Simplicity. Selflessness. Service.

The 277th Patronal Town Fiesta and 1st Digital Souvenir Program

Messages

from the Bishop of Diocese of Ilagan

As they celebrate with gratitude the feast of the city’s patron saint, I extend my warmest felicitations to the parishioners of Saint James Parish, Santiago City, Isabela – with the gentle shepherding of Father Carlito Sarte (Parish Priest) and Father Timoteo Ronan (Parochial Vicar).

In fidelity to the Good News we have received through the apostles we are called upon to respond as a faith-community to the imperative of “pastoral conversion” for the continuing fruitfulness of the mission of evangelization.

There is a need to recognize the urgency of missionary renewal in the pastoral structures and activities of the parish so that we may rediscover the dynamism and creativity which allows the faith-community to be always “outward-looking” - steering clear of self-referentiality and rigidness. This requires a paradigm shift in the way the pastoral care of the faithful is exercised so as to foster greater co-responsibility and collaboration among the laity as the Church reaches out to those in the peripheries.

It is likewise necessary that our parishes promote the “culture of encounter” because this is the proper context for promoting dialogue, solidarity and the witness of faith in charity, especially in caring for the poor.

May God Who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment!

(Sgd.) Most. Rev. David William Antonio, S.Th.D., D.D

from the Parish Priest of St. James the Apostle Parish

The pandemic has afforded us both challenges and opportunities. It challenges our resiliency amidst the prolonged lockdowns and increasing threat of infection. But it has open opportunities to embrace life’s difficulties by working collaboratively with all sectors of society. It has dramatically changed our lifestyle and made us more health conscious. Now, we are now accustomed to washing our hands. It’s almost our second nature to use alcohols and sanitizers to disinfect ourselves.

We can’t leave our houses without face mask that makes us hardly see people’s smiles, and many more. These changes will be prevalent as we navigate and live in the new normal, but the thing that even COVID-19 can’t stop us is our resolve to become steadfast in our service to God, to the Church and to our brothers and sisters. And with our beloved St. James the Apostle, our patron saint’s guidance and intercession, we will overcome.

With this year’s theme “Bayang Niyakap ni Señor Santiago Apostol”, manifested how God, through our patron saint, St. James the Apostle, spared our city, our province from exponential COVID-19 infections. The subtheme “Nagpupuri at nagkakaisa sa kabila ng pagkakaiba ng pananampalataya at paniniwala tungo sa kapayapaan” expressed our deep love for God and one another, that even COVID-19 can’t stop despite our religious, faith, and cultural differences.

For several months, we suffered and continue to suffer the onslaught of the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time. But as great leaders and faithful people of this Parish, and this City, we see opportunities in every challenge that lies before us. That’s why I am enormously grateful for our Pastoral Leaders, the Executive Committees of the 277^th Patronal Fiesta led by Dr. Cecilia Vispo. The ever supportive Local Government officials headed by the City Mayor, Hon. Engr. Joseph Salvador Tan. The lay faithful of this Parish, the different ministries, organizations and movements, who continually supporting our pastoral programs.

And of course to all our ever generous sponsors, donors and benefactors who are untiringly and generously giving, I am deeply touched with such outpouring of love and commitment to our Church. To all, my profoundest gratitude!

(Signed) Rev. Fr. Carlito G. Sarte

Parish Priest

from the City Mayor's Office

Mabunying pagbati at pakikiisa ang ipinararating ko sa mga bumubuo ng ika – 277 Patronal na Kapistahan ng ating Mahal na Señor Apostol Santiago na siyang nanguna sa paghahanda para sa makabuluhang pagdiriwang ng kapistahan na ito sa ating lungsod. Saludo ako sa inyong pagmamalasakit at pagbibigay-oras upang maisakatuparan ang selebrasyon na ito. Taglay ng inyong paksa “Bayang niyakap ni Señor Apostol Santiago: Nagpupuri at nagkakaisa sa kabila ng pagkakaiba ng pananampalataya at paniniwala tungo sa kapayapaan” ay sumasalamin sa katotohanang ang ating Lungsod ay mayaman sa pagkakaisa, pagmamahalan at pagba-bayanihan.

Iba-iba man ang ating paniniwala at pananampalataya, naniniwala ako na hindi ito balakid upang magkaisa para sa isang maayos, mapayapa at patuloy na minimithing kaunlaran ng ating lungsod. Ang katapangan ni Señor Apostol Santiago ay pagpapakita ng isang malakas at matibay na pamayanna na ang hangarin ay tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Ito ang isang karakter ni Señor Apostol Santiago na nagpapaalala sa atin na kahit anong pagsubok at problema ang dumating sa ating buhay ay ating kakayanin. Isang kagalakan din na tayo ay binigyan ng inspirasyon ng ating Apostol ng kakayahang sumampalataya upang makamtan natin ang tunay na kapayapaan at maalab na pagpapala.

