Sunday, June 8, 2008

Bishop Pabillo joins 7th APJPW

"We are not Catholic enough. We have limited our Catholicism to going to church and Bible studies. We did not do our social duties," says Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD.


Rev. Fr. Broderick Suncuaco Pabillo is the eldest of four children of Conrado C. Pabillo, an engineer, and Gloria A. Suncuaco, a public school teacher. Bishop Broderick, fondly called Brody in his family, was born on March 11, 1955 in Victorias City of Negros Occidental. The family migrated to Naga City, Camarines Sur in 1959 because his father was then employed in the Bicol Electric Company. Bishop Broderick and his siblings received their elementary education at St. Joseph School, run by Chinese priest in Naga City. When he finished his elementary in 1968, his parents sent him to study in Don Bosco Technical School in Victorias Milling Company. There he was selected by the Salesians, and after only a year he was invited to study in the Seminary. He continued his second year high school at the Don Bosco Juniorate in Bacolor, San Fernando, Pampanga where he finished high school as salutatorian in 1972. He then entered the Don Bosco Seminary College in Canlubang, Laguna where he got the degree of Bachelor in Industrial Education. There also he took his novitiate in 1974. A year later, on March 30, 1975, he made his profession in the Salesian Society. After finishing his college course in Philosophical studies in Canlubang, he was sent to teach. For one year, he taught at the Don Bosco Technical School in Makati, and the next year at the Don Bosco College Seminary in Canlubang. Then in 1978, he studied Theology at the University of Santo Tomas which he finished in 1982 with a degree of Bachelor in Sacred Theology, Summa Cum Laude. On December 8, 1982, his dream of serving the Lord was finally fulfilled when Jaime Cardinal Sin laid his hands on him and ordained him as a presbyter.

However, his dream of pastoral ministry did not materialize soon after since he was sent to Rome to study Sacred Scriptures at the Pontifical Bible Institute. After more than three years of studies, he finally finished the degree of Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures, Magna Cum Laude and returned to the country in June 1986.

Soon he was assigned as a Parochial Vicar in the Salesian Parish of San Ildefonso in Makati. After ten months of parish work, he was sent to work full time in the seminary formation in ParaƱque. There he taught subjects in Scriptures, especially the Old Testament, to the Theology students while serving as a formator. He also taught for sometime in San Carlos Seminary in Makati, St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Quezon City and the St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo. In 1995, he was appointed Rector of the Don Bosco Seminary in ParaƱaque.

While engaged in teaching and formation work, Fr. Broderick was actively involved in helping the poor and the youth around Better Living and Bicutan. With the help of his lay students, they set up the Ating Familia Foundation in 1991 to help finance poor students in their studies. It also has a small orphanage house. This involvement was not enough for his growing desire not only to work for the poor but to be poor himself. He asked from his superiors to work directly among the poor. After some years, he was finally granted permission. So in 1999, he applied and was accepted by Bishop Pedro Arigo to work in Palawan. He was assigned to the newly-opened Parish of St. Ezekiel Moreno in Macarascas, at the outskirts of Puerto Princesa City. He stayed in that parish for seven years, building church, establishing Christian communities and setting up an intern school for high school boys and girls affiliated with the Angelicum College of Quezon City. In 2003, he joined the local clergy of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, hoping to fully give himself to work among the rural poor of Palawan all his life. However, on May 24, 2006, his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI to be the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila came. God’s ways are indeed mysterious! Wherever he is assigned, the constant values of Bishop Broderick’s life light his way: the Bible, the Poor and Prayer, making him a true Shepherd after the heart of Jesus.

He is now the Chairman of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace and heads the National Secretariat for Social Action - Caritas Philippines. His leadership led to concrete manifestation of Church in Action such as the Sumilao Farmers, NBN ZTE deal controversy, and mining issues, among others.

Program of the 7th APJPW Meeting

Day 1 (June 16)

5:00-6:30pm
Opening Ceremony
- Eucharistic Celebration

- Welcome Activities and Orientation

6:30-7:30
Dialogue with Church Leaders


Day 2 (June 17)

7-8:00am
BREAKFAST

9:00-10:30
Orientation for the Exposure Activity

10:30
To Exposure area – Overnight
(Urban Poor and Workers)


Day 3 (June 18)

9:00am
BACK to RVM Betania Retreat House

10:00-12:00nn
Sharing: Experiences /Reflection/Challenges – from the Exposure

12:00-1:00pm
LUNCH

Input: GLOBAL, Asia-Pacific & LOCAL (Philippine)

