A Cathedral In My Midst

When I was growing up, I would spend a couple of weeks each summer with my aunts and uncles in Orani, Bataan. The ancestral home stood in the middle of town. The public market was literally across the street, while the Municipal Hall and town plaza was just 150 feet away. Down the end of the street, across the old national highway, was the historic Catholic church of Orani.

Just before four o'clock each morning, I would be awaken by the ringing of church bells signaling worshipers to the first mass of the day. Like clockwork, my three spinster aunts would have already been dressed and were on their way out to hear mass. I thought it was cool to have a church that's close to home so you didn't have to drive or take public transportation to get there. But the 4 o'clock mass was a little too early for me.

Is it really cool to have a church nearby? Well, I think it is, especially if it is the ultra modern, majestic edifice called, the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Located in Oakland, California, this house of God sits across the scenic Lake Merritt, and is surrounded by commercial and residential high-rise buildings. If it weren't for the cross that stands atop the main entrance, one would have mistaken it as a contemporary office building.

The cathedral broke ground on May 21, 2005. For the next three years, construction of the cathedral was relentless. On September 25, 2008, it was dedicated by then Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron, in an elaborate and pompous ceremony in traditional Catholic church fashion.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light is the mother church of over half a million faithfuls under the Diocese of Oakland, which covers 85 parishes in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. It is also the new home of the former St. Francis de Sales parish, which was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. This magnificent structure is the home of the current Bishop of Oakland, The Most Reverend Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, who was installed as the 4th Bishop of Oakland on May 5, 2009.

Aside from being a place of worship, the cathedral is adjacent to a public plaza and garden. It has a conference center (that is rented out to the public), a cafe, and souvenir shop. Aside from the Chancery Office and Rectory, the cathedral also has underground parking.

The design and layout of the cathedral has a purpose. From the underground mausoleum to the main church floor, each design element was carefully well-thought of. There are just too many to even mention.

So, why is it cool to have a church nearby? Well, personally, it is an opportunity for me to connect with my Creator more frequently. I can hear mass and receive the Holy Eucharist as often as I can, and I don't have to wait till Sunday to visit. For me, just sitting quietly inside the church gives me peace of mind, even for a short time. With everything that is going on around us, the quiet and calm inside the church is something that I wouldn't trade for anything. You should try it.

By the way, did I tell you that the Cathedral of Christ the Light stands right behind my office? Now that is really COOL !!!

Happy 1st Anniversary on your dedication....September 25, 2009.

Author's Note: The Cathedral of Christ the Light is located at 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612. One of the daily masses is at 12:10 pm, and a daily tour begins at 1:00 pm.

Cheers, Adonis!

September 21, 2009. Two events were celebrated.


September 21, 1972. What's important about this day? For my generation, it was the day former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines. I was six years old and a first grader at Ateneo de Manila. Back then, I didn't remember a whole lot about what Martial Law meant and what transpired during those dark days. I had my own little world. I was so excited being a first grader because I was now out there with the larger grade school population, and no longer isolated in a small, gated area that housed the prep students. It was fun. A new beginning.

September 21, 1966. Something happened on this day. My best buddy was born. Like me, he, too was a Martial Law baby. He was also six years old when it happened. I didn't meet him at the Ateneo. As a matter of fact, I met him when we were both 17, during college at the University of Santo Tomas. Both of us were taking up Electronics & Communications Engineering. We were an odd pair. He was about six feet tall, and I barely made his shoulders. But somehow we hit it off and became good buddies ever since.

We pretty much shared things in common -- we hated loud-mouths, disliked going to discos, were passionate about jazz, loved cooking, and enjoyed ice cold beer and good "pulutan." As bachelors, all we were responsible for were ourselves. The only chore we did was to clean our cars. We didn't have any after-work activities because it interfered with our favorite past time -- a night with San Miguel.

Aside from enjoying our favorite beverage, we also indulged in good food. As foodies (in our own way), we visited different places around Metro Manila to sample the best "pulutan" one can find. Our passion for good food and cold beer has taken us to simple (and sometimes, extraordinary), yet fun places too many to remember and, some, too regrettable to even talk about.

We've known each other for more than 26 years. My parents treat him like their own. For many years, at the start of each year, we took weeklong trips to Baguio to recharge. All we did was eat, sleep, and get drunk. He was my best man at my wedding. He picked me up early to make sure I got to the church with lots of time to spare. He also made sure I had a shot of tequila before I marched down the aisle.

Earlier on, his dad was suspicious about me. He thought that I was up to no good and that I was a bad influence to his son. Little did he know, it was the other way around. During our second trip to Baguio, my buddy told his dad that we were taking the bus. But, actually, I drove. On our return trip, I had to drop him off at the end of his street so he can "walk" home, with matching walis tambo in hand. His dad changed his perception about me when I consulted him on something close to his heart -- technical training.

This buddy of mine is still an elusive bachelor. It's either he's enjoying his bachelorhood and has yet to find the right girl, or he is done looking and is resolved to a life of single-blessedness. But I have this feeling he's not going to be alone for long. I just hope I get to meet this special someone in this lifetime.

To my best friend, BENG, enjoy life....continue to share your graces....and be thankful. Happy Birthday !!!! Let's drink to that.