Day 14 & 15: Lipa to Manila/Rest Day

Greetings fro Manila. At 7:45 yesterday, after celebrating the Eucharist, we left Lipa. Accompanying me were 20 members of the Cycling Club of Lipa led by Noel, a retired colonel of the Philippine Navy. Pinned at the back of his jersey was the sign: No to War! Also joining us were 10 bikers from Baclaran led by Fr. Joey Echano - the superior of the Redemptorists in Luzon. There were 4 support vehicles.

The first 35 km was easy downhill riding to Talisay - a town by the shore of Lake Taal. The Lipa cyclists turned back as we reached the foot of the Tagaytay mountain. After a rest stop we began our ascent of the Sungay road. It was only 9 km going up but it took us 2 hours of climbing. This was the steepest road I ahve ever biked - 30 to 40 degrees grade. One biker vomited and fainted, while others alighted and walked up pushing their bikes. I kept pedaling and glancing at my heart rate monitor which reached 148 beats per minute! I slowed down and maintained a more relax pace to keep my heart rate below 140 bpm (I have to be careful since I had a myocardial ischemia - my cardiologist told me that my heart cannot tolerate extreme stress). We reached the Tagaytay rotunda at around noontime. There were two bikers from Manila waiting for us - Mel and Bobby. Bobby is a fellow member of the Pinoy MtBikers who left Valenzuela as early as 3 am and biked up to Tagaytay on a single-speed bike. After lunch break we continued our journey to Manila. This time it was mostly downhill. We reached Baclaran at 4:30 pm and we were warmly welcomed by the community, staff and church-goers. We had covered 98 km. After 2 weeks, I have covered 1236 km.

At 6:30 pm, I concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr. Joey and preached to over 2500 church-goers. As I preached to them, I became more aware of my mission as an itinerant/wandering preacher/prophet biking from church to church around the country proclaiming the Gospel of Life and Peace and denouncing the culture of death, violence and corruption.

Today is rest day. I woke later than usual. After breakfast, I washed my clothes. We had a special lunch with my Redemptorist confreres to celebrate my coming. The support of my confreres is really overwhelming.

Bike-tour for Life & Peace Day 13 - Calapan-Lipa

As usual I woke up early this morning to pray and to pack my bags. I celebrated the six o'clock mass with Fr. Nestor and his parochial vicar concelebrating. Some of the local bikers attended the mass. By 7:15 Fr. Nestor and the local bikers accompanied me to the pier where I got on the Supercat. I am deeply touched by the hospitality of Fr. Nestor who also paid for my boat ticket. The Supercat landed in Batangas pier at 9:00 am. Outside the gates, Fr. Ernie - the superior of the Redemptorists in Lipa was waiting for me together with over 80 bikers from Lipa and Batangas. I was surprised when many bikers took off their helmets and ask me to bless them (mano po). So we set off towards Lipa - on my left rode one of the leaders of the Batangas Mountain-Bikers (a 59 year old lawyer) and on my right was a Leah- a pretty biker from Lipa who teaches in La Salle. The presence of my fellow bikers made it easier to negotiate the 30 km gradual ascent to Lipa. After over two hours of biking we reached the Divino Amor - Redemptorist Church and we were welcomed the Redemptorist community, the novices and staff. They prepared lunch for the bikers. I am just amazed by the hospitality of Fr. Ernie and the community.

I was able to get a good rest in the afternoon.

Day 11 & 12: Kalibo-Caticlan-Roxas, Mindoro-Calapan

At six ten am yesterday, after waiting for ten minutes to see if any local biker from Kalibo would turn out, I pedaled alone to Caticlan. Once again it was just me and the bike - no other bikers, no motorcycle police escort, no support vehicle and no ABS-CBN TV camera crew. I felt so peaceful. all by myself.
The weather wa perfect for biking -dark clouds covered the the sun and it rained a bit. I listened to the music of the Phantom of the Opera and of Joey Ayala on my mp3 player. There were a lot of climbing after 12 km of flat road. The toughest climb was the last 20 km, along a cliff overlooking the sea. I was struck by the beauty of the scenery. I pedaled furiously hoping to catch the ferry. I reached Caticlan at 10:05 after biking for 67 km. The boat for Mindoro was just leaving so I had to wait for 3 hours for the next ferry boat.

I went aboard the Grand Star which left at 1 pm. While trying to take a nap, I felt my throat becoming sore and my nose congested - symptoms of an impending cold. I spent time meditating on the healing light and praying for divine intervention.

When we reached Roxas, Mindoro by 6 pm, Fr. Rey Bandayrel, was at the pier to welcome me. I followed his car to the rectory and after taking a shower, I went out with him to a restaurant for dinner. Before going to sleep, I again did some healing meditation and ask the Lord to heal me of my cold.

I woke up at 4 this morning feeling much better. The cold was gone. I presided at the 6 am mass with Fr. Rey concelebrating. The mass was well-attended and I preached in Tagalog. Immediately after mass, I packed my things and set out alone for Calapan.

It was again a perfect weather for biking - slight drizzle. But the sun came out at 9 am and it became hotter. My jersey quickly dried up. I stopped by the way side for halo-halo and talked to some people who gathered around me. I continued biking feeling refreshed. After a couple of hours it rained again, this time it was a downpour. But it stopped again as I was climbing up some steep hills. The heat and the hills were slowing me down. After a hour, it rained again. I felt energized and thank the heavens for the rain. My pace quickened. Some 15 km before Calapan, I met a motorcycle rider who escorted me. Then I saw 20 bikers on the bridge waiting for me. The parish priest, Fr. Nestor welcomed me and we were led by a police patrol car to the cathedral.

After brief rest and a shower I went with Fr. Nestor to see Bishop Cajandig. We came back to the cathedral for supper.

