I SWITCHED TO WORPRESS!!!

Yes, the Felmar's Missionary Journey has transferred to Wordpress.com!!!

Click the link below:
FELMAR @ WORDPRESS

I hope that you all continue to journey with me...
God bless us
and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all!

WOW DAVAO!!!

I have been to the different places in the Philippines, practically from A (as in Abra) to Z ( as in Zamboanga). I have conquered mountains, explored caves, photographed peoples and swam our seas. But still, I have to point out out: Davao remains the best place in the Philippines.

Maraming dahilan why many people like Davao. As varied as the reasons and factors may be, still they all summed up to one thing- quality of life: The air is fresh. The city is clean and green. There is real abundance of the freshest harvests from the land and sea. To top it all, the quality of potable water is among the best in the world.


There are many restaurants in Davao that serve unforgettable so-tu-kil (sugba, tula, kilaw) dishes. Marami pang mga eat all you can na pwede mong puntahan!!!

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Crocodile Park is one of the most visited parks in the city.

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If you go to Davao, do not forget to visit the eagle parks. Medyo malayo nga lang sa city, but the visit to Malagos Garden is worth it.

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Visit also the Pink Sisters at the Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande. That is only ten minute taxi ride from downtown.

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Opposite the Pink Sisters is the SVD Formation House at the Skyline Road, Catalunan Grande.

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The Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague is situated atop Davao’s Matina Hills, where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s sprawling landscape and the other sights to be seen within and beyond it. This place is also good for pilgrimage and worship as the elevation of the terrain has made the shrine serene and tranquil.

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Eden Garden resort is located in Toril, Davao city, it is about 10 hectares of forest land which have been turned into a mini garden, forest park. In this place you cannot fail not to appreciate the beauty of the flowers EVERYWHERE. There are all types of orchids found in Eden, in fact, the place very much lives up to it’s name.

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Pearl Farm Resort lies in a secluded island off the coast of Davao city. This 11-hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls.

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The houses here in Pearl Farm are patterned after the stilt houses of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu archipelago.

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Davao -- a sight to behold!!!

2008-2009 Posts

Pope John Paul II To Be Beatified
It began with a Polish News Report in the Polish daily “Dziennik” and spread throughout the blogosphere almost faster than lightning, the late beloved Servant of God John Paul II will be beatified next year on April 2, 2010.


St. Joseph is in the Picture!!!
Happy Feast Day to St. Joseph!!!



Dinner for a Cause
Several SVD confreres, especially overseas, wanted to see the Dinner for a Cause held at the Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay last February 13.


My Birthday Message
Birthday ko today. I am now 28 years old.


May Bukas Pa
I am following a very inspiring telenovela these days.



Ash Wednesday Trivia
I noticed even as a young child that some of the largest crowds in the year will show up to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, even if it is not a holy day of obligation.


I'm Leaving Tagaytay
Yes,I will be leaving Tagaytay soon...


He Knew the Time of His Death
Did you ever know of someone who prayed the rosary faithfully and eventually knew the time of his/her death?


Song of Fr. JB
Fr. Julio Barbieto, SVD was a person of humor. His jokes are contagious!


Catholic Candies???
Fr. Ed Fuguso, SVD shared.


First Time
This is shared to me by another SVD missionary: Together with another SVD, they were sent to a foreign country.


Juan Tamad Crocodile
Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD shared about the story of Fr. Robert Winkler, SVD.


Lost and Found
One time during our common dinner, one of the seminarians announced, “I have found a book. Those who might have lost it, please claim from me.”


Mabele! Mabele!
This is from Pinoy SVD Fr. Emil Pati.


Help! Help!
In one of my summer apostolates, our assistant parish priest was going to be transferred to another place. So, on his last day in the parish, the people decided that we organize a picnic in the river and something unexpected happened.



Thanks! Thanks!
When I was a postulant, I remembered very well a serious sermon from an SVD deacon which turned out to be a light moment for all of us gathered.


