Honestly, I am already bored reading the documents given to us. As I read the document entitled, THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT: APOSTOLIC LETTEROF THE HOLY FATHERJOHN PAUL II TO THOSE RESPONSIBLEFOR COMMUNICATIONS, I considered it as a burden. Primarily, because it has the same message and content to that of the previous reflections, however I am reminded of what my rector told us before. He said, “When you read the Holy Scripture especially the Gospel again and again it is not a waste of time because it is inexhaustible. Moreover, repetitions always activate our awareness to certain realities. Reading repeatedly the Holy Scripture makes me always aware of its message and continuously offering me new insights. Perhaps, this is the same through with exhortations by the Holy Fathers. Hence, I decided to read the document again and true enough I found new insight, new point of reflection. It is too complex that it would be impossible to get nothing. But it is too complex that it would be impossible to get everything either. Nonetheless I focus on the Importance of listening and speaking through media. The document teaches us to Communicate with the Power of the Holy Spirit. To be overwhelmed by the Spirit when we are listening and speaking through media, we can be able to asses better the message being communicated to us and make a better judgment. In addition it makes us well disposed in discovering the truth and good in every communication made via media. When the perfect communicator, Jesus Christ, came into the world, He didn’t only teach. He also listened to the sighs of the oppressed, the problems of the poor and inundated and the maladies of all the suffering people. Alongside with it He did teach and preach. He pronounced powerfully the Kingdom of Heaven. He spoke about truth for He is the TRUTH. He spoke about the path towards the Kingdom for He is the WAY. He illumined the hearts and minds of the people for he is the Light.

          Now we are being challenged to imitate Him in our daily affairs with media. We are being encouraged to follow his example in listening emphatically and speaking prudently in media. Jesus has given us the warning:

“A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Mt 12: 35-37)

St. Paul has given us the formula:

“Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another… No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4: 25, 29).

          The late Pope John Paul II tells us “Do not be Afraid. He is reminding us again not to be afraid with media because it is a “marvelous thing.” God is always with us all the days of our life. When we use media properly we can always recognize His presence. In turn, when we recognize His presence we can use media properly as well. But every time we use media listening to its cunning yet fallacious advice and using it to speak about things that ruined the soul, we cannot feel the presence of God, and vice versa. Not because He is abandoning us, but it is the other way around.

          Indeed, we can always get new things from a seemingly boring material for reading. Or should I say we can always extract good insights from an inexhaustible document of our Catholic faith.

         

 

 

 

The PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS’ document “THE CHURCH AND INTERNET” has very important message to communicate to us all Christians. That message is already communicated to me. And here how it unfolds:

 

 

Dearest RJ,

The Internet is a door opening on a glamorous and exciting world with a powerful formative influence; but not everything on the other side of the door is safe and wholesome and true. “Children and young people like you should be open to formation regarding media, resisting the easy path of uncritical passivity, peer pressure, and commercial exploitation”. You owe it to yourself—and to your parents and families and friends, pastors and teachers, and ultimately to God—to use the Internet well. The Internet places in your grasp at an unusually early age an immense capacity for doing good and doing harm, to yourself and others. It can enrich your lives beyond the dreams of earlier generations and empower you them to enrich others’ lives in turn. It also can plunge you into consumerism, pornographic and violent fantasy, and pathological isolation. Young people, as has often been said, are the future of society and the Church. Good use of the Internet can help you prepare for your responsibilities in both. But this will not happen automatically. The Internet is not merely a medium of entertainment and consumer gratification. It is a tool for accomplishing useful work, and the young must learn to see it and use it as such. In cyberspace, at least as much as anywhere else, you may be called on to go against the tide, practice counter-culturalism, and even suffer persecution for the sake of what is true and good.

