New Advent Rosaries?

Has anyone else heard of this?

A friend sent around an email warning about “New Age Rosaries.” The content was as follows:

This is a warning to our Catholic friends about New Age Rosary. They SHOULD NOT keep them. I know the following is true because my sisters were in Medjugorje (pilgrimage) and they were given this New Age Rosary for free. There are people giving these away for free on the streets. A priest who is an exorcist at Medjugorje told my sisters to throw it out right away.

Here’s the excerpt of an email I received recently: One of the things I must mention is that there are now going around in the world, plastic new age rosaries in white, blue and pink. I had no idea about them until this was mentioned on the trip. Upon arriving home I went through my own collection of plastic rosaries and found 2 that had a snake wrapped above Jesus’ head with the mouth just besides his face. Also, no INRI sign and I think it is pentagons that surround each point. On the back, are also puncture marks of some kind on the cross? Please remind everyone to look carefully for these. Maybe you are already aware but it would be a good idea to tell Catholics what is now happening. One priest said it would be OK once it’s blessed but another priest, whom I trust explicitly and who is a Marian priest said even though it may be blessed, it has not been exorcised and evil may still persist.

NEW AGE ROSARY WARNING

These rosaries have appeared on sale at pilgrimage centers across Europe and are in most cases are given away for FREE. They are made from cheap plastic and come in white, blue or pink, stamped as having been made in Italy , yet no one knows who has produced them.

Since they are available at places of pilgrimage this makes people automatically think they are fine to use. Information regarding the danger of these rosaries was given at the Marian Cenacle in Limoges , France on 14th March 2005. Why are they considered New Age?

They are considered New Age due to their symbolism which is not too easy to see except by close inspection of the crucifix, which shows a very sinister story. Behind the figure of Christ there can be seen a caduceus, which is an upright pole, representing mediation between Heaven and earth. It is an ancient herald’s wand which was carried by messenger gods like Hermes or Mercury. The rod is also a divining rod to measure the earth and it’s energies of power. The serpent Satan is shown behind the figure of Christ and is depicted by a coiled serpent which means latent power, concealed but not yet fully manifest, a dormant power. It may also represent to Satanists that the devil is co messianic, co redeemer and co Christ etc. The circles on the crucifix are from Egyptian Graeco-Roman, Phoencian, Baal symbols called the Pentagram, which is a major occult sign. The circles or pentagrams have five points, which represent, spirit, fire, earth, water and air. The pentagram at the bottom is upside down represents the devils goat. The four circles with dots in the centre signifies gold or the sun in alchemy. In general the meaning is “The resolution of all possibilities.” Christ does not share any platform with any other god, philosophy or belief system or minor deity least of all Satan. The depiction of Christ on the cross is the most prominent place of worship, adoration, veneration, glorification, for Catholics and many other Christians and now Satanists or ‘new ages’ have placed Satan alongside Christ. Some have even said that if these rosaries are blessed, they loose any negative power, however this cannot be assured, for it cannot be known what curse, spell or hex has been placed on these rosaries, and what do you think? There is some debate going on about this at the moment.

Anyway Does anyone really want to pray on a rosary that depicts Satan? What we need to be asking ourselves who has made these rosaries with these symbols that should not be there.

What do I do if I am given one of these rosaries?

If you are offered or given one of these rosaries break it and throw it away that way it will loose its power when incomplete. There are a small minority of UK suppliers who have bought some of these rosaries and are trying to push people to buy them, I assume they do not completely understand the seriousness of this symbolism. Also tell your friends about these rosaries so they are aware of its dangers.

Why has this happened?

Over the years especially through the last century Our Lady has been firm and very explicit regarding the power of the Holy Rosary being the weapon against Satan, therefore would it not be fair to say that the New Age rosary, is a sign that dark powers are trying to undermine her crusade!

Is there such a thing or is it a hoax? Snopes has nothing on the subject. I cannot find anything on the internet beyond what is printed above. I asked a friend of mine who is a good Catholic bishop. He had never heard of such a thing.

But! A couple of years ago I had bought a few cheap plastic pink rosaries for the girls. I had figured, the girls could learn on them and if they broke them, well, who cares, they are not blessed and are cheap plastic. So, out of curiosity, I went to check them. ALL FOUR were as described in the “warning.” I was stunned. Regardless of whether it is true or not, I thought it best to be on the safe side and have cut them up and thrown them out. Why wouldn’t I, and thus my children, pray on a rosary that has the “INRI” and no pole or strange circles, etc. The only real difference is that mine said they were made in Ecuador. I emailed pictures of the “crucifix” to my friend and, just from looking at the pictures, he said, “They look a little strange to me.”

