CATHOLIC FAITH DEFENDERS - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES [CFD-USEP] OUTREACH APOLOGETICS IN DAVAO

CFD-USEP outreach apologetics

December 19-22, 2009

Mangagoy, Bislig Surigao del Sur

(By: Bro. Jess Vargas, CFD)

Christianity is the religion of most of the people in the world that traces its origin from the God-Man Jesus Christ. It is the religion that endured persecution since the time of the Pagan Roman Empire and is continuously attacked by heretics and some governments in the form of influencing other people and by means of violent assaults especially to the missionaries sent by their authorized infallible religious institution, the Roman Catholic Church.

Two thousand (2,000) years ago, Jesus Christ, its founder, was born in Palestine (modern day Israel ). He began his ministry of healing the sick, forgiving sins, expelling demons and preached about morality and a heavenly kingdom that will never fall unlike the fate of all kingdoms predestined to crumble. Historical and Biblical accounts state that Jesus Christ left his ministry to the Apostles (Mt 28:19-20) with an unbroken lineage of apostolic succession from St. Peter, the leader of the apostles up to the present. The Catholic Christian Church would not have survived after prolonged persecutions, intimidations and wars that threatened her existence, from barbaric sadistic emperors and kings like Nero, etc.

The 2,000 years of Christian Ecclesiastical existence is indeed a miracle. Jesus Christ made a promise to his apostles, “when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truths” (Jn. 16:13). This promise seems to be working when the Catholic Christian Church has been greatly attacked with heresies and schisms, there is always someone who stood in the side of the Church. Some of them were the Angelic Doctor in famed St. Thomas Aquinas who defended the Church against pagan philosophers and Muslim antagonists in the faith. If the latter Church was greatly attacked that challenged her existence, she must have made effective strategies likened to a shield that blocks and attacks of every kind. The Catholic Church’s shield during those hard times was critical apologetics!

What is apologetics? It is the logical arrangement of defense through writings and public deliberation. Early Christians were trained and steadfast in preaching Christianity that made the faith active and dynamic. But in this recent time, Christians have lost their interest in defending the Catholic Faith due to progressing fields of interest like Science, technology and entertainment. The result is division and opposition against the Catholic Church. If the Divine Faith was properly explained to those people, probably there would not have been protestant reformers. History suggests that the problem was not the logical defense preferred by the Catholic Church. The ordeal was that the people were insufficient to proclaim and defend the word of God unlike in the times of St. Justin the martyr, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas because of less interest in the matters of faith. Less because people were more interested in the advances of Science and technology even up to the present.

Christian faith is found to be inferior to the Sciences that bring socio-economic, political and military advantages- in other words, Sciences that can help in gaining power and prestige. We are not discouraging people to continue their interest in these Sciences for all of us are benefited, to encourage others in the field often neglected. If we believe that we are temporary residence in this earth, that there is a permanent abode after life, then we must also treat our Christian faith with great importance. Since the youth is the hope of the Motherland, we are also the key that will bring about interest in the Science and defense of faith, morality and after life.

The Catholic Faith Defenders or CFD in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Obrero, Davao City with the help of the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) and support of the Youth for Christ (YFC) planned in collaborating with the organizers of a Catholic Doctrine Seminar in Mangagoy, Bislig City , Surigao del Sur situated 208 kilometers northeast of Davao City . A meeting was called by Sir Ryan Mejillano (our mentor and a graduate of Master of Arts in Theology) in the BEC-RIB Chapel inside the campus for designation of topics and preparations on the 9th of November 2009 a few minutes had past after 6 o’clock in the evening.

The meeting chooses a group of eight (8) young and bright college students with ages ranging from 17 – 22 years old who will be speakers of the upcoming seminar. The topic on Holy Trinity was given to Bro. Angelo Tagi, Christology to Bro. Edchel Gloria, Ecclesiology and Protestants in General to Bro. Arthur Agullana Jr. who is the CFD President for the SY. 2009-2010, Mariology to Bro. Louie Juera, Sacraments in General to Bro. Roman Morata III, Images and relics of the Saints to Jeffrey Paloga, Eschatology to BEC-President Marvin Mangayan, and Divine Revelation to yours truly Bro. Jesardnel Vargas.

