Thesis Ina NG Buhay Parish

INA NG BUHAY PARISH:
29 YEARS OF FAITH AND FORMATION

(1986-2015)
-------------
A Thesis
Submitted to the
Faculty of Arts and Letters
University of Santo Tomas
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In Partial Fulfillment
Of the requirements for the degree
Bachelor of Arts in History
------------By
Jejomar G. Palma
March 31, 2016
CHAPTER I:
INTRODUCTION
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS
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Background of the Study

The Catholic Church calls and urges her faithful to be essentially one in
their faith. This call to be one and the call for an active participation is so because
her faithful are considered the Body of Christ. The Vatican says:
It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its
Head, that celebrates. "Liturgical services are not private functions
but are celebrations of the Church which is 'the sacrament of unity,'
namely, the holy people united and organized under the authority of
the bishops. Therefore, liturgical services pertain to the whole Body
of the Church. They manifest it, and have effects upon it. But they
touch individual members of the Church in different ways,
depending on their orders, their role in the liturgical services, and
their actual participation in them." For this reason, "rites which are
meant to be celebrated in common, with the faithful present and
actively participating, should as far as possible be celebrated in that
way rather than by an individual and quasi-privately.1
UNIVERSITY
OFand
SANTO
TOMASofGRADUATE
SCHOOL
It is therefore
the right
obligation
every faithful,
being a
community baptized into the Catholic Church, to actively, consciously, fully and
whole-heartedly participate in her celebrations to manifest their unity and their
being the one Body of Christ. It is to say, indeed, that the people, the community,
the faithful, are the Church.
It is because of this need to fulfill the role of the faithful as the Body of
Christ that she is organized into institutions called parishes. The establishment of
parishes definitely makes the process of fulfilling the call of the Church more
effective.
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Holy See, Retrieved from

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c2a1.htm accessed February 4,
2015
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As one of the basic religious institutions that the Catholic church has, it is
in the parish where one experiences the community aspect of the faith firsthand. Therefore, it is the serious responsibility of a parish community to embody
the faith and the oneness of the Church with Christ. One cannot do this alone,
which is why in the definition of a parish we find the laity and the clergy as
active participants in the life of a parish. Certainly a priest cannot sustain a parish
alone without the faithful and neither can the faithful do so without a priest. It is
from this relationship that the parish goes beyond its religious functions to
assume a social dimension.
The parish priest is put in an arduous role of taking care of souls entrusted
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS GRADUATE SCHOOL
to him by teaching, sanctifying, and governing2 the parish. He is seen as the
shepherd of the flock what the flock needs he provides. Most Rev. Orlando
Quevedo emphasized that humility, self-abnegation, sacrifice kenosisshould
describe the very being of a priest and that the call to be servants is
fundamental to priestly life and ministry. 3 The role of the lay faithful is looked
upon with as much importance as the clergy for they share the same mission as
baptized Catholics. The clergy and the lay must, therefore, work hand-in-hand to
bring about the true embodiment of faith in the parish.
2 Ibid.
3 Most Rev. Orlando Quevedo, O.M.I., D.D., Pastoral Priorities and Seminary Formation,
Kalatog: Theology in Context: Select Perspectives (Manila: UST Publishing House, 2003), 11
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To give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary on her 2000th birth anniversary
in 1985, His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, the then Archbishop of Manila,
initiated the establishment of a church honoring Mary as the Mother of Life,
hence the name of the parish: Ina ng Buhay. It is only the second church in the
world, second to Notre Dame de Vie in Venesque, France and first ever in Asia,
to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of Life. Together with the help
of Rev. Fr. Manny Sebastian and Mrs. Rosario Melchor, the visions of His
Eminence Cardinal Sin were fulfilled. Ina ng Buhay Parish in Novaliches,
Quezon City was established on 6 th September 1986.4 Since then, the parish has
had seven parish priests bringing with them different levels and perspectives of
spirituality that they have shared with the lay faithful. Like what is said above,
the parish priest is not alone in running the affairs of the parish, he is
accompanied by the lay faithful represented by the Parish Pastoral Council who,
together with the parish priest is responsible for the facilitation of parish-wide
activities. Ina ng Buhay Parish has had eight Parish Pastoral Council
administrations each of which differed in style of administration and leadership.
Though still young at 29 years, INBP, having been through a series of
changes in its pastors and leaders, surely have had diverse experiences making it
4 Zenaida San Diego, History of Ina ng Buhay Parish, Parokya ng Ina ng Buhay: 25th
Foundation Anniversary Parish Fiesta Celebration (Quezon City: n.p., 2011), n.pag. It is not
ideal, in the case of Ina ng Buhay Parish, to strictly date its establishment on September 6, 1986
since the parishs establishment underwent developing processes (e.g. construction of the church
structure) when Cardinal Sin announced his desire to establish the parish. It would be safer to say
that the parish was established from September 6 to September 14, 1986 when its first mass was
held. Nevertheless, the parish celebrates its fiesta on September 8 the birth of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
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a rich source of historical study, specifically the changes that have happened and
how these changes led to what the parish is today. In this light, this thesis
attempts to show how Ina ng Buhay Parish developed as a parish since its
establishment in 1986 to its latest founding anniversary in 2015.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This thesis attempts to answer the main question: How did
INBP grow and develop since its establishment from 1986 to 2015? To
help answer the main question, the following sub questions are raised:
1. Why was INBP founded, what factors necessitated its
foundation and how did it embody the definition of a parish?
2. How did the parish priests, along with the Parish Pastoral
Council, administer the parish and attend to the needs of the
parishioners?
3. What challenges did the parish meet, and how did it face these
challenges?
4. How did Ina ng Buhay Parish affect the lives of its
parishioners as a community?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance of this work lies in the novelty in the attempt to present a
comprehensive study of the development of Ina ng Buhay Parish. Though a few
write-ups exist, researchers have not delved into the subject to a greater extent. In
highlighting the growth and development of Ina ng Buhay Parish, this study
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becomes a significant undertaking concerning the parishs history as part of the

literature on INBP and for further studies on the subject.
History is the study of the past aiming to understand the present in order
to be prepared for the future. As a microcosm of a country, it is important for the
people belonging to an institution like INBP to be well aware of their history so
as to affirm their identity and understand themselves as a community their
nature, characteristics, vision, and mission. In this light this study becomes a
significant contribution to the community of Ina ng Buhay Parish as it presents its
history, thereby serving as a guide in facing future challenges and solving future
problems that the parish may encounter.
METHODOLOGY
In writing this study the researcher employed the historical method by
using the analytical, descriptive, and narrative techniques in research. The
gathered data were analyzed to affirm their validity, accuracy, and relevance, in
this way the narration presents accurate and properly interpreted and
contextualized data. Oral history was also utilized to compensate for the paucity
of written sources. It made use of primary sources such as official documents and
interviews from key people such as former parish priests, Parish Pastoral Council
officers, organization coordinators, and parishioners who are themselves part of
the parochial development. Secondary sources were also utilized to provide
proper contextualization of the primary sources and to provide additional
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information on the subject matter. The secondary sources were gathered from
published materials such as articles/write-ups from newsletters regarding parish
affairs, souvenir programs, and from other researches that are parallel in subject
and methodology, certain interviewees may also be used as secondary sources.
The use of statistical records was also done to cater to the fields of demographics
and finance that will be inevitably tackled in looking at the parishs history,
giving a firmer ground for the interpretations and assertions to be made in the
study.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This study covers the years from the establishment of Ina ng Buhay Parish
(1986) until its latest founding anniversary in September 2015. It underscores the
developments between these years, hence the title: Ina ng Buhay Parish: 29 Years
of Faith and Formation (1986-2015).
Firstly, the study looks into the social, political, and religious causes as to
why Ina ng Buhay Parish was founded. Secondly, the terms of different parish
priests and Parish Pastoral Council administrations was surveyed, examining how
they ran the affairs of the parish and attended to its needs as an institution. Thus,
the significant projects and programs of the administrations are covered. Thirdly,
the study looks into the different challenges and trials that the parish encountered
and how it responded to these challenges. Lastly, it delves into the impact of the
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parish to its parishioners as a community how it changed the social

environment.
Among the limitations of this study is the paucity of published materials;
as a result the study will rely heavily on interviews of people who were key
participants in the process of the parishs development. Another limitation is a
matter of natural tendency some key people, who happen to be the best primary
sources on a certain period, are already deceased and constrained by health
conditions. To compensate for this, the researcher opted to interview other
persons who are also first-hand sources of information.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
This study is grounded on a certain theory in order that the interpretation
of its data may help explain or give light to a more general, perhaps a higher
principle. Otherwise it becomes a dry narrative of facts without their proper
signification.
In interpreting the data on the history of Ina ng Buhay Parish, Anthony
Giddens Theory of Structuration will be employed as it fits within the objective
of the said study.
Central to Giddens theory is the reflexive relationship between the
structures and the agents. Structures are understood to be always both
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constraining and enabling5, which means to say that these limit social actions
through established rules, while, at the same time, provide resources through
which power is exercised6, thus enabling social action. Agents, on the other hand,
are understood to be skilled and intelligible making them capable of using their
resources according to their desires and of being able to act otherwise, giving
them a transformative capacity.7 Because agents are intelligible, they are able to
reflexively monitor their experiences that give way for the reproduction of their
actions8, and therefore production of structures. The agents transformative
capacity is their means of changing their environment.
The people of Ina ng Buhay Parish are the agents. The structures on the
other hand are manifested by the rules that they follow and make, and the social
context to which the parish is situated. In making decisions regarding parochial
affairs, the Parish Pastoral Council along with the parish priest must always
consider the status of the community, the economic particularly, to ensure success
in these affairs. This status, call it context if you will, provides for them a limit to
their social action, and at the same time provides them the means of social action.
5 Anthony Giddens, The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of Structuration (Oxford:
Polity Press, 1984), 25
6
ibid. 16
7 Anthony Giddens, New Rules of Sociological Method: A Positive Critique of Interpretative

Sociologies (New York: Basic Books, Inc., 1976), 111
8 Kenneth Tucker, Anthony Giddens and Modern Social Theory (London: SAGE Publications,
1998), 80
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The rules that they follow are only as effective as their obedience to it. Once they
ignore them these rules become obsolete paving way for a creation of new rules
that would be more relevant. This also goes with regular parish activities. These
activities are only as regular as people choose to do them regularly, but once the
people move away from these regular activities they gradually die, paving way
for new activities that would eventually be done regularly. This is a visible pattern
whenever parish priests come and go.
The people of INBP proved their ability to reflexively monitor their
actions by means of regular meetings. In these meetings activities, programs, and
projects are evaluated whether they are successful or not and whether they are
beneficial to the parish or not. Activities, when non-beneficial to the parish, are,
more often than not, discontinued, and then the people will think of new activities
or programs that would benefit the community. When activities are beneficial,
they are continued until such time that they become a regular affair of the parish.
In studying the growth and development of INBP, it is only rightful to
look into the challenges it has faced and how it resolved these challenges that,
consequently contributed to its continuation as an institution. For this reason, this
study will also utilize Arnold Toynbees Challenge-And-Response Theory. He
says that: In a growing civilization a challenge meets with a successful response
which proceeds to generate another and a different challenge 9 and that there is
9 Arnold Toynbee in Joseph Gardiners Theories of History: Readings from Classical and
Contemporary Sources (N.p.: Free Press, 1959), 202
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no term to this process of growth.10 Only when a civilization fails to respond to a

pressing challenge does it meet its demise, its end. Although Toynbee
specifically utilized this theory in interpreting civilizations, the researcher felt it
appropriate to use it in interpreting the history of INBP as this study also looks
into the different challenges that the parish met and how the parish responded to
the challenges that made it survive as an institution until the present time.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
As what have been emphasized in the Scope and Limitations, written
materials on the topic are few and come only in write-ups and articles. There are
SANTO
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
no comprehensiveUNIVERSITY
studies yet onOF
INBP,
whichTOMAS
is why there
is no related
literature
directly catering to the same study. However, the researcher reviewed published
literature that are parallel in aspects of the studys methodology, scope, and field
of interest. Presented here are books that tackle parish history, which is going to
be the same thrust of this study.
San Agustin: Art and History: 1571-200 by Pedro G. Galende and
Regalado Trota Jose (San Agustin Museum, 2000) mainly covers the
architecture of San Agustin church. The authors in-depth discussions cover the
various sites inside the church, their respective architectural styles, and the
symbolisms in the different structures inside the church, very much like Teresita
C. Montellanas San Agustin Church: A Landmark in the History of
10 ibid.
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Christianity in the Philippines which she submitted to the UST Graduate School
on January 8, 1968. Although the authors gave a comprehensive discussion of the
churchs history its significance during the colonial years, it failed to discuss
sufficiently the institutional aspect of the church how its parishioners ran the
affairs, and how it influenced the social environment of the area.
This study on INBP, however, is focused on the developments of the
church as a parish not only as a physical structure but more so as a social
institution. Rather than anchoring on the architectural thrusts of the church, it
delves in its social implications as a parish. This is not to say, however, that
architecture was completely bypassed in this study. It is inevitable to talk about a
parish separate from its structure. For this reason this study also looks into the
different structures that comprises the church.
Santa Ana Church of Manila: Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned: A
Historical Guide (Cofradia de la Immaculada Concepcion Foundation, Inc.,
2008) looks into the history of the church from the colonial period, to the war
years, up to the present and assesses the effects of the wars to the churchs
affairs and architecture. One unique feature of the book is that a whole chapter is
dedicated for the discussion of the churchs patroness Our Lady of the
Abandoned. The patroness image along with her treasures (crown, clothing,
scepter, and other accessories) and their respective symbolisms were all presented
in detail. Discussed also is the patroness relevance in the socio-religious life of
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the people her impact and influence on the parishioners and her historicity.
Another chapter of the book surveyed the different landmarks of the parish area
such as the plazas and towns that played a big part in the development of the
parish.
This study on INBP is parallel to this book highlighting the challenges
and developments met by the parish. However, the discussion on the patroness
Ina ng Buhay is not on focus, although it is still an aspect that the study looked
into to be able understand the nature of the parish inclining to the values of her
patroness.
Suli: Legacies of Santiago Apostol Church of Betis by Nina Tomen and
Pablo Virgilio David, D.D. (NCCA and SHJI, 2012) covers the areas local and
parish history. Highlighting the religious practices and traditions of the
community, the book is more culturally inclined vis--vis the literatures presented
above which are more architecturally focused as it presented comprehensive
architectural and artistic insights in explaining the church structure and features
while also discussing their historicity. It also assesses the impact that the church
brought to the community. The authors presented the traces of the churchs
nomenclature and how it changed through time. The authors were able to stitch
together the lingering cultural heritage, particularly that of dance and music,
around the parish that especially come alive during significant parish events like
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the fiesta. An important portion of the book focuses on the parishs patron St.
James or Apung Tiago as the townsfolk relates to him.
In tracing the establishment, growth, and development of INBP, it is
important to understand certain prevailing conditions that led to the parishs
establishment. It is also vital to be aware of these conditions to be able to see the
degree of change that the parish brought upon its establishment; and in this light
local history serves its purpose. This is exactly what Tomen and David has done
and what this study on Ina ng Buhay Parish primarily aims to do.
The History of Paco Parish by Amelita Manuel (UST Publishing House,
1967) gives a brief history of Paco Parish. Manuel also presented the history of
the parishs nomenclature. Manuel added to her work the different folk stories
about the church, which is rather interesting since it presents a different
perspective on the field of study. Also given attention in this book are the
different organizations mandated or non-mandated that constitutes Paco
Parish. Similar to the literatures reviewed here earlier, Manuel looked into the
growth and development of the parish manifested in the changes in the social
climate of the area and in the external structure of the church. Manuel
summarized the different parish activities that were regularly celebrated,
particularly the parishs fiesta.
This thesis is very much parallel to the work of Amelita Manuel minus the
folklore regarding the church. This study looks closely into the different
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organizations that constitute the parish as they play one, if not the biggest part in
parish affairs. It also important to give attention to the different parish activities
participated in by the parishioners, most especially the fiesta. Lastly, both works
are parallel in trying to assess the developments of the parish as an institution and
as a physical structure, although this thesis is deeply anchored on the former.
Also a good related literature on this thesis is Fr. Gallarde A. Bombase,
Jrs rather comprehensive work on Santisimo Rosario Parish Santisimo
Rosario Parish: Its History and Guide for Parish Leaders. Fr. Bombase, a
Dominican, gave a comprehensive discussion on the history of Santisimo Rosario
Parish and presented in detail the different organizations that constitute the parish.
What makes this work a cut above the literatures presented above is that Fr.
Bombase took pains in discussing, in a separate chapter, the role that the laity
plays in the life of the parish which is a much neglected aspect in the works
above. Although Manuel took the same direction, she only discussed the roles of
the organizations in the parish as opposed to Fr. Bombase discussing the role of
the laity in general. Faithful to its title as being a guide for parish leader, Fr.
Bombase presented the Santisimo Rosario Parish Pastoral Councils constitution,
which, he explained, became the basis of the nature of all parish affairs and
activities.
This thesis hopes to do the same, especially in assessing the valuable role
of the parishs laity in its development. While this work is in no way intended to
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be particularized guide for parish leaders, it goes in the similar direction for, as
explained in the Significance of the Study portion of this chapter, it looks into the
history of the parish the challenges and trials it faced and the problems it solved
which can readily be a guide for the parishioners in general, not only the
leaders, in making future decisions regarding the parish.
Last on this list is another term paper, Remedios C. Tiongsons A Term
Paper on Our Lady of Loreto Parish Church. Tiongson, not doing away with the
related literature already listed above, starts off with the churchs history, which is
centered on the physical developments of the parish through time. She
emphasized these changes by the showing the contrast between the old physique
of the church and the new one. Tiongson dedicated a chapter for the discussion of
the parishs patroness, Our Lady of Loreto.
This study on INBP differs in its thrust, which looks at the parish as an
institution. The main goal of the researcher in writing this study is to show the
growth and development of the parish as an institution. What was emphasized in
this study are the projects, programs, and activities that show how the parish
works as a religious community that not only caters to the spiritual needs of the
people but also engages in its social, economic, and political concerns. The main
fields of discussion emphasized in the related literature above (architectural,
social, artistic, historical) are going to be used as tools to understand the parish as
an institution. It is important to see that the projects and programs emphasized in
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this study showed the parishs advancements in artistic and architectural aspects
manifested by the different structures built in the parish. The parishs social
implications were also given attention in the discussions as a number of programs
implemented by the parish catered to its social concerns, thereby making a social
impact on the people. There are different historical events that prompted the
parish to change. The discussions on these fields are not the foci of this study, as
they were in the reviewed literature above, but they were utilized so that the end
result leads to a general evaluation of how the parish, as an institution, has grown
and developed.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
To be able to understand certain concepts about parish history, it is
necessary to define the most significant terms that will be used in the discussion.
1. Parish is defined to be a certain community of the faithful constituted in
a stable way in a particular Church, the pastoral care of which is
committed to a priest as its proper pastor, under the authority of the
diocesan bishop,11 if without a territory then a group of faithful on the
basis of language, ethnicity, or some other shared qualities. 12 A
11 Excelso Garcia, OP. Guide For Lay Catholic Faithful: According to the 1983 Code of Canon
Law, Manila: UST Printing Office, 1984, 109-110
12 Michael Trueman, JCL. When Parishes Merge or Close in Catholic Answers Magazine.
Retrieved from http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/when-parishes-merge-or-close.
Accessed March 15, 2016. See also the Code of Canon Law, Canon 515 no. 1 and Canon 518.
The definitions given by Garcia and Trueman are based on the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
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legitimately established parish is granted a juridical personality. It is

primarily established to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of its
members.13
2. Juridical Persons/Personality are created by law enabling people to
come together for the purpose of carrying out a mission that the people
would, otherwise be unable to do alone, 14 and as such is granted a proper
life and existence, in the sense that its existence is continuous and only
ceases to exist if it is legitimately suppressed by a competent authority.15
3. Parish Priest refers to the proper pastor of the parish exercising the
pastoral care of the community entrusted to him. 16 It is the duty of the
parish priest to assess his community so that, together with his pastoral
council, they may conceptualize projects and programs that would satisfy
the needs of the community.
4. Parish Pastoral Council is an executive and consultative body that works
hand-in-hand with the parish priest in determining appropriate projects
and programs for the community and assists him the conduct of parochial
13 Archdiocese of Indianopolis. A Parish Guide for Carrying Out Mission and Ministry: Parish
Structure and Organization. N.p: Criterion Press, Inc., 1998. 8
14 Francis C. Morrisey. Toward Juridic Personality in Catholic Health Association of the United
States July-August 2001.Retrieved from https://www.chausa.org/publications/healthprogress/article/july-august-2001/toward-juridic-personality. Accessed on March 28, 2016
15 Garcia, Op. cit., 111. See also Canon 120 no. 78 from the 1983 Code of Canon Law
16 ibid., 112
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activities. It is composed of the representative body of the faithful and

shares the responsibility for building the parish into a vibrant Christian
community.17
5. Laity refers to the faithful who are not members of the clergy. As the
members of the Church who live in a world of secular professions and
occupations, of ordinary circumstances of family and social life, the laity
is given the special duty to imbue and perfect the affairs of the temporal
order with the spirit of the Gospel.18 Though separate from the clergy they
share a common mission of concretizing Christs message through the
church.

