Growing in Spirit

After Chairman Karina Constantino David’s term ended, a Mass was held at the Civil Service Commission to seek Divine guidance as Senior Commissioner Ceasar D. Buenaflor entered office as the Acting Chairman of the Commission by operation of law. A Mass was also held when Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo took his oath of office as CSC Chairman imploring Divine intercession to guide the Commission, a beacon in government bureaucracy. With Chairman Saludo, Commissioner Buenaflor and Commissioner Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza, the Couples for Christ held its first Christian Life Program at the seat of the government’s central personnel agency.

The last time the government adopted a massive moral recovery program with a firm budgetary commitment from the General Appropriations Act was during the beginning of President Fidel V. Ramos’ term. The MRP set the tone of governance to attain the mid and long term plan of FVR’s Administration. It is where government servants, irregardless of rank or status converged to identify their common strength and weaknesses as an individual, group and as government workers; and, their respective roles in nation building. It served as the launching pad to attain FVR’s Vision 2000’ and helped propel economic growth. Our country was then monikered the Cub of Asia. CSC was one of the prime movers of the MRP.

Today, without much adequate budget in place to undergo the same awakening to uplift employee’s morale and integrity, unseen hand seems to move for people in the past to converge once again in a different dimension coming from without unnoticed.

Nobody among us is perfect, although we are trying to be one by practicing the teachings of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the power of the Holy Spirit alone, however, is not enough. We have to grow in spirit by praying to glorify Him, appreciate the blessings He gave, regretting our sins before presenting our petition and live a Christian life. There is no assurance too - that our prayers shall be answered the way we wanted things to happen as He and He alone knows what is best for us in His time. This is the creed of our faith as Christians and nobody can eloquently express it in words by the way Commissioner Cesar D. Buenaflor conveyed it.

Commissioner Cesar D. Buenaflor mingled with ordinary employees, drivers, clerks, messengers, whom he treated as equal. In fact, the facilitators did not even recognized him at the first instance. It might have been providential that he moved to a tiny group of male from another group of all female employees to share his view. Indeed, we are just but a medium used by the Divine to convey His message. (Inset picture: Senior Commissioner Cesar D. Buenaflor, third from left)

A product of a Jesuit educational institution, the most senior Commissioner of the CSC and maybe among the remaining few sentinel in government who survived five President, humbled himself to plant another seed hoping for it to grow, blossom and bear fruits. It takes a lot of humility, patience and faith. In the words of Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, the last time we met in a gathering somewhere in Camarin: ‘it does not matter how few or how many we are’ what matters most is our faith. Let the Divine intercede. (Inset picture: Bishpo Tobias with NMVSHA Officers)

We are also blessed to have Bro. Andy Palma, former Vice-Governor of Marinduque, who shared with us his baritone voice joyfully singing and strumming his guitar with the CFC Choir at the beginning and the end of the session. Bro. Andy, moved to Quezon City as his place of abode. (Inset picture: Bro. Andy Palma in yellow with the CFC Choir)

It might also have been providential too that Bro. Terrence and Sister Thel Grana, from the House of Representatives and a Doctor of the DSWD, respectively, were called to serve and talk on the topic: Growing with the Holy Spirit. Terrence is from Agusan, a cousin Dem and Precy Grana, former Project Manager of Lower Agusan Irrigation Project and a Manager of the Foreign Loans Assisted Projects of the National Irrigation Administration, respectively, during FVR’s incumbency. The financial system adopted by NIA under its Impress Fund Account during the Ramos Administration under Gen. Orlando Soriano helped a lot to . . . [soon . . .] (Inset picture: Bro. Terence and Sis. Thel Grana)

The Christian Life Program at the Civil Service Commission already reached Module three (3) of the seminar with Dr. Jose L. Garcia as speaker. Bro. "Jun" as they call him is an oncology doctor, who specializes in treating and taking care of cancer patients. The sharing he gave was enlighthening considering his field of expertise. He have not regretted taking care of cancer patients. He nearly gave-up and entertained the idea of changing his field of specialty. Yet, the calling to served prevailed. Many were cured and their souls were saved as well. A Mass was celebrated before Bro. Jun shared his experience by Fr. Lito Celebrado of the Holy Walnut in Fairview. It was providential that we have with us Lyn Flores, a close relative of Bishop Antonio R. Tobias and we were informed by Lyn (second from the left inset picture) that the Bishop still hangs on his wall the charcoal painted picture we gave as a gift during the St. Agnes Parish Fiesta more than two years ago. We thought that His Emminence was merely joking (as he always used to) when he informed us that he placed it in his room, replacing the colored picture which he used to give to friends. It is an honor having painted His Emminence' picture and it is flattering to hear that he treasures it. After our project at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Camarin, the last time we met the Bishop was in North Matrix Ville Subdivision also in Camarin. We hope this reaches him and we hope too, that he could come and visit the Civil Service Commission to hold a Holy Mass in the coming days. We are honored to serve, once again, the Diocese in general - in this project.

Food was served after the Mass. Mouthwatering ! Delicious! The Arroz Caldo tasted differently, paired with Pancit and Tokwa't Baboy, it was great! The participants as well as those who attended the Mass loved it! It was Bro. Jake Ayson who prepared the food. It was a labor of love from Bro. Jake and a gift from the heart of those nameless people who send in their donations for this event. Brother Jerry with the group of Angels (first from the left: inset picture), served the food with a smile. After Bro. Jun's talk, the participants headed by Director IV Editha M. Dela Peña of the Civil Service Commission's Office for Personnel Management and Development, danced, jumped and sung to their heart's content while receiving the power of the Holy Spirit (banner picture).

Bro. Jerry & Sister Lilian Juadiong

Brother Jerry and Sister Lilian Juadiong with their children are active members of the Couples and Singles for Christ, respectively. Bro. Jerry actively participates in CFC's Outreach Ministry. He was one of the facilitators in the on-going Christian Life Program being held at the Civil Service Commission. On the other hand, Sister Lilian is a professor at the Department of Family Life and Child Development, College of Home Economics, UP Diliman. As a psychologist, Sister Lilian appears at MOM's, a daily Talk Show magazine program aired at QTV - 11 from 5:00-6:00 in the evening. The show promotes family bonding.

Along with other facilitators who served with Bro. Jerry, the music ministry of the CFC performs regularly every CLP session being held at the CSC's Function Hall rendering Christian music before and after the program. No other than Commissioners Cesar D. Buenaflor and May Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza attended the first module of the Program as Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo was attending a very important business of the Commission.

The background material in the above family picture of Bro. Jerry is a photograph of a 16th century ornamental brick from Saint Mathias Church in Tumauini, Isabela. The Church is one of the most elegant Baroque Churches in the Philippines or maybe in the whole world. Baroque Churches in our country is part of our historical heritage as a people representing the history of our faith, which is now slowly decaying through centuries that needs to be restored. Despite storms, typhoons and calamities for centruries, its structure and the ornamental bricks, however, survived symbolizing the strenght our faith as a people. Perhaps one must take moments of repose to scan the wealth of each red clay, brick and discover the trimmings of flowers folliage, swag and angel faces. Some ornamentation are so subtle that discerning their meanings or allusions could bring a sense of fulfillment . . ."The Saint Mathias Church, otherwise known as the Jewel of the (Cagayan) Valley . . . see it for yourself (double click here!).