The team organized went into a series of training in lecture, rally and radio broadcasting. The groups of speakers are also students coping up with our requirements in school limiting our training program into ten sessions- three sessions for training in lecture, three for rally, three for radio broadcasting and a final rehearsal. The first dry-run on lecture occurred on the 12th of November 2009, 4pm with 20 minutes per speaker, and Bro. Ryan Mejillano as our critique. We realized that there is more to improve and general criticism was given after all the speakers delivered their topics.

On 17th of November 2009, the second dry-run on lecture took place with our mentor, Bro. Ryan R. Mejillano and a co-critique with his on going studies to earn a PH.D in Theology, Bro. Hector S. Damaso (the 2nd CFD-USEP President in his time and currently a full time instructor of the Assumption College of Davao). Our visiting critique gave us scholarly criticisms and degree points to remember in delivering our topics. We almost mastered the first session. The third and final dry-run on lecture was spearheaded by Bro. Juberson Alabastro (a CFD-San Pedro Cathedral Chapter member) a graduate from the Ateneo de Davao University, gave sharp and frank criticism especially on public mannerisms, inflection and proper eye contact to the audience.

On the 24th of November 2009, our first rally on lecture was set-foot on the center stage rounded by grasses and trees- on the tracking field with pulpits and displaying our banners as young apologists. We invited our very supporting members and some students for audience. It was a very feet-shaking experience how much more will it be when we are on the real battle field we pondered? We gave declamations, shared good moments of laughter on some mistakes. We were inspired and determined to deliver some of the message we scarcely hear from the mouth of priests during Holy Masses and spoke without microphones, ignoring faces of skeptic reactions. We continued speaking even if a group of 10-20 students on the grounds have to listen and sometimes our co-lecturers are included in this fold of listeners.

This is how hard we gathered ears and eyes for hearing the Catholic Christian message of salvation. We were considered as arrogant and trying-hard people. We are group of students building God’s kingdom on earth and yet almost nobody seems to recognize our efforts. The same scenario happened during the second rally. Even the utility manager charged us Php300.00 just for using the center stage for three hours. We were also avoiding conflicts with the head of security in our campus, an Iglesia ni Christo by faith, always deflecting our plans for the university. We lowered down our voices to avoid disturbance of evening classes and possible petitions against the Catholic group in USEP.

There was a little progress in the audience during the second and third dry-run on rally so we decided to continue it in BEC Chapel wherein we were certain that everybody in our small Chapel will adhere to our doctrine rally and at the same time, practice better.

On the 3rd of December 2009, Christmas was fast approaching and some of our predecessors in CFD and BEC came to help us in radio broadcasting. They were Engr. Cyril Alolaya the BEC president 2yrs ago and Engr. Jay Aytar, the bad boy reformed by our community in USEP. They were newly licensed engineers that shared moments of laughter and sharing of experiences in CFD. Bro. Ryan Mejillano demonstrated superb skills in radio broadcasting with many years of experience during his college days. Radio broadcasting was more relaxing and enjoying than lecture and rally since we can help each other as a team while individual performance is displayed in lecture and rally.

During our broadcasting exercises, we discovered that Bro. Edchel, one of the eight (8) speakers has a great potential in this field. He can speak with his eyes close delivering his topic with ease and as if in a plain conversation with the audience. On the 9th of December 2009, Bro. Angelo Tagi back out for the Mangagoy Catholic Doctrine Seminar due to imminent needs in school that gave way to Bro. Hubert Gumanay on the topic Holy Trinity. He was always present in our trainings as an spectator making him qualified as a competent substitute (but predestined to be one with us). He is the youngest in our group and an active YFC member.

