"You will never lose your 'first love'"
True enough, that was one of the best life lessons I learned from Fr. Aloy. For me, he has done so much to shape my childhood memories as a Catholic. He was God's instrument in bringing me closer to the Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Jesus. They were my "first love" as a young boy at a tender age of four.
I may not be old enough to witness Fr. Aloy's full term as our parish priest but the very few memories I have of him when he was still our kura are enough for me to say that he was really a great priest. He was parish priest of our parish, Saints Peter and John, for eleven years from 1988 to 1999. He is a brilliant person who preached with energy, zeal and fervor. I still remember clearly how the floors and walls seem to vibrated at his voice! On Sundays, I would eagerly wait for his blessing after the Holy Mass. Once I remembered him smiling at me and saying, "Anak, ikaw na naman.". Even though I was still very young then, no more than a toddler, his homilies penetrated my young mind and heart so deeply that until now I carry the values he taught and shared. Holy Week... Good Friday procession of "Paglilibing", Easter Vigil, Marian devotions... Santo Niño... and many more... sa murang edad namulat na ako sa mga ganiyan salamat kay Fr. Aloy :) there was always something to be excited about and at the same time, deeply reflecting on their meanings in our beloved Catholic Faith...
He is best known as the one who beautified our parish church. But of course he did more than that! He taught us to love and serve the church. He taught us the three T's: Time, Talent and Treasure. If you do not have time and talent, but you have treasure, give it to God! If you do not have treasure but God blessed you with talent and time, share it in service of God and the Church! GIVE WHAT IS BEST TO GOD! Fr Aloy inspired us with his deep love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Until now, his shout of "Viva Maria! Viva La Virgen!" still echoes in my ears just the way when father was still with us. Who isn't awestruck with the Macarena of Fr. Aloy every Intramuros Grand Marian Procession? She is a real beauty, a fruit of sincere love and devotion which is Fr. Aloy. Who isn't touched with his humility and warmness? Maraming nagmamahal kay Fr. Aloy. Dahil siya mismo ay tunay na nagmamahal sa kanyang kapwa. Through thick and thin, father showed how it is to trust in Jesus and to pray for Mama Mary's intercession.
When I was still an active altar server in our parish, I was able to serve two Novena Masses with Fr. Aloy as celebrant. I remember one time I was seated beside him during the first reading, he touched my hand and whispered into my ear to increase the volume of the sound system. On another occasion during the wake of a close friend, I was able to serve too. That time though, I was the only one to assist him and there was a point when he called me "anak". It was so sweet and sincere, like coming from a father's heart. I will always cherish that memory.
I was also blessed to have my replica images of our patron saints, Peter and John, blessed by Fr. Aloy in June 2014. That was also the first time I invited Rain to come to our novena mass. It was also a joy to welcome a friend into our parish :)
Then came June 2015. Little did we knew that it would be the last time Fr. Aloy would be celebrating Mass in his beloved Saints Peter and John Parish. We had our usual photo-ops with him after the Mass together with friends and co-servants. That was our last picture together :'( But then, the best pictures aren't only those caught on cam, but are the ones captured by the heart. Those memories of Fr. Aloy will always be in my heart... we love you, Fr. Aloy! Maraming salamat po! Mamahalin po namin ang Inang Simbahan, ang aming Parokya... Mamahalin po namin ang Mahal na Birheng Maria, ang ating Inang kumakalinga sa atin... Mamahalin po namin ang Panginoong Jesus... Balang araw ay muli po tayong magkikita, at muli po naming maririnig ang inyong malakas na: "VIVA SAN PEDRO AT SAN JUAN!!!"
WE WILL NEVER LOSE OUR FIRST LOVE!
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