First Filipino Astronaut!!!

The other day I saw an article on the Interwebs stating that there will be a FIRST FILIPINO ASTRONAUT!!!

CHYESSS!!!

REPRESENT!!!

I'm brown for that kind of news!!! 

From the news article (Interaksyon):

Filipinos will have that proud leap into history as a 22-year-old De La Salle graduate has been named as the first Pinoy astronaut to be sent to space in 2015.

Daniel Angelo “Chino” Roque, who has a degree in psychology and a crossfit trainer, will join 22 others who were given the once-in-a-lifetime chance by the Florida-based Axe Apollo Space Academy to travel to space for 30 minutes onboard a Space Expedition Corporation shuttle.

In October this year, Roque was among two other Filipinos—Evan Ray Datuin and Ramil Santos—who were selected as finalists in a rigorous and competitive eight-month local AXE National Challenge. The three flew to Orlando, Florida this month to take a five-day course at the Kennedy Center along with 104 other astronaut aspirants from 60 countries.

This training has been designed to simulate space flight and real astronaut training. In true Hunger Games fashion, the aim of the delegates was to honor the countries they represented, and as they competed for the 23 tickets to space, of which one is reserved for one of the three Filipino candidates.

Roque was selected by the AASA Space Camp judging committee led by its chairman Buzz Aldrin, who is also known as the second person to walk on the moon, following Apollo 11 mission commander Neil Armstrong.

Roque has also always dreamt of being an astronaut, just like his fellow candidates. And even if he entered as a replacement to one of the two original finalists from the AXE Apollo National Challenges, his dream will soon be a reality.

In an interview last October, InterAksyon Lifestyle asked what he would bring to space. Roque said he would bring a Filipino flag and rosary.

Roque said that even if people think of them as heroes, everyone could be one. “I don’t think anything will change, as long as I keep my feet on the ground.”

Even then, he added it’s a privilege and responsibility to represent the Philippines. “I have a story to tell, to inspire others.”

Ok, so maybe he's a finalist for a competition sponsored by AXE. Yes, that AXE. Oh, and also by XCOR, who makes the space vehicles that they'll be using. So he's not part of some Philippine space agency. But either way...that's still pretty cool!

Psychology major, CrossFit trainer, age 22, and from a well-known university in the Philippines? Awesome.

As a bonus, I dig that he's taking a Philippine flag AND Rosary with him.

So as a Catholic, Filipino-American, Aerospace Engineering major...I triply think this is a really cool thing! As an added Catholic bonus, he should take a St. Joseph of Cupertino prayer card with him because gravity couldn't hold St. Joseph down! (speaking of gravity...looks like St. Christopher has had his icon up in space too ;-) )

- JD

Pictures from Interaksyon

Originally read about this on Deacon's Bench, referencing Splendor of the Church, referencing Interaksyon

7 Quick Takes (Vol. 10)

--- 1 ---

What a crazy week in the political realm!  Perhaps our government decided through an act of congress to make this week a crazy week. Whatever the case, the movements of the government on the big issues are indicative of times when everyone's Internet/social life is filled with exchanges of slogan statusing and passionate opinionating.  Surely some glorious meme-ing as well.

I usually stay out of it.

It's not that I don't have my own opinions to express... But, I just rather not get caught up in the excitement and passion.  People get too emotionally invested or too sensitive about certain issues, and that's fine, but sometimes keeping charity and recognizing the dignity of the person behind the physical or on-screen keyboard is lost, and that's not cool. And also... I'd prefer to take the time to get informed about the issues before expressing something about it.

So, the unfortunate (fortunate?!) consequence of dealing with all this stuff by taking the time to get informed about the issues is that by the time I have a good grasp of what the real issues are, it's usually after the emotions stop running high regarding those issues. In other words, the fad is over on the social medias.  I guess that's why I'm left with dealing with these issues ...offline.  I guess I like it better that way anyway.  I'd rather do something about these issues face-to-face with people.

With that said...

--- 2 ---

...I'm a total jerk to today's culture. In the real life. Simply because I'm leading a group through learning about Blessed Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body. This.  This is going to help provide the foundation at which to deal with the big issues like abortion and so-called "same sex marriages." Well, at the very least...in a Catholic context.  And things in a Catholic context tend to have a universally applicable vibe once I dig deep enough.