 

 

Respectfully yours,

The Church

 

Dearest,

 

The message you want to tell me is very clear and substantial. I am very grateful to it because seldom do I receive advice with regards my relationship to the internet. Growing up in an environment where most of my time was unguarded and left alone in front of television, I became liberated. Out of curiosity I cannot resist to experiment things for discovery. Primarily it is because no one was there to ask for about the things that triggered me. Before attending formal schooling I already mastered our VHS and TV, because my grandmother doesn’t know to used them; neither did she resolve to practice using them. In effect, I explored other technological gadgets. I carried this attitude until my seminary days. Additionally, I carried that attitude of imprudence towards internet. I visited different websites unnecessarily, especially during unguarded moments. I admit, a pornographic and violent fantasy was once my goal in using the internet. I was compulsively motivated to do so. Internet has done a crime to me. Is it so? Or the other way round? Weather the latter or the former I don’t care. One thing is certain, I suffered.  Even now the memories of my past experiences keep on haunting especially when I resolve to be holy. Nonetheless, internet is not harmful all the time. In fact it is very important as I am doing my thesis. It saves me time and effort in searching for books related to my thesis. It also facilitated me on my research in different libraries (Ateneo and UST).  Bit more than that is the information it offers me. The news around the world, issues in the country, new discoveries and facts that nurtures my knowledge are easily accessible in the internet. It connects me from my friends and relatives which I considered very advantageous since we are not allowed to have our cell phones in the seminary.  Lastly, internet satisfies my craving for good entertainment and for wisdom.

 

            However I still have to work on the vice that I nurture as I grew up unguardedly namely, imprudence, I could hardly open my awareness to the real goodness of things that I am easily betrayed by the apparent good of things. Hence, I resolve to be guided by your Post Scriptum.

 

 

Respectfully yours,

RJ   

 

 

 

P.S.

Finally, then, we would suggest some virtues that need to be cultivated by everyone who wants to make good use of the Internet; their exercise should be based upon and guided by a realistic appraisal of its contents.

Prudence is necessary in order clearly to see the implications—the potential for good and evil—in this new medium and to respond creatively to its challenges and opportunities.

Justice is needed, especially justice in working to close the digital divide—the gap between the information-rich and the information-poor in today’s world.⁵² This requires a commitment to the international common good, no less than the “globalization of solidarity”.⁵³

Fortitude, courage, is necessary. This means standing up for truth in the face of religious and moral relativism, for altruism and generosity in the face of individualistic consumerism, for decency in the face of sensuality and sin.

And temperance is needed—a self-disciplined approach to this remarkable technological instrument, the Internet, so as to use it wisely and only for good.

 

 

(I edited the italized pronouns above from the original document to make it look more personal)

 

 

 

 

 