Bike-Tour for Life & Peace - Day 10: Iloilo-Kalibo

At 6:10 this morning, my Irish Redemptorist confreres saw us off in front of the St. Clement's Church. Seven Iloilo cyclists turned up to bike with me. Patrick was also biking his last leg with me. A police patrol car led the way, followed by a pick-up car with Fr. Ryan taking pictures. A support vehicle followed us with Fr. Pat Sugrue inside. One of the Iloilo bikers who joined is Dr. Ramon Mirasol, a 71 year old dentist who told me that he was diagnosed with a heart disease 28 years ago and he decided to take up biking to cure his ailment. I told him that I, too, had myocardial ischemia last year and my biking has strengthened my heart. Yes, I am biking for my life also.

After covering 10 km an ABS-CBN car drove beside me and the newscaster interviewed me as I continued biking. After asking me what the bike-tour was all about, he asked me if I was also asking for the president's resignation. I answered him that although I wished she would resign, this bike-tour was for life and peace - and not to call for her resignation. I don't want this issue to take over the broader concerns that I am biking for: abortion, the ongoing armed conflict, extrajudicial killings, environmental destruction, graft and corruption.

When we reached Dumarao (70 km for Iloilo), the bikers from the Capiz Cyclists' Club, were waiting for us. The patrol car and the support vehicles headed back to Iloilo with Patrick hitching a ride. The Iloilo bikers continued for another 10 km and then turned back to Iloilo.

The Capiz bikers biked with me up to Batan where I took a pump boat to cross to Dumaguit. From Dumaguit I continued biking, this time alone, until I reached Kalibo at 3:45 pm, after covering 147 km. My cycling computer registered 901 km.

I celebrated the Eucharist at 5:15 pm. The church was full. I had supper with Msgr. Dollete after wards.

Day 9: Ferry Bacolod-Iloilo

At 5:15 this morning, Patrick and I biked from the Redemptorist monastery in Bacolod to the pier where we took the Ocean Jet fast craft that brought us to Iloilo. We reached Iloilo by 7:30. We were met by Fr. Patrick Sugrue (the parish pries of the Clement's parish), from Fr. Ryan, the media liason officer of the Archdiocese, and the Ilongo Cycling priest - Fr. Abing. There were also 6 local bikers who joined us as we biked along the thoroughfares of the city led by two motrocycle cops. We reached the Redemptorist monastery where we had breakfast and this was followed by a press conference arranged by Fr. Ryan. I was free the rest of the day until 5:30 pm when we had the mass for life and peace. There were four Redemptorists who concelebrated with me. There was a good turn out among the church-goers, considering that today is an ordinary working day. As usual, I preached on the Good News on life and peace and I also strongly appealed for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the Government and the Nationa Democratic Front.

Day 7 & 8: Dumaguete-Kabankalan-Bacolod

At 6:15 yesterday morning, I left Dumaguete with Patrick and 25 members of the Negros Oriental Bikers Association (NOBA). This is a unique biking group which usually bikes for a cause (recently they biked for truth and accountability in response to the corruption scandal)

The first two hours to Bais City was easy - mostly on flat road. Then the calvary started when we ascended to Mabinay. It was so hot and the climbs were tough, sections of the road were being repaired so it was also dusty. We had to make a lot of stops for rest and water.

We reached the Kan-anan sa Bungtod (restaurant on the mountain) near Mabinay at past12 noon. Fr. Rolex Nueva - the social action director of Kabankalan - was waiting for us. After lunch, we parted company with the NOBA bikers who were returning to Dumaguete. In their place, 8 bikers from Mabinay (including a protestant minister and a 10 year old boy) took over to accompany us to Kabankalan. This time there were a lot of downhill riding. But it was still hot and dusty. When we reached the boundary, parish lay leaders and bikers from Kabankalan were waiting for us. There were also som kids on their BMX bikes. A large streamer welcoming us was hanging on the side of the road. We proceeded to Kabankalan with motocycle cops with siren leading the way. We reached Kabankalan at 4 pm after biking for 130 km. I presided at the 6 pm mass with 5 priests concelebrating. The church was full. After the mass we had a sumptuous dinner prepared by the parish council.

We left Kabankalan at 7:o0 this morning accompanied by 15 Kabankanlan bikers and led by a police car. A biker from Bacolod named Carlo arrived on time to join us in this leg. The Kabankalan bikers went as far as Hinigaran (35 km from Kabankalan) and then turned back together with the police car. There were three of us left as we biked towards Bacolod led by Fr. Rolex who was driving his car. When we reached the outskirs of Bacolod at noontime, 10 motorcycle riders were waiting for us and escorted us to the Redemptorist Church. The ABS-CBN TV camera crew was waiting for us as we reached the place. When I looked at my cycling computer I saw that I have already biked for 740 km since I started a week ago.

After lunch, I went to the Bike Tote's to have my bike fixed. Two broken spokes were replaced and the wheel aligned. The owner did not charge me anything.

Patrick and I went over to the Bishop's residence for a courtesy call with Bishop Vicente Navarra - one the prophetic bishops in Western Visayas. He is very supportive.

I celebrated the Mass for Life and Peace at 5:30 pm. A press conference followed.

Day 6: Cebu-Santander-Dumaguete

At 6:20 this morning I continued my journey. This time, I have company: Patrick Loarca (who is biking with me for the next 5 days) , Sherwin and other members of the Cebu Extreme Bikers' Union, Councilor Boying Rodriguez and his Danao riders, and Rudy Weiler (a paraplygic), other bikers. There were over 20 of us biking along the scenic and rolling road to Santander.
We reached the pier of Liloan after 140 km of biking. While crossing the channel, the pumpboat stopped. There was no more fuel. Luckily there was some reserve. So I landed at the pier by 4 pm where we were met by some 15 members of the Negros Oriental Bikers Association.
I preached at the 5:30 pm mass.

While reading the papers tonight, my attention was caught by the news about the CPP ordering the NPA expand the guerrilla fronts in all the congressional districts and to increase the tactical offensives against the military. This is in defiance of the target set by the government to defeat the NPA by 2010.