Monkey! Monkey!
Fr. Ibarra Fabella, SVD shared this story


Rush Hour Embarrassment
One time, I was racing against time at the metro rail transit (MRT) station.


I Baptized Michael Phelps!!!
Last Sunday, January 18, I baptized 25 babies in our parish, St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish in Cainta, Rizal.


Go, Team Philippines
From the 6 Philippine bets, my highly supported wonder of Palawan, the Underground River is now the remaining national qualifier for the global online voting on the New 7 Wonders of Nature.


Ai-Ai Delas Alas Quotes
Let us start the year 2009 with Quotations from the Philippine Comedy Concert Queen and our “Tanging Ina” Ai-ai Delas Alas. Read on and have a good laugh!


My New Year Message
I was at the parish


My Christmas Message
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!


Our Ordination Day
The Pantas Class finally had our presybyteral ordination last December 6, 2008 with Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD as our ordaining Prelate.


Laying of Hands
Some priests on My Ordination


Behind the Scenes
I would like to thank the many people who were working in the background, who labored way, way ahead of others to come up with a succesful ordination.


Word Alive on DZMM
Last Sunday, Feast of Christ the King, Rev. Aris Martin, SVD and I, together with veteran Pinoy missionary (to Brazil, Argentina and Angola) Father Manuel Gatchalian, SVD were invited over as guests by Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD in his radio program "Salitang Buhay" (Word Alive) at DZMM.


Friendster is Hacked???
When I logged in on my Friendster account, lo and behold, my 1,088 friends were down to 54!


Candidates for Ordination
Five of us will solemnly embrace the gift of priestly ordination this coming December 6, 2008 at 9 in the morning in Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay.


Kambal na Kamalasan
Letter from Fr. Dondion, SVD


A Mother's Letter
A Mother Writes to Her Son

RIP, Fr. Nards
A Tribute to a Great Missionary


The Word in Other Words 2009
The Bible Diary of the SVD "The Word in Other Words" is now out in the market.


Underground River is Now #1
PHILIPPINES! Underground River is now Number 1 in the New 7 Wonders of Nature!


SVD, XVD and the SSVD
One afternoon, I was checking the pictures uploaded by my online buddy XVDph about the homecoming of seminarians from Christ the King Mission Seminary.


Siglo, Sigla, Saksi
Siglo stands for 100 years, Sigla for Enthusiasm, and Saksi for Witness – that is, 100 years of SVD’s Enthusiastic Witnessing in the Philippine shores.


Gone to the Dogs
No, the title of this post is not about dogs.


My Ordination Date
Last month, Fr. Wilfredo Saniel, SVD, our Rector here in Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay issued a circular letter regarding SVD priestly ordinations.


Lights and Shadows of the Catholic Parish
This essay highlights the strengths and the weakness of the modern Catholic parish Church.


My Mission Assignment
Our mission assignments were officially announced last Thursday, August 7, 2008 during our concelebrated mass in Tagayta


Manila Dream
used to believe that the greatest dream of every promdi (from the province) is to step on the imperial lands of Manila.


Christ the King, Then and Now
Visit our Seminary...


Proud to be SVD
Two great SVDs are in the news these days...makes me proud to have dedicating confreres like them.


Oh, Life
I know very well it will be coming out in the national papers!


My Diaconate Ordination
Our diaconate ordination was held in St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish in Cainta, Rizal last June 28, 2008.


Vino de Honor
A Toast to the New School Year!!!


My Journey to the Underground River
I have been to the different parts of our country from A (Abra) to Z (Zamboanga) and in one of my journeys, the Underground River left a deep impression on me.


First Vows 2008
Prologue Class had their First Profession of Vows at Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Mission Seminary of Quezon City.


My Perpetual Vows
Finally, together with my four classmates, we profess our Perpetual Vows last May 25, 2008, Sunday at the Holy Spirit Chapel of the Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay.


Mayon Volcano Resurrects
After a month-long hiatus, Mount Mayon resurrects at the 35th spot in the global online poll on the New Seven Wonders of Nature.


