Inside St. Vincent the Paul Seminary in Calbayog

With my mother, sisters and relatives, I got a chance to go around the hollowed spot in that part of Samar Island where priests are formed and where Samarnons's spirituality germinates through the small seeds called seminarians.This was during the Investiture of my cousin Brother Ryan Canales, along with ten others, who from thence has been officially called a seminarian with the white priestly habit.

Stepping down from the rented car after an hour and a half ride from hometown Lavezares, we saw Manay Nene (Ryan's mother) waiting for us by the seminary's main hall. She came a day before the ceremony to assist his son in that very special occasion. I saw people moving around the seminary compound which sits on top of a hill. Earlier, I took pity on two older ladies as they struggle to walk on a very steep road leading up to the seminary.

All over the seminary, the mode was both festive and solemn. There were yellow and white buntings fluttering by the main building. Going by the stairs, people are busy yet barely talking with each other, perhaps, because minds are all set for the special event set to happen in a few minutes.

We went on the second floor of the building and saw for myself the dorm-like rooms of the seminarians. Ryan shares a room with nine others which they call BEC-Pasidayag. Each of the room is considered a BEC cell. BEC stands for Basic Ecclesial Community which is the basic church, composed of small number of families in the neighborhood, that is self-nourishing and self-sustaining made possible through communal praying and sharing and following God's Word.

At exactly nine o'clock, the mass started with Bishop Isabelo Abarquiz of the Diocese of Calbayog as the presider along with more than ten priests. Hearing the opening song, tears started to form in my eyes. I cannot explain why I am getting emotional. This also, I always feel, everytime I hear the Mass at Cebu's Santo Nino Basilica Minore. As the music ended, I find myself wiping the tears away.

The homily of the bishop was not only delivered for the seminarians to be invested, I consider it a conscience call for everybody. It struck a chord in my heart as the bishop repeatedly reminded the seminarians to serve God and the poor, a mission much animated by St. Vincent de Paul in whose honor the seminary was named and who is celebrating his feast on that day. If only people in this country take seriously "Serve God, Serve the Poor" as  a mission statement, giving life to it on a daily basis, societal problems would be much easier to address.

In the middle of the mass, the bishop blessed the habits of the seminarians in the presence of their respective parents. Each of them went up to their room and wore the vestments assisted by their parents. Then, they went back to the chapel for the continuation of the ceremony until the end of the mass.

Then, all proceeded to the Covered Court on the left side of the main building for the reception. There were a lot of food for everybody and a space for every seminarian and his family. Food was great. It seems the seminary is already used to such kind of big event.

 Ryan took us to every nook and cranny of the building. He showed us the dining hall, study room, classrooms, took a peek at the library, then, to the rector's hall where old photos of rectors and seminarians are displayed. Then, we went back to the chapel to say important prayers kneeling by the relics of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint John Paul II.

As we leave the seminary, the desire to go back is becoming more intense. It really is always a coming home to a sacred place where God is.#

MGA SINURAT BINISAYA NI RODEL C. CUYCO

A SOLITARY LIFE

Rodel C. Cuyco

 

Like a moon

All alone yet not lonely

Illuminating the dark sky

Creatures looking up for its beauty

As it appears in a crescent, in a quarter and in full

Momentarily forgotten when it disappears on some nights

But never gone

Only to start anew

And draw a new cycle

 

Like a star

Sparkling through the night

Plentiful yet separated by lightyears

Forming magnificent constellations with all others

Inspiring dreams

Energizing doers

Called by name they will never know

Flooding the skies with eternal glow

January 2024

STORMY NIGHT WITH GRANDMA

Rodel C. Cuyco

 

The sky is overcast

A cooler breeze fills the air

Like on ordinary day

Seconds and hours count

Radio broadcasts a typhoon entering the PAR

Sounds of horns count

Village’s megaphone blaring

Signaling people to take shelter on safer ground

Seconds and hours count

Humming winds now getting gusty

Til it howls and growls

 

Rains pounding to no end

Water rising

Filling up the streets

The gardens

To the doorsteps

 

In my Lola's nipa-thatched sturdy hut

We siblings on my Lola's old bed

As nanay and tatay stayed at decadent home

As winds whistle

As clattering of unknown objects heard

As terrifying and agonizing wind lashes

 

Thanks to the comfort of Lola’s stories

Thanks to her soothing voice and melodies

As we all slept on her one long crocheted blanket

Til the storm is over

Til we woke up to a bright new day

 