6. Basic Ecclesial Community is a small community of Christians19 that
meets regularly to plan and act on common decisions regarding their life
of faith in community, as community.20 It is also through the BECs that
parish affairs are disseminated in different communities.
17 Diocese of Novaliches, Suggested Guidelines for the Formation of a Parish Pastoral Council
for the Diocese of Novaliches, (N.p:, n.p., n.d.), 3
18 Excelso Garcia, OP. Consecrated and Apostolic Life: According to the 1983 Codex Juris
Canonici, Manila: UST Printing Office, 1984, 20
19 Renato A. Ocampo, SJ, Pastoral Implicatios of Basic Ecclesial Communities: A Commentary
on the PCP II Text, Landas: Journal of Loyola School of Theology Vol 8, (1994): 28
20 Francisco J. Claver, SJ, The Making of a Local Church (Quezon City: Claretian Publications,
2009), 108
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CHAPTER II
THE HISTORY OF INA NG BUHAY PARISH
Establishment of Ina ng Buhay Parish
UNIVERSITY
SANTO TOMAS
GRADUATE
Desiring to
culminate theOF
commemoration
of the
2000th birthSCHOOL
anniversary
of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 1985 by building a national shrine dedicated to
her, His Eminence the late Jaime Cardinal Sin personally surveyed for the
possible area where the church, and consequently a new parish, will be built.
Cardinal Sin opted to name the new church Ina ng Buhay making it the first
church in Asia and second to Notre Dame de Vie in Venasque, France in the
world to honor Mary as the Mother of Life.
Upon receiving a donated one-hectare lot21 in Damong Maliit,
Novaliches, Cardinal Sin wasted no time in laying the cornerstone 22 of the
21 Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 88, Souvenir Program (Quezon City, n.p.: 1988), N.pag. There
were no specifications whatsoever on who donated the one-hectare area.
22 The rite of laying the foundation stone or cornerstone is done when building new churches to
invoke Gods presence and blessing of success and as a reminder that the church structure is a
visible sign of the living Church, Gods building that is formed of the people themselves. See
International Committee on English in the Liturgy. Rite of Dedication of a Church and an Altar.
N.p: n.p, 1978. Retrieved from http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/RDCA.pdf.
19
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Simbahan ng Ina ng Buhay on September 7, 1985. 23 He appointed the Rosary

Movement lead by Mrs. Rosario Melchor, and Rev. Fr. Manny Sebastian who
was the spiritual director of the sub-parish of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal 24
lead by the Damong Maliit Catholic Association.
It is only right to give credit to the assistance of this existing sub-parish to
the ongoing parish church construction and formation. Nurtured by Jesuit
novices through spiritual and leadership seminars and catechisms, this small
community in Damong Maliit grew to be a bustling sub-parish who aided its
mother parish, Our Lady of Mercy, in its parochial affairs and thus was born the
Damong Maliit Catholic Association. The association was responsible for the
SANTO
TOMAS GRADUATE
SCHOOL
emergence of theUNIVERSITY
chapel of OurOF
Lady
of Miraculous
Medal that played
a big
utilitarian role in the years of infancy of INBP.
The establishment of INBP became a foreseeable reality when Cardinal
Sin appointed Rev. Fr. Jose P. Miranda, a newly ordained priest pursuing higher
studies in Maryland, USA, on September 12, 1986. 25 He arrived at the parish on
September 14, 1986 and held his first mass. Since the construction of the parish
church was still on going, Fr. Miranda had to hold his first mass in the chapel of
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
It is important to understand that INBP did not start as a full-blown parish
upon its establishment. For a time it was using the chapel of Our Lady of
Accessed March 15, 2016
23 Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 88, Souvenir Program (Quezon City, n.p.: 1988), N.pag.
24 Whether or not Rev. Fr. Sebastian was the parish priest was not specified in the article.
25 ibid.
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Miraculous Medal as its main church since the construction of the parish church
was not yet complete. Organizations were only starting to be formed during its
first year, with the exception of ministries like the Extraordinary Ministers of the
Holy Communion and the Lectors and Commentators, which were already
loosely formed even before the establishment of the parish to assist the priest in
the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Determined parish territory or boundary is an important element of a
parish since, more than identifying its geographic limitations, it identifies the
social setting to which the parish will be of service. By social setting we mean all
facets of the communitys life where the church may lend its hand to the best of
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
its abilities social,
economic, political,
cultural,
etc. From
the awareness
of this
social setting the parish then can decide apt projects and programs and design
appropriate activities relevant to the people.
INBP started as a rather large parish in terms of its area, housing 6 subparishes (see Appendix A, Figure 2). Its main land area is divided by Gen. Luis
St. To the south of Gen. Luis St. are the sub-parishes of Amparo Capri, Sitio
Gitna, and Pasacola; while to the north of Gen. Luis St. are the remaining subparishes of Villanova, Immaculate Conception, and Jonaville. Included in the
parishs territory are the subdivisions of Jerryville, Dantes, F.B. De Jesus,
Queensland, San Antonio, Jordan Heights, Miranda, and Don Enrique; and the
compounds of San Diego, Ramirez, Lazaro and Torres (see Appendix, Figure 1).
INBP maintained this scope of territory up until 1999 when the territories
south of Gen. Luis St. had be to be ceded to the newly established neighboring
PAGE
PAGE
22
San Isidro Labrador Parish. This meant that the sub-parishes of Amparo Capri,
Sitio Gitna, Pasacola and the communities of Don Enrique and Torres Ville were
no longer part of Ina ng Buhay. Fr. Santos categorized the Ina ng Buhay as a
middle parish,26 which means to say that majority of the parishioners belong to
the middle class and are well off. This explains the great number of gated
subdivisions that divided community from community proving that people can
afford to build houses in subdivisions. Another element of the social environment
of Ina ng Buhay Parish is the existence of several factories, one of which belongs
to Rebisco along Gen. Luis St. This brings to the parish transcient residents.
These are the factory workers who live in rooms for rent or stay in houses as
bedspacers whose permanency in the area are not guaranteed making the
transition from residents to residents a fast process.
Being a middle class community, it is given that a major percentage of the
population of the parish is employed. Therefore, Ina ng Buhay is born to a
community where work is a major part of their lives. And with the fact that
communities are, in certain degrees, estranged from each other because of their
gated configuration, one might say that indifference will be an inevitable
hindrance to parish affairs. These precisely are some factors why the BECs in Ina
ng Buhay are not yet facilitated in full swing until now.
PATRONESS: INA NG BUHAY
26 Rev. Fr. Christopher V. Santos, interview with the parish priest, Feb 26, 2016. According to
him, one way of the diocese to categorize parishes are through evaluating the income turnout of
the parishioners.
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PAGE
23
It would be absurd to keep on mentioning Ina ng Buhay without even

dedicating a portion of the discussion to the patroness, the Blessed Mary as
Mother of Life.
Cardinal Tagle, in one of his talks in Paco Catholic School on June 1,
2013, emphasized that by saying yes to the calling of God for her, Mary
participated in the work of salvation.27 The moment of the Incarnation of the
Word marks the beginning of Marys role as Mother of Christ, and therefore,
Mother of Life.28
There are several ways by which the Blessed Mother can be seen as the
Mother of Life. Firstly, Mary is the mother of life by virtue of her conception of
Christ the very life Himself. Secondly, by bearing the Messiah that saved
humankind from sins and eternal damnation, Mary can be seen as the mother of
the life of the church, of the people. In this way, by giving birth to Christ, she
became an instrument for the fulfillment of Gods masterplan salvation.
Thirdly, Mary is an archetype of the life of a Christian following Gods will
and desire with the purest of heart. It is to Mary that Christians, and nonChristians alike, look up as a guide on how to live their lives so that they offer its
entirety to the Lord.
27 Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, The Blessed Mary, Mother of God in the Mystery
of Christ and of the Church, a talk delivered during the Magpas First Saturday catechesis on June
1, 2013 at the Paco Catholic School auditorium.. Retrieved from http://www.rcam.org/news/1033the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-in-the-mystery-of-christ-and-of-the-church Accessed
March 15, 2016
28
Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 88, Loc. Sit.
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24
The parishioners of INBP look to Mary as their guide so as to pattern

their daily individual affairs to her who has the purest of heart and faith. It is also
the unique mission of the parish, being a shrine for Mary as Mother of Life, to
design all its affairs to the faithfulness of Mary so that it may become a true
people of and for God.
Growth and development had its own way with INBP. Of course, parish
priests were not supposed to build their own kingdom in one parish
reassignment29 by the bishop was always a possibility. Fr. Miranda served as
parish priest for seven years (1986-1993) and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Virginio
Pedregosa whose term from 1993 to 1995 was rather short lived as the next two
OFRev.
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
parish priests thatUNIVERSITY
succeeded him:
Fr. Joven
Antique
(1995-1997)
and Rev.
Fr. Bong Lopez (1997-1998). Succeeding Fr. Bong Lopez was Rev. Fr. Danilo
Pajarillaga, whose term as parish priest was one of the most notable for having
stayed nine years in Ina ng Buhay. Rev. Fr. Rogelio Positar took his place by
means of reshuffling and served the parish from 2007-2013, which brings us to
the incumbent parish priest of Ina ng Buhay, Rev. Fr. Christopher Santos.
Each one of these parish priests played their important role in leading the
people of Ina ng Buhay. Bringing with them varying thrusts of spirituality that
they have imparted to the people, and different kinds of leadership in running
parochial affairs, these parish priests are embedded in the identity of Ina ng
Buhay Parish. They shared their part in changing the face of Ina ng Buhay
29 During these times, parish priests were only reassigned to other parishes at the command of
the bishop. Regular reshuffling of priests would only come in 2007 where the Diocese of
Novaliches defined the term of administration to 6 years.
PAGE
PAGE
25
through the specific projects and programs that they have launched and the
parochial activities they have spearheaded.
PARISH PRIESTS AND THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL THROUGH
THE YEARS
INBP, not exempt from the implications of the space-time context, is, like
any other institution, subject to change in accordance with its milieu. For this
reason parish priests had to fashion the parish so much so that it fits the needs and
trends of the time, which is why difference in thrusts in projects and programs of
the parish priests is visible in looking at the parishs development, although this
OFpriests
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
doesnt discredit UNIVERSITY
similarity in the
thrusts.
Similarities
occurSCHOOL
when there
exists pervasive, as Fr. Santos would put it, challenges and difficulties.
The reflexive and complementary relationship of the laity and the pastor is
perfected and manifested through the Parish Pastoral Council. While parish priests
are not to be separated from the pastoral council himself being its highest officer
it is important to see them separately as a pastor as they have imparted to the
people different levels of leadership, thrusts, and characteristics.
Rev. Fr. Jose P. Miranda (1986-1993)

Cardinal Sin entrusted the newly established INBP to a similarly young
priest, only serving two years in his vocation by the time of his appointment
Rev. Fr. Jose P. Miranda, fondly known to the people as Fr. Joey. Ordained on
PAGE
PAGE
26
September 29, 1984 by no other that Cardinal Sin himself, Fr. Joey completed his
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theological studies at San Carlos Seminary,
Guadalupe, Makati and, at the time of his appointment as parish priest, was
finishing his Masters Degree in Educational Management at Ateneo de Manila
University.30
Since the construction of the parish church was still on-going when Fr.
Joey arrived at INBP, the first main challenge was finding a good source of fund
for the completion of its construction. His first initiative was to meet with the
officers and other leaders of subdivision homeowners, sub-parishes, and already
established church organizations on the 27th of September 1986, which ended in
the creation of the Ad Hoc Working Committee primarily geared towards
conceptualizing fund raising projects to help finance the church construction. 31 On
October of the same year, Fr. Joey was able to organize the Youth Pastoral
Council by gathering together the youth representatives of the different subparishes to elect their officers headed by Mr. Noel Parado. Again, realizing the
main challenge of the parish at hand, the Youth Pastoral Countrys initial
objectives were to help generate funds for the church construction, which they did
spearheading the Takbuhan 86 held on the 19th of October of the same year32.
30 Antonio Tullas and Susan Tullas, The Vocation of Fr. Jose P. Miranda, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin
Issue No. 1, (Sep 2, 1990), 5
31 Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 88., Loc. Sit.. Members of the said Ad Hoc Working Committee
were not specified but some of its members went on to be the officers of the first Parish Pastoral
Council which was an interim.
32 Ibid.
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PAGE
27
Four days after, Fr. Joey and the Ad Hoc Working Committee was quick to
organize an Interim Pastoral Council and to appoint chairpersons for the different
committees/commissions of the parish Worship, Education, Service,
Temporalities, and Youth (WESTY). The president of the first Parish Pastoral
Council was Mr. Servillano Mendoza and among its member were Mrs. Sally
Carino, Mrs. Adoracion Ramirez, Mrs. Norma Pacaigue, Mr. Leo Reyes, Mr.
Nemen Carinno, Mr. Antonio Tullas, and Mr. Jovernal Gonzales.
By 1988, the parishioners elected new officers in the pastoral council
while retaining some of its past officers. The elected officers were: Mr. Antonio
Tullas, Jr. (President), Mr. Manny Ignacio (Vice-President), Mrs. Norma Pacaigue
(Executive Secretary), Ms. Estela Gachpaz (Recording Secretary), Mr. Leo Reyes
(Treasurer), Ms. Lina Perez (Assistant Treasurer), Mr. Dominador Vinuya
(Auditor), and Mr. Severino Samonte (Public Relations Officer). The chairpersons
of the WESTY commissions were: Ms. Thess San Diego (Worship), Mr. Danilo
Araneta (Chairman), Ms. Kadette Roque (Service), the same Mr. Manny Ignacio
(Temporalities), and Mr. Noel Parado (Youth).
As a new parish, INBP started with only a handful of organizations, most
of which are core organizations in the celebration of the Sacrament of Eucharist
Lectors and Commentators, Mother Butlers. Knights of the Altar, Lay Ministers of
the Holy Communion, and the Music Ministry with only fours choirs (Brown
Madonna, Ina ng Buhay Choir, Jordan Heights Choir, and Ina ng Buhay Childens
PAGE
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28
Choir). Other organizations worked equally for the welfare of the parish. The
Parish Marshalls were a group of men tasked to maintain peace and order inside
and outside the vicinity of the church area. On the other hand, the Legion of Mary,
the Ina ng Buhay Charismatic Community, and the BUKLOD Marriage Encounter
were other mandated organizations that worked for the spiritual enrichment of its
parishioners through prayer and worship outside Sunday masses and through
seminar formations.
In 1990, the parish launched the Ina ng Buhay Bulletin. Using the
newsletter as an effective medium for lively exchange of ideas and information, 33
Ina ng Buhay Bulletin features all facets of parish life for the awareness of its
parishioners. The newsletter, with Mrs. Zenaida San Diego as its Editor-in-Chief
and Mr. Reynaldo San Diego as its Managing Editor 34, contains parish
announcements of future activities, mass schedules, parish news and other feature
writings feeding spiritual insights. This significant literary undertaking was not
only convenient in disseminating relevant information to parishioners, but was
also an avenue for effecting change and evangelization. The circulation of Ina ng
Buhay Bulletin started from 1990 and went to a halt in 1993 with the reappointment of parish priests.
33 Reynaldo San Diego, Why a Parish Newsletter? In Ina ng Buhay Bulletin Issue No. 1, (Sep
2, 1990), 3
34 ibid.
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PAGE
29
Probably the most notable legacy that Fr. Joey left in INBP was the
establishment of Ina ng Buhay Catholic School. Established in 1991, INBCS
brought the parish to a deeper encounter with the parishioners being directed by
the same parish priest. In this way, INBCS gave a new venue for its parishioners
to more involved in the parish through the school. Starting with only eleven
Kindergarten students, INBCS upped its enrolment to 134 students, from Nursery
to Grade Three, in the following SY: 1992-1993 passing the enrolment quota of
the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) of 120 pupils 35 and
then proceeded to increase in enrolment by 46.51% in the following SY: 19931994 now catering students up to Grade Four. The establishment of the parochial
school was an answer to what Fr. Joey believed to be a need for evangelization
through formal education that would operate until the present time. Although its
enrolment was not limited to the parishioners of INBP, still majority of its
students were from the same parish thereby strengthening the bonds of the
community going beyond regular Sunday masses.
It was during Fr. Joeys administration when the Ina ng Buhay Charismatic
Community took a great leap in establishing a Memorandum of Agreement with
the Technological University of the Philippines in 1992 strengthening the parishs
Programang Pangkabuhayan. The program seeks to aid parishioners with their
livelihood by offering courses such as Food Preservation, Food Preparation,
35 Susan Tullas, Ina ng Buhay Catholic School: Mission Defined, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin Issue
No. 1, (Sep 6, 1992), 1
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30
Cosmetology, Recycling of Discarded Materials, and Tailoring. 36 While, on the

11th of April 1992, INBP formed its Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible
Voting (PPCRV) as a response to a national call for clean, honest, peaceful,
orderly, and credible elections.37 Eighty-three of its active members underwent a
series of seminars on voters education while sending some of its poll watchers to
about sixty precints of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon and thirty-one precints of
Barangay Capri on May 11 election day. He also raised awareness about the
disintegrating condition of the Damong Malit Road, a major part of his parishs
jurisdiction, and spearheaded the filling of potholes and resurfacing the road in
198938 but to no avail. A year after he wrote a letter to Quezon City Mayor Brigido
Simon, signed by twenty presidents of different groups and subdivisions 39
demanding for the road reconstruction that saw fulfillment in 1991.
INBPs response to the economic and political issues of the time proves
that its mission goes beyond the walls of the parish church. As a religious
community responsible for the well-being of each other, the parish under Fr. Joey
reached out not only to feed the spiritual hunger of its people but also to their
concerns also as a civil community.
36 Puring Vallejos, Programang Pangkabuhayan, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin Issue No. 1, (Sep 6,
1992), 6
37 N.a, PPCRV in May 1992 Election, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin Issue No. 1, (Sep 6, 1992), 2
38 Susan Tullas, A Concrete Road At Last, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin Issue No. 2, (Jan 6 1991), 10
39 Reynaldo San Diego, Mga Lubak sa Damong Maliit, Idinaing ng Taong-Bayan, Ina ng
Buhay Bulletin Issue No. 1, (Sep 2, 1990), 8
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31
The administration of Fr. Joey and his Parish Pastoral Council was marked
by the challenge of establishing the parish. This meant building structures for
functional roles, establishing organizations to work for the welfare of the parish
and assessing the social and physical environment to determine proper ways to
answer the needs of the parishioners. With Gods providence Fr. Joey was
successful in leading the parish in its first phase. He was able to spearhead the
building of a Multi-Purpose Hall and a Parish Convent, the financial statement of
which he reported in the 1992 issue of the Ina ng Buhay Bulletin amounting to
almost 4 Million Pesos, not to mention he was able to establish a parochial school
that caters students from Nursery to Grade Four in its initial years.
Versatile is the word to describe Fr. Joey Mirandas administration. In
other words, he had a wide variety of projects that served their purpose for the
different facets of the peoples lives. He was able to achieve a structural
improvement of the parish. His contribution to the education of the community
was the INBCS and the INBCCs Memorandum of Agreement with TUP. It was
through the persistence of him and his constituents that a smooth Damong Maliit
Road was achieved. Fr. Joey, for 7 years, was able to work for the stabilization of
the parish that the succeeding priests had to maintain and improve. He was
transferred to Mary Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Paranaque in May 24,
199340 and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Virginio Pedregosa in May 25, 1993.41
40 Reynaldo San Diego, Fr. Vir Pedregosa, Bagong Kura Paroko, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year
4, No. 1 (Sep 7, 1993), 1
41 ibid.
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32
Rev. Fr. Virginio B. Pedregosa (1993-1995)

By the time Fr. Virginio Pedregosa, Fr. Vir as he was fondly called, was
appointed as the new parish priest, INBP was already practically on the
maintaining phase core structures like the parish church, parish convent, and the
multi-purpose hall were already built, and the INBCS was boosting its reputation
in the parish vicinity. It was initially Fr. Virs task to maintain what the past
administration had started. His appointment as the parish priest automatically
rendered him as the spiritual director, just as Fr. Joey was, of Ina ng Buhay
Catholic School. It had become an official undertaking that the parish priest also
becomes the spiritual director of its parochial school.
Fr. Vir finished Theology and Pastoral Theology at the University of Santo
Tomas. Ordained on November 18, 1989, he served as the Parochial Vicar of San
Roque Parish in Blumentritt, Manila and then proceeded to serve at the
Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne, Taguig, Manila. He was the parish priest of Sta.
Lucia Parish in Novaliches right before being appointed as the parish priest of
INBP. His installation as the new parish priest on September 7, 1993 was also the
induction of the pastoral council officers although some of them namely Mr.
Tullas, Mrs. Pacaigue, and Mr. Reyes, retained their positions from 1988. Newly
elected officers were Mr. Domingo Pascual, Jr. (Vice President), Ms. Norma
Palermo (Recording Secretary), Ms. Monica Dimaculangan (Auditor), while new
PAGE
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33
WESTY chairmen were Mrs. Pacaigue (Worship), Rev. Fr. Edwin Tanalgo
(Education) who was also the assistant parish priest way back Fr. Joeys
administration, Ms. Dally Dela Cruz (Service), Mr. Pascual, Jr. (Temporalities),
and Ms. Jen-Jen Del Castillo (Youth). 42A sudden change in officers happened a
year after, Mr. Pascual Jr. became President assisted by Mr. Tullas who steppeddown to being Vice-President, Mrs. Estela Bundalian was elected Recording
Secretary while Mr. Ismael Bernal and Ms. Gloria Bautista were elected to office
as Auditor and PRO respectively.43
Within 2 years of service in the parish, Fr. Virs administration was
marked with an increase membership of parishioners to organizations, and the
establishment of new parish organizations. The Music Ministry welcomed its
newest member choir, the Walk With Gods Choir, while a new charismatic group
in the form of El Shaddai was established. 44 This meant that the parish had
gradually penetrated the lives of its parishioners so much so that they are starting
to involve themselves in the parochial life, making it more inclusive and active.
One might credit this boon as the fruit of the executive stewardship of the past
administration. This is not to present a hagiography of any past administration, but
this emphasizes the purity of stewardship that the pastors employ in leading the
42 Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 4, Issue No. 1, (Sep 7, 1993), 12
43 Ika-8 Kapistahan: Parokya ng Ina ng Buhay, Souvenir Program (Quezon City: n.p., 1994),
n.pag
44 Zenaida San Diego, History of Ina ng Buhay Parish, Parokya ng Ina ng Buhay: 25th
Foundation Anniversary Parish Fiesta Celebration, (Quezon City: n.p., 2011), n.pag
PAGE
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34
parish. Parish priests take on arduous tasks for the welfare of his community and
the development of the parish, and not for any future recognition whatsoever.
With his own significant share of hardwork Fr. Vir was able to accomplish
a handful of projects and was able to fulfill programs that benefitted the parish
very well.
A notable project that Fr. Vir led was the construction of a three-classroom
edifice that houses students from grades five and six and three pre-school classes,
along with the improvement of library facilities that enabled a more
comprehensive and educational experience which is very fitting with the increase
of levels (grades five and six) that the INBCS accepted. Previously, students sat
together on long benches during classes, however by the start of SY: 1994-1995
individual chairs made of wood and iron were made available for a more
conducive and comfortable classroom environment. All of these developments in
the parochial school were made possible by the successful fund-raising event by
the Parents-Teachers Association headed by Mr. Livi Marquez entitled Search
For Little Mr./Miss INBCS yielding an amount of Php 155,630. 45 The success of
this undertaking symbolizes the active and wholehearted participation of the
people resulting to a fruitful end. A breakthrough program that Fr. Virs pastoral
council pioneered is the operations of free medical and dental clinics in the parish.
45 N.a, Achievements of the Ina ng Buhay Catholic School, Ika-8 Kapistahan: Parokya ng Ina
ng Buhay, Souvenir Program (Quezon City: n.p., 1994), n.pag
PAGE
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35
This became possible through the help of the pastoral council president, Mr.
Pascual, Jr. who was a medical doctor.
One of the major programs fulfilled under Fr. Virs administration was a
response to a government initiative called Clean and Green Program establishing
the Annual Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Local Government Units of the
Philippines pursuant to Presidential Memorandum Order No. 187, December 10,
1993.46
For a short stint as a parish priest Fr. Vir has had a good share of his own
pastoral leadership. Though at a maintaining phase, as we have mentioned, he was
able to launch projects and programs that improved the parish.
Rev. Fr. Joven P. Antique (1995-1997)
Ordained by Jaime Cardinal Sin on March 24, 1990, Rev. Fr. Joven P.
Antique first served as the Parochial Vicar of Holy Sacrifice Parish, University of
the Philippines, from 1990-1992. For a year he was the parish priest of Holy
Trinity Parish in Ideal Subdivision, Quezon City before going to Papua New
Guinea in 1994 to 1995 as a Volunteer Missionary so that by time he was
appointed as the new parish priest of INBP on May 12 he had just returned from
his missionary work. He graduated from college at the Seminario Mayor
Recoletos in Baguio and finished Theology at the Augustinian Formation House
of St. Vincent Seminary, Quezon City.
46 ibid.
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36
Falling under the same predicament with Fr. Vir, Fr. Joven had a shortlived administration in the parish, nevertheless he was still able to fulfill the duties
of a parish priest to lead his flock to Christ. With the help of a virtually new
pastoral council headed by Mr. Domingo Pascual, Jr., Ms. Dolly Dela Cruz as
Vice-President, Ms.
Zenaida Alvarez as Executive Secretary, Mrs. Estella
Bundalian as Recording Secretary, Ms. Lorie Guanzon as Treasurer, and Mr.