It Will be for Life
Our perpetual profession of vows will be on May 25, 2008


Chocolate Hills is Back!!!
After its sudden disappearance from the top ten and from the list of the official nominees for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is now back with a vengeance!


The Wonders of Tubbataha Reef
Vote for the Tubbataha Reef


Chocolate Hills: Out of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature" Race???
Oh my God! I have been in panic for days now!


SVD Bishop Wins Presidential Race
Dubbed as ''Bishop of the Poor'', Fernando Lugo made history as the first Roman Catholic bishop elected president of a country.


Vote for New Seven Wonders of Nature
Have you heard of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign?


Journey to the Taal Crater
A Journey to Remember

MY RECOMMENDED SVD SITES

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO VISIT THESE SITES:

Arnold Janssen Building

Bukal Newsletter

Christ the King Mission Seminary

DWST Tagaytay

Holy Spirit Novitiate

The Healing Eucharist

Verbum Class

XVD Philippines

MY OTHER SITES

Here are the other sites I maintained:


Castrodes Clan

Center for Wholeness and Holiness

CKMS Family Feast 2006: Mission 131

Felmar's Missionary Journey

Fiel Clan

Hatid-Diwa Online

My Flickr Photosets

My Friendster

My Friendster Directory

My Youtube

St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish

SVD Vocation Office Online: Join the SVD

The Doulos Class

The Red Man's Site

William Finnemann, SVD

SVD BLOGGERS

Here is my list of SVD bloggers and they are all around the world!

Brother Errol Torres, SVD - Blog of Brothers

Fr. Adonis Narcelles, SVD - Berlin IMPRESSIONS

Fr. Ariel Tampus, SVD - Sharing the World to the World

Fr. Arnold Biago, SVD - Homilies

Fr. Bernard Collera, SVD - Reflections

Fr. Dondion Soriano, SVD - Welcome, Mga Kapuso't Kapamilya

Fr. Elmer Ibarra, SVD - Your Mate Down Under

Fr. Felix Ferrer, SVD - Happylex

Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD - Felmar's Missionary Journey

Fr. Ferdimar Faminialagao, SVD - Japsaya

Fr. Genesis Velez, SVD - SVD Pinoy

Fr. Jaekel Solde, SVD - Sabaw sa Balbakwa

Fr. Jaimelito Gealan, SVD - Fr. Heart's Domain

Fr. Judy Baňez, SVD - Judy's Site

Fr. Jun Balay, SVD - Jun Haus

Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD - Divine Word School of Theology

Fr. Nonito Gallego, SVD - From a Distance

Fr. Randy Flores, SVD - Divine Word Seminary

Fr. Ross Heruela, SVD - Witness to the Word

Frt. Abraham Ronald Borja, SVD - Frozen Events

Frt. Feure du Nand Bajeaux, SVD - Shine!

Frt. Melchor Fuerzas, SVD - Seminary Life

Frt. Nelson Barbarona, SVD - My Home Away from Home

Frt. Ritchelle Salinas, SVD - Ritch and Pour

SUMMER THANKSGIVING

Greetings from Davao!

For the past few days, I was always on the go. For your information, I already left St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish of Cainta after Easter. They prepared a program for me and that I really appreciated. Thank you to the many kind souls in the parish.

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Frt. Jules and the Knights of the Altar sang their farewell song for me.

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I went home to Davao last Easter Tuesday to also prepare the things necessary for my thanksgiving mass. The support coming from my relatives, neighbors and even of my parish was very overwhelming.

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Individual blessing

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Not only that, I also received the full support of the Divine Word Formation Center of Davao, the SVD seminary in this part of the world. Thank you confreres! Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD told me that in his long years in the priesthood, it was his first time to attend a thanksgiving mass. Maraming salamat talaga sa inyo.

