Walk Humbly: The Unlikely Tale of a Coor-Gen

Let me share with you my unlikely, if not miraculous, tale that catapults me into the most-coveted post of MUKHA AD, the Coordinator General. I need to unveil a little secret. Actually, I was not the first choice of the group; not even the second one. Br. Jestoni Porras, OP was the man chosen to be the voice of MUKHA AD. Unfortunately, after several weeks in the office, he decided to step down for several valid reasons. Then, in briskly haste, the electoral body once again convened and elected another brother. Yet again, for several valid causes, he could not accept the most desirous office in the universe. Now, it seemed that the electoral body would not have much choice left. My name was the last possibility. Thus, without any necessity of gravity’s force, it fell on my lap.

Before I continue, let me insert this little confession. I have to admit that among the five apostolic groups in the Studentate, MUKHA AD is my last pick. The reason is so simple yet so fundamental: I don’t want to give up my whole Sundays for this apostolate. I believed that after the backbreaking weekdays, I deserve my Sabbath, my Lord’s day. But, God seems to play a little joke on me. Before I entered my second year in Coristado, Fr. Rodel Cancansio, OP asked me to join MUKHA AD. I was caught unguarded, but luckily, I came out with a powerful excuse: “Father, I could not speak Filipino yet”. Then, I requested to stay for another year in KAPATID. He gave his nod and I was saved by the bell. However, before I proceeded to my third year in Coristado, the same person approached me bringing the same demand. I knew that I was running out of luck. With a bitter smile, I said yes and whispered in my heart, “This too will pass.”

Together with Br. Mark Ampis and Jessilito Pelimer, we were part of Batch 23. I think none of us really took the MUKHA AD formation seriously. I marked my first year stay in MUKHA AD with notable number of absences. I even failed to attend the culmination activity and graduation rite. Please, don’t ask me where I place my graduation certificate! Here comes the second year. Originally, I was elected as the Doctrinal animator. Happily, I accepted the post because I knew I could commit more absences.

However, God was not yet done with His joke on me. In the most bizarre circumstances, what I did not like most became a reality. I wished to be out of MUKHA AD, but God has just made me the first person who opens the MAD office, the last one who closes its door and someone who stands in between (a taste of being a security guard!). I desired to be invisible and be seated at the back every meeting and session, but God has thrown me into the place where every eye would gaze at, sometimes subjected to criticism, frustrations, and gossips (a foretaste of being a celebrity!). I dreamed of escaping responsibilities, but God has bestowed on me one of the greatest responsibilities in the galaxy: from critical decision making to floor-waxing the MAD office (at least, I know why they called the coordinator “general”, like in general service).

 As I walk through my life in MUKHA AD, I am gradually humbled. My vulnerability is exposed and my weakness is unmasked. I am not capable, prepared and fit for the job. However, here comes the miracle: God’s joke is much more superior to the best of human wisdom. Or, in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom (1 Cor 1:25).” When things seem to fall apart, there are always brothers or lay friends who come to my rescue. When I am falling, the built-in support-system of MUKHA AD catches me. When I lose sight, the inner structure sheds its light. It is slowly revealed that it is not about me, but God doing wonders in every young heart. Note that it is just one month in the post, and things have gone beyond my wildest imaginations. Honestly, I am really excited to see the jokes God has prepared for me and for you, my dear MUKHA ADers. Let us celebrate and walk humbly with Him as we laugh at His jokes on us.

Would you like to share your MUKHA AD experience, too? Please send your articles, literary pieces, photos (with caption), or art work to mukhaad[at]gmail[dot]com.

BURST OF COLORS (Video Shoot Behind-The-Scenes)

MUKHA-AD has a way of making things, experiences and life even more colorful. It brings different people together to create lasting friendships. MUKHA AD allows you to see other people in the likeness of God, even with their imperfections.

Above all, MUKHA AD teaches you to...

love.

Every Person Is A Gift

by Eena Joyce Estores

[January 20, 2012 at Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal]

Today, I've experienced a different kind of feeling, a feeling that I never thought I'd feel, when I spent almost three hours with those wonderful persons in Cottolengo.

Cottolengo Filipino is a generous institute in Montalban, Rizal where mentally challenged children are taken care of. I am very blessed to be part of the MUKHAAD (Masiglang Ugnayan ng nga Kabataang Hinuhubog sa Anyo ng Anak ng Diyos) batch 23 who had the honor of accompanying them even just for a while.

Every simple gestures that we execute made them smile, made them feel that they're not alone, that they're not different from us. Those smiles from their lips touched my heart. I couldn't help but stare at them, smile and at the same time, be teary-eyed. 

