A bishop and guerilla leader

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G.Bonilla

LAOAG CITY -- The legacy of the first supreme bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente is worthy to be emulated.

Gregorio Aglipay was born in Batac,Ilocos Norte to Pedro Aglipay and Victorina Labayan. He experienced the hardship of life at an early age. He studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was called to be a
Shepherd of God's flock and his earnest meditation brought him to Vigan Seminary in 1883 to study priesthood.

With sheer determination he was ordained a priest in Manila on December 21,1889.Even if Filipino priests were considered incompetent and inferior then and were always looked down upon by Spanish friars, Aglipay still humbly served different parishes as assistant parish priest.

He saved many souls from execution when the Philippine revolution broke out. The President of the first Philippine Republic in the person of Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo, came to know Aglipay as a revolutionary priest and by the trust and confidence reposed on him by Aguinaldo, he was appointed military chaplain then Military Vicar General of the Revolutionary Government.

He also represented Ilocos Norte in the Malolos Congress and vigorously pursued the Filipinization of the Church in the Philippines. He was excommunicated by the ecclesiastical court of the Roman Catholic Church because of his alleged issuance of manifestos urging the Filipino priests to be united in their advocacy to take over the government of the Church in the country.

On the verge of this schismic tendency despite a pleading to reach an accord with the Vatican, the launching of Iglesia Filipina Independiente in 1902 by lawyer, journalist and the founder of the first labor union in the Philippines Isabelo de los Reyes of Vigan completely sealed the fate of Aglipay, exacerbated by his previous communication with prominent friars just to keep himself at peace with the Roman Catholic Church.

The new faith founded by Isabelo de los Reyes offered Aglipay the position of supreme bishop. At first, he was reluctant but he made up his mind to be the leader after his bitter encounter with a friar of whom the insult against the Filipino priests was so great that it demanded no more explanation.

His passion for independence brought him in the midst of dehumanizing war between the Filipinos and the Americans.He rallied the Ilocano guerillas to rise in arms against the invaders.After President Emilio Aguinaldo was captured, he surrendered to the Americans realizing the futility of continued resistance.

He ran against Senate President Manuel L.Quezon in 1935 for President of the Commonwealth but lost. He then focused on the welfare of the independent church but this great revolutionary priest, the fighter for independence, first supreme bishop of the Independent Church bade farewell to the world at the age of 80 on Sept.1, 1940 after a life dedicated to a noble cause.
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Our country laments the death of the Iglesia ni Cristo's outstanding evangelist, Executive Minister Erano "Ka Erdy"Manalo. He was the son of the founder of this well-known Church, the late evangelist Felix Manalo, leader of one of the most powerful churches in the Philippines.

He died of cardio-pulmonary arrest in the afternoon of August 31 at the age of 84.The Church continue to share the philosophy and teachings of its founder not only in the Philippines but also in different parts of the world. May the soul of this national and spiritual leader rest in peace in the loving bossom of the Most High.
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The 2010 Presidential election will be a battle royale between the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party plus the unquestionable popularity of former President Joseph Estrada. With Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino,Jr. at the helm of the LP, the historical greatness of his forebears can be a formidable factor to reckon with.

Though he is lacking of necessary experience when it comes to executive matters for he was elected directly as lawmaker in Congress at the very start of his political career, the shadow of his parents can be a strong force that can be used to the utmost for the LP to win the national election.

The charismatic presence of Erap can download speculations that he could no longer inspire a mammoth of crowds like the first time he won the presidency against equally gifted opponents. Some aspirants to the presidency have abandoned their dreams to become the next president of the country because of Noynoy's possible entry in the political battlefield.

A Noynoy-Mar tandem in 2010 would be a good pair considering their family background and influence. It is notable to think that a president who will win in the 2010 Presidential elections could be our last hope for our country's national rejuvenation and economic growth.
Reducing our foreign and domestic debts should be the main concern of the next president and eradication of graft and corruption, unemployment, poverty and unstable peace and order. Candidates should not be over-confident in dealing with different issues affecting us coupled with grandstanding and promises just to achieve personal objectives.

The next President should change the image of our country abroad and minimize unnecessary expenses. We must vote for a candidate who can give us a concrete idea or plan for a new and better Philippines. May God guide our politicians in their quest for moral and spiritual recovery.
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My thanks to Diamond Holidays Travel and Tours for being kind and accommodating. To Marie and Weng, your pleasant personalities give your clients satisfaction owing to your commendable services. I would also like to extend my deep gratitude to Barangay Kagawad Napoleon Uy, Ilocos Norte National High School students Ma.Lourdes Natcher and Joelyn Macapulay, coordinators during our tours in Ilocandia Nelma Gali, Jessica Bituin and managers of Avon in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.