Pap pa rap pap pa love ko to! Who have not seen the latest advertisement of McDonald in the Philippines? It is about a young boy and a young girl who met in McDo with their parents. The boy watch as the girl dip her fries in the ice cream, then all of a sudden they grew up as young adults in the same place where they first met while in the background the famous single of the Eraser Head El Bimbo is being played, the lady pulls him to the play place and  introduce him to her husband, ooh! Then the guy ate his fries the way the lady ate hers when they were young with the narration saying “hindi man naging tayo, pero ikaw parin ang first love ko. McDonalds indeed managed to touch the core of Filipinos through this commercial. Here in our country we really put importance on friendship especially our childhood friend. in like manner the vintage commercial of Karen Po depicts the Filipino culture of giving reverence to the elders. Two important traits of Filipinos are shown trough advertisement. Indeed it is powerful avenue to promote culture. However it can also deceive us. When I was in high school, I never got out of our house without fixing my hair with gel or was or conditioner, or hair polisher, etc. it presupposes also that I have tried different brands. This is because of the advertisements in the TV. I could easily be carried away. I was not minding its effect. The same as through with soap especially whitening soap until I got an allergy two years ago. Advertisement is a master of manipulation. According to the document “Ethics of Advertisement” the two purposes of advertisements are informing and persuading. Yes it is good but sometimes because of too much information we fall into the trap called information fatigue. We tend to ignore new info. Worst is we don’t reason out anymore every time we confront it.  In our exhaustion our world is limited by what we only believe in as true info even it is already obsolete. As for the purpose of persuading, we might again fall into the trap of losing or sense of control. We are overwhelmed by advertisements that we want always to acquire the newest products in the market even thought we do not need them. In the document four aspects of the society are identified to be greatly affected by advertisement positively and negatively. Economic, political, cultural and moral or religious facet of the societies are benefited at the same time debilitated by advertisements. Economically speaking it is a vital player in the stability of our economy.  It gives more jobs to people it geared to common good and the human development. “It is necessary part of the functioning of the modern market..Currently seem to be the most efficient instrument for utilizing resources and effectively responding to the needs of socio-economic kind” (Ethics of Advertisement 868 #5).  On the contrary, consumerism is its bad effect. According to Poe John Paul people are more focused in having than in being due to the consumerist mentality. In the political realm advertisement is important place to know the present issues in the government. This would provide us better measures in judging our public officials. Nonetheless, advertisement can be used by the rich politicians during election campaign to secure their victory. But where will they get the money they spend during the election? It is up to you to think. The two advertisement of McDonald stated above are good example of promoting cultural and moral values of the Filipinos.  It could also help in the promotion of our cultural heritage. But due to the fast advancement of technologies shown in the advertisement, even some of our cultural heritages are in the midst of extinction. Every time I ride the LRT I always prefer to stand and watch the different billboards. Out of 100 I think billboard only one is about our religion, for other religions I have not seen any. It is a good boulevard to evangelize. However, many commercial promotes demoralization. Commercial about condoms are rampant. Almost all the advertisement that targets the adults and the teens has sexual or sensual undertones.

The Ethics of advertisement is no longer the primary concern of the people behind, it is profit. Media on one hand would tolerate because they have mutual purpose. I hope this document would be read by the people behind advertisements so that they will always promote human dignity and cultural or religious awareness, not demoralizing kinds of advertisements.

 

 

 

In the beginning God created the world. He said: “let there be light, clouds and skies. Let there be water, fire, air and earth.” He created the beings that fly crawls, walks, swims, jumps and runs. He created night and day. In the last day he said “let there be man.” But never did god say “let there be limelight; let there be cameras; let there be music and dance; let there be take one action.” The world has to wait thousand years before the silver screen’s birth. It was only yesterday when Elvis Presley dominates the music charts. It was only yesterday when Manilyn Monroe conquered the world by her charm.  In the Philippines, cinema and films has not yet reached its centenary. It was only yesterday when Fernando Poe Jr. first appeared in the golden screen. The pillars of movie and TV are in fact still alive the likes of Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon, Sharon, Maricel, Gabby and Richard. It is also worth mentioning their successors, Juday, Claudine, Iza, Marvin, Piolo and Ding Dong. And of course the hottest star of today Marian Rivera. It seems like only yesterday when cinema came but now, it seems like it has been there since in time memorial. It became part of man’s existence. For the fanatics, (TV, film) addicts, it became their life; most especially those who are earning or profiting from it. I am not one of those who earns from it, but I am a die hard fanatic of film, cinema and TV shows. I was a media baby, born when TV is not an alien entity in our family and community. It is one of the many factors that mold my being, negatively and positively. But if only I have the power to bring back the past I would do it and I will undo my wrong used of these media instruments. Reality would tell me it is impossible. Mitch Albom in his book For One More Day would tell me “going back to something is harder than what you think.” However, Khaled Hosseini in his novel Kite Runner (now in motion picture) would tell me “there is a way to be good again.” Yes there is. That is why I have a dream; a dream for my (spiritual) children if I will become a spiritual father; a dream for my children if I will become a father of my own family. This dream is inspired by personal experience substantiated by the document “100 years of cinema.”