I couldn't take away the feeling of guilt. Those little things that we did for them gave them happiness. But what about me? What about us? We, ourselves with a family and with good health never felt content. Happiness for us is different from what it means to them. But what really is true happiness? Have you ever asked that question to yourself? I, myself, have no clear answer to that yet. But with what I have felt earlier, I think that I already have a clue to what true happiness is. And I'm sure that no material thing will ever contribute to that kind of happiness.

Also, I realized how lucky I am to be with my family. Those children in Cottolengo were abandoned by their own family. It is very frustrating to think that there are persons in this world who take away the right of their own children to be with them, with their family. They have never done anything wrong to be treated like that. They are also human beings like us. We are all persons who deserve all the love we can get. In the eyes of the Lord, we are equal. We should treat other people the way we want us to be treated.

Do you think that you are more human because you are healthy, handsome or pretty, intelligent, skillful, etc.? Well, think again. In fact, most of us are less of who they are. 

"Every person is a gift. And we should not only be a gift to ourselves but also, to other people." - Ate Joyce

Angat sa Lahat!

 pagbabahagi ni Weldann 'Bitoy' Panganiban (Batch 23)

Tandang-tanda ko ang hapong iyon. Galing ako noon sa Manaoag sa aking pagraradyo (Segue: U-Speak po sa 102.3FM Radyo Manaoag, Saturdays, 6:30-8:00 PM), dumiretso ako sa Santo Domingo para sa Faith Sharing ng Mukha Ad para sa Module 2 – Family. Sa pagtatapos ng pagbabahagi, ibinalita sa amin na kami ay magkakaroon ng Team Building sa susunod na dalawang linggo. Nagising ang lahat sa balita... Lalabas kami ng Santo Domingo!

Marami na rin akong sinamahang Team Building session, at doon ay nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataong makilala ang mga taong pinili kong makasama sa organisasyon. Marami akong nalalaman tungkol sa kanila, lalo na ang halaga ng tiwala at pakikisama. Subalit nang dumating ang Team Building ng Mukha AD, nag-iba ang pananaw ko tungkol sa dalawang salitang ito. Hindi lang tiwala at pakikisama ang tinuro nito sa amin, kundi ang halaga ng salitang pagkakaibigan at pagtutulungan. Tunay ngang Angat sa lahat!

September 09, 2012, ang araw na pinakahihintay ng buong Batch 23. Sa sobrang excitement, kahit ang mga ka-batch kong nagigising ng late (lalo na ako) ay pinilit na magising ng super aga para makarating bago ang call time na 8:30. Kahit nga sa aming mga postura, halatang pinaghandaan ng mga kasali ang araw na ito.

Handa na ang lahat, kaya sugod-sugod na rin sa aming destinasyon, ang La Mesa Ecopark.

TO ACT JUSTLY...

Sa pagsisimula ng Team Building, ginawa namin ang kontrobersyal (^^) na Shibashi na pinangunahan ni Kuya Aaron. Kontrobersyal, kasi Grand Opening pa lang naririnig na namin ito, subalit wala kaming ideya kung paano ito gagawin. Iyun naman pala, ito ay isang breathing exercise na nagbibigay ng dagdag na lakas sa katawan at focus sa isipan, parang Tai Chi at Kung-fu na pinagsama.

Sa totoo lang, umpisa pa lang ay feeling bored na kami dahil inhale-exhale lang ang nangyayari with matching moves, subalit nang nakita na namin si Kuya Aaron na tagaktak na ng pawis, na-realize namin na kami man ay pinagpapawisan na rin ng wagas. Nakaramdam kami ng dagdag na energy para magawa ang mga challenges sa araw na iyun. Kailangang makipag-ugnayan rin pala sa aming kalikasan at kapaligiran upang makita ang biyaya ng Panginoon, tulad ng pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa aming kapwa Mukha AD-er, tulad ng paggawa natin ng mabuti sa kapwa kabataan.

TO LOVE TENDERLY...

Hinati kami sa tatlong team: Team Matatag, Team Gwaping at Team Muscle. Maraming challenges na dapat gawin, at kita sa lahat ng miyembro ng bawat team ang determinasyon na magawa at mapagwagian ang bawat hamon. Tulung-tulong ang bawat isa para malagpasan ang bawat challenge at magwagi sa race. Teamwork at determination nga talaga ang puhunan upang manalo sa bahaging ito ng Team Building.

Pero para sa team namin, nagkaroon pa ito ng mas malalim na kahulugan. Biglang inatake ng hika ang isa naming teammate, kaya nawalan kami ng isang kasama. Subalit imbes na manghina at mawalan ng lakas, lalo pa kaming nagsumikap na matapos ang bawat challenge at mapagtagumpayan ito. Kung baga nga, dito namin nakita ang halaga ng pagsasama-sama at pagtutulungan. Sa isang team pala, hindi tama ang sabihing ‘buti nga sa iyo,’ o ‘bahala ka sa buhay mo;’ mas magandang marinig mula sa ating kasama ang mga salitang, ‘magkakasama tayo, magtutulungan tayo.’ Di ba nga ito ang hangad sa atin ng Diyos, na maging magkakasama sa bawat pagsubok, magtulungan sa hirap at ginhawa?

TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD...

Pagkatapos ng charade, hinanda na kami para sa second part ng Team Building, ang Trust Walk at Trust Fall. Sabi nila, di ka daw certified Mukha Ader kung di mo ito pagdadaanan. Simple lang ang instruction, walang bibitaw sa pila at sundin lang ang instruction ng leader. Naka-piring ang mata, binagtas namin ang buong kagubatan ng La Mesa. Marami kaming narinig at naramdaman sa kapaligiran, hanggang sa pahintuin kami at isa-isang patihulugin samantalang may sumasalo sa amin.

Hindi namin alam kung saan kami dadalhin o kung ano ang gagawin sa amin, subalit ginawa pa rin namin, dahil alam naming di kami mapapahamak. Tiwala ang puhunan upang magkaroon ng isang mabuting samahan. Tiwala, ibig sabihin, isang malalim na pagkakilala sa iyong kasama, pagtanggap sa kanyang kahinaan at pakikibahagi sa kanyang kaligayahan. Parang si BRO, di natin alam kung ano ang darating sa buhay natin, subalit tuloy lang tayo sa pagsunod sa kanya, dahil nagtitiwala tayong dadalhin tayo ng Panginoon sa kabutihan at di niya tayo pababayaan.

Naalala ko yung unang beses na magkakasama kami. Hindi kami magkakakilala (liban sa mga talagang nasa Santo Domingo na), di namin alam kung ano ang aming papasukin. Ngayon, makalipas ang walong linggo, eto na kami, nagtatawanang sama-sama, nakikinig ng sama-sama, nakikipag-ugnayan sa bawat isa. Dating tahimik at ilag sa kasama, ngayo’y mas malalakas pa ang boses pag nagkita-kita. Sa ibang salita, talagang maraming bagay na ang nagbago. Narito na ang ugnayan, isang magulo, kakaiba at MASIGLANG UGNAYAN na nagbubuklod sa amin sa bawat isa, at kaming lahat patungo sa Diyos.

Ito nga siguro ang hiwaga ang Mukha Ad: ano man ang iyong pinagmulan o kinamulatan, kaya nitong pag-isahin ang ating mga kakayahan at maging epektibong tanda ng pakikipag-ugnay ng Diyos sa lahat. Tinuturuan tayo dito na marunong makibahagi ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pakikibahagi natin sa kapwa. Kabataan man tayo, hindi ito hadlang upang ipakilala ang Panginoon sa lahat. Kung tayo ay iisa, wala tayong magagawa; subalit kung kasama ang Diyos at ang kapwa, marami tayong magagawa!

Hindi lamang ito isang Team Building para sa akin, ito ay isang karanasang hindi malilimutan, angat talaga sa lahat! Sa lahat ng aking mga pinagdaanan sa araw na ito, masasabi kong tunay na biyaya sa akin – at sa amin – ng Diyos ang Mukha Ad.

MAD FOREVER! ^^

==

sirbitz.blogspot.com

urdose.blogspot.com

Walang Halong Echos

by: Fray Garing

Marami ng tumanda sa MUKHA AD. Yung iba naabutan pa yung first airing ng Voltes V sa Pilipinas. Yung iba naman naniniwala hanggang ngayon na lahat ng nakikita sa malls, overpass, bangketa ay nanggagaling sa Divisoria. Meron din namang nasubaybayan pa ang pagdadalaga ni Maricel Soriano sa John en Marsha. May nakaabot din sa panahong ang tawag sa sosyal at imported na gamit e PX goods, at ito rin yung mga taong ang age-range e inaabangan pa ang antics ng Escalera brothers sa Iskul Bukol tuwing gabi. Ganun katanda.

Marami ding bumabata sa MUKHA AD. Yung mga naka-corporate attire kapag weekdays at kuntodo ang pagkapormal e nagcocoloring book sa linggo at tumitili habang gumagawa ng bahay ng gagambang yari sa straw sa sanga-sanga ng puno ng kalachuchi. May mga pa-mature effect din pero in the end kung umacting sa stage ay wagas sa pagka lukaret. Matindi ang kumpetisyon kumbaga. Hahatakin ka sa pagkabata kasi kahit birthday hindi pinapatawad. Tuwing may kaarawan ang birthday cake ay doughnut na tinusukan ng kandilang hugis tao (yung kulay pula na nabibili sa Quiapo, hehe joke lang). Basta doughnut yun na tinusukan ng kandila na sasabayan ng malupit na Happy Birthday song. Masaya naman sila. Dito ang daming nangyayari, hahatakin ka talaga sa pagkabata. Ika nga ng ilan “Linggo-linggo laging may bago.”

