Date Posted: 04.24.2014
: Servant of All &caption=&description=
Image Source: Museo Valenzuela
City government officials, colleagues, friends, and family will pay their last respects to Monsignor Mario De Jesus Arenas — parish priest of the Barasoain Church and founder of the Museo Valenzuela — at a requiem mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Valenzuela City at 2:30 p.m. today, April 24.
Interment will be at the Tierra Santa Memorial Park aftewards.
Arenas died on April 16, Holy Wednesday, while confined at the Philippine Heart Center for treatment of colon cancer. He was 58.
Arenas’s was a short life, however, a well spent one.
Known for being creative and enterprising, his accomplishments cover not only works for the church but also those in local history and culture of Valenzuela City, and in as unexpected as the cooperative sector.
Ordained in 1979 at the age of 24, Arenas served in various parishes under the Diocese of Malolos. For 14 years — from 1988 to 2002 — he was the Parish Priest of the Parish of the Holy Cross in Valenzuela City.
He served as Vicar Forane of the Vicarate of Valenzuela for two years, from 2003 to 2005, before transferring to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan.
His tenure at the Divine Mercy lasted for eight years until he became the Parish Priest and Rector of the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.
Parishioners remember him for his use of acronyms in his sermons. On his birthdays – Arenas was born on December 7, 1955 — he would give away leaflets of his poetry.
“Kaya pala tayo ay dapat na magsikap ay hindi lamang sa ating pangarap kundi dahil may misyon tayo sa mga kapuspalad (So this is why we strive: to not only realize our dreams but to fulfil our mission with the destitute),” Arenas writes in Kaya Pala (That’s Why) in 2011.
Arenas walked his talk. Wanting to help the poor in Valenzuela, he opened the Holy Cross Credit and Savings Cooperative (HCCSC) in 1990.
“Napansin niya na ‘yong mga mahihirap, walang pinupuntahan kundi iyong mga nagpapautang na malaki ang tubo, lalong pinaghihirap ‘yong mga mahihirap (He saw that the poor had no one to turn to except loansharks, who only make them sink deeper in poverty),” said Benita de Leon, who founded the HCCSC along with Arenas, at the necrological service in the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine on April 23.
With the cooperative, Arenas and his group hoped to ease poverty by lending money to the poor with easy payment terms, de Leon said. HCCSC has since become among the top cooperatives in the country and a frequent recipient of citations from the national government.
Arenas would also be elected chairman of the Philippine Federation of Credit Coooperatives and, in 2008, founding president of Ating Koop Partylist.
In every parish he would be assigned, he would also start an “Alay-Aral Scholarship Program” to send underprivileged youth to school.
Jonathan Balsamo, curator of Museo Valenzuela, attributes Arenas’ strong social conscience to his father Isidro, who was Valenzuela’s vice mayor from 1971 to 1986.
“Marahil dahil dito, kaya maagang namulat ang interes at pagmamalasakit sa bayan ni [Arenas], lalo na sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kasaysayan at kultura ng bayan ng Valenzuela (It was probably his father’s political involvement that sparked Arenas’ early interest in the history and culture of Valenzuela),” Balsamo writes in a post in the Museo Valenzuela blog.
Arena’s literary bent and love of history would marry when he wrote books on church history, Isang Pastol, Isang Kawan; and life of revolutionary Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Valenzuela: Ang Bayani at Ang Bayan and Silent Conspiracy: Memoirs of a Misunderstood Patriot.
But perhaps his greatest legacy to the city is the Museo Valenzuela in Karuhatan, the two-floor bahay na bato that showcases the life of the patriot.
In 1996, Arenas was among the founding members of the Museo Valenzuela Foundation, a group which raised funds for the museum’s construction. Two years after, the museum opened its doors to the public. Museo Valenzuela has since been the city’s arts and culture center, hosting events such as academic lectures, art workshops, and choral competitions.
City Mayor REX Gatchalian, in an interview, said Arenas’s passing is a “great loss” to Valenzuela City.
“We may be of different faiths, but he remains one of those people I respect for having put to good use his influence and intelligence,” Mayor REX said.
Librado Valenzuela, a member of the museum board, said he can best describe Arenas with a line from a work by George Bernard Shaw: You see things; and you say “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and I say “Why not?”
“Pag may nagtatanong, Bakit siya [si Arenas] nandoon? Siya’y pari. Bakit hindi na lang niya ibahagi ang kanyang buhay sa simbahan? Ang sagot ko: Bakit hindi? (When people ask, why is he there, doing all those things? He’s a priest; he should devote his time to the church. I defend Arenas by answering back: Why not?),” said Valenzuela.
The Shaw quote comes from the play Back to Methuselah and is spoken by the serpent to Eve.