          100 years of cinema is a Catholic Church document on social communication. This document opens our awareness on the effects of cinema and films especially the children. At the sane time it offers exercises, activities with the objective of educating the youth and the children and even the parents on how to get the good out of these products of human genius. In the Didactic element for a constructive interpretation of the content of the motion picture medium, we are given four ways to understand a movie which are as follows: cognitive is the first, it is the understanding and identifying of the characters, from the lead role to the least role; the second is the psychological which is the deeper understanding of the characters role and the values one can learn from them; the third is the sociological which focuses on the environment or setting of the movie as a whole; lastly the  general information which is simply the understanding of the film beyond the film. Moreover, cinema and film can also be the vehicle of culture and values. Children youth and adults are the subjects for culture and values inculcation. The value of friendship is being highlighted among the youth and responsibility for the adults. In the last part of the document a glimpse of its history is presented with some ideal ideas about the things that should be presented.

          I have a dream for my children. I have a dream and that is for them to enjoy what cinema has to offer. What I want them to get from the cinema are serenity, peace, affection, beauty, truth and goodness. I want them to recognize the beauty and goodness of it, to be critical on what it present and to be at peace and serene every time they confront it of course with the affection of someone (especially parents). Children need guidance for they assimilate things easily. Whatever they hear, see, perceive or realize from a film will affects them and if something is not well understood by them it is dangerous. It will surely affect them as they grow older. They are prone to danger because of their excitement, wonder and irresistible feelings on what they witness on screen.  Hence parents, educator pastors are responsible for the education of these children. Now what makes an educator, parent or pastor an effective one? Through my personal experience and my reading of the 100 Years of Cinema I have come out of these following ideas: first, be aware of our responsibility to others especially the children when dealing with cinema. We should be responsible enough to provide suitable films for them where they cannot only enjoy but most of all learn values which they could use in their life. Second, we must never let the children to stay alone in front of the idiot box, when we know they can possibly or accidentally switch on to channels which could trigger them. Third, we should keep them from magazines, pictures which are not proper to their age. Fourth, talk to them; explain to them this reality, its good and bad implication. Fifth, help them to cultivate Christian values by presenting films that discusses our faith or films which centers on Christ. It is good to do these while they are still young. These could become a habit for them; and once it will become a habit they can stand firm from falling on the bad offerings of media. Hence, they will use media properly.

          Jesus said “let the children come to me.” Let us assist these children to go to Him. Let us tell them who He is. Let us show them the way going to Him. Let us motivate them to start journeying. At this early stage, let us not abandon them as they travel. But first, let us discover who Christ really is. Let us search the way to Him. Let us understand his commands. Let us go to him. Let his grace be our guidance as we travel to His presence. Media is very strong instrument to preach Jesus to the children of today. This is my dream for the children. This is my dream for my children. And I will do it for them because no one did it for me.

 

 

In our history we know that revolutions were carried out by the adults and the young. During the past decades the youth were the front runners in every protest, rallies and even the 1986 EDSA revolution. Now we could hardly see young people joining in political assemblies. Rarely did we witness students joining protests. If there are, sometimes they are motivated differently ahmm, I do not know perhaps just for the sake of joining. This is also true in religious affairs. Less and lesser young people are attracted to joining religious activities in the parishes. I remember in our town when I was a child students always prepare good shows for the people. Few young men and women would plan to enter the seminary and the convent.  Even our tradition, it seems to be overridden. The traditional way of courting is in the midst of extinction. Why is it now the case? It looks like an enemy is stubbing behind?  Oh! Yeah! What attracts young people today is the media, the new technologies. Instead of wasting their time in attending the above mentioned activities, they would rather stay in front of the computers surfing different webs, if not playing on-line games. They stay in the movie house or in front of the idiot box the whole day and the whole night, not mentioning the texting, calling, chatting in between of their activities. Indeed media silently revolted on tradition, culture, religion and social life.