Here are a few of the pictures:

If you have any further information on the subject, I’d be interested to hear it. My husband teaches theology and he had never heard of anything of the sort either. And, if you have any plastic rosaries, might want to check them, just in case.

Sources: GMA News

Sex Is Sweet But

Have you ever wondered why God carefully positioned a membrane of blood in a lady’s sexual opening? It is a tiny membrane that partially or completely covers the opening of the vagina. It is called the “HYMEN”. Why would God-Our Maker put a breakable tissue full of blood at the very door of the sexual opening of the female? Why is it so carefully placed at that entrance, like a ribbon tied at the entrance of a new house about to be launched? Why is it filled with blood that spills away when it is broken? Why? Without doubt, the HYMEN IS A GATE! It was God (our creator) who set that blood- filled vessel there as a covenant blockage, a sign and a token of a covenant between the bearer and whoever plunges into her opening. Before God, the dis-virginity of a lady is not a casual act of fun. It is a serious covenant struck and confirmed by the blood shed on that day. This is God’s way of saying, “Whoever plunges into this woman shall only be able to do so by making a blood covenant to be joined to her for the rest of his life, from that point onward. Little wonder why sexual intercourse was designed by God to take place only and only after the marriage contract is sealed. The one who made the body (the hormones, organs, nerves, tissues, etc) God said it in clear terms, the body is not for fornication.’’ Anyone who chooses to use the body for fornication must know that he/ she is working directly against God’s plan and there would definitely be a consequence either now or at old age!There is a spiritual bonding, a supernatural process that takes place in a lady’s heart to the first guy that enters in to her especially at that particular time when the hymen breaks. There is no covenant without blood: this is why the membrane contains enough of it. As a matter of fact, what happens the first time a lady has sex is not just sex but an immersion and a bathing of the man with her hymen blood to initiate a covenant that is highly recognized in the spirit realm of both light and darkness! The first time this happens just marks her opening day covenant ceremony and each subsequent experience goes on to further refresh or strengthen that covenant or establish another version of it with another person. Many have washed useless boys with that hymen-blood. Many have struck irreversible covenants with men that have nothing to do with their destiny. Many have shared that hymen blood in sexual activity with demon-possessed men while some others have struck such precious covenants with candle sticks as they exercised sex with it. If only they knew,many girls who carelessly allowed themselves to be disvirgined in a bid to be among the so called “big girls” would never have done so. The let me says it in clear terms: “Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot (through sexual activity) is one with her ? This is why many girls are not yet married yet their spiritual composition is already shattered and imbalanced, because they have mingled their souls with that of different men. Dear Singles, know today that there is a definite proportion of your virtue that leaves you each time a man enters into you and when that man leaves you, he leaves with it. Just imagine how much of yourself would be lost each time a man enters into you without any properly signed marriage bond or contract. Sex is a spiritual affair. A giving of yourself to another. All of these things have strong and terrible spiritual implications. A broken hymen opens you up to the spirit of the man that broke it, any other spirit whatsoever that may have mingled with that man’s spirit, those who have mingled theirs with him and the spirit of any other man that enters into you thereafter. The fun part is that pre-marital sex is not funny at all. What happens between the lines could be deadly and dangerous. The very first day a lady, or a man does that there will be spiritual transfer of destiny. The sin of fornication gives demons and occultism people direct access into your God's given destiny.So guys, zip up! Girls wise up! It doesn't matter but it matters a lot. BIG THINGS COME FROM LITTLE THINGS WE DO! I know a soul has been touched today, remain blessed! No for those who have lost it may the Mercy and Grace of God find you to sin no more.

Share to all your friends and to many groups and save many souls.

Peace be with you.

Sources:  Diary ng Babae

"PULIS" by John Reggie de Castro

Alagad ng batas,

dignidad ay kaytaas,

Tagapagtanggol ng naaapi,

tagalupig ng nang- aapi.

Simbolo ng tibay at katatagan, 

prinsipyo'y nasa rurok ng kataasan.

Laging nandyan kapag may nangangailangan,

buhay nila ay alay sa bayan.