Honesto Ramos, Jr. as PRO, Fr. Joven was able to make fruitful his short stint as
parish priest. His administration saw the birth of new organizations such as the
Couples for Christ, Ina ng Buhay Cursillo Team, King of mercy Marriage
Encounter Community, and the Alliance of Two Hearts Organization.
May 1995 elections have heightened once again the awareness of the
peoples political responsibilities that led INBP to rekindle the Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting that Fr. Joey had pioneered. He was able to
refurnish the Adoration Chapel and launched the bible study program, which was
initially organized by the Education Committee during the administration of Fr.
Vir. This program went well for the spiritual and religious enrichment of the
parishioners, especially lay leaders. This bible study also served well for the
Parish Youth Council as it became their formation in preparing themselves for the
most significant religious event in 1995 of which they took part in World Youth
Day 95.
PAGE
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37
In seeing the same trend of stewardship in Fr. Vir and Fr. Joven, one may
say that the parish was at the maintaining phase of its life. Both priests did not
have a watershed event that changed the face of the parish during their time, but
this does not mean that theirs were administrations of bore and stagnation. A
factor would be that two years of stewardship were not enough for them to realize
all their master plans for the parish. Still, credit is due to both priests for making
do with the short years that theyve had and doing their responsibilities well.
Rev. Fr. Bong Lopez (1997-1998)

Through another reassignment of parish priests, INBP found its pastoral
care under its new parish priest, Rev. Fr. Bong Lopez, on April 1997. What made
Fr. Bong stand out among all the parish priests, both preceding and succeeding
him, was that he was able to put to good use his God-given talent of singing.
Whenever asked by foreigners why Filipinos are very good at singing,
Mark Anthony Carpio, choirmaster of the world acclaimed Philippine Madrigal
Singers, only had this to answer: All I know is that we love to sing. We simply
love to sing.47 Indeed Filipinos love singing; this is evident now and more so in
our distant past. Singing, or music in general, has been a core part in the life of the
Filipino when he plants he sings, when he reaps the harvest he sings, when it
rains he sings, when he wages war he sings, when he achieves victory he sings,
47 Mark Anthony Carpio, Why Music Matters: Mark Anthony Carpio at TEDxDiliman,
Youtube video posted by TEDx Talks, Nov 18, 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?
v=VCknB3CTgGg
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38
when his fellowman dies he sings. It is funny how, ironically, a Filipino who does
not have a talent for singing appreciates the act of singing even more. He
considers the easy access to the karaoke a great chance for him to sing much
more. This close acquaintance of the Filipino with his vocal chords has led him to
appreciate music in levels deeper than most, thus receiving it with the biggest
heart. This is a philosophy that characterized Fr. Bongs administration, which
happens to be the shortest.
With his singing Fr. Bong was able to record songs and hold concerts for
fund-raising. Mrs. Zenaida San Diego, former editor-in-chief of the Ina ng Buhay
Bulletin, vividly recalls how he would serenade his flock whenever he administers
the Sacrament of Eucharist on Sundays, and while singing, offertory enveloped
would be passed around, and indeed people wouldnt hesitate to give. This
became a regular affair so much so that the people branded him as the singing
priest.48
What made his stint successful in its own respect was that he only needed
a year to strike the musical palette of his people so that he would not be forgotten
despite serving only a year. His was an administration that, shortest as it may be,
teaches us that a part of a pastors success is tapping the peoples soft spot to be
able to garner support from his flock, which Fr. Bong Lopez was able to do. It is
only tragic that this is the closest we are going to acquaint ourselves with
48 San Diego, Op.cit, History of Ina ng Buhay, n.pag
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39
regarding Fr. Bongs administration due to a great paucity of sources pertaining to

his stay in INBP.
The transition of parish priests from 1993-1998 was rather swift. Three
parish priests have served in INBP in the span of 5 years. This explains the
relatively period of quiet in the life of the parish. For indeed, major changes
require a great deal of investment in time and effort. It would not be very
realizable to say that major changes can be visible in the span of only a few years,
but this is not to say, and again we emphasize, that the priests from 1993-1998
were not successful in their own respects for indeed they were.
Rev. Fr. Danilo P. Pajarillaga (1998-2007)

INBPs renaissance can be traced back to the administration of Rev. Fr.
Danilo P. Pajarillaga. Renaissance because, as we will see in the following
discussions, under his leadership the parish attained its metanoia (a transformative
change of heart or a spiritual conversion) so much so that the parish looks at itself
so differently as it traversed its life under Fr. Danny establishing the maxim Ina
ng Buhay: Buhay na Buhay!
PAGE
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40
Appointed as parish priest on May 15, 1998, 49 Fr. Danny was quick to lay
his plans to improve the parish that he had described to be seemingly devastated. 50
Just like Fr. Joeys administration, versatility was one of the many characters of
that of Fr. Dannys administration. Tremendous attention was given to the
physical and spiritual improvements of the church. In the year 2000 alone, the
pastoral council successfully spearheaded the building of what will be the among
the greatest legacies of Fr. Dannys administration, and which marked a growing
interest in INBP by people from outside the parish the Life-Size Station of the
Cross. The project amounted to Php 450,000 where each image on the Station of
the Cross amounted to Php 10,000.51 With enough land area, the stations were
situated in the parish garden area where a simultaneous development was
happening the Garden Reception and landscaping of the garden area. With these
developments the garden became a conducive area for reflection, meditation, and
prayer deepened by tangible images of the passion of Christ, while at the center
was a multi-functional space where pastoral meetings and other activities,
particularly seminars and formations, were held. This made the parishs garden an
49 Ibid.
50 N.a, Buhay na Pananampalataya, Maunlad na Parokya Tungo sa Bagong Milenyo in The
New Ina ng Buhay: Fiesta 2000, Souvenir Program, (Quezon City: n.p., 2000), n.pag. To say that
Ina ng Buhay was devastated would create a problematic interpretation of the parish life prior to
Fr. Dannys administration. It would be more appropriate to say that the potentials of Ina ng
Buhay Parish were not yet actualized due to the fast transition of parish priests in the last five
years, which limits their administrations to a year or two, leaving the parish at a state of minimal
improvements.
51 Zenaida San Diego, Milestones for Kapistahan 2000, The New Ina ng Buhay Fiesta 2000,
(Quezon CItY: n.p., 2000), n.pag
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ideal reception area for weddings, baptisms, birthdays, etc., thus opening a good
source of parish funds. The same structural development, beautification that is,
served its significance stretching to the present administration of Rev. Fr.
Christopher Santos as a good many important parochial activities are held here.
Part of the beautification projects launched by Fr. Danny are the building
of the Rosary Wall, the parish rectory which he called the Jubilee Convent as it
was built on the Jubilee Year, which stands until today with the same function, the
refurnishing of the parish adoration chapel and the altar. As the parochial schools
spiritual director, Fr. Danny was able to provide for the school more classrooms
and school facilities so that by the first decade of 2000 the school expanded up to
secondary level.
So much has been invested in the people as with the infrastructures. Music
Ministry had grown from only a handful of choirs with the addition of newly
established groups such as the Villanova Choir, Couples for Christ Choir
branching from the parishs Couples for Christ organization, and the Miranda
Choir. In 1998 Fr. Danny organized the Usherettes and Collectors Group (UCG)
who shares the same nature as that of the Mother Butlers excluding the care of the
altar.
The Parish Youth Ministry had experienced a renaissance itself during this
period. With the establishment of Teatro Ina ng Buhay in November 24, 2001, the
parish youth had been given a chance to participate and shine in the most
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important seasons of the Catholic church. Established by youth leaders themselves

in the persons of Jonathan Bulacan, Ricky Garcia, Jun Balino, and Jannette
Ciervo, the Teatro was able to gather the youth into undertaking a series of plays
during Holy Week and the Christmas season. Their portrayal of the Panunuluyan
in Christmas season, and the passion of Christ, now referred to as the Istasyon ng
Bayan, made the youth ministry a mainstay and a highlight in the important events
of the parish. Whenever April comes fervor rises with regard to who will play
Mary and Jesus Christ. The youth exert so much preparation and heart in these
plays so much so that parishioners leave in tears whenever the Istasyon ng Bayan
concludes. The Teatro gave a new life and a new significant purpose for the PYM,
and gave the parishioners something to look forward to, while succeeding in its
objective to unit and rekindle the spirit of service among the youth of the church.
So important was the spiritual thrust of Fr. Danny to the people as he
patterned programs that enabled the people to delve in themselves in reflection to
foster transformation. The pastoral council was bombarded with annual retreats
and recollections that better formed parish leaders and servers alike creating a
more intact and bonded community. The most notable legacy that Fr. Danny left in
Ina ng Buhay with regards to the programs in spiritual formation is the initiation
of the Parish Renewal Experience Seminar (PREX).
Originally initiated by Rev. Fr. Charles Gallagher, SJ in the Diocese of
Trenton, New Jersey, PREX, whose tenets are inspired by Pope Paul VIs
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Evangelii Nuntiandi, came to the Philippines in the 1980s through Rev. Fr. Hugh
Zurat, OFM who had undergone PREX himself back in USA. Upon return to
Philippines, Fr. Zurat immediately conducted PREX a seminar in his parish,
Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish, Makati. By 1983 52, parish priests from around
the Philippines were trained by Fr. Gallagher himself, thus bringing PREX in
Novaliches. On January 15-17, 1999, Fr. Danny sent 9 members from different
organizations to attend a PREX Seminar in Good Shepherd Parish, Fairview
which he called the Seed Group. The Seed Group was responsible for conducting
the first PREX Seminar in INBP on Feb 19-21, 1999. 53 PREX is a significant
spiritual undertaking because it evangelizes through constant conversion and
renewal of people beginning in the parish orientation. PREX was, in INBP, a
massive opportunity for a huge deal of parishioners to renew their faith and be
part of the parish life.
Fr. Danny was an academician himself. Knowing that he will be the
director on the parochial school, he took up graduate studies in School
Management.54 In managing the students he applied Howard Gardners Theory of
Multiple Intelligence, which holds that people should be seen as possessing
52 N.a., What is PREX? Retrieved from http://www.prexnapps.org/what_is_prex.asp accessed

March 25, 2016
53 N.a., Mga Kuya, Mga Ate, Mag-PREX Muna Tayo!, The New Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta
2001, Souvenir Program (Quezon, City, n.p., 2001), n.pag
54 Danilo Pajarillaga, interview with former parish priest, March 16, 2016. He did not specify
the specific degree and institution where he studied.
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multiple intelligences, skills, and talents rather than measuring their intelligences
by means of one specific ground. He listed different intelligences to be linguistic,
intelligence,
logical-mathematical,
musical,
bodily-kinesthetic,
spatial,
interpersonal, intrapersonal, moral, and existential.55 Fr. Danny patterned

programs from this theory and ended up launching the school journal: The
Marian Courier, which became a top entry of the National Capital Region to the
National Schools Press Conference held at Surigao City. In 2005, the journals
writers bagged awards at the Division Young Writers Contest, Sherrie Ann Buan
garnered 7th place for Headline Writing, Trudeece Ramos earned 7 th place for
Feature Wriitng, Regina San Diego won 3rd place for Pagsulat ng Balita, Joselita
Ruiz took home 6th place for Sports Writing, and topping everything off Hannah
Mae Arid outstood by winning 1st place in Editorial Writing56. With this enormous
success in journalism, the schools participation in Mathematics Teachers
Association of the Philippines (MTAP) competitions, and the formation of
different sports guilds, it is clear-cut fact that Fr. Dannys integration of Howards
theory was indeed a great success.
When asked what kind of leader Fr. Danny was, his former pastoral
council chairperson, Mrs. Remedios Guerrero, was quick to describe him as an
all-out hands-on parish priest. He was able to monitor all parish organizations as
55 Mark Smith, Howard Gardner: Multiple Intelligences and Education in The Encyclopedia of
Informal Education, 2002, Retrieved from http://infed.org/mobi/howard-gardner-multipleintelligences-and-education/ accessed March 25, 2016
56 Seymor Ridon, Ina ng Buhay Catholic School: The Maker of Champions, Ina ng Buhay
Parish: Fiesta 2005, Souvenir Program, (Quezon City: n.p., 2005), n.pag
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he always attended their monthly meetings. The PPC meetings for the first quarter
of every year was dedication for planning sessions, so that the rest of the year was
allotted for the execution of whatever is planned. This gives the pastoral council
enough time to fully prepare the parish to launch their projects.
At the start of Fr. Dannys administration, Mrs. Guerrero recalled that the
pastoral council had a visioning to establish realistic objectives of the
administration and to set the councils attitude towards these objectives. Indeed, it
was very fortunate that Fr. Danny has seen the fruits of his efforts. Having the
longest administration for 9 years, he had invested a lot in the parish so much so
that his legacies are, until today, visible and standing. If Fr. Joey Mirandas
administration was one that is of establishing, his was an administration of reestablishing. One cannot discredit the executive stewardship of Fr. Danny for
having initiated a time of renaissance in the parish.
Fr. Dannys stint faced a number of historical affairs. First, San Isidro
Labrador Parish, a new neighboring parish was established in 1999 this meant that
all the territories of INBP below Gen. Luis St. had to be given to San Isidro
rendering the former a smaller land area. Second, the care of the parish being
under the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila Diocese of Manila had to be
transferred to the newly canonically erected Diocese of Novaliches under the
Roman Catholic Bishop of Novaliches. Finally, Fr. Danny left the parish in 2007
in a rather remarkable note as it was the first time that the Diocese of Novaliches
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implemented the regular re-shuffling of priests giving them a term of 6 years in

the parishes they are assigned to.
Rev. Fr. Rogelio S. Positar (2007-2013)

The regular re-shuffling of priests implied something more than just
defining a definite administrative period. It planted in the mindset of the people,
and the priest himself, that staying for too short a period was no longer an excuse
not to be able to do something significant for the parish nor was staying for a
lengthy period an acceptable notion the parish priest is not supposed to build a
republic in the parish anyway. Realistic objectives proved to be more important
than ever. Projects were designed in such a way that they are feasible within the
timeframe while keeping in mind that these projects, feasible in 6 years as they
may be, would still contribute for the attainment of the parishs ultimate end.
Rev. Fr. Rogelio Positars administration, and thereafter, were under this
predicament. Fr. Roger, as he was fondly called, was appointed in INBP on June
7, 2007.57 Upon his appointment, election of new Parish Pastoral Council officers
immediately followed which put new officers in position in the persons of: Mrs.
Norma C. Pacaigue (Chairperson), Mr. Teofilo Cruz, Jr (Vice-Chairperson), Mrs.
Josefina Cruz (Secretary). Mrs. Estela Bundalian (Asst. Secretary), and Mrs.
Vangie Tapayan (Treasurer).
57 San Diego. Op. cit., History of Ina ng Buhay Parish, n.pag
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Some of the physical improvements of the church under Fr. Roger were
the repainting of the church edifice and the altar, an improved sound system along
with the construction of a choir area. The most significant of these structural
endeavors was the construction of the Conference Room where most
organizations, including the PPC, hold their regular monthly meetings, and which
enabled more mobilization for parochial activities.
While Fr. Danny saw the potential of PREX to evangelize the parishioners
through conversion and renewal of spiritual life, Fr. Roger saw this potential for
the benefit of the core organizations of the parish, for it is only fitting that an
individual who serves in the parish be constantly renewed in spirit and in faith so
that he/she may become an epitome of Christs message to the church. For this
reason Fr. Roger mandated all parish servers to undergo the PREX seminar. The
social services of his administration included medical missions and an annual
Christmas outreach program entitled: Pamaskong Handog sa Mahihirap where
focus is given attention to the most depressed areas of the parish, especially Roxas
Compound.58
A timely project Fr. Roger had spearheaded was taking a portion of the
parish church to serve as a mortuary. Not only was this project beneficial to the
people, especially to the marginalized who cannot afford commercialized burials
for their dead, it also served for the good of the parish. It was as a good source of
parish funds while not taking advantage of the economic status of the parishioners
58 Rogelio S. Positar, interview with former parish priest, March 9, 2016
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and had led to people to knock on the doors of the parish, thus enabling more
parochial familiarity of the people and, consequently, inviting more participation.
When Fr. Danny set foot in INBP, he centralized all masses to the parish
church rendering the sub-parishes rather marginalized. Fr. Roger reciprocated this
practice and decentralized masses and brought them back to the sub-parishes as a
part of his objective to reach-out to the different communities of his parish. This
decentralization enabled him to hold masses in the sub-parishes of INBP, which in
turn allowed him to familiarize himself with the people.
Fr. Roger characterized the success of his administration as only
contributing to the future developments of the parish saying that his stint was
successful in a sense that this success had to be continued 59 by the next parish
priests. In other words, he believed that his administration and that of others are
only stages, stepping-stones if you must, into achieving INBPs full potential as
parish.
Rev. Fr. Christopher V. Santos (2013-present)

Re-shuffling took place in June of 2013, Fr. Roger was transferred to San
Bartolome Parish paving way for INBPs incumbent parish priest, Rev. Fr.
Christopher V. Santos.
59 ibid.
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In his transition period as parish priest, Fr. Chris was very particular of his
philosophy of observing first before implementing change.60 This explains the
minimal modifications in the PPC for the first three years of his administration.
But this philosophy did not hinder him to carry out projects that he saw fit for the
development of the parish.
Halfway through his administration, Fr. Chris was able to revamp the
entirety of the parish churchs roof as a response to persistent leaks during rainy
days that disturb masses. He ventured into a massive undertaking by spearheading
the construction of the Parish Multi-Purpose Hall and Adoration Chapel that
enabled more venues for carrying-out parochial affairs.
Fr. Chris has a great love for the youth of INBP, as a matter of fact among
the main thrusts of his administration is the development of the youth so much so
that a number of his programs are geared towards their formation. Among these is
the establishment of the Bible Apostolate. Bible studies in the parish have been
sporadic and at many times only available to parish servers, but with the
establishment of the Biblical Apostolate, bible studies in the parish have been
open to all walks of life, although mostly attended by the young of the parish, and
offers a more systematic study of the Word of God as the core group is directly
coordinated with the Diocesan Biblical Apostolate. After being formed through
and in the Word of God, the youth are enjoined to share their knowledge to
60 Christopher V. Santos, interview with parish priest, Feb 26, 2016
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children from different communities as Volunteer Catechists as part of the parishs

initiatives every May.
At this point in his incumbency, Fr. Chris has shown a leadership that is
participatory always evoking suggestions from the consultative body on what
projects to launch, what programs to design, and how to plan for activities. In
other words, it is important for Fr. Chris that the pastor and the laity meet halfway
so as not to compromise the benefit of the latter and so as not to disregard the
authority of the former whose wisdom in running the parish is taken with high
regard.
Anthony Giddens asserted that social systems are reproduced social
practices that exist as long as agents constantly produce and reproduce them. In
other words, the existence of social systems depends on the agent whether or not
he will, by virtue of his resources, perform social action. Parish activities are
looked at the same lens as what Giddens asserted. The parish priest and Parish
Pastoral Council may choose to continue programs and activities spearheaded by
past administrations or they may choose to create new ones. This pattern is visible
when connecting all administrations of Ina ng Buhay. Fr. Danny initiated PREX,
which Fr. Roger and Fr. Chris came to support and propagate. On the other hand,
while Fr. Danny centralized all masses into the parish church, Fr. Roger
decentralized them and brought the parish down to the communities. Fr. Joeys
circulation of Ina ng Buhay Bulletin served for the boon of the parish only to be
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set-aside by succeeding administrations. This affair of producing and reproducing

practices gives the parish a dynamic characteristic, one that is not stagnant.
But of course, as a religious institution, the parish is mandated to observe
all seasonal activities set by the Roman Catholic calendar. For this reason, the
parish has regular activities that cannot be unobserved.
Parish Celebrations
Among these imperative regular affairs of the parish, and most significant
of them, is the observance of the Season of Lent that concludes, and climaxes, in
the Holy Week. INBP is busiest during this season. Reflection is given the most
attention in activities of the Season of Lent. Every Friday of this season the parish
holds the Stations of the Cross where the life-sized statues of the passion of Christ
comes alive in the spectacle of people. Recollection is usually held in this season
to intensify the atmosphere of reflection amongst the servers and normal
parishioners alike. The tradition of Pabasa where the community sings the Pasyon
is held on the Monday of Holy Week. Because the Season of Lent is the time of
reconciliation with the Lord, the parish saw it fit to conduct a Kumpisalang Bayan
so that parishioners may fully experience the divine love and mercy of the Lord as
manifested on the cross. INBPs Holy Week comes to a climax in Good Friday the
PYM showcases their talent and hardwork through the Istasyon ng Bayan where
different stations are set up in different communities in the parish where they
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reenact the passion of Christ. The churchs holiest season comes to a close with
Easter Sunday where the Salubong tradition is the most attended activity by the
parishioners.
Following the Season of Lent is the Parish Fiesta. Celebrated in
September 8, the Blessed Virgin Mothers birthday, the celebrations of parish
fiesta through the years have been quite similar despite transitions from priest to
priest. Novena masses are held before the feast day where the pastoral council
invites different priests to preside novena masses tackling different themes
relevant to the event fostering in the people a dynamic and eclectic point of view
regarding the faith. Mainstay secular activities include sportsfests, singing and
dancing competitions, beauty pageants Fr. Dannys administration was bold
about holding a beauty pageant for homosexual men in the parish fiesta of 2000
proving the churchs tolerance and heartfelt acceptance of homosexuals. Mass
Weddings and Confirmations are also made available to the parishioners during
the fiesta season as a part of the parishs duty to make the sacraments at the reach
of people, especially the marginalized, thereby bringing Christ to the community.
Christmas has always been a significant season for most Catholic
communities. So penetrating is Christmas in the lives of Catholics even those
outside the faith so much so that the church must take the extra mile to really
instill its true meaning amidst all forms of its commercialization and adultery.
INBP is doing its part in this endeavor. Misa de Gallos have always been
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something worth attending during the Season of Advent and Fr. Danny, was able
to spice up the parishs Misa de Gallo by initiating fundraising projects like Builda-Belen, Light-a-Star, and Advent Candle sponsorships. The Light-a-Star
Sponsorship is able to bring to the people the messages of hope, joy, peace, light,
wisdom, courage, love, faith, and strength whereby these messages were hung in a
star-lantern to be offered by a family at the altar before the mass start. This is
immediately followed by the Build-a-Belen Sponsorship, where, for nine days,
sponsor families will offer a character in the nativity scene until it is complete
carrying with it the messages of Christmas found in the symbolisms of the
characters. The Advent Candle sponsorship on the other hand lets families light
the Advent Candles while offering prayers of intentions relevant to the season.
While these activities, perpetuated by succeeding parish priests, are good
fundraising projects to support the financial needs of the parish, these more
importantly help prepare the parishioners to receive Christ at his birth and reflect
on its significance to lifes contemporary landscape.
These parochial celebrations bring into surface the immense power of
cooperation as a means for success in all endeavors. It only proves the reflexive
and complementary relationship of the parish priest and the parishioners,
particularly the Parish Pastoral Council, that is the core of every success in
parochial activities.
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CHAPTER III:
TWENTY-NINE YEARS OF CHALLENGE AND SURVIVAL
Surmounting Barriers
Challenges are integral to institutions as they measure its capability to
stand firm against untoward tides making it worthy of a lengthy stint. Arnold
Toynbee averred that a civilizations survival depends on its ability to respond to
posing challenges that threaten its life. INBP has also experienced and will
experience long as it exists challenges that tested how steadfast it is which
pushes it to make important decisions and take weighty measures, thereby making
it a more firm and enduring institution.
54
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An encompassing and pervasive factor in discussing the issues that INBP

has been facing is what Fr. Chris refers to a gated subdivisions. It is
encompassing because it is the source from which other parochial problems spring
forth, and pervasive as it has always been the factor determining the social context
that the parish was put into.
Among the issues that spring forth from this fountain is the problem of
unity among the parishioners in a general sense. Fr. Joey, in his message to the
parishioners in the fiesta of 1988, bared that the parish was not in unison when it
comes to working for the parish and that there was division between the rich and
the poor, the educated and the benighted, and between subdivisions.61
Subdivisions and Compounds characterize the geography of the parish and as
such these also signify the relationship of parishioners. With gated subdivisions,
we should include compounds to avoid misrepresentation people are, in
certain degrees, alienated from each other considering that each subdivisions and
compounds share a common subculture different from one another, this is
magnified by transient residents living in bedspaces and rooms-for-rent who work
for factories belonging to the parishs jurisdiction. Fr. Chris has stressed that with
the existence of transient residents comes the impermanence of a part of the
parishs population as there is a higher possibility of them moving in and out of
the parish jurisdiction.
61 Jose P. Miranda, a message to the parishioners published in Ina ng Buhay: Fiesta 88, n.pag
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Indifference is in itself a challenge and also a moving force in this problem