My appeal to stop the war and to resume the peace negotiations is indeed urgent.

Day 4 & 5: Cagayan-Bohol-Cebu

Yesterday, after celebrating the five am mass, I had an early breakfast with Archbishop Ledesma. By 6:30 am I biked alone to the pier (followed by an ABS-CBN TV camera crew) and took the boat for Jagna.

The boat landed in Jagna at 1 pm. Mar Caballo, a biker friend from Bacleon, and his companion met at the pier and biked with me to Tagbilaran. It was an easy and pleasant bike-ride along a flat highway by the sea. We reached Tagbilaran after 5 pm (after biking 65 km) and proceeded to the bishop's residence beside the cathedral. I met Bishop Medroso during supper - he was very welcoming and supportive.
We celebrated the mass for life and peace at the Tagbilaran cathedral at 6:15 this morning. After breakfast, I packed my things and biked to the pier at 8:30 am. I took the supercat ferry and arived in Cebu by noontime. I was welcomed warmly by my Redemptorist confreres during lunch. I washed my clothes after lunch and then had a cup of cappucino at nearby coffee shop.

The press conference was at 4:30 pm followed by the Mass for Life and Peace at the Redemptorist church. 13 Redemptorist priests concelebrated and there was a big crowd who attended. I am touched by the support of my confreres.

Tomorrow will be a long day.

Day 3: Malaybalay-Cagayan de Oro

At 6.30 this morning I continued my journey to Cagayan accompanied by 2 priests (Frs. Erap and Teting), 1 baptist pastor (Rev. Serino) and 7 other Malaybalay bikers of TREK-M.
The weather was perfect for biking - cloudy, cool and a slight drizzle. There were lots of uphill and downhill riding. We went througn 3 canyons - the toughest was Mangima. My bike developed a mechanical problem and I had it fixed in Manolo Fortich. While there we had lunch of caldereta (goat meat) - courtesy of the parish priest.

We reached Cagayan at 2 pm, after biking 95 km. The bikers went back to Malaybalay riding a truck while I proceeded to the Archbishop's Residence. I celebrated the mass for life and peace at 5.30 pm in the St. Augustine's cathedral. Archbishop Tony Ledesma and Fr .Julius concelebrated. During dinner, Archbishop Ledesma asked me to say the 5:00 am mass before I leave for the pier at 6:00 am.

After three days of biking, my body is slowly adjusting - just mild muscle aches.

Day 1 & 2: Buda & Malaybalay

At 8:00 am yesterday, we gathered at the archbishop's residence for the press conference and send off. After giving my departure statement, Archbishop Capalla gave his blessing and I started my journey. There 15 bikers who accompanied me for the first leg - Bishop Colin Bagaforo and Fr. Armand of Cotabato, Fr. Pol and 5 bikers from Kidapawan, 4 diocesan priests from Davao and 3 local bikers.
After biking on flat road for 10 km, we began our ascent of the Davao and Bukidnon mountain ranges. It was a very hot day. The Davao priests biked as far as Calinan (30 km away from Davao). We had lunch in the parish of Lomondao at 1:30 pm. After an hour's rest we continued our journey. There were still much climbing to do but it became cooler as the clouds provided cover and we were more than 6000 ft above sea level. All in all, we must have climbed over 70 km. The last 8 km to Buda was all downhill. We reached the parish rectory before 6 pm after biking 95 km. After taking some snacks all the bikers returned to Davao riding the support vehicles. I met the parish priest, Fr. Vic Virador who had just came back from a barrio mass. After dinner and conversation, I went to bed at 9 pm.

I woke up at 4 pm this morning. Spent some time in morning prayer and then went over the homily which I was going to give for the morning mass. I celebrated the mass at 6:30 am - most of those who attended were students, with their teachers and parents. I continued my journey at 8:00 am. This time I was all alone. I savored the silence and solitude will pedaling up and down the mountain. By noontime, the heat became unbearable but I continued biking along the rough road of Busco. My right knee was painful - I was worried that my gouty arthritis was acting up. I took a flanax tablet and the pain disappeared after an hour. By 2:00, I was in Valencia and I stopped for a while for batchoy (noodles). The last 15 km to Malaybalay was mostly uphill and I slowed down, I was feeling exhausted. I reached Malaybalay by 5:00 pm after covering 105 km. By 5:30 pm I was celebrating the mass for life and peace attended by over 200 people. After the mass I found out that the brother of Vangie (a friend who attended the mass) had just been shot. I also heard that in Valencia earlier this afternoon, there was an encounter between the NPA and the military. Another manifestation of the culture of death.

I had dinner with the parish priest, Fr. Bob Salem and two biking priests who will accompany me to Cagayan tomorrow - Frs. Yrap and Teting. Fr. Yrap was one of the priests who accompanied in the Western Mindanao leg while I was biking around Mindanao two years ago.

Philippine Bike-Tour for Life and Peace

Tomorrow, I begin my bike-tour around the country. This will the longest bike ride in the Philippines - 5000 km around the archipelago in 56 days. I will be biking for life and peace as well as setting a record. Can I still do this? I am almost 54 years old, 170 lbs (still overweight), taking medication for hypertension, diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and atherosclerosis a year ago, and occasionally bothered by gout. But I have trained adequately and I believe that biking will add more years to my life rather than sitting on the couch and watching TV. I am biking for my life! I won't push myself, I'll enjoy the view and avoid overspeeding.


