December 21, 2008

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 17, 2008 Though the Christmas mystery might seem "too beautiful to be true," Christ's birth shows that there is meaning in life, and that this meaning is God, says Benedict XVI. The Pope said this today when he reflected on the mystery of Christmas during the general audience in Paul VI Hall. He noted that today begins the Christmas novena. "The entire Church, in effect, turns its gaze of faith toward this approaching feast, readying itself, like each year, to unite to the joyful song of the angels, who in the heart of the night will announce to the shepherds the extraordinary event of the birth of the Redeemer, inviting them to draw close to the cave of Bethlehem," the Holy Father said. "There lies Emanuel, the Creator made creature, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a poor manger." The Pontiff noted that Christmas -- as the "encounter with a newborn who cries in a miserable cave" -- can lead us to think of so many children who live in poverty, of infants who are rejected, and of families "who desire the joy of a child and do not see this hope fulfilled." And Christmas, he said, "runs the risk of losing its spiritual significance to be reduced to a mere commercial occasion to buy and exchange gifts." Nevertheless, the Pope contended, difficulties such as the world economic crisis "can be a stimulus to discover the warmth of simplicity, friendship and solidarity -- characteristic values of Christmas. Stripped of consumerist and materialist incrustations, Christmas can thus become an occasion to welcome, as a personal gift, the message of hope that emanates from the mystery of the birth of Christ."

A PUBLICATION OF AND FOR THE FILIPINO CATHOLIC MIGRANTS IN SEOUL

Vol. 13 Issue 51

Something more
Still, Benedict XVI affirmed, all of this is not enough to grasp the value of the feast of Christmas, which is really a celebration of the "central event of history." "In the darkness of the night of Bethlehem," he said, "a great light was truly lit: The Creator of the universe incarnated himself, uniting himself indissolubly with human nature, to the point of really being 'God from God, light from light' and at the same time, man, true man." This mystery was expressed by St. John as "the Word was made flesh," the Pope recalled. But, he said, John's expression can be understood in another way: The Greek expression translated as "the Word" also means "the Meaning." (continuation on the next page )

(continuation from page 01)

The Pontiff went on to explain: "The 'eternal Meaning' of the world has made himself tangible to our senses and our intelligence. Now we can touch him and contemplate him. The 'Meaning' that has become flesh is not simply a general idea inscribed in the world; it is a 'word' directed to us. The Logos knows us, calls us, guides us. It is not a universal law, in which we fulfill some role, but rather it is a Person who is interested in each individual person: It is the living Son of God, who has become man in Bethlehem. "To many people, and in some way to all of us, this seems too beautiful to be true. In effect, here it is reaffirmed for us: Yes, there is meaning, and this meaning is not an impotent protest against the absurd. The Meaning is powerful: It is God. A good God, who is not to be confused with some lofty and distant power, to which it is impossible to ever arrive, but rather a God who has made himself close to us and to our neighbor, who has time for each one of us and who has come to stay with us."

Thus, the Holy Father encouraged preparing for Christmas with humility and simplicity, "readying ourselves to receive the gift of light, joy and peace that irradiates from this mystery." "Let us," he concluded, "ask most holy Mary, the tabernacle of the incarnate Word, and St. Joseph, silent witness of the events of salvation, to communicate to us the sentiments they had while they awaited the birth of Jesus, so that we can prepare ourselves to celebrate in a holy way the coming Christmas, in the joy of faith and enlivened by the determination of a sincere conversion." (ZENIT) http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/6476

Birthday Greetings
Genesis Gonzales Wilma Manrique Floralde Raul Cosie Landicho 12/02 12/02 12/08 12/08 12/10 12/12 12/12 12/16 12/18 12/22 12/24 12/25 12/27 01/01

Being freed
To open one's heart to this mystery, the Pontiff acknowledged, requires yielding the mind and admitting the limits of our intelligence. "Perhaps we would have submitted more easily before power, before pride," the Pope suggested. "But [Christ] does not want our submission. He appeals, rather, to our heart and to our free decision to accept his love. He has made himself little to free us from this human pretension of greatness that arises from pride; he has incarnated himself freely to make us truly free, free to love him."