January 2024

CROCS IN WHITE

Rodel C. Cuyco

 

Great words

Lofty ideas

Reverberating through the halls

That was supposed to be hallowed

By occupants of yesteryears

Where fleece and soles

Made of noblest molds

 

As the lights are turned off

Sounds muted

Darkness reigns

Snakes extend their fangs

Crocs flexing their mouths wide open

Biting one another

Devouring anything and everything

That is good and true

Just to survive

While the rest grapple for breathing ‘til drowned

 

If only the government is run

By the likes of Rizal and Gandhi

By the mold of Saint Francis of Assisi

It would be a different country

 

Where there is love for the poor

Greed has no place

Where there is selflessness

Pride is lost

Where there is charity

Love reigns!

 

 

 

January 2024

Pasko san Parag-uma

Disyembre 25

Adlaw san kabuhay san Ginoo

Espesyal nga adlaw sa tanan

Pero sa akon, ordinaryo la

 

Alas 5 san aga

Bagting san singbahan

Para sa maniringba

Nagbuhat sa higdaan

Nagsul-ot saruwal ngan bado pang uma

Samtang sa iba nga panimalay

Nagliliwan an mga tagbalay

San pinakamaupay ngan bag-o nga beste

 

Kinuha ko an kalo ngan ginhinab-it an arado

Mientras sa iba nga balay

An amyon san regalo

San bag-o nga sapatos nangangalimwag

 

Namahaw ako san tinug-on nga saging

Mientras sira, keso ngan hamon

Nag-uran sin makusog

Salamat, nasudlan tubig an pasakay

 

Sira tisimba

Ako tipa uma

Pero di ba an misa de gallo

Nagtikang sa amon nga parag-uma?

 

Maupay kay hunuraw man

Nagragit an adlaw

Deretso la ak pag-arado

Gamit an akon tig-arug na nga karabaw

Sige la

Sige la

Para sa pamilya, sa mga anak

Bisan Pasko

Urawa may uran

Urawa may kusog

Arado la

Arado la

Magsayuan

Si Hesus liwat

Sa pagsayuan sa sabsaban

Gugma la an dara

Ako man gugma liwat an dara

 

 

(Pasko 2024)

 

 An Pitas nga Tsinelas

Ice candy, ice candy
Mani, mani
Puto, puto
Iraid, iraid

Libot libot sa bungto
Sa waiting shed, sa merkado
Sa eskwelahan, sa guwa san singbahan
Sa baybayon, sa plaza
Sa tanan nga kanto

Tikang syete anyos tubtob kinse
Mao ini ako sadto
Waray kapagalan, waray reklamo
Malipay man san hatag nga dyes porsyento

Simple la an tuyo, makadamo benta
Lakaw lakaw sa kalye, malingkod ngan hulat san tawo
Ilob san paso, uran, ngan aso
Ilob san bug-at, ilob san pira ka kilo

Testigo an akon tsinelas nga pinalit sa Boholano
Raudas maski pakarin, sudsod sa semento
Napipitas na manla, maupay kay may alamre o perdeble
Kahuman matugbos ngan deretso sa pangato

Laban la an pitas nga tsinelas
Matanggal man an alamre, liliwanan utro
Tubtob sa mapudpod, tubtob sa mabadla na an siki
Iilobon tubtob makapalit sin bag-o

(2025)

 