While I'm not going to provide a treatise on the Theology of the Body, other people have.  And that's how we're learning. Because other people have made the Theology of the Body more digestible for the rest of us.  And now I have to lead group discussions on it through the digestible portions offered by others like Christopher West, the Everts, and countless others.

So yes, we need Catholics to teach Catholics how to be Catholic using Catholic things that are Catholic.

Yo dawg, I hear you like teaching Catholics.

--- 3 ---

And speaking about Catholic things...  My parish is currently refreshing all of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion through mandatory trainings.

I don't always minister Holy Communion, but when I do...it's EXTRAORDINARY

I'm grateful for this because as an EMHC, it's important that we're all on the same page regarding how we approach our ministry.  Some things aren't liturgically or canonically correct to do such as laity seemingly communicating that they are giving a blessing (with the Eucharist!!!) when this action is only  reserved for ordained priests and deacons.

Not that we had widespread issues as a whole ministry, but we've had enough discrepancies or lack of uniformity to merit this.

By being on the same, correct page, we communicate the proper spirit of our ministry.  And this is a good thing.

Heaven forbid we do our stuff without being properly taught...

--- 4 ---

While on the topic about not being properly taught your own ministry... A group (let me stress that specific collective noun) from one of my beloved organizations on campus at Texas A&M did something rather dumb.

A group of Fish Camp counselors took some pictures at the Bonfire Memorial.  It's a tradition to take counselor pictures on campus. These pictures depicted them taking group and partner pictures at the memorial, standing on the memorial, suggestive poses at the memorial, and other types of pictures.

More on the story here: KBTX - Reported Fish Camp Counselor Pictures.

It's really, really disrespectful to the 12 Aggies that passed away in the Bonfire collapse back in 1999.  Really, really poor judgment on the part of the counselors.

As a former Fish Camp counselor and someone who has really strong, indirect ties to one of the 12, this is definitely appalling.

But! I'm not going to blame the rest of Fish Camp for the poor decisions of a select few.  I know Fish Camp will handle this as best as they can.  Well, they need to because Fish Camp's ministry (or purpose) is to help transition incoming freshmen to the Aggie life, including getting them on the same page because some certain things are not okay to do.  (see, there's a connection to #3).  Counselors, in order that they may communicate the proper ways to be an Aggie, need to exemplify the Aggie Spirit...even when having photographic evidence of fun. Freshmen will see that.

So thank goodness I'm an Aggie Catholic because I'm able to forgive them. But, justice needs to be served.  This short-sighted decision does have consequences.

--- 5 ---

In superficial news, I upgraded to a Keurig. My last coffee maker involved many parts to clean up after brewing, which became a hassle for me and my family.  The convenience of its maintenance is the attractive part of owning a Keurig.  It saves a ton of water during brewing and cleaning.

But! I don't see myself buying a lot of K-Cups.  While really, really convenient, they're also more expensive.  I don't want to raise my daily coffee expenditure more than I have to.

Thus, I'm on a quest for a reusable filter...

--- 6 ---

Summer seems to be a popular time for weddings.  And out the small handful of weddings I've been invited to this year, this weekend's wedding is one that I cannot make.  For one, it's in Canada. Two, I have too much stuff going on back home for me to spend the weekend in Canada.  My aunt is finally getting married and my mom's side of the family is mass gathering in Sasketchewan for it.

In the meantime, I'm holding the fort. With my vicious beast of a Chihuahua.

--- 7 ---

In a letter to Amy Ronald on December 15, 1956, J.R.R. Tolkien said that:

I am a Christian and indeed a Roman Catholic, so that I do not expect 'history' to be anything but a 'long defeat'- though it contains ... some samples or glimpses of final victory.

Something to reflect on.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

- JD

Bonfire Memorial / MSC Hospitality, Zeinert Photography

Philippine & Canadian Flag / Philippine Embassy Ottawa

Young Men Choosing the Priesthood

I saw an article being shared by, lol, a friend who is discerning religious life.  Ya know, with the vows and robe-like garb.