Leonora Gonzales Steve Voz Gerlie Gabral Neneth Mari Eric Collado Beverly Bautista Mark Angel Manrique Susana Dizon Maximo Dizon Galo Manrique

SAMBAYANAN is prepared and published weekly by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants which is being administered by the Mission Society of the Philippines under the auspices of Seoul Archdiocese.
ARCHDIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER FOR FILIPINO MIGRANTS 115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 136-020

EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph. D. Assistant Editor: Jojo Geronimo Encoder/Lay-out Artist: :Frt. Fredy C. Permentilla, MSP Webmaster: Engr. Rogelio Domingo Contributors: Allan Rodriguez, Edgar Balista, Amie Sison, Bevi Tamargo, Joel Tavarro, Michael Balba Circulation Manager: Frt. Moises Robert T. Olavides, MSP Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

Tel No. (02) 765-0870; Fax No. (02) 765-0871 e-mail: alvin_parantar@yahoo.com e-mail: jjgeronimo14@yahoo.com e-mail: emelyabagat@yahoo.com
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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

PAGNINILAY:
Kung minsan sa atin buhay, hindi natin alam ang bukas, nag-iiba ang mga pangarap at ambisyon natin, maraming bagay na hindi natin pinaplano ay nangyayari at nagaganap na wala sa panahon. Marami tayong karanasan na kung minsan ay hindi natin kayang ipaliwanag sa ating pangkasalukuyang pamumuhay at isang malalim na katanungan ang nabubuo sa ating kaisipan at sarili kung bakit may mga pangyayari na dapat natin madama at maganap sa ating buhay. Madalas ang mga ito ay nangyayari sa mga hindi natin inaasahan na pagkakataon , at kung minsan mahirap natin tanggapin dahil hindi naayon sa gusto natin. Ngunit sa pagsapit ng takdang panahon wala tayong magagawa kundi sundin ang kanyang mga yapak na Kanyang nilaan para sa atin. Mag-aapat na buwan na ako rito sa Canada, parang kailan nga lang na kasama ako sa ating komunidad dyan sa Korea, matagal na panahon na naglingkod sa mga kapwa ko migrante. Naghubog at hinubog ng mga karanasan ng bawat isa. Nakilala sa biyayang pinagkalooban sa atin ng Panginoon at pagbabahagi ng mga grasyang natatanggap na kaloob ng ating Manlilikha. Ngunit sa pamagitan ng aking paglilingkod sa ating komunidad ay binigyan ako ng ating Panginoon ng panibagong misyon sa buhay. Na kahit sabihin na nating, Masaya ako sa ating komunidad nakakatulong at nakakatanggap ng maraming biyaya, may ibigay ng panibagong biyaya sa akin ang ating Panginoon ang mabigyan ako ng visa papuntang Canada. Sabi nga ay pinagpala talaga dahil immigrant visa, na kaagad ang nakuha ko.

Misael D. Dizon
Kakaiba talaga ang pamamaraan na ating Panginoon sa ating buhay, kung tatahakin mong mabuti ang kanyang landas, mahirap tanggapin ngunit sa pagtanggap mo sa mga ito ay makikita mo ang tunay na kaligayahan na hinahanap natin sa buhay. Nanduon ang mga kasagutan sa mga tanong sa ating sarili at binibigyan ka ng pagkakataon ng ating Panginoon upang lumago at magbahagi sa panibagong buhay mong tatahakin. Mabunga ang naging buhay ko sa Korea, natupad ko ang mga pangarap ko para sa akin kapatid, magulang, at mahal sa buhay. Nakapundar na kahit kaunti para sa akin sarili, na iniisip ko noon kung sakaling mang umuwi na ako ng Pilipinas ay may kaunting pagsisimulan ng negosyo. At hindi na muling pupunta sa ibang bansa upang makipagsapalaran. Nakahanda at nakapalano na lahat noon pa upang bumalik sa ating bansa. Tunay ngang iba ang kalooban ng ating Panginoon sa akin. Niloob Niyang ako ay mapapunta sa Canada. Sa isang komunidad na napakasimple ng pamumuhay at isang pamayanan naka sentro ang araw ng linggo sa pamilya at pagbibigay puri sa ating Panginoon. Alam kong sa aking sarili na may bagong misyon ang Panginoon sa akin, sa ginagalawan kong komunidad ngayon. Hindi ko pa alam kung paano at kung saan ako magsisimula. Ngunit narito ako, at nakahandang maglingkod uli sa buhay kong nakagisnan, ang paglilingkod sa bayan ng ating Panginoon.

FREQUENTLY CALLED NOS.

