St. Francis De Sales Seminary Graduating Class '82 (Pietas et Scientia): November 2005

Today is the feast day of St. Andrew, the Apostle. The name "Andrew" (Gr., andreia, manhood, or valour), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the second or third century B.C. St. Andrew, the Apostle, son of Jonah, or John (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42), was born in Bethsaida of Galilee (John 1:44). He was brother of Simon Peter (Matthew 10:2; John 1:40). Both were fishermen (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16), and at the beginning of Our Lord's public life occupied the same house at Capharnaum (Mark 1:21, 29). From the fourth Gospel we learn that Andrew was a disciple of the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messias, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother, Peter, (John 1:41). Thenceforth the two brothers were disciples of Christ. On a subsequent occasion, prior to the final call to the apostolate, they were called to a closer companionship, and then they left all things to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 1:17-18). Finally Andrew was chosen to be one of the Twelve; and in the various lists of Apostles given in the New Testament (Matthew 10:2-4); Mark, iii, 16-19; Luke, vi, 14-16; Acts, i, 13) he is always numbered among the first four. The only other explicit reference to him in the Synoptists occurs in Mark, xiii, 3, where we are told he joined with Peter, James and John in putting the question that led to Our Lord's great eschatological discourse. In addition to this scanty information, we learn from the fourth Gospel that on the occasion of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, it was Andrew who said: "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many?" (John vi, 8, 9); and when, a few days before Our Lord's death, certain Greeks asked Philips that they might see Jesus, Philip referred the matter to Andrew as to one of greater authority, and then both told Christ (John 12:20-22). Like the majority of the Twelve, Andrew is not named in the Acts except in the list of the Apostles, where the order of the first four is Peter, John, James, Andrew; nor have the Epistles or the Apocalypse any mention of him.

From what we know of the Apostles generally, we can, of course, supplement somewhat these few details. As one of the Twelve, Andrew was admitted to the closest familiarity with Our Lord during His public life; he was present at the Last Supper; beheld the risen Lord; witnessed the Ascension; shared in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost, and helped, amid threats and persecution, to establish the Faith in Palestine.

When the Apostles went forth to preach to the Nations, Andrew seems to have taken an important part, but unfortunately we have no certainty as to the extent or place of his labours. Eusebius (H.E. III:1), relying, apparently, upon Origen, assigns Scythia as his mission field: Andras de [eilechen] ten Skythian; while St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Or. 33) mentions Epirus; St. Jerome (Ep. ad Marcell.) Achaia; and Theodoret (on Ps. cxvi) Hellas. Probably these various accounts are correct, for Nicephorus (H.E. II:39), relying upon early writers, states that Andrew preached in Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia, then in the land of the anthropophagi and the Scythian deserts, afterwards in Byzantium itself, where he appointed St. Stachys as its first bishop, and finally in Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia. It is generally agreed that he was crucified by order of the Roman Governor, Aegeas or Aegeates, at Patrae in Achaia, and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross, in order to prolong his sufferings. The cross on which he suffered is commonly held to have been the decussate cross, now known as St. Andrew's, though the evidence for this view seems to be no older than the fourteenth century. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero, on 30 November, A.D. 60); and both the Latin and Greek Churches keep 30 November as his feast.

To the staff and members of Andrews, Inc. family, happy feast day!

My kumander and I with Abner taken sa kanyang mansion sa Canyonwoods. Ay kaganda ga doon sa Canyonwoods. Maraming salamat Abner/Lani and family! It was good to see you after all these years! Tingnan naman ninyo si Senyor Abner, wala pang puting buhok. Sign daw ayan ng affluence Abner. Email mo na lang sa akin yung iba pa nating pictures. Hanggang sa uulitin!

St. Francis De Sales

Ang bebe bubuwit kong si Louise (12 yrs. old na) ay nasa kaliwa.Taken during the Palarong Pambansa in Iloilo City with MBV and tennis partner Joanne

Paano babanatin ang Piso. Para sa mga tulad kong uring manggagawa

(From my other Blog) Here are some of the things we do to save and make the most out of our hard earned Peso:

While Driving:

1) Do not set the thermostat of your airconditioning to freezing temperature. Set it at a level that is comfortable.
2) About a couple of minutes before reaching your destination, turn off the airconditioning but leave the blower on. Then set the thermostat to its coldest level. You not only rid the airconditioning system of unwanted moisture that can cause rust in the evaporator but you likewise save on gasoline that will be otherwise used to ran the airconditioning.
3) Look way ahead to anticipate speed bumps, red light, etc. Then shift to neutral and coast along
4) Car pool
5) Fill up in the morning as gas tends to shrink in volume when the temperature is low and tends to expand as the temperature rises.
6) Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate your tires 10% higher than the recommended normal tire pressure. Underinflated tires create more drag that leads to fuel wastage.