This is my itinerary:

3/24 M- Davao-Buda
3/25 T- Buda-Malaybalay
3/26 W- Malaybalay-Cagayan
3/27 Th- Ferry Cagayan to Jagna, Bohol– Tagbilaran
3/28 F - Ferry to Cebu (rest)
3/29 S - Cebu-Santander-Ferry to Dumaguete
3/30 Sn- Dumaguete- Kabangkalan, Negros
3/31 M- Kabangkalan-Bacolod
4/1 T - ferry to Iloilo (rest)
4/2 W- Iloilo-Kalibo
4/3 Th- Kalibo-Katiklan ferry to Roxas, Mindoro
4/4 F - Roxas-Calapan
4/5 S - Ferry to Batangas City -Lipa
4/6 Sn - Lipa-Manila (via Tagaytay)
4/7 M - (rest)
4/8 T – Manila (Baclaran) – Cabanatuan
4/9 W- Cabanatuan - Bayombong
4/10 Th Bayombong-Ilagan
4/11 F- Ilagan- Tuguegarao
4/12 S- Tuguegarao– Aparri
4/13 Sn – Aparri-Claveria
4/14 M – Claveria-Laoag
4/15 T- Rest
4/16 W- Laoag-Bangued
4/17 Th – Bangued-Malibcong
4/18 F - Malibcong-Lubuagan
4/19 S- Lubuagan-Bontoc
4/20 Sn – Bontoc-Abatan
4/21 M - Abatan -Baguio
4/22 T- Rest
4/23 W- Baguio-Alaminos
4/24 Th- Alaminos-Iba, Zambales
4/25 F – Iba-Balanga, Bataan
4/26 S- Balanga-Manila (Baclaran)
4/27 Sn- Bike around Manila , deliver letter to Malacanang, Preach at Manila Cathedral
4/28 M- Manila-Lucena
4/29 T - Lucena- Calauag
4/30 W- Calauag-Daet
5/1 Th- Daet-Naga
5/2 F - Naga- Sorsogon
5/3 S- Sorsogon-Matnog Ferry to Allen-Catarman, Samar
5/4 Sn - Catarman- Gamay
5/5 M- Gamay-Oras
5/6 T - Rest
5/7 W- Oras- Llorente
5/8 T – Llorente-Tacloban
5/9 F - Tacloban-Ormoc
5/10 S- Ormoc-Hilongos, Leyte
5/11 Sn- Hilongos- Liloan
5/12 M – Ferry Liloan-Surigao City (rest)
5/13 T - Surigao-Butuan
5/14 W - Butuan-San Francisco, Agusan
5/15 Th San Francisco-Mangagoy
5/16 Fri – Mangagoy – Cateel, Davao Oriental
5/17 S - Cateel-Compostela – Nabunturan
5/18 Sn – Nabunturan-Davao

This is the statement that I will be giving to the media in the press conference before my departure tomorrow at the Archbishop's residence at 8 pm.

Philippine Bike-Tour for Life and Peace:
Preaching the Gospel of Life amidst the Culture of Death
Departure statement of Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR


Today I begin my journey around the Philippine on a bicycle. I will be pedaling around 5,000 kilometers in 56 days – from Davao across Central and Western Visayas to the tip of Northern Luzon and traversing the Cordilleras on my way back to Davao through Southern Luzon, the Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao. I will be biking the entire distance alone but I will be accompanied at times by local bikers as I pass their cities and towns.

In every parish where I will stay for the night, I will celebrate the Eucharist and preach the gospel of life and peace. I do this because we live in a land where the value and sanctity of life is disregarded, a society where the culture of death and violence prevails. There are various manifestations of this culture of death and I would like to focus on the following concerns:

(1) Abortion
(2) The ongoing armed conflict/war in the countryside,
(3) The spate of killings of militants, journalists and suspected petty criminals
(4) The environmental destruction
(5) Graft and corruption

1. Prevalence of abortion.
Millions of unborn children have been murdered in their mothers’ womb. Over 400,000 abortions are performed annually. Most of these are performed by doctors, nurses and hilots. There are groups that advocate the legalization of abortion following the trend in many countries. There is a lack of outcry to the ongoing mass murder of innocent and defenseless unborn children.

2. The continuing armed conflict.
The peace negotiations between the Government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) which started 20 years ago have not progressed and have practically been abandoned. The partial agreements arrived at have been ignored.
Hoping for an eventual military victory, the revolutionary movement is expanding the NPA guerrilla fronts and mass base and increasing tactical offensives. They attack soft targets like cell-sites and burn buses and equipment of companies who refuse to pay revolutionary taxes.
The revolutionary movement has resorted to assassination of so-called “enemies of the people”: uncooperative local government officials, police, suspected informers, former comrades, those belonging to other competing ideological groups, etc.
The Arroyo Government continues to classify the CPP/NDF/NPA as a terrorist group and has adopted a militarist solution to the insurgency problem which it hopes to eliminate or neutralize by 2010.
The NDF/CPP/NPA has made its “de-listing” as a terrorist organization by the US and the EU as a precondition for the resumption of the peace negotiation.
So many civilians have been caught in this crossfire which has consequently led to evacuations and to human rights violations.
The roots of the armed conflict have not been addressed – such as poverty, inequality, injustices, and exploitation. These lead to slow death and can provoke people to resort to violence or support the armed struggle.
While the ceasefire between the MILF and the Government is holding, a peace agreement is still elusive. Every time a breakthrough is almost reached, there are forces and events that sabotage the process.


3. The spate of killings of militants, journalists and suspected petty-criminals
Hundreds of members and leaders of legal groups accused of being fronts of the revolutionary movement have been abducted or assassinated. The United Nation special rapporteur, Alston, points to the involvement of elements within the military in these killings. They appear to be part of a counter-insurgency campaign.
Media people have not been spared from the cycle of violence. Journalists and radio commentators critical to actuations of government officials have been murdered.
While capital punishment has been abolished, suspected petty criminals have been summarily executed by death squads. According to the Alston report, these vigilante killings appear to be inspired or tolerated by local government officials. They appear to be supported by businessmen who proclaim that these killings are good for business.

4. The destruction of the environment
The land, seas, rivers, lakes and the air are polluted. The forests are disappearing. These have contributed to global warming. The destruction of the environment is one of the biggest threats to life. It harms not only this present generation but the future generations. The mining, logging and banana industry and other corporations have made huge profits while the local populace remain impoverished and their health and life put at risk. Our government policies favor these companies over the welfare of the people.

