History

Prelude[1]

Prior to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, the Aetas lived in the forests as semi-nomadic hunters/gatherers. They had forest and root crop farms and rivers for their food and livelihood. However, when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, eleven thousand Aeta families were left homeless and without their traditional means of livelihood. They were moved to the lowland for food and shelter. Some of them were placed in relocation centers provided by the government while others opted to migrate the cities.

The 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo affected many of the Aetas. The Aetas, particularly the ones residing in Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales, were directly affected by the eruption. Their farmland and homes were destroyed because of the ash fall. Thus, they were force to relocate to resettlements areas. The Aetas from Capas and Bamban were relocated to Kalangitan , Dueg, Malasa, and Mabilog. As the year passed, people were able to go back to their land and rebuild their communities.

LIFE AFTER MT. PINATUBO ERUPTION[2]

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the physical environment, population and livelihood of the people changed as an aftermath of the calamity. Ash falls and lahar devastated many houses, schools, farms, bridges and roads.

As a result of the calamity, two resettlement areas, Dapdap and Mainang Resettlement Centers, were made to help the displaced residents of the town. In Dapdap Resettlement alone, more than 3,000 families were resettled. Other victims of Mt. Pinatubo eruption stayed in the villages of Rolling Hills, Sampaloc, Panaisan, Pandan, Pag-asa, Magurol-gurol and Mano.

In Dapdap Resettlement area, permanent buildings for public elementary and secondary schools were constructed to accommodate children of school age. These schools are still in operation. In Mainang Resettlement Center, the government also constructed public elementary school buildings.

Many people lost jobs when the Americans abandoned Clark Air Base. Hundreds of rice and sugarcane fields became unproductive because they were covered with lahar. Under this situation, many people suffered hardships in their daily living.

After a few years, Clark Air Base was re-opened by the Philippine government that helped the people of Bamban to work for their living. Similarly, farmers became busy in their farms. With this turning of events, normal living ushered in.

UST OCD[3]

It was June 15, 1991 when the day turned night; the Mt. Pinatubo in Central Luzon erupted. Residents in nearby areas of Mt. Pinatubo were dislocated. Both government and non-government agencies pooled their efforts together to help those who were directly affected by the eruption. Certain areas were identified as resettlement sites for the victims whose houses were covered with lahar.

Prof. Irene Grace Carlos was one of those who went to the area with her Our Lady of Grace choir Quiapo Church. She brought their plight to the attention of the administration and faculty of the UST College of Nursing.

The UST College of Nursing proposed to the UST administration through the then office for Student Affairs and Community Services (OSACS) the adoption of the community as catchments area for its various community development projects. The office for student affairs and community services organized the effort which would best address the immediate needs of the community. Some good things come in small packages. Last December 17, 2008, the University in behalf of the office for community development received the outstanding regional higher education institute extension program award. This is given by the commission of higher education during ceremonies held at Seameo-Innotech, Diliman, Quezon City.

At present there are three flagship programs that the office for community development is undertaking: distance education, kamanlalakbay and Bamban indigenous peoples program.

Through this annual kamanlalakbay,´ they [community leaders] converge and learn from/with each other. Kamanlalakbay is the annual training for the leaders of the University’s partner communities. As a Kamanlalakbay, the University and the community work hand in hand towards a common goal.

SITIO MALASA CHAPEL RISES[4]

IN LINE with the new mission-vision of UST to expand and improve its community services in the country, the University inaugurated the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel last Dec. 16 2001 at Sitio Malasa, Bamban, Tarlac.

The UST Theological Society sponsored the construction of the chapel as part of its project titled MALASA (MAka-Diyos na mga LAyko ng SAmbayanan: Towards the Improvement of Sitio Malasa’s Spiritual-Religious Conditions). “This is just the beginning of evangelizing the people of Sitio Malasa. A good start for them to feel the presence of Christ in their lives,” said John Jacome, president of the Theological Society and chairman of the project.

According to Jacome, the society decided to build a chapel for the community to help the spiritual development and liturgical nourishment of the indigenous people in Sitio Malasa, a resettlement area for the Aetas after they fled their original home sites when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991.

Previously, the Catholic priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the neighboring Dapdap Resettlement Area could not say mass in the place due to the absence of a chapel, which the residents could not afford to build because of poor living.