Some highlights:

...the number of men joining the priesthood is up.

And who is joining might surprise you. 

Brett Metzler bench presses 250 pounds, squats 305, and can shoot hoops with the best of them.

And he's quoted in saying:

 "There's a month when I was really excited to become a priest. And then just normal guy stuff kicks in.  I mean you want to get a girlfriend.  You're in college and there's thousands of beautiful women everywhere.  I mean you want to get a girlfriend, you want to get married.  I thought I was going to have hundreds of kids for my family with play with when I got older.  But the more you pray about it, the more time you spend in silence, the more God kind of reinforces that call."

You can read more here, "More Young Men Choosing Priesthood" by Tracy Kornet at CBS 11 DFW.

Watch the video too!


And oh yes, I am slightly biased in a non-Catholic way--Brett is an Aggie.

I think it's too easy to forget that Catholic priests and those wanting to become priests are just normal guys.  Just, they have obediently, freely, willingly decided to answer a call from God in this special way to serve in a special way.

I know some guys from my own church who are wanting to become priests and they are, in fact, just normal guys but striving to fulfill this call.  I'll blog about 'em sometime as well as my sisterly friends at my church who have also answered this call to live a religious life.  Also, Texas A&M seems to be a hotbed of religious vocations too...but that's another blog post, as well.

#Vocations,
- JD

Medal of Honor

I was riding in my carpool on the way home from work yesterday when we noticed that an upcoming overpass had firetrucks with lights flashing and a giant American flag waving from its slightly extended ladder.  Ehhh???  And subsequent overpasses had some sort of public servant representation and/or American flag waving.

Now, I remember seeing such a thing last year.  Every. Single. Overpass. Filled with firetrucks or police.  And I-35 was lined with spectators.  This time around...not as much...perhaps because everyone was still gathering.

Last year, I concluded that the Patriot Guard were roused due to a military funeral.  And that explained the ginormous motorcade that we passed by last year.  This year, when I got dropped off at my car in Denton, I noticed in my rearview mirror the same ginormous motorcade.  Such a loud roar of the motorcycles!

After getting home last night, my carpool's driver wrote on my Wall that this gathering of public servants and motorcade was for the Medal of Honor recipients for this year.

The city of Gainesville, TX is the only city in the nation that hosts Medal of Honor recipients in a special way.  You can visit this program here. Lots of honor, fanfare, and patriotism.  And it's crazy to me that the little town I work in ... is kind of a big deal.

Anyway, I bring this up because today President Obama awarded, posthumously, Chaplain and Captain Emil J. Kapaun of the U.S. Army the Congressional Medal of Honor:

I've been hearing about Fr. Kapaun on Catholic radio over the past few weeks in anticipation of him receiving this honor.  And wow.  I don't know that I could give proper credit to his acts of valor, courage, bravery, humility, service, etc...But President Obama summarizes some of his efforts, and some articles I've linked below also highlight who the type of man Fr. Kapaun is:

"For God and Country" - National Catholic Register

"Emil Kapaun, who ministered to Korean War POWs, to receive posthumous medal" - The Washington Post


"Medal of Honor: Chaplain Kapaun’s Heroism Feted Today" - Time

Fr. Kapaun, in addition to receiving this honor, also has an open case for beatification, a part of the process in being recognized as a Catholic saint.

I want to read the book, The Miracle of Father Kapaun, to get to know more about him.  Wartime seems to bring about Catholic saints (though he is not recognized as one yet...) because it is a grave time of adversity and even in all that hell, a little bit of heaven can be found (thought I heard Obama say something like that...).  I was intrigued by St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross from World War II and their stories.  Both died in Nazi concentration camps.  And here we have Fr. Kapaun who died in a POW camp during the Korean War.  Hmm...

Anyway, I think it's cool and awesome that a Catholic priest received this Medal of Honor.  But at the same time, I want to thank all men and women who served in our military and I'm really grateful for their service.  And as I've been reading and listening to veterans who have had personal interactions with Fr. Kapaun...they are really grateful for his service to them.

Kapaun swag.
- JD