We continued our dry-run for radio broadcasting in the birthday celebration of one of Bro. Mejillano’s compatriot CFD San Pedro member in the name of Engr. Joe Buanhug. It was a good opportunity to learn among our adult companions in the defense of the Catholic faith and at the same time, sharing lechon and singing along videoke. We were having a lot of fun in their company and learn a lot of tips in radio broadcasting. Bro. Damaso was also present during that time. They taught us great virtue of a good apologist must possess. They gave emphasis on humility and living in the faith we were preaching.

On the last day of our training on December 12, 2009 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe), we decided to finish our PowerPoint presentations and finalize our inputs while feasting on sumptuous boodle fight courtesy of our devoted mentor Bro. Ryan Mejillano, who took an excuse from his MA-in Applied Linguistics class just to grace the event. We practiced the spirit of camaraderie by eating rice topped with lechon manok on banana leaves once displayed by our Lord when He instituted the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist on the gospel of St. John .

A few minutes after our boodle fight and it was difficult in the part of Hubert to cope up with the critical and immediate decision to substitute for Angelo. We helped each other to finish the individual PowerPoint presentation while cross-examining one speaker at a time. The final rehearsal ended at almost 7 in the evening.

The following week, the intramural in our university happened. The period of time was on our side since the intramural is the beginning of our Christmas vacation. On Friday, we prepared our baggage as well as ourselves in going to St. Vincent de Paul Parish at Mangagoy, Bislig Surigao del Sur. We took heavy breakfast to avoid seasick. I consumed two bowls of meat lavished bachoy near our assembly place beside USEP. We fixed ourselves and said little prayers before we took off in a van hired by the generous CFD-Mangagoy Chapter through the initiative of Sis Rhialyn Dumaquita (The 7th CFD-USEP President and currently an instructor of De La Salle John Bosco College, Mangagoy, Bislig). It was color gray and properly air-conditioned enough for 13 people including the driver.

The eight (8) speakers were completed with two girl companions who served as our documentary personnel. Our Kuya Ryan invited a CFD from San Pedro Parish in the person of Bro. Eric Romero (MAT-RE Master of Arts in References! hehe). I warn you, his looks may be deceiving but deep inside he is a master of reference! He has a copy of every bible versions that history may enumerate. We set foot on 10 a.m. and we enjoyed horse-playing inside the van. Along the way, we prayed fifteen (15) decades of rosary to implore the help of our Blessed Mother (Our Lady of the way). After five (5) hours of travel, we reached Mangagoy. Although tired from travel, we were intact and none of us got seasick!

We stayed in an apartment courtesy of Nanay Rose (CFD-Mangagoy Treasurer) and refreshed ourselves for a courtesy call with the Parish Youth Council in Mangagoy. The apartment was filled with gym apparatus and a cable TV. Bro. Marvin and I tried a haircut in a local parlor. We felt like new persons in our refreshing haircut. Our tummies were always filled because supplies of food and drinks keep on refilling on our refrigerator. We enjoyed singing songs accompanied by guitar and violin played by our young and talented girl, Sis Khiara Joy Regodon. At night we finalized our presentations and lectures for the radio broadcasting in a local FM station.

