Posted by maradjao magbalantay on 29th September 2008
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When I was a child, I really did not have any attraction to this vocation until my brother decided to enter the Maradjao Magbalantay College Seminary. Since our house is far from the seminary my mother and I often visited my brother once or twice a month. It was only then that I started to have ideas of what it is to be in the seminary. I found it nice seeing the seminarians’ lifestyle, like praying, playing, studying, mingling with other, and many more. I sensed a different kind of atmosphere and aura in the seminary. It was very inviting,
The time came when I finally told myself that I would like to become like my brother. I planned to enter the seminary when I am at the right age. My eagerness and desire were even heightened when I joined the altar boys in our parish. When I was already in my last year of high school, I got so excited because my plan and dream of entering the seminary would now be fulfilled. I originally planned to enter the seminary that my brother attended but God must have His own plan for me, whatever it is I am happy.
I went to Surigao City for the entrance examination, and fortunately I passed! Then in the next month I came back for the oral interview and luckily I am the one among many aspirants are recommended for having passed the oral interview. My entrance to the MMCS seminary was not easy, I experienced hindrances, but I was able to overcome them all through the help and love of God. And now as a seminarian and future servants of God’s vineyard I continue to be grateful and committed to Him for the gift of life and vocation, as well as His constant blessings. Gratitude, which has sprouted from my experience, inspires me to be joyful in all my seminary endeavors, and motivates me to surpass the challenges in following the difficult path of Jesus Christ. I may not become a Priest but at least I can find fulfillment in doing his will for me.
Posted in Eugene Bantugan | 3 Comments »
Posted by maradjao magbalantay on 16th July 2007
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Poverty before My Eyes as a Seminarian
Author: Eugene Bantugan
Poverty is real. It is real despite the media hype and whitewash tactics employed by agencies to ‘foster their corporate image.’ It is real despite the many pronouncements and promises for a better life ahead. What is more lamentable is that: Poverty is pulling the already helpless masses to a mire of further helplessness.
Truly, poverty is affecting every Filipino from all walks of life. Poverty spares no one, NOT even the priesthood.
For many years, I observed that not many high school graduates go into priesthood. Only a handful chose to be in the ministry. This dilemma caught my youthful thoughts. I started to ask why? It was not after my graduation that I found few answers to my question: it takes more than twice as long to become a priest than to become an accountant.
While at the seminary, I found another answer: the vocation is costly. With the constraints of the Filipino family finances as a result of this phenomenon called poverty, I am quite sure that, if nothing is done to deserve the trend, from a handful, the number of entering the vocation is reduce to just a finger-count. What a pity to the already deteriorating morale of the people!
Will poverty affect priesthood? Certainly it does but God has the best way of choosing His shepherds. “Many are called but few are chosen.” I believed that reaching the end of my trail towards this vocation is a field of many temptations and challenges that I must not succumb to. Poverty is a test that I should have to pass.
At the end, poverty strengthens my faith in the wisdom of the Lord. If He lets me be the one, I know He paves the way for me. Anyway, I am not fighting my battle alone. My faith in the Lord makes me brave that God through His instruments our parish and people of Claver, will make me through.
Truly, poverty is real. It is just a matter of turning it to our advantage
Posted in Eugene Bantugan, • Life Lessons | No Comments »
Posted by maradjao magbalantay on 20th April 2007
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Eugene D. Bantugan Feb. 21, 2007
AB- Philo. I
Myself after One Year Stay in the Seminary
For many years, I observed that not many high school graduates go into priesthood. Only a handful chose to be in the ministry. It seems like yesterday when I decided to enter in the seminary. But days are fast across I can’t believe how I’m able to survive the first stage of my formation.
Life in the seminary is not easy as I figured it out. On the first week I keep on adjusting of how I may able to conform the new environment that I am living. Now that I am almost one year in the formation, I gained a lot of things which I never experienced in my high school life, such as waking up early at 5:30 a.m., attending prayer and mass everyday at 6:00 and doing manualia in our respective schedule.
After a month of formation there was a changed in myself that I apparently observed. I learn to be a responsible person which I wasn’t done before. I gained knowledge of how to organize my time, for there is a time for everything. Most of all, I know myself better than before. As I search in my inner self it is very different than before, for some of the negative phases of my traits are little by little vanish. I was converted to be a truly person in a few months of formation. Living in the seminary compels my longing that my true happiness in life was to serve God and follow his way. “Many are called but few are chosen”, I believe that attaining the end of my path towards this vocation is a field of many temptations and challenges.
Only in the seminary that I completely discover my true happiness, for there is something unexplainable thing that only a seminarian can posses.
Posted in Eugene Bantugan, • Journeys | No Comments »