Revolutionary technological changes are only part of what is happening (Aetatis Novae). The Pastoral instruction on Social Communication Aetatis Novae is very rich; to comprehend or grasp its totality is quite impossible. Hence I resulted to reflect on three basic questions as follows: how did media champion the attention of the young? How come media silently revolted against religion, culture, and tradition? How did it affect me as a seminarian?

As more than just a technological revolution, today’s revolution in social communication involves a fundamental reshaping of the elements by which the people comprehend the world about them, and verify and express what they have comprehend. The constant availability of images and ideas, and their rapid transmission even from continent to continent, have profound consequences, both positive and negative, for the psychological, moral and social development of persons, the structure and functioning of the societies, intercultural communications and the perception and transmission of values, world views, ideologies and religious beliefs (Aetatis Novae 431). Media powerfully shifted the attention of man particularly the youth by the comforts, entertainment and pleasure it offers. It did really reshape peoples’ way of thinking and even organizing their daily affairs. It makes work easier. Half a century ago, thesis writer just like us have to use the typewriter, which is 500% worst than the computer. It also makes the world smaller; we are now coming to the “global village.” Gone are the days of the message in a bottle. One can have an easier access to his relatives abroad through emails, SMS, etc. according to the philosopher Harvey Cox in his work the Epoch of Secular City, secularization which is characterize by the advancement of modern technologies debase religion as a hobby, national or ethical identity or aesthetic delight; true also with culture and traditions.  Now attending festivities religious or cultural are just an option for others. Some would attend if they have no other things to do. Attending the Sunday mass for many Catholics now is not anymore a must. There are some who would identify themselves as Christian just for the sake of identity when in fact they themselves does not embodies the true essence of being a Christian. More often than not, people wear religious items or cultural symbols for aesthetic delights. Every time I see a child going in our seminary wearing the rosary as a necklace, I would ask him to remove it. Not only because I do not like the way they look wearing it but when I asked them if they know its use and how to use it, it is more discouraging. Furthermore, I too was affected by this reality. However, not that much since when I was just starting to fall on the traps of media the seminary came to my life and rescued me. Though at first, it was hard to adjust especially in terms of our access to television. I am a self-confessed addict of watching films and T.V. shows. In the seminary we can only watch during Saturdays. But, as time pass by I am now on my fourth year of watching only one movie a week.

As what is being emphasized over and over again media is amoral. It is us who will determine whether it is moral or immoral by the way we use it: if use it for good or abuse in our own expense.