 AN PARAGPADYAK

Rodel C. Cuyco

Masirum sirum pa, kinahanglan na magmata

Kay an pamilya waray pa pani-aga

An tinirok nga sinsilyo, kagab i ubos na

Mapirit magbuhat, lawas man maluya luya

Paragpadyak o paragpedicab, pagtawag sa amon

Padyak o pedicab, usa la ngaran namon

Kun kami siyakan, bagan kami mga uripon

Masuol man sa dughan, amon kakarawaton

Pakadto, pakanhi, palibot-libot sa kalye

Nasudang, nauran, nahuhulos, namamarhan kami

Makadanay mangutana, tawo pa ba kami

O malin makina o sarakyan nga de susi

Usa, duha, o sumubra pa nga pasahero

Maalsa, mahigot, mga bagahe nga dagko

Paniguro nala pedal maski lubak lubak

Makaabot la sa karadtuan, siki man lupak-lupak

Antes umuli sa panimalay, maagi sa tag-iya

Mahatag kanya bahin wara man kapagalan siya

Maagi merkado mapalit pagkaun sa pamilya

Pagkabuwas tikang na liwat pauroutro nga istorya

Ragasnas
Rodel C. Cuyco

Dinhe sa akon pagpupuyungko sini nga baybayon

Nahibabatian ko an mga ragasnas san kagab-ihon

An huni san mga tamsi ug san mga duli duli

San mga pakla, san kikiyaw nga malin nagkikisi kisi

Nasamo sini an ragasnas san mga uga nga dahon

Sa akon pag-uusahay musika nga kalipay bation

Nasamo an harupoy san hangin daw matam-is nga hangkop

Sa akon lawas ug kalag daw paghigugma nga maaghop

Ragasnas san balud nasubay san akon paghangos

Mayumo, mamurayaw ngan mahamis an pag-agos

Nadaop sa akon tiil, naharayo naman ngan nabalik

Ginhahangkupan an baras maski diri gud mapirit

Sinin kalibutan nga maiha ko na nga puruy-anan

Mayda iba iba nga kahimo, boses ngan kinaadman

Magkadurudilain nga kinaiya nga makuri gud matungkad

Amo siguro ini an misteryo sinin kinabuhi nga buskad

Sugad san balud nga ruyag makitimpo sa baras

Ngan maski nanu nga sari, mabalik gud pag-awas

Sugad san musika nga maski waray namamati

Magtutukar sa kadayunan, kalipayan nga putli

12.10.2017
(I was inspired to write after I read Rizal's Mi Retiro)

AN PARAGBULANG

Rodel C. Cuyco

Si Mano Jose parasimba kada aga

Kahuman, deretso sa bulangan an ruta

Pag-uli mahiyom-hiyom kun daugan

Kun perdi, kamingaw labi pa kabaraan

Sa kada adlaw an iya misis aringit pirmi

Ano daw manok la kaput pirmi san at padi

Maupay la siya kun tiaro pangbulang

Kun di natatagan, siya daw nakakaulang

Kun perdi pag-uli mangabri kaldero

Kun wara na igsura, kalupad entero

Kairo gad ni madi, ano man nga sugad sini

Mabulangon na si padi, pasuhay pa anak nga dose

Usa ka adlaw nasina na gud si madi

Gin-ihaw niya an iburulang ni padi

Karasa san aton suda, an sabaw suwabe

Intawon, waray gad sarabutan inin si padi

Kahuman magsimba, si padi deretso bulangan

Mayda nangutana kun hain na manok nga inataman

Waray na gad, iginsura na namon, baton ni padi

Deretso ko pinalayas an im bwisit nga madi

(August 1, 2012)

Abante Lavezares

Rodel C. Cuyco

Kami an mga anak san Lavezares

Nga natindog san luha ug kasarig

Nga nag-abid sa mata ug sa dughan

Kaupod san hinigugma nga Gamhanan

Sa imo mamurayaw an ngatanan

Kamaupay mo, amon hinumduman

Sa yaman san rekurso mo kami nahimo

Sa hangkop san imo kamot, kami natawo

Chorus

An mga Lavezaresnon

Maglipayon, magbaskog

Mamurayaw, mag-ilob

Sa butnga san mga dampog

Nagkakasarayo an amon mga tuyo

Pag-uswag, pag-abante

San hinigugma namon nga bungto

PAG-AMPO SA AKON BUNGTO

Rodel C. Cuyco

Makagarahum nga Diyos

Magburuhat san ngatanan

San langit, san tuna

San mga tanum, mga kahayupan

Tanan nga katawhan

Sa imo kamahinatagon

Ginhatag mo sa amon an bug-os nga kalibutan

Para atamanon, pakaupayon

Diyos san langit ug tuna

Iginbubutang namon sa imo mga kamot

An amon kinabuhi

An amon kabubuwason

Sa mga kakurihan ngan kataragman

Buligi kami

Sa amon pagrayhak

Updi kami

Dayawon ka Diyos namon

Yana ug sa ngatanan nga katuigan.

Amen.