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Fr. Edgar, Fr. Dino, Fr. Reiner, Fr. Gil, Fr. Jaekel, Fr. Fiel, Fr. Aris, Fr. Jhojo, Fr. Bong, Fr. Magdeng, Fr. Sam, Fr. Glenn, Fr. Manny, Fr. Ronie, Fr. Roger and Fr. Raul

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After my thanksgiving mass, I also traveled to Clarin, Misamis Occidental for the thanksgiving mass of Fr. Jaekel Solde, SVD. It was a very long travel, grabe! Maraming salamat talaga kay Fr. Sam Clarin, SVD who offered the car of the vocation office. Nadaanan ko ang Marilog District of Davao City (this place could be the next Baguio and Tagaytay of the Philippines), Bukidnon (wonderful mountains!), Cagayan de Oro City (beautiful cathedral), Iligan (we had to detour because of the bombing done sa isang tulay dito) and marami pang iba.

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Fr. Jaekel together with his mother and Fr. Arnold

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The thanksgiving mass of Fr. Jaekel was also very successful...He also received the full support of the people of his community.

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Boys' Bonding at the Dolphin Rescue Center

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After the thanksgiving, the Pantas Class (minus Fr. Jhonatan Letada, SVD -- tama po ang spelling ng name niya), had our bonding at the Dolphin Rescue Center. It was a wonderful experience for me to swim with the dolphins and feed them.

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A very rare chance...

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To Fr. Aris, Fr. Gil, Fr. Jaekel, and Fr. Jhojo, thank you very much and God bless us in our new mission. May the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all.

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BEAUTIFUL PHILIPPINES!!!

If you don't like this island,




There are 7, 106 other Philippine islands to choose from...

REGENTS 2009-2010

Among Catholic religious communities (eg. SVD or Divine Word Missionaries) the term, Regency, is used for a period of time that a seminarian leaves his studies to work in the apostolic ministry of the community (eg. teach in a school or seminary).

These seminarians are called "regents.

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Incoming Regents with Fr. Mislang, SVD (from left to right, standing: Frt. Sedfrey, Frt. John Elliot, Frt. Sherwin, Frt. John Paul, Frt. Sergio, Frt. Fred; sitting: Frt. Gilbert and Frt. Ronald Rey; Inset: Frt. Reniel)



Finally, the assignments of our dear SVD Regents are already announced this morning, March 28, at 7 in the morning.

Frt. Sherwin Aromin, SVD - Dvine Word Formation Center, Davao City
Frt. Ronald Rey Espartinez, SVD - Holy Name University, Tagbilaran, Bohol
Frt. Reniel Nachimma, SVD - University of San Carlos, Cebu
Frt. Sedfrey William Nebres - St. Jude Catholic School, Manila
Frt. John Paul Marquez, SVD - Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City
Frt. John Elliot Moyo, SVD - Divine Word Formation Center of Urdaneta, Pangasinan
Frt. Sergio Paganao, SVD - JPIC, Cebu
Frt. Gilbert Razon, SVD - Divine Word College of Legazpi
Frt. Fred Siega, SVD - Vicariate of Tabuk, Kalinga

Congratulation to you Bros! God bless!

JOHN PAUL II TO BE BEATIFIED

OMG! It began with a Polish News Report in the Polish daily “Dziennik” and spread throughout the blogosphere almost faster than lightning, the late beloved Servant of God John Paul II will be beatified next year on April 2, 2010. He died on April 2, 2005 at 9:37 p.m. in his private apartment shortly after asking “Let me go to my Father’s House”.

This reliable Polish Daily report indicates that the Congregation for the Cause of the Saints has already concluded the process. It began by special dispensation on June 28, 2005, only two months after John Paul's death rather than the standard five years. It could be recall that during his funderal in April 2005, the faithful held up placards calling for him to be made a "Santo Subito" - a saint immediately.

OMG (again)! This news excites me! Surely, the whole world will look forward to this event!

ST. JOSEPH IS IN THE PICTURE!!!

Happy Feast Day to St. Joseph!!!

A friend of mine shared in her blog as her special gift/treat to her dear readers a photo she took at the SVD Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines, on March 19, 2006 (take note of the date!) when the priests, seminarians and lay mission partners had a Lenten procession in their grounds...Look at the picture carefully. You may have to zoom in the photo so you can see the unmistakable hovering presence of St. Joseph..