5. Corruption at all levels of government
Corruption is like a cancer that afflicts all levels of government – from top to bottom. The culture of corruption perpetuates the culture of death. The CBCP has condemned corruption as “death dealing” and “life-destroying plague” (1989). It perpetuates the poverty of the people and contributes to the continuation of the armed conflict. It allows the wanton destruction of the environment to continue.


Abortion, the armed conflict, extrajudicial killings, the environmental destruction and corruption. These are manifestations of the culture of death in our country. They cause so much suffering and death to our people. They manifest a total disregard for the value of life. It is in the midst of this culture that I wish to preach the gospel of life. Life is sacred. No to abortion, no to war (whether people’s war or the counter-insurgency war), no to the extrajudicial killings, no the destruction of the environment. No to graft and corruption.

I wish to dedicate this Bike-Tour to the victims of this culture of death:

For the millions of the aborted – the unborn children murdered in their mother’s womb.
For the casualties of the armed conflict – combatants and non-combatants
For the militants, journalists and suspected petty-criminals who have been executed
For the millions affected by the destruction of the environment.

I make the following appeal:

1. To women with unwanted pregnancy, those doctors, nurses, and hilots involved in abortion: Stop killing the unborn human beings. Abortion is not a right. It is crime, it is a grievous sin. Choose life not death. Allow the children to see the light of day. If you cannot care for them, let others who can take care of them and shower them with their love. Let us build a society that is child-friendly. Children are not a curse, they are a blessing. They are the hope of the future.

2. To the government and military leaders and leaders of the revolutionary movement, especially the NDF/CPP/NPA and the MILF: No more war. No more killings and destruction of property. Resume the peace negotiation without precondition and come up with a peace settlement that addresses the roots of the armed conflict.

To ordinary citizens, civil society groups and the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs): Be peace-makers. Let us build up the peace movement, help create more peace zones and pressure the government and the revolutionary movements to pursue the path of peace.

3. To the Government and Military Leadership: Put an end to extra-judicial killings and forced disappearances and bring the perpetrators to justice. Respect the rule of law and human rights.

4. Respect and defend the environment. Impose a total log ban nationwide. Repeal the mining act. Ban aerial spraying in banana plantations.

5. Stop corruption at all levels of society – from top to bottom.

Life is precious, life is sacred. Let us put a stop to this culture of death, violence and corruption. May the fullness of life and peace of the risen Christ prevail in our land.

Easter Monday, March 24, 2008.

Homily for Easter Sunday

When the story of our life is told, how does it end?. For many of us, it ends with our death. The last scene of the story is probably our burial-- in the tomb or the grave. A story that ends with death is a tragedy. It is a sad story. The question: is that really how our stories should end?

Last Friday, we recalled the story of Jesus' suffering and death. He was falsely accused by the powers that be, and brutally executed. Before nightfall, he was buried in the tomb. His disciples had dispersed, some were in hiding, filled with grief, feeling hopelessly defeated. They thought that the story of Jesus ended on Good Friday in a tomb.

Today, Easter Sunday, we recall the continuation of Jesus' story. When the women and some of disciples led by Peter came to the tomb, they found it empty. Jesus had risen from the dead. He has conquered death, he has defeated the power of sin .

Thus, the story of his life has not ended in the tomb -- it continues.

What we celebrated this Holy Week was not just the story of Jesus' suffering and death. We are celebrating his passage from death to life, from darkness to light. This is what Easter is all about.

As we celebrate Jesus' paschal mystery -- his passover, his passage from death to life
we remember our own baptism which signifies our own passage from death to life, from darkness to light. By our baptism we share in Christ's paschal mystery. We have died to sin and we have risen to new life.

This is what we are called to do every of our life -- to continue to die to sin and live a new life in Christ, a life that is freed from the power of sin and selfishness, a life lived in love and service to God and our fellowmen.

Easter also reminds us, that the story of our life is not meant to end in the grave or the tomb. Our destiny is everlasting life, in God's kingdom.

Homily on Good Friday

The most important symbol of Christianity is the crucifix – the image of Jesus hanging on the cross.
We have gotten used to this symbol but if we look more closely, we realize that it is gruesome image – we see a person being executed in the most brutal, painful and humiliating way. An electric chair or lethal injection would be less shocking.

What did he do to deserve such a punishment?

We have to bear in mind that crucifixion was a punishment that was reserved for the worst criminals and especially those guilty of rebellion against the Roman Empire.

Was Jesus a rebel?

He was not a Zealot. He did not take up arms against the Roman occupiers. But what did he do that made those in authority think that he was a dangerous man?

He came to preach the coming of God’s kingdom – this was the Good News of salvation – the good news that God will save them from sin and all forms of evil, slavery and oppression. He denounced evil in society and called people to conversion. Above all he cleansed the temple and drove out the money-changers – those who used the temple trade to exploit the people.

This was surely good news to the poor and to those who were longed for freedom and salvation. But this was not good news to those who benefited from the sinful structures and systems. His message was dangerous – it would subvert the existing kingdom and empire that was under the dominion of sin and evil.

He came to serve the poor and the needy, those who were hungry and sick. By doing so, many believed that he was the awaited Kingly-Messiah – the Son of David. He was welcomed as king when he entered Jerusalem. Naturally, the authorities and the Romans were afraid that he would lead a rebellion against Rome.

Thus, in the eyes of those in power, Jesus was a dangerous man, a threat to the status quo. The proclamation of the coming of the kingdom of God was a threat to their existing kingdom and empire. He had to be put away.

The cross at first glance symbolize the brutal reality of sin. Where sin reigns, the just man suffers and die. Jesus on the cross experienced the suffering of so many people in the world who have been victimized by the sinful situations and systems.