3:30 a.m. of December 20, we prepared ourselves to attend a Simbang Gabi at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Bro. Marvin and I got up late for the mass and we were left by others. We were so nasty that we traveled from our apartment to the parish bare footed! We were lucky to reach the church, thanks to the girls who helped us reach our destination in an unadapted land. Along the way, we heard firecrackers and were culture shocked. We never heard any firecrackers during Christmas and New Year since our local officials in Davao City prohibited blasting of firecrackers. It was raining and we forgot to bring our jackets and the worst was we were uncertain which way to go. Marvin and I were fortunate to meet 3 girls going to attend "Simbang Gabi". We reached the church but the mass is about to end. Our efforts were fruitless to attend the mass on time yet we enjoyed our traveling without directions. We assembled outside the church after the mass was heard and bought "pan de sal" for breakfast. After our breakfast, we prepared for our guesting in a local FM station at 8 a.m. It was a bit nervous because it was my first time to guest on a radio program perhaps some of my co-speakers felt the same. After a few introductions of Bro. Romeo Birad, the host and president of CFD Mangagoy Chapter, we began by introducing ourselves and quoted a few verses from the Bible for our quotes. Everything went well but I can’t get rid of my anxiety to forget some of my prepared topics or my delivery to be incoherent. Some of the listeners ask for some doctrinal clarifications and were successfully answered with the help of the best minds of Davao and Bislig Faith Defenders combined. I also witness the mastery of Bro. Eric Romero in using Latin Bible to refute the arguments that Catholic teachings are unbiblical. One example is the existence of “purgatory” in the bible. The ignorant always claim that it can’t be found in the bible but by close examination, purgatory is not an English word and the use of English translation is absurd to stand for the claim. If we are to use the Latin version of the bible called Latin Vulgate, we can read “purgatory” in Hebrews 1:3. It shows that some of the people claiming to be pastors of the bible are ignorant in this kind of matters. It really feels great to show the truth and clarify the minds of others influenced by this so called reformist. It was fun remembering the date we were like stars even though our faces was not seen on air. Only God sees our individual struggle to spread the word of God through the teachings of the sole institution He directly appointed (Mathew 18:18). It was 10 a.m. when we finished guesting in the radio station. Since we finished only our apologetics task during that day, we decided to tour around the town. We rest in our apartment for awhile and hired a jeep to visit some churches in the locality. I was amazed to see the beauty of Bislig situated near the sees and trees are almost everywhere. It is a paradise beginning to be industrialized and I am hoping that its natural beauty will remain even if industrialization is progressing. We visited St. Joseph the Worker Parish and other churches of architectural designs that dates back to the time of our national hero. We went back to our apartment a bit and ate for lunch and hope that we can visit those churches again. We are scheduled to meet Rev. Fr. Florio Falcon, the parish priest of St. Vincent de Paul parish early in the afternoon. We spent five minutes ride from our apartment to the parish. We were happy to see the priest although advance in years, has a memory that is as sharp as the young ones. Fr. Falcon is also a Doctor of Philosophy, Canon lawyer and an attorney-at-law civil. We had a wonderful time from him. We got his (imprimatur) permission to be the lecturers of the most awaited Catholic Doctrine Seminar after some conversation and gradual familiarization of the team. Bro. Ryan R. Mejillano presented his certificate of Apostolic Sending Forth (acquired from his MA-Theology) duly signed by our Reverend Lord Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, D.D. We departed ways with the good priests and enjoyed our merienda in the playground near the church. We took pictures of the great views where we can see the city. The night was approaching and we were tired of traveling. We finalized our lectures for the next day to come and slept that night.

On December 21, 2009, the day we have been preparing a lot came and the first five lecturers were task to be the speakers of the two-day Catholic Doctrine Seminar. It was heavily raining and the skies were covered with dark clouds and all of us arrive wet at the lecture hall. I was amazed that our guesting over the radio gathered 200 youth in Mangagoy to come. Some of them were as young as ten (10) years old yet they are willing to lend their ears for hours of apologetic lectures. I said to myself that the world has a great hope through the youth who is willing to hear God’s word and apply it to their lives. We experienced technical problems that delayed the lecture for an hour and a half. I became worried that they will walk out disappointed. Another problem that entered my mind was the boredom of the audience might get since apologetics is intellectual in nature and not for entertaining purposes. How can they understand our topic and continue to spread the good news to their fellow people not present in the lecture? Then I remembered that the Holy Spirit is the only one that can save and sanctify souls and we are just instrument of His miracles. The only thing I can do for them is to stand and give everything I’ve learned in training and the rest will be the work of the Holy Spirit.