Phil.Embassy (Labor Office) (Consular Office) (Hotline) Taerim (Dan Panti) 3785-3634/35 Worship 011-273-3657 Education 774-35-81 (Ely) (Emely) 796-73-87-89 Recreation (Mike) Youth Ministry (Rowena) 010-5821-7799 010-8684-7897 010-8061-9143 010-8685-4161 010-5160-2928

+SCRIPTURE GUIDE+
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 Friday,December 26, 2008 Luke 1:57-66 St. Stephen, First Fourth Sunday of Martyr (Feast) Advent Wednesday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, December 24, 2008 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Sunday December 21, 2008 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 Luke 1:67-79 Thursday December 25, 2008 The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98:1-6 Tuesday December 23, 2008 Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14 Saturday December 27, 2008 St. John, Apostle, Evangelist (Feast) 1 John 1:1-4 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 1112 John 20:1-8
http://www.ewtn.com/Dev otionals/inspiration

Philippine Airlines ( Reservation) Fr. Alvin Parantar, MSP Sr. Miguela Santiago

14, 16 Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 Rebeck Beltran (Eucharistic) 010-8671-2761 Romans 16:25-27 010-4922-0870 Neneth Mari (FMAA) 010-7753-5087 Luke 1:26-38 016-706-0870
Mhar Gonzales (Detention) Center 010-8683-3826 02-2650-6247 010-3144-3756 Mokdong Immigration Processing

Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17 Matthew 10:17-22

Allan Rodriquez (Secretary) Edgar Balista Edison Pinlac (JPC) El Shaddai (Sis.Irene) Masok Com. (Gil Maranan) 010-5822-9194 (031) 593-6542 011-9683-7430

Monday, December 22, 2008

010-2906-3109 Hwaseong, Suwon Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 031-355-2011/2 794-23-38 010-2273-1215 Chungju Immigration Processing (Detention) Center Yang Seung Geol Han Suk Gyu 043-290-7512/3 011-226-9237 010-5348-9515

1 Samuel 1:24-28 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8 Luke 1:46-56

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

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CATHOLIC FAITH:

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

ORIGIN
Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass. During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.

SIMBANG GABI NOW AND THEN

The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

SIGNIFICANCE
Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lords blessing. http://www.rcam.org/library/SIMBANG_GABI.htm

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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

Karunungan:

Bro. Allan Rodriguez

Alam na alam natin ang mga eksenang nagaganap sa panuluyan. Itoy hindi lamang ipinahahayag sa pulpito sa pamamagitan ng ebanghelyo, bagkus, ito rin ay inilalarawan sa mga belen na kadalasang nakapalamuti sa mga parokya, eskuwelahan, opisina, at tahanan. Kadalasan, gawa ito sa mga neon lights at makukulay na Christmas lights. Minsan ay ginagamitan pa ito ng electronic multimedia bilang palamuti sa mga gusali na lalong nagpapasaya sa kapaligiran. Nilalapatan din ito ng musika, mga awiting Pamasko na madalas maririnig sa mga radyo at maging sa simbahan. Kaya naman ang panuluyan ay isinasadula sa mga palabas at nagiging bahagi ng liturhiya ng simbang-gabi o misa de gallo. Sa ating bansa, hindi ito basta isinasantabi. Ngunit madalas din namang nalilimutan natin ang tunay na kahulugan nito. Ang panuluyan ay isang pagpapahayag ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa atin ng lubos-lubos. Ang Diyos Anak na nagkatawang-tao at nabuhay ding tulad natin. Nakipamuhay at nananahan Siyang kasama natin. Nakiisa Siya sa ating karukhaan at kahinaan. Itoy malinaw na sinabi sa sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Corinto. Alam ninyo kung gaano kalaki ang pag-ibig ng Panginoong Jesu-Cristo na bagamat mayaman ay nagpakadukha upang yumaman kayo sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang karukhaan. (2 Corinto 8:9) Nakita mo na ba ang sanggol na si Jesus na maitim o kayumanggi at tila gusgusin? Madalas nating makikita ang sanggol na maputi, kulot at blondie ang buhok, nakahiga sa sabsaban at nakabalot ng lampin na inilalarawan sa loob ng belen. Napapalamutian ito ng magagara at kumukuti-kutitap at makukulay na ilaw. Maging sina Jose at Maria ay nakasuot din magagandang damit na minsan ay kumikinang at kulay ginto. Ang mga pastol naman bagamat simple lamang ang damit, ngunit hindi mukhang pastol. At makikita sa paligid nito ang napakalilinis na ibat ibang hayop. Maging ang mga tupa ay napakapuputi. Sa totoo lang, sa ganitong paglalarawan ay hindi maaninag ang pakikipagkaisa ng Diyos sa tao. Oo, walang masama at maano kung gusto nating mas kaaya-aya at talagang maganda ang paglalarawan ng kapanganakan ni Jesus o nativity. Subalit, wala kaya itong hatid na panganib o mensaheng magdudulot ng pagkalito sa isipan ng tao? Mayroon din namang mga belen na naglalarawan ng mas malalim na kahulugan ng Pagkakatawang-Tao ng Panginoon. Katulad sa Pilipinas, higit na kapansin-pansin ang napaka-tipikal, gawa sa nipa o di kayay kugon. Ang iba ay barung-barong ang sabsaban at maging ang mga tauhan ay mukha talagang Pilipino. May iba namang pinapalamutian nila ito ng pira-pirasong mga pahayagan at ibat ibang artikulo na naglalarawan ng isang sitwasyon ng kahirapan. Sa ganitong paglalarawan, inihahatid ang mensahe na tunay na ang kahirapan ng tao sa mundo na sadyang hindi ipinagwawalang-bahala ng Diyos. Isa itong katotohanan na dapat nating malaman sa ating mga sarili at maimulat sa sitwasyon ng kahirapan at mga paglapastangan sa pisikal at moral na aspeto ng buhay. Bagamat batid natin ang mga ito, madalas nating ipinagwawalang-bahala kahit na alam nating si Kristo ay sumasaatin na. Kung tutuusin, ano na lang kaya ang masasabi ni Jesus sa atin? Hindi ito isang katanungan upang sisihin natin ang ating mga sarili. Naniniwala tayong hindi kailanman nagiging pabaya ang Diyos, lalong-lalo na sa mga limitadong sitwasyon ng tao. Isa-isang binubuksan Niya ang puso ng bawat tao at Siya ay nagpapakilala. Hindi Niya tinakasan ang Kanyang mga tungkulin sa atin. Hindi rin Niya sinabing wala Siyang matutuluyan sa atin, bagamat, mayroong iba na talagang ayaw lamang Siyang patuluyin. Labis kung pinasasalamatan ang napaka-Pilipinong pamasko nating kaugalian. Bagamat, katulad din ako sa nakararaming malayo sa piling ng mga minamahal, ngunit tila parang suporta ito at kaaliwan sa harap ng krisis sa kasalukuyan. Para sa ating mga Pinoy, hindi mahirap ipagdiwang ang Kapaskuhan sa gitna ng kahirapan. Sa katunayan, mas nagiging makahulugan ang pag-aalaala nito kumpara sa mga nakaririwasang kalagayan. Masaganang hapag pagsapit ng noche buena at mga bagong kagamitan, ito kaya ang tunay na pagdiriwang? Ang pagkaaba, pagdurusa, kahirapan, kalungkutan, kawalang-kakayanan, pagkabagabag ay iba sa paningin ng Diyos sa ginagawa nito sa tao, na dapat manaog ang Diyos sa mismong lugar na kinamumuhian ng mga tao, na ipinanganak si Kristo sa sabsaban sapagkat wala silang matuluyan. Subalit, kahit ano pa man, nararapat lamang na unawain natin ang tunay na kahulugan ng ating pagdiriwang na ito. Si Jesus, bagamat Siyay Diyos, ay nagkatawang-tao na naging katulad natin sa lahat maliban sa kasalanan at nakaranas din ng karahasan, problema, pananagutan, kahinaan, kasalimuotan at tagumpay at walang anumang labas sa tao ang labas kay Jesus. Marahil sa Paskong ito, maaari rin tayong gumawa ng sarili nating mga belen sa ating mga puso. Maaari nating buksan ang espirituwal na lukbutan, sikolohikal at emosyonal na kahirapan na itinatago natin. Si Kristo ay ipinakilala hindi lamang sa kalakasan ng ating sarili bagkus sa ating kahinaan din, hindi upang manatili tayo sa ating mga kahinaan bagkus upang hilumin ang mga ito. Ito ang ibig sabihin ng Pasko. Ito ang pag-asa na ibinubulong sa atin, upang magalak ang ating mga puso, Emmanuel, nasa atin ang Diyos!
Thursdays: Praise and Worship REGULAR ACTIVITIES Mondays: Bible Sharing .............. Incheon Wednesdays: Prayer Intercession..... Itaewon Holy Mass............ Bokwang Dong Fridays: Bible Sharing........... Itaewon Sangmun Sokye Myonmok Dong Songsu Dong Sundays: Fellowship; Praise and Worship service......... Sungdong Social Welfare Majangdong For inquiries, Prayer and Counseling, please call: Sis. Irene T. Diones, Coordinator Office: 02-794-2338 Cellphone: 010-2273-1215 Saturdays: Prayer Intercession.. Bokwang Dong Bible Sharing........... Ansan *Every 1st Sunday: Mass and Healing

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

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LIKHAAN
Maligayang Pasko
Amie Sison