Marami din namang tumatanda sa MUKHA AD. Walang halong echos to. May mga nakasalamuha na din kaming mga Emo dito at mga taong nakakulong sa mundo ng tamagotchi. Yung una dapat laging malungkot-effect at parang nagpadila muna sa elepante para tumigas ang buhok saka pupunta sa MUKHA AD. Yung pangalawa namatayan ng tamagotchi kasi buong araw nakipagtsismisan sa MUKHA AD hindi na napakain yung mukhang tetris niyang alaga. Meron din namang astig! Yung tipong sasapakin ka kung makatingin at sa sharing ipinamagmamalaking “black sheep” daw sila. Pero nung lumaon tumitino din naman hehe. Peace lang. Anyway ang sabi nga ng matatanda maturity comes with a healthy acceptance of one’s self. Pero sa isang banda mahalaga din namang tanggap ka ng isang komunidad kahit sino o ano ka man, o saang planeta o subterranean place ka man nanggaling para matanggap mo ang sarili mo. Marami na rin ang nagsabi na yan ang karisma ng MUKHA AD. Hug ka namin dito.           

Balanse ang MUKHA AD. Seryoso sa pag-aaral, honest sa personal sharings, cool sa games at magaan kakuwentuhan over 3 in 1 coffee. Sa loob ng dalawmpu’t tatlong taon marami na ding tumino at nagpatino ng tao dito, yung iba may pamilya na, may housewife, househusband, abogado, teacher, doctor, nurse, pari, madre at napabibilang sa kung anu-ano pang propesyon at bokasyon.

Sa MUKHA AD importante ang pagdarasal. Sabi nga ni Peter Rosegger (1843-1918, Austrian writer) “People used to say: Give your soul a Sunday! Now they say: Give your Sunday a soul!” Kaya tuwing linggo kalakip ng pagsisimba ang pag-attend sa MUKHA AD. Marami sa kabataan ayaw ng churchy-churchy group kasi hindi daw fashionable, pero hindi naman ito fashion-fashion lang. Ang kahalagahan ng pagdarasal at pananampalataya ay buhat sa malalim na karanasan ng tao, lalo na yung mga nauna sa atin, sabi nga ni Blaise Pascal (1588-1651) “Do you want to come to believe but do not know the way? Learn from those who were tormented by doubts before you. Imitate their way of acting, do everything that the faith requires, as though you were already a believer. Attend Mass, use holy water, and so on. That will no doubt make you simple and lead you to faith.” 

Hindi naman kailangang maging heavy ang buhay, pero dapat may weight. Kung sino ka man hindi buburahin ng MUKHA AD ang mukha ng iyong karanasan. Sa iyong karanasan nagpapakilala ang Diyos, ang Diyos na nagpakilala: si Kristo. Nawa’y magkakilala tayo. Magpakilala, kilalanin natin ang isa’t isa.

Ignite

poem written by Alyanna Lagrosa

We started out as strangers

then we became friends

in time we got closer

and soldered loose ends.

Mukha Ad had led us to be who we are

Thank you for helping us reach the shinning star

in every endeavor and challenge we may face

I know that Mukha ad will guide us through the race

Our bond has grown stronger, and so has our faith

Mukha ad has saved people before it was too late.

Mukha ad is a blessing to those who can see

It has brought us to where we ought to be

In God's loving arms we have returned

In guiding new members we take our turn.

To all the staff and council that we've been with

MARAMING SALAMAT, HANGGANG SA MULI .

This is just the beginning.

The journey has just begun...

“ EXPOSURE ” Isang Ala-ala, Aking Kayamanan

Anong saya ang aking nadama,

Ng muli ko silang makasama,

Mga batang nangungulila,

Sa pagmamahal at pagkalinga.

Muli ay aming binisita,

COTOLENGO para sa mga bata,

Kulang man ang pananalita

Titigan sila’y labis ang tuwa.

Kulang man at di perpekto,

Parehas din natin silang tao,

Dahil ditto sa ating mundo,

Kagaya nila ang pinahahalagahan ko.

Sa pagpapatuloy ng paglalakbay,

Maraming bata ang aking ginabay,

Nangailangan din sila ng kaagapay,

Animo’y buhay nila ay walang saysay.

Maraming salamat ang aking natanggap,

Sa mga batang maraming pangarap,

Pangarap na unti-unting pinapalasap,

Sa VITAS TONDO doon sila’y naghihirap.

Hindi man sila bingyan ng diyos ng kayamanan,

Sila ang mga batang dapat ingatan,

Dahil baling araw itong mga kabataan,

Ang siyang susunod na maglilingkod sa bayan.

Sa huling paglalakbay na aming tinahak,

Ang katawan ko ay napasabak,

Mga simento at buhangin na sandamak-mak

Mga pawis ay talagang pumatak.