Everything was set accordingly to my plan and I thank God that my preparations were according to my plans. Kuya Ryan gave a short introduction and some achievements I have done in my life. Then all the lights were turned off accompanied by the musical introduction of the world’s famous wrestler, The Undertaker. I appeared out of nowhere wearing masculine pants, a thick dark jacket and macho shades. I didn’t expect that the audience will grow wild in cheers and applause. I was like a superstar during that moment and tasted every moment of screams from the audience. I walked slowly and by the time the music stopped, I was ready in the stage to deliver the performance. The hall never died out of applause and grew louder when I began dancing “Jai Ho” in their surprise. Who will expect that I will do budotz (stupid) dancing after a super cool entrance walk accompanied by lights and loud entrance music I borrowed from Undertaker.

I took off my jacket and sunglasses and the screaming from the crowd grew louder. I began to deliver my apologetics lecture after a grand entrance walk to the stage. My topic was the History of the Bible from the time it was written by Moses up to time it was translated in English. I used visual aids via PowerPoint presentation so that the audience will understand my lecture better. It was more than an hour since I finished my lecture and endorsed some references I personally prepared. The booklet I produced entitled “Bible in General” was a summary of apologetics supported the claim of the Catholic Church to the Bible as a Catholic book. It touched some of the topics my co-lecturers delivered like the Divinity of Christ; The Eucharist and Perpetual Virginity of Mary; and the Church behind the Development of the Bible that leads to the true church of Christ . Since my lecture ended a few minutes before lunch, we continued the next topic on the afternoon.

After a sumptuous meal prepared by our host family, Bro. Hubert Gumanay began his simple yet striking in the realization of the three-fold personality of the One True God. He delivered a few jokes and ice-breakers to avoid the crowd from sleeping since 1:30 p.m. is sleeping time.

After an hour of Bro. Hubert, the next speaker to deliver was Bro. Edchel Gloria. He is unique among the rest of the speakers since he is the only one who uses the Visayan language greater than the other lecturers. He has also charming eyes that made some of the girls go crazy. His lecture was less than an hour since some of his lecture was discussed in partial by the previous speaker. Bro. Edchel’s lecture can be summarized into a single word “God-man”. Jesus Christ is a hundred percent God that was incarnated to obtain flesh and dwelled with us. All of the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church can be found in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” written in some books and can also be found in the internet.

Bro. Arthur Agullana Jr. used strong conviction and rhetoric in his lecture about Ecclesiology and Protestants in general. Ecclesiology is a subject that extends from a single to two semesters if you study Theology but Arthur made a good summary of Ecclesiastical foundation and functions.

And the last but not the least among the lecturers to end the day one was Bro. Louie Juera. He is an achiever in his elementary and high school years and also the SK Chairman of a barangay in Malalag. Using his experience in speaking and giving lectures, he filled the hall with energy through his jokes yet good points to ponder about the Motherhood of Mary to Jesus and her role in the salvation to mankind. God set an enmity between the seed of the serpent and the woman known as Mary by Divine revelation since the beginning of times (Genesis 3:15). There are only two sides to choose in salvation, the seeds of Mary (The saved) and the seeds of the serpent (The cursed). And the seeds of Mary are described to call her blessed throughout the ages (Luke 1:48). We can be included in the seeds of Mary if we are to call her blessed and not the once who rejected the role of Mary in salvation. The day ended with memories that will forever mark our hearts. We traveled back to our apartment and prepared ourselves to sleep. We spend good moment together in chit-chat, helping the other lecturers to finish their lectures and watched TV. It was getting late and somehow tired but we didn’t forget to offer a rosary to Mama Mary for her unparallel prayers for our success. We pray the rosary together before going to sleep since the day we go to Mangagoy even though I failed to mention it earlier.

Praying the rosary became apart of our lives when we appreciated it as we get along and studying Catholic apologetics. We Catholics are not praying to Mary because she is a semi-god but we pray for her to pray for us! And repetitious prayers are not condemned by the bible as what other Protestants accused in the rosary. Even Jesus Christ prayed repeatedly using “the same words” (Mathew 26:45). Angels praise the same hymns for days and nights without ceasing (Rev 4:8). The kind of prayers being condemned in Mathew 6:7-8 are “vane prayers” not “repetitious prayers”. A single prayer offer to false gods is called a prayer in vane, how much more if we are to repeat “a prayer in vane”? It becomes useless multiplied by the number of times we repeat the prayer.

