“To a home that’s most dear to us”
Warm, patriotic, greetings.
In this five hundredth year of Christianity in the Philippines, it is extremely dear to Filipinos this faith brought by Spain. That for centuries, the Filipinos has showeth exemplary benevolence toward the Catholic Faith and Christian civilization, of supporting its institutions and its works, all despite its shortcomings and actions that was, detrimental to the faith and aspirations of the Filipinos.
But, like most foreign influences that came to the islands, its people made it ‘Filipino’ and became part of its identity, and that identity is manifested in its ever-growing faith as in the olden times, that as any other faith that stood in this country, is so intimately connected that one feel doubly afflicted in witnessing the deplorable endeavors that for some time have been continually repeated to deprive this beloved nation, with her faith, or its civil grandeur that’s needed most.
Sorry for the thought, for the fact that the country has facing both the tremor of the order and this malady brought by the coronavirus pandemic, that the Filipino puts its trust in faith the way it puts in science. Some months ago, devotees of the Black Nazarene converged in Quiapo despite numerous advisories from the authorities. That, despite urging not to come due to the pandemic, these faithful were driven by faith to come and pray. There were cases of not wearing masks or not following social distancing procedures just to express their faith amidst this pandemic problem. Of course, expect critics two and fro, ranging from other beliefs to those of local government/church inaction during that said event.
But did this diminishes the faith of these devotees? No! From their actions, if not their words would say that their trust in the Lord means hopes of "healing" and "recovery" from the coronavirus pandemic. For sure one cannot forget the wiping of their cloths to the icon as reminiscent of venerating their ancestors, that the black features of the icon as reminiscent of the prehispanic Bul-ol and of the soil of the country, that from their rosaries and medals like those of St. Benedict reminds of the prehispanic Agimat and the Anting Anting, that their wishes and hopes became prayers that begged for healing, forgiveness to whom they call as beneficence, lord of pardon, or any other title that's for the Lord.
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However, this note expresses both hope and concern especially in this time of crisis. That as Filipinos and as Christians, this commemoration of 500 years of Christianity taking root in the country by the Spaniards didn't started with the usual fanfare like any other commemorative event with the church, but instead expressing of a pressing need for help- especially to the downtrodden affected by the COVID19 pandemic.
Started a year ago, this Pandemic has stuck the nation so badly that one would describe as the worst of times. True enough, especially that 2020 in the Philippines started with the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas, followed by closing of the biggest media network in the country, and aggravated by this still ongoing pandemic caused by COVID19 virus. This, along with the usual antics of the present Duterte administration has becoming a test of faith and courage both as Filipinos and as religious, be it Christian or as any other faith.
But despite the pressure brought by these past days and nights of disquiet and rage, faith continues to blossom. It is not surprising that there are those amongst faithful that they're trying to "keep the faith" against all odds be it this pandemic to those of pitting one faith against the other, oftentimes laced with exaggerated 'nationalism' that this Christian faith as imposed by the Spaniards. Yes it is, but to look back at history, how come Filipinos did accepted it the way Hara Humamay accepted the Santo Nino? Or the folks of old Namayan worshipped the pandan-covered Virgin that made Spaniards acknowledge as the Nuestra Senora de Guia? Why did Apo Apang of the Aetas is the Ina Poong Bato? Or why Andres Bonifacio in his dream saw the Virgen de Balintawak prior to his action in the Deposito? There are more attributes to mention that makes Christianity as Filipino as other faiths in the country. May as also recall the 149th anniversary of the execution of Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, whose struggle for the secularisation of the Church became a factor in the struggle for freedom from Spanish colonialism.
Need not to explain further this looking back, perhaps because this writer had read comments in social media in relation to this commemoration. Of course, expect those who detest this Christian faith out of being a tool of the Spanish occupier. But not surprising that some of those who detest did want a Christian wedding, a Christian Baptism, or even carry Christian names. Sorry for the thought but again they forgot that this Christian faith has been as Filipino for centuries past. Sown by the occupier-oppressor yes, driven by their religious zeal and imperial glory- but even nurtured by the oppressed-liberator who carried the cross of struggle towards liberty. How accurately the Apostle Paul has expressed it in his second letter to the Corinthians, that “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may be clear to us that its surpassing power comes from God and not from us.” (2 Cor 4:7)
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Again, despite commemorating if not remembering how Christian faith in the Philippines taketh its roots for 500 years, this note demands action as an expression of faith. Especially in this pandemic-driven times, faith continues to face challenges of various sorts, worse, to see an incompetent government whose promise of change and hope turns out to be a ruse. True that this government of the republic is making efforts to control the pandemic the way it tries to deal other serious matters like crime and poverty. However, the administration who supposedly leading rather chose to treat this pandemic as a means to "control", if not a necessary catharsis to scare those who oppose their agenda. As obvious, the regime interpret the pandemic in "peace and order" rather than a medical perspective: mobilising the armed forces and the police, creating checkpoints, imposed curfew, and the likes while failing to conduct contact tracing, mass testing, and the problems of procuring vaccines in pursuit of controlling the folk through fear.
But despite all these antics and negligence, the folk, driven by solidarity, took various measures to support each other, making hopes and sacrifices all the more in order to live and thrive in “a free nation, nurturing a civilization of life and love” even in this time of disquiet. But this kind of solidarity never stops in just a series of charitable acts, as oppression and exploitation are a systematic violation of human dignity- and in the case of the Philippines, this isn't happening during the pandemic but rather a decades-old matter that hinders a nation’s growth: of despotic landed gentries, controlling various aspects of Filipino life be it politics, agriculture, industry, trade, and social affairs while the folk wallows in poverty. And now in this pandemic these people have that "guts" to exploit, profit while feigning they're "concerned" about the people whom they have exploited for their selfish gains. It is not surprising that some did take time "trying to be in one with the people" especially in this tumultuous times, despite the fact that they're the same beings who oppress. One would say "let's take their actions with a grain of salt", that is, acknowledging their "alturistic" moves whilst opposing their despotic tendencies.
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Now, this note cannot conclude by just "reclaiming the faith" alone, but to "continue the good work" so as to save both body and soul especially in this times of disquiet and range. All through solidarity that carries confidence in the indefectible assistance promised by God to His people and in the immense goodness of the Lord toward those who love Him.
But this same solidarity doesn't stop in a form of beneficence, solidarity demands action- the will to go beyond parameters, to take the cross and push forward what is just and righteous as a nation. For sure people had enough of the corrupt and of the incompetent: who afforded to slander the faithful and fooled the patriotic, gaslighted the nation just to protect a decades-old repressive order. But steadfast in its firm resolve that the folk will go beyond parameters even at the expense of their lives. These are driven in pursuit of truth and love not just freedom and bread alone.
Perhaps to cut this note short, that in this commemoration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country, that the concerned renew its vow to struggle with the masses of the poor and oppressed no matter how the order tries to malign, slander, or oppress. Worth noting that a number of Christian martyrs, including those whose reason to fight for freedom is their faith, lived out their belief at the expanse of their lives in defence of human dignity. This lesson somehow convinces everyone to defend human lives, and rights no matter their lives is at stake. Yes, "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" according to early Church Father Tertullian, and in the case of this Country, the Philippines, those who lived, died, all to serve their folk is itself part of a devotion to their faith in a just god-being in one with the folk and its intensifying struggle for a country that's just and righteous.