The establishment of the chapel, Jacome said, would facilitate the easy and fruitful spreading of God’s word in the community. It will be the venue for the celebration of the different sacraments such as the Holy Eucharist, which will be held every third Sunday of the month. “The most important effect of building the chapel (in Sitio Malasa) is the Holy Eucharist. A Christian community is not a Christian community unless there is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist,” Jacome said. He added that they had also formed the Sitio Pastoral Council and Basic Ecclesial Communities to help them in promoting an active, conscious, and responsible participation of the people in the Church and other religious-related activities.

To monitor the spiritual and religious activities in the community, two seminarians will visit the place weekly to conduct paraliturgies and Bible studies. On the other hand, the student catechists from the College of Science who were trained by the seminarians will conduct catechism every Saturday.

The chapel was built through the help of the UST Office for Community Development, UST Buildings and Grounds, UST Central Seminary Apostolate Committee, College of Science, benefactors, and students from the College of Fine Arts and Design. The design was done by Varsitarian photographer Clifford Lu under the supervision of architect Willa Solomon of the UST College of Architecture.

TS LINKS WITH OSACS COMMUNITY SERVICES[5]

The Theological Society in cooperation with the UST Central Seminary Apostolate Committee concentrates its pastoral program for this school year on the Community Development Program of the Office for Student Affairs and Community Services. The theologians are engaged in various kinds of apostolates such as catechesis, training of catechists, paraliturgy, bibliarasal, immersion, music ministry and house-to-house visitation.

The Theological Society also holds a weekly visitation to Sitio Malasa, Bamban, Tarlac every Saturday or Sunday. Two Theologians will be assigned to accompany the Community Development Coordinator and students from the College of Science. They will do the necessary spiritual and pastoral assistance for the Aetas and indigenous people there. Aside from the catechesis and Bibliarasal, a paraliturgy will be celebrated weekly.

TS ON MEDICAL MISSION[6]

The Theological Society together with the UST Medical Mission Inc. and the UST Office for Community Development (OCD) organized a medical mission for the inhabitants of Sitio Mabilog, Bamban, Tarlac last December 15, 2002. The group offered physical check-up, distributed medicines and vitamins to as many patients as possible particularly to the children.

AS HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST[7]

The student organization for almost four years maintains the community apostolates I Sitio Malasa, Bamban, Tarlac and Bgry. San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila. The community visitations are held every Sunday in Malasa and every Friday afternoon in Binondo.

In Sitio Malasa, the formation program is divided based on the existing community of adults, youth and children. For the adults, they have the bibliarasal. Some undergo weekly liturgical training for aspiring lectors, commentators and lay ministers of the Eucharist. The youth are given catechesis and recollections on scheduled dates. Basic orientation on the sacraments is also given, as well as various kinds of trainings for those who want to become altar servers and choir members. To promote active participation among the children in the apostolate, they receive basic catechism and other educational exercises especially the first communicants.

Moreover, members of the Theological Society also conduct house visits to foster amicable relationship with the residents of Sitio Malasa. Through this simple gesture, the members are able to conduct survey and interview regarding some developments in their community.

Occasionally, the parish priest of Bamban visits the community and celebrates mass. In lieu of the absence of a priest for the Sunday mass, the seminarians celebrate with the people the Sunday Liturgy without a priest. Presently, the committee is preparing the community for the reception of the sacraments like Baptism, Conformation, Penance and Holy Eucharist for the first communicants, and Matrimony to those couples not yet married in the Church. The celebration will take place during the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Malasa Apostolate is done in collaboration with the Office for Community Development and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences of the University.

TS IN ACTION[8]

The first year theology students of the UST Faculty of Sacred Theology, under the supervision of the Apostolate Committee of the Theological Society, started their apostolate at Sitio Malasa, Bamban, Tarlac last July 25, 2004.

At present, the society plans to continue the construction of the chapel – the building still needs furnishings for the floor and roof. In order to solicit funds, the committee proposes to organize an exhibit that will showcase the nature of the apostolate and portray the customs and culture of the people.

The committee also plans to initiate a tree-planting program with the theme: “Tayo’y magtanim upang sa kinabukasan ay may maihain.” They also plan to organize a Kid’s Day to increase appreciation and concern of the youth for the environment.