Morning came and it was the last day of our two-day Catholic Doctrine Seminar in Mangagoy, Bislig City . Aside from the lecture of the three remaining speakers we had a Catholic Faith rally in the roads of Mangagoy late in the afternoon. The first lecturer in the morning was Bro. Roman Morata III. Recently, he graduated with a degree of Arts in English. I can define him as a good singer and a kindhearted individual. He always shows compassion in everything he does. He made us realize that no matter how small or how big the work we are doing, we must learn to love it. He began his lecture on the sacraments with a song entitled "chinkipiao". His cool Korean look that we usually see on TV made him one of the crowd favorites. Even though the Sacraments were discussed in Catechism in elementary, he brought it to the level of apologetics by giving a strong emphasis on confession and the Eucharist as biblical and apostolic.

We can read in the bible that Jesus commanded the celebration of the Holy Eucharist or the breaking of the bread in his last supper with the apostles saying, "Do this in memory of Me"(Luke 22:19). We can rarely see it in Protestant services and some do not practice this! Isn't it a commandment of Jesus Christ in the new covenant? His lecture was full of reflections from the crowd. Most of us leave Roman Catholicism because we are ignorant of Her catechism which is the foundation of a firm Catholic individual. Another controversial doctrine of the Catholic Church that caused great schism was the use of relics and images in Church worship discussed by our elder brother, Jeffrey Paloga. I would like to describe him as the friendliest person among our delegation in Mangagoy. He is hilarious in cracking jokes, playing the guitar and a good athlete. We enjoy his company especially when he pretends to be a Protestant antagonist when Kuya Ryan shares his lecture. He is one of the most loyal friends you'll ever find. He shows his compassion when you need his help even though he is busy. The afternoon was getting warmer and the last lecturer in the person of Bro. Marvin Mangayan gave his critical insights on the study of last things or Eschatology. He looks and acts like a child yet he is older than me. Some says he looks like Santino in a famous TV series. He is my best pal and companion in preparing the Holy Mass in our university. I always admire his dedication towards mass preparation and inviting students to join our small yet progressing organization but I will always denounce his slothfulness when it comes to our subjects in Engineering (laughter). He is a good administrator being the president of the mother Catholic organization that never fails to organize a mass in our university. On his lecture, Marvin gives emphasis on the existence of purgatory. It is one of the doctrines that only the Catholic Church teaches. A brief explanation of purgatory is that it is a place where souls are cleansed before they enter the realm of God. The word purgatory is Latin in origin and can only be read in the Latin bible. In English translation, it is implicitly mentioned in the New Testament as a place of imprisoned souls where the hope of salvation can still be at hand. Unlike in hell, damnation is everlasting and souls can never be saved. The best definition can be found in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" we can purchase in bookstores or in the Web. After every speaker has spoken, we moved to the streets for our Catholic Bible Exposition. We were like stars during that time. A multitude of youth followed us wherever we go and everybody cheers when I raise my hands for them. We delivered rhetorical speeches to the crowd and everything was great. Everybody was filled with joy for they have learned the truths of salvation. But the pleasure was ours for we brought the words that will strengthen their faith as a Catholic. Evening was approaching and we need to fill ourselves with a healthy and delicious meal. We invited our new friends who helped in the preparation of the two-day Catholic Doctrine Seminar to join our small celebration in the apartment we were staying. We sang songs and shared good moments of laughter and teases. Our new friends gave us souvenirs and parted ways with us by 9 p.m. As a sign of gratitude, we helped in cleaning the apartment of Nanay Rose and offered her a Christmas song. It was almost 10 p.m. when Kuya Ryan distributed our certificates and plaque of recognition for being the guest speakers of the event. It was getting late yet we wanted to stay awake and do something fun. I organize my brothers in a knock-out eliminations wrestling match by draw lots. I was a bit disappointed because we forgot to take pictures. Since I am the writer of this journal, I will only mention my own matches in detail. The rules are, the winner must get a two out of three points to win a match. A point can be obtained by a long take over or by surrender of the opponent. When a wrestler receives a point, the referee will break in. Striking of any kinds is forbidden yet tickling is allowed. The only weapon we can use is an ever hard hitting pillow. My first match is a fight against tickling resistance between me and Hubert and scored two consecutive points leading to my victory. Due to the limited number of wrestlers, the semifinal round took place after the first round eliminations. The acting referee and defending belt champion Kuya Ryan was the referee of all fights. My next wrestling match was against a strong, bisexual like opponent that shakes your balls off with an intimidating laugh, Jeffrey "Piccolo" Paloga! The match was tough for me for the latter is really strong that snatch the first point away from me. My quick impulse and take over draw the line for my first point. The final round was the longest round and we were determined to win but my superior tickling skills vindicated my victory. The final match is about to begin and my opponent is no other than the strongest ape in the jungle, Kuya Ryan "Kingkong" Mejillano! He is known for a sharp suppression of opponent by using superior brute force and finishes with a deadly tickle in the foot. My first round against Kingkong was quick and decisive. I drained some of my strength against Jeffrey and was easily subdued by Kingkong but I was wrestling-determined to beat such a formidable opponent, I just followed St. Paul 's advice to "Hold fast!" in 1 Corinthians 11:2. The second round was a long wrestling saga, my instincts drove in and I took over the round. We rested for awhile but there is an explosive change in his face. Kingkong hold an intimidating grin and his teeth was gnashing like steel. I said to myself "Patay, maninuod na ni si Kuya". The third round began with an onslaught of ape-like blows and toggles, it was like a battle between a stray dog against a struggling hare but Kingkong was not aware that I've got tricks under my sleeves. With my dwindling force remaining, I waited for the perfect opportunity for him to be in the right position so that I can perform my trump move. He was on his chest, the position I was waiting for! With my quick jump into his arms, I locked up his arms preventing him to stand. I was asking for a surrender and I got it. Voila! I won (laughters). I snatched his title belt away from him and was crowned as the slumber wrestling champion.