PLARIDEL,BULACAN aming tinungo,
Gumawa ng bahay para sa tao,
Naglingkod ako ng buong puso,
Kinaya ko naman hanggang dulo.

Kahit dalawang pader lang aming nagawa,
Pero kita ko sa bawat isa ang tuwa,
Di man kami magagaling na mangagawa,
Nagawa naman naming ito ng tama.

Maraming biyaya kaysa problema,
Yan talaga ang aking naalala,
Buhay ko’y umikot sa reklamong “kulang pa”,
Pero pagtingin ko sa labas mas higit pa ang problema.

Talagang di siya padadaig,
Ang diyos na lumikha ng daigdig,
Pasasalamat na nanggagaling sa aking bibig,

Sa pagtanggap ko sa kanyang pag-ibig.

Maraming salamat sa nagging intrumento.
Upang mahubog ko pa lalo ang aking pagkatao,
MUKHA AD na ipingamamalaki ko,
Dumadagdag sa mga kasiyahan ko.

Gusto ko ulit itong maranasan,
Kakaiba ang aking kaligayahan,
Pagod man ang aking naramdaman,
And ala-alang ito ay bahagi na ng aking kayaman.

likhang tula ni: Aileen Liezel Lambino

A Day To Treasure, A Date To Remember

article shared by: Fairy Anya 

The bond we've shared this particular Sunday

is one of the things I'll treasure, come what may...

...and it all started from a simple exposure.

Requirement. In Ecclesiology class, our professor has required everyone to complete fifteen hours of exposure. An exposure in which we are expected to learn from, and mingle with other members of the community. We were given two choices as to where we may have the exposure; Mukha AD or Caritas. And due to my circumstance, I chose the nearest, Mukha AD. At first, it was all about completing the hours, and yes, perhaps having fun with my classmates and friends. But little did I know, as I continue to attend our Sunday meetings, Mukha AD has already become important.

Team-building. Honestly speaking, I have no idea how to recount this day's events. So randomly, I'll start with  how difficult and funny it is to be an alarm clock of my friends.

Waking up. I woke up at 4 in the morning as usual, with two things in mind; what to bring and what time do I have to wake up two of my closest friends. Inno and John. So first, I sent a group message, hoping their phones would vibrate and wake them up. But since I called both at around 4:30, my text plus vibrate plan had failed. Luckily, one of them woke up at my second try - Inno, who told us when we all met up, that he really had woken up at (I actually forgot, was it 5 or 5:30?) around five in the morning - thus, I'm such a failure at waking him up. So what about John, you ask? Need I say anything? When even his own mom doesn't want to wake him up anymore? And for ranting purposes, (it's my blog, live with it), I'd called him several times; and by several, I mean SEVERAL. And he still didn't wake up. So I've decided that I'll give him a real alarm clock on Christmas.

7 in the morning. Our own call time. By "our", that includes Ai, Cueto, Inno and John. Why that early? Just because we want to "break our fast" together. We love each other. ♥♥♥

Bus and Early Moments in La Mesa Ecopark. The wrong bus. Call time for Mukha AD members Batch 22 was at 8 in the morning. It turned out that we were an hour earlier and so we went to Ecopark with the staff. It was still fun, anyway. Early birds get early warm-ups (pictures, early bonding, taho, early snacks, and a bit of sight-seeings).

Shibashi and The Posing Something Activity. My memory's losing its touch, do forgive me as I'm really tired. Anyhow, for everyone's information, shibashi doesn't that much differ from tai chi and yoga; but more related to the former. It's a relaxing qigong exercise routine that lasts for about 15-20 minutes. It gives an individual a control of one's emotions, an increase in energy, flexibility and agility, and some other things. (The power of researching something new. *wink, wink*) Well, so everybody did shibashi and the other activity (in which we need to pose however we want and sort of make that pose as something other people may identify us with) before starting the amazing race-ish event. It's fun! ♫~♪~♫

Race, Charade and Blindfold. Lessons. Although it was a tiring day with endless run, laughing, and guessing, plus a challenge for me (the blindfold part; some people know why, and I thank Ai and Inno for the simple support you guys gave me), we've learned a lot from all these activities; not just to cooperate and learn the value of team-work, but also to trust those whom we may trust. Along our journey, we meet many people who become our acquaintances, only some of them become our friends; but just a few we can really trust. In that small number yet somehow already a large circle of true people, the Mukha AD family is and will always be included. We may be different in many ways, but we are able to start a bond out of these diversities; a bond worth our time and efforts to cherish and deepen more and more. We all live to serve as foundations of other people. We may only be playing small parts but with full trust, we can achieve big things and complete a whole.

Thank you all for making this Sunday memorable. ♥

The Seven Things I Love About M.U.K.H.A. A.D.

article written by Kat Buenaflor

It was a cloudy Sunday morning. I have finished hearing Mass at Santo Domingo Church, then went for my customary personal talk with Mama La Naval behind her shrine. As I walked along the corridors to go home, my peripheral vision detected a man clothed in Dominican habit, who I presumed based on his looks, was a student-brother.