2005 – 2006[9]

July 10, 2005 marked the beginning of the regular apostolate in Malasa which was held every Sunday thereafter. The first year theology students are formally involved as part of their program of Academic Formation.

It became mandatory for all first year students to devote 33 hours in the Sitio Malasa Apostolate and 21 hours in the apostolate in their respective formation. This would [10]be reflected in the Transcript of Records as complying with the University’s thrust on Community Outreach Program.

In the following months, the Apostolate Committee requested the UST Building and Grounds Department for mono-block chairs for the Chapel in Malasa. The Department has donated 20 chairs.

On September 11, 2005, the First Malasa Community Recollection was held. On the same day, they were provided with medications and lunch was served for nearly 200 participants. Architect Marvin is already planning the continuation of the construction of the chapel. Furthermore, training for lectors, commentators and altar servers were held on September 25, 2005.

TS HOLDS MALASA SYMPOSIUM[11]

True and sincere with its commitment in the Sitio Malasa Apostolate, the members of the Theological Society convened at the UST Martyrs’ Hall last July 7, 2006 at 1:30 – 5:00 in the afternoon for a symposium on the theme: “Rediscovering Malasa: Alternative Research Approach Towards Community Development,” with Mr. Crescencio M. Doma Jr. as the resource speaker.

The symposium focused on utilizing a different approach on Sitio Malasa as a place for the first year theologians’ apostolate. The speaker suggested that Focus Group Discussion (FGD) may be more effective as an Alternative Data Gathering Technique. By using FGD, it could generate culture and gender sensitive themes and variables for more structured research. [Moreover,] it could enrich and could help understand the context of quantitative data quickly for policy and program development.

MALASA APOSTOLATE[12]

Last June 24, 2011, the group conducted the Freshmen Orientation for Malasa Apostolate which was held at the UST Aula Minor, Ecclesiastical Faculties. There were about 50 seminarians and religious brothers who attended.

Part of our apostolate programs is a Sunday Apostolate in our apostolate area, in Sitio Malasa, Hanopol, Bamban, Tarlac. There, we do Sunday Paraliturgy to give the community an opportunity to hear the Word of God and receive the Body and Blood of Christ since they are far from the parish. We also give Catechesis so that the community will be able to understand their faith. And we also do Home Visitation so that we, the students of the faculty, will be able to see, know and understand the situations of the people, share each other’s experiences, hear their stories in life, learn from them and appreciate them and their culture, especially there are Aetas in the community.

Aside from the Sunday visits, the group has also organized a two-day gathering of families last September 17-18, 2011 entitled “Ako at Ang Pamilya”. On the first day, there was a series of separate inputs and related activities: Responsible Parenthood Seminar for the Parents, Human Sexuality Seminar for the youth and an Art Workshop for the children. We also gave school supplies to the students of Malasa Elementary School and Malasa Day Care Center. The second day was a Family Day. A Holy Mass was celebrated and was followed by a program. There were about 450 people from the community who attended.

Last December 11, 2011, the group also organized the feast day celebration in honor of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron of Malasa chapel. We gave Christmas gift packs to the families and also sets of encyclopedias and dictionaries to the elementary school. There were about 500 people from the community who attended.

L.E.A.P OF FAITH[13]

In this Year of Faith, as the entire Catholic Church is called to rediscover the faith, joy and enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ, the Malasa Apostolate Committee of the Theological Society will continue to remain faithful in search for truth through the dialogue of life and the active involvement to the pastoral, intellectual, social, temporal and spiritual welfare of Malasa community.

We also respond to the call of our Holy Father for a greater moment of grace and commitment to faith so as to invigorate it, purify it, confirm it and confess it. The committee drafted a ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN, entitled “L.E.A.P. OF FAITH – Learn it; enliven it; act on it; pray over it!” It caters the holistic needs of the Malasa community aiding them on their spiritual journey. To inculcate the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the committee institutionalized the use of the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH as the basic text for the year-round catechetical program.

