Photos from the Somascan Annual Retreat in Tagaytay City

St. Jerome Emiliani, our father and founder

Last March 19, 2009 after the Sunday masses I went to Tagaytay City to end my summer vacation and to join my confreres in the Annual Retreat. When I arrived the religious were still few and I was helped by the brothers in Philosophical studies to carry my things in the room assigned to me.

Fr. Santiago V. Gonzales, CRS my former student in the seminary now a well grown priest. Still respectful of his teacher he came for a short visit to greet in the afternoon before the retreat.

After some time my father who brought me up to Tagaytay left the seminary with our family driver and I got the chance to arrange my things and later to talk with the religious in the house. I have met our beloved Fr. Luigi Cucci, CRS our Novice Master.

The large Easter Candle shining bright in our Major Seminary Chapel

I was also fortunate to have found Bro. Kiko or Bro. Francisco Lamo who stayed in Flores, Indonesia to take good care of the construction of our new house of formation there. He filled me with stories how the Indonesian workers were not using steel bars in constructions and that he had to teach them step by step how to use them. Our dear Indonesian workers of course were not used to the use of steel bars because it was not part of their practices for construction of houses in the area.

Bishop Frederick Pabillo, D.D., SDB before the talk during the 2nd Day

Then, friends especially former companions in the seminary and former students were coming for chats and talks and we were joyfully sharing stories and jokes together. Some younger seminarians were also very happy to report that they are visiting this blog regularly and are fond of our apologetics activities and materials.

Fr. Augie Dingal, CRS, Fr. John Carino, CRS, Fr. Santy, CRS, Bro. Francisco Lamo, CRS who just returned from Flores, Indonesia, Fr. Bobby Sabayton, CRS, Fr. Lino Juta, CRS and Fr. Nanding Rivera, CRS.

The retreat was wonderful. I was enjoying it very much because the Bishop was a no nonsense speaker and retreat master. His approach is biblical, pastoral and very practical. He explained and challenged us on our vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience.

Another former student and my Godson in Confirmation, Fr. Joseph Don Castro, CRS known to us as Fr. Dondon. He was baptized from being a former Iglesia ni Cristo. Then, Fr. Frank Cabrera, CRS, Fr. Manuel Lobo, CRS, Bro. Roger, CRS, Bro. Seraphin, CRS, Bro. Taz, CRS and Fr. John Valenzuela, CRS.

Unfortunately, I was not able to stay long because our School Director, Bro. Eugene Libut, CRS called me to return as soon as possible to Sorsogon because the Deans and Department Head of Mass Communication Course in the entire Bicol Region are in our school for a two day seminar and being the station manager of our media I must be present.

The Bishop again

So, in the afternoon of March 22 I left Tagaytay City fetched by my sister and niece, Mary Louise.

Since I already presented here the photograph of the entire seminary I decided to concentrate on flowers. Unfortunately, I am ignorant of flowers. I don't know the names of these wonders of nature.

It reminds me of the Immaculate Cape of the Immaculate Virgin

It reminds me of the Four Living Creatures in front of God. They have faces for all sides.

It's very lovely to behold. A plant bearing flower in the mid section of a tree.

The Bishop once again

Those who were in front Fr. Cesare de Santis, CRS, at his side Fr. Michael Escoto, CRS, at the back Fr. Gabriele Scotti, CRS our provincial superior and the one in blue, Fr. Boyet, CRS

Ha, ha, ha... Fr. Dondon, Bro. Noel Sitchon, Fr. Santy and Fr. Augie

Fr. Dondon, Bro. Noel, Fr. Santy and Fr. Abe, CRS