1:00-1:45pm
1st Input: Environment

1:45-2:30
2nd Input: Political/Economic

2:30-2:45
BREAK

2:45-3:30
3rd Input: Church

3:30-4:30
Open Forum

4:30-5:30
Biblico-Theological Reflection/Synthesis

5:30-6:00
Silencing/Para-Liturgy

6:00-7:00
FRIENDSHIP MEAL-REST

7:30-9:00
Mining in the Philippines

Discussion/Briefing on SENATE Visit Presentation
and Approval of the 7th APJPW Statement/Demands
to be presented to Senator Pia Cayetano

Orientation on Sub-Regional Workshop


IV Day 4 (June 19)

7-8:00am
BREAKFAST

8:-8:30
Morning Praise/Recap

8:30-:10:30
Sub-regional Workshop

10:00 – 10:30
Break

10:30 –12:00nn
Reporting and Open Forum
South Asia
South East Asia

12- 1:00pm
LUNCH/REST

1:00 - 3:30
Reporting and Open Forum
East Asia
Pacific
International Network (Regional and Support Groups)

3:30-4:30
Country to Country Networking
- Areas for Collaboration/Partnership based on Issues
- Reporting: Concrete Activities/Actions

4:30 –5:30
Biblico-Theological Reflection/Synthesis

5:30 - 6:30
Report: 6th APJP Meeting- (Plans /Achievements /Lessons)

6:30-7:30
Planning of the 7th APJPW

7:30
FRIENDSHIP MEAL-REST


V. Day 5 (June 20)

7:00-7:45am
Breakfast

7:45-8:00
Morning Praise/Recap

8:00-10:30
Cont: Planning of the 7th APJPW

11:30-1:30pm
LUNCH and TRAVEL to the Senate

1:30-2:30
Meeting with Senator Pia Cayetano (TBC)
Head, Committee on Environment, Senate of the Philippines

2:30 -7:30
Eco-tourism - Manila

7:30- 9:00
Dinner and Solidarity Night


VI. Day 6 (June 21)
HOME-SWET-HOME

Monday, June 2, 2008

The 7th APJPW Working Committee


Local Host:

Ms. Charito Jocson-Pinalas (PHILIPPINES)
Executive Director
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission
Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines

Fr. Eduardo Apungan, CMF (PHILIPPINES)
Chairperson, Coordinating Council
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission
Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines


Coordinating Team Members:

Ms. Linda Noche (HONGKONG)
Coordinator
Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples

Ms. Lina Chan (HONGKONG)
Executive Secretary
Justice and Peace Commission
Hongkong Catholic Diocese

Mr. Sinapan Samydorai (SINGAPORE)
Director
Think Centre Peace

Mr. Samson Salamat (PAKISTAN)
Program Coordinator
National Commission for Justice and Peace

Mr. David Tutty (NEW ZEALAND)
Coordinator
Auckland Catholic Justice and Peace

Theme: Responding to Marginalization in Asia through Justice and Peace

The Justice and Peace Workers (JPW) Asia-Pacific Forum is a pro-active network of women and men working with Catholic Justice and Peace organizations, affiliated groups and organizations in the region. The forum meets periodically to reflect on Justice and Peace work, share experiences and information, and organize a common action plan to meet the needs of the time.


The first meeting of the JPW in Asia was held in 1997. In the past 11 years the JPW, which is comprised of key leaders of Justice and Peace (JP) Commissions, as well as representatives from religious of the Justice, Peace and Integity of Creation (JPIC) Commissions and other groups working for justice and peace, has been meeting, sharing solidarity and networking sucessfully in the following areas:

  • Meetings on regular intervals and laid the foundation for a common understanding of JP Work in Asia;
  • Exposures to the local issues and different local cultures in Asia, where the meetings were held;
  • Linkages for and coordinated solidarity actions among the group: national JP Commissions of the episcopal Conferences; JPIC Commissions of different religious congregations and major religious superiors; and faith-based local and regional organizations working for justice and peace;
  • Involvements concerning the clergy and laity and a few bishops in this process: Bishops of Japan, India and Pakistan have participated in some gatherings;
  • Networking and solidarity actions with other Catholic network like the Pax Christi

Since 2002, JPW has brought out a quarterly bulletin of their work and concerns which is distributed by and posted at the website of ACPP. It is currently known as the “JPW Bulletin.”

In 2002, in response to the need to understand how to use the UN System effectively, a training on UN Mechanism was organized in Bangkok.

In 2005, a Justice and Peace Fact-finding Mission was held in Japan to understand and give solidarity to issue of the challenges of US military bases and militarism in Japan.