Kayat mga kabataan,

labis silang hinahangaan.

Mga unipormadong pulis,

Iginagalang ng lipunan.

Ngunit sa paglipas ng panahon,

Bakit tila nagbago ang alon?

Mga hinahangaang tagapagtanggol noon,

Nasaan na kayo ngayon?

Gyera kontra droga,

Isang magandang kataga.

Layunin ay masawata,

Drogang nakasisira ng pamilya.

Gyera kontra droga,

Binuo para sa layuning kayganda.

Ngunit tanong ko lng sa kanila,

Ang mga aksyon nyo, tama ba?

Gyera kontra droga,

Naway ayusin ang sistema.

Upang inosente ay di mabiktima,

at mga mamamayang Pilipino ay hindi mangamba.

Mga Pulis kong iniidolo,

Isa lang ang mensahe ko sa inyo.

Sa tungkuling sinumpaan nyo,

Dapat kayo ay makatao.

Yuri Gagarin

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (Ю́рий Алексе́евич Гага́рин : 9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968) was a Russian Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on 12 April 1961.

Gagarin became an international celebrity, and was awarded many medals and titles, including Hero of the Soviet Union, the nation's highest honour. Vostok 1 marked his only spaceflight, but he served as backup crew to the Soyuz 1 mission (which ended in a fatal crash). Gagarin later became deputy training director of the Cosmonaut Training Centre outside Moscow, which was later named after him. Gagarin died in 1968 when the MiG-15 training jet he was piloting crashed. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale awards the Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal in his honor.

Space Race Conspiracy

Fake Moon Landings

Isa rin sa pinakakontrobersyal ang pagtapak ng tao sa ating buwan. Kung sila Armstrong ba talaga ang nakatapak o hindi nga ba talaga? Kung Flat-Earther ka syempre iisipin mo peke talaga ang moon landing kasi wala naman talagang moon.

"Hindi po ako Flat-Earther."

Bakit ba naisipan nila pumunta sa buwan?
Taong 1961, ika-25 ng Mayo ng pinangakuan ni U.S. President John F. Kennedy na dapat ang Amerika ang unang makatapak sa buwan. Kasabay nito ang kompetisyon laban sa Soviet Union, dahil sa panahon yan magkaaway ang dalawang pwersa ang U.S. at ang Soviet tinawag itong Cold War.

Taong 1969, ika-20 ng Hulyo, ng nakatapak sila Neil Armstrong at Buzz Aldrin sa buwan. Tinagal ng halos tatlong araw sila sa buwan. Kasabay ng bago matapos nila ang kanilang misyon sa buwan at kumuha sila ng mga bato at isa ito sa naging kontrobersyal ang pagkuha ng larawan sa buwan, na kung saan lahat ng pagtapak nila at kung ano man ang ginawa nila dun. Studio Hoax lang daw yun.

Nagsimula kay Bill Kaysing ang Moon landing Conspiracy ng may access siya sa Apollo Program Documentation. Ang sabi pa nga niya, imposible makapunta sila sa buwan, dahil kulang pa sa kagamitan ang NASA sa panahong iyon.

Matapos ang kanyang mga salaysay ukol sa kontrobersiya ng Moon Landing. Sunud-Sunod na ang pagtatalo kung totoo ba talaga o sadyang peke lang?

Lahat ng nilabas ng NASA na larawan at video ay pinangatwiran ng mga Conspiracy Theorist na kung saan, walang hangin sa moon bakit parang gumagalaw ang flag? Film shooting lang daw ito, kasi desperado na ang NASA para manalo sila Space race laban sa Soviet. Kahit na nagbigay ng salaysay ang NASA kung bakit ganun ang mga paratang nila, marami-rami pa rin ang hindi naniniwala.

Magmula noong taong 1972, wala na ulit nakatapak sa buwan.
Bakit kaya?

Moon Alien Base

Taong 1972 ika 19 ng Disyembre pa nakahuli nakatapak ang mga tao sa Buwan. Bakit?

Siguro nacurious kayo kung bakit? Well, sabi ng mga nakatataas ng NASA, pwede pa naman sila makapunta sa buwan. Ang mahirap wala na silang pera pang paggagastusan para lang sila makapunta, dahil kailangan nila ng bilyon-bilyong salapi. Kaya lang naman nakapunta ang NASA sa buwan, dahil sa Cold War eh. Nagtagisan ang dalawang pwersa ang U.S. at Soviet Union kung sino ba sa kanila ang may kakayahang makapunta sa space.