of unity. Because the parishs categorization is that of the middle class and is
situated in an urban environment where the working population is high,
indifference from each other and from the parish is imminent. Fr. Chris added that
people are living fast-paced lives due to the urban setting and are at work most of
the time rendering them less participative on weekday parish activities, and
because Sunday is their only time to rest, rather than involving themselves with
parish affairs excluding the mass, they instead rest at home or choose to spend this
time with their families and friends for leisure. With tremendous advancement in
modern technology, especially in the entertainment and gaming phenomenon,
childrens attention to the parish are dwindling rendering parish programs for the
youth not very well attended.
For the very reasons stated above it is very difficult for the parish to
implement its Basic Ecclesial Communities in a full swing despite the fact that
they are already established. For a time BECs had become idle due to Fr. Dannys
centralization scheme. His first years as parish priest were marked with
deteriorating participation of the people, which he attributed to the erroneous
application of the BEC in Ina ng Buhay62 where the only program facilitated for
the BECs is the celebration of the mass in the different communities. What he did
was to centralize all masses and parish activities in the parish church to enjoin the
62 Danilo P. Pajarillaga, The Economy Governing a Parish, The New Ina ng Buhay Parish:
Fiesta 2002, Souvenir Program, (Quezon City: n.p., 2002), n.pag
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peoples participation rendering the sub-parishes and the BECs inactive. It was
only when Fr. Roger brought back the celebration of masses in the communities
when BECs started to regain formation, but without full success. The final factor
in the challenging formation of BECs, Fr. Chris added, is that neighborhoods hail
from different dominations of Christianity, which causes difficulties in grouping
communities and hesitations in facilitating BEC programs.
This challenge in the unity of parishioners should not be taken
hyperbolically as to imagine that people do not care for each other or parish
activities are utter failures due to complete non-participation. In fact, the parish is
doing its part to respond to this difficulty by means of the projects, programs, and
activities that really enjoin cooperation between parishioners. The effective
functions of the BECs as of the present are (1) the dissemination of information
relevant to the parish such as announcement of activities, particular schedules,
initiation of projects and programs; (2) different communities are assigned to
sponsor masses in the parish church by a fixed schedule; (3) communities are
encouraged to celebrate the feast of their patron saints; and (4) their participation
in the large gatherings and celebrations of the parish. Though unity is a challenge,
it is nevertheless manifested in parish celebrations especially during the Seasons
of Lent and Advent and the celebration of the parishs fiesta. For without the
cooperation of the parishioners these celebrations would be failures. What this
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study only presents is that the challenge of unity does not mean its absence, only
the lack of it hindering the actualization of the parishs full potential.
Financial stability is always a facet of the parish that requires attention
especially when working for its external developments. It is natural that financial
needs be a main concern for newly established parishes and as such Fr. Joey faced
this burden as the first parish priest of INBP. This is the reason why the common
urgent objective of the organizations that he had formed was to conceptualize
effective fundraising projects to help finance the on-going parish church
construction and mobilize future projects and activities, which he was able to
fulfill considering the wide range of projects he was able to spearhead in the span
of five years.
Fr. Dannys administration was left to settle the financial burdens of past
administrations catechetical debt bill of the parish, unpaid loans from the
Archdiocese of Manilaunpaid SSS premiums of teachers and other employees,
unpaid salaries of teachers and debt from book suppliers.63 It turns out that his
centralization scheme was effective in bringing the people to the parish church to
foster more active involvement in the parish that consequently involved the
people in settling the parishs financial burdens through their participation in
successful fundraising projects and activities.
63 Danilo P. Pajarillaga, interview with former parish priest, March 16, 2016
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Fr. Roger had to experience the same plight maintaining that when he
arrived as the parish priest, the money left to his administration was only enough
to settle electric and water bills leaving him no excess money to mobilize projects
and programs readily.64 Following the same pattern of conducting fundraising
activities he was able to lump money for parochial affairs.
Having biases is a natural tendency of man. This puts him in a situation
where he chooses something over the other for reasons known only to him.
Applying it to INBP, it is inevitable that parishioners, having been led by seven of
parish priests, prefer one priest over the other leading to inappropriate loyalty. Fr.
Roger cites this as one of the visible challenges during his time. Having just come
from an evident successful stint from the past administration, it is an undeniable
possibility that people feel a kind of separation anxiety that leads them to be
indifferent towards the new administration. Though it does not bother the parish in
great deal, Fr. Roger added, it nevertheless jeopardizes support for the new
administration.
Parishioners, particularly parish servers themselves are susceptible to be
the sources of challenges and difficulties in parish. Being the latest administration,
Fr. Chris identified the untoward character of some servers that lead people to shy
away from the church to be a pressing challenge while also maintaining that it is
better that these servers are in the church so as to keep guiding them to good
conduct, which also is a responsibility of the parish. He attributed this to the
64 Rogelio S. Positar, interview with former parish priests, Marh 9, 2016
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limitation of the church being open to all and being accepting of the people that
come at its door making it susceptible to these issues. He also saw deterrence as a
negative characteristic of some of his lay leaders who have been serving for a
lengthy period already not giving room for new generations of leaders and an
influx of new ideas. It is for the benefit of these parishioners that the spiritual
formation programs like PREX, Lenten and Advent Recollections, and the Bible
Study are offered in the parish for them to realize their misgivings and be able to
act upon them.
Religiosity is not a question among the parishioners, Fr. Chris averred.
Parochial activities are well attended and people fill the pews on regular Sunday
masses. Although be that as it may, their participation dwindles in spiritual
formation programs like those enumerated above leading to a question of their
spirituality. But of course, the question of spirituality is immensely personal a
discussion that is not to be judged from external actions alone.
Due to the establishment of San Isidro Labrador parish in 1999, certain
areas from INBP have been transferred to the former and in 2012, Villanova
Subdivision, also a territory of Ina ng Buhay, was transferred to the same parish.
This brought to the people an atmosphere of confusion for servers, where to
serve; and for ordinary parishioners, where to attend mass. But the parish priests
from both parishes only maintained that people should serve and attend mass
where they could bear more fruit as Catholics.
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Challenges that come in the way of IBNBP only prove that it is a

perfectible institution. Each challenge calls for a response that, if overcome,
serves as a stepping-stone to becoming better and better. Not only do challenges
make the institution better, they unify its people to a common action aiming for a
common goal, fostering in them the value of cooperation and co-operation and
therefore making the people better individuals themselves. Challenges teach the
lesson that one should work hard and toil for stability life, not just for mere
existence and survival.
IMPACT OF INBP TO ITS COMMUNITY

The impact of INBP to its parishioners is measured in light of the facets of
the parish to which its projects and programs catered. Because its members are
both Catholic and civil individuals, the parish, aside from pastoral care, shares the
responsibility of nurturing the parishioners well being and as such it also
responds to their needs as a civil community.
INBP as contributing to the spiritual enrichment of the people is of no
question. The whole corpus of the parish is actually geared towards enriching the
people spiritually. Through programs like the PREX Seminar, Lenten and Advent
Recollections, retreats, bible studies, and through the work of parish organizations
directed towards spiritual deepening the parish was able to provide for the people
different avenues through which they may encounter the Lord in both personal
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and community levels. Through the celebration of masses alone the parish fulfills
a part of its mission of evangelizing, making disciples, and concretizing the Word
of the Lord. Only a part because the arduous work of evangelizing goes beyond
Sunday masses. The parish goes beyond the Sunday obligation through these very
programs. Summer catechisms have especially enjoined children to take interest
in the church. This spiritual impact of INBP can also be seen in the good
attendance of people in parish activities and masses whether only showing
religiosity, or spirituality, or both, it is still a hopeful sign that the parish is
successful in penetrating the lives of its parishioners so much so that they allot a
portion of their precious time in their fast-paced lives to participate in parish
activities and involve themselves in parish affairs.
Enriching the spiritual life of the people also meant improving their sociopolitical life. Getting people involved in parochial affairs play a big part in their
social life. People meet long-time friends there sometimes enemies or if
theyre lucky enough they could find their better-half there. Here we realize that
the parish is a haven for social interaction that binds the people together by means
of their unity in faith. Through involvement in different organizations parish
servers are able to become part of something, so to speak, bigger than themselves.
People are able to establish relationships with each other and with their pastor.
One thing that Fr. Roger distinctly treasures about INBP is that he was able to
build lasting relationships with many of his parishioners,65 which is symbolic of
65 ibid.
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63
how the clergy and the laity unify in the context of the parish. The parish has also
touched the political facet of its parish leaders as they are put in the arduous task
for forming the parish. By letting certain people serve as PPC officers and lead
their organizations the people, the parish gives avenue for people to actualize their
leadership potentials.
Although unity poses the greatest challenge to the parish explained by its
geographical and environmental setting, the parish has done steps to answer this.
BECs are established in such a way that a subdivision is already a BEC in itself,
unless the subdivision is rather large then it is grouped into smaller communities
within the subdivision to easily facilitate their respective programs for their
communities. Though communities are separated together, the parish unites them
through activities and major celebrations thereby strengthening the community
while fostering familiarity with each other. Through the parish, people living in
the gated subdivisions are able to step out of their comfort zones to interact and
establish relationships with more people. Parish organizations themselves are also
avenues for people to realize and nurture their talents for the purpose of serving
God. The parishs Music Ministry provides an opportunity to people with the gift
of voice and playing musical instruments to serve the Lord through music. The
Lectors and Commentators Ministry on the other hand gives people with an
eloquent tongue and the gift of narration a chance to evangelize through the
Liturgy of the Word making themselves instruments of Gods Word. The Teatro ng
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64
Ina ng Buhay also did well in discovering and nurturing the talents of young
parish servers in acting. The members of Teatro are able to imbibe in the
parishioners the message of Christs salvation during their Holy Week play of the
Senakulo/Istasyon ng Bayan, and is able to engage in the true meaning of
Christmas in their play of the Panunuluyan.
INBP has not been deaf to the peoples environmental and livelihood
concerns either. Under Fr. Joeys administration the parish took part in a signature
campaign in 1990 to demand the re-blocking of Damong Maliit Road, and
through the INBCC the parish was able to establish a Memorandum of Agreement
with TUP offering livelihood courses. The parish initiates outreach programs in
the depressed areas of its community and offers its help especially to victims of
natural calamities. In this way the parish becomes an avenue for people to extend
their help to those in need.
The INBCS plays a great part in the parishs influence among its
parishioners. The school has always been tied with the parish until the
administration of Fr. Roger when the care of the parochial schools in the
Novaliches was centralized to the Diocese separating them from their parishes.
Nevertheless, the parish and the school have always shared the mission of
evangelization while forming its students, most of which are Ina ng Buhays
parishioners, to become good citizens of the country and the faith and thereby
enabling the parish to penetrate deeper into the lives of the parishioners.
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65
INBP was an accomplishment of the people. It gave its parishioners

something to be responsible for, to care for, to nurture, and to protect. And as it
grows as an institution it influences the lives of its parishioners directing them
towards a life patterned in Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother of Life. It
gave its parishioners a new purpose apart from their duties to their families,
profession, and themselves. If mankind is the salt of the earth, the parish was, for
its parishioners, the salt of their lives.

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
INBPs historical experience has been characterized by a winding
interrelationship of change and continuity. The continuity of the parish can be
attributed to its ability to change and adapt to certain conditions in the time-space
continuum, itself being a part of it. This element of change can be seen in many
ways when looking at the parishs history. The transition of parish priests and
PPC administrations means a change of leadership style manifested in the
difference of projects and programs, another level of spirituality, and another
social atmosphere considering the reactions of the people to these transitions
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66
some are repellent to new administrations because of their hangover from the
previous one, while some are ever more supportive explaining why in every
administration some new faces enter, some people go, and at times people who lie
low in the present administration comes back to the next.66
These changes do not create identities of the parish separate from one
administration to another instead it fosters an eclectic character of the parish, one
that is built upon its different experiences in different periods of time. This is so
because not everything about the parish transforms with every different
administration. There are pervasive characteristics that have cruised the parish
throughout. Commitment and cooperation has always been a bright character of
the parishioners of Ina ng Buhay, particularly of the pastoral council. Mrs.
Guerrero, Fr. Danny, Fr. Roger, and Fr. Chris have all agreed that parish affairs
were successful, notwithstanding small impediments along the way, through the
parishioners and parish servers cooperation and commitment to their ministries.
Conclusion
The following are the answers to the main question raised in this study,
which is How did INBP grow and develop since its establishment from 1986 to
2015?
66 Christopher V. Santos, interview with parish priest, Feb 26, 2016. Fr. Chris explained how
people who repel an administration due to their loyalty to the former at times return to the
limelight in the succeeding administration.
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67
The pastoral care of INBP has been handed down from one parish priest
to the other. In this sense Fr. Roger was prudent in saying that the success of an
administration should be that which is continued to the succeeding
administration. In other words, the growth and development of INBP is to be
viewed in a larger picture, instead of looking only at specific administrations.
There are two ways by which INBPs growth and development can be seen. One
is through the external evaluation of the different improvements that the parish
has undergone. The other is through the internal examination of the institution.
INBP has undergone numerous structural improvements since its
establishment. The church has been repeatedly maintained so that it can withstand
withstand structural deterioration through time. Structural projects prove the
growing community of INBP so much so that the parish had to grow also in its
physical capacity. Construction of classrooms has been an undertaking for parish
priests like Fr. Joey, Fr. Vir, and Fr. Danny, while it was vital for priests like Fr.
Roger and Fr. Chris to provide more venues for parish activities prompting them
to spearhead the construction of the Conference Room and the Multi-Purpose
Hall respectively. This only shows the trend of people becoming more active and
involved thereby also making the parish life more active and vibrant.
An internal examination of the institution leads us to an evaluation of how
people grew in, and with, the parish. Through programs that continuously cater to
their spiritual and emotional concerns, people were ably formed and empowered
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68
so much so that they use this formation and empowerment for the benefit of the
church. This is manifested in the ability of parishioners to serve and lead the
parish in its affairs.
In order to effectively answer the main question, sub-questions were raised. The
following are the answers to the sub-questions raised:
1.
Having satisfied the basic requirements of a parish

having a Catholic community whose affairs are centered on a church
having its own jurisdiction and whose pastoral care is appointed to a
proper pastor by a diocesan bishop INBP embodied the essence of
being a community of God, and for God, leading to its service for the
welfare of the parishioners. As a brainchild of the late Jaime Cardinal
Sin, the parish was established on September of 1986 as a national shrine
honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of Life, hence
celebrates its fiesta on September 8. Since then it has toiled for the
welfare of its people treated as both individuals and a community. The
parish, having had seven parish priests and eight pastoral council
administrations all possessing characteristics unique from each other, can
be said to be eclectic. It is eclectic in such a way that it is a product of
the different administrations that it had undergone. On understanding
Philippine culture, Florentino Hornedo had this to say:
Philippine culture is not lineal. It is sapin-sapin. And when
you deal with people, Filipinos, it depends on how deeply you go
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69
into the sapin-sapin youll be encountering the aborigina;, the

Hispanic, the American, and the postmodern all in one.67
This also goes the same in understanding INBP. One has to

consider how much of its being can be attributed to the
administrations of the different parish priests and pastoral council
that handled it.
2.
Through implementing various projects and programs, the parish

manifests its adherence to the vision of the Diocese of Novaliches to be a
Christ-centered community, responding to the needs of the people,
journeying with the Blessed Virgin Mary towardsthe newness of life 68
and has been faithful in fulfilling its mission of evangelization, laity
empowerment, and communion with the poor.69
The mission of evangelization is realized through the different
spiritual programs that the parish has PREX Seminars, retreats,
recollections, bible studies, and making the sacraments available to the
parishioners. Laity empowerment is seen in the continuous participation
of the lay faithful in the parochial activities and in the opportunities given
67 Florentino Hornedo, Florentino Hornedo Gawad CCP para sa Sining (Cultural Research),
Youtube video posted by culturalcenterphils, March 21, 2013, Retrievved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KeMVRkIk4ZE&index=13&list=PL7cRhLxY2tOwFkmtgTxYmGv7d9HfCORvV
68 Diocese of Novaliches, Celebrating Ten Years of the Diocese of Novaliches (Quezon City:
M.Borjal Printing Press, 2013), 34
69
Ibid.
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70
them to step out of their comfort zones to realize their full potentials as
individuals by joining different parish organizations. The pastoral council
is the epitome of this lay empowerment. The communion with the poor,
on the other hand, is seen in how the parish gives priority to the
marginalized, especially in social programs like outreach activities and
medical/dental missions. It is through the constant cooperation and
teamwork of the parish priests and the pastoral council that parochial
affairs become successful.
3.
In its twenty-nine years of formation and existence INBP has

experienced challenges that needed to be responded to. These challenges
helped the parish become more steadfast as an institution. The challenge
of unity can be attributed to the existence of gated communities, transient
residents, and the fact that most parishioners belong to the middle class
and that it is situated in an urban setting. In this light, the organization of
BECs in INBP is yet to be actualized. The parish responds to these
challenges by organizing activities that gather the people together at the
parish center. Many of these activities are conducted during the Seasons
of Advent and Lent making them two of the most significant seasons of
the parish. The celebration of the parish fiesta is also an effective response
to this challenge of unity. Financial stability is another pervasive issue that
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71
the parish has to attend to. Fortunately, INBP was able to sail through
financial issues, especially during the times of Fr. Joey and Fr. Danny,
through the support and effort of the parishioners.
4.
INBP was able to penetrate the lives of its parishioners. Through

successfully implemented programs and projects, enjoining the
participation of the lay in para-liturgical activities, and through the
regularly administering the sacraments, especially of the Eucharist, the
parish as able to involve the people in its affairs making them agents of
he parishs growth and developments while catering to their various
needs at the same time. Through membership in organizations parish
servers are able to widen their social and spiritual networks and are able to
cultivate their talents and potentials.
There is much to be learned from twenty-nine years of Ina ng
Buhay parishs faith and formation, and above every moral of this story is
that like the Mother of Life, the parishioners of INBP are called to a life
patterned from Christ one that steps out of the comfort zones to reach
out to the poor, oppressed, and the marginalized, while also empowering
their fellowmen to affect true human development and authentic social
transformation, a life geared towards not only proclaiming, but most
importantly being the Good News.
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72
Recommendations
This study has not covered every single detail about parish life and as
such, there are various further studies that will help develop a variety of literature
on INBP. Particular parish organizations, for example, are not thoroughly covered
in this study, which makes for a good further research. INBP and the INBCS have
been closely tied with each other even after the schools separation from the
parish. This study has touched only bits and pieces of INBCS history and as
such, can also be an interesting research in relation to the parish since no
researcher has done a comprehensive history of the school.
Due to time constraints in writing this study only handful of resource
persons were interviewed. Thus, it is a strong recommendation for future
researchers on INBP to interview parish priests that the researcher has not
interviewed such as Fr. Joey Miranda, Fr. Vir Pedregosa, Fr. Joven Antique, and
Fr. Bong Lopez. Some periods of the history of INBP, especially that of Fr. Bong
Lopezs administration, have not been covered thoroughly due to a paucity of
sources. It is, therefore, another recommendation that future researchers exhaust
all energies to find all possible sources that the researcher was not able to acquire
to be able to fill the gaps that this study possesses.
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73
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Published Works
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Claver, Francisco. The Making of a Local Church. Quezon City: Claretian
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Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation, Inc., Santa Ana
Church of Manila Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned: A
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Diocese of Novaliches. Celebrating Ten Years: The Diocese of
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Fr. Vir Pedregosa, Bagong Kura Paroko. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 4
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Galende, Pedro and Jose, Regalado. San Agustin Art and History 15712000. N.p: San Agustin Museum, 2000
Garcia, Excelso. Guide for Lay Catholic Faithful: According to the 1983
Code of Canon Law. Manila: UST Printing Office, 1984.
. Consecrated and Apostolic Life: According to the 1983
Codex Juris Canonici. Manila: UST Printing Office, 1984
Gardiner, Patrick. Theories of History: Readings from Classical and
Contemporary Sources. N.p.: Free Press, 1959
Giddens, Anthony. New Rules in Sociological Method: A Positive
Critique of Interpretative Sociologies. New York: Basic
Books Inc., 1976
. The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of
Structuration. Oxford: Polity Press, 1984
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
TOMAS Theory.
GRADUATE
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Social
and Political
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Hutchinson & Co., 1977
INBCS Ups Enrolment. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 4 No. 1.
September 7, 1994. 10
Jones, Pip, et al. Introducing Social Theory. Cambridge: Polity Press,
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Lamsal, Mukunda. The Structuration Approach of Anthony Giddens.
Himalayan Journal of Sociology & Anthropology. Vol V, 2012.
111-122
Manuel, Amelita. History of Paco Parish. ManilaL UST Publishing
House, 1964
Ocampo, Renato. Pastoral Implications of Basic Ecclesial Commnities:
A Commnetary on the PCP II Text. Landas: Journal of Loyola
School of Theology. Vol 8, 1994. 27-35
PPCRV in May 1992 Election. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 3 No. 1.
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Quevedo, Orlando. Pastoral Priorities and Seminary Formation.

Kalatog: Theology in Context: Select Perspectives. Manila: UST
Publishing House, 2003
San Diego, Reynaldo. Why a Parish Newsletter? Ina ng Buhay Bulletin,
Year 1 No. 1. September 2, 1990. 3
. Mga Lubak ng Damong Maliit, Idinaing ng TaongBayan. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 1 No. 1. September 2, 1990.
8
Tucker, Kenneth. Anthony Giddens and Modern Social Theory. London:
SAGE Publications, 1998
Tomen, Nina and Davin, Pablo Virgillo. Suli: Legacies of Santiago
Apostol Church of Betis, Pampanga. Guagua, Pampanga: National
Commission for Culture and the Arts and St. James the Apostle
Heritage Foundation, Inc. (SJAHFI), 2012
UNIVERSITY
OFSusan.
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
Tullas, Antonio
and Tullas,
The
Vocation
of Fr. Jose P.
Miranda.
Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 1 No.1,
Tullas, Susan. A Concrete Road at Last. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin, Year 1
No. 2. January 6, 1991. 10
. Ina ng Buhay Catholic School: Mission Defined. Ina ng
Buhay Bulletin, Year 3 No. 1. September 6, 1992. 1
Turner, Jonathan. Review Essay: The Theory of Structuration.
American Journal of Sciology. Vol 94 No. 4. January 1986. 969977
Vallejos, Puring. Programang Pangkabuhayan. Ina ng Buhay Bulletin,
Year 3 No. 1, September 6, 1992. 6
B. Souvenir Programs
Ina ng Buhay: Fiesta 88. September 10-11. Quezon City: n.p, 1988.
PAGE
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Ika-8 Kapistahan: Parokya ng Ina ng Buhay. September 7-8. Quezon

City: n.p., 1994
City: n.p., 1995
City: n.p., 1996
The New Ina ng Buhay: Fiesta 2000. Quezon City: n.p., 2000
The New Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 2001. Quezon City: n.p., 2001
The New Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 2002. Quezon City: n.p., 2002
Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 2003. Quezon City: n.p., 2003
Ina ng Buhay Parish: Fiesta 2004. Quezon City: n.p., 2004
UNIVERSITY
OF 2005
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
Ina ng Buhay
Parish: Fiesta
Souvenir
Program.
QuezonSCHOOL
City: n.p.,
2005
Ina ng Buhay Parish: Parish Fiesta 2006: 20 Years Pastoral Journey.
Quezon City: n.p., 2006
Diyosesis ng Novaliches, Parokya ng Ina ng Buhay: 25th Foundation
Anniversary Parish Fiesta Celebration. September 11. Quezon
City: n.p., 2011
C. Online Sources
Carpio, Mark Anthony. Why Music Matters: Mark Anthony Carpio at
TEDxDiliman, Youtube video posted by TEDx Talks, Nov 18, 2013,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCknB3CTgGg. Accessed on March 22,
2016
Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Holy See, Retrieved from
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accessed February 4, 2015
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Hornedo, Florentino. Florentino Hornedo Gawad CCP para sa Sining

(Cultural Research), Youtube video posted by culturalcenterphils,
March 21, 2013. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KeMVRkIk4ZE&index=13&list=PL7cRhLxY2tOw
FkmtgTxYmGv7d9HfCORvV. Accessed March 31, 2016
Morissey, Francis. Toward Juridic Personality in Catholic Health
Association of the United States July-August 2001.Retrieved from
https://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/july-august2001/toward-juridic-personality. Accessed on March 28, 2016
Smith, Mark. Howard Gardner: Multiple Intelligences and Education in
The Encyclopedia of Informal Education, 2002, Retrieved from
http://infed.org/mobi/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-andeducation/. Accessed March 25, 2016
Tagle, Luis Antonio. The Blessed Mary, Mother of God in the Mystery of
Christ and of the Church, a talk delivered during the Magpas First
Saturday catechesis on June 1, 2013 at the Paco Catholic School
UNIVERSITY
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Accessed March 15, 2016
Trueman, Michael. When Parishes Merge or Close in Catholic Answers
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Interviews
Rev. Fr. Christopher V. Santos. Interview with incumbent parish priest.
Feb 26, 2016
Mrs. Remedios Guerrero. Interview with former PPC President. Mar 7,
2016
Rev. Fr. Rogelio S. Positar. Interview with former parish priest. Mar 9,
2016
Rev. Fr. Danilo P. Pajarillaga. Interview with former parish priest. Mar
16, 2016
PAGE
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APPENDICES
A. Maps
PAGE
PAGE
(Figure 1: INBP Territory taken from 1988 Fiesta Celebration Souvenir Program)
79
PAGE
PAGE
(Figure 2: INBP Territory taken from 1994 Fiesta Celebration Souvenir Program)
B. Decrees and Circulars
80
PAGE
PAGE
(Figure 3: Decree establishing Ina ng Buhay Parish - 1986)
81
PAGE
PAGE
82
(Figures 4-5: Decree Revising the Territorial Boundaries of Ina ng Buhay Parish)
PAGE
PAGE
83
PAGE
PAGE
84
(Figures 6-7: Circular 2007-11:General Reshuffle 2007)
PAGE
PAGE
85
PAGE
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86
(Figure 8: Decree 2012-372: Decree Revising the Parochial Boundaries of Ina ng

