“Gifted to give” coffee table book launched
“The written word is the greatest sacred documentation.” (Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind). Truly, our celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines is a once in a lifetime experience. As such, it equally demands all our earnest efforts to make sure that we document our learning journey — often a recounting story — and leaving a pathway for others to follow.
During the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila (the first Filipino Saint), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission on Social Communications in partnership with Radio Veritas846 and Radio Veritas Asia launched its Commemorative Coffee Table Book in celebration of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines. Highlighted by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist this ceremonial unveiling of this special publication was held at the Radio Veritas Compound located in Fairview, Quezon City.
This Coffee Table comes in five parts: (1) Colonization and Christianization; (2) Piety and Identity; (3) War and Sovereignty; (4) Democracy and Service; and (5) Faith and Modernization; all of which are written to give each and every reader a glimpse on how we have evolved as a Catholic Church in the Philippines. Though chronologically designed in form, each exposition of Philippine Church History was presented thematically for a more holistic reading experience.
The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. The former refers to chronological or sequential time, while the latter signifies a proper or opportune time for action. While “chronos” is quantitative, “kairos” is qualitative and permanent nature. Truly, this 500th Year in our history is a moment of chronos because though God’s grace we have come this far. It is the hope of this written work that it would take this historical moment to be a moment of kairos as well — a moment of inspiration to bring the Philippine Catholic towards another 500 Years in the “missionary spirit” we are “gifted to give.” As such, may this Coffee Table Book bring such inspiration to its readers.
As we share images, words and insights in this Coffee Table Book we will likewise rediscover our sense of identity as a Church. From each and every page we will be able to learn how our Catholic Faith was formed as a nation, and how it evolved and developed over time. Like when individuals take it upon themselves to dive deep into their own family’s history, they can understand how their family interacted with larger historical change; so, too can we appreciate the richness of our faith experience spanning 500 years of existence vis-à-vis the events that shaped who we are as a Church in the Philippines.
Hopefully through this written work, the readers will gain access to a laboratory of faith encounters. When we reflect judiciously well on its contents, and so acquire some usable insights, as well as some basic information about the influences that affect our own spiritual lives, we emerge with relevant knowledge and an enhanced capacity for informed awareness, critical thinking and simple mindfulness.
Some historical accounts contained herewith depends on personal taste, where one finds beauty, the delight of discovery, or academic challenge. Between the inevitable minimum act of page-browsing and the pleasure of a deep learning commitment comes the recounting of history that, through cumulative ability in interpreting this unfolding human record, provides a real grasp of how our Catholic Faith has grown and flourished.
In his message, CBCP President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said that the Philippine Church’s history is undeniably intertwined with the historical development of the Filipino nation. “Had things turned out otherwise, we would not know what would have had transpired. And yet, here we are: born and baptized in the Catholic Faith (as those early converts were), our lives as present-day Filipinos forever informed by Catholic teachings and remaining ever-loyal to Rome.” Bishop David shares. The story of Christianity in the Philippines begins with the arrival of Magellan and his crew in Cebu in March 16, 1521 and the miraculous healing of the sick grandson of Rajah Humabon with the help of someone from Magellan’s men. The historic celebration of the baptism and first mass of more than 800 converts in these on Easter Sunday of 1521 marks the birth of Christianity in the Philippines.
We are all pilgrims in this world, and we hope that this Coffee Table Book will be our modest contribution to your faith journey. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
The Editorial Team includes: Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio Maralit, DD (Executive Editor); Rev. Fr. Roy Bellen (Editor-In-Chief); Bro. Clifford Sorita (Managing Editor); Prof. Ricardo Lazo (Head Writer & Editor); Prof. Ludmila Labagnoy (Associate Editor), Prof. Raymond Datuon (Associate Editor); Ryan Angeles (Graphic & Layout Editor); Dene Mickel Mondoñedo (Editor of Photography); Aurelia Elarde; Audrey Elli, Liberty Pabillore, Trixie Olandria, Grant Emrick Flores and Mike Ainsley Vergara (Editorial Staff).
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