The committee was able to spearhead the following: Three (3) Major Events - Medical Mission (March 11, 2012), Community Day (September 15-16, 2012) and Thanksgiving Day (December 8, 2012); Three (3) Minor Events – Freshmen Orientation for Malasa Apostolate (July 6, 2012), Andap Photo Exhibit (January 28-30, 2013) and Ocular Visit to Lambakin, Bulacan (February 10, 2013); Two (2) On-going Events – Chapel Electrical Installment (January to March) and Malasa Lenten Preparation (February 24, March 3-10, 2013); One (1) Year-long Event – Sunday Malasa Apostolate (July - March)

Instead of the weekly celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, the Malasa Community now has a REGULAR ANTICIPATED SUNDAY MASS scheduled every Saturday 9:00 AM, with their new parish priest. Having the situation as providential, it allows the Shepherd to know more about his flock.

The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is intrinsic to Christian Worship (CCC 971). Hence, the committee opted to properly organize the community’s Novena in Honor of their Patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. DAILY NOVENA SPONSORS prepare the venue, gather the people and lead the prayer, nine days before their chapel fiesta.

Feedback every after activity can be solicited with ease due to the active participation of the households during HOME VISITATION. This encounter enables us to assess the fruits of all the activities given them. Moreover, they were empowered to function outside their comfort zones. It is an APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, being paired and guided by a brother-seminarian in a particular committee. In the end, the Malasa Experience is something we cannot contain for ourselves. Hence, spread awareness of it to the entire Ecclesiastical Faculties through the WEEKLY UPDATING OF THE INFORMATION BULLETIN.

Part and parcel of these communal activities are the COLLABORATIONS made in order to share the Malasa Experience to others. Groups such as the Faculty of Philosophy Students’ Forum (FPSF), Institute for Theological Formation (ITF), NSTP Students from the College of Engineering, the Ecclesiastical Faculties Support Staff and other Religious Congregations shared their time, effort and resources to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Malasa.

Looking at what lies ahead, the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Sacred Theology shares in this responsibility not only in the study of the catechism nor gaining greater understanding of the creed but also the commitment to intensify the witnessing of charity - Faith working through love (Gal. 5:6).

For the Malasa Community and for the Catholic Church, AMEN.

List of Malasa Coordinators

1.      John Jacome (2001-2002)

2.      Brian Brigoli (2002-2003)

3.      Martin (2003-2004)

4.      Rodel Ignacio (2004-2006)

5.      Reinier Supranes (2006-2007)

6.      Albert John Fietas (2007-2008)

7.      Jomar A. Valdevieso (2008-2009)

8.      Jhun Oliva (2009-2010)

9.      Richard Busaco (2010-2011)

10.  Melvin Tajale (2011-2012)

11.  Jhonan’z Vibar (2012-2013)

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NB: Various available articles concerning the UST-TS Malasa Apostolate were collected & consolidated in order to trace the humble beginnings of the efforts made the Theological Society in order to reach out with the Partner communities of the University of Santo Tomas. But due to the difficulty in gathering pertinent documents, this article is still under construction. Any additional articles are very much welcomed.

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[1] THEOLOGY 141 PRAXIS PROGRAM Office for Social Concern and Involvement AREA INFORMATION REPORT Claro A. Ordoñez, Jr. (0915.2189673; nordonez@gmail.com) OCTOBER 2012  p. 2-3

[2] http://rodrigosicat.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/history-of-tarlac-towns/

[3] NSTP Module 6 - 1st Semester  AY: 2010-2011

[4] The Varsitarian Vol. LXXIII, No. 7  January 30, 2002 (retrieved on 10/03/2012 - 20:29): http://www.varsitarian.net/news/sitio_malasa_chapel_rises

[5] Inter Nos September 2001, 70

[6] Inter Nos March 2003, 54

[7] Inter Nos October 2003, 112

[8] Inter Nos October 2004, 155 

[9] UST-TS Journal 2005-2006 Bro. Cerlouie F. Jimenez, TS Vice-President  p.1-2

[10] UST Theological Society Straining Forward, Inter Nos December 2006, 49

[11] Raymond Rhys A. Garrucho, Inter Nos, December 2006, 21

[12] Narrative submitted to the Secretary General & the Office for Student Affairs last February 15, 2012 as candidate for the Conferment of Student Awards.

[13] Narrative submitted to the Secretary General & the Office for Student Affairs last February 10, 2013 as candidate for the Conferment of Student Awards.