Buhay Parish)
PAGE
PAGE
87
(Figure 9: Circular 2012-13:General Re-shuffle 2013)
PAGE
PAGE
88
C. Photos
(Figure 10: Fr. Jose P. Mirandas Appointment Letter. Photo taken from 1988
Fiesta Souvenir Program)
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89
(Figure 11: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Chapel. Photo taken from Fiesta
1988 Souvenir Program)

(Figure 12: Ina ng Buhay Parish Church Altar. Photo taken from
http://www.instagramonlineprofile.com/Places/259236827)
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90
D. Interviews
Transcript of Interview with Rev. Fr. Christopher V. Santos
FEBRUARY 26, 2016
REV. FR. CHRISTOPHER V. SANTOS
PARISH PRIEST, INA NG BUHAY PARISH
(F) FR. SANTOS
(J) JEJOMAR PALMA
(Interview started at 10:11am)
J What is a parish and what for you is a parish?
F The parish is an institution that could stand alone for the pastoral care,
programs, and activities of the community in view of putting into practice the
message of Christ through the sacraments and programs.
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
J Is it safe to say
that the parish
is the basic,
kungGRADUATE
baga kung saSCHOOL
mga social
institutions ang basic unit of the community is the family, so is it safe to say that
the parish is the basic Catholic institution?
F Basic? Not so, kasi yung parish is composed of families and communities so
kung civil ang gagamitin natin parang the barangay is a group of communities
ganun ang parokya in a pastoral term.
J Who is Ina ng Buhay and how does she affect the lives of our parishioners? In
view of the institution or in view of the recent programs n gating parokya?
F Pwede pong both father.
J Kasi yung institution niya, yan ang mahirap, dahil that was almost 30 years
ago, pero nung nagcelebrate yung school natin ng foundation day, ng kanilang
silver anniversary, I mentioned in one of my homilies that I came across with Fr.
Aldrin Lopez, ang kanyang narration about the origin of Ina ng Buhay is this: sabi
niya the Archdiocese of Manila is eyeing for erecting a parish in view of in honor
of a certain title of Mama Mary, parang anniversary siya ng title, I dont know
what particular title, actually inisip ko nga it might be also in view of the EDSA
knowing that the EDSA Revolution ay 30 years na at tayo ay 30 years na rin, at
sabi ni Fr. Aldrin Lopez noon gang mga kaparian na naghahanap ng parokya to
establish a certain parish to honor our Blessed Lady, bumisita sila diyan sa may
PAGE
PAGE
Mother of Life diyan sa may Notre Dame de Vie, yung formation house ng mga
catechists, after the visit to the formation house, nakita nila itong area na ito, bare
pa daw, at naisip nila na this would be the best spot to erect the parish,
significantly in view of kabibisita palang nila sa Notre Dame de Vie at yung title
ng Ina ng Buhay ay kinuha sa Mother of Life, kasi kung tutuusin we are the only
parish in the Philippines that is entitled Ina ng Buhay, Mother of Life. Other
institutions are not churches. Yung erection n gating parokya is but a fruit of
honoring the Blessed Lady, at maganda makita that it is also in view of the
liberation from dictatorship through the intercession of the Blessed Lady. I could
certainly connect na kung 30 years na ang EDSA Revolution nung February 25,
our parish was also instituted nang September 8, 1986. May magandang
connection yun.
In view naman n gating Ina ng Buhay in the lives of ating community
presently, siguro sa akin masasabi ko na as of now is that the Ina ng Buhay is (1)
venue for people to really enrih their spiritual life with regards to of course the
sacraments which are available to the community, formations that are also
available for the enrichment and deepening of faith - meron tayong PREX
Seminar, organizations that would be a venue for people to really put into practice
service to the church in its concreteness, halimbawa yung ating ministries, venue
OF SANTO
para sa mga youthUNIVERSITY
yung ating Parish
Youth TOMAS
Ministry. GRADUATE
So yung atingSCHOOL
programs sa
church ay somehow effectively put faith and spirituality of the church in the daily
lives of familes, communities na nasasakupan natin.
J Can you differentiate the different organizations na meron tayo sa parokya and
briefly describe the role that they play in this parish?
F Yung organization structure ng atin parish is divided into three major
ministries. Yung unang ministries as we all know yung ating Liturgical and
Wosrship Commission napapalooban yung organizations that involves the service
of the sacraments. Nandiyan pumapasok yung Ministry of the Proclamation of the
Word ng LCM (Lectors and Commentators Ministry), nandiyan yung ating
Ministry of the Altar Services yung ating mga Altar Servers, nandiyan yung
Ministry of the Liturgical Music yung ating mga choir, the Extraordinary
Ministers of the Holy Communion, Ministry of the Reception of Gifts yung ating
mga Usherettes and Collectors, at meron ding Ministry for the Care of the
Sanctuary and the Sacristy yan yung ating mga MBG (Mother Butlers Guild), so
anything that involves worship. People are invited to participate so that hindi lang
yung ating mga pari at mga amdre ang involved.
The second part naman ng structure ng ating ministries ay yung Formation
Commission. The primary purpose of this commission is to deepen the faith of
the community. Ito yung mga organizations involved in the formations, retreats,
renewals. Dito rin nasasakop yung ating Formation in Faith Ministry, ating Youth
91
PAGE
PAGE
92
Ministry nadedevelop yung formation para sa ating mga kabataan, Family and
Life Ministry para naman sa mga mag-asawa, the Catechetical Ministry kung
saan tinututruan yung mga bata, the Bible Apostolate ito yung ministry para
naman sa pagpapalalim ng ating awareness sa salita ng Diyos. The Stewardship
Ministry ito naman yung formation on how to use our resources, taking care o the
corporeal
J Corporeal part of the parish, like the infrastructures father
F Yes, mga mga material. Tangbible assets natin, then the Vocation Ministry ito
naman ay inestablish to form young men and women in view of the vocation to
the priesthood or nunnery, tapos yung ating Social Communication Ministry ito
naman yung involved sa forming the faithful towards social, economic, political
aspects ng ating parokya and, wala pa tayo sa ating parokya yung tinatawag na
Extraordinary Ministers of Religious Phenomena ito yung mga office for
exorcism, then yung Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialougue ito naman yung
ministry na hindi lang yung sarili nating members kundi we reach out to other
members of other religions that have the same commonality with ours, siyempre
pare-parehero lang naman yung to care for life, to seek holiness, ibat iba man
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
ang faith pero siyempre
almost common
naman.
Ikatlo naman meron tayong tinatawag na Social Action Commission. Ito
naman yung aspect n gating parish that would respond to social events and
actions that pertains to halimbawa calamities, outreach programs, service of the
church to the community, like feeding programs. Ito naman yung aspect na,
parang sinasabi nating merong worship merong self-formation, at ito naman yung
reaching out.
J So ito po yung nagiging practical part father ng ministry
F Oo. Ito naman yung ministry na involved sa going out, reaching out. Kung
yung formation ay ad intra, ito na yung ad extra. Towards outside the church.
Kabilang dito yung mga tinatawag natin na Compassionate Care Ministry, so
yung Disaster Preparedness Mobilization, tapos yung ating Care for the Elderly,
so yan. Tapos kasama dito sa Social Action yung Human Development Ministries
kasama dito yung Education and Scholarship. And yung Economic Development,
mga ministry and programs towards livelihood. Yun yung 3 major ministries n
gating church.
J Meron po Vision-Mission ang parokya natin father?
F Yes.
J Ano po iyon?
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93
F Ang ating Vision-Mission na inaapply natin is imitated from the Vision and
Mission of the Diocese of Novaliches. So as of now, sa tingin ko naman wala
naman yung ating parokya na something extraordinary issues to do away from
the Vision-Mission of the Diocese. It was proposed by all the clergies and all the
parishes kaya siya yung ating ginagamit. It includes being a Christ-centric
community, merong empowerment of the lay, meron siyang true BEC the
instrument in gathering people is through BEC.
J Father can you expound on the idea of the BECs? Ito po yung mga Basic
Ecclesial Communities di po ba?
F Yung ating BEC, first and foremost, is different from parish to parish. May
sari-sariling programa ang mga BECs depending on their situations. Halimbawa
sa rural areas iba yung way they do their BECs. Basically ang BECs ito yung
tinatawag natin na pagkakabuklod ng mga kapitbahay. Its a group of families
living together in the same community. And the idea of the BECs is for
neighborhood yung samahan at ugnayan ng mga magkakapitbahay sabi natin
ay maging constant para ito ay naguugnay sa mga magkakapitbahay in dealing
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
with different issues,
significant OF
issues
in their
lives, halimbawa
angSCHOOL
BEC ideally
sana sama-samang nagninilay ng salita ng Diyos, for example the concrete
activities of the BECs is that how ideal na 10-15 families in one neighborhood or
in one street come together once a week, regularly, to meet together,
magkamustahan etc. Ang ideal standard of a BEC is that a group of families
living together in a neighboring gathering together.
J Kanina po sinabi mo kanya-kanyang programa po. You said that different
BECs meron silang different issues na kinakaharap, so in a way by having
responsible BECs napapadali ang parochial affairs natin.
F That is one way of viewing BEC. Nafafacilitate yung programs pag ibaba ng
parokya towards the family mas madali itong maimplement through the BECs.
Ikalawang magandang venue ng BEC, kaya nga nasabi natin kung bakit iba iba
ang BEC sa bawat community at parishes because the BEC would be a venue for
people to gather and reflect, halimbawa merong mga BEC ng ibang parokya na
ang kanilang issue ay palupa, so they would gather together as one community
solving their issues, samga probinsya halimbawa pare-pareho silang
magkakapitbahay na magsasaka so yung kanilang issue at concern is about their
work, paano sila makakkuha ng pataba, paano sila makakakuha ng funds towards
their projects related to their work. Sa atin, for the mean time, ngayon nakikita ko
yung BEC natin hindi pa siya full swing pero we have initially started the BEC
halimbawa ang initial stage for our BECs is for us to have boundaries for the
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94
territory of the parish, naiidentify na kung ano yung mga communities and out of
the communities we create different BECs. Meron na tayong BEC coordinators
ng isang area, pero yung full swing medyo malayo pa. Siyempre the BEC could
not have a pefect implementation because, lalona dito sa atin sa urban areas, (1)
halimbawa sa parokya natin the poplation is composed of transcient residents
halimbawa yung mga factory workers living in a room for rent or bedspace. So
pag ganon ang hirap hirap kasi yung transition ng mga tao mabilis mawala so
hindi nagkakaroon ng continuity, (2) certain communities, lalong-lalo na ito na
eminent sa subdivisions, yung tinatawag na gated subdivisions, yung mga tao at
families are indeed really too busy for this kind of activities, most of the time
nasa work sila Sunday lang yung kanilang rest, (3) indifference of modern
families, whether families dont seem to care unless it is something they could
benefit from, indifference in a sense that the spiritual life in the parish would
seem to be irrevelant kasi nga busy, for example yung mga kabataan ngayon
would spend more time in the internet at walang time para lumabas (4) final
factor ng BEC natin is that hindi lahat ng magkakapitbahay ay Katoliko, because
of the different denominations of people.
J So ang pinaka-factor po dito factor is that there is no real essence of
UNIVERSITY
OFang
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
community kasi nga
po indifferent
mga tao,
they have
fast-pacedSCHOOL
lives
F Kaya sa ngayon ang nakikita nating potentials n gating mga BECs is that we
group them into certain subdivisions, one subdivision is one community, kapag
sobrang laki naman ng subdivision we divide them, for example yung sa Jordan
Subdivision kahit isang subdivision lang ang Jordan meron silang 3 BECs.
J Pwede ko po bang malaman father kung ano po yung definite parish
boundaries ng Ina ng Buhay?
F Yung Villanova Subdivision they are no longer part of our community, before
they were. Damong Maliit hanggang sa Gen. Luis anything from the left, except
the Villanova. Yan ang kasama sa ating boundary, yung community ng Dantes, as
far as the ranchos, compunds, subdivisions such as San Antonio, Roxas, lahat ng
part ng Jordan Heights Subd. na kasama sa Quezon City half kasi nila ay nasa
Caloocan pero ang sinusunod na boundaries ng tinatawag nating Ecclesiastical
Boundaries would also follow the Civil Boundaries. Pati yung Miranda,
Queensland.
J - The area of our parish, is it manageable, too big, or too small?
F Middle siya. Manageable siya. It is neither too big nor too small. Yan yung
isang function ng parish, it must be in a sense economically sustainable. The
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95
parish must sustain the territories in all aspects of activities being implemented.
Dapat ang parokya may sariling teritoryo, may sariling lupa, you cannot be a
parish without you own land, yung parokya din dapat ay with just enough people
that would sustain economically. You cannot have a parish na hindi kayang
isustain ang physical activities.
J Sa chapter 2 naman father we will try to dig in a little deeper sa affairs ng
parokya, the parish priests programs, activities, projects, along with the PPCs
along with their leadership. First question po father is that what is your immediate
goal and your ultimate goal for the parish? When we say immediate, ito yung
kaya mong ma-achieve within your administration, and what is your ultimate goal
for the parish even beyond your administraton.
F Para siyang short term at long term goals. Yung aking first three years sa ating
parokya my short term goal is not to be too ambitious. Bakit? Kasi yung situation
ko would demand me of my time focused on studies, currently Im partly a parish
priest and partly a student, thats the dilemma na meron ako, in a sense na my
short term goal is I need to finish my studies and for me to pass the board, yun
kasi ang assignment sa akin n gating Bishop. Ang goals ko lang muna is the
UNIVERSITY
OF ISANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
physical aspect of
the parish kasi
do believe
that people
could SCHOOL
not worship,
could not reflect, could not encounter and not even benefit from going to the mass
if the physical aspect of the mass is poor, in a sense that my short goals is
improve the sound system, to improve the structure of the parish, when I came
yung ating roof ay tumutulo so yung immediate nating pangangailangan,
necessity yan eh, and also to prserve the parish kailangan maintenance. Isa pang
physical short term goal that we were able to achieve is to construct structures
that would be venues for formations and meeting
J The Multi-purpose Hall
F Oo, kasi if we wanted to make a lively parish eh kailangan natin ng venue for
them to have the meetings, formations, mga talks and engagement. Ikalawang
short term goal naman when it comes to formation is that nakita ko yung need for
active participation , napansin ko kasi pagpasok ko sa parish nagddwindle yung
membership ng mga organizations, which is but much important kasi they also
run the parish.
So yung ultimate goal natin even after umalis na tayo sa parokya is to
sustain the participation. Parang you plant the seed today and the fruit would
come after. If were going to establish the youth ,to make them alive and
participate, mabubuhay siya. Ang thrust ko kasi sana kapag ang youth ay involved
pagtanda nila sila rin yung magtuturo sa ibang organization, yung mga anak nila
yung susunod na magiging active. In a sense its worthwhile that you form the
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PAGE
96
young so that when they grow up, hindi man sila maging active, they have the
significant experience of the parish.
J Which is why you have a great love for the youth of Ina ng Buhay?
F Talaga, kasi they have long years to live so kung maiinject natin yung
Christian values, love for the church, fear of God, naiimplement natin yung
mission ng ating church.
J How do describe your being a pastor to your sheep?
F Pag tinanong natin, what is your leadership style, number one na
characteristic ng leadership na ginagawa ko sa ating parokya ay a leadership that
is participatory, to evoke suggestions, evoke activities and programs coming from
the people themselves son that they would own their activities. Participative.
Consultative. Hindi pa ako nagiging autocratic eh. Secondly, leadership na
napansinin ko rin is that the priest, the shepherd, must always be together with the
sheep, familiarity with the sheep, we want the availability of the priest towards
the people. For example yung mga activities natin na funeral blessing, funeral
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
mass, we make itUNIVERSITY
a point that theOF
financial
aspect
would
not hinder them
to come
and receive the sacraments, and even the presence of the pastor. Ikatlo naman
yung leadership na in sense, making it a light and enjoyable encounter with the
pastor. People must not be threatened towards the priest or clerical state.
J What do you think are the kind of leaders that we have presently, and how do
these kinds of leaders affect the parochial affairs?
F The leadership that we have for now are partly new, maraming mga bago at
newcomers, somehow they give new and fresh ideas. Yung ating mga leaders
meronn silang sari-sariling pagkakataon not to be routinary. Yung leaders natin
ngayon ay medyo old na. Ang cons nito ay they tend to be routinary, kung ano
yung nakagawian ito na yung ginagawa, meron nang fatigue towards voluntarism.
People are already tired na silang lagi ang gumagalaw. Kaya minsan yung ating
activities ay nagkakaroon ng routinary aspect, unlike pag bago they inject new
ideas. Ang LCM diba they had their team building, ang Youth meron ding
teambuilding. Kung ano yung nararanasan nila they want to implement it to the
group and we welcome such initiatives. After 3 years sa parokya I think tapos na
ang transition ko sa adjustment. You observe first and then you implement
change. Kasi hindi naman pwede kung ano yung ginawa mo sa ibang parokya
kailangan gawin mo agad dito, kasi kapag inimplement mo ang isang change
kahit ito ay tama pero hindi pa ito nasa tamang panahon nasasayang yung change.
Ngayon after 3 years that I have been staying, I make it a point na sa PPC
minimal lang yung movement, pero other ministries I have started to change. Pero
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PAGE
97
ngayon I think the PPC is ready to change for another administration.

Napakahalaga kasi ng PPC kasi they are the ones who implement the programs,
sila ang nagiinitiate nito. Kailangan yung PPC would be the representative of the
people dahil sila yung faithful. Ako, akoy pari ang buhay ko ay para sa
simbahan, my time must be available for the church, pero different ang dynamics
ng ating mga faithful, n gating mga leaders, they also have their concerns
families, work na hindi dapat iignore, kaya ka we also need the PPCs working
hand-in-hand with the pastor.
J How do you decide on parish programs and activities? Do you follow a
process of things bago kayo magconceptualize ng gagawin?
F There are two ways for me to do things in a meeting. Primarily to evoke
suggestions, pero kung walang lumalabas na suggestions, its the only time I
initiate my own, what I see must be done. Kung wala kayong maisusuggst na
activities, or any programs that we need to do, steps that we have to take, its the
time for me to intervene and to say na ito ang gagawin natin. In such a way Im
giving people to have a chance to suggest para nang sa gayon hindi siya pilitan. I
always consult in such a way that I divide the house for votation about issues na
UNIVERSITY
OFitSANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
kailangan iresolve,
pero ultimately
is the Parish
priest
that decides.SCHOOL
Pero I want
to have confirmation, at kailangan ko makita kung ano yung clinging ng members
ng PPC before I decide. And ultimately we support whatever decision the body
makes, unless exceptional matters for example yung issue sa INBCS. We have
given permission for the school, though they are no longer part of the parish, they
are planning for the expansion for the K-12. Its the right thing to do, although
people would have reactions saying na bakit natin ibibigay yung part ng ating
lupa sa garden. Kailangan to enlighten the people of my decision to guide them
kung ano yung tama. It was the decision of the bishop to expand the school and
we as a parish must be hand-in-hand in doing the ministry of education towards
the community. PInagbigyan natin ang school para magexpand pero inilagay
naman natin sa limit. Before, they wanted to erect the structure beside the parish
church, before I did not allowed because its not a good thing na makita yung
structure, liliit yung parokya, yung parking, so I decided to give the portion na
hindi natin nagagamit. For me its a win-win situation, we are able to serve the
youth that are also coming from our community and at the same time hindi naman
siya malaking kawalan sa atin.
J So when it comes to decision-makings father especially kapag mayroong
opposing reactions between the laity and the diocese, you tend to balance
everything.
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98
F Oo. Kailangan, to compromise. Also in the sense that you side on what you
have reflected on, what is right and good for the community, for the common
good parin tayo. For now people are reacting, pero after the reaction may
realization.
J Can you enumerate significant projects/programs/activities that helped and are
helping the development of the parish.
F (1) Dahil nga yung thrust natin ay para sa mga youth, I have been supporting
and welcoming the Bible Apostolate. The weekly bible studies ng mga bata.
Before, they had been implementing Bible study para sa matatanda, sa youth, and
para sa mga children. So ngayon medyo ang children at youth nalang ang may
ganyang activities. Kasi for me, yung formative years ng mga bata is the most
significant experience that they would have that they would carry eventually
kapag lumaki na sila. The experience of them being cared for by our church
servants, hindi lang yung what they study in the Bible but the experience itself
people are volunteering to give them merienda. Two way yan eh, the kids are
learning, and people have opportunities to express their concerns also. They may
not be fully active but somehow they have the chance to be involved.
UNIVERSITY
OF formations
SANTO TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
(2) We support
the on-going
and activities
of the youth.
It may
be seasonal, for example yung activities nila during Holy Week, I make it a point
na sila yung nasa Senakulo kasi yung experience din ng mga youth na
nagpaparticipate, gumagawa sila ng certain responsibilities on their own is also
forming them to become leaders, to be responsible. Meron din silang formations
and team building. We continue to support that dahil youth may come and go.
Kapag nagcollege na sila aalis na sila , at kapag nagtatrabaho na sila, pero they
have a fragment of what they have experienced being active in the church.
(3) Yung ating PREX is also a good formation ng ating mga adult. I
believe our PREX would be the entry point to significantly have the experience of
deepening their faith, of rekindling, inspiring them once more. In a sense parang
retreat for them. Hindi nararanasan ng ordinaryong tao ito eh, usually nararanasan
lang ang retreat pag ikaw ay nasa Catholic school ganyan, pero itong PREX na ito
in one way or another its already a retreat in itself, so its one way to reflect,
rekindle your faith.
(4) Activities during May. We have the Volunteer Catechists, sending them
to different areas. Ito yung formation na binibigay natin sa mga youth in such a
way that after them being taught the different catechisms they will be the one to
spread and teach to different children.
(5) Continuous formations. Isang significant thing na nakita ko sa
organizations is that meetings are held starting with the reflections and sharing of
the Word of God. They are not just to meet and define their activities, kasi parepareho naman yun eh, pero for them to have a moment of sharing, parang it in
PAGE
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99
itself is a BEC eh. Parang ganun narin kasi yun eh, pare-parehong taaty mga
Laymen, pare-parehong nanay yung mga Usherettes, pare-parehong mga
karanasan ng mga kabataan and they are reflecting and sharing their lives to one
another.
J Dagdag ko lang po dito father yung mga specific projects na naipagawa ninyo
na nasabi ninyo kanina like yung pagpapalit ng bubong ng simbahan, the MultiPurpose Hall.
F Oo, yan nga yung ating physical aspect n gating church. It is but integral.
Hindi sila makakapagdasal kapag hindi sila komportable, kapag hindi maliwanag
ang sound system. Yun din ang aking thrust siguro, not merely the beautification
but the physical aspect must facilitate in forming a reflective faithful. Isa ring part
ng ating leadership is the transparency. Transparency in such a way na anything
that we are doing here is open for criticism and information of all concerned. In
my masses at the end of the year, I make it a point to report the financial aspect of
the church, yung ating construction fund, what have we accomplished, what have
we spent on.
OF SANTO
SCHOOL
J So pagdatingUNIVERSITY
sa physical aspect
father TOMAS
we wantGRADUATE
to have a good
external
structure for the efficiency of the service.
F Efficient and effective service.
J Father sa iyong term, do you have certain rules and regulations in the parish
especially when doing things in meetings, kapag misa, and why do you think
these rules, if there are any, are necessary?
F Explicit rules, wala. Pero yung mga implied rules for example lagi kong
sinasabi sa mga organizations we are here first to attend mass, to worship God,
more than to be of service. For example ang ruling ko sa mga Usherette,
Sacristans, Lay Ministers, Choirs, is that you are here first to attend mass, you are
here first to reflect on the Word of God, you are here first to listen to the Word of
God on a Sunday service. Kaya nga naman you must be present first in fornt of
God before doing your work, your responsibilities kaya sinasabi ko sakanila
kailangan yung mga servants must not be late. For example yung mga Lay
Minister dahil ang papel lang nila ay nasa dulong part, ang pagsusubo ng ostiya,
they could afford to say na ay doon nalang ako sa dulong part ng mass, or yung
mga sacristan sinasabi ko sa kanila na pag hindi ba kayo gumagalaw sa altar
kailangan ba kayo magkwentuhan or kaya kailangan lumabas at doon nalang
magtambay. Hindi, you are here first as a Catholic to worship God more than
anything else. Choirs, pag naghohomily na yung pari, excuse themselves kasi
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100
kumakanta lang naman daw sila, hindi ganun. Yun yung ating number one
implied rule. People would not be disciplined, attentive, they would not be
following the decorum inside the church if servants themselves are not following
it so yung ruling of witnessing. The servants must be models first of the right
mindset towards attending mass, and being present in front of the church.
J Yan din po yung sinabi ninyo kanina about the ad intra and the ad extra. So
youre saying that servants should first be formed as Catholics before doing the
practical job of serving.
F Sabi nga natin you cannot simply give what you do not have. Kung ikaw wala
ngang discipline, wala ngang pagmamahal sa Panginoon sa kanyang Eukaristiya,
walang respeto and discipline inside the church how could you implement these
to others.
J Chapter 3 naman po father focuses on the challenges met by the parish and did
the parish respond to these challenges. So first question question father, what are
the difficulties in running a parish?
OF SANTO
GRADUATE
F Wala naman UNIVERSITY
akong iban reference
kundiTOMAS
yung sarili
ko, numberSCHOOL
one sa akin
yung dilemma of not being able to focus 100% of my time to the parish kasi half
of my attention , as of now sa akin grist three years ay nasa studies, how I wish na
after this studies I could be available in full swing to the activities. Ikalawa
naman nito ay yung indifference ng people with the activities of the church. Yung
mentality na Sunday obligation is the only thing, yung makapagsimba lang okay
na. Pero yung giving yourself, ayan challenge pa sa atin yan sa Ina ng Buhay.
Halimbawa, whenever we invite people for PREX Seminar napakaonti lang yung
nagrerespond. Whenever we invite people for a retreat or recollection, Lenten
Recollection man or Advent Recollection, you would see regular servants would
go there pero yung ordinary faithful hirap parin sila to go out of their comfort
zones. Basta yung idea na Im doing my Sunday service, that is enough.
Sometimes nagiging deterrent din yungmga servants. Kapag yung mga servants
ay maraming reactions na because of the particular people or group that have
been serving for so many years sometimes people have been shying away from
the church
J I understand. Parang ayaw nang magstep-up kasi sila nalang antagal-tagal
nanila diyan eh.
F Ayaw nang to give room kasi sila na yung namumuno so yung transition at
participation, hindi maiiwasan yan eh. Siguro yun lang yung tatlong difficulties as
of the moment kasi I do understand din naman na yung mga pamilya meron din
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101
silang sari-sariling buhay kaya nga dapat makapasok ang simbahan in a sense that
would b relevant to thir lives.
J But not in a way that it is obligatory.
F Oo. In a sense na yung ating mga kabataan pag meron silang mga
pagkakataon na they are in vacation, how we want them to participate sa mga
activities. Pero on school days, I let them be para nang sa gayon eh hindi siya
conflicting.
J So father what do you think are the reasons for these difficulties? The
characteristics of the people that make it hard to implement
projects/programs/activities, why is this so?
F Sa tingin ko bilang parish priest, for example the character issue of the
servants in a certain way kapag merong attitude yung ating mga leaders, servants
as if theyve been owning the church, it is because the inherent limitation of the
church. Kapag sinabing inherent limitation of the church its because the church
is open to all. Para bang for example iniisip ko lagi kapag ang isang tao
TOMAS GRADUATE
nagvolunteer andUNIVERSITY
gives himselfOF
to SANTO
the organization,
the ministry,SCHOOL
the church
accepts him kahit ito ay may issue. Hindi tayo corporate world na kapag ikaw you
are not properly conducting yourself ina perfect manner I could kick you out, I
could fire you, pero hindi nagfifire ang simbahan. Napaka-accepting, napakatolerating.
J Hindi pinipigilan ang service.
F Oo hindi pinipili ang naglilingkod. Basta naglilingkod at gusto maglingkod
we accept, so inherent characteristic of the church to be susceptible to issues ng
mga servants. For example may mga nagpopower struggle, may mga tao na all
thoughout their lives they have been boss so pag nasa loob na sila ng church boss
padin sila. We could only tame them pero yung for you to suspend them, may
mga pagkakataon na kailangan isuspend pero ako I do it in an extraordinary
reason, talagang grave reason to suspend them, kasi for you to suspend people
and kick them out of the church while they are in a state of, sabi nga natin may
mga mistake and attitude, saan sila pa? Sinasabi nga ng mga tao ay ayoko nang
pumasok diyan sa simbahan kasi yung mga tao diyan mga chismosa. May mga
servants din naman diyan na ansasama rin manghusga sa kapwa.
J Kung gusto mod aw makakita ng demonyo pumunta ka sa simbahan.
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102
F O yun! Pero sabi naman natin, pari sa akin, it still okay that they are inside the
church than for them to be outside kasi pag nasa labas na sila ng simbahan wala
na rin sa kanilang magreremind, wala na rin sa kanilang venue to see na ay mali
pala ako.Malay natin, for them listening to the Word of God for so many years
baka makita natin na may mga pagkakamali ako rather than kicking them out,
kasi yun yung problem natin diba, kapag inalis mo na sila lalo na silang hindi
makakahanap ng tulong. Sabi nga ni Jesus Christ yung mga maysakit ay yun
dapat ang lumalapit sa Diyos. Eh kung itataboy natin yung mga may sakit, in a
sense dahil meron silang mga issues, they would not be healed.
J Pero whats your take on the idea na naiinfect nila yung simbahan?
F Tama nga. Sabi nga natin the negative side of it yun nga the people would shy
away from the church dahil nga sa kanilang mga tao, thats why indeed we need
to balance. We need to balance para bang advising them, guiding them. Kailangan
talaga two aspects ang servant. Yes the church is greatful for the service that they
are doing , but it also must be a responsibility on their part to act in a certain way
that is in conformity to what they stand for. Lagi kong sinasabi yes you have been
volunteering yourself and we are thankful for that but there must also be a
OF SANTO
SCHOOL
responsibility on UNIVERSITY
your part, a conscious
effortTOMAS
on yourGRADUATE
part na kailangan
balance
yan eh. Hindi mo sila pwedeng pilitin na magvolunteer sila, its good that they are
volunteering themselves, pero sinasabi ko rin naman sa kanila na once you have
volunteered yourselves you must commit. Commitment not only to the schedules
or to the service time, pero commitment also to what you stand for. Commit
yourselves to what you symbolize towards others. If youre a lay minister, you
must stand to what you symbolize that is of person who gives Christ. Dapat yung
attitude, lifestyle, dapat geared towards the commitment of talagang giving Christ
to others.
J- Very critical yun father no kasi other people, especially those who are skeptic
about the church, they tend to unify the servers with the church, so parang kung
sino yung servants sila yung simbahan.
F For example sabihin na natin yung priest itself. Kung yung priests ay merong
mistakes, they want to equate them. Ang pari niyo kasi ay ganito so ang simbahan
niyo ay ganito.
F They attribute the flaws to the religion itself. So for the preservation of the
church kailangan balanced ang mga servers.
J Ano naman po yung certain characteristics ng mga parishioners natin that
make it easy to implement projects and activities?
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103
F Number one is the receptivity. Nakita ko sa Ina ng Buhay yung receptivitiy of