Having frequented Santo Domingo Church in Sundays and random weekdays for almost eight months, I still never got to accustom myself at the sight of young men walking around in habits. They never fail to make my heart skip a beat or two whenever I see them. Not because they’re good looking ha, it’s because…well…I was scared of them.

I was getting nearer and nearer, and then boom. He was now in front of me, smiling and then, to my disbelief, spoke to me. Perhaps it was because of the alleviating feeling that I get when I’m finished hearing mass, but thank goodness I still retained my composure and dignity during that oh-so-sudden encounter with this brother. At the end of it all, he got me to sign up for a group whose objectives and interests I have failed to comprehend at that time. This happened five months ago, and the rest is history.

After graduating Level 1, now I shall impart to you 7 truths about this group. For my fellow MUKHA ADers who might read this, here is my seven simple reasons why I just love being with you - against all odds.

1.     We’re different, but we click. 

I had lots of hesitations about joining this group, especially after the 1^st session. Majority of my batchmates were college classmates, and there were very few whose age were the same as mine (Hello, Alex and Carol).  I wondered if I could somehow get along with the members who already have their circle of friends, or those who may not understand stuff about my course, or even with the brothers! I’m not really good at starting conversations with strangers, or with people that I’m scared of.

But look, after 5 months of sessions and activities, we got along pretty well. Despite our differences, we had one common aim: to get to know our faith and our God better. It is with this that we started getting along, and now you’re my buddies!  Definitely not just on Sunday afternoons.

2.     You didn’t really ask for much from us.

I remember back when I was about to attend our very first session after all that hoopla during the grand opening. I was already in front of the doors of the seminary and unlike the previous Sunday, it was closed. It seemed like there was nothing going on behind the doors. I tried to open it several times and moved every movable part (it has no doorknob…wala sa bundok yun) and thought it was locked. Panic rising, I rushed to the guard roaming nearby and asked, “Kuya, san po yung MUKHA AD ngayon?” He led me to the very same door and simply pushed the door.

Just the same, you didn’t really ask me to do much. You never asked for a registration fee, or a filled-up registration form, not even a 1x1 ID picture. All you wanted was for me to come as I am, push the door, take in what you wish to share, hoping that it will shed some light as I head out again to the real world.

3.     You’re simple yet sincere.

I love simple things, and six days of complicated academic work could make a laid-back person go mad. Sobrang sabaw, ‘ika nga.

Going to MUKHA AD office at the Dominican Studentate is my secret sanctuary within my favorite sanctuary. The simplicity of the people, the sharing that comes after every session, and those small talks over merienda is what makes me go back every Sundays. Don’t expect to eat KFC food in here every Sunday (although that could happen…hahaha!) or get grand prizes when you join the games before the session starts – what you get is simple, but priceless joys of meaningful talks and budding friendships. And I wish to be nowhere else.

4.     You never fail to make me smile.

Yes, another main reason why I attend the sessions whether I come from Malate, Manila or from Sta. Rosa, Laguna; whether I have a forthcoming avalanche of exams or not. The funny thing is you don’t really make people laugh on purpose. It just happens spontaneously. You never run out of stuff to share and laugh about. Even when attending a session with a recently-badly-broken-heart, I manage to leave you guys with a light heart, and a smile on my face. That’s how much fun it is to be with you.

5.      You make me do things I never had the chance to do.

It is with you that I have found an avenue to put my faith into action. Things like Taize, worshipping thru singing rock-ish songs are stuff that’s very novel, and definitely something I’ve never tried before. It is also with you where I experienced my very first Team-Building Activity, and volunteered for my first ever charity event, the annual Aliw Bata. Because of you, I felt that I could live this life worthwhile, by giving the very same gifts of belonging and smiles to kids in need.

6.    I just loooove our post-session prayer.

After every session with MUKHA AD, we had to sing the 13^th Century Dominican Blessing, and I just loved singing this with all of you. I love the prayer on its own, but I love the melody as well (I even have an mp3 of its piano instrumental on my phone).  It reflects the simplicity and sincerity of this group to show the face of God to the youth in the context of modern times. Here’s how it goes:

May God the Father, bless us

May God the Son, heal us

May God the Holy Spirit enlighten us

Give us eyes to see with

And ears to hear with

Hands to do God’s work with

Feet to walk with, a mouth to preach

The Word of Salvation with

And may the Angel of Peace watch over us

May he lead us at last by the Lord’s gift to the Kingdom

Amen.

7.      There’s no such thing as hierarchy – only friendships.

One thing that sets MUKHA AD apart from other groups or orgs is that it’s very personal.  Which is perhaps why they did not have those personal information sheets – they wish to get to know you by chatting with you – whether on ICs (individual consultations), faith sharing, even online via Facebook chat. I promise they don’t pry.

