(Published on Page A11 of the August 24, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
I MAY NOT appear to be really religious, but I grew up close to the Catholic Church, its people, structures and basic teachings.
My mother served the Church for many years until she perished in a sea accident 11 years ago. Even after Mama’s death, catechists in our town still see me as the only son of their beloved Sister Evelyn, who used to happily visit even remote island villages to teach catechism. Until now, Nanay Diding, my dear grandmother, is always a welcome visitor at our parish office not only because she regularly offers Masses but also because she is Sister Evelyn’s mother.
Priests and nuns were — and still are — among our family friends. A former bishop of the Diocese of Marinduque used to visit our humble house. Tatay Andoy, my late grandfather who had the picture of the great Pope John Paul II on display on his altar, had a distant cousin who became our parish priest. And when I was a young boy, dear Sister Paula of the Missionary Catechists of Saint Therese gave me a second-hand stuffed toy that I cherished so much. Continue reading →