people specially in giving, receptivity towards being generous, a caring
community. Ilang instances that there are emergency cases where we need to raise
funds for the structure, or calamaities, and people really are available towards
sharing their gifts an blessings. Napakadali sa akin bilang pari dahil nakita ko
yung receptivity of the people to share, hindi madamot. Ikalawa naman, sa tingin
ko yung attendance of the people, we dont need to go to the communities para
lang magsimba. Nakita ko yung attendance itself is positive. Nasa loob tayo ng
subdivision pero people are going to the church, at marami talaga, more than our
neighboring parishes. So people are already accustomed towards going not for
obligation but for the need to hear mass.
J So father, for the sake of comparison, Ina ng Buhay mas marami po siyang
attendees/participants vis--vis the neighboring parishes that we have.
F Oo! Para bang comparing the population and the attendees, napakataas ng
turnout ng people to attend mass than other populated parishes na napakaonti.
Positive din sa atin yan na helpful para sa aming parish priests. Ikatlo ay yung
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
establishment ng UNIVERSITY
mga leaders saOFcertain
areas.
Yes, they
might beSCHOOL
old and the
same people but their commitment towards representing the community is already
a positive sign that there is a commitment to be of service to the community.
Makikita mo yung commitment ng mga oranizations at members, it is because for
the love of the church na kaya andali nang iimplement yung programs kasi may
mga tao na their love for the church is natural.
J Next question po father. What are the certain issues or challenges that the
parish has experienced and are experiencing presently, and how did it solve or
solving these certain issues. Katulad po nung binigay yung Villanova Subd. sa
San Isidro Labrador Parish, katulad din po nitong INBCS issues, and yung
nangyari noong nag gift-giving kayo.
F For example yung ating issue towards letting go of the school. The school
started as a parochial school and as a part of the parish, the earnings and
ownership of the school is in the hands of the parish. Issues such as that it
resolves through time. Sabi nga natin kapag there is a change, the reaction will
always be there. These reactions come from emotions and hurt. But through time
they come to understand that ah mas maigi pala yung pamamalakad kung ito ay
nakahiwalay na. For example nung magsimulang ihiwalay yung school, the
school system itself had their own way of implementing their own standard ideals
and the way of managing the school, for example of hiring teachers, they have
their own centralized system, they have their own way of building structures
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104
which is necessary because it is the development of the school, the diocese is

providing the funding. People would come to realized that yes we had an
advantage from separating the school from the parish because merong
development na nakikita.
The issue about the separation of Villanova Subd from Ina ng Buhay,
bagamat hindi ko na inabutan ito effect nalang ng separation, ng difficulty natin
diyan ay confusion. Because many servers come from Villanova and they still go
and serve here because they are accustomed na dito na sila nagsiismba at
naglilingkod, I let them be, ang aking prinsipyo naman lagi ay grow where you
are planted, bear fruit where you are planted. Kung sa tingin mo ikaw ay
magiging maligaya sa pagsisimba at paglilingkod dito, good and fine, pero kapag
ikaw ay hihiwalay at doon ka talaga dapat sa parkokya kung saan ikaw ay
napunta at doon ka magseserve, well and good and fine din. Ganoon din naman
angh aking treatment sa mga Catholic na going outside the Catholic church, if
you feel that you are more holy, more good, more loving husband through
membership towards other religion, good and fine.
J Kung diyan nila nakikita talaga ang Diyos.
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
F Oo, kung doon
nila naramdaman
at doonTOMAS
sila nagiging
mas mabuti,
let them
be. They would grow where they are planted. Kung doon sila lumalago we would
not hinder them. Ganun din ang issue sa Villanova, bagamat ideally we separate
the territory pero we hinder them from coming and serving here. Most of the
church servants parin ay Galing sa Villanova, ikaw ay galing Villanova, pero sabi
natin eh were still serving naman the same Catholic church, sa akin hindi na
naging issue yun eh, bagamat meron paring mga reactions galing sa ibang
parokya kasi nahiwalay na nga tapos yung mga tao would still want to have a say,
kunyari may mga tao they still are in the PPC and they react towards decisions
that we make, sabi natin eh let them be. Lilipas din yan eh. Actually in a sense,
tinitignan ko, walang major difficulties akong naranasan sa Ina ng Buhay so far.
There are isolated cases of attitude towards persons tulad ng noong nagdistribute
nga tayo ng gifts saSan Antonio community, there is one or few people na
nambastos sa atin, I think its just character difference, yung attitude niya pero
bagamat taga barangay siya, the barangay is well coordinated sa atin, they are
receptive, lagi tayong nagmimisa sa kanila at sila ay lagging tumutulong sa ating
mga programa meaning wala talagang conflict. So generally wala namang major
difficulties pang nararanasan sa Ina ng Buhay. The real difficulties lang naman ay
enhancing, sustaining, strengthening and deepening the faith. How I wish we
could still permeate, mapasok natin yung buhay ng mga families at communities
so that more of them would participate kasi yes we have good attendance but we
could do more. For example yung mga programs natin na not well attended, yung
retreats and recollections natin, yung PREX natin, these are invitations that does
PAGE
PAGE
105
not entail them to be active and to commit pero para bang sayang yung activities
kasi this is for them to liven their faith, and to let them continue to realize their
encounter with the Lord pero minsan hindi nga inaatendan. Yun yung ating
pervasive challenges and difficulties.
J If there are any father, meron po bang significant events that changed the
parish, yung obvous change na nangyari. Are there any significant events that you
saw na may obvious na pagbabago sa mga parokyano, sa mga leaders ng parokya,
or sa inyo mismo?
F Significantly, wala pa. Iniisip ko nga eh wala pang drastic challenges at
turnabout experience na meron ang parokya natin. Siguro nasa stage na tayo of
sustaining, maintaining, and strengthening the programs of the parish. Wala
tayong ganyang encounter na all of a sudden may nagrally na parokyano na
parang gusting tanggalin yung parish priests, nagkaanak yung parish priest, mga
ganon. Wala pa. Baka noong una meron.
J Down to the last chapter na po tayo father. Ito naman po, we will try to look
into the social implication of the parish, kung ano yung naging epekto ng parokya
OF question
SANTO TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
sa buhay ng mgaUNIVERSITY
parokyano. First
father, can
you describe
the parish
before you arrived and how is the parish now presently?
F The time that I received the appointment as the parish priest of Ina ng Buhay,
kasi napakalapit din ng pinanggalingan ko Sacred Heart Parish as in neighboring.
An gating boundary ay talagang dikit, kasi yung last boundary ko noong Sacred
Heart ay simula naman ng boundary ng Ina ng Buhay sa Immaculate Conception.
I have a general impression nga naang Ina ng Buhay has been considered as a
middle parish. Sa ating diocese meron category that is used to describe the
economic status of the parish. Merong small ang income turnout, meron medium
and merong big parishes. Middle parish means nasa middle class ang parish,
maraming mga well off. Secondly, because the parish is composed of different
subdivisions meron akong impression na ah ito nanaman po tayo sa mga gated
subdivisions. Its a middle class community and most of the territories are gated
subdivisions, so yun ang hesitation. I saw the community coming from two
different administrations, one coming from Fr. Danny Pajarillaga and the other
coming form Fr. Roger Positar. And siyempre my perception of the parish has
been molded by the impressions of people. It might not be heavy weight, hindi
niya yung naging basehan ko siyempre alam ko naman yung reaction ng mga tao
may mga loyal sa isang administration and when the priest leaves they repel the
new administration so pag dumating nanaman bagong parish priests, if the third
generation pariest comes all the people who repeled the former parish priest
would come again. Ganun naman ang dynamics eh nawala si father ganito ang
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106
close kay father ganito siyempre kokontrahin yung bagong administration, ito
yung pamamaraan naming kay father ganito so dapat ito rin ang sundin niyo
they would repel. So the new parish priest would say that I am the new parish
priest let go of the old parish priest, I have my own way of administering the
parish. And I do understand these siyempre people are divided in such a way that
they are loyal to the former parish priest and yung iba na sasabihin na ayaw na
naming kaya no kasi iba na ang parish priest.
Ngayon naman na I have been the parish priest for 3 years, nakita ko
yungmga tao na yes they are in gated subdivision but nakita ko yung cooperation
nila by means of them being open, the coordinators are there supporting the
programs of the parish.
J Are there changes in the attitude of the people in the present?
F- Siyempre kapag sinabing gated communities, you need to treat one gated
community from the other at merong packets of informal settlers, naging issue ko
rin yun. One of the pervasive difficulties natin na how we ar going to treat them
in such a way that we still emobody the church that is caring for the poor and at
the same time balancing that care with justice. Yes the churchs primary task is to
UNIVERSITY
SANTObut
TOMAS
GRADUATE
take care of the poor
and the lessOF
fortunate,
it is also
important toSCHOOL
give justice,
what is right and what is due to a person. Nakita ko naman yung willingness and
helpfulness ng ating communities. Nakita ko naman na yung ating coordinators,
they are composed of people that are well off and also people that are not, and yet
they are working hand-in-hand, walang distinction sa ating mga coordinators
who belong to the gated communities, who belong to a well off subdivision, and
those who belong to the poor communities.
J Walang discrimination.
F Kasi ang usual impression is ang mga nasa gated community would say so
many things on how to run a parish, how to do things, how to manage the parish
and give programs, in fact baliktad dito, yung mga poor communities are the one
who is actively involved in pursuing the programs and activities of the parish.
Siguro nga siyempre sinasabi natin sometimes yung mga well off becomes
indifferent na kahit anong activities sige magbibigay nalang kami o kaya basta
kami ay umaattend ng misa ok na. When you are managing a parish, you need to
be open to the idea that there are no white and black areas, there are always gray
areas.
J Yes, things are not always this or that.
PAGE
PAGE
F Clear, oo. Kasi minsan may mga mayayaman na generous with their material
things pero they are not generous with their time, they are not generous with
giving their participation, parang ganun din, yes there are poor communities but
sometimes we see that thesen poor communities are active because they could
benefit from it, pero there are also instances that the poor communities are hungry
for the presence of God because yun lang ang kanilang kakapitan, its also part of
the management ability of the pastor to balance not too authoritative, not too
linient. Yes there are volunteers but there also have to have responsibilities,
lagging balanced. Authority with friendship.
Nakita ko yung role n gating mga servants that they are really
participating to make the parish more active. Yung ating administration naman
yung isa towards the faithful, yung isa towards the servants and leaders coming
from one administration to another, yung transition ng administration. We observe
then after observing, because we will see naman people who are really there who
sincerely want to work and serve kasi sabi nga natin ang simbahan walang
tinatanggi basta nagvovolunteer, pero we dont need to see them as leaders kasi
masisira nga naman ang takbo ng parokya kung gagawin mo ay leader na may
other hidden motives. You come to see through time the real intentions of people,
people who jus want to serve, people who just want to go back in power, minsan
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
kasi pag tayoy tumatanda
na at OF
walang
work,
the church
is one way
of feeding
them their need of power, their need of having their voice.
J Their need for the limelight.
F Yan, correct. After moments of observations, you see people who are really
sincere, who are really having their motives ay kasi gusto lang naming
makabalik kasi nawala kami during the time ng administration ng former parish
priest, ganun baga.
J Father alam natin kanina na sinabi mo na the participation is not a problem,
there are activities na maraming pumunta at hindi kailangan pilitin pa pumunta,
and sa Sunday masses naman natin maraming umaattend, pero if youre going to
measure, if theres anyway to measure it, how can you describe their spirituality?
Diba kapag sinabi natin na por que maraming umaattend ibig sabihin mataas na
ang spirituality ng community na ito. How can you describe the general
spirituality of the parishioners and leaders of the parish?
F Sa tanong mong yan we need to distinguish two things, one is spirituality
which is a deep sense of holiness, and the religiosity attending mass, attending
rituals, you are religious meaning you are constantly present pero how the
encounter with the Lord pervades and multiply that is holiness and spirituality.
107
PAGE
PAGE
108
The spirituality needs improvement. Pano natin nasabi yan? Kasi sabi
natin whenever we invite people for deeper encounter, yung response at turnout
ay mababa, whenever we want to invite them for Bible Study, recollections, for
Kumpisalang Bayan, Holy Week activities, medyo mababa yung turnout. Ibig
sabihin yes the obligation is there but going beyond the obligation its really the
spirituality of encountering more. Makikita natin kapag Holy Week, dahil ito ay
time for vacation, people are dwindling down in attendance. Pero when it comes
to Easter na, patapos na yung bakasyon, they would come. Yes the religiosity is
there but the spirituality still needs improvement.
J Actually father last Holy Week napansin ko, it was a Holy Thursday, yung
Washing of the Feet. Of course since Holy Week, inexpect naming na maraming
magsisimba pero I was kind of disappointed nung dito sa Ina ng Buhay hindi
napuno ang simbahan, relatively low number ng attendance.
F- It comes with the status o the community, dahil our community is in the middle
class maoobserbahan mo na kapag vacation they go out of town even though
yung vacation nay un is intended to pray, for the Holy Week. Pero kapag ikaw ay
nasa poor communities na wala capability para magbakasyon, yung kanilang
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
atensyon ay nasaUNIVERSITY
parokya, partOF
of SANTO
that is TOMAS
the status,
the demography
of the
community.
J So importante in understanding the parish life na its an eclectic thing
nandito yung economy, spirituality, and everything.
F Demography talaga yan, yung kanilang status, economical, financial aspect,
ilan yung matatanda, ilan yung bata. Mapapansin mo yung religiosity napakalakas
kasi kapag time ng prusisyon madaming namang sumasama ng prusisyon. Yung
attendance ng Good Friday madami. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sarado ang mga
mall.
J Parang yung fever/fervor sa season na ah maraming activities sa simbahan,
ganyan, maraming tao pwede kayong magbonding through the procession
ganyan.
F There are people parin na talagang iniinculcate na kapag Holy Week dapat
family time. They are really attending services.
J Opo, we cannot discredit them. And kung maikukumpara lets say sa Simbang
Gabi, oo may mga tao na talaga namang nagsisimbang gabi for their deep faith,
pero may iba talaga na nagsisimbang gabi para lang makasama yung barkada
ganyan, kaya mga mga Simbang Tabi, something like that.
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PAGE
109
F Kasama rin yung sa status ng simbahan.