Not everyone would agree with describing a priest with a line from the serpent, but then again, Arenas is not an ordinary priest. He served God in wherever he could find Him – be it a church, a cooperative, or a museum − in whatever way he could. RAFAEL CARPIO CAŃETE
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Image Source: Museo Valenzuela
City government officials, colleagues, friends, and family will pay their last respects to Monsignor Mario De Jesus Arenas — parish priest of the Barasoain Church and founder of the Museo Valenzuela — at a requiem mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Valenzuela City at 2:30 p.m. today, April 24.
Interment will be at the Tierra Santa Memorial Park aftewards.
Arenas died on April 16, Holy Wednesday, while confined at the Philippine Heart Center for treatment of colon cancer. He was 58.
Arenas’s was a short life, however, a well spent one.
Known for being creative and enterprising, his accomplishments cover not only works for the church but also those in local history and culture of Valenzuela City, and in as unexpected as the cooperative sector.
Ordained in 1979 at the age of 24, Arenas served in various parish ...
Date Posted: 09.16.2013
 this year.
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The councilor-president eyes the possibility of forging and promoting sisterhood pacts among the localities in the National Capital Region (NCR), to encourage sharing of best practices that are worth replicating. “Hindi naman masamang manggaya kung para ito sa ikauunlad ng bawat isa. Lalo na’t dito sa Metro Manila, halos pare-pareho lang naman tayo nang kinakaharap na problema, baka ang solusyon na epektibo sa iba ay maaaring magamit din natin,” Coun. Lorrie shared in an interview.
As the new chair of MMPCL, Coun. Lorie shall also act as an official member of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Metro Manila Council, as established in administrative issuance, Res. No. 12 Series of 1996.
The legislator’s longevity as Valenzuela City’s councilor for three consecutive terms is her key to popularity in the circle of MMPCL. She attributes her victory not only from her active participation in the league’s activities, but also from the full support of her loving husband, former Malabon City Councilor Ian Emmanuel Borja, who used to be with her in MMPCL.
She’s an early bird, she’s Super Mom!
While a lot of working mothers find it extremely challenging to juggle their time among domestic responsibilities, relationship issues, and career concerns, Coun. Lorie has furnished herself a selfless schedule that allows her to multi-task effectively.
During weekdays, the hardworking councilor wakes up before 5:00 o’clock in the morning to prepare the needs of her children who are bound to school. She is the one who cooks for their breakfast and she also gives the shower to her twins. Her oldest son leaves their abode at 5:30 AM, while her twins leave at 6:30 AM.
If the councilor has neither appointments nor meetings to attend, she would go back to sleep until 9:00 AM. After her rest, she would prepare again for her next series of tasks.
“Pinipilit kong makauwi ng maaga para makapagluto ako ng dinner. Very personal sa asawa ko at sa mga anak ko na ako ang maghahanda ng pagkain nila, lalo na sa kambal ko na allergic sa ilang pagkain. So dapat talaga, I will personally handle their food.”
Simplicity and humility are the keys
Her secret to her lasting strength is her moral values which are similar to her favorite political icons, the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian, and Valenzuela City District 1 Representative Cong. WIN Gatchalian. According to the councilor, the ability of these public servants to deal with ordinary people with ease is an admirable feat.
Each day, Coun. Lorrie prays for God’s grace of humility and simplicity, which she deems as salient factors for her to become an effective public servant. “Kailangan, hindi mawawala ang kababaang-loob kahit may posisyon. Mahalaga na simple ka magsalita, manamit, at makisama upang maabot ka ng tao,” Coun. Lorrie added.
City Council's champion in education
All students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) should spare a piece of gratitude in their hearts for Coun. Lorrie for she is the woman behind the establishment of this local university.
Her almost five months of research and efforts to push for the passage of Ordinance No. 14-02, otherwise known as “An Ordinance establishing the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela,” are now reaping results to her heart’s joy. Thousands of Valenzuelano youths have now gained benefit out of this institution.
Almost teary-eyed, she shared, “Every time na may PLV graduation at nakikita ko ‘yung mga kabataang ga-graduate, at ‘pag may mga nakakasalamuha akong PLV graduates na may mga trabaho na, sumasaya ako.”
Dear, wise voters
Coun. Lorie extends her gratitude to the Valenzuelano electorate who casted their trust on her last elections, “Inspirasyon ko sa trabaho ang pagpapahalaga sa botong naku
ha ko. Dahil ako’y hinalal, kailangan kong magtrabaho at maging responsible. Kailangan din, tulung-tulong tayo.”
The standing committees which the councilor presently chairs are Committee on Education, Science, and Technology; Committee on Trade, Commerce, and industry; and Committee on Peace and Order. She is also a member of Committee on Cooperatives; Committee on Health; Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Development; Committee on Ethics, Good Government, and Public Accountability; and Committee on Awards and Recognition.
