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The Call and the Echo

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The synodal process, anchored on reciprocal listening, has cleared the airwaves for all people—not just the clergy, but the laity, and most especially those from the peripheries—to openly express their sentiments, dreams, and aspirations for a Church they can truly call home. Through this process, the faithful have deeply realized their co-responsible role in guiding others and perpetuating Christ's mission. For the Archdiocese of Capiz, one most symbolic cultural image of this synodal experience is the bell . This image naturally evokes our identity as the home of the Panay Bell , the largest bell in Asia. For us faithful Capizeños, it is more than just a historical icon; it is an early fruit of synodality itself, having been cast from 76 sacks of coins contributed by the townspeople over four decades. In this synodal framework, the bell represents the Church’s urgent call to listen to the voices of the least, the last, and the lost. Its striking sound produces echoes —the res...
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One Church, One Path, One Mission!

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On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened the "Synod on Synodality," and by October 17 of the same year, the Diocesan Phase commenced in parishes across the global Catholic Church. For an ordinary layperson, this may have initially seemed like just another ecclesiastical event. Yet, as time unfolded, we came to realize that it was something far deeper. Admittedly, the Synod on Synodality was met with a grain of skepticism by some traditional Catholics. Even within the clergy, it sparked intense debates, revealing divisions regarding its overall scope. Because of its profoundly inclusive nature, some even perceived it as an attempt to introduce a new dogma or reshape the fundamental tenets of the Catholic faith. But what exactly is synodality? Is it truly a new doctrine? The word "synod" is derived from the Greek synodos , an ancient and venerable term within Church Tradition rooted deeply in the themes of Divine Revelation. It points directly to the Lo...
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A Mother’s Promise, A Daughter’s Triumph

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  July 1, 2023, is a date that holds a deeply sacred significance in my life. It marks one of my greatest victories and perhaps the proudest milestone a single parent can ever experience: the college graduation of my daughter, Dorothy. For me, it was a crowning achievement, but it was foremost a shared triumph. Cognizant of our predicaments, my daughter persevered and successfully completed her education despite a mountain of challenges. Her journey of independence began early. At the tender age of twelve, while still coping with the profound loss of her father, she left home to attend the Philippine Science High School–Western Visayas Campus . Despite the heartbreak of separation at such a young age, she excelled, graduating With High Honors and receiving special recognition as Best in Social Science . Moving on to the Ateneo de Manila University brought an entirely new set of trials. Spending those four years apart was not easy for either of us, but it taught us the true...
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Staying Connected. Staying Safe.

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  I recently almost fell victim to a phishing scam, and I want to share my experience so you can protect yourselves. It started with a Messenger chat from a respected elder in a community I am actively involved. Thinking it was really her, I responded when she offered to help me register for a DSWD senior citizen program through her nephew. Out of respect and trust, I engaged in the conversation. Though I am aware of this program because a friend even sent me a link. Having tried and failed to register twice before, I was eager to receive the help. However, warning signs appeared when the person on the other end began asking if I had additional phones, used online banking, or held active ATM accounts. Knowing never to share sensitive financial details, I immediately ended the chat and took action. Minutes later, I received a call that my Messenger account was used to ask for P12,500 from a close friend who happens to be a mother of a nun. Since the person knows me very well she c...
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WHY THE SPOLARIUM?

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 Recently, two precious souls marked a significant milestone as they publicly professed their love for each other, capping off an eleven-year journey. Their story began in sorrow. The loss of a beloved family member brought them together, forcing them to navigate deep grief at a young age when they could have used a pillar of support. Yet, in the midst of heartbreak, they found solace in each other’s friendship. Beyond their emotional bond, they became each other's anchor through rigorous academic pursuits. As scholars at two of the country's most prestigious institutions, they weathered intense pressure to graduate with highest honors—a Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and a Cum Laude from Ateneo de Manila University. Distance and time only tested their resolve. First came the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a long-distance relationship when one left to pursue graduate studies on a scholarship in the US. Connected by digital ...
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THE LAITY OF CAPIZ : GENERATIONS OF HEAVEN’S BLESSINGS

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On January 27, 1951, Capiz was separated from the Archdiocese of Jaro and established as a diocese by Pope Pius XII through the Bull of Erection Ex Supremi Apostolatus. Twenty-five years later, on January 17, 1976, Pope Paul VI elevated the Diocese of Capiz to the rank of an archdiocese, making it the Metropolitan See of the Ecclesiastical Province of Capiz, with Romblon and Kalibo as its suffragan dioceses. The celebration of a Jubilee in the life of the Church is far more than the commemoration of years gone by. It is a sacred occasion of thanksgiving, reflection, and renewal. For the local Church of Capiz, the Diamond Jubilee of its establishment as a Diocese and the Golden Jubilee of its elevation as an Archdiocese celebrate not only God's unfailing providence throughout history but also the faithful response of His people—especially the laity—whose dedication and service have shaped the life and mission of the Church. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the mission of t...
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An Independence Day Reflection

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  Every Independence Day, I find myself asking: Where does freedom truly lie in the midst of our daily realities? Where is freedom when a person has to settle for underemployment just to bring food to a hungry family? Where is freedom when one must surrender personal dignity for a few pesos to survive? Where is freedom when someone is forced to endure degrading circumstances simply to send children to school and secure their future? Where is freedom when one has to swallow pride and compromise self-worth merely to obtain a job? Where is freedom when countless individuals spend hours lining up to avail themselves of free goods because their meager income can no longer sustain their basic needs? And where is freedom when people gradually become accustomed to the persistent news of corruption, injustice, and the seeming indifference of those entrusted to serve the nation? I am but an ordinary Filipino whose voice is often drowned out by the louder cries against injustice, neglect,...
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