I was catching my breath while lying on my back. Sis Wella approached me and said that I was like a tomato that turned red after a series of fights. I looked around and saw the great monkeys sharing a bottle of Red Horse. Jeffrey and Kuya Ryan were celebrating for a great Catholic Doctrine Seminar that just ended. I spared some moments with them and all of us went for a two-hour sleep to go back home.

We packed our belongings and settled ourselves inside a fully air-conditioned van. We prayed the rosary for a safe trip and to thank Our Blessed Mother for her prayers for us. We left our apartment at 3 a.m. on the 23rd of December, 2009. We brought the bacon of success and memories back to our university. We took a few cat naps and arrived in Davao City by 7:30 in the morning. We returned back to our own lifestyles and prepared for the fast approaching Christmas and New Year's Eve. Those days will forever mark our hearts as the days Christ was invigorated in the hearts and souls of the youth in Mangagoy.

Kuya Ryan’s comment for the blogpost:

My fellow workers and defenders of the True Church , I have witnessed your labours and desires to help the Church of Christ in your own little way. God acts in you in a very mysterious way. I can not imagine having you guys as the lecturers of the said event. You inspired me with your talents. You made me realized that happiness does not come from being what you have, but for being what you can share and do to others. I am not deemed competent to be your teacher. I am just an instrument in answering to the noble task given to us by the Church at the time of our baptism – to protect The Holy Faith.

The communion of saints is very well pleased on what you have done. But the battle is not yet over. We still have to continue our public defense for the Faith, which we believe can save us and thus gives us an eternal assurance. Defending the Faith is a vocation (Fil. 1:16) and even St. Paul made a public demonstration of the Catholic Faith in his days (Acts 18:28; 17:17) using scriptures and logical reasoning. Our Divine Founder and Saviour Jesus Christ said, “you have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain..(John 15:16)”.