As 2007 was also the 40th Anniversary of Populorum Progressio, it was a significant milestone to mark the progress of the social teachings of the Church by gathering together those who actively work for justice and peace in the Asia-Pacific region to reflect and discuss the on-going implementation of the encyclical, in the spirit of solidarity.




The Objectives:

  • to provide a venue for solidarity and strengthening the networking among JPW and Catholic Bishops in the Asia-Pacific region
  • to analyse together and give solidarity to issues of concern in the host country
  • to share concerns and strategies in strengthening participant’s work
  • to identify possible collaboration among participants
  • to strengthen regional solidarity support for justice and peace concerns
  • to plan and follow-up initiatives resulting from the discussions
  • to sustain motivation and commitment of JPW for long-term action

The Project

Networking, collaboration and solidarity support at the Asian regional level are important components in the work and promotion of justice and peace. At the last JPW networking meeting in Pakistan (2005), it was decided that there should be continous efforts in holding the networking-meetings especially because these can be venues for representatives of the JP Commissions to share their situations in their respective countries, efforts on the issues/concerns and in the process learn from each other. There was also a continued understanding to involve all Catholic Bishops, strengthen all National JP Commissions in Asia, and have a strong working relationship with other international Catholic organizations like Pax Christi.

In order to facilitate common discussions and networking, a specific theme, applicable to the diverse Asia Pacific region, was identified. This common denominator will be the starting point for preparation, sharing on the work and discussion on strategies and tactics for future challenges and support for each other.

The Participants

  • Representatves from Catholic Bishops Conference- Justice and Peace Commissions
  • Representatives from Religious - Justice and Peace Commissions
  • Affiliated groups and organizations
  • Representatives from Regional and International Organizations

Accommodations

All participants are booked at Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Betania Retreat House. The address and contact details are as follows:

Betania Retreat House

#214 N. Domingo St., Quezon City, Philippines.

Tel: (02)-725-1744

Rooms are non-aircon, electric fans are provided per room. There will be two participants sharing per room. Please bring your own towel and toiletries for they are not provided by the retreat house.

Air Travel

All International Flights will be ushered to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)-Terminal 1 but should you be taking Philippine Airlines then you will be ushered to the Centennial Airport - Terminal 2. So please indicate in your registration form the name of the airline you will be taking so we will know where to fetch you.

Airport/Retreat House Transfers

NAIA and Centennial Airport is about 1 hour (including the traffic) by taxi or private vehicle to the venue. For the whole day there will be volunteers who will be carrying identification signs bearing the name of the organizer outside the airport building. They will be there the whole day to welcome and assist you. As soon as you see one of the volunteers, pls. identify your name so that they can check your name in the participants lists (for monitoring purposes only).

As we are trying to “car pool” as much as possible, we would appreciate your patience in waiting for an hour or longer before being driven to Betania Retreat House.

Individual delegates can also choose to take a taxi at their own cost. Transfer by taxi from the airport to Betania Retreat House costs approximately PhP 350-500 pesos (for non-airport taxi) or Php 700-800 pesos (for airport taxi). You can ask the volunteers to assist you if you choose to take taxi.

Money

Philippine currency consists of Php1, 000, Php 500, Php 200, Php 100, Php 50, Php 20 (notes) & Php1 and 25 cents (coins). Currency exchange is available at the airport but change only what is necessary in your arrival day. The secretariat will help you change your currency in higher value outside the airport. Credit Cards are widely accepted.


Food Requirements

Please inform us if you have any special food needs (vegetarian) or if you are allergic to particular food ingredient so that appropriate arrangements can be negotiated in the retreat house.

Climate

The month of June is start of rainy season (but perhaps because of global warming), summer season is seemingly extended from April-June. It is really unpredictable now because of the climate change. We recommend that you bring light clothing instead of thick clothing.

Time

Manila, Philippines is the Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +8 hours

Things to bring/prepare:

  1. You are invited to bring something that represents your country/organizations/institutions – an image, symbol – about 20 sq. cm. in cloth or another fabric. These will be attached or stitched to a cloth as part of a hanging collage, to symbolize our togetherness/oneness in this meeting.
  2. Small gift or souvenir items representing your country/organizations/institutions to share with other delegates will be most welcome.
  3. Participants are invited to prepare a musical number that you can share as part of our daily activity.



LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ALL IN JUNE!

JPICC-AMRSP

#8 Mayumi St., U.P. Village

Quezon City, 1101

Philippines

Tel # (632) 436-2561

Email Address; jpicc_amrsp@yahoo.com