Media’s pornography and violence are painful pleasures. Undoubtedly, media is the most used abused and misused reality of the modern era. It’s a dangerous sign of graver moral crisis which, I believed, is the root of other crises namely, political, fiscal and economic. “Pornography and sadistic violence debase sexuality, corrode human relationships, exploits individuals- especially women and young people, undermine marriage and family life, foster anti-social behavior and weaken moral fiber of the society” (Pornography and Violence 471). The nobility and sacredness of sex is reduced into a mere carnal satisfaction. How many young people today deliberately involved in this fleshy activity and even bragging it to their friends? There is this wrong mentality regarding sex among teens that sex is prerequisite of a modern day teenager. It decays human relationships. Pornography and violence destroys mutual trust and respect among friends and couples. It also undermines the traditional form of courtship. These lessen the value of any human relationships. Young people flirt, but they are afraid of commitment. In effect relationships could easily falter. Pornography and violence exploit young people and women. Most often than not women and the young are the object of pornographic materials such as DVD’s, VCD’s, printed materials, and the likes. Mas mabenta daw. They are as well the object of violence. Perhaps, this is because society looks at women inferior to man. Pornography and violence demoralize marriage and family life. Percentage of people engaging in pre-marital sex is escalating. Two in every five friends of mine confessed their experiences to me. Gone are the days when man was not allowed to stay or even sleep with the woman until they are married. Now, this mentality is gradually evaporating. That is why annulment cases in the Philippines are also increasing. As a result, there are more broken families. Pornography and violence foster anti-social behavior and immorality.  Last December I was saddened by the news in my town. Two college students, an item, whom I personally know, give us an idea of a very disgusting social behavior. The girl was pregnant, they hid it to their parents (they were excellent at that). When the baby finally enter the world this young parents decided to banish him immediately. They have decided to throw him, and they did literally throw him from the second floor of the building. Thereafter the innocent child exit into the world. Now they are both in jail. I remember the Filipino saying, “ang kabataan  ang pag-asa ng bayan”… ay wala na. Why? Why? Why? Those were my three questions upon hearing the news. Sometimes it is hard to imagine how can us youth become the future of this nation. I cannot comprehend these people. I am not saying that I am better than them, that I am righteous or what? I don’t know. But still, I believe in the power of true love, sacredness of sex, nobleness of marriage, and dignity of life. This is the painful reality, this is the false pleasure. This is the painful pleasure of pornography and violence in media communication. Pornography and violence offers us nothing but, shallow pleasure, conscientious feeling, disrespectful and aggressive attitude, weakening faith and SIN. I am talking based on my more personal experience. However, “There is a Way to be Good Again” as what was said in the film Kite Runner. Certainly, the Christian formation that I received in the seminary is my greatest help. As I was reflecting, if I am not here perhaps I am already absorbed by the wrong mentality outside the walls of the seminary. Perhaps I am like the others. Baka mas malala pa. “Of particular are programs in media education to develop in young people a critical attitude and properly formed skills of discernment in using television, radio, and other media, so that they might know how to resist manipulation and how to avoid merely passive listening and viewing habits” (Pornography and Violence 486). Course like media literacy is very helpful for me to be critical on what media tells. It guides me in my daily contact with media. It also shields me from the different traps of media. Media is good when we use it properly. It is bad when we misused, and abused it. It is a gratifying pleasure to be entertained properly by the media. It is a painful pleasure to be deceived by it.

             

           

  

“The channels of social communications are dispensable to the smooth functioning of the modern society.” This sentence is taken from the church document Communio et Progressio. True enough in our days these instruments play a very vital role in all aspect of our modern world activities.  They are not only mere objects for leisure, fashion or whatever you may call it.; more than that they are of great use in different fields that needs communication such as business, commerce, politics, schools, churches, etc. These make communication easier and more comfortable. In this 1973 Document of the Catholic Church I am in particular way struck by the definition of communication which is: “it is more than the expression of ideas and indications of emotions. At its most profound level it is the giving of self to love.” This definition is precisely inspired by “Christ revealing himself as the perfect communicator.” He came to the Earth taking the form of man to be in communion with them. He dealt with man according to their present predicaments, tradition and environment. Furthermore the highly act and very beautiful meaning of communication Jesus shown us has resulted to a progressive congregation of faithful people namely, the Catholic and Orthodox Church.  In like manner, any society where mass media or instruments social communications are properly use for the promotion of unity and communion, progress is inevitable. On the contrary, society where media or instruments social communications are not properly use there would be disunity, and hence progress is impossible. This can be proven by looking precisely to our country. Yes I strongly believed that corruption and lack of patriotism are the cause of poverty. But, can we not consider the abuse of the instruments of social communication as one factor of poverty? The primary concern of mass media and other means of communication in this country is profit. The people behind this business are motivated by money, commercial is their first goal. Although there are still some that really promotes human values and human dignity, majority still geared for money. How can we be informed truthfully when media is trying to deceive us? Look how commercials trick us.  Which is better Pepsi, 7up, Tropicana, Mt. Dew, or Gatorade? Each claim to be the best but, aren’t all these belongs to one company? So as in the case of shampoo; Sunsilk and Clear with Creamsilk are under the same company. How can we be in communion as a nation, if agencies of mass media are not united themselves? How come there is such a word such as network war? Much of these deceptions we need information, we need education, we need communication. As a dominantly Christian catholic country the principles elaborated in Communio et Progressio are suitable to adopt as basis for the proper use of the means for social communication.    We have the rights of public opinion “which is an essential expression of human nature in society.” Mass media is a good avenue for public opinion.