The cross at a deeper view symbolize the love of God for humanity – the God who gave up his son for our salvation. It is also the greatest expression of Christ’s love. As Jesus said during the last supper: no greater love a man has than to lay down his life for his friends. The cross reminds us that it is the power of love that will ultimately free us from the power of sin and death.

Biking and advocacy

The Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday came out with an article about my forthcoming Bike-Tour starting next week. The title: Priest to Bike 4750 km to ask GMA for Reforms. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080316-124941/Priest-to-bike-4750-km-to-ask-Arroyo-for-reforms.

I do not like the heading of the article because it gives an impression that the main purpose of my biking is to ask the president for reforms. It also emphasizes that I am not asking the embattled president to resign.

The primary purpose of my biking and preaching is to draw attention to the culture of death and corruption that afflicts Philippine society - from top to bottom (from Malacanang to the barangay). Delivering a letter to Malacanang is just a side-trip and I don't expect the President to meet me or to read the letter - it is just symbolic. I will make the contents of the letter public - in it I will denounce the President for perpetuating the culture of death and corruption and for being a hypocrite (she goes to mass everyday and claims that it is God's will that she is president). Although I want her to resign, I will not be demanding her resignation because I know that it will be futile - she will continue to cling to power at all cost. I will just tell her that she will face the judgment of history and of God. Her worst punishment will be to live the rest of her life in shame and disgrace - knowing that the majority of the people have condemned her as a corrupt, greedy and powerhungry president - no better than Marcos and Estrada. But I don't want to focus all my energy in just denouncing the president.

As I bike around the Philippines (from Davao to Aparri and back), I will be preaching the Gospel of Life and Peace. I will speak out against the culture of death and corruption in society. I will focus my advocacy on 5 specific concerns which I believe are manifestations of the culture of death: abortion, the ongoing armed conflict, extrajudicial killings, the destruction of the environment (especially through logging and mining) and graft & corruption. What links all my other advocacies is the call to respect life. This means stopping abortion, stopping the war (call for resumption of peace negotiations), stopping extrajudicial killings, stopping the destruction of the environment (an appeal for total log ban and the repeal of the mining act), and stopping graft & corruption (search for truth and accountability, abolish pork barrel).

Weekend with the Redemptorist Youth Mission Team

This weekend, I facilitated the evaluation and planning session of the DRYM team (Davao Redemptorist Youth Mission team which was held in our beach house in Dasag, Samal Island. There were seventeen participants. On Saturday morning, seven members of the team joined me in biking towards the place - after crossing to the island on the ferry boat.

I really enjoy being with the members of the Youth Mission team and working with them. I helped train them since 2002 and they have been active helping organize the youth program in the parish and the BECs. They are all volunteers, some are still students and some have graduated and are now working as teachers and nurses. Recently, I trained them to facilitate the BEC youth fellowship seminars - an evangelization seminar for young people at the grassroots communities. Every year during the Mindanao Week of Peace, they provide assistance for the Bike for Peace which I organize.

Mass & Prayer Rally for Truth and Accountability

Yesterday afternoon we held a mass and prayer rally at the Ateneo de Davao University and Freedom Park as a response to the call for a communal action for truth. Over a thousand students, religious and members of civil society groups turned up for this event. Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, (president of the University) presided at the mass while Fr. Albert Alejo read the statement. There were 8 priests who concelebrated (2 Redemptorists and 6 Jesuits). After the mass, we gathered outside the university, in front of the Freedom Park for the candle-lighting and noise barrage.

Taking a stand against corruption and abuse of power

I just came from a meeting with some Jesuit priests and representatives from civil society groups in Davao. We discussed about the brewing political crisis sparked by the testimony of Jun Lozada about the involvement of the President and her husband in the ZTE-NBN corruption deal and the efforts to obstruct senate investigation. All of us are convinced that Lozada is telling the truth and the president must be held accountable.

We are aware that a lot of people have become apathetic and inflicted with "people power" fatigue. After ousting two corrupt presidents, many have become wary about going out to the streets to demand the resignation of another corrupt president.

Yet we cannot remain silent. We cannot allow this social evil that has permeated society to reign with impunity. So we have decided to respond to the CBCP call for communal action. We are organizing an interfaith rally this coming Friday, February 22 to express our outrage at the corruption and abuse of power.

It doesn't matter if the majority remain silent. We will continue to exercise our prophetic vocation.

Saying Goodbye to Fr. George and Sr.Yna

I just came back from Manila tonight after attending a meeting of the Baclaran commission the whole day today. The commission is made up of three Redemptorists from the Manila vice-province and four Redemptorists from the Cebu province. We talked about the collaboration between the two units of the Redemptorists in the Philippines in carrying out the mission apostolate in the Mother of Perpetual Help shrine in Baclaran.

Yesterday, the remains of Fr. George Tither arrived from Legazpi City and the coffin was placed at the Baclaran church where the wake will be held. I joined the Redemptorist community in a short ceremony of welcome. George will be buried this Friday. An Australian Redemptorist, George was assigned to the Philippines in 1947. He has been all over Luzon conducting missions and also as vocation director. I have known him since 1975, when I was a novice in Lipa. George is a source of inspiration for me and an example of missionary zeal and commitment. I hope that like him, I too will spend the rest of my life as a member of the congregation. Goodbye, George. St. Alphonsus and our departed confreres await you in heaven. Hope to see you again someday.

Late in the afternoon, I took the MRT to Cubao where I met my good friend, Yna. We had dinner at Gateway and then had capuccino. Yna is joining the Cenacle sisters and will be starting her novitiate this Feb. 17. I won't be seeing her again for the next two years. I promised her that I will attend her profession. I will miss her. Goodbye, Yna, see you two years from now.

I like the way the Italians say goodby: Arrividerdci! Until we see each other again.

