Old School Rules: Preserving Purity in the Seminary

Many think mistakenly that seminary life is very dull, and yet our experiences inside those walls make really great stories up until today. Today I am writing about how we kept the virtue of purity inside the seminary. In a place where you have more than 100 hormone-raged teen-agers, trouble could really happen if the superiors were not prudent. We therefore had some of the strictest rules that were aimed at preserving purity back then, whether we knew their real intention or not. If many of you would find the rules a little too harsh, or perhaps even comical and outrageous, take note that I went to the seminary back in the 90s. Imagine what they did back in the 60s, 70s and 80s!

Parents, teachers and educators, and those involved with the formation of the young should take note. Weird as the rules might be, they got the job done!

1. No Green Jokes - This was one of the first of the unwritten rules in the seminary I learned the hard way. I cracked a green joke the first time and I didn't even get to finish it as I noticed the Brother assistant gave me the dagger look. It's not that there were no green jokes being passed around, but it's not being said out in the open, and those who spread them lived in infamy as the "bad talk" guys, long after they have stopped telling green jokes. Trust me on this.

2. Pants - We covered our legs like we were ladies with killer legs. Seriously, the only time we wore shorts were during games. After games, we had study period for the rest of the afternoon and evening, and still we were asked to wear pants. It used to be a rule too, that you can't wear shorts at night - yes, you have to wear pajamas, and the mosquito net was a necessity. They drove away mosquitoes, and did not give others a clear view of the person inside.

good thing we didn't have to wear a banana suit back then.

3. Dorm Rules - There were no rooms where you could close the door and not be seen by the assistant. Instead we had a big dorm that could accommodate 40 or more beds at a time. There was a dim light in the dorm during sleeping times, dim enough so you could sleep, and at the same time keeping the dorm lit enough for the assistant to see everyone. We were also taught to use our towels as "tapis" for cover whenever we pulled down our pants to change into sports gear or pajamas or to head to the showers. Strictly no showing of underwear.

There is also this rule about one's private space, the space between your bed, in front of your small cabinet, and the next bed; that is your personal space, a space which cannot be trespassed by any person except during cleaning time. We also had what we call a Sacred Silence in the dorms. Basically we kept the silence in the dorm like we kept the silence inside a church, which meant that we didn't talk nor converse with one another there. The only time we did was during times of necessity, like when you run out of toothpaste or shampoo and have to ask your neighbor to give you some, and even then the transaction was done whispering, without invading any personal space.

4. Fast-paced Spartan Lifestyle - Seminary schedule was tight, as we followed the mantra: " Idleness is the workshop of the devil." There were very few moments where we did nothing. We were woken up at around 5, we had mass at 6, breakfast and chores at 6:30, classes at 7:15. After lunch, no siesta, as the Salesians would always say that Don Bosco himself never took naps, and there were 2 or more hours of manual work instead. Games follow, then showers, then study until the evening. Shower time was fast - only 15 minutes to take a bath, do your laundry, and get dressed for study period. The first time I went home after living in the Juniorate for some months, my mom laughed at how I was able to take a shower in under 3 minutes.

I heard from my former seminary superior that the seminarians in the 60s had it even stricter. The boys would all go inside the shower cubicles at the same time, and there was only one shower faucet which the assistant controlled, and he would turn the water on, then off for the boys to soap, then on again, then off for the shampooing, then on again - very precise, like clockwork, shower was over in under 3 minutes. Whether true or not, I am thankful we weren't that structured in the 90s. The rationale was that shower time was the time many young boys masturbate. Less shower time, less chance to do it.

We were taught to walk the "Salesian Walk" which was a brisk walk more than a leisurely pace, and we did this all the time. Food intake was regulated, as it is believed that mastery of the appetites was a way to increase spiritual fortitude against temptation. And it's not like you're allowed to keep food for yourself too, much less hide them. I remember being so hungry once that I feasted on a contraband sachet of ketchup from McDonald's as there was no other edible item around.

Ketchup. Yum.

5. No Touching Whatsoever - It's one thing to have a close friend, but it's another to put your hands on the guy. That's a big no-no. We weren't allowed to touch another person unless it was a hi-five or a handshake. Another taboo was to put your arms around another guy, as harmless and innocent it may look. In dealing with issues of purity, sometimes nipping things in the bud is the best way to go.

6. No Particular Friendships - this means you have to spend time with everyone, and not be friends with just one guy. This is a standard seminary rule, and the rationale was that everyone was supposed to be equally friend and brother. Having particular confidantes or allies was feared to cause factionalism. Besides, if you spend too much time with just one buddy, chances are you will be under suspicion that there is funny business going on between the two of you. This rule also avoided the danger of homoerotic temptation. There is also the rule of small boys (1st and 2nd year high school) were not allowed to mingle with the big boys (3rd and 4th year), for fear that the big boys would take advantage of the small boys' relative innocence. 

7. The Culture of Excellence in Sports -  Why? Because engaging in sports made us manly, and the more we played the less idle we were. When were freshmen, we literally worshiped the guys below. 

Don Bosco Juniorate Football Team, '93-94

The Juniorate was full of stories about our predecessors' exploits and excellence in sports, especially in football; how the older batches played a variety of opponents in football, including the army and some expats who regularly visited the Juniorate if they wanted a real challenge. We looked up to the varsity members and strove for our own excellence in sports initially by patterning our skills with the older aspirants we idolized. Heavy rains were not an excuse to not play - instead we played War Games, a modified version of dodge ball, under the pouring rain. There were very few of us who did not look forward to game time in the afternoon.Sports took our minds away from any temptation the devil prepared for us, and re-channeled whatever sexual feelings we had into something more appropriate for our age and situation. 

