inspirasyon na yon at nakita namang walang problema ang tawag sa
kanya ay Canonical Founder si Most Reverent Bishop Leo Drona naman yun. So, sila yung
dalawang nagtulong para.. para makakuha ng approval, actually nasa second o third stage pa lang
itong.. establishment na to noong nagsimula palang sila Bishop Leo Drona saka si Father
Edgado ang tawag palang sa kanila ay parang emerging group. Tapos noong nakita naman ni
Bishop Leo Drona na wala namang problema saka nakita naman niya na mukang makakatulong
ito sa simbahan, naging private association sila tapos ngayon naman parang medyo naging
dumami na yung members kaya kami ay matatawag ng public o parish association in view of
obtaining the diocesan rite which will becoming longer coming from Bishop Leo Drona pero
manggagaling na sa Roma. So, yun yung inaabangan naming yung Diocesan Rite. Sa tingin ko
yun.. yung basically ahh.. parang background nung.. nung..
Researcher: Congregation po
Respondent: Congregation po..
Researcher: Ito po yung pangalawang tanong brother.. so nabanggit mo kanina po yung kay
bishop at kay Fr. Bing(Egardo) .. tama po?

16

Respondent: Opo.. opo

Researcher: Meron pa po bang ibang tao na involve bukod po sa kanilang dalawa?
Respondent: Ah Oo..yes actually mula dun sa mga nabanggit kong mga unang youth group..
lalo na nga yung YMC noh? Am may siyempre yong ibang mga youth doon nag join sa mga
ibatt- ibang grupo ng simbahan na malaking blessing naman para sa mga pioneering members
dahil hindi naman kasi iba- iba yung ah.. iba- iba man ang mga gift ng Holy Spirit kung para sa
isang simbahan naman di bali ng magkahiwa-hiwalay ng lugar basta iisa pa din yung misyon
diba? Of the church and people of God noh?. Am.. pero mula doon sa parang sabihin na natin na
pioneering group na pinagmulan ahm .. nitong Oblates Apostles of the Two hearts. May isa
actually na.. na sumama kay Father Edgardo na parang unang brother niya bilang Oblates
Apostles of the Two Hearts isa siya sa mga core group am pangalan niya ngayon na isang pari na
din si Fr. Jose Viola.
Researcher: Opo
Respondent: So siya yoong unang member ng Oblates Apostles and then ah sinimulan nila
magturo sa ah.. ah.. parang nagturo.. turo lang sila sa mga high school and then nakakita sila ng
mga sumunod pa na naging kasama ni Fr. Jose Viola na Brother Jose palang.. na Brother Jojo
nga nila kung tawagin ay nakasama nila nakilala nila si Brother Wealthy noon ngayon Fr. Philip
(Gorecho) nakilala din nila si Brother Robert ngayon ay Fr. Francis(Tiquia), si Brother John
ngayon ay Fr. John(Santos) at si Brother Pedro na ngayon ay Fr. Peter(Albino). So bali.. bali sila
yung naging core group na naging kasama ni

Father.. although may mga miyembro pa noon

pero hindi na siguro natin gaano mababanggit although.. although yoong iba nakikila pa din
naming ngayon pero hindi naman kasi sila kung baga nagtagal kung baga parang nagtry lang sila
17

