I’ve read the book “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. It took me 2 days of interrupted reading to finish it. At first, I was hesitant reading it because they say this book destroys the faith that was taught for years.

            I haven’t had the time to watch the movie 2 months ago. Besides, I prefer reading than watching. I just viewed the beautiful places through my Encarta.

            My discernment about this book is more on cryptology and symbolisms; creative writing as it is and enthralling.  I thought of how this movie affected the people of San Esteban in view of the fact that it is a devout town. It didn’t alter one individual.

In St. Stephen Parish, more parishioners attend mass on Sunday with our new parish priest, Fr. Amador Cabaluna. Even in the absence of Fr. Jimmy Afalia of the Philippine Independent Church, many go to their holy gathering celebrated by a young Deacon. Also, people in the different religious sects of our town are active in promulgating their beliefs. It really appears that a San Estebanian’s peculiarity is a believer of the Almighty.

May I share with you this article from my TGSE colleague, Avigine Rubino from Seattle, exposing the deceit of the Da Vinci Code.

“God wants me to help you set the record straight on one of the greatest deceptions facing the body of Christ today.

The released motion picture The Da Vinci Code and the best-selling book of the same name are presenting heresies as facts regarding our Lord. 

Unaware Christians who are not rooted and grounded in the Word of God cannot discern the difference between truth and fiction, and they are asking the question:

Could all these be true?

I am drawing a line in the sand to get you the truth.

I want to give you the historical validity of Jesus, and I want you to remember it and share it.

The book and motion picture present as fact several heresies regarding our Lord, and I am going to set the record straight:

l      MARY MAGDALENE MARRIED TO JESUS!

The Da Vinci Code revisits an ancient heresy: Jesus did not die on the cross, but survived to marry His lover, Mary Magdalene. This is anti-biblical! There is no indication in the Bible or in historical documents that Jesus Christ was ever married.

• MARY MAGDALENE AND JESUS HAD CHILDREN WHO BECAME THE ROYAL LINE OF FRANCE!

Again, this is totally anti-biblical and is in no way factual. There is nothing in history that could possibly indicate that this is true. Yet in the movie, it is presented as a fact.

l      THESE "FACTS" HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR CENTURIES AND HIDDEN BY THE CHURCH!

The movie purports an ancient and secret guard has ruthlessly killed to cover up these "facts" so Christianity would not be destroyed. This is ridiculous!!

The first PROOF I want to give you of the facts about the Lord Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection is the testimony of eye witnesses who saw the Savior die and met Him after His resurrection.

The Apostle Peter is one of them, and He said, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16).

The second PROOF comes not from what the eyewitnesses saw, but from what they HEARD. We have direct testimony of the disciples hearing the voice of the Father, speaking plainly as to who Jesus is.

"And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount“(2 Peter 1:18).

This testimony is from the Apostle Peter, who was with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration.

And the third PROOF is . . .

THE PROPHECIES FULFILLED IN JESUS!

Again, the Apostle Peter reminds us, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts"  (2 Peter 1:19).

Jesus confirmed by the Spirit the prophecies of the Old Testament ... and on the Mount of Transfiguration; He was joined by Moses and Elijah as representatives of the law and the prophets. We have eyewitness accounts of the Apostles to these truths.

Please share these truths with your friends and family, so they will know the truth of our Lord and make it known. It is critical for you and me to stand in defense of our faith ... today more than ever! Thank you for helping me unmasks THE DA VINCI CODE DECEIT!

The Dangers of the Last Days

            “You should also know this….that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred…

…They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God…

…They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that…

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will go on deceiving others, and they themselves will be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right…

…a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths…

…But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 3-4)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

JESUS loves you…!!! Pass this on…”

            Moreover, I believe that life is a balancing act amidst its vicissitudes but when it comes to my faith measured with anything else, my scale tips over toward our Lord God. It’s because in Him, His weight is immeasurable, His value is priceless and His reward eternal. So, praise Him and let Him be the measure of your life.

            Antique collections of Images Etc. Kelly Vergara Baldonado, a Registered Nurse and our Municipal Nursing Attendant have hundreds of collected religious images from rosaries, crucifixes with Christ and processional images. He has also collected antique plates with crabs, jars and ‘virina’. 

I recall when we were still in the elementary level of education; he was the Hermanito of 1984 in celebration of the feast of Santo Niño Labrador which falls on the second Sunday after the traditional Epiphany of each year.

