I
was at my lowest point in my life last week. My self-confidence was at zero for
entertaining negative people and things in life.
I
told myself, life is gritty, and above all, life is full of ups and downs. Sigh!
When
I went to visit dyRD office on Thursday, I got my copy of the book Hashtags for Seekers written by Fr.
Harold Arnold Parilla courtesy of Michael Cañares, the book’s publisher.
While
I read the book deep into the night while the whole household was in sweet
slumber, it helped me to get my life back. I learned how to heal and rebuild my
confidence.
 |
Fr.
Harold Anthony Parilla writes Hashtags
for Seekers
to illustrate the love of God. Courtesy: Ric Obedencio
|
I’d
read lots of books about inspirational stories on life, love, and happiness. However, reading Hashtags for Seekers is young and refreshing yet full of insights
to inspire, guide, comfort and draw you closer to the Lord’s endless, boundless
love.
Published
by Creannovate Publishing House in Tagbilaran City, Hashtags for Seekers is a welcome breather from the homilies and
Sunday gospel reflections of Fr. Parilla which first appeared on Facebook in
2011. The homilies were posted at the request of some of his friends from Italy
and the US.
Fr.
Parilla makes the Word of God easier to digest for the young ones. It is a powerhouse filled with stories and
practical practical suggestions for learning to make good decisions and
becoming happier in ways that are meaningful and lasting.
“Hashtags
for Seekers- the title speaks of what is contemporary yet old-age. In concise
but nuanced and penetrating reflections on the Sunday liturgical readings,
Harold unpacks the vitality of the Word of God in dialogue with some of our
most real yet unrecognized questions and longings,” says Archbishop Luis
Antonio Cardinal Tagle in the book’s Foreword. “He makes the Gospel message
attractive rather than intrusive and condemning. Words proclaimed and written
centuries ago sound like a hashtag meant for
me now.”
From About The
Author: Fr. Parilla, who was ordained
priest in 2003, is a paring Bol-anon
from Clarin town who is currently a formator and lecturer at St. John Vianney
Theological Seminar in Cagayan de Oro City. After some years of work at the local
seminary and in the chancery of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, he left for Rome to
obtain a licentiate degree in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
His academic resume includes masteral degrees in pastoral ministry ad
educational management from two Jesuit universities in the Philippines. His
ministry in the Church involves teaching and formation work.
Buy
a copy of Hashtags for Seekers before
it goes out of stock.
Remember,
God loves you!
***
Grandpa beaten by Abu needs help
An
82-year-old survivor of Abu Sayyaf torture in Bohol has appealed for help from
government as he struggles to recover from injuries he sustained from the
beatings by the bandits.
Octogenarian
Porferio Cosenas now has difficulty speaking and walking. His whole body aches and he has to buy a lot
of medication to recover but he does not have the money to buy them.
As
he recalled the torture he suffered in the hands of the bandits, Cosenas spoke
as if he was being strangled. He walked slowly since his groin was still
aching.
An
82-year-old survivor of Abu Sayyaf torture in Bohol has appealed for help from
government as he struggles to recover from injuries he sustained from the
beatings by the bandits.
Cosenas,
also known as Lolo Peryong, was being
beaten by two Abu Sayyaf bandits, minutes before they were killed by soldiers
on Pangangan Island, Calape town, last May 15.
His
back, chest and groin remain painful even if it has been two weeks since he was
beaten up.
 |
Porferio
Cosenas is asking for financial assistance
from the government so that he can
buy his medicines
needed to heal his body from the beatings he endured
in the
hands of two Abu Sayyaf bandits. The two gunmen
were later killed by government
troops on Pangangan
Island, Calape town, last May 15. Leo Udtohan
|
On
Tuesday (May 30), Lolo Peryong was accompanied by his daughter, Rodelita Granaderos,
to Tagbilaran City for his check-up.
They
also dropped by radio station dyRD to air an appeal for financial assistance
from the government to buy the medicines needed to treat his wounds.
Granaderos,
49, said she could not afford to buy the medicines her father needed.
“Our
situation is very difficult. That is why we are asking for help,” she said.
Police
reports said the elderly chanced upon Abu Ubayda, who was armed with an M-16
rifle, while he was trying to escape from government troopers who had been
hunting the bandit group down.
He
tried to fight Ubayda off using his bolo but was overpowered and beaten up.
Ubayda
was later killed by government troops, along with his companion, Abu Asis, in
Barangay Lawis, on Pangangan Island, Calape town.
The
two were the last men standing out of several Abu Sayyaf members who tried to
set up a base in Barangay Napo, Inabanga town on April 10.
All
were killed in separate operations in different towns that lasted for more than
a month.
But
according to Lolo Peryong, the two Abu Sayyaf members, and not just one,
attacked him and even threatened to kill him.
One
of the armed men hit the elderly with the rifle butt while the other jumped on
top of him and choked him.
He
said one Abu Sayyaf member then spoke in Bisaya: “Ato lang ni patyon ning
tiguwaa (Let us just kill this old man).”
Lolo
Peryong said he had to plead for his life.
“Unsay
sala nako ninyo nga patyon man ko ninyo? (What have I done wrong that you want
to kill me?), he told the bandit group.
Abu
Ubayda repeatedly punched and kicked him in the body and groin area that he
lost consciousness.
“Abi
nako patay nako adto higayuna (I thought that was my last)” he said.
The
men fled and government troops found the unconscious Lolo Peryong who was then
brought to a hospital in Calape town.
He
had a wound in the head that required stitches. The police said it could be
that his head hit a rock when he fell unconscious or was bashed by one of the
Abu Sayyaf members.
The
physicians also had to stitch his genitals because it was damaged due to severe
beating.
Although
he was released from the hospital, his back and chest continued to ache while
his groin remained painful due to swollen testicles.
To
help Lolo Peryong, you may contact Rodelita Granaderos at 0936-115-2615.
***
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