Bilang inyong Punong Lungsod, hangad ko ang masayang pagdiriwang ng kapistahan ni Señor Apostol Santiayo. Nawa’y patuloy ang inyong pakikiisa at pakikibahagi sa mga programa ng ating Lokal na Pamahalaan.

Dalangin ko rin ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa, lalo na at tayo ay nahaharap sa isang pangkalusugang krisis na magpasahanggang-ngayon ay wala pa ring lunas.

Muli ang aking pagbati. Mabuhay ang Lungsod ng Santiago! Viva Señor Apostol Santiago!

Pagpalain po tayo ng Poong Maykapal at Magserbisyo Po Tayo!

(Nilagdaan) Kgg. Engr. Joseph Salvador Tan

City Mayor, City of Santiago

from the Representative of 4th District of Isabela

Bilang isang Santiagueño, nakikiisa po ako sa ika - 277 taong selebrasyon ng kapistahan ng ating patron na si Señor Santiago Apostol.

In honor of St. James the Apostle, let us unite and embrace diversity in our beloved City, show compassion towards our neighbors and overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic together.

May we continue to be guided by his grace to withstand the uncertainties of today and to remain hopeful for a better tomorrow.

Viva Señor Apostol Santiago de Carig!

(Sgd.) Atty. Alyssa Sheena P. Tan

Representative, 4th District of Isabela

from the Director General of the 277th Patronal Town Fiesta

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18) In this trying and difficult times, God gave me purpose that I am somehow contributing positively to the present pandemic. When I accepted the position of Director General of the 277th St. James Patronal Fiesta last year, I already envisioned a "very productive year" as I started listing down my timeline... December Christmas Caroling, February Valentine Concert, April Fun Run and Zumba, June Beautiful Mommy contest, July Fiesta Raffle Draw, and finally, the Souvenir Book highlighting the history of St. James Parish plus a compilation of the many unforgettable COVID-19 stories of our beloved Santiagueños.

Last January, we came up with our Patronal Fiesta theme "Bayang Niyakap ni Señor Apostol Santiago: Nagpupuri at Nagkakaisa sa Kabila ng Pagkakaiba ng Pananampalataya at Paniniwala tungo sa Kapayapaan”. With a very energetic execom, we then started planning, we had our Beautiful Mommy candidates identified, we had our solicitation letters printed, we already sent our letters to our sponsors for the prizes of our raffle draw and we were about to have our raffle tickets printed as well then suddenly came the lockdown, we were all literally "imprisoned" within the four corners of our homes. What I initially thought to be just a two weeks lockdown was extended to a month, and I started asking myself "What is God's message?" What will now happen to my projects for St. James Parish? Then after a period of silence and prayer, I saw clearly God's message through “SSS”: Simplicity, Selflessness, and Service – these 3S’ will be expounded more in my Director General's Corner.

I praise and thank God for the inspiration, guidance, and protection against COVID-19 during my term as DG of this 277th Patronal Fiesta 2020. I would like to thank as well my family for the unwavering support from day one of my term to the turnover ceremony last fiesta until the solicitation period where my sons alternately drove me and the solicitation team for our house to house. Of course, my overflowing gratitude to my very energetic and dynamic execom team under the supervision of our very supportive Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Carlito Sarte and last but not least, all our sponsors and donors, both here and abroad, who cheerfully gave to our St. James Parish through our Souvenir Book. I believe it was St. James leading us to generous people whose overwhelming response inspired us to continue knocking at more doors thus raising 2.1M for our church construction amidst the pandemic.

Happy 277^th Fiesta! May God bless us all!

(Signed) Cecilia Tayag – Vispo, M.D.

Director General

2020 Patronal Fiesta

[Essay 1] COVID - 19: Daan ng Pagbabago tungo sa Tawag ng Pananampalataya! by Rubie Luluquisen

“Kung ano ang ginawa mong kabutihan sa kaliit-liitan mong kapatid, ay siya ring ginawa mo sa akin.” Isang mensaheng hindi mawaglit sa aking puso at isipan habang patuloy ang pagtulong ng aking pamilya sa pamamahagi ng pagkaing makatitighaw sa uhaw, gutom at pagod ng mga kapatid nating Frontliners ng Lungsod ng Santiago.