hindi rin sila gaano nagatagal. So basically yung lima na yun, from that five young, brave,
courageous, daring and radical youth young people. Ah yung binanggit kong mga adjectives na
yun hindi nanggaling sa akin yoon.. hiniram ko sa salita mismo ni Fr. Edgardo Arellano kapag
siya ay nagbabahagi sa amin kung paano sila nagsimula dati very brave, very daring, very
radical for the sake of the ah young people and youth at yung prevailing spirituality nila is ah..
balansehin yoong mga kasalanan na nagagawa ng mga kabataan by preaching, teaching so bali
yoong lima na yoon sina Father Edgardo, Bishop Drona so kailangan din nila na humingi ng
higher help so nakuha din nila yung assistance and ng moral support ni Cardinal Vidal that time
na nasa Cebu. (interview was paused in this part)
Researcher: Am.. bilang pagpapatuloy ng aking pakikinayam brother ito po yung ikatlong
tanong. Am.. yoong nga po from the establishment, people involve so itatanong ko naman po
kung bakit dito.. dito sa Brgy. Kita- kita, San Jose City siya am hindi ko po alam paki correct
nalang po ako kung dito naitatag o dito siya naestablish po.
Respondent: Actually nagsimula sila year 1991 pa yung mga tinatawag na emerging group
nagkaroon sila ng approval kay Bishop Leo Drona sa Manila pa lang.
Researcher: Opo
Respondent: Sa isang bahay ng lay people na tumutulong sa mga financial na pangangailangan
ng mga brother. So, mga taong 1991 sa Maynila muna sila tumira kung saang bahay sila
tatanggapin although hindi naging permanente, isa siguro sa tumagal sa kanila is yung isang
upper floor sa gilid ng UST sa taas ng McDonalds mayroong Mcdonald dati sa gilid ng UST sa
Lacson Street . Mayroong isang kwarto doon na inupahan para lang may matirahan para sa mga
unang miyembro. Pero eventually, bakit lumipat jan sa San Jose gawa nga ng since Bishop Leo
18

Drona ang nagaccomodate kay Fr. Edgardo Arellano na ano.. na maging handang katuwang niya
sa pagtatag.. to founded this congregation and to establish which is a religious community am
ahemm at lumipat sila sa San Jose. At di kaagad pumunta diyan sa Kita- kita dahil wala pang
lote, wala pang lugar na ready. So, tumira muna sila doon sa gilid hanggang ngayon andon parin
tong bahay na ito sa gilid ng Mormons dun sa may sa bayan malapit sa.. dun sa... dun
Researcher: Del Pilar Strret
Respondent: May Mormons dun na tinatawag ngayon Haunted House kasi wala ng nakatira..
doon unang tumira ang mga brothers, 1993 mga ganun sila lumipat. 1997, nagkaroon ng.. ng
ilang mga grupo ng mga lay people na willing magdonate lupa diyan nga bandang Campo 3,
Baryo Kita- kita. So, donasyon yan, 1997 hindi man tapos yoong ilang building lalo na yoong
main building doon na mahaba yoong first building doon na ika nga ng mga tao dati na
mistulang Tren sa Gitna ng Bukid dahil wala talagang kabahay- bahay dun sa paligid noon.
Researcher: Opo
Respondent: Natatandaan ko pa nga noon so parang grade 6 ako noon nakikita ko na parang
may tren nga sa gitna ng bukid .. pero 1997 hindi pa masyado tapos yoon wala pa din yoong
simbahan.. yoong shrine.. yoong sa harap tumira na yong mga brothers doon na nakakwentuhan
ko nga yoong sa mga unang brother dun na pari na ngayon Fr. Basil Maria Diosay 3 na taga jan
lang din sa San Jose yun nga nag aral din.. din sa Constancio at CLSU 1997 sila tumira. Bakit
diyan.. first reason really dahil anjan si Bishop Leo Drona mas advicesable at mas healthy sa
isang religious community na kasama nila ang poprotekta sa kanila na Obispo. Bishop Protector
which is.. who also at the same time the Canonical Founder so kaya sila diyan sa San Jose (Kita3 Interviewed by Br. Tarcisius J. Uy. Calauan, Laguna. January 30, 2015
19