And you’re not just friends with your batch mates. You can be friends with everyone here, and this does not just go within the walls of the MUKHA AD office. I go to mass with my batch mates during the La Naval festivities (partida, wala pa akong mga cellphone numbers nila nun), go out for coffee with members from the previous batches, and occasionally bump into the rest of them at school or at the church. And there’s another thing: I’m not that scared of the brothers anymore. They’re actually very fun to be with – and very much like the rest of us.

It’s really nice to have bonded with everyone in such short span of a time. And we have just finished Level 1. More memories will be added, and I’m sure that the bond we had created will be stronger in the weeks to come. Whether or not I’m present during the coming sessions, I hope that when I return, you shall accept me with open arms. But I know you would, and that’s another thing I love about you. Days and weeks will pass, but the fondness shall remain the same. I’m proud that I can be called one of you. Until now, I could not believe that I am actually part of MUKHA AD Batch 22. And I’m so proud. And I will miss you.

And may the Angel of Peace watch over us these holidays. Merry Christmas, MUKHA ADers! ♥

San Agustin Church: Beauty Ever Ancient and New

article written by Kat Buenaflor 

Last Sunday, November 27, 2011, I escaped the reins of my parents and rode a bus going to Manila (kids, do NOT do this at home :p ). It’s MUKHA AD’s 2nd session for the second semester, and for that afternoon, we were going to tour around San Agustin Church in Intramuros. At this point I will be honest enough to admit that initially, I wasn’t keen on going there to go sight-seeing. I have visited the church a couple of Christmases ago and I thought I’ve already seen what has to be seen on that place.  The real reason to my long overdue escapade was the fact that I have not seen my much-loved Sunday barkada for almost two months, I miss the sessions so badly, and it’s already clinically proven that these people could magically turn my sadness into happiness.

I went ahead to San Agustin Church and waited for them to arrive. I stood beside a white Jaguar car - at the time, there was a wedding ceremony going on inside. A tourist driver standing beside me asked me if I was one of the guests. I said no, telling him that I was waiting for my friends. He then told me that he pities the children who, despite the hot and humid weather, wore tuxedoes for the event instead of the more traditional and more climate-forgiving Barong Tagalog. I nodded in agreement, but then I can’t blame the wedding planner for having them wear such – the church has this “Royal” and very imposing aura, especially inside – owing to the fact that it’s a Baroque church. It’s elaborately yet elegantly decorated; its beauty ancient yet new – especially to us living in the modern times.

Minutes later I saw the MAD people arrive. I was so glad to finally meet everyone once again – I even hugged my batchmate Carol in the joy of seeing her once again. I wanted to say hi to everyone, but doing so would interrupt the tour that has already started. I also realized that I have forgotten the names of some of them that I’ve already talked to before. Nonetheless, I felt a sense of belonging, as if I haven’t gone that long. And it’s nice that some of them still remember my name. Hehehe. :p

So the guided tour began, courtesy of an archivist working in UST (I forgot his name…sorry.). We first entered the museum beside the church. Oh boy, why did I ever underestimate the Augustinian property?! At a glance, the adjacent building is small, but as we went in, I found out that it was a huge building housing an unimaginable number of antique art collected during the 440 years of the order’s presence in the country. It was a haven for art lovers, history geeks, and suckers for all things classical – like me.

There was a visual information overload – there were too much to see! Paintings and sculptures of various friars and images of Saint Augustine were all around the building. One particular painting that caught my attention was the painting of Saint Augustine with Jesus to his right, and Mama Mary to his left. When I saw the image of Nuestra Señora de Leche y Buen Parto a few years back, I thought it was unusual, because an image wherein she breastfed Jesus is, in my opinion, quite intimate for one to make a statue of. But on this particular painting of Saint Augustine, the artist portrayed Mary at its most unusual. I suppose it's a rare rendition.

There was this room full of religious images that I really, really enjoyed looking at. The hall, which was previously used as a place for the conventual chapter of the Augustinian friars, virtually reeked of gold because of the different images of Our Lady (smaller versions of the images of La Naval de Manila and Remedios were there), and other saints.

The church’s choirloft was another place that I liked. Perhaps a modern church’s choirloft is nothing but chairs with an electric keyboard or guitar on the side – but this one’s Baroque, and in the Baroque period, it’s all about excess! It’s the ancient times’ 1980s! The wooden chairs had very intricate wood carvings on them; the ceiling had these paintings that looked like they were bas relief sculptures. In the middle of the choirloft was a giant song book – perhaps the equivalent of the modern times’ overhead projector. Lastly, the modern times’ keyboard and guitar is no match to this church’s colossal pipe organ! How I wish I could hear how a pipe organ actually sounds. I also wish Sto Domingo’s pipe organ would be restored soon. Whether on its own or along with the voice of the Tiples…the music it will make must be grand.