Maligayang pasko po mga kababayan Kamusta naman ang bawat handaan Kasiyahan sa iba't-ibang samahan Upang kalungkutan ay mabawasan. Hinahanap natin ang ating pamilya Kung saan kasiyahan ay madarama Sapagkat sa kultura natin ito'y kasama Wala nang hihigit pa sa pagsasama Malungkot man ang ilan sa atin Dahil sa problema na hirap dalhin Sa walang tigil na pagdating ng suliranin Totoo, kay hirap unawain at harapin. Sa bawat ngiti sa aking paligid Kaligayahan ng ang aking namamasid Krisis man sa pinansyal ang hatid Pusong Pilipino pa rin ang mananaig. Huwag ng malungkot mahal na kaibigan Panahon ay ating siyang handugan Magdiwang, papuri at pasalamatan Hindi lamang ngayon, kundi magpakailanman. Sa likod ng bundok ay namamanaag Ang kaakit-akit na isang liwanag Ang ibinabadha ay malaking tuwa Na di mag siyang malalasap Ng lahat ng taong may mabuting hangad At ang ating puso ay muling hahadkan Ng madlang ligayang di mapapantayan Ang diwa ng Pasko, ang pista ng mundo Ang araw na siyang sa atiy nagbigay Ng buhay na puspos ng madlang kariktan.
( http://tagaloglang.com/poem/Short_Tagalog_Christmas_ Poem_Pasko_Na.htm

Pasko Na!
(This Tagalog poem was written by Benigno Zamora in 1904)

Malamig na simoy ng mabangong hangin Na tanging sa pisngi ng langit galing, Ang ihahatid sa bukas na dibdib Ng sangkalupaang dagi sa hilahil At sala sa lalong tapat na dalangin

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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

SANAYSAY atbp.
Sa misa naman ay ipinaalala ang Adbyento sa pamamagitan ng mga awit at ibang pagbabago sa misa. Oo, matagumpay na nagnilay ang Amie Sison ibang kababayan para sa paghahanda sa Ilang araw na lamang at pasko na. Sa ling- pagbibigay ng papuri sa Sanggol na si Jesus. gong ito ay inaasahan ko na mapupuno ang Ngunit, paano ba ang pasko sa isang taong mga restaurant sa paligid ng Hyehwa ng mga abala? Pilipino. Matutunghayan ang mga Christmas Bawat araw ay halos gusto kong tumigil ang party ng mga organisasyon. At kasama na rin oras upang maisaayos ang lahat ng dapat kong dito ang pag-asa ng mga kababayan na tumulong at sumuporta sa mga raffle draws na sila gawin. Kabilang na dito ang manalangin, dapat ay mananalo. Paskong-pasko na sa puso ng kong ituro sa mga estuyante, ang pakikipag bawat Pilipino. Lalo na siguro sa ating bansa, usap sa pamilya ko, mga dapat gawin sa mga hindi maiiwasan na hanapin natin ang sele- organisasyon ko, sa pagtuos ng mga gastusin, sa paggawa sa mga pakiusap ng ibang tao, sa brasyon ng pasko sa atin. pag update ng friendster ko, sa pagbabad ko sa Napakabilis ng panahon. Napakaraming computer lalo na sa pagchat, sa pag-alaga sa bagay ang dapat gawin. Iba-iba ang ginagawa sarili ko, sa oras sa transportasyon at kung natin sa bawat araw. Abala kung saan-saan. anu-ano pa. Di ba't kay sarap itigil muna ang Nararamdaman ko ang pasko bilang paggunita oras kahit sandali sapagkat parang hindi nako sa kanya. Nagsimula ipaalala ang araw ng man talaga kasya ang oras na nakalaan. Pero pagsilang ng Manunubos sa panahon ng ganito na ang buhay na ikinatutuwa ko. Ang Adbyento. Hindi nagkulang ang simbahan na dahilan kung bakit kay sarap abangan ang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga pagtatagpo ng kamay ng orasan tuwing alas12 kababayan na magnilay sa paggunita sa ng madaling araw. Isang araw na nagdaan, Kanyang pagdating. Nagkaroroon ng isang araw na naman ang darating. Kay sarap recollection (Banal na Pagsasanay) na mabuhay na may layunin. pinaghandaang mabuti ng ating namumuno sa Kung ganito ang ginagawa mo sa bawat sa Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community.

Maligayang Pasko

araw may panahon ka pa bang maghanda sa Pasko? Iba nga ang buhay natin sa Pilipinas. Siguro ngayon ay nagbakasyon na ang mga migranteng manggagawa sa ating bansa. Ilang araw para maghanda ng mga regalo sa ating mga minamahal. At ang paggawa ng mga christmas cards. Gayun din ang pamimili ng pagkain at kasuotan. Ganito ang buhay ko noon. Malayo pa lamang ay hinahanda ko na ang mga dapat gawin. Ngunit ngayon ay wala kahit sa isa ang nagampanan ko. Maliban na lang sa maipagmamalaki ko, ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko. Ang kaligayahan na madarama ko sa araw na iyon. Lubos kong inaabangan ang pagsilang Niya. At higit sa lahat ang panoorin ang pagsasabuhay ng panuluyan. Ito ang diwa ng Pasko para sa akin. Wala man akong oras upang maihanda ang regalo o mag post ng mga comment sa mga kaibigan ko sa friendster. Maihahandog ko naman ang isang tunay na panalangin. Wala ng mas hihigit pa sa tunay panalangin para sa higit na nangangailangan sa araw na ito. Ang mga taong may sakit at nawawalan ng pag -asa. Maligayang pasko ko po mga kababayan.