kita). Secondly, dahil diyan din may nag offer ng lupa, syempre para namang mga taga sunod
tayo ni Hesus noh? Pupunta tayo sa lugar na kung saan tayo tanggapin at may magpapatuloy sa
atin.. so dahil doon may tumulong. And third which is also an important reason, because diyan sa
lugar ng Kita- kita am..malayo na kasi siya sa bayan medyo mas maganda din magsimula ng
apostolado sa mga mahihirap na pamilya at mga kabataan na nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na
makapagsimba dahil ang layo na.. ibatt- ibang sekta na ang mga nasisimulan nila. So doon din
siguro dinala ng Banal na Espirito Santo para simulan doon sa mga mas nangangailangan ng
tulong.
Researcher: Opo.. bukod po dun sa mga nabanggit mo na mga dahilan ng pagkakatatag sa Kitakita yoon nga po malayo sa bayan, magkaroon ng mga opportunity yoong mga taga dito na
mapalapit sa to be specifically mapalapit sa Diyos, meron pa po bang ibang dahilan o objectives
ng pagkakatatag?
Respondent: ah oo.. mabuti pinaalala mo yan kasi nabanggit ko nga medyo particular sa lugar
na yan pero yung general objectives na tinatawag nga sa lenggwahe ng simbahan na the
intention of the founder kung ano nga ba ang nakikita ng founder na kahihitnanan ng grupo na
ito san nga ba patungo. Am... basically nagsimula nga yan sa keep love and care the young
people na parang hindi sapat kung nakaconcentrate lang tayo sa kapakanan ng kabataan . Nakita
o nainspire ang founder ng community na to na.. na pati yoong social environment na
nakakaimpluwensya sa formation ng mga kabataan ay matututukan na din. So nagkaroon ng apat
na sector ang apostoladao ang Oblates Apostle of the Two Hearts priority siyempre ang mga
young people kailangan din niya ifollow up yoong sa pamilya kung saan nagkaroon nag
extensyon hanggang sa pamilya ng mga kabataan. So, parang house-to-house evangelization and
then kahit na.. kahit na maangkop na natin ang pamilya kung ito ay malayo pa din sa simbahan
20

parang bali wala . So parang in general and in particular yung Oblates Apostles of the Two
Hearts ilapit ang mga pamilya na ito sa parokya. Hindi lang parang parish apostolate nagiging
complementary yoong trabaho ng grupo na ito para mailapit ang mga taong ito sa simbahan kaya
mayroong first Friday at Saturday Vigil kung niuunite ang mga pamilya at pamilya ng mga
kabataan. And lastly dahil nakita natin yoong bumubulusok na pag unlad ng,ating teknolohiya na
lalo na sa Mass Media nakita din Ni Father Edgardo kung gaano kalaki yoong am.. kung gaano
kadelikado na sa isang kabataan ang environment na masyadong mataas ang teknolohiya. Lalo
na sa mass media communication, am hindi pa man gaano kalakas ang FB at twitter pero iba na
yoong mga palabas sa telebisyon at mga lumalabas sa mga magazine so medyoginawa din ng
mga apostolado na bigyan ding pansin ito para magabayan din kung tama ban na panuorin at
magamit ang ganda ng technology sa tamang paraan.Bali yoon yoong apat na dahilan na
tinatarget ng misyon na ito kung saan pamilya nila.. sa sa ...sa parish at ang common
denominator ay

ang pagpapalaganap ng way of life

so iniintroduce naming sa mga

community, parishes na yoong sa life style sa pamamagitan way of family consecration kung
saan ang mga pamilya ay nilalapit namin sa mga sa dalawang puso nina Hesus at Maria kaya
nga Oblates Apostle of the Two Hearts pero by way of communion of reparation so dahil talamak
na ang mga kasalanang nagagawa ngayon parang minsn nga ang hirap na isipin na ang kabataan
ang pag asa ng bayan. Kasi talagang sangkot sila ngayon sa mga hindi inaasahang krimen so
dahil parang isa sa mga objectives at very challenging na ako mismo personally

naging

challenge din sa bokasyon is kung paano babalansehin yung kung paano pagbabayaran yung mga
nagagawa ng mga kabataan lalo na sa problema sa kalaswaan masyado ng violent mapalitan ng
may pagmamahal sa isat isa at malinis na puso.
Researcher: Ok po brother.. bukod po sa sinabi mo na panalangin may ano meron pa po ba?
21