J So father, what are the changes na gusto mong gawin sa parokya, in a general
sense, like changes sa implied rules and regulations, changes in the attitude
towards activities.
F Siguro ganoon nga, siyempre number one strengthen pa yung morale,
responsibility, at commitment ng mga servants kasi nandito na sila, sila yung
sumisimbolo n gating simbahan, dapat sila yung number one na tinututukan natin.
Ikalawa yung attitude ng simbahan natin towards the church, to be more
significant to them, to be more involved, at finally how much we wanted the
communities to be more participative through their BECs.
J Bukod po sa mga already established programs for the spirituality ng ating
mga parokyano, like the PREX and the Bible Apostolate, what other concrete
measure are you going to take para maimplement yung mga changes na sinabi mo
father?
SANTO
TOMASthe
GRADUATE
F PinakanaiisipUNIVERSITY
ko na concrete OF
changes
is siyempre
parish needsSCHOOL
to go down
to the grassroots, yung presence natin kailangan laging naroroon, yung mga street
mass kailangan natin ibalik para makita. Yun yung nakikita kong number one
for the parish priest to be present and siyempre yung PPC to be more visible sa
ating communities.
J Father, what do you think at this present time are your contributions to the life
of the parish?
F Number one is the physical aspect, to have the ability and make an impression
of the importance of encounter, to make it important for them to have a
comfortable, solemn and also venues for them to be formed and to encounter the
Lord. Secondly, yung ating continued participative involvement ng mga leaders in
doing programs, involving them. Thirdly yung contribution natin towards the
youth and the young generation, how much we want to support the sacristans,
PYM, and the Biblical Apostolate.
J Last question po father. Did the parishioners affectyour life in certain ways?
F- Obviously, number one they affect my life as pastor, you come tobe
challenged, halimbawa the parishioners are always there active, on my part I need
also to prepare kasi alam ko na maraming magsisimba, alam ko na once a week
lang sila pupunta kaya I need also to prepare. Secondly, yung challenge to always
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PAGE
110
to better kasi kung ang mga leader mo ay active and ang mga leaders mo ay
giving themselves to the organization dapat you need to be better as the shepherd.
Finally, sa akin yung in a special manner you come to build also relationships,
friendship towards the community. Mahalaga yan in sustaining the life of the
priest, na ito pala yung product ng aking ministry, it need not be a job or work,
its just like you together with the parishioners are both disciples working
together hand-in-hand.
J Alright. Anything else you want to say father?
F No more.
J Maraming maraming salamat po father! This is going to be a great help for my
study!
(Interview ended at 12:35pm)
PAGE
PAGE
111
Transcript of Interview with Mrs. Remedios Guerrero

MARCH 7, 2016
MRS. JING GUERRERO
FORMER PPC PRESIDENT
G MRS. JING GUERRERO
J JEJOMAR PALMA
(Interview started at 7:40pm)
J Ang gagawin po ng thesis ko is it will look in the growth and development of
the parish and kung ano po yung mga projects na nagawa ng bawat parish priest
and kung ano po yung challenges na meet ng parokya that helped it develop into
what it is now. Since past Parish Pastoral Council chairperson po kayo tita, first
question ko is what is the Parish Pastoral Council, what does it do, or what does it
stand for?
G Actually yung Parish Pastoral Council ito ay coming from the different
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
organizations ng UNIVERSITY
parish para tulungan
yun parish
priest
kung paanoSCHOOL
mamuno sa
parokya natin, in terms of different programs, religious activities, and other social
programs, tinutulungan ang parish priest ng Parish Pastoral Council.
J Ano-ano po yung specific positions ng Parish Pastoral Council Executive
Board?
G During the time kasi, that was the time of Fr, Danny Pajarillaga, in fact si Fr.
Danny ay 9 years siya sa Ina ng Buhay pero noong una si Kuya Jess Laguesma, 2
years siya, and then the rest 7 years akong pastoral president.
J So after po ni Tito Jess kayo nap o yung pumalit.
G Yes, kasi nagstay si father ng 9 years diba. During the time din, si Fr. Danny
siya rin yung director ng Ina ng Buhay Catholic School. Pagdating niya sa Ina ng
Buhay napansin ko inorganize yung mga leaders ng different organizations. Kung
natatandaan mo Jay, ang mga different subdivision meron silang kanya-kanyang
mass sa kani-kanilang mga lugar, like sa F.B. De Jesus, dito sa Villanova. Ang
ginawa ni Fr. Danny pinulong niya yun, hindi na muna nagmass sa different
chapels kasi napansin niya yung mga parishioners every Sunday parang kakaunti
considering na parokya yun. So ang ginawa niya tinanggal niya muna yung
different masses sa ibat ibang chapel, kaya nakita na andami na pala. That was
the time na start palang ni fr to improve the parish. Inorganize niya rin yung mga
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112
different organizations, lahat yun ay mineeting niya, nagpakilala siya. Tapos

nagkaroon kami nun ng visioning yung vision-mission ng parokya. Ano ba
talaga mga objectives natin, kaya lang hindi ko na kabisado pero kung ireresearch
mo yun nandun yun sa mga souvenir programs natin. Una muna inimprove niya
yung altar, tapos inimprove niya rin yung adoration chapel, nagkaroon ng parang
meeting place ng mga organizations yung doon sa pinag-aanuhan ng PREX
J Ah yung garden reception po tita.
G Yung garden reception. Doon nagpapaseminar at nagpapameeting.
J Parang headquarters po titan g mga organizations.
G Yes, oo. Doon lahat ng mga organizations nagmemeeting kahit yung Parish
Pastoral Council doon talaga nagmemeeting. Pangalawa diba ang lawak ng lugar
natin, pinagawa niya ring Station of the Cross yun. Yun yung mga legacy as
parish priest yun din ang legacy ng Parish Pastoral Council before kasi lahat tayo
ay nagsusumikap iimprove yun. Kay yung mga tao masama ang loo dun sa sinira.
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO TOMAS GRADUATE SCHOOL
J Ah opo yung kinuha
po ng school.
G Kinuha. Kasi malaki ang puhunan natin dun dahil mahal din yun, pinagawa
din yun ni father, and in fact ang mga tao hindi lang ang parishioner kapag Mahal
na Araw dinadayo yun. Yung parish server mismo ay talagang pinaglaanan niya
ng pansin. Ibig sabihin tinitrain niya, dinisiplina niya. In fact, diyan tayo
nagkaroon ng mga Usherettes and Collectors. Sakanya rin nagstart yung PREX,
kasi ako PREX No. 2 ako eh, second batch lang ako. Yun ang nakita kong mga
changes na ginawa ni Fr. Danny. Pag tatanungin mo naman ako personal, as
parish president, ang laki rin ng pagbabago sa sarili ko. Pinagmamalaki ko sa
sarili ko na malaki pala ang nagagawa ng spiritual, although taga-simba lang ako,
nagchochoir lang ako pero one time nagchange ng leadership si Fr. Danny kasi
umalis na si kuya Jess eh. Kinausap niya ako, ate Jing ikaw ang napipisil kong
maging parish president. Sabi ko ha bakit ganon, hindi naman ako kasing yaman
ni ganito, hindi ako ka-influential katulad ni ganito, hindi ako marunong sabi ko.
As in wala father, during that time nagtatrabaho ako sa NCMH. Sabi ko father
wala akong maipagmamalaki basta mental lang ako. Alam mo sagot niya sa akin,
gusto ko yung pagka-lukarit mo. So hindi na ako nakaresist. Doon ko nalaman na
nag-SI palang siya. Para maging president ka nagpapa-Social Investigation pala
siya. Wala akong magawa kundi tinanggap ko.
In fact, alam mo sa toto lang, hindi ako nahirapan as Parish Pastoral
Council president kasi si Fr. Danny ay hands-on sa pagiging parish priest niya.
Talagang dedicated siya. Lahat ng organizations kinakausap niya, Yung disiplina
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113
sa altar, na di bale na kung ano yan basta pagdating sa altar everything is okay.
Ako naman tinanggap ko yun. Alam mo Jay before mahilig ako sa Binggohan,
pero nung naging parish president ako tinanggal ko yun. Alam mo kung bakit,
nahihiya ako sa sarili ko na makita ako ng mga parishioners ko sa mga binggohan
na ay yung parish president natin oh nasa binggohan.Kasi dapat ano din ako as a
leader. Doon nagiba yung perspective ko in terms of my spiritual journey.
Nagbago rin ako mas pasensyoso ako, mas nakikinig ako sa mga tao, naging
mas friendly ako sa mga tao.
J Ano yung style ng leadership ninyo bilang Parish Pastoral Council President?
G Yung spiritual life ko binago ko. Naging mas open doon sa mga suggestions
ng different organizations. Kung ano yung vision ng parish priest dapat ay
makasabay kami doon, makalinya kami doon.
J So yun po yung sinusundan ninyong pattern sa program and activities ninyo
tita.
G Sinosoprtahan naming siya.
J Nasabi niyo po titan a si Fr. Danny ay hands-on, dedicated, so yun po yung
style ng leadership niya?
G He listes to the majority, kung ano yung suggestions, kung ano yung
ikabubuti ng karamihan nakikinig siya. Hindi siya yung tipo na
J uthoritative po.
G Authoritative. Hindi siya ganon.
J How did you see other leaders, kumbaga kung isusummarize ninyo yung
leadership ng ibat ibang organizations, ano po yung kind of leadership na
masasabi ninyo sa mga organizations during your administration?
G In terms of relationship naging open kami sa isat isa kasi noon lagi kaming
may mga teambuilding seminars, lagi kaming may mga open communication, and
during meetings, ang pastoral meetings kasi ay monthly, so nagkakaroon talaga
doon ng mga dialogue. At tingin ko naman noon, yung mga coordinators hindi
sila mahirap dalhin, hindi ako nahirapan.
J If youre going to look back tita sa buong administration ninyo, ano po yung
thrust ng administration ninyo is it education, spiritual enrichment, or
infrastructural improvement?
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114
G - Magkakasama yon. Marami noon ay improvement ng physical structure. At

the same time improvement din ng pastoral council kasi at the same time
improvement narin yun ng mga parishioner. Nagumpisa lang tayo sa ating
pastoral council pero doon talaga minumulat ni father na ito ang inyong
responsibilidad, ito yung objective ninyo.
J Finoform po talaga yung servers para maging example din ng mga
parihsioners.
J Pagdating naman po tita sa Parish Pastoral Council Meeting ninyo, diba sabi
niyo po monthly, how do you go about yung meetings? How do start it, ano po
mga pinaguusapan?
G Yung 1st quarter ng taon, planning session yun. Nagpaplano. Ano yung mga
incoming activities for this year, pinaguusapan na yun. For the whole year.
During meeting ako ang nagpepreside pero pagdating sa ibang activities na
talagang kailangan na yung parish priest, binibigay ko na sakanya. Tapos may
mga reporting ang different organizations, kung ano yung mga nagcrop-up na
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
issues pinaguusapan
at isesettle din
yun. Kahit
halimbawa
may planning
session
for the year, pero every month ineevaluate yun. Evaluation ng past activities for
the past month ano yung mga nagawa natin, ano yung mga hindi nagawa, what
happened, ano dahilan bakit hindi nagawa, how is it, is it successful or not and
why, yung mga ganun. And then ano yung activitiy for the next month.
J Nasabi niyo po 1st quarter planning session. Is there a special or last meeting
for the year for the general evaluation of the past year?
G Nagkakaroon din ng evaluation for the whole year. December is very busy,
pero pagdating ng January medyo lean months yun kaya doon nagkakaroon ng
mga evakuation at plano, especially sa Mahal na Araw kasi yung Hole Week ang
first na malaking event aside from the activities like seminar, teambuilding,
PREX.
J Can ou specify some significant projects na naimplement ng administration
ninyo and how do you think these projects affect the parish?
G Kung tutuusin mo, lahat ng project na nangyari during my time ay kay Fr.
Danny din. Yung pagpapagawa ng Station of the Cross, altar, and other activities
like PREX. Siyempre kailangan naming kumilos dahil sa mga fund raising
activities kasi hindi naman din yung mangyayari kung walang mga fund raising.
Mga Mr. and Ms. Ina ng Buhay, solicitations. Napansin ko na pa gang isang pari
PAGE
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115
ay maraming project at nakikita ng mga tao, hindi mahirap magfund raising at

magsolicit. Kasi ako mismo hindi ako masyadong nahirapan magsolicit. Kasi si
hindi mo na kailangan kausapin, sila namismo ang nagbibigay kasi nakikita nila
yung pinapagawa ng pari. Kasi diba noon yung Station of the Cross talahib yan
eh pero nakita na inayos ni Fr. Danny. Sabi sa akin, minsan si Fr. Danny unahan
niya ng pagpapagawa kahit wala pa siyang budget at kulang ang pondo uutangin
niya muna sa mga hardwares, pero once na nakita ng tao ang mga donor sunod
sunod na. Kaya pag-alis niya wala tayong utang, lahat yun ay nababyaran.
Kahit yang school nay an siya rin ang nagpagawa, kasi unlike ngayon na
ang superintendent ng school and the parish priest magkaiba, hindi sila
nagcocoordinate, yan nga ang gusto kong questionin sa Ina ng Buhay. Kasi
before, si Fr. Danny, natatrain ang mga bata na sponsor sila every last Sunday of
the month. Kaya ang mga bata sila na ang nagaaya sa kanilang mga magulang
kasi sila ang sponsor. May coordination ang school at parish.
J Unlike ngayon po kasi tita, kinuha na po ni Bishop ang mga Catholic schools
eh, cinentralize na po.
G Yung school napalago niya ng husto, pati ang parish napalago niya ng husto,
spiritually and physically.
J Specify din po nain tuwing Christmas dito po nagstart yung longstanding
legacy ng mga Build-a-Belen
G Light-a-Candle, Build-a-Belen, and that is a fund raising activity na
hanggang ngayon ginagawa pa rin. Fund raising yun na hindi namamalayan ng
tao kasi very proud ka na ako binigyan ako ng pagkakataon na magsalita doon
and I will light a candle ganyan, may importansya doon kasi may binabasa ka as a
family. Nagstart yun kay Fr. Danny hanggang ngayon ginagawa rin nila.
J Kasi malaki rin po yung income.
G Oo malaking income nun.
J Ano po yung naging impact ng Ina ng Buhay Catholic School sa
administration ninyo, although alam naman natin na hindi mo directly hawak
yung INBCS pero since coordinated ni Fr. Danny ang school at parish, ano po
yung naging contribution ng school sa administration ninyo?
G Unang-una yung mga teachers doon mapipilitan sla na kapag Sunday
magaattend sila. Before may mga mass card ang mga bata. Hindi ka man
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116
nakaattend nung mass na sponsor ang mga bata, pero every Sunday meron silang
pinapapirmahan sa parish priest na sila ay present.
J Ay opo naaalala ko po yan. Yung mga usherettes may mga stamp sila tapos
sila po nagsstamp sa mga notebook ng mga bata.
G Bata palang naeencourage na nila na magsimba ang mga bata. Ngayon wala
kasi hindi sila naeencourage na magsimba. Maganda yung coordination ng
simbahan before. Even si father hindi rin siya nahirapan kasi there are occasions
na nagsasama ang school at parish.
J I think you mean tita na minsan yung parish activities pwedeng ihold sa
school. Unlike ngayon po na doubtful pa po si Fr. Chris na itap ang school para
gamitin yung court ganyan, unlike dati madali na.
G Madali na kasi siya mismo magsasabi na oh doon natin gagawin ito, doon
natin gagawin sa compound ng school, ngayon hindi na may mga limitation.
Kinuha nga nila yung sa Station of the Cross na hindi man lang kinonsulta ang
Parish Pastoral Council. Kinuha agad ni bishop.
J Kahit po yung issue natin dito sa Villanova.
G Villanova diba. Pero ako sumulat ako sa Arzobispado, copy furnished si
Bishop Tobias. Nung matanggap na, hindi ako pinatawag ng Arzobispado.
Nagpatawag ng meeting si bishop pero ang pinapunta dito si Fr. Tony Labiao,
siya ang kumonsulta sa amin. Sinabi ko na without even consulting nagdecide sila
ng ganito. Pinatawag ni Fr. Labaio yung mga leader sa Villanova sabi niya ah
kung yung lang naman pala gusto niyo na isama kayo sa parokya. Kasi ang
sinasabi ko nun kay bishop, andito yung parokya within the subdivision, and yet
hindi tayo kasama. Noon hindi naman tayo kasama dito, sa Ina ng Buhay tayo.
DIba sabi ko katawa-tawa yun na andito yung parokya pero hindi kami kasama.
Sabi niya yun lang naman ang gusto niyo edi isasama natin. Parang pinagbigyan
lang tayo na San Isidro Labrador Parish and St. Joseph.
J At nagkakaroon po ng confusion eh kasi andami pong taga-Ina ng Buhay dito
tapos doon padin nagccling ng service sa Ina ng Buhay. Although tinatap po ni Fr.
Alvin , eh dun po talaga ang commitment sa Ina ng Buhay. Although hindi nap o
siya cover ni Fr. Danny, pero well aware din po kayo sa issue ng pagbibigay sa
Villanova. Ano po ba talaga yung nangyari sa issue nay an?
G During that time, kay Fr. Danny pa yun. Napa-usapan noon, ang sabi ni
Bishop Tobias, yung lahat ng chapel or subdivision, ang demarcation line mo is
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117
the Gen. Luis. Kaya lahat ng banda rito sa kanan ay under ng Ina ng Buhay, lahat
ng banda roon sa kanan under ng San Isidro Labrador. Hindi nangyari yun. Noon
pa ang alam ko gusto nang kunin ni Bishop Tobias ang Villanova, kasi sa totoo
lang ang Villanova malaki din ang buhay sa Ina ng Buhay. Unang-una marami
tayo ditong mga parish servers at leaders. Noon sinabihan ni Fr. Danny si bishop,
hindi pumayag si Fr. Danny na kunin ang Villanova kasi sabi niya lahat ng aking
mga server, ang pastoral president ko sa Ina ng Buhay naglilingkod kaya hindi
nakuha ni Bishop. Hinintay nalang niya na umalis muna si Fr. Danny.
J Tapos dumating po si Fr. Roger, doon na po naibigay. Pero tita may narinig po
akong kwento na kaya pinayagan ni bishop na kunin ng San Isidro yung
Villanova kasi meron daw signatories ng Villanova residents.
G Thats it. Yung 400 daw na signatories nay un na sinubmit ni Marquez.
Nagpaikot pala noon si Marquez dito, may nagpapapirma na walang heading,
ayun nagpirmahan. Pero iba yung pinapirma noon ni Marquez, hindi for that
occasion. For the Villanova yun.
J So yung signatories po na yun, is for an event sa loob ng Villanova. Ngayon
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
ginamit siya to signify
na pumapayag
ang tao
na ibigay
ang Villanova
sa San
Isidro.
G Doon ko sila tinira. Naloko.
J Paano po naging significant si Ina ng Buhay sa mga affairs ng parokya natin?
G Very significant kasi unang-una, ang parish priest natin noon, si Fr. Danny
talagang devotee siya ni Mama Mary. Ang mga parishioner, malaki ang impact ng
isang parish priest sa mga tao kung paano niya susundin. Kung ang isang parish
priest ay very spiritual, ang tao ganun din. Alam mo minsan pumunta ako sa
parish ng mga 10:00am meron akong kukunin, si Fr. Danny pormal pa nan aka
polo-barong, naka sombrero kasi inaayos niya yung doon sa Sattion of the Cross,
yung mga tanim. Siya mismo ang nag-aayos doon. Ang description ko talaga kay
Fr. Danny every inch a priest. Kasi kahit wala siya sa simbahan, nakapolo parin
and yung decorum niya laging pang-pari.
J During your administration, were you following certain rules and regulations
set by the priest or yung Parish Pastoral Council po ang nagset ng rules and
regulations? For example kaulad sa mga parish servers, meron po ba kayong
inestablish na rules?
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118
G Parish priest ang nagset ng rules, susunod lang tayo. Katulad ng sa Lectors.
Yung kanilang mga damit ay dpaat in-order hindi yung barabara nalang nakahit
ano. Walang nakapants sa kanila. Tapos below the knee at naka-stockings. Subtle
lang dapat ang make-up, ang mga buhok ninyo dapat maayos yan. And of course
yung pronunciation niyo at diction niyo. Diba nauso noon kay Fr. Danny yunug
nako mababarangay ka ibig sabihin nun ay kakausapin ni father na oh ganito
hindi maganda ang pagka-pronounce mo. May dress code talaga siya noon. Sa
mga pari din, diba may mga pari na nakasandals lang, sa kanya hindi pwede yun,
its a taboo. Kasi pagkanandiyan ka sa harap, its a celebration, dapat make the
most, wear the most, kagalang-galang ka talaga. Kaya noon before any activity,
naaalala ko si Ate Cely, train na train siya ni Fr. Danny. Halimbawa pagkaDecember may Ligh-a-Candle, tinatrain ni Ate Cely yan na pag ganyan, ganito,
punt aka dito tapos ganyan. Ayaw kasi ni father na nagsasalisi.
J Ano po yung characteristics ng parish, both parishioners, servers, and the
priest, that made it hard for the Parish Pastoral Council to implement projects,
programs, and activities.
G Noonguna kasi konti lang ang nagsisimba, tapos tinignan ni Fr. Danny na
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
nagmamass sa ibang
chapels. Challenge
yun
na yung
mga tao doon
sa kanikanilang mga chapels kung paano niya hihikayatin. Nagather lahat yun ni Fr.
Danny. Yun ang pinakachallenge na nakita ko noong umpisa. SIguro it took us 3
years para yung mga tao sa maipon sa parish church mismo at magjoin sila sa
mga different activities. Nahirapan din si Fr. Danny noong una sa mga funding,
kasi nga ang mga tao watak-watak pa eh. Pero inumpisahan niya yung mga
activities at nakikita ng tao yung mga improvement, hindi nsiya nahirapan.
J Ano naman po yung magagandang characteristics ng parokya kung saan
nadalian kayong magimplement ng mga projects?
G Ayun na nga. Kung may mga activities very supportive at cooperative yung
mga parishioners. Even sa mga fund raising activities, halimbawa uso noon mga
sagala at Mr.and Ms. Ina ng Buhay, maraming nagjojoin, tsaka sa procession
marami ang nagjojoin.
J Meron po ba during your time like significant events, not necessarily
challenges, pero events that changed the parish?
G Bukod pala doon sa ano, marami tayong mga medical mission, dental
mission. We are inviting priests kung halimbawa may mga mass sila ang
nagprepreside. Meron ding mga social services. Very active yung mga
coordinators natin from different subdivisions, from different areas. Area
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119
coordinator ang tawag doon. Siyempre pag fiesta, kapag Sacerdotal ni Fr. Danny.
SInasama din ni Fr. Danny ang mga leaders noon sa mga occasion sa labas ng
parokya like for example nagkaroon n PREX sa Baguio. Pagka Domingo de
Gloria, nagpaawa si Fr. Danny ng Arch sa harap para sa Salubong. Tapos 3 ng
madaling araw nandiyan na yung mga coordinators sa simbahan. Mahusay siya sa
fund raising activities na hindi nakakainis. Napakagaan lang noon sa time ko.
Parang wala namang nagrereklamo na fundraising nanaman, ayan na naman. Kasi
sa totoo lang, there times na nanghihinawa ka na rin sa fundraising.
J So wala pong nagrereklamo kasi nakikita ng tao na may napupuntahan yung
pera.
G Oo walang nagrereklamo. Smooth lang.
J In general, paano niyo po idedescribe yung Ina ng Buhay during your time?
G More on the positive note. More on improvements in terms of spiritual,
physical.
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
SCHOOL
J Dito rin po pumasok
yung tagline
na Ina ng
Buhay:GRADUATE
Buhay na Buhay.
Ngayon
po tita, ano po masasabi ninyo sa parish ngayon?
G Ang napansin ko lang sa mga tao ay hindi ko na nakikita yung nong punongpuno ang simbahan. May nagsabi sa akin na server ngayon na kapag yan daw si
Fr. Danny ay nagdadatingan ang tao ng late nakairap daw yan. Pero ngayon
parang ok ok lang.
J Kay Fr. Danny po tita pansin po natin yung culture ng punctuality.
G Napansin ko yun. Kasi kahit noon may nakalagay na dress code. Inoobserve
din ng mga tao. Ngayon hindi ko alam.
J What do you think is the impact of Ina ng Buhay Parish to the people? Ano po
yung binigay ng Ina ng Buhay sa mga parishioners niya?
G Yung change ng mga tao na maging highly spiritual at pahalagahan ang
kanilang spiritual journey sa pamamagitan ng naghihikayat na sila ng mga
parishioner. Nageevangeliza na rin sila. Kasi ang mga leader din ay tinuturuan din
on how to evangelize. Kasi katakot-takot na seminars kami noon eh. Kasi kami
noon kahit ikaw ang gagastos hindi ka manghihinayang. Meron iniinvite lagi si
father sa formation kaya nageenjoy kami at the same time nafoform din kami at
yung spiritual naming naeenhance din. Taon taon may nakaplanong ganun. And
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120
lahat ng mga willing na sumama yun, hindi lang mga coordinators at servers.
Nadagdagan ang aking spirituality dahil sa pagaattend ko ng recollection, ng mga
retreat.
J Last question po tita, bukod po dun sa alam naman naing yung tao kapag
nagsosolicit yung tao madaling magbigay, what else do you think are the
contributions of the people in the development of the parish?
G I remember lately si Ate Lita nga daw ay umiyak nang umiyak ng makita ang
Station of the Cross kasi she donated 10,000 for that. And hindi nahirapan si Fr.
Danny na humingi ng mga donasyon dahil makikita mo ang Ina ng Buhay lang
ang mayroong ganun. Ikutin mo ang Diocese ng Novaliches, kahit dito sa Metro
Manila, saan ka makakakita ng ganun na para karing nasa probinsya kasi puro
mga kahoy, diba? Namaintain yun, yung sacredness namaintain yun. Kay Fr.
Danny, as parish president, hindi ako nahirapan kasi lagi siyang nandiyan. Lahat
ng program nandiyan siya. Kaya kapag ganoon ang iyong parish priest hindi ka
mahihirapan. Binibigay niya 100% diyan sa parokya.
(Interview ended at 8:55pm)
PAGE
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121
Transcript of Interview with Rev. Fr. Rogelio S. Positar