There were so much to see (I think I said this already...didn't I? :p), and really, one afternoon is just not enough if you really want to fully appreciate what this place has in store. Here, you’d appreciate the church’s role besides being the mediator between man and God. In this case, it’s a preserver of art and history, an institution that has definitely withstood the test of time. 

I hope that after one sees the beauty within its walls, he or she shall remember San Agustin Church not as a tourist spot, or a sanctuary made for couples to have their grand weddings in the coming years. It's an institution that showcases the depths of human creativity and unsurpassed intellect, and ultimately, the greatness of its Creator. It's an institution attesting the Augustinians’ love for God.

Ain’t love grand? ♥

Faith in Action: My MUKHA AD Journey

article written by: Joyce Gonzales

Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe. 

For the longest time, I have thought that the mere act of going to church on Sundays and praying occasionally would suffice, for me to be called a true-blue Catholic. But as I continue to traverse this journey called life, I have come to realize that it is not enough to simply say I believe in God, and still inflict pain in others; to pray the rosary and still cling to my biases and prejudices; to say that I am a Christian and still find it so hard to forgive and show love without waiting for anything in return.

2010 had been a great turning point for me and my faith. It was then that I had started to devote so much time in praying and knowing myself and God at a deeper level. I joined a Catholic renewal community and even became a member of a “caring group” with people I spent Saturdays with, praying to and singing for God, as well as sharing my life’s highs and lows. Then came an invitation to spend my Sundays with MUKHA-AD, another church organization for the youth. It was an invitation I couldn’t resist and saw it as a chance to gain new friends and to learn something new (and later on, realize the need to remember what I’ve learned long ago). But there were times when my enthusiasm would fade and I’d ask myself “What happened to Sunday as a time of rest?” I would wonder at what I’d gain from Mukha-Ad, because at times, I would think that what I know is enough. These questions and false notion were obstacles and justifications for me not to attend. Nevertheless, I find myself thankful at the end of every session, every talk, every activity - silently uttering a prayer of gratitude, “Thank God I am here today”.

I am not the kind of person who easily blends in with the crowd, nor the type who initiates conversations unless I really have to. I stick with people I’m comfortable with. I had so much fun when I attended the opening program because I was surrounded with friends – one I invited to join and thought she’d stick around and two others I just asked to visit. But after the opening, my friend showed signs of not attending again so I was left alone – completing level one with just a couple of missed sessions and finally moving on to level two.

I am grateful to Mukha-Ad for taking me to the very core of my faith and devotion. For making me understand my value and worth as an individual. For making me realize the huge and significant role I play in my family, community, the church and in the world, for all of which would be lacking and incomplete without me or without you.

The Graduation and retreat was particularly remarkable for me because it was in those couple of days that I was able to prove that my efforts did not go in vain.  And that all the Sundays I spent in Sto. Domingo, refusing all other invitations to hang out somewhere else, were Sundays well spent. It was a time when I bravely shared my stories of pain and struggles, something I only share with people truly close to me.  It was also a time when I freely allowed my tears to flow and my fears and guilt to manifest, not minding whether others would see me weak. It was a moment when I have heard my fellow Mukha-Ad members talk about their own hardships, realizing that what we see from the outside can be totally different from what they keep hidden inside. That sometimes, a genuine concern to ask about how they are, is all it takes for us to get to know the real person behind the usual smile, the loud laughter and the casual “Ok lang” response. I have realized that there are people who are going through the same difficult situation I encountered years ago. And now, at this point in my life, I can honestly tell them that they can overcome their giants, because I did and I continue to fight them with courage. I can truly say words of encouragement because I believe that there is always hope and we have a big God behind us. It was a time I sincerely sent out prayers to God not only for myself but for the people I have come to love as my own brothers and sisters. 

Graduating from Mukha-Ad is a success after all the many temptations and “reasons” to quit. It is winning half of the battle. The greater challenge comes after it. Being a part of Mukha-Ad is an opportunity to bless and love others. It’s being in the position to reach out and bring more people closer to God. It is a responsibility as much as it is a privilege.

Being a part of the Mukha-Ad family has made me more grateful of the things I have and the people I love and who love me. I have seen abandoned children in Cottolengo who struggle to have normal lives despite their hurts, both physical and emotional. They may be physically imperfect but they are loved by God as much. With such an experience, I have become more grateful of my own life’s circumstance, though flawed in itself. I felt luckier. And I became more eager to try to see the face of Christ even in people who are unlovable or those who can’t love me back.

There are so much more to say. But I think it is better to let our actions speak. To let our deeds speak our faith. In Mukha-Ad we let go of apathy and indifference. We act justly. We love tenderly. We walk humbly with the Lord.