Para sa mga conspiracy theorist, hindi pera ang duda nila sa NASA kaya hindi na nakabalik sila sa buwan. Bakit?

Ayon kay Ian Stephen isang sikat na manunulat, ang buwan raw ay pinamamahayan ng mga Alien. Ang mga stations na nakapwesto sa moon ay sinakop na ng mga Alien kaya namomonitor na rin nila ang buhay dito sa mundo.

Stephens believes "NASA has decided the best way to deal with its to deny its existence".

Ayon pa nga kay Donna Hare, isang dating empleyado sa NASA, nang makausap nila ang mga nakatataas sa kanya. Minsan napagkwentuhan nila kung bakit wala na ulit sumubok pumunta sa buwan. Isa na rito na habang ang mga astronaut ay nagsisiyasat sa buwan; napansin nila na may parang nakasunod sa kanilang spaceship.

Ano sa tingin niyo? Maniniwala ba kayo na kaya hindi na nakapunta ulit ang mga tao dahil sa nakita nila, dahil natakot sila na baka sila ay mapahamak?

Differences Between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches

Roman Catholic vs. Greek Orthodox Churches

During the fourth century, Christianity revolved around five main areas: Constantinople (today’s Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Jerusalem (Israel), Antioch (Greece), and Rome (Italy). But when Islam started to flourish, the primary centers of focus became Constantinople and Rome. With this, later on, the powers in these centers started to diminish, leading to the East-West Schism or the Great Schism in 1054 AD. And so came the birth of the Greek Orthodox (Eastern Orthodox), similar to Roman Catholicism in ways largely related to the teachings of the Apostles and Jesus Christ.

As these two religions were nourished, however, certain differences emerged; they are carried by their believers’ faith to this day. The first difference is relates to the Pope. For the Roman Catholics, the Pope is infallible; he can contradict lower ranking church leaders. On the other hand, Greek Orthodox believers consider a ‘highest bishop’, also known as the ‘first among equals’. This bishop is not infallible and does not have supreme authority over the churches.

Another difference between these two is related to the language used during church services. In Roman Catholic churches, services are held in Latin, while in Greek Orthodox churches, native languages are used.

Another difference between the two religions is the concept of original sin. Even though both believe in the so-called ‘original sin’ that can be purified through baptism, they have varying ideas regarding its effects on humanity. They also differ when it comes to how it can be applied to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. For Catholics, Mary was born with no original sin. According to the Greek Orthodox, Mary – just like all other humans – was born and will then die. She was selected to be Christ’s mother due to her righteous life.

Aside from these major differences, there are some minor ones as well. One of these is related to icons and statues. Churches of the Eastern Orthodox pay homage to icons, while Roman Catholic ones have statues.

Additionally, in the Roman Catholic Church, the doctrines, which are changed over time by popes, bishops, and other known instruments of the Holy Spirit, are considered to be more intellectual, bearing the enlightenment provided by the Spirit itself. This is in line with what they call ‘Doctrinal Development’. Meanwhile, for the other religion, the New Testament must not be changed. For Eastern Orthodox believers, the early Church and the Bible must not be altered in any way; for them, this is a way to avoid heresies and false doctrines, and abide by Jesus’s warning that tells them to be cautious of human traditions connected to Christ’s doctrines.

Furthermore, Eastern Orthodox priests are allowed to marry before they are ordinated, while in the Roman Catholic Church, priests cannot marry.

Additionally, Eastern Orthodox believers do not accept the concept of purgatory as well as the Stations of the Cross, as opposed to the Roman Catholics.

In relation to the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, while Roman Catholics make use of an unleavened wafer, members of the Greek Orthodox Church use unleavened bread. They also have differences in the calculations of the days pertaining to Easter and Christmas.

The Greek Orthodox is considered to be very mystical and dependent on spiritual practices, while Roman Catholic beliefs tend to be too legalistic and dependent upon intellectual speculation.