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After several years of her dedicated service to the people of Valenzuela City, District 2 Councilor Lorena “Lorie” Natividad-Borja has earned her way to become the new president the of Metro Manila Philippine Councilors League (MMPCL) this year.
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The councilor-president eyes the possibility of forging and promoting sisterhood pacts among the localities in the National Capital Region (NCR), to encourage sharing of best practices that are worth replicating. “Hindi naman masamang manggaya kung para ito sa ikauunlad ng bawat isa. Lalo na’t dito sa Metro Manila, halos pare-pareho lang naman tayo nang kinakaharap na problema, baka ang solusyon na epektibo sa iba ay maaaring magamit din natin,” Coun. Lorrie shared in an interview.
As the new chair of MMPCL, Coun. Lorie shall also act as an official me ...
Date Posted: 04.22.2013
 and a certain Rio (Virgilio Almario).”
Other than poetry, he is a versatile writer who also dabbles into screenplays and stories for literary journals and anthologies. He is also a contributing travel writer for Balikbayan Magazine.
Jotting down the stanzas
Every single being breathing can be a writer. It can even be considered as a universal talent. Although, it varies per person whether they want to fully give that raw talent into full form. Take it from the newly-crowned master himself, “Motivation is to write more. To be read. Not necessarily to have accolades. Or to gain likes on Facebook. These are merely bonuses,” he pointed out.
He also stated that reading voraciously sparks the ignition plugs for a wide laboratory of ideas. And the formula to be better lies on these: “Constantly write. Constantly read. Let others who you knew well give read and give honest opinion to your work. They will be your circle of critics.”
Winning formula
Though for the record, he isn’t a neophyte to the “Makata ng Taon” contest. For the past decade, he kept on joining and managed to be awarded with honorable mentions. But this year proves to be an amazing one as he snagged the coveted first place.
He advises those who would want to join the contest to read intensively the progression of winning poems, stressing on the word “read” as he thinks it is the most important factor to gain inspiration in writing. “Not just for the contest, but in writing life as a whole,” he emphasized.
Famous not-so-last words
“Hindi palayuan sa narating ang buhay. Palaliman ito ng bakas na iiwan para masundan.” (It is not about who reach the farthest. Life is about leaving a deeper mark as an inspiration to follow suit.)
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Full-blooded Valenzuelano from Barangay Coloong, Joselito, won the prestigious award as the “Makata ng Taon 2013” with his poem “Sa Madadaling Salita” as the winning piece.
The Talaang Ginto: Makata ng Taon is an annual poem writing contest established by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino in connection with the celebration of Araw ni Balagtas every 2nd day of April. It is deemed as the most exalted poem writing contest in the country.
* * *
The piece towards success
Inside a poet’s head is a realm of undiscovered worlds and formidable ideas, which we may not easily comprehend on a superficial perspective, waiting to be painted through words.
And once you were highly regarded into a more definite standing, say as, the “Poet of the Year,” you know that the person concocted a s ...
Date Posted: 10.05.2012
 at the Malacanang Palace, to carry out the servant leadership mission bannered by the RFM Foundation.
Jerome V. David, a lad from Barangay Viente Reales, related his version of Dr. Jose Rizal’s notion about the youth with the present times. According to David, “The youth is not the hope of the future. The world needs us today.”
Mayor WIN Gatchalian expressed his commendation to David for his meaningful programs which benefited both his fellow students and the needy sectors of the society. “It is quite seldom that we find young students who have the ability to juggle time wisely between academic requirements and social responsiveness, and further produce substantial output in both fields,” Mayor WIN shared.
Nominees for TOSP 2012 were required to cite their most significant accomplishments on academic excellence, leadership, and social responsibility, to prove and emphasize their worth as an individual, capable of being directly involved in the affairs of the community for the improvement of the quality of life of every Filipino who deserve a life of human dignity.
David’s accolades on academic excellence were enumerated by Mr. Fritzie Ian P. De Vera, Dean of Student Affairs of De La Salle University, on his signed nomination letter. He inferred, “(David’s) academic standing allowed him to be recognized by external organizations such as the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers, Holcim Philippines, Kraft Foods Philippines, and others.”
He was also a scholarship grantee to the Intercultural and Technology Exchange Program of Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan.
David’s key leadership accomplishments include his chairmanship of the National Student Chapter of Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers, wherein he was elected as its Executive President who spearheaded the National Student Congress to strengthen the collaboration and network of industrial engineering students in the country.
He also made it to the 2012 Ten Outstanding Student of the Philippines (TOSP) – NCR. Similarly, Mayor WIN was also hailed last year as one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for his excellent performance in the field of Public Service.
David is also a Meralco Leadership Awardee. This citation is given to top notch engineering interns in the country who joined the Power Camp Program geared at invoking nation-building.