FALL IN LOVE
Sis. Mel
Have you ever been so much in love? Me? Once I was cheated, left alone, broke and devastated. But I thank God, He let me fall in love again for the second time. This time, I know its for real.

After that storm hit my life, I tried to unwind by joining spiritual groups like Singles for Christ, and there I found peace amidst chaos. My family didnt know what I was doing for I knew they would just raised up lots of comments so I went on. But despite that, I had still gone astray. Change was not so easy for I needed to prove to everybody especially my family that I regretted everything. But no matter how hard I tried, I was still haunted by my past and that was not an easy task for me. Deep within, I was empty not because my family and friends were not supporting, but because I didnt know how to begin. Although I had found God, I never entrusted my life to Him. I continued to serve Him Although I had a good job in Manila , but in my heart I knew I through the community and eventually, I found myself joining wanted something else. Something that money cant buy. Somethe SAGIP community, a group of less fortunate children. I didnt thing that I could fall in love with all over again. know what happened but I was able to sacrifice my work schedule just to be with these kids. Little did I know that I would not
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

be able to help but fall in love with them. One saturday, we were tasked to have a profiling with each of them and literally we went to their own place and interviewed their family. And there I realized how fortunate I was, just dwelling into myself and the pain of my past. I knew and read lots of devastating and unfortunate stories, but to be with them, to feel their pain, to hear their cries for hunger and love.I tell you, its different. Imagine, one of those kids couldnt even have a slipper, a boy whos only eating one bread for the whole day, a young girl who was molested by her father and left her devastated and so on. Unfortunately, the only thing I could do was to embrace each of them. I wanted to reach out but I knew I couldnt give what I didnt have. Hearing their own stories, I felt blessed and that moment, I thanked God and asked for His grace. I joined SAGIP last April 2006 and I left for Korea on June 2006. But even if I was given only a short time to be with them, I felt complete and working here is not a hindrance at all.

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

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ULAT KOMUNIDAD
MGA LIBRENG KONSULTA AT GAMOT Doty Hospital42-5 Eung-am-dong, Unpyeong-gu, Seoul 122- 906, tel. no. (02)385-1477 Joseph Clinic - 423 Yeungdongpo-dong, Yeung dongpo-gu, Seoul 150-030, Mon.-Fri. 1pm-9pm, Tel. No.(02)2634-1760 Raphael Clinic - inside Tong Song High School, every Sun. , 2-6 pm. National Medical Center Dongdaemun Tel. No. 2260-7062 to 7063 Seoul Medical Center Gangnam Tel. No. 3430-0200 MIRIAM COUNSELING CENTER For Migrant Women 50-17 Dongsoong Dong Chongrogu Seoul 110-809 near Maronnier Park. Tel #(02) 747-2086 E-mail: kcwc21@jinbo.net (KCWC) Office hours: Mon-Fri. 11 am-5 pm Sat. day off Sun. 3 pm-6 pm Activities: Emotional/spiritual counseling Womans rights and labor issues Korean language/culture study (men and women are welcome).

KAILANGAN SA PAGPAPABINYAG 1) 2) 3) Birth certificate ng batang bibinyagan 2X2 ID pictures (2 pcs) Application formipasa ito sa Catholic Center isang linggo bago dumating ang takdang araw ng binyag.

Katekismo sa binyag na ginaganap tuwing ika-10 ng umaga, araw ng linggo (mismong araw ng binyag). Tanging ang mga pangalan ng mga nakadalo ng katekismo ang mailalagay sa Baptismal Certificate. Ang bilang ng mga ninong at ninang ay hindi dapat lalabis sa dalawampu. Ang lahat ay pinakikiusapang isaisip ang angkop na pananamit para sa okasyon.