That was when I thought he started collecting the Santo Niño image. But I was wrong. According to him, it was his plaything when he was 5 years old and that starts his anthology of these images. At that time, it was only the Santo Niño image until he gathered all the different kinds of religious images in wood, brass, silver, fiber glass, metal,’scagliola’ and ivory from 2 inches to 7 feet tall and from a set of 10 images. Now, the collection is more than 300 pieces.

Kelly has also a variety collection of orchids, euphorbia and other plants including animals: dogs, monkeys and aquariums.  He has also a collection of native dance books, music and costumes. He is one of the top invited instructor in folk dancing and street dancing in our town.

At present, he is the care taker of the processional images of the St. Stephen Parish and the Philippine Independent Church. He has plans of migrating to Canada this year and I asked, ‘What’s your plan for these antiques and your collections?’ He replied, ‘It’s for sale!’

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            June Bride.  On June 26, 2006, my Ading Sabel Vergara and his fiancé, my good friend Roger Edralin had a simple wedding in Hawaii which was attended by close family relatives and friends. My auntie Florence Ramirez went to HI last June 20, 2006 to concur for this affair and most importantly due to Lelang Eling’s unpleasant situation lately.

            I’ve been telling Ading Sabel about the life of having a nice family especially so when we accommodate a wedding reception. And one of her legacy of my scripts is these lines:

            “Most people get married believing a myth that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they have longed for companionship, sexual fulfillment, intimacy and friendship. The truth is that marriage at the start is an empty box. You must put something in before you can take anything out.

            There is no love in marriage. Love is in people and people put it into marriage. There is no romance in marriage. People have to infuse it into their marriage.

            A couple must learn the art and form, the habit of giving, loving, serving, praising – keeping the box full. If you take out more than you put in, the box will empty.”

            May you have hopes and prayers, compassion and love, kindness and equity, sympathy and consideration, patience and goodwill and continuously uphold the values and ideals that you have shared, to fulfill a happy married life.

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            Another wedding that I’m sure will be customarily attended this July is the marriage ceremony of Rae Marie Europa Ordoñez, the only daughter of Mr. Mario Ordoñez and Rachel Europa Fernando, with Elgin Llano from Oregon. It will be on the 28^th of July 2006 in Maui, Hawaii.

            To Rae Marie and Elgin, may you find the secret of happiness in your HOME. The WALL says BE STRONG, the CEILING says AIM HIGH, the DOOR says BE OPEN, the WINDOW says LEARN TO GIVE and TAKE, the CLOCK says TIME IS GOLD, the CALENDAR says LOVE EVERYDAY as if it is the last , the CABINET says KEEP THINGS in ORDER, the BED says TAKE TIME to RELAX, the LAMP says BE the LIGHT, and GOD who is found everywhere says KEEP THE FAITH BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. 

            I’m pretty mixed up with all these topics of this month’s afterthought. I believe it still share interest to our readers.

            I’ve touched about the town fiesta feature, Harana, in my last editorial and the early preparations for the best outcome of this year’s celebration.

            Yes! The GSC assembled last June 20, 2006 and roused into extending the fiesta activities with the request of the Municipal Mayor for his last December in his last term as the father of our town.

            Now, I have a pet project with Mhar Racela – the BARANGAYAN 2006. I will be the Director of this feature. I said to Mhar, Harana was your brainchild with Dr. Ben, this will be ours.

            The Barangayan 2006 is a weekly solo singing contest and of any talent competition in every barangay of our town. The idea of the contest is related to the Harana Atbp. activities in the previous years except for some modification. The Barangayan shall have only 3 categories: ‘Ub-ubbing’, ‘Nataengan’ and ‘Ken Dadduma Pay (KDPY.)’ respectively. Instead of the Municipal Auditorium as the venue of the weekly contest, the competition will be done in the different barangays of our town. This time, only San Estebanians are qualified to join this year’s contest. Furthermore, every barangay has the chance to bring out the hidden voices or talents from their respective constituents and later to be judged as the best among the bests during the Grand Finals scheduled in this year’s Town Fiesta celebration.

            The Barangayan 2006 aspires to unify the barangays of our town and its components for a stronger San Esteban.

            This is breathtaking! Till then. My warm greetings to my Aloha friends, Ella Vergara Degala, Bernice Mariano Edralin, Ilene & Marinel Ramirez Cadoy. I look forward to see you soon!