Reminder to candidates: Palma: Be humble

CEBU, Philippines - As the local electoral campaign period heats up, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma advised those seeking public office practice “humble service” gearing towards what the Church aims for --clean, honest, peaceful, and meaningful elections.

“It’s difficult to be humble when you are in a position of great influence or power,” he said in an interview yesterday right after he celebrated the Holy Mass of Easter at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Palma said he hopes candidates will be guided by sincere intentions and be inspired by their moral obligation, not only to lead but also to serve the constituents.

The 66-year-old prelate recounted the act of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples as a sign of service, implying that a leader must serve his people sincerely and must humble himself to do the part of a servant.

Amid doubts it is far from possible give the country's long history of corruption, Palma said that there are also candidates who have a desire for real service.

"Unta nga (aduna kita'y) sinsero nga katuyoan ug ikaduha unta (mosubay sa) legal ug moral nga pamaagi. Nasayod kita sa mga yabag nga pamaagi… mo-ingon kita nga ang atong pagsunod kang Kristo dapat biyaan nato ang karaang pagkatawo," was his message for the candidates.

Palma also appealed to the Cebuano voters to uphold their responsibility and choose wisely, while condemning wrongdoings such as vote-buying.

"Sa tanang mga voters, kini okasyon aron makaingon kita ug atong mapamatud-an nga ang gahum nagagikan sa katawhan. Unta ang pagpili sa mga kandidato para nato maoy makadala og kaayohan sa atong nasud," he said.

Palma reminded the people anew to discern well on electing potential leaders based on their reputation, lifestyle, past achievements, and electoral approaches, among others.

"Importante ang atong pag-ampo, pagtuon ug paglantaw sa kinabuhi sa atong kandidato ug pagpili sumala sa atong konsensya… It is an opportunity nga nindot kaayo og unta dili nato kawangon. Ang usa ka sayop nga buhat mahimong tinuig nga atong pagpenitensya mao nga dili nato ibenta ang atong boto," he said.

Palma did acknowledge that there are some underlying issues that may push people to sell their votes like poverty but he still decried it.

"Posible nga ang uban hapit na lang mawad-an og paglaum tingali tungod sa kapobrehon o tungod sa sayop nga pagtuo. Pero usa ka butang ang angay natong masayran. Sayop ang pagpalit, sayop ang pagbenta sa atong boto," he stressed.

Even though vote-buying may still be prevalent at these times, Palma remained optimistic and hopeful that the ongoing election period leading towards the casting of ballots on May 9 will be "clean, honest, meaningful, and peaceful."

"I know that practices are far from perfect. Makaingon ako sa atong kaparian, bisan dili hingpit, padayon lang gihapon kita sa pagbuhat sa maayo. Hopefully in God's time kining atong gipaningkamotan magbunga og maayo and we continue on sowing the seeds of hope," Palma said.

"Unta pirmi nato i-ampo kining atong national elections nga mahimong panahon sa pagbag-o nga kon unsay dautan sa atong mga practices atong usbon. (Hope for a) new chance nga ang bag-ong kaugmaon magdala og dugang nga kalipay, pag-uswag, kalinaw, himaya sa Dios, kaayohan sa atong katilingban ug simbahan," he added.

Sugat

Monsignor Jose Montecillo, parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu reminded parishioners that resurrection is not only attained after death but also in doing good deeds.

"Ang atong pagbotar suma sa diktar sa konsensiya usa ka pagsinati sa pagkabanhaw. Ang pagkabanhaw masinati sab bisan kita buhi pa, sama sa pagkumpisal, pagbiya sa bisyo, pagpasaylo sa kontra. Ang pagkabanhaw ni Kristo gikan sa kamatayon mao'y pinakagamot, pinakahinungdan sa atong pagtuo," Montecillo said.

In his Easter homily, Montecillo said seeking forgiveness and forgiving those who have sinned, confessing sins, giving unconditional love especially to those disadvantaged children and living life according to God's will are all forms of resurrection.

"Kita ahente sa paghabanhaw sa uban. Pagdasig sa silingan nga nawad-an og kadasig sa pagsimba. Kita usa sa kasinatian sa pagkabanhaw," he added.

Now on its sixth year, the Sugat sa Guadalupe, the biggest Easter Sunday activity in Cebu City, showcased a mixed of contemporary and Biblical renditions in reenacting the meeting of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary.

Instead of just the traditional presentation of the "Sugat" or the meeting of the Blessed Virgin with the resurrected Christ, the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish had two stage plays, depicting Christ's death and resurrection and the importance of family and its core values.

This year's Sugat sa Guadalupe, titled "Ang Nahisulat" was performed on a sophisticated mechanical stage with dozens of musicians and 80 children dressed as angels. Four little girls were also suspended in air to give the illusion of flying.

The Sugat production was directed by Aljin Abaquita and Andro Banate.

As early as 1 a.m. thousands of people trooped to the parish to watch the Easter Sunday dawn procession and stage plays. Devotees led by Montecillo accompanied the image of the resurrected Christ in a procession that started at corner V. Rama Avenue and M. Velez Street. The carroza or carriage carrying the image of the Sorrowful Mother started from Sitio Sandayong, behind the Guadalupe church.

After the procession, Socrates Fernandez, Talisay City councilor, opened the event with a 30-minute reflection on this year's theme, "Ang Nahisulat." This was followed by stage plays "Ang Nahisulat" and "Mama."

"Ang Nahisulat" was a one-and-a-half hour stage play highlighting Christ's sacrifices, love, death and resurrection. This was followed by a 40-minute comedy-drama play called "Mama," which centers on a mother's love and values of a family.

These were performed on a 36-foot by 40-foot stage set up in front of the Guadalupe church. — /BRP (FREEMAN)