COVID-19, ano ka nga ba? Bakit kinatatakutan ka? Ikaw ba ang magpapanumbalik ng kasiglahan ng Inang Kalikasan? Ang susi at daan upang ang mga taong nawawala sa landas ay makapagbalik-loob muli sa ating Ama? O, ikaw ay isang nakahahawang sakit na siyang kikitil sa buhay na ipinagkaloob ng ating Diyos Ama?

Napakaraming katanungan, subalit iisa lang ang kasagutan. Iyan ay patunay lamang, na kailangan na nating magising sa katotohanang tayo ay naliligaw na ng landas sa makamundong biyayang kaloob ng ating Ama. Ninanais nating higtan pa ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos na lumikha ng sanlibutan. Hindi tayo makuntento sa kung ano at mayroon sa atin, bagkus, tayo pang nilikha niya ang sumisira sa mga yamang biyaya niya sa atin. Ninanais nating mas maging makapangyarihan pa sa kanya. Ang iba’t ibang epidemya na nararanasan natin tulad ng pagsabog ng mga tulog na bulkan, pagyanig ng lupa, mga super bagyo, ang pagsilang ng COVID-19, at iba’t ibang kaguluhan likha ng tao. Ito ay senyales lamang na tayo mismong mga kaagapay at katulong niya ang tahasang sumisira sa Kanyang mga ipinangakong biyaya.

At ngayon, ano ang bunga ng lahat ng ito? Hindi ba mga taghoy, daing, sakit, hirap at gutom ang ating naririnig mula sa ating mga kababayan at nararanasan ng ating pamilya? Ito na ang panahon upang ibalik natin, ang ating pag-ibig, pag-asa at pananampalataya sa ating Diyos Ama, katuwang ng ating mahal na Patrong Santiago na laging gumagabay sa mga taong nawawalan na ng pag-asa sa buhay. Gaano man kalupit ng COVID-19, gawin natin itong malaking aral sa ating buhay. Higit pang mahalaga sa lahat ng batas, ang BATAS ng PANANAMPALATAYA at muling Pagbabalik-loob sa Ama.

Viva, Apostol Santiago! katuwang ng Santiagueño tungo sa pagbabago!

[Essay 2] Kristo: Kapamilya at Kaagapay by Madelyn Mones

Malaya ang mundo bago pa man magkaroon ng pandemya. Bago ito manalasa, nakakalabas pa ng walang pagaalinlangan ang mga tao at nakakapunta sa iba't ibang lugar ng walang iniisip na ikapapahamak ng bawat isa. Bukod pa rito'y masasabi kong malaki ang naidulot na perwisyo nito sa pamumuhay ng mga tao at isa na dito ay ang kawalan ng trabaho o pagkakakitaan. At sa kasawiang palad ay isa kami sa mga nakaranas nito. Nawalan ng trabaho ang aking Ama at naging pahirap sa amin sapagkat wala kaming perang mapagkukunan ng pambili namin ng pagkain. Natuto kaming magtipid at magtanim ng mga gulay upang may mapagkunan ng pagkain at mairaos ang aming buhay araw-araw. Minsan umaasa nalang kami sa ibibigay ng gobyerno para sa pangtustos namin sa aming araw-araw na pangangailangan.

Ang pandemyang ito ay masasabi kong bumago o nagpaunlad ng buhay pananampalataya ko sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mas matatag na komunikasyon sa Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagusap sa kanya sa panalangin. Natulungan ako ni Kristo at ni Santiago Apostol sa pamamagitan ng laging pagsubaybay sa akin at ng aking pamilya, sa panahon na nagkakaroon kami ng suliranin sa pagkukuhanan ng makakain, pambili ng pangangailangan at pagraos sa araw-araw na buhay, hindi nila kami pinababayaan at hindi kami hinayaang mahawaan ng sakit sa panahon natin ngayon.

Siguro, ang aral na aking natutunan ay hindi sapat na dahilan ang kakulangan sa ating buhay upang mawalan na rin ang ating pananampalataya, bagkus ito ay gawin nating sandalan upang mas mapatatag ang ating ugnayan at pagmamahal kay Kristo. Sa kasalukuyan sa pamamagitan ng taimtim na paniniwala sa kanya, mayroon na ulit trabaho ang aking ama at unti-unti naming naibabalik ang aming buhay sa dati. Patunay ito na maaring madapa tayo ng minsan ngunit nandyan ang Panginoon na aakay sa atin upang muling bumangon.