       We have the rights of information. We need to be informed on the socio-political realities in order for us to have a proper organization of our lives. We have the right of education. Mass media plays an important role in the education of the people. People are susceptible to whatever information projected on print ads, radios, or television. Hence there is the need to be vigilant on whatever info being presented.

        The advancement of the means of social communication gives more opportunities and obligations to people. It is also a good avenue to demonstrate the talents and skill of man. It is very useful in connecting people together. The moment they are connected they may be led into a deeper relationship, to be in communion, to be in solidarity. If we make good use of these God given gifts I guess there would be no disunity. If all are in communion through the instruments of social communication there is progress.

 

 

“Never mind question authority.” I was triggered by this upon reading it written in a masking tape pasted at my study table. I do not know if it was intentional or accidental. Perhaps, it was made by a seminarian who was bored listening to his professor because mostly other students are using our study hall during classes. Anyway, it seems to me that it was directly intended for me. Questioning authority, questioning my superiors, questioning rules and regulations are my, I don’t know, strength or weakness? Now questioning became a hobby. To whether it is a strength or weakness, I have this ambivalent feeling . As a seminarian it is a weakness because we are practicing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for our future ministry if ever. Living in poverty is hard, but the observance of chastity is harder, however obedience is the hardest. Sometimes I obey but deep inside me it’s protesting. Is not breaking the vow of chastity and poverty a greater form of disobedience? Disobedience, I find this word interesting. Though I guess, I am not a prodigal. In fact my Thesis’ title is “The Application of John Rawls Concept of Civil Disobedience in Philippine Democracy.” Anyway, skeptic, seeker of answer, and the likes is the real “I.” on the other hand I find it as strength because it gives me enlightenment and satiate my quench for answer. Now some of my questions in the seminary as regards my relationship with the means of mass media communication are as follows: why aren’t we allowed to have our cell phone? Why do they have to ban us from using MP4 or iPod? Why can’t we watch TV during free times? What for they call it free time? Why can’t we watch films more than once or twice a week? Why do they have to ban Friendster, Multiply, and so on and so forth (email ads are allowed)? Why can’t we watch movies according to our preferences? Or why do they have to scan it first? Are they the extension of the MTRCB? These are my questions. Until I read the church social document entitled “Guide to the Training of the Future Priests Concerning the Instruments of Social Communication.”

The document is very rich which would not enable me to comprehend it totally. But I want to focus on three basic messages of the document, namely, (1) to give the students/seminarians an exposure to the means of mass communication, (2) to make them knowledgeable about the purpose of these in their life and (3) lastly to train them for their future ministry. The students need to become acquainted with the real world about which they are being taught in class. They need to be trained to give ‘the witness of well-rounded and mature personality that can enter relationships with others without exaggerated precautions or naïve imprudence, but with an open-hearted and serenely balanced cordiality.’” These words coming from the document is understandable enough. One vacation somebody commented that we seminarians many times act differently from them, for example when we encounter shows which are very daring we can easily be triggered and sometimes out of overwhelmed feeling we act hastily. In the seminary, my superiors never fell short in introducing us to new means of social communications. So that at least will not become totally ignorant every time we go out from the seminary walls. The very fact that they are offering us a course Media Literacy and conferences as regards the modern technologies are proof of their concern for us to be well informed and exposed to such realities. But, they have to monitor us in our contact with new gadgets; otherwise we might fall into the deception of media. Now I know why we are not allowed to use cell phone. We do not have any business outside. Our main goal and focus is to study and discern on our vocation. We have the community cellphone anyway if ever there is an emergency that would require us to contact our family. “The initial introduction and basic training ought to enlighten the students, refine the critical sense, and form their conscience, so as to save them falling prey to the facile suggestions and manipulations perpetrated by the ‘mass media’ particularly where these offend against truth and morality.” Purifying our intentions, developing our conscience, upgrading our critical sense, enlightenment,   are  practically what our superiors centering on, when they have to tell us Friendster is not allowed, no TV during school days, no iPod or MP4. Lesser contract with these instruments or means of communication can help us to lessen as well our desire of wasting too much of our time. With our critical minds upgraded and conscientious feeling in dealing with them it could actually help me to always seek the truth and morality behind these realities and to avoid any desire that colud ruin my spiritual life. “The students are to be assisted toward Christian maturity, so that, by using the ‘mass media’ responsibly, they will then know how to live the whole of their priestly lives in a rich and productive way.” I believe that my superiors never cease to provide our need to be exposed in media, alongside with the proper principles which guided us to become responsible enough for our future ministry. Hence, the prohibitions, preventions and reminders that I was questioning are part of my formation to priesthood.  The document is of great help both to me, in giving light to my questions, and to my superiors, in providing us measures in our personal relation with the mass media.