Respondent: Am since.. since sinabi nga ni Pope John Paul II tayo ngayon ay namumuhay sa
tinatawag na Kultura ng Kamatay kung saan nakakaranas tayo ng absence of the sense of sin,
absence of the sense of God, at at absence of the sense of man. Nawawala na tayo sa resepeto sa
Panginoon kaya parang wala na tayong pakialam kung may nagagawa man tayong kasalanan o
wala, kung nawawalan na din tayo ng respeto sa kasagraduhan o sacredness of life kaya yun
yung parang kultura ng kamatayan o culture of death na binanggit niya sa kanyang evangelum
vitae yoong panalangin kailangan may kaabakibat palang pagbabayad o reparation. Kapag
sinabi na laman din ng kanyang Sanctificum Dolores na ano mang paghihirap ng isang tao
kung ito ay maiuunite sa paghihirap ng Panginoong Hesukristo sa kalbaryo lalong- lalo na kapag
nagdidiwang ng santa misa ay nagkakaroon ng salvation. Nagagamit ng Panginoon upang
makapagbayad ng kasalanan at ng makaligtas ng mga kaluluwa kaya dumagdag yung reparative
style of sacrifice. Hindi man ganoon kagaya sa ginawa ni Kristo pero yoong mga munting
sakripisyo matagal mga.. kaonting oras na idadagdag sa pagdadasal, pagluhod, may mga bagay
na hindi magagawa, may mga am yoong sa fasting kasi hindi lang sa food yon. But theres also
din a kind of fasting na from bad habits, from watching too much television. So tingin ko yon
din yung parang special o main ingredient doon sa Oblates Apostles of the Two Hearts. Yong
medyo may diin sa buhay na.. na may kaakibat ng sakripisyo. So medyo mahirap intindihin yon
para sa mga common people pero once na nakita talaga ng isang kabataan tulad ko nalang kung
gaano kalungkot, kung gaano kasakit na mabuhay sa kadiliman ng kasalanan at kung gaano
maki..makikita yoong mga kabataan na talagang uhaw sa tunay na pagmamahal, sa tunay na
kaligayahan na hindi nila makikita sa mundo. Dito din pala makikita kung magiging handa tayo
na yakapin ang krus na pinasan ni Kristo. Parang ito naman yoong time natin na buhatin yong
krus alang- alang sa. In fact kahit hindi spiritual reason o hindi gaano kabigat na reason lahat

22

naman talaga ng mga success kailangan dumaan sa hirap, lahat ng mga tagumapay,, tulad ng
mga.. past stories kung paano nakaabot sa success so parang ganun lang din kasimple actually
para maisalba yoong mga kabataan, para maitama yong mga maling gawi nila at para
maipadanas talaga sa kanila yong kaligayahan na hinahanap ng kanilang puso sa pamamagitan
ng pag welcome sa pag ibig ng Diyos sa pamamagitan din ng pagyakap sa mga sakripisyo na ito.
So, parang prayer coupled to sacrifice parang hopeful and fruitful yong parang na evident hindi
lang sa amin pero sa lifestyle. Halimbawa sa buhay ni Padre Pio, St. John Vianney, St. Theresa of
Avilla at iba pang maraming mga santo na nakatulong na makapagbago sa makapagbayad para sa
mga kaluluwa .. so yon.
Researcher: So reviewhin ko lang po brother, na nasabi nyo na from the establishment, tapos
kung paano nagsimula, tapos papunta kung sino ang mga nainvolve sa establishment, hanggang
sa natrace na din po yong... mga dahilan kung bakit siya na establish dito sa San Jose specifically
dito nga po sa barangay Kita- kita am hanggang sa nasabi niyo nga po yoong mga objectives. Sa
objectives na nasabi niyo am masasabi natin na pumapasok na doon yoong parang may mga
parang may maatract or marecruit kayo. So. Ano po ba yong requirements ng mga applicants ng
mga willing pumasok sa inyong congregation. So ano po ba ang mga reuirments o doon muna po
tayo sa am ......... sino po ba yoong mga able na pumasok
Respondent: Ah ok.. siyempre kapag ang tanong kung sino ba ang pwede pumasok masasagot
na din natin yung nabanggit mo na mga na katanungan kanina kung ano ba yung mga
requirements. Kasi hindi naman sapat na able lang tapos wala namang requirements. So I think
maganda saguting ko na yong dalawang katanungan nay an sa sagot na ito.
Researcher: Opo.. Opo

