Think about it
Miracle
By Jun Velasco
IF what UPANG’s Dominador “Boy” Rayos is true that the Sangguniang Panlungsod did a no-show at a consultation meeting the august (?) body itself called to discuss school fraternity issues Wednesday, then columnist Gonzalo Duque’s coinage of “clown-cilors” has basis.
We were having coffee with former Chief Justice Hilario Davide at the Knights of Rizal office when a fuming Boy Rayos broke “the grand snub.” We could only mumble “is that so? You mean Councilors Pacoy and Chito could snub you?”
Was that really a snub or were our Sanggunian friends cavalierly treating the supposed meeting? Did the snub mean more than that since there’s still an unsettled rift (on frats) between some members of the education sector and the SB (snob)?
From overseas, Gonz, who opted to extend his column-writing vacation (“until last week of September”), describes the latest Sanggunian behaviour as “acting true to form.”
Maybe, Chito Samson and Pacoy Torio whose concern for the public welfare is irrefutable, might want to make a snappy reply to Mr. Rayos’ beef, a yummy “pulutan” at Philip Siapno’s Atanor Restaurant.
* * *
We saw Congressman Amado “Spines” Espino and General Pol Bataoil at the turn-over rites for new National Irrigation Administrator, former PNP Chief Art Lomibao Wednesday morning.
As usual, the former military officer with a backbone (spines) was ecstatic in the re-union with his “partner” (both were credited for capturing New People’s Army Commander Dante).
But we saw a glint of alarm in their eyes, maybe due to the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.
To avoid being confrontational, we asked about the promotion of Pol as Region I Director Freddie de Vera’s successor in San Fernando. Pol forced a smile, so the issue was still hanging. .
In his speech, Art mentioned two words that should pull the government agency from its moribund state. They are “build” and “rehabilitate.”
In light of the national government’s much publicized resolve to make Northern Philippines a “food basket of Asia” (youthful Dagupeño NLAQ champion Arthur Yap’s favorite word), Art is expected to play a crucial role in the nation’s productivity issues.
Someone says Art made history in the Philippine National Police for building and reviving the highest number of police stations nationwide in less than two years. If he does the same at NIA, Art can shoot his wagon to the Pangasinan governorship, as a gifted executive.
And if so he will face a formidable phalanx of resistance from the ranks of Guv’nor Victor Agbayani’s wife, Dr. Jamie Eloise, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, Rep. Conrad Estrella III and former Gov. Oscar Orbos.
Don’t discount another name: Secretary Francisco Duque who last Thursday was in the Manila papers for his health department getting stellar ratings from the SWS as Graft-free and efficient. Is Pingkoy eyeing Urduja? A tycoon that’s very close to the family said, “I’ll push him to it, but demures,” if Philippine politics’ most powerful small girl gives the green light.
* * *
We and Cathy received an invitation for a hearty lunch with former Minister and Mrs. Conrado F. Estrella at their Carmen, Rosales home Sunday.
A steadfast friend of the founder of the Crusaders of the Divine Church of Christ, Mons. Dr. Rufino S. Magliba – or Apo Rufing – Lacay Condring had other guests from the CDCC led by Mons. Regalado Doctor, archbishop of the Pangasinan Archdiocese in Barangay Magliba in San Fabian, and Ms. Gloria S. Cadiente, CDCC secretary.
The lively chat touched on Apo Rufing’s 85th birthday anniversary which, Gloria says, will have General Boysie Braganza as guest of honor, on September 25. .
It will be a mammoth affair because thousands of CDCC’s faithful from all over the world are expected to attend.
Apo Rufing, says Minister Estrella, is an exceptional man – a great Pangasinense, no doubt – as shown by his rags to spiritual fame worldwide life story.
A paper by Mons. Regalado relates a 4-month old baby was found by Felipe Magliba and Petronila Sarmiento under a rosal plant in Macalong Asingan in l92l. They brought the baby to their home, recorded his birthday with the Asingan Local Civil Registry as Sept. 25, 1921, had him baptized at the Philippine Independent Church.
Young Rufing was agile, clever and had his grade schooling in Asingan. He was grade 3 when he disappeared mysteriously, but was found by a traveling businessman and his wife from Dagupan, Andres Morante and Jacinta Aurora under a Balite tree between Asingan and Binalonan.
They brought him to their home in Barangay Malued.
Rufing displayed an unusual behavior and often was caught talking to an invisible person. Bothered by Rufino’s “strange circumstances,” they brought him to an albularyo who found nothing wrong with the boy, but their fright forced the couple to entrust him at the age of 12 to a businessman from barangay Nibaliw East in San Fabian, Don Marcelo Vidal.
Rufino was also well endowed physically. As young boy, he was good in martial arts and became the best kutsero, farmer and fisherman in San Fabian. At one point, the monsignor says, young Rufing heard a voice which said “My son the time has come, you have to stop being a fisherman but be a fisher of men.” He yielded to the irresistible command. He found he had a gift of healing. One day he brought back to life a girl surrounded by grieving family members. The event spread like wildfire.
Later, he again heard a voice commanding him to preach and build a church. The rest is history.
The CDCCPI has 35 organized local chapters with concrete churches in Pangasinan. On Sept 27, 1955, the church, CDCCPI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with registry number 010285 with more than 200,000 charter members. The Tarlac Archdiocese has 22 organized chapters and thousands of devotees. Their concrete churches have double crosses and magnificent crowns above their altar domes.
CCDSPI has 24 chapters with several concrete churches and thousands of believers in Nueva Ecija. Other chapters include, La Union, Benguet, Baguio, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao, Mindoro, Batangas, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Davao, Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Metro Manila and Palawan.
It has more than 207 chapters in the Philippines and l2 in the US, Hawaii, United Kingdom, London, Hongkong, China, Singapore, Italy, Canada and Taiwan.
Apo Rufing’s story is a miracle in Christendom.
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