“There is always wisdom in these, you will understand them later.” This is always the axplanation  of my good Prefect in the seminary. Yes! Really there are. Although I have not yet discovered totally the wisdoms he is talking about, yet little by little they are unfolding to my consciousness. I understand them now more than ever. But still I keep on questioning. I will keep on questioning. For there are realities in our human existence where skepticism and questioning could lead us to discover the wisdom and truth innate in being, especially man’s rationality is fallible.  This is my purpose in every questioning, to be enlightened because truly I am a man, limited by essence. But the important thing is “when I question I never degrade the person.”

 

 

Church and state’s relationship is exclusive but complementary; each fulfilling its end, i.e. temporal end (state) and spiritual end (church). These two institutions have a strong power to educate and protect the people from the dangers of these instruments. “Civil authorities have particular in this field because of the common good toward which these media are oriented.” However, there are no strict measures  as regards the proper use of media in the Philippines. If there are, they aren’t executed properly. Sometimes civil officials are in the frontline of curtailing the press freedom. “all members of the church should make a concerted effort to ensure that the means of communication are put at the service of the multiple forms of the apostolate without delay and as energetically as possible, when and where they are needed.” Religious man and women are also entrusted such heavy task to guard the souls of the people because evil could use media to attract.

            In the end, however church and state will remain to be instruments only, for the proper use of the means for social communications. It is the individual who can make a difference. It is a personal responsibility to take into consideration the principles and guidelines to the proper use of these instruments. As a seminarian I consider two principles, namely moderation and necessity. What do we call a thing that is neither moral nor immoral? Amoral is it? Instruments of Social Communications are classified to be as such. “If these instruments are rightly used they bring solid nourishment to human race… but men can employ these gifts against the mind of the divine benefactor, and abuse them to their own undoing.” It is man who can thwart the amorality of these instruments to morality or immorality. In reading Inter Mirifica   I understand that the principles of est modus in rebus and of necessity are of great help for the proper use of these instruments.

            More often than not immoderation causes more harm. Over eating may lead to obesity; while its opposite may lead one to malnourishment. In like manner, immoderation in the use of Social communication does not only usher man to perversity, it also waste time and resources.  This principle does not only imply on the frequency and rarity of its usage. It also applied to the manner of using it. The principle of necessity is a good model for the proper consideration of these instruments. Not everyone is in need of the latest gadgets like cell phones, iPods, laptops, etc. Many people queue in malls if new technologies are out in the market. People of today vaguely understood the notions of need and wants. They do not recognize anymore the dichotomy between the two. This misconception is one factor of the ever glowing materialism among the people.

            Hence, the given principles that I have extracted and reflected from the 45 year-old document of Vatican is more valid today than the time it was published. Through these principles, I believe we can avoid the trap to be controlled by these technologies. We must keep moderation in our acquisition of new technology at the same time we must geared only for what is necessary