This recognition on leadership excellence is parallel with the Meralco Luminaries Awards which was conferred to Valenzuela City received recently. The local government of Valenzuela City was highlighted for its prompt delivery of basic services and development programs, though its utilization of public-private partnership benefits in bringing out positive change in the lives of its constituents.
Some of the most significant accomplishments that David earned include his delegation to various forums overseas. He represented the country to Ministers of Youth World Forum in South Korea, ASEAN Youth Forum on Innovation and Creativity in Malaysia, and ASEAN Youth Forum and Festival in Indonesia.
Other awardees for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines this year were Juan Carlo Tejano, John Michael Dellariarte, Angelita Bombarda, Kenneth Isaiah Abante, Maria Janua Polinar, Ruhell Moreno, Kurt Gerard See, Jay-R Mendoza and Philip Dy.
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NOTED for his unique perspective about the youth of today, a Valenzuelano pride was recently acclaimed as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) at the Malacanang Palace, to carry out the servant leadership mission bannered by the RFM Foundation.
Jerome V. David, a lad from Barangay Viente Reales, related his version of Dr. Jose Rizal’s notion about the youth with the present times. According to David, “The youth is not the hope of the future. The world needs us today.”
Mayor WIN Gatchalian expressed his commendation to David for his meaningful programs which benefited both his fellow students and the needy sectors of the society. “It is quite seldom that we find young students who have the ability to juggle time wisely between academic requirements and social responsiveness, and further produce ...
Date Posted: 07.06.2012
.
Math-inik din
Sa 11,627 na mga bata mula sa North America na kabilang sa Math Honor Roll para sa Set. 2011 ng Kumon, isang pribadong tutorial service na nag-ooperate sa buong mundo, nag-Rank 1 si Rieza D. Escarez, 13, ng Brgy. Balubaran. Si Rieza ay naging aktibong miyembro ng Valenzuela City Center for Performing Arts at may talento sa larangan ng pagtugtog ng gitara, piano, violin at pagsayaw ng ballet.
Aning makulay
Tumanggap ng parangal mula kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III ang magkapatid na Jamia Mei Tolentino, 13 at Justen Paul Tolentino ng Brgy. Marulas para sa kanilang pagkakapanalo sa iba’t-ibang paligsahang pandaigdig.
Kaugnay ang parangal para sa taunang Ani ng Dangal Awards ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) na ginanap noong Peb. 28 sa Heroes Hall ng Malacańang Palace para kilalanin ang mga Pilipinong nagsipagwagi sa mga paligsahang pansining sa labas ng bansa.
Ilan lamang sa mga naiuwing panalo ni Jamia ang Merit of Excellence Award sa On-the-Spot Painting Contest na ginanap sa Indonesia, ang pinakamataas na pwesto sa 10th Mitsubishi Asian Children Enniki Festa na ginanap sa Tokyo, Japan at ang pagkakapanalo nya sa Embracing Our Differences 2012, isang international outdoor art exhibit kung saan sya ay pinarangalan sa Florida, USA noong nakaraang Abril.
Ilan naman sa mga naiuwing karangalan ni Justen Paul ay ang pagkakakuha nya nang pinakamataas na pwesto sa 2011 Pour I’ Enfrance Annual Drawing Contest at unang pwesto (1st place) sa 9th International Environmental Children’s Drawing Contest sa Tokyo, Japan.
Kid MVP
Tinanghal na Most Valuable Player ang football pride ng Valenzuela City na si Amos Magsumbol ng Brgy. Lingunan sa ginanap na Freedom Cup 2012 para sa Under-10 Division nito, sa University of the Philippines Diliman, Abril 22. Kampiyon din ang kanyang mga kalaro sa EAGLES A para sa nasabing division.
Inorganisa ng Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) at ng Football Philippines Magazine ang palaro na nilahukan ng may 50 koponan na binubuo ng 600 na manlalaro. &redirect_uri=http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/closing.html
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Math-inik
Nagkampiyon si Russelle Guadalupe, 16, ng Valenzuela City Science High School sa individual competition ng 2012 Metrobank-DepED Math Challenge na ginanap sa Metrobank Plaza sa Makati City, Abril 20-21, 2012. Dinaig ng tubong Brgy. Maysan ang mga naging katunggali mula sa iba’t-ibang paaralan sa National Capital Region (NCR).
Math-inik din
Sa 11,627 na mga bata mula sa North America na kabilang sa Math Honor Roll para sa Set. 2011 ng Kumon, isang pribadong tutorial service na nag-ooperate sa buong mundo, nag-Rank 1 si Rieza D. Escarez, 13, ng Brgy. Balubaran. Si Rieza ay naging aktibong miyembro ng Valenzuela City Center for Performing Arts at may talento sa larangan ng pagtugtog ng gitara, piano, violin at pagsayaw ng ballet.
Aning makulay
Tumanggap ng parangal mula kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III ang magkapatid na Jamia Mei Tolentino ...