CFD can also be found in the bible in one verse. As Saint Jude says, “Contend to the Faith which was once and for all Delivered to us by the saints (Jude 1:3). Lastly, Saint Paul says in his First letter to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7)”. I will rest you to the maternal care of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose ineffable, constant and persevering protection is with us as we continue to journey towards eternity.

Instaurare Omnia in Christo Pro Deo et Ecclesia

(To restore all things in Christ for God and the Church)

Hubert Catalan Gumanay

- Altar Server (Digos City) Diocesan Secretary 2007-2008

- Youth For Christ (YFC) – Execom for Evangelization

- 17 years old

- Catholic faith Defender (CFD) – Auditor

- Pontifical Server (Eucharistic Congress 2005)

- president, Altar Server 2007-2008

Roman Palma Gil Morata III

- Choir, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish ( Obrero Davao City )

- BEC – Choir Chairman

- Participant, Madrigal Singers 2009

- Catholic Faith Defender (CFD) – PIO

- Cartoonist, the Collegiate Headlight

- 22 years old

- San Isidro , Davao Oriental

Jeffrey Remollena Paloga

- Bus. Mngr. – GLiTES (Guild of Livelihood and Technology Students)

- Second year student

- Auditor – Student Body Organization

- President – School Campus Radio (TS Radio Patrol)

- 5th Placer – the Quest for Young Bombo Commentator

- Catholic Faith Defender – Vice President (Internal)

- 22 years old

- BSED – Technology and Livelihood Education

Khiara Joy Regodon

- SK Chairman

- Pres. Vocation Club

- Marianette President 3rd and 4th

- Coordinator- Evangelizers Club 4th

- Pres. English Club 4th

- SSG Pres High School

Marvin Justo Mangayan

- Student Body Senator

- Lector

- Quasi Parish Youth President (Diocese of Tagum)

- 3rd year – BS in Electronics and Communication Engineering

- 19 years old

- Vice President Campus Ministry Cluster

- Babag, Monkayo Compostela Valley

Edchel Ellador Gloria

- Youth for Christ (YFC)

- 3rd Year BS in Civil Engineering

- 18 years old

Louie Carbaquel Juera

- 18 years old

- 2nd year – BS in Electronics and Communication Engineering

- SK Chairman, Pob. Malalag, Davao del Sur

- Class Salutatorian, Davao del Sur School of Fisheries

- Altar Server (Diocess of Digos – Vice President)

- Lector, Malalag Parish

- Leadership Award

Rhealyn Dumaquita - CFD-USEP Pres. 2007-2008

- CFD Saint Francis Xavier

- DAYCA Volunteer NYD 2006

- BEC Sec 2007

- IT Youth – Liturgical Committee Head

- Auditor – Campus Club Clusters

- Vocation Club Liturgical Head SFX

- BS Stat Graduate 2008

- USSO member

- DCGMS Davao City General Mathematician Society

- Full time teacher – La Salle Don Bosco Math Teacher Arthur Bigsat Agullana Jr. - 19 yrs. Civil Engineering 3rd Year - CFD-Pres 2009-2010 - Valedictorian Graduate - Altar Server Pres. 2006-2007 - Youth Pres. GKK 2006 - Matanao Davao del Sur - President Campus Ministry Cluster 2009

Jesardnel Subaan Vargas

- 18 yrs old

- 3rd year Electronics Communication Engineering

- Internal Vice- President BEC

- Valedictorian Graduate

- Editor-in-Chief Campus Journalism

- Math Wizard

- President – Our Lady of Fatima Parish Altar Servers

- Youth Ambassador of Philippines to Japan

- Captain – Cadet Officer CAT

- Budotz Dancer Maria Wella Jane Gamboa Lee

- Red Cross President

- BEC-Secretary

- 19 years old

- I.T. Youth

- Society of Elementary Educators

- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Ave Maria! Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ora pro nobis.