KAILANGAN SA PAGPAPAKASAL
1) 2) 3) Birth Certificate ng mga ikakasal Status of singleness from Census (notarized) Parents consent as proof of singleness (notarized)

4) Baptismal Certificate for marriage purposes 5) Confirmation Certificate for marriage purposes 6) Passport (xerox copy) Pre-Cana seminar na gaganapin bago ang takdang araw ng kasal. Makipag-ugnayan po lamang sa Catholic Center para sa schedule. 7)

MIGRANT CENTERS
Guri Pastoral Center Ansan Galilea Center Suwon Emmaus Center Friends Without Borders Counseling Office Gasan, Song-uri International Community Uijungbu, Nokyangdong Migrant Center Masok Chonmasan Migrant Center Bomun, Seoul Foreign Workers Labor Counseling Office 02-928-2049/924-2706 031-566-1141 031-494-8411 031-257-8501 032-345-6734/5 031-543-5296 031-878-6926 031-593-6542

PANAWAGAN PARA SA MGA NAGPAPABINYAG Tinatawagan ang pansin ng lahat ng mga di pa nakakakuha ng Baptismal Certificates ng kanilang mga anak. Maaari na ninyong kunin ang mga ito sa Catholic Center tuwing linggo sa ganap na alas 9:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 12:00 ng tanghali, at sa ganap na ika 4:00 hanggang ika 5:00 ng hapon. Maliban po lamang sa tuwing ikadalawang linggo. Ng bawat buwan. Makipagugnayan po kay Rebeck Beltran (010-8671-2761) o kay Edison Pinlac: (010-2906-3109) o sa kahit na sinong miyembro ng Lay Ministers.
CHRISTMAS PARTY at RAFFLE -QUEZON ASSOCIATION Ang lahat ay inaanyayahang makisaya sa gaganaping Christmas Party at Raffle ng Quezon Association sa December 21, 2008 pagkatapos ng Misa sa I AM HOF. CHRISTMAS MASS Ang Misa para sa araw ng kapaskuhan ay gaganapin sa ika 25 ng Disyembre sa Hyehwadong Church, 1:30 ng hapon. Ang lahat ay inaanyayahang dumalo sa pagdiriwang na ito. KUMPILANG BAYAN Sa mga nais tumanggap ng Sakramento ng Kumpil, makipag-ugnayan kay Rebeck Beltran (010-8671-2761) o kay Edison Pinlac (01029063109). Gaganapin ito sa January 2009. KUMPISALANG BAYAN Gaganapin ang Kumpisalang Bayan sa Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 at 21 bago magsimula ang Misa bilang paghahanda sa panahon ng Kpaskuhan. Ang lahat ay hinihikayat na tumanggap ng Banal na Sakramentong ito.

MGA IMPORTANTENG PAALAALA Mga kailangang dokumento sa paga-asikaso ng mga reklamo tungkol sa sahod: 1. Pay Slip or any other proof of payment of salary 2. Daily Time Record (DTR) if available, or self-made record of daily work attendance specifying Regular Working hours, Overtime, and Night Differential. 3. Labor Contract 4. Bank Book/ Passbook 5. Alien Card and Passport

SA LAHAT NG MAY E-9 VISA PARA PO SA LAHAT NA MAY E-9 VISA, MAY TATLO PONG TANGING DAHILAN UPANG PAYAGAN KAYONG MAKALIPAT NG KUMPANYA. ITO PO AY ; 1. KAYO AY DALAWANG BUWANG HINDI PINAPASAHOD 2. KAYO AY PISIKAL AT VERBAL NA SINASAKTAN, o di kayay 3. BANKRUPT O LUGI ANG KUMPANYA

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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

SIMBANG GABI SPONSORS

PASASALAMAT CHRISTMAS PARTY Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga dumalo at nakisaya sa ginanap na Christmas Party ng HFCC sa Capital Hotel noong nakaraang linggo, Dec. 7, 2008. Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!! BOOK LAUNCHING Maraming salamat din sa lahat ng mga nakiisa sa book launching at bumili ng librong and God Smiled Back. Patuloy na nagbebenta ng librong ito ang mga miyembro ng Eucharistic Ministry para sa Scholarship Program ng HFCC sa Mount Carmel High School, Gen. Nakar, Quezon. Ito ay nagkakahalaga lamang ng 10,000 won. Maraming Salamat!

Venue:

St. Columban Mission Center Subway: Sungshin Womens University Station Line 4, Exit 4 8: 30 p.m. (Holy Rosary, Mass)

Time:

Schedules & Mass celebrants:

Dec. 15 Mon..Fr Alvin Parantar, MSP..Sports and Recreation, Quezon Dec. 16 TueFr Mandy Dayao,OSA...FMAA and Lectors, Ilocano Dec. 17 Wed...Fr Willy Jesena, CssR ...Church Stewards Dizon Family, Wilma and Family Dec. 18 ThuFr Cedric Alimbuyong, MSP...Prayer Partners Dec. 19 Fri....Fr Jerry Malatamban..Altar Boys, Youth, & Ilonggo Dec. 20 Sat..Fr Willy Jesena, CssRTaerim, Cavite Dec. 21 Sun.Fr Jun Nohara,OSA.Batangas,Ibaan, Myonmokdong, Cordillera Brotherhood Association Dec. 22 Mon...Fr Mandy Dayao, OSA...Choir and Bicol Dec. 23 Tue.Fr Jerry MalatambanAguman, Kasammako Dec. 24 WedFr Alvin Parantar, MSP...Catholic Center, Mindoro Venue: Eucharistic Ministers and Flor Noveno

FILAKOR Announcement Iniimbitahan ang mga Filipinang may asawang Korean na maging miyembre ng FILKOR-Mirriam Center. Ito ay samahan ng mga Filipinang may asawang Koreano. Sila ay nagpupulong tuwing huling lingo ng buwan sa Columban Mission House (Subway Line 4, Exit 4, Sungshin Womens University Station.