[Essay 3] Anak, Ako Naman by Luis Mikhael Paz

Nakakapanibago at hindi ko inaasahan na darating sa punto ng aking buhay na mabibilanggo ako sa sarili kong bahay. Ngunit mas lalo akong nabahala ng pumasok sa isip ko ang Youth Ministry. Napakarami naming plano sa Chapel-Based at ganun din sa Parish Youth Ministry gaya ng Youth Day, Sagala, at iba pa. Hanggang dumating ang Hulyo sa kasalukuyang taon, kung saan ipagdiriwang ang Kapistahan ni Santiago Apostol ngunit hindi katulad ng dati, sa pagkakataong ito panghihinayang ang aking nadarama sapagkat wala na ang ang mga tiange sa harap ng simbahan at pati Children's Day ay wala na rin.

Hanggang isang araw, muli akong inalok ng SJPYM na maging isa sa tagapanayam sa isasagawa naming Online Activity. Ang aking tanging gagawin ay sagutin ang tanong na " Sino si Santiago Apostol at ano ang kanyang naitutulong sa iyo bilang isang kabataan?" Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngunit isa ito sa pinakamahirap na tanong na aking kailangang sagutin sapagkat wala akong alam tungkol kay St. James maliban sa isa siya sa mga Apostol ni Hesus.

Nakakalungkot lang isipin na mula pagkabata naririnig ko na ang pangalang Santiago Apostol ngunit hindi man lang ako nagkaroon ng panahon upang kilalanin siya. Siguro ito ang ibinigay pagkakataon sa akin ni St. James upang mas kilalanin ko siya sapagkat sa mga nakaraang taon ang aking binibigyang pansin ay mga programa ng parokya at nakakalimutan ko kung para kanino ko ba ito ginagawa. Sa mga pagkakataong ito nararamdaman kong ipinapahiwatig niya na, "Ako naman ang pahalagahan mo, ako naman ang kilalanin mo." Sapagkat sa hinaba haba ng panahon na sa halip na humugot ako ng lakas ng loob kay Santiago Apostol, hindi ko ginawa bagkus ang pinahalagahan ko ay ang mga makamundong bagay. Sa madaling sabi, nagpakamangmang ako at nabighani sa maling larawan.

[Essay 4] Positibong Negatibo by Rovia Ann Aspiras

Nang magsimula ang pandemyang ito maraming tao ang natakot. Maraming mamamayan ang nawalan ng trabaho at marami na rin ang binawian ng buhay. Sa panahong ito hindi natin sigurado kung ano ang mangyayari sa kinabukasan. Hindi natin batid ang kahihinatnan ng ating kalusugan at kalusugan ng ating pamilya. Ito ang panahon kung saan kailangan patatagin natin ang pananalig natin sa Diyos at ito ang natutunan ko sa aking karanasan sa gitna ng pandemyang ito.

Una sa lahat, nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na nananatiling ligtas ang aming pamilya. Ang aking Ina ay nagtatrabaho sa isang kompanya at may pagkakataon na ang isa sa kanilang kasama sa trabaho ay nakasalamuha ang isang taong pinaghihinalaang positibo sa sakit na COVID-19. Ang kanilang kompanya ay nabahala at pansamantalang itinigil ang kanilang trabaho. Lahat silang nagtatrabaho sa kompanya ay sumailalim sa swab test. Sa kabutihang palad ang aking ina at ang kaniyang mga kasama ay negatibo sa sakit. Bilang isang anak, ako ay nangamba din sa kalusugan at kaligtasan ng aking ina sa mga pagkakataon iyon at sa punto ring iyon napagtanto ko na hindi talaga nagpapabaya ang Diyos sa mga taong nananalig sa kanya sapagkat hindi niya hinayaang mahawa ang aking ina sa napakamapanganib na sakit. Sa panahon ding iyon mas lalong napatatag ang pananalig ko sa Panginoon at nagpapasalamat ako sa kaniya na naiadya niya ang aking mga magulang sa panganib na dulot ng COVID 19.

Totoo ngang isa lamang iyan sa naidulot ng COVID 19, ang pangamba kung ikaw ba ay nahawaan o hindi saapagkat hindi natin alam kung nakanino ang sakit at kung tayo ba ay mahahawa o hindi ngunit huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Patuloy tayong magdasal. Ang pandemyang ito ay matatapos din at magiging maayos ang lahat sa tulong ng Panginoon

The Director General's Nook

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" Romans 8:18

In this trying and difficult times, God gave me purpose that I am, somehow, contributing positively to the present pandemic. When I accepted the position of Director General of the 277th St. James Patronal Fiesta last year, I already envisioned a very "productive year” as I started listing down my timeline: Christmas Caroling on December, Valentine Concert on February, Fun Run & Zumba on April, Beautiful Mommy Contest on June, the Fiesta Raffle on July, along with the Souvenir Program, highlighting the history of St. James Parish, from its humble beginning up to the present.