MARCH 9, 2016
REV. FR. ROGELIO S. POSITAR
FORMER PARISH PRIEST
R Fr. Rogelio S. Positar
J Jejomar Palma
(Interview started at 10:15am)
J First question po father. What is a parish?
R Yung ay ang pamayanan organizations community ng mga believers, or
Catholic specifically n ang buhay ay nakacenter sa Panginoon through the parish
church, wherein they gather together to offer the Holy Eucharist, listen to the
Word of God.
J Sabi po ni Fr. Chris sa akin noong ininterview ko siya, yung vision-mission ng
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
INBP ay nakapattern
sa vision-mission
ng Diocese,
ganon
din po ba sa
administration ninyo?
R Oo siyempre. Nakapattern lagi yan sa Diocese, yan ang susundin ng bawat
parish priest.
J Noong time niyo po, ano po yung goal ninyo sa INBP?
R To implement the mission-vision, yang ang number one. Pero ang
implementation at success noon ay hindi mo lang makukuha sa six years. Its a
long process, kaya dapat ipagpapatuloy yan ng bagong parish priest.
J Ano po yung thrust ng administration ninyo?
R Spiritual Formation. Not only of the servers but for all parishioners in
general. Yan ang pinakamahalaga.
J What projects catered to your thrust?
R - Formation programs like PREX, recollections, seminars.
J Father, how do you describe your leadership?
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122
R Well, dapata ang tao ang sumagot niyan. For me, hesitate ako magsabi na
successful kasi siyempre may biases ang pari. Dapat galing sa parhsioners para
maging concrete ang evaluation.
J Pero kung idedescribe niyo po yung way through which you lead the parish
R Well, at least in one way or another pupunta talaga yung administration to
achieve the success of the mission-vision of the parish. Kaya masabi natin na
kumbaga successful in the sense na dapat yung success na yan ay ipagpatuloy
padin. Kumbaga it was not fully successful kasi kinakailangan pa talagang
iimprove. For me, yung success na iyan is not really 100%. Kung ilagay mo sa
rating, siguro 80%. Kasi kapag sinabi mong successful, hihinto na doon yun. Pero
kung sinasabi mong 70-80% success, at least meron pang space for more
improvement.
J How do you describe the leadership of your parish servers? Diba po meron
tayong pastoral council, how do you describe the leadership of the pastoral
council?
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
R They are really
energetic andOF
they
are trying
their best
to cope upSCHOOL
with the
tasks and responsibilities as church leaders and servers. Another thing that we
need is full cooperation on the part of the leaders, kasi kung walang cooperation
the thrust of the parish in fulfilling the mission-vision hindi maaachieve yun.
Mayroong teamwork yung parish priest and leaders through Parish Pastoral
Council.
J Diba mayroon po tayong monthly Parish Pastoral Council Meeting? How do
you go about your meetings? Ano po nnagyayari sa loob ng meetings?
R - There are thorough discussions on different subject matters like formations,
developments, projects etc. regarding on how to implement these things. Kasi
kinakailangan hindi lang yung pari ang magsasabi na ganito ang gagawin niyo,
dapat ang parish priest kukuha din ng ideas, opinions ng Parish Pastoral Council.
Kumbaga they must listen to one another, the parish priest should have the
charisma of listen, gathering information, opinions, and ideas. Kasi mayroong
ibang parish priest na para bang dictator, hindi dapat iyon. Kaya dapat
kinakailangan democratic ang pari para maachieve yung goal at maimplement
fully ang mission-vision ng parokya.
J - During your administration, did you establish certain rules and regulations
that you imposed on the parish servers or parishioners?
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123
R Wala. Pero I see to it they will strictly follow rules and regulations ng
Diocese. Kasi yung mga rules and regulations ng parokya are patterned after the
Diocese. Kaya I was really strict on that matter.
J Katulad po ng ano-ano father?
R Like attendance sa meetings. Attendance sa mga retreat and recollections,
formations. Sa PREX! Hindi ka pwede magserve kapag hindi ka nagundergo ng
PREX. And yung mga renewal, hindi ka pwede ma-install kapag hindi ka
renewed, ganyan.
J Father, bukod sa programs like PREX, what are other significant projects,
programs, and/or activities that you have spearheaded and how do you think these
affected the parish?
R - Sa social activities yan po ay one way of the parish reaching out to the
parishioners by medical missions, Pamaskong Handog sa mga Mahihirap, Mass
Weddings, Kumpisalang Bayan tuwing Holy Week. Tapos yung masses in
different areas of the parish para at least ma-feel ng tao that they are a part of the
parish.
J Kasi sa time po ni Fr. Danny ang ginawa po niya is cinentralize niya sa parish
church. So sa into po is more like reaching out sa bawat areas.
R Oo. At least once year ma-meet mo sila para at least magkaroon sila ng misa,
mga ganyan. Not only spiritual but at the same time social responsibility ng
parish priest yan eh to reach out to other people. At least makausap mo sila,
makita mo ang sitwasyon ng buhay nila. Tulad ng sa Roxas Compound diba.
Pinakadepressed area ng INBP. One time nagmisa ako dun sa patay talagang yung
bubong nasa ulo ko, may tulo pa yung bubong nakapayong na ako. Yan ang
binibgyan ng priority sa medical missions, pamaskong handog, kasi iyan ang
pinaka-depressed area ng Nagkaisang Nayon. So yung mga programang yan it is
not only the spiritual responsibility ng parokya, ng pari or Parish Pastoral
Council, but at the same time a social responsibility.
J Pagdating po sa physical aspects ng parish father, ano ano po yung mga
proyekto na naisulong ninyo?
R Yung Conference Room sa itaas! Pinaayos yung Garden Reception, naglagay
ng bodega sa likod, yung altar pina-gold leafting, yung repainting ng simbahan,
tapos yung burulan sa gilid. Kumbaga yung mortuary natin.
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124
J Since nandoon nap o tayo sa topic ng mga areas father, can you expound on
the idea of BECs?
R To organize a small community. Kasi ang simbahan it is a big community. Sa
BEC naman is to organize a small community within the areas of the parish para
maging effective ang dissemination ng mga programa ng parokya. Pero ang idea
is to really organize a small Catholic community.
J About the challenges and difficulties in running a parish, what are the
characteristics of the parishioners that made it hard for you to implement
programs?
R Noong una ay yung indifference nila towards the parish priest. Nandoon pa
yung tinatawag na loyalty to the former parish priest. Yun po. Iyan ang isa sa mga
mabigat na challenge na dapati overcome, which I have experienced sa INBP.
Even noe, Fr. Chris is also experiencing that. Sinabi niya sa akin.
J Paano po nagmamanifest yung sinasabi ninyong indifference?
SANTO
TOMAS
R Not attendingUNIVERSITY
the mass there.OF
Tapos
they dont
giveGRADUATE
support to theSCHOOL
parish
priest.
J Can we say that during your time bumaba ang mas attendance?
R -Hindi naman. For only a few, mabibilang mo lang. Pero at mafefeel mo yun
eh, mararamdaman mo yung ganyang uri ng mentality.
J Ano naman po yung characteristics ng mga parihioners or parish servers that
made it easy for you to implement your programs?
R Ah yeah, oo. They are cooperative. They are enthusiastic in doing their
responsibilities. Sa mga gawain sa simbahan, like the MBG, kung ano
pinapagawa sa kanila nagagawa naman nila. Sa MBG mayroon ding mga loyalist,
but it was overcome. After two years nawawala na But still mayroon pa talaga.
J Sa tingin niyo po father, paano ninyo naovercome ang loyalty problem na ito?
R Kasi sinasabi naman sa kanila that you are not serving the priest, you are
serving the Lord. Nasasakanila na iyon.
J How can you generally describe the parish father during youradministration?
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125
R Within my six years of stay in INBP, okay naman yung pagpapatakbo ng

administration in my supervision dahil po yung mga tao they are willing to
support and help tht is why in my last years of administration hindi na ako
nahirapan. Naging smooth yung takbo ng buhay ng parokya. Naging maganda
ang relationship ko sa mga parishioners at at least nakikita no naman na one way
or another, not really that I am successful in my mission, but letssay 80% ang
success ng aking mission sa INBP.
J Father, diba sa administration po ninyo binigay ang Villanova sa San Isidro?
Ano po ang naging impact nito?
R - Parang wala eh. Kasi even though Villanova is part of that parish, still yung
mga nagseserve nasa INBP parin, yung mga nagsisimba sa INBP na tagaVillanova doon padin nagsisimba. So walang masasabi na malaking impact
except that naging part siya ng Capri. When it comes to the delivery of
sacraments wala naman. Kasi ang reason nila nakasanayan na nila na nandodoon
sila kaya ayaw na nila pumunta sa iba.
J Bukod po dun father, were there any significant events that changed the parish
during your time?UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS GRADUATE SCHOOL
R Wala naman, exept sa structures. Kasi yung mga katulad ng spiritual
formation pinagpapatuloy lang yan eh.
J Can you describe father the parish before you came and during your stay?
R Before I came there was an issue of financial stability. Kasi when I arrived
there walang pera ang parokya. SInasabi nila may pera pero hindi ko nahawakan
yun. Walang bankbook na iniwan, but they declared it as zero balance.
J Pero wala naman pong iniwan sa inyong mga utang?
R Wala, wala. The only money na hawak ng office ay pambayad sa Meralco,
etc., but when it comes to excess for parish funds talaga, wala. Even bankbook, it
was not turned-over. Pero sabi ko, we have to start at pinaalam ko sa Parish
Pastoral Council. Before I came, wala namang Conference Room doon, and when
I left at least may iniwan akong pondo sa parish fund na almost 250, 000.
J Sa aspeto ng social at spiritual life ng mga tao, ano pong nakita ninyong
pagbabago sa Ina ng Buhay?
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126
R At least nagbago yung attitude nila. Yung iba, yung impression nila sa pari, sa
parish, at yung impression nilang magserve sa parokya, nagbago yun. Kasi diba
katulad ng iba noong una ayaw. Before I came maraming nagaalisan, so when I
came marami ang bumalik when it comes sa mga nagseserve. Nang dumating ako
doon dahan-dahan nagbaliklan sila.
J What do you think are the issues?
R Ang issue doon ay treatment, pakikitungo sa tao. Pangalawa, of course money
matters yun. Nagtatanong sila. Lalong-lalo na kasing parang si Fr. Danny
naimpluwensiyahan ni Bridgette
J Ah yung secretary po
R Hindi naman secretary yun eh, administrator-administrator yun, so kumbaga
malaking dagok yun kay Fr. Danny kasi iba ang treatment ni Bridgette sa
parishioners. They were frustrated, they were being discouraged by the
administration of the parish.
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS GRADUATE
SCHOOL
J What do you think
is special about
your administration
that contributed
to the
parish life?
R In the formation programs, financial matters. Then yung relationship with the
church servers and parihsioners that contributed so much. Isa din yan sa mga
factors na dapat pangalagaan ng pari, kasi paano ka magkakaroon ng teamwork
kung wala kang magandang relasyon sa kanila, kung di ka marunong makitungo
at makihalubilo.
J - What do you think are the contribution naman of the people themselves, to the
parish?
R Marami. Their time, their talent. And their treasure. Of course yung moral
support sa pari.
J Last question po father, how do you and your Parish Pastoral Council crack
under pressure? Like, how do you resolve problems?
R There is a dialogue. Kailangan yan. Communication, kailangan po yun before
making such decisions kung ano bang dapat gawin. Communicate with them, talk
to them, para masolve kung whatever issue ang meron. Mahirap kapag walang
dialogue, how can resolve the issue kung hindi mo kakausapin. Marami akong
naencounter na ganyan eh, mga within the group nagaaway, nagchichismis. I call
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127
their attention, I talk to them, and confrontation. Paghaharapin mo sila. After

dialogue with one another, confrontation. Ang confrontation ok lang kapag hindi
masyadong malala at mabigat ang problema.
J Okay. Anything else you want to say, father?
R Wala naman. Kundi goodluck sa iyong thesis (laughs).
J So, that ends my interview. Maraming maraming salamat po father sa inyong
pagpapaunlak at malaking tulong poi to sa gagawin kong study. Maraming
salamat po!
R God bless you!
(Interview ended at 11:00am)
PAGE
PAGE
128
Transcript of Interview with Rev. Fr. Danilo P. Pajarillaga

MARCH 16, 2016
REV. FR. DANILO P. PAJARILLAGA
FORMER PARISH PRIEST
D Fr. Danilo Pajarillaga
J- Jejomar Palma
(Interview started at 4:30pm)
J Father kalian po nagtransition ang Ina ng Buhay from the Archdiocese of
Manila to the Diocese of Novaliches? Was that during your administration?
D Yes, yes. That was 2003. Because the Diocese of Manila was subdivided in
2002 but it was canonically erected in 2003, January 16, 2003. That was the
transition
J Father, what are the characteristics of the parish that made it hard for you to
implement projects?
D In the beginning only, because some people are resistant to change. I think its
natural. When I implement something new, at first they are not amenable it. For
example the fund-raising, not everybody will support the fund-raising it is
because of what happened in the past, I cannot blame them. Nothing happened
even if there were fund-raising so they became allergic to fund-raising. So nonsupportive of people at first but when they can see that we are progressing, when
they see where the money goes, they support me already. So far yun lang naman.
I was happy there.
J Ano naman po father yung mga characteristics ng parish that made it easy for
you to implement projects?
D One thing I appreciate in that parish is that there are many good people that
are dedicated to the parish. They are there since the foundation of the parish.
People who are committed to serve the parish, thats one characteristic.
J - What are the other difficulties for you in running the parish?
D Actually there are just few who opposed some of the plans, I dont consider it
difficult.
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129
J Father nainterview ko din po yung past Parish Pastoral Council chairperson, si

Tita Jing. Nabanggit po niya na at the beginning of your administration marami
pong misa sa mga sub-parishes natin.
D Oo! Thats true, thats one of the problems. Since there were many masses in
the chapels, in the sub-parishes, very few people are coming to the main church
and we have a very big parish to maintain, where will we get the money? So I
thought that I can gathered these lost children of mine and they will give to the
collections to the main parish church so I can maintain it. So I cut off the masses
in the chapels and areas, I think except Villanova because its a big one.
J Yeah, I remember po kasi nagmimisa pa po kayo doon sa St. Joseph chapel sa
amin.
D- So yun, tama ka doon. Yun lang, di ko ma-remember kasi. Wala akong
gaanong naging problema, sa una lang eh. The first three years yun lang. And
besides, we didnt have funds, it was very difficult to move.
J May naaalala po ba kayong any certain issues or challenges, or any specific
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
SCHOOL
event that changed
the landscapeOF
of the
parishTOMAS
in terms GRADUATE
of its social environment.
D Ah, yes. Actually when I started the retreats of the leader, it helped a lot. I
saw the transformation of the leaders when I started the annual retreat we go
out.
J Tuwing kalian po ito?
D Usually before Holy Week or after. And then there is a follow up during
before Christmas, and before Holy Week. And then when I sit in all the meetings
of organizations, it changes the whole parish. And then the visitation of the
people.
J Even those from outside the parish?
D Even outside the parish. It helps a lot. When you visit people, I think they
will also visit you. Maybe not me ano, but the church. I make it a point to visit
families. I also encourage the leaders to visit. They should bring the image of Ina
ng Buhay, it will stay there for a day and I tell them that Mama Mary is visiting
you. Nakatulong yun eh, sa tingin ko.
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130
J Pagdating po sa physical aspect alam naman po natin na marami talagang

nabago sa parokya. I think yung Life-Size Station of the Cross naging malaking
factor sa pagbisita ng maraming tao sa INBP.
D I envisioned that if we have a place of devotion, it could be a pilgrim site, I
was aiming for that. That was the time na dinadayo tayo. Kasi inaayos talaga
natin so that there will be place for prayer. And also by that time many who want
to celebrate weddings in Ina ng Buhay. The one I promoted was the Garden
Reception. Malaking tulong sa financial yun.
J Can you describe to me the kind of leaders that your administration had?
D Committed. Once you call them they are there. If there are work to do they
will not leave you. Secondly, wehave generous leaders in a sense that they are
willing to shell out their resources even if some of them are not rich, bahala na
silang gumastos minsan. Of course they were amiable and good leaders. They are
good in winning people. May mga PR sila yan ang napansin. Yan ang hinahanap
ko eh yun bang may PR kasi hindi ko kayang mag-PR sa lahat sabi ko kayo ang
gagawa niyan. Im also looking for an available leader. Some of them may not be
UNIVERSITY
SANTO
intelligent, but they
are available.OF
May
time sila.
J How can you describe your parishioners?
D- The parishioners. I noticed that we gained church goers by that time and many
of them were active in attending activities and other programs of the parish. There
is an increase number of church-goers. For example we have our procession,
sumasama naman sila. They became active. Wala naman pasaway, iilan lang.
Maraming mababait. I noiced we have good parishioners that sometimes they will
send me kahit isang balot ng tinapay, mga ganon. Some will invite me during
weddings and birthdays. But sabi ko akoy pwede rin imbitahan kahit hindi
wedding, kasi baka mahiya yung iba, yung mahirap na mag-invite. Kaya sabi ko
sa mga coordinator hanap kayo ng mga taong pwedeng dalawin kasi nahihiyang
mag-invite yan.
J Pagdating po sa economic situation ng parish father, ano po masasabi ninyo?
Are we well-off or middle class?
D Which one? The people?
J The whole vicinity of the parish po.
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131
D I think 40% are middle class. Siguro may 10% pa above the middle class.
(Recording was cut-off at 5:15pm)
Additional Interview Notes from Rev. Fr. Danilo P. Pajarillaga

I.
Background
Fr. Joey Miranda (1986-1993) He founded the (INBCS) in 1991 (years stint)
Fr. Vir Pedregosa (1993-1995) (2) years
Fr. Joven Antique (1995-1997) 2 years
Fr. Bong Lopez (1997-1998) 1 year
Fr. Danny Pajarillaga (1998-2007) 9 years
Prior to my administration this is the situation of the school. There was a swift
turn over of parish priest/school director because (of) the many problems that
besieged both institutions in particulat to finances such as: unpaid loans from the
Archdiocese of Manila amounting to 4M, unpaid SSS premiums of teachers and
other employees, unpaid SSS premiums of teachers and other employees, unpaid
salaries of teachers, bad debt from book suppliers causing the school to face many
OFthe
SANTO
TOMASstandards
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
legal battles. ThisUNIVERSITY
is not to include
base academic
and low
morale of
the teaching staff.
II.
Leadership
Knowledge of Your Craft
As director of the school, Iknow I cannot lead the school if I dont have enough
knowledge about the academic world. Thus, I took up graduate studies in School
Management.
Leadership by example
Since I came for the camp of the church I believe that the best way to teach is by
example. The children are in their formative years and that is the best time to
mold them with Christian values.
Visionary Leadership
As leader of the school, I should know my end goel. What kind of school do I
want to see, what kind of students do I want to form. I started with a simple
vision, I just want our school to excel above the school at the vicinities, true
indeed INBP became known in our area causing other students to transfer to our
school.
I envisioned also to produce competent catholic students and it became a reality
when our students competed and won in different DepEd sponsored academic
contest.
III.
Programs
Multiple Intelligence
PAGE
PAGE
When I read Howard Gardners theory of Multiple (Intelligence), I was convinced

with his ideas and I started to implement it in our school. M.I. believes that we
are wired with different intelligence, that every individual is blessed with
different talents. That genius isnot limited (in) mathematics and English abilities,
that two subjects that educators used to measure (the) IQ of a person. We
organized different clubs in order to determine the different talents of the
children. We discovered plenty gifted students ranging from arts, letters, sports,
music, and others. Excelling in their particular genius gives them self-confidence.
We requested the parents to support the talents of their children.
Priority of Spiritual Formation
Attending mass, recollections, retreats and other spiritual formations became a
part of the curriculum.
Values are integrated in all courses
Teachers are trained to integrate Christian values in every academic subject. I
usually (sit) with teachers during the preparation of the lesson plans to see if they
know what they are talking about.
Independece
Children in preparatory levels are taught how to become independent, we
discourage the parent to over-protect their children, they are no allowedto come in
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS GRADUATE
at the school compound
during school
hours. Children
are taught howSCHOOL
to wear
socks, tie their shoes, fold handkerchief, and other practical things that they need
to know for (a) living.
How to use toilets
I drafted a guideline on how to use the toilet and how to keep it clean. Practicum
is done after showing them how to do it. We require the children to bring their
own toilet paper, soap, and alcohol.
Balance Life
We emphasize a wholesome development of the person by integrating in the
curriculum the intellectual, affective, psychomotor and spiritual aspect of the
person.
Self-esteem
Not all children are blessed with intellectual acumen, nbut even if they dont have
(it) as long as they have self-confidence, they can compete as they live in this
world.
Journalism
a. Launched school Journal The Marian Courier
b. Qualified at (NSPC) National School Press Conference at NCR and
the one held at Surigao City
c. Won in Division Young Writers Contest sports writing category
Marlon Baloaloa and Alvira Navarro, Hannah Mae Arid Frist Place
editorial writing; Trudeece Ramos 7th place in Feature Writing; Sherrie
Ann BUan 7th Place Headline Writing.
132
PAGE
PAGE
d. Categorized as one of the Top Performing Schhol in the Division

Young Writers Contest participated by 105 chools.
IV.
Activities
Multiple Intelligence
As already mentioned we patronize the M.I. theory. This led us to construct a
grand plyroom center where children play or portray real life situations like
cooking, physician, policeman, teacher, lawyer and different works and
professions. We call it Playroom of Life
Participation in parish activities
In many parish programs and activities, we see to it that the school have their own
part. They participate in the liturgical dancing, processions, fund raisings,
lectorship, choir and others.
V.
Social Implications
We taught the values on responsibilities an care for ones neighbor to the children.
Each children are asked to bring toys or gifts during Christmas and they are the
ones to distribute them to the less fortunate children. We also taught them to care
for the community. It is a part of the curriculum to give definite hours for
community service like cleaning the roads of the barangay.
VI.
Issues
SANTOparents,
TOMAS
GRADUATE
Issues boil down UNIVERSITY
to the Principal,OF
Teachers,
students.
to get aSCHOOL
competent
principal and teacher are crucial issues. But how can we get one if we will give a
low salary. We need to increase our resources by getting more students, but how?
These are the challenges.
Solution: dont givew up for searching and advertising the need of a principal and
good teachers. There wasa time when I acted as the school principal. I found out
that principal and teachers are looking not only for money but also ofr a homely
school and amiable companions who treat them like a family. Thus, we set up
programs and activities that will strengthen the bond and friendship of teachers
like outing, prayer meetings, and others.
To attract more students we visit preparatory schools without elementary level,
and elementary schools without highschool levels together with our beautiful,
handsome, and talented children to do the recruitment. We also visited nearby
parishes and make some announcements during the mass. The children are the
ones doing it.
Some children products of broken families or dysfunctional families. We need to
be patient in dealing with them, extra care, counseling are extended to both parent
And children. We have problematic children, but instead of giving them
suspension, we give the positive sanction by imposing them to extend more time
in research, reading, submitting other projects. There are also problem parents
who complained a lot about the teachers and administration. We believe in
dialogue and try to address their concern, but if the complaints are not found, we
133
PAGE
PAGE
134
defend our rights courteously. We do not allow parents to come in during school
hours, we encourage them to do some projects for the school and it works.
Accomplishments
During my term, we have an increase of 24 M assets of the school. We
constructed a 4 storey building with 12 regular classrooms not to include the big
auditorium intended for programs, concert and theatrical presentation. We built
the school clinic, constructed computer laboratory and acquired 24 computers. We
bought school bus service, mimeographing machine, big LCD, portable sewing
machine and fumigating machine. We implemented whole year medical/dental
check-up.
In the academic aspects, we underwent curriculum engineering, regular faculty
development program, participated at the MTAP, competed at DepEd Jounalism
contest and won many awards.
We initiated scholarship for the poor children. We initiated the knowledge
power program where after flag ceremony children who know a difficult
vocabulary will challenge all other students if they know it, we encourage them to
present any educational trivia, we taught them the eating manners during recess
time, required two important books that they should bring: the Bible and the
UNIVERSITY
OF SANTO
TOMAS
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
dictionary, implemented
constructive
suspension,
prohibition
of birthday
gifts for
teachers, prohibition of holding birthdays at the school and many small rules that
are beneficial for the children and the school. The debt that we inherited from
previous administrations like unpaid SSS premium of employees, non remittance
to BIR, loan from the Archdiocese of Manila were all paid during my term.
Patroness
We taught the children about the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. All feasts of
the Virgin Mary are celebrated beautifully in the school.
PAGE

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INA NG BUHAY PARISH:

29 YEARS OF FAITH AND FORMATION

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

Background of the Study

1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Holy See, Retrieved from

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

becomes a significant undertaking concerning the parishs history as part of the

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

parish to its parishioners as a community how it changed the social

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

7 Anthony Giddens, New Rules of Sociological Method: A Positive Critique of Interpretative

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

no term to this process of growth.10 Only when a civilization fails to respond to a

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legitimately established parish is granted a juridical personality. It is

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

activities. It is composed of the representative body of the faithful and

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS GRADUATE SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

Simbahan ng Ina ng Buhay on September 7, 1985. 23 He appointed the Rosary

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UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

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It would be absurd to keep on mentioning Ina ng Buhay without even

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The parishioners of INBP look to Mary as their guide so as to pattern

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Rev. Fr. Jose P. Miranda (1986-1993)

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Cosmetology, Recycling of Discarded Materials, and Tailoring. 36 While, on the

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Rev. Fr. Virginio B. Pedregosa (1993-1995)

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Zenaida Alvarez as Executive Secretary, Mrs. Estella

Bundalian as Recording Secretary, Ms. Lorie Guanzon as Treasurer, and Mr.

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

Rev. Fr. Bong Lopez (1997-1998)

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

48 San Diego, Op.cit, History of Ina ng Buhay, n.pag

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regarding Fr. Bongs administration due to a great paucity of sources pertaining to