23

Respondent: Am papasok dito sino ba ang pwedeng tanggapin at ano ba ang mga requirements.
So, well actually, lahat naman ay welcome pero syempre sa lahat naman ng establishment , sa
lahat naman kahit mga corporation yan and a religious community kapag may niraise kang goal
and objectives hindi talaga mawawala yung requirements for the members. Kasi kung ang
trabaho hindi siya tumatanggap na hindi related sa halimbawa sa mga accountancy hindi pwede
yung gusto kahit willing sila.
So, una sa lahat because this is a men community, dapat lalaki kasi even in quantum
religioness one of the doctrine of the church about religious communities. Hindi naman yun
para lang sa amin so actually para sa lahat ng gusting magpari. Dapat talaga na lalaki,
nakakalungkot nga lang isipin na may mga pwede naman sana na tanggapin ngunit dahil
nagkakaroon sila well according nga sa social science is ah am parang balance sa kanila hindi
naman yung may tama kundi may kaonting imbalance sa kanila ah am make up epidemically.
Am hindi naman pwede isisi sa kanila na ipinanganak sila na Third Sex o homosexual pero
medyo strict yung communityand then ayun nga kailangan lalaki talaga dapat. And then dapat
binyag dapat katoliko dapat and as much as possible as what we want is qualified sa amin kapag
galing sa good family. Pero syempre may exemption yun yan kahit na sabihin natin illegitimate
child hindi naman kasalanan ng mga bata yun tapos willing siya binibigyan exemption yun..
paano nakikita yon, makikita sa desire ng bata kasi bukod sa una dapat na lalaki na isa sa
pangunahin dapat, requirements para makita kung willing yung bata , dapat Makita yung strong
desire nung bata. Lalo na sa mga religious community ang mga practice ay medyo strikto hindi
dahil gusto pahirapan yong mga applicants kundi para sila sa demands ng apostolotate for the
future pero kailangan itest kung talagang ok. So dapat lalaki, dapat strong yong desire then dapat
nasa edad na pwede ng magdesisyon supposed to be 18 years old yun where in fact na during
24

yung mga pagtanggap sa amin pero back then tinatanggap yung mga 16 years old kasi yung sa
panahon ni John Bosco mas tumatanggap sila ng mga mas bata 10 or 11, 12 hindi pa tapos ng
high school ay tinatanggap na niya. The reason is mas bata, mas madali pang imold o iprepare
sabi nga ni St.John Bosco a hand of the prevention is better than the time of pure na kapag
masyado ng corrupt yoong yong bata mahirap ng iform mas madami ng broken na dapat ayusin.
Matagal na yong process bago siya maprocess. So tumatanggap kami dati ng 16 years old noh.
Tapos isa pa , itong babanggitin ko na to bukod sa desire kasi marami nga gusto talaga health
wise is kaya ng katawan. Wala dapat sakit sa baga(hahahaha) kasi hindi kakayanin yong lifestyle
lalo na kapag religious community. Kaya minsan kung may gusto nirerefer nalang namin sa sa
Diocisan and then syempre kailangan din ng parents permit lalo na dati pwede ang 16 years old
kailangan talaga ang parents permit at saka dapat may blessing ng parish priest, dapat may
recommendation and then ang pinakamahaliga kasi dito is the spiritual reason dapatbukod dun sa
desire ay matinding spiritual reason dapat yung. Hindi lang dapat gusto, bakit mo gusto, sino
gusto mo tulungan, anu ba nakikita mong magagawa mo kapag pinasok mo yong congregation
na to. Kaya kung tatanggapin bago dito ay nagkakaroon yan ng search-in seminars ano ba
intetntion ng founder na ito ano ba academic requirements ng congregation na to bago sila piliin
na para sila ay para dito.

25

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