Leisure

1) Before going to the mall, eat a heavy meal at home
2) Buy things by bulk if possible to minimize trips to the grocery
3) Make a list of things to buy and stick to the list

At Home/Miscellaneous

1) If your airconditioning has no timer, buy two. I bought mine at "True Value" for about P 400.00. Put one timer on the airconditioning and the other on the electric fan. Set each timer so that the electric fan starts when the airconditioning stops.
2) Talk to your neighbor/s about sharing DSL connections. All those interested can share the cost of buying a wireless broadband router and share the monthly dues.
3) If you have internet/DSL connection, do not buy the paper anymore. Read the news online
4) If you have internet connection (dial up or broadband), use skype (http://www.skype.com/) to call your loved ones abroad. It is for free and the audio quality is wonderful.
5) Pay all your bills on time to avoid very expensive surcharges
6) If you have a good credit history, negotiate with your credit card service provider to waive the annual fees. We have had success here because we try to minimize spreading the payments over several months unless through a zero interest promo.
7) Maximize the consumable airtime on your mobile calling plan. My wife is on pre-paid while I am under post paid. Whenever she wants to talk to me, she contacts my number and then she cuts the call. I then call her back. Of course, Sun Cellular provides a better deal.
8) Use chikka to text (www.chikka.com)
9) Need instant cash? Check if you have been paying insurance premiums. They accumulate cash value and you can borrow money at low interest rates up to a maximum of 80% of the cash value of your insurance policy.

Please feel free to add to the above. I shall add to this list next time.

Lyrics - Pinoy Ako

Pinoy Ako
By Orange and Lemons
OST, Pinoy Big Brother


(Plucked, Riff 1 and Riff 2)
A7sus*  D*  A7sus*  D*

(With strumming and drums)
A7sus*  D*  A7sus*  D*


Stanza 1
D            F#m               Em
Lahat tayo'y  mayroong pagkakaiba

           Gm                 D
Sa tingin pa lang ay makikita na

F#m            Em             Gm          D
Iba’t ibang kagustuhan ngunit isang patutunguhan


F#m    Em    Gm
...


D             F#m           Em
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap ko

    Gm                 D
Pagbibigay ng halaga sa iyo

    F#m      Em        Gm               D
Nais mong  ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga?


Chorus
 F#m             Em
Pinoy,  ikaw ay Pinoy

Gm           D
Ipakita sa mundo

    F#m           Em
Kung ano   ang kaya mo

Gm                     D
 Ibang-iba ang Pinoy

   F#m          Em
Huwag kang matatakot

Gm        D           F#m
Ipagmalaki mo, Pinoy ako

       Em   Gm
Pinoy tayo...


Stanza 2
D          F#m                Em
Pakita mo  ang tunay, kung sino ka

          Gm               D
Mayroon mang masama't maganda

F#m           Em
Wala   naman perpekto

Gm                   D    F#m
 Basta magpakatotoo...

   Em   Gm
Oh, oh...

D             F#m           Em
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo

     Gm                D
Pagbibigay ng halaga sa iyo

   F#m      Em        Gm               D
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga?


(Repeat Chorus)


Bridge
D
...

A7
Talagang ganyan ang buhay

A7
Dapat ka nang masanay

A7
Wala rin mangyayari

           A7
Kung laging nakikibagay

A7
Ipakilala ang iyong sarili

A7
Ano man sa iyo ang mangyari

A7
Ang lagi mong iisipin

A7                    D
Kayang kayang gawin...


(Repeat Chorus)


Coda, plucked (Riff 2)
D*

Crescendo Songs (Tanda pa ga ninyo ang mga titles?)

1) Theme song from "Oliver"
2) Heto Na - APO Hiking Society
3) Panalangin - APO Hiking Society
4) Mamang Sorbetero - Celeste Legaspi
5) Jericho
6) Noong Unang Panahon
7) Bituing Marikit
8) Where is Love
9) Who will Buy?
10) One God

Katuwaan laang (Ano ang inyong "pet names" noong nasa seminaryo pa kayo?

Hi mga classmates! Ari ga ang mga natatandaan kong mga pet names natin noong tayo ay nasa seminaryo pa...Kung natatandaan ninyo ang sa inyo ay idagdag ninyo dini. :

1) Louie Victor - Dagus o Gaspar
2) Arnold A. - Amurgong
3) Mark B. - Trianggulo
4) Norbert A. - Tibs
5) Chris A. - Puto

Sa honeymoon ga ninyo ari? Photo courtesy of Jomar

Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!!!!Congratulations and best wishes to both of you from all of us! Photo courtesy of Jomar

Good friends from Canossa: Mabel, Gigi, May, and Madonna. Photo courtesy of Leo

APO Hiking Society naman aring 3 naggagandahang lalaking mga ari. You guys are so lucky, you went to UST together. No one among us went to La Salle except Ferdie D. and I tapos terminal year na ata ako noon nang mag transfer sya.