Recited during the Founding Anniversary

in November 26, 2010

AKON LAVEZARES

By: Rodel C. Cuyco

Lavezares, akon kasadto, yana ug buwas

Akon inop, akon kinabuhi

Nagtatag-iya sa ak

Akon gintatag-iyahan sa ak dughan

Akon panimalay

Akon kalipay

Lavezares, sa imo mga palad

Nag-abid an hulas ug dugo san kaapuy-apuyan

Nga naghalad sin kinabuhi basi ikaw mahikit-an

Nga marig-on, mahigugmaon ug mauswagon

Lavezares, an imo mga rekurso

Naghatag sin tubig sin kinabuhi sa imo mga anak

Kadagatan, kakahuyan, duyan namon nga pahuwayan

Harupoy san im hangin

Kahiwasan, kaguwasan san amon kalag

Mag-abot man mga kataragman

Mga ayat ug pagsukol san Gamhanan

Di ko gud ikaw babayaan

Hangtud katutubtuban

May 2011

Ako an Ponay

Rodel C. Cuyco

Ako an Ponay san Lavezares

Nabuhay sa ilarum san adlaw ug mga bituon

Nagdako sa kaisog ug paghigugma

Ako an simbolo san kamurayawan ug pagkasarayo

Sa akon dugo ug hulas natindog an mga salag san paglaum

Sa akon mga pakpak , ginmawas an hangin san pag-uswag

An akon salag, puruy-anan san akon mga ungara

Bisan pa kun ako mapuyo la dida sa mga puno ug tanaman

Nakig-ato ako sa mga langyawanon nga nagsari nga ako kuhaon

Sa mga Espanyol, Amerikano, ug Hapon wara ako magpa-uripon

Kaupod an Makagarahum, lumupad ako, gumawas bug-os an paglaum

Nagtapud ako nga an pagsari diri maalirung

Pero diri ngay-an kay may mga tawo nga karuyag ako kulungon.

Kulungon an akon inop, an akon kamurayawan,

An akon hustisya, an akon konsensya

Mga tampalasan sira!

Nano kay sugad sini an ginhimo niyo sa akon!

Igawas niyo ako!

Igawas niyo ako!

Igawas niyo ako!

Recited during the Founding Anniversary

in November 26, 2010

AN KATINDOG SAN LAVEZARES

Rodel C. Cuyco

San sadto nga panahon san wara pa Lavezares

Sini nga dapit wara pa sin nangingistar

Mayaman sa rekurso san pinagtimpo nga kadagatan ug kaumhan

Sa paglabay san mga katuigan

An mga tulin ni Somoroy san Palapag san Ibabao nga yana Norte san Samar

San mag-isog nga mga Bicolanos

Sakay san paraw ug sibiran

Naengganyar san kamabaysay san lugar

Sa kamot san Makagarahum, nagsari magpuyo

Magpa-uswag ngan magpadamo

Tumubo an lugar nga Pinonayan

Salag san mga makinanta ngan mabaysay nga ponay

Sa mga panimalay san Sucjan, Villa natindog

An Sucjan nga ngaran kinuha tikang sa bagol nga sukahan san hubog nga tawo

Ug naging Villa, balay nga engrande ug maupay pag-istaran

Sa Barobaybay sumirang an mga tawo sa tuna

san pinagtimpo nga baro ug baybay

Sa mga tanaman nga kun ngaranan Mamban, Rosario nga bungto nabuhay

Ini sira dati mga visitas, lugar nga kun diin padi paburubisita

Sini nga mga lugar, nabuhay mga nauna nga amay san bungto

Sa Pinonayan sira: Feliciano Adriatico, Alfonso Ebron, Vicente Albañes, Eulogio                Martires, Julian Domagtoy, Reymundo Tarraya, and Gregorio Esplana

Sa Sucjan sira: Mariano Policarpio and Estanislao Esfela

Sa Barobaybay: Feliciano Martires and Gregorio Vidal

Sa Mamban : Eustaqio Periones

Nagpetisyon sa Gobierno Colonial san Espanyol

Nga kita maging sayo nga bungto

Petsa Abril 23, 1873

Sa larang san Makagarahum

Natuman an ira gintutumuyo

Binulag sa iroy nga La Granja nga yana Allen nga bungto

An petsa Enero 7, 1875

Lavezares usa na nga pueblo.

Ini nga makasaysayan nga petsa

Ayaw gud niyo kalimti

Aton ini igrayhak, ug igdako-dako,

Sa atubangan san aton mga anak ug sa ira magiging anak

Independencia san pueblo sa Lavezares

Atamanon ug igpasamwak!