BARYA MO, BUHAY KO Ipinapabatid po sa lahat na ang proyektong Barya mo, Buhay Ko ay patuloy na isinasagawa ng Sambayanan. Sa mga nais makibahagi sa proyektong ito, huwag mag-atubiling dalhin ang inyong mga barya at ialay sa Banal na Misa sa araw ng linggo. Maraming Salamat po!!!

Confessions:

8: 30 pm (Before the Mass starts)

Second Collections: Pondo Para sa Batang Pinoy To support HFCC Feeding & Scholarship Projects for poor

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

Page 9

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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51

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Philippine/World News
450,000 overseas jobs available--POEA 2,247 OFWs lost work due to financial crisis
By Veronica Uy INQUIRER.net First Posted 14:53:00 12/18/2008 MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Despite reported job layoffs and work slowdowns due to the global financial crisis, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Thursday said there are still almost half a million unfilled job orders registered with it. At a press conference, POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili also said her office has monitored a displacement of 2,247 overseas Filipino workers due to the economic meltdown. She said most (or 2,087) were from Taiwanese companies involved in electronics, metal works, and semi-conductor manufacturing; the rest came from companies in Australia (75), Brunei (69), and London (16) involved in shipbuilding, garments, and the electrical and telecommunications industries, respectively. At the same time, Manalili said deployment from January to November this year (1,221,829) increased 24.4 percent from 982,286 in the same period last year. Of the deployed, about 75 percent (919,606) were land-based and the rest (302,223) seabased. "This news breaking record is translated to a daily average of 3,647 workers who found gainful employment abroad," she said. The top 10 destinations of new hired OFWs (177,477) were Saudi Arabia (61,164), United Arab Emirates (34,595), Qatar (21,352), Taiwan (14,660), Kuwait (8,326), Hong Kong (7,912), Canada (4,007), Bahrain (2,168), Singapore (2,069), and Australia (1,858); the rest (19,366) are to other destinations. Manalili said the 450,062 active job orders are from all over the world. These job orders, by region, are from the Middle East (313,868), Asia (80,225), Americas (31,341), Europe (9,852), Africa (8,265), Oceania (5,543), and Trust Territories (968). The top 10 countries with the most job orders are: Saudi Arabia (93,764), 40,465 of these in production and transportation; United Arab Emirates (78,966), 31,453 of these in production and transportation; Qatar (72,771), 39,439 of these in production and transportation; Kuwait (36,568), with the service sector accounting for 13,380; Hong Kong (26,592), also mostly in the service sector, with 26,497; Taiwan (24,159), 22,454 of these in production and transportation; Oman (14,632), with 7,848 in the service
Page 12

Singapore (9,825), mostly in professional and technical sectors (3,147); Canada (5,526), mostly in the service sector (2,248); and Bahrain (3,705), mostly in service (1,088). By sector, the job orders are for production and transportation (187,806), mostly for ordinary laborers, earth-moving operators, plumbers, pipe fitters, production foremen, and welders; the service sector (112,511) for household service workers and waiters; professional and technical (108,803) for nurses, engineers, and teachers; Clerical (21,392) for receptionists; sales (10,748) for sales agents and demonstrators; administrative and management (5,107); agriculture/animal husbandry/forestry (1,498) for farmers; and the rest (2,197) do not fall under any category. From January to December 9 this year, there have been some 705,876 job vacancies, 105,616 of which were added from October 1. "We have not received any cancellations so these are still active job orders," Manalili said. Asked why this large number of jobs remains unfilled, POEA Deputy Administrator for Employment Viveca Catalig said some of the reasons are: the slow processing of visas, mismatch of job qualifications and requirements, difficult-to-fill jobs (usually requiring two years experience), and qualified workers may be in the provinces and not in Metro Manila.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/ view/20081218-178673/450000-overseas-jobs-available--POEA

Prayer for those who work on Christmas Day Lord, As I spend today going about my work, help me to put aside any bitterness that I'm not celebrating at home with loved ones. I ask you, Loving Father, to give me a special sense of your presence as I meet people, that I may shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, the Spirit of Christmas. Amen.
http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/christmas.htm

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 51