A Gathering of Former Activists

Last night I attended a gathering of some 60 former activists held at the covered court at the back of the monastery. The convenors called this event "Tapok-Tapok sa mga Tibak." Many of those who came are now in their 50s or 60s - among them are lawyers, an ex-Mayor, a ex-Congressman, a city councilor, media people, ex-priests, NGO workers, businessmen, etc. What we had in common was that during the 1970s up to the mid-1980s we were active in resisting the Marcos regime. Many started in the student movement of the so-called First Quarter Storm - the Kabataang Makabayan, SDK, Lakasdiwa, YCSP, etc. Many became Marxists-Maoists/National Democrats (Natdems) and joined the CPP and the NPA. Others were Social Democrats (Socdems). Many were arrested, tortured and imprisoned.

We shared our stories and experiences and where we are now. Some read their poems, others sang revolutionary songs. After dinner of lechon and other delicacies, we continued to talk in small groups. I was surprised to hear them talk about spirituality.

And now several decades later we find ourselves living different kinds of lives. The radicalism and idealism is gone. Most of us have abandoned the ideologies of our youth. But many still work with the poor without resorting to armed struggle - through cooperatives, the Gawad Kalinga, social development work, peace advocacy, governance, etc.

Manila Meeting (CBCP-BEC National Office)

I just came back from Manila today after attending the meeting of the CBCP-BEC National Office held at the Pius XII Center. This office is an arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference that promotes the Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Philippines. It is chaired by Archbishop Quevedo with 7 other bishops who head other commissions. The executive secretary is Msgr. Elmer Abacahin. I am one of the consultants, together with Msgr. Jomari Delgado, Msgr. Manny Gabriel and Estela Padilla.

We talked about the plans of the BEC office for the year which Archbishop Quevedo was to present to the bishops from all over the country who are in Manila this week for their plenary assembly. Two of the things we discussed were the BEC participation in the Second Rural Congress this July 2008 and the BEC national assembly this coming November 2008 whic will be held in Cagayan de Oro. We agreed that the theme of the national assembly should be based on the Rural Congress - the Role of the BECs in rural development.

During the previous BEC national assembly in 2005 held in Cebu, I gave a talk on the role of BECs in Social Transformation. It was just one of the three topics that were tackled. This coming assembly will focus on how BECs are addressing and can address the problems that rural communities face -especially poverty, underdevelopment, etc.

I am glad to note how the bishops in the Philippines are fully supportive of the effort to promote BECs in the Philippines as the pastoral thrust. As far as I know, this is the only Bishops' Conference that has a national office devoted to BECs. In 2002, when we first organized the BEC national assembly, there were two resolutions that we submitted to the CBCP: the formation of a BEC national office and the holding of a BEC national assembly participated by the various dioceses in the country. Both of these resolutions were adopted by the CBCP.

There is still much to be done to make our dream of a renewed Church become a reality in the BECs. But what I find hopeful is that the bishops are right behind us. I still remember that there was a time during the martial law era when only a handful of bishops were open to forming BECs in their dioceses while many were suspicious of BECs as leftists.

Training for the Philippine Bike-Tour for Life and Peace

I am starting to intensify my training for my bike-tour this summer.
I only have 9 weeks to go and I am still feeling sluggish and out of shape. I am 173 lbs - I gained 7 lbs during the Christmas season. I need to lose at least 15 lbs.
The other day I biked for 6 hrs and 30 minutes. My pace was very slow and I had leg cramps after 4 hrs while ascending some hills. Luckily the cramp disappeared once I descended.
This morning after mass I went out for a relaxing 2 1/2 hrs bike ride.

So this will be the weekly training program I will be following starting tomorrow.

Monday - 6 hrs (road bike) - every other week
Tuesday - 3 hrs (mountain-bike)/ 6 hrs every other wk
1 hr strength-training (back, shoulders)
Wednesday - 2 hrs (mt-bike)
Thursday - 4 hrs (road bike), 1 hr strength-training (lower body)
Friday - 2 hrs mt-bike
Saturday - no biking, 1 hr strength-training (chest, arms)
Sunday - 2 hrs (mt-bike)

I hope I will be able to stick to this program. I have so many other things to do - teaching, celebrating the mass and other sacraments, praying, writing, attending meetings, etc.
I need to be fully prepared for my longest bike-tour so far - over 4000 km around the Philippines. I am excited just thinking about it. Besides biking for a cause, I will be setting a record for being the first to bike around the country - from Davao to the tip of Luzon and back. Seven years ago I already set the record for being the first to bike across the Philippines - from Davao to Pagudpud (2083 km). I took the bus and plane back to Davao. The other summer I also set the record for being the first to bike around Mindanao (2182 km).
I know that this time it will be more challenging since I am older (I am already 53 years old), overweight, recovering from atherosclerosis and myrocardial ischemia, and constantly threatened by gout. So I have to bike slowly and make sure that my heart rate does not go beyond 135 bpm - that's why I always wear my heart rate monitor.
Here's a video clip of my training ride last Friday.

Remembering my Father

I spent the whole day biking. When I came back to the monastery, I celebrated the mass for dead in the chapel. After a quick supper I went out for capuccino and a slice of brazo de mercedes. This is my way of observing my father's death anniversary.

Exactly 15 years ago my father died of heart attack. I was in Rome at that time and I had just arrived from New York where I spent my Christmas vacation. I had to go home immediately to Iligan. I presided at his funeral mass with 10 other priests concelebrating. After his burial I returned to Rome to finish my doctorate.

I was deeply affected by my father's death. We had grown closer -- especially the last summer I spent with him (which was in June 1991). I had just finished my graduate studies in Berkeley and came home for vacation before starting my studies in Rome.

As a little boy, I considered my father as a hero. He was fearless guerrilla officer during the World War II, and with his veteran's benefits he was able to finish civil engineering. I usually accompanied him to his projects - building roads, bridges, powerplants and dams. He often brought me along to church, to the barbershop, to the moviehouse, to the tennisc court and the restaurants. I wanted to be an engineer like him and he expected me to follow his footsteps. When I entered high school, I decided to become a priest. This disappointed him and at first he wouldn't allow me to enter the seminary until a priest visited our home and convinced him. He got angry with me when I was arrested and imprisoned for seven months during the eary years of martial law. Although, he visited me once in prison, the expression in his face showed anger and disappointment.