On January, we came up with our Patronal Fiesta theme "Bayang niyakap ni Señor Apostol Santiago: Nagpupuri at nagkakaisa sa kabila ng pagkakaiba ng pananampalataya at paniniwala tungo sa kapayapaan”. With the very energetic execom, we began planning: we had our Beautiful Mommy candidates identified, had our solicitation letters printed, had sent our letters to our sponsors for the major prizes of the raffle and were ought to have the raffle tickets printed as well. Then suddenly came the lockdown. We were all literally "imprisoned" within the corners of our house. What I initially thought to be just a 2-week lockdown was extended to a month, and I started asking myself "What is God's message?", "What will now happen to my projects for St. James Parish?" After a moment of silence and prayer, I saw clearly God's message through ”SSS”. Nabigyan na ba kayo ng ayuda ng SSS?

Well for me, SSS stands for Simplicity, Selflessness, and Service.

The first S is Simplicity. This year’s Celebration of the Patronal Fiesta is definitely subdued & simple compared to the past years, but the spirit remained high. I realized that material possessions are nothing during the pandemic. You may have expensive clothing apparel, signature bags & shoes, high end cars, costly jewelries, but they were all locked down in your house together with you. You may have the money to pay for your travel & tours abroad but all flights were cancelled.

Just this June, a colleague of mine offered me a pre-loved LV speedy bag, which I also love to own, but realizing the difficult situation around me, I opted not to buy it and instead divert the money to some charity works.

Proverbs 11:4 "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath but righteousness delivers from death.”

The second S is Selflessness. "Others before me" Luke 6:38 "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap." Less than 2 weeks after the lockdown, I asked my patronal fiesta team of how we could be of help during the pandemic? We, then started pooling up funds from our own pockets to buy rice and basic commodities for our outreach program to the poor barangays within our parish. This time, He is telling us to give rather than to receive. For the past years, the church has been receiving donation, however, during this pandemic, it is our turn to reach out & help our fellow Santiagueños heavily affected by the lockdown either loosing their jobs, closing their businesses or even getting sick due to the virus.

To me and my loving husband, the 5^th day of June of 2020 was a very important date for it marks our 25th Silver Wedding Anniversary. What we initially planned to be a big celebration turned out to be a simple yet meaningful one. In early January 2020, I gave my travel agent a 50% downpayment for our Holy Land Pilgrimage as a celebration of our silver anniversary, but came the pandemic and our busy world stopped, all flights were cancelled. I did not feel bad because I saw clearly God's message through a 20/20 vision – He is teaching me simplicity and selflessness. Whatever amount we were supposed to spend for our Holy Land Pilgrimage was diverted to our charities, giving both to my beloved parish, St. James Parish as love offering as well as my BCBP community, a certain amount was donated to fund the medical education of an SLU medical student through the Nellie Kellog Scholarship of which I was also a recipient during my Medical School days, and an equal amount to purchase rice and grocery items for my family's relief operation to some 100 families heavily affected by the pandemic, and of course our employees who had their share of 1 sack of rice each.

2 Corinthians 9:7 "For God loves a cheerful giver”. All my 4 boys cheerfully volunteered to do the repacking of the rice, monggo beans, and grocery items for our 100 poor families. What touched me most was when my 2 younger boys, who celebrated their 18th and 19th birthdays on the 12^th day of July, told me "Mama, dito na natin i-celebrate ang birthday namin sa dumpsite”. Without any second thought, I answered them with my big YES. Naantig po kasi ang puso nila sa nakita nilang kondisyon ng buhay ng mga nangangalakal ng basura. So with God's grace, we returned to the dumpsite for their birthday celebration.

The third S is Service. While we are on our way to the New Normal and after the ECQ and the GCQ, we, the Patronal Fiesta Execom, continue to be of service to the parish through our only fund raising project left which is the Souvenir Program. This project will definitely be a one of a kind since it will highlight the history of St. James from its humble beginnings up to the present and will include a compilation of the many unforgettable COVID-19 stories of our beloved Santiagueños.

This Souvenir Program will have both a digital copy which shall be featured in the new formed digital platforms of St. James the Apostle Parish and a hard copy as well. Amidst the pandemic, I can shout out "We are blessed!" because we have both grace and mercy. Grace is when God gives you something good that you don’t deserve and mercy is when God does not give you something bad that you deserve.

Having been spared from the coronavirus, I can shout out ”we are blessed!”

May God, through the intercession of our beloved St. James the Apostle, continue to protect us from the dreaded virus. Happy fiesta! Mabuhay Santiagueños!

~ Cecilia Tayag-Vispo, MD

Director General Fiesta, 2020

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