Summary:

1. Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox believers both believe in the same God.
2. Roman Catholics deem the Pope as infallible, while Greek Orthodox believers don’t.
3. Roman Catholics believe that Mary is free from original sin, while Greek Orthodox believers don’t.
4. Roman Catholic priests cannot marry, while priests in the Greek Orthodox can marry before they are ordinated.
5. Latin is the main language used during Roman Catholic services, while Greek Orthodox churches use native languages.
6. Roman Catholics venerate statues as much as Greek Orthodox believers venerate icons.
7. Doctrines can be changed in Roman Catholicism, as opposed to Greek Orthodox.
8. Unlike Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox believers do not accept the concepts of purgatory and Stations of the Cross.

The Philippine Independence Day

Independence Day (Filipino: Araw ng Kasarinlan; also known as Araw ng Kalayaan, (or "Day of Freedom") is an annual national holiday in the Philippines observed on June 12, commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. Since 1962, it has been the country's National Day.

History

Main article: History of the Philippines (1898–1946)

See also: Philippine Declaration of Independence

The Proclamation of Independence on June 12, 1898, as depicted on the back of the Philippine five peso bill.

Declaration of Independence Document written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista.

The day of celebration of independence varied throughout the nation's history. The earliest recorded was on April 12, 1895, when Andres Bonifacio, along with Emilio Jacinto, Restituto Javier, Guillermo Masangkay, Aurelio Tolentino, Faustino Manalak, Pedro Zabala and few other katipuneros went to Pamitinan Cave in Montalban, Rizal to initiate new members of the Katipunan. Bonifacio wrote Viva la independencia Filipina! or Long Live Philippine independence on walls of the cave to express the goal of their secret society. Bonifacio also led the Cry of Pugad Lawin, which signals the beginning of Philippine Revolution. Members of the Katipunan, led by Andres Bonifacio, tore their community tax certificates (cedulas personales) in protest of Spanish conquest but officially it was not recognized.

In 1896 the Philippine Revolution began and in December 1897 the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, an agreement between the Spanish colonial government and the Filipino revolutionaries, established a truce. Under its terms, Emilio Aguinaldo and other revolutionary leaders went into exile in Hong Kong.

At the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay leading the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy. On May 1, 1898, the Dewey defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay, effectively putting the U.S. in control of the Spanish colonial government. Later that month, the U.S. Navy transported Aguinaldo back to the Philippines. Aguinaldo arrived on May 19, 1898 in Cavite, consolidating the revolutionary forces. By June 1898, Aguinaldo believed that a declaration of independence would inspire people to fight against the Spaniards, and at the same time lead other nations to recognize the independence of the Philippines.

On June 5, 1898, Aguinaldo issued a decree setting aside June 12, 1898 as the day of the proclamation of independence. Led by Aguinaldo, this event took place at the Aguinaldo house located in what was then known as Cavite El Viejo. The Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino was solemnly read by its author, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Aguinaldo’s war counselor and special delegate. The 21-page declaration was signed by 97 Filipinos, appointed by Aguinaldo, and one retired American artillery officer, Colonel L.M. Johnson. The flag was officially unfurled for the first time at 4:20 p.m, as the Marcha Nacional Filipina was played by the band of San Francisco de Malabon

The proclamation was first ratified on August 1, 1898 by 190 municipal presidents from the 16 provinces controlled by the revolutionary army. It was again ratified on September 29, 1898 by the Malolos Congress

The Philippines failed to win international recognition of its independence, including by the United States of America or by Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippine archipelago to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. The Philippines Revolutionary Government did not recognize the treaty and the two sides subsequently fought the Philippine–American War.

The United States of America granted independence to the Indios on July 4, 1946 through the Treaty of Manila. July 4 was chosen as the date by the United States because it corresponds to the United States' Independence Day, and that day was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared June 12 a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence." On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed June 12 as "Philippine Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe the latter with befitting rites.

Flag Day

Prior to 1964, June 12 had been observed as Flag Day in the country. In 1965 President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 374, which moved National Flag Day to May 28 (the date the Philippine Flag was first flown in battle in Alapan, Imus, Cavite in 1898). In 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 179, extending the celebration period extended period to range from May 28 to Philippine Independence Day on June 12, ordering government departments, agencies, offices, government owned and controlled corporations, state agencies, and local government units, and even private establishments, to prominently display the National Flag in all public buildings, government institutions, and official residences during this period, and ordering the Department of Education, in coordination with the private sector, non-government organizations, and socio-civic groups, to enjoin the prominent display of the National Flag in all public squares and, whenever practicable, in all private buildings and homes in celebration of national independence.

Holiday customs

The day is spent with family bonding with friends and relatives and in either outdoor and indoor activities. All government offices and schools are closed as are private enterprises save for commercial establishments. As required by law the Flag of the Philippines, first flown on that day in 1898, is displayed in homes and establishments from as early as May 28, Flag Day, or on a selected date of May by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, which serves as the organizer of the celebrations, to the 30th of the month. Fireworks displays are the norm. Kawit, Cabite holds a yearly commemorative act with the flag raising at the Aguinaldo Shrine and the reading of the Philippine Declaration of Independence. Worldwide, Filipinos will gather on June 12 or a date close to it to publicly celebrate, sometimes with a Philippine Independence Day Parade.

National Independence Day Ceremonies and Parade 

A ceremony in Manila serves as the official festivities as well as the simultaneous raising of the National Flag of the Philippines in various historical places nationwide. Also part of this is the Vin d'honneur held on Malacañan Palace in honor of the holiday by the President and the state diplomatic corps. 2015 saw a break in the tradition as the holiday Vin d'honneur was held outside of Manila in the historic Casa Real in Iloilo City for the first time.

The festivities begin in Manila's Rizal Park or in selected historical landmarks of the nation as is the trend since 2011 in which the President of the Philippines, the Vice President of the Philippines, members of the state Cabinet and Congress, members of government organizations and state employees, representatives of the uniformed services (Armed Forces, National Police, Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology), youth uniformed organizations and business entities, veterans, people from the nation's different religions and ethic minorities, the state diplomatic corps, honored dignitaries and the general public begin the national commemorations through a simultaneous raising of the National Flag at 7 in the morning preceded by holiday honors by the AFP to the President (the flag is raised to the tune of the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, first performed on this day in 1898) followed by wreath laying ceremonies and the Presidential holiday address.

Centennial

On June 12, 1998, the nation celebrated its hundredth year of independence from Spain. The celebrations were held simultaneously nationwide by then President Fidel V. Ramos and the Filipino diaspora. The National Centennial Commission was headed by former Vice President and Prime Minister Salvador Laurel. The body organized and presided over all events around the country. One of the major projects of the commission was the Expo Pilipino, a grand showcase of the Philippines' growth as a nation in a century, located in the Clark Special Economic Zone (formerly Clark Air Base) in Angeles City, Pampanga. Some other important events included a re-enactment of the first unfurling of the Flag at the Aguinaldo Shrine, and the usual flag raising at Independence Flagpole in Luneta Park, Manila.

© EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Who is Paulino Alcántara?

Paulino Alcántara Riestrá (7 October 1896 – 13 February 1964) was a Spanish Filipino football player and manager who played as a forward. He spent most of his playing career at FC Barcelona and also represented Catalonia, the Philippines and Spain.

Alcántara made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club. He scored 369 goals in 357 official and friendly matches for Barcelona, a club record that stood for 87 years. After retiring as a player in 1927 at the age of 31, he became a doctor. He served as a club director between 1931 and 1934. In 1951, Alcántara became a coach and managed Spain for three games.

Club career

Early career

Alcántara was born in the province of Iloilo in the Philippines to a Spanish military officer and an Ilongga mother. He was three years old when his family moved to Barcelona, the same year that FC Barcelona was formed by Joan Gamper. Alcántara was slated to play for FC Galeno when he was discovered by Gamper. He then joined Barcelona's youth team. He made his debut at the age of 15 years, 4 months and 18 days old on 25 February 1912 against Catalá SC in the Campionat de Catalunya (Catalan football championship) at the old Carrer de la Indústria ground. Barcelona won that game 9–0, with Alcántara scoring the first three goals of the game, setting the still unbroken record for being the youngest player to ever score for FC Barcelona in an official match. Among his team mates during his time at the club were Francisco Bru Sanz, Jack Greenwell and Romà Forns. He went on to help the club win a Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) and Campionat de Catalunya in 1913 and a Campionat de Catalunya in 1916.

Bohemian Sporting Club

In 1916, Alcántara's parents returned to the Philippines and took their son with them. There he continued his studies in medicine and played football for the Bohemian Sporting Club. He helped the club win two Philippine Championships; in 1917 and 1918. He was selected for the Philippine national football team in 1917 and represented his country at the Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo, helping them defeat Japan 15–2, which is still the Philippines' biggest win in international football. He also represented the Philippines at table tennis. Meanwhile, Barcelona had failed to win a major trophy in his absence and the club pleaded in vain with his parents to allow him to return to Spain. However, he contracted malaria in 1917 and apparently refused to take the prescribed medication until he was allowed to go back.

Return to Barcelona

After returning to Barcelona, his former team mate and manager, Jack Greenwell experimented with Alcántara as a defender, but did not succeed in that position. The paying members of Barca's club membership, "Los Socios," demanded that Alcántara be switched back to his normal position, which saw him return to the forward line. In 1919, he helped the club win another Campionat de Catalunya. The club also reached the Copa del Rey final but lost 5–2 to Arenas Club de Getxo. On 13 April 1919 in a game at Les Corts against Real Sociedad, Alcántara scored the "police goal," when a policeman got in the way of powerful shot that both the ball and policeman ended up in the back of the net. In 1920 the club won another Copa del Rey and the Campionat de Catalunya with Alcántara scoring in the 2–0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Cup final. The squad included Emilio Sagi Liñán, who formed a partnership with Alcántara as well as Ricardo Zamora, Josep Samitier and Félix Sesúmaga. This marked the beginning of the club's first golden era and saw them dominate both the Campionat de Catalunya and CRommel Tangkay tournament. Alcántara scored twice in the 1922 Cup final, where Barcelona defeated Real Unión 5–1 and scored the winning goal in the 3–2 win over Atlético Madrid in the 1926 final.

International career

In 1915, Alcántara made his debut with Catalunya team and in 1924 he played at least six games and scored at least four goals for the team. In 1917 he was selected by the Philippines national team and represented the country at the Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo, helping them defeat Japan 15–2 , which became the Philippines' biggest win in international football.

In 1920 Alcántara, along with Zamora, Samitier and Sesúmaga, was selected to represent Spain at the 1920 Olympics. However, Alcántara chose to stay at home to take his final medical exams. He eventually made his debut for Spain on 7 October 1921 at the age of 25 against Belgium and scored both goals in a 2–0 win. In 1922, he was nicknamed "El Rompe Redes" or "Trencaxarxes" (the net breaker) after he broke the net with a shot during a match against France. He made five appearances and scored six goals for Spain between 1921 and 1927.

International goals

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	9 October 1921	San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao	Belgium	1–0	2–0	Friendly
2.				2–0
3.	30 April 1922	Stade Sainte-Germaine, Le Bouscat	France	1–0	4–0
4.				2–0

Scores and results list Philippines's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	1917年5月10日	Shibaura Ground, Tokyo	Japan	1–0	15–2	Far Eastern Championship
2				?–?

Retirement

Alcántara retired on 3 July 1927 in order to become a doctor at age 31, the same day that FC Barcelona played against Spain in a testimonial match in his honour. He later served as a club director between 1931 and 1934. Alcántara was one of the first footballers to write memoirs of his playing days. In 1951, Alcántara was one of three selectors, along with Félix Quesada and Luís Iceta, that coached Spain for three games against Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden. He won one game and tied the other two.

Fascism

In the 1930s, Paulino Alcántara was a member of the Falange Española, the variant of Spanish Fascism. On 4 August 1936, he fled to Andorra and France for failing to Franco's coup in Barcelona from 18 July 1936. In 1936 Alcantara was Carlist volunteer and participated in numerous military operations of the fascist troops of Francisco Franco. During the Spanish Civil War, Alcántara was Lieutenant of the first fascist battalion of the Brigade Legionary Black Arrows (Frecce Nere). The Black Arrows was a fascist volunteer corps (Corpo Truppe Volontarie) directed directly by Benito Mussolini. With the fascist Black Arrows, Alcantara served on the fronts of Guadalajara, Aragon and Catalonia. He entered victorious by Barcelona with General Yagüe on 26 January 1939. Yagüe became known as the "The Butcher of Badajoz" because he ordered thousands killed, including wounded men in the hospital. After the Spanish Civil War, Paulino Alcántara lived in Barcelona and was Lieutenant of the fascists Italians Black Arrows. During the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, Alcántara was a Chief of the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS.

Honours

Barcelona

• Pyrenees Cup (2): 1912, 1913
• Copa del Rey (5): 1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926
• Campionat de Catalunya (10): 1913, 1916, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927

Bohemian Sporting Club

• Philippines Championship (2): 1917, 1918

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