Through the years my relationship with my father became more distant. At 59 years old he had a stroke and had to stop working. My mother patiently took care of him but after she died he lived with my sister's family. I became very concerned whenever I heard that my father had conflicts with my brothers and sisters. He sometimes threatened to shoot them. He was an angry sick old man who had violent tendencies.

When I visited him that summer, I got so angry with him after seeing him slapped my sister. I decided to spend a lot of time with him at the beach and listened to his life-story. I found out where the anger came from. He was angry with his father whom he blamed for his mother's death. His mother died in an accident after a quarrel with his father over his infidelities. My father never forgave my grandfather. Years later the conflict worsened when his father deprived him and his siblings some parcel of land which they were supposed to inherit. The went to court against their father and they won. When my father married my mother, his father did not attend the wedding. My father harbored this anger up to his old age. And this affected his relationship with us.

Before, I left for Rome, I brought my father to my grandfather's grave. I asked my father if he was ready to forgive his father and reconcile with him. I waited for a long time and then he cried. "Father, for all the pain and hurt you have inflicted on us, I forgive you." The tears in his eyes softened his face. I could see the anger disappearing. He looked peaceful. The following day, I saw him walking with a cane, and smiling. He told me that the cane belong to his father which he kept. As we were walking down the street, we met an old friend and introduced me as his son the priest. I could see in his face that he was proud of me and pleased with me. I remember the gospel text: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

The last summer that I saw my father, he was at peace. He was freed of the anger that he carried with him for a long time. He learned to forgive and this led to an inner healing. He was ready to face death. And this is what I will always remember.

The Way of Peace - Learning from Mandela

I'm back in Davao after spending my post-Christmas vacation in Iligan. Over the weekend, I finished reading the biography of Nelson Mandela.
What a fascinating man and an amazing life-story. As a young man, he was involved in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He resorted to armed struggle after realizing that the non-violent resistance was ineffective against a repressive regime. He worked with communists and was accused of being a communist. He was arrested and imprisoned for 27 years. Even while in prison, his leadership over the revolutionary movement was recognized. He maintained his sense of dignity and inner freedom, and never harbored any bitterness and anger against enemies. As he got older and as the political and economic crisis deepened, he realized that the African National Congress and it guerrilla army could never seize power through armed struggle. The sanctions and international pressure against the government made it viable for a negotiated peace settlement. He was able to successfully pursue peace negotiation with President de Klerk's government. After his release, the Apartheid was dismantled and years later he was elected president. His passion for freedom was accompanied by his capacity for forgiveness. Above all his sense of of hope sustained him throughout those long years in prison. Mandela embodies the Christian values even if he was not pious or deeply religious.

I wish the Filipino revolutionary leaders , especially Joma Sison, would read Mandela's biography and learn from his experience. The armed struggle in the Philippines has been going on for 40 years. The peace negotiation, which started 20 years ago has not progressed. The NDF has set a preconditions for the resumption of the stalled peace talks - of being delisted as terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. Meanwhile, the NPA continue to conduct tactical offensives - like attacking remote military outposts and soft targets (cell sites, banana plantations, etc.). The revolutionary leaders continue to dream the impossible dream - of capturing state power through armed struggle. On the other hand, President Arroyo and her generals are not interested in pursuing peace negotiatitions and continue to dream the impossible dream - the total annihilation of the NPA - by 2010.

I think that it is time for revolutionary leaders to come to their senses. They can never succeed in transforming Philippine society through armed struggle. The most that they can do is to attack remote outposts and cell-sites and liquidate uncooperative barangay officials. The majority of the Filipinos do not support the so-called "People's War" and the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat.

The Arroyo government and the military generals should also come to their senses. They can never totally annihilate the NPA. The military solution cannot solve the insurgency problem for as long as the roots of armed conflict are not addressed.

The only way forward for the revolutionary movement and the government is to walk the way of peace. There is much to learn from the South African experience and from Nelson Mandela.

New Year's Day Homily

On this first day of the new year, we celebrate the feast of Mary the Mother of God.
This is also the day that the whole Church observes the world day of peace.

Mary Mother of God

One of the most ancient title for Mary is that of Mother of God – Theotokos – the God bearer. This title, does not teach about the divinity of Mary, but rather the divinity of the child that she gave birth to. It therefore reminds us that Mary has given birth not just to an ordinary human being but to the God made man – the savior of the world.
One of the titles of Jesus that the angels announced at his birth is that of the Prince of Peace. Peace is one of the blessings that the Messiah has brought into the world. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of God will.”
If Jesus is the prince of peace, then Mary is the Queen of Peace and we continue to pray for her intercession as we long for peace in our land.

World Day of Peace

The Church has set aside every first day of the year to mark the World Day of Peace. We are called to reflect and carry out our mission to bring Christ’s message of peace to the world.
In the midst of a culture of death and violence – a situation of division and conflict – we the followers of the prince of peace are called to be peace-makers, to be peace-builders.
As we desire to bring peace to the world, let us always remember that peace should begin in each one of us and in our homes, in our neighborhood and in our communities.
In his message for the World Day of Peace today, Benedict XVI dwells on the theme of the Human Family as a Community of Peace.
The pope reminds us that the family is the first teacher of peace and the first environment where peace is experienced. He also emphasizes that mankind should consider itself as one family and should become a community of peace.
With this theme of the family as the community of peace, let us reflect on what is happening in our own families. We need to ask: can peace be experienced in our own family, in our home? Is our family truly a community of peace.
There are families that suffer division and conflict. Families afflicted by domestic violence. If this exist, it is important that we work for healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Achieving genuine peace in the family: this can be part of our new year’s resolution