Recited during the Founding Anniversary

in November 26, 2010

YELLOW RIBBONS AND FLOWERS FOR LAVEZARES

(A poem dedicated to the Lavezaresnons who fought

powergrabbers in Sept. 2009)

Rodel C. Cuyco

Beloved, Lavezares

My beloved, Lavezares

In your peaceful slumber

You woke up

Suddenly

Ribbons are everywhere

Barbed wires are all around

Placards screaming at you

Human barricades at your doorstep

People so divided

Torn apart

Gathering storm of hatred

Forgetting love

What a fate

Is this what you have dreamed to be

I wept

As I see people

From all walks of life

Went with you

Different faces

Different voices

Some are seen

Some are not

Some are heard

Many are muted by might

I rejoice gloriously

When Rizal heard Bayan Ko

In resounding sorrows

In great lamentation

Unbowed, unwavering

For a greater cause

For peace to remain

For justice to reign

I pray like I never did before

God, send us your love and mercy

That your people will not chase after the wind

For the wind to blow to goodness

For the storm to pass

For our faith to hold on

Amen.

Lavezares

Eternally beloved

You alone is my town

Incomparable

So enchanting

And comforting

When all hope is gone

I will still rest in your bosom

With a solemn promise

I will never let go

I will never give up on you

Your life is my life

Til the end

Til the next sunrise  

THIS IS LAVEZARES

Rodel C. Cuyco

… a panorama of a quaint and mystical paradise where the crystal-clear waters meet the abundant land safely nestled on a stretch of sandy shore

… eternal spectator of the glorious sun’s parade from sunrise to sunset

… teeming with wondrous and kindhearted people, rich nature, greens and golden fields

… the sanctuary of marine creatures and wildlife tucked in its lush mangroves, serene lakes and verdant trees

… a mosaic of interwoven dreams and hopes crafted by the immeasurable love coupled with the indomitable spirit of its forebears, today’s heroes and heroines and those that are yet to come

… solid and strong as its rocks yet nurturing and soothing as its cascading gentle waves

… faith-filled abode of Christ-centered souls and knowledge-hungry minds;

 illuminating the unknown beyond its silvery horizons

… the hammock that cuddles struggling tired bodies and minds

engrossed in wandering or soul-searching

… the home so hard to leave;

 its all-too familiar breeze never fails to beckon

its sons and daughters back to her warm embrace

… never fails to put a smile on ones heart from dawn to dusk

… there is no place like home, no place like Lavezares

Presented with a video during Barobaybay Achievers’ Night, May 27, 2011

MOVERS AND SHAPERS OF LAVEZARES

Rodel C. Cuyco

Some have stayed

Some have traversed the unfamiliar byways

No doubt each of them represents

“Each drop of water

Each drop of sand

That makes the mighty water and the golden sand”

They would always go back where it all started

To honor and to be honored

In this simple home called Lavezares

The living witness to their dreams and aspirations

The enduring edifice made up of sweat, tears and blood

Of its worthy sons and daughters willing to give it all

With them, this piece of land will never be the same again

Truly, they are an inspiration

A symbol of what God has destined this place to be

A loving, caring and sharing community

Presented with a video during Barobaybay Achievers’ Night, May 27, 2011

PAKAIN KITA

Kagurangan, kadagatan ug hangin

San tuna nga natawhan

Sanhi mabaysay, yana nawawakay

Tawo, tawo ano an im saysay

Koro

Kapalibutan, ginhugawan

Hangin imo ginrigsukan

Yaman imo ginsayangan

Diin aton hingadtuan

Niyan an panahon, paiba-iba

Lanit san paso diri makakaya

Uran, baha, hagkot kahalaba

Gutom, sakit, naaabat na

(Repeat Koro)

Tawo, san-o ka magbabag-o

Kun kinabuhi mo, apektado

Tawo, san –o ka pa magmamangno

Kun kinabuhi mo, mawara sa imo

(Repeat Koro)

May 2011

Lyrics by Rodel, Randy, Amm, Jocelyn, Nonoy A

Music by Alice Balag

Fall On Me

Late last night

I was thinking over you

You just walk into my thoughts

With the emptiness I feel since you have gone

It seems I’m travelling to nowhere

Chorus

Go on your way now

Spread up your wings

In any place

Where you may want to go

I wish you’ll be tired now

To fly in the open skies

Fall on me now, my star

Fall on me now, my love

One day

I wish that we will meet again

Some day

I wish you’re in my arms again

Sharing life with me

Thru thick and thin

My love, please don’t leave me in my dream

Repeat Chorus

Coda

And if ever you will go

To be with someone new

Don’t forget I’ll always love you so

Repeat Chorus