8. No TV, No Radio, No Comics - This was enforced so as to detach us from the worldly secular media. Absolutely no comics either. And if you brought a book with you from home, you have to let your superior read and inspect it first. During our time - the nineties - it was particularly difficult to not listen to music. The Eraserheads were becoming famous, as well as other famous bands, foreign and local, like Nirvana, The Cranberries, The Teeth, etc. Who could forget the ass-chewing we got from our principal, Fr. Osial, after he heard Michael Sacay sing "Pare Ko" - the cussing version?  

The song everyone was secretly singing.

9. Priests are always ready for your confession - This is one thing I have gotten so used to: the availability of our Salesian priests to hear your confession. Fr. Balocco waiting outside the study hall during study period for aspirants who wanted to go to confession was a familiar sight. Fr. George Schwarz was always ready for your confession, and no matter how busy he was, he will put aside what he was doing in order to attend to the needs of your soul. The Salesians walked the talk when it comes to Don Bosco's familiar quote: Give me souls, take away the rest.

The Greater Tragedy

(Reposting from the original post at Pro-Life Philippines - yes it's the same article because I wrote that too.)

Stories and rumors from the rubble and devastation in Bohol:

Top 5 Movies that Influenced Me To Be Who I Am

There are good movies, and there are great movies. But in another category by itself are the movies that stayed with you long after you left the cinema, and have influenced or formed your convictions and morals. Here is my list of the Top 5 movies that have created a profound influence in my life, so much so that I refer to these movies, and scenes in these movies, whenever I need motivation. Take note that these movies aren't necessarily award winners; for some reason, they just have a special place in my heart. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Alive (1993) - Based on Piers Paul Read's 1974 book: Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. This gripping tale of survival tells us the story of an Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes en route to their match in Chile. The team spent several months on top of the mountain, and had to resort to eating the flesh of their dead companions just to stay alive. They were finally rescued after two of them mustered enough courage, strength, and food to make the journey out of the mountains and call for help.

This was one of the first movies I watched as a seminarian back in 1993, and it taught me a very valuable lesson: never give up, despite one's circumstances, and always persevere. Whenever I am sick, or in pain, or going through a lot emotionally and physically, I remember this movie and tell myself: pull yourself together! If they could survive the Andes, you could survive this!

Memorable quote: "There's nothing more to say. We were brought together by a grand experience."

2. A Love Story (2007) - Starring local stars Aga Muhlach, Maricel Soriano, and Angelica Panganiban, it tells the story of a man searching for love, not only from women, but from his family as well. This film addresses several issues on different levels, and those with relationship and family issues who seek counseling may find answers and perhaps even healing and closure in this brilliant film.

I watched this movie a year after it was released, during the time when I was also seeking love and attention, and have been involved in a string of bad relationships, destroying many friendships and relationships along the way. Needless to say I cried a lot while watching because that time I was able to relate to the main character:

Memorable Quotes:

Aga: Mahal mo ba ako?
Maricel: Sobra...kahit alam kong hindi na tama...
Aga: Mahal na mahal kita, akala ko sapat na 'yun para makalimutan mo kung tama 'to o mali...

3. The Mission (1986) - This film tells us the experiences of the Jesuit missionaries in 18th century South America. Directed by Roland Joffe, the highlight of this movie is the spectacular scenery of nature that is perfectly captured in music by the brilliant Ennio Morricone. The movie centers around the Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, played by Jeremy Irons, and Robert de Niro, who portrays Rodrigo and produces a once-in-a-lifetime performance. They sustain a mission area with the natives up in the mountains, only for their simple lives to be ruined by politics and greed. One of those classic movies I watched as a seminarian, I was deeply inspired to persevere in my life as a seminarian because of this flick. To this day this is the movie that motivates me to continue God's work here on Earth despite the obvious difficulties we face.

Memorable Scene: Rodrigo and Fr. Gabriel climb up the mountain to where the natives are as Rodrigo's penance for killing his brother and for hunting down and selling the natives. Tied to him are the instruments of his sins: his armor, his sword, and other heavy things. He struggles to climb up the slippery mountain but is determined to make in on top. When they reach the top, he is confronted by the natives, but to his surprise, the natives cut his baggage loose and throws it away to the river. He finds release and forgiveness from the very people he has oppressed. It is hard not to cry with De Niro in this scene.

4. Schindler's List (1993) - A must-see video for all pro-lifers. This is THE movie that steeled my determination to save lives through the pro-life movement. Oscar Schindler, played by the great Liam Neeson, is a Nazi party member who saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust by employing them in his factory.

Memorable Scene: The last scene were Oscar frees his Jews and tries to escape capture. He was given a ring by the Jews where it was inscribed: Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire. His breakdown in the end is the only time he has shown any strong emotion in the movie and will leave you absolutely gutted. Leave it to tough men crying to make you weep like crazy.

5. Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and Braveheart (1995) - Although Kingdom of Heaven had some obvious anti-clerical and anti-Catholic swipes here and there, Kingdom of Heaven and Braveheart have inspired me to fight for what is right, no matter how small or insignificant you are to your enemy. If Schindler's List solidified my intent to become pro-life, these movies fan the fire in my belly to fight injustice and to protect the weak and the innocent.

Memorable quote:

There you have it. My top 5 greatest influences in movies. I hope we never underestimate the power of a good movie. These movies will stay with me forever. Let's do our part to shun bad movies and share the good ones to our fellow Catholics and friends.