Allen Capuyan

21/11/2025

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PHILIPPINES IN RELATION TO OUR CULTURE AND OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH?

A clear, honest, and balanced explanation

A. The Philippines is one of the most visibly Christian nations in the world. We have massive churches, fellowship places, grand fiestas, long processions, and millions who proudly identify as “Christians.”

B. But despite this, our society still struggles with corruption, injustice, broken families, violence, and moral confusion.

So what went wrong?

C. The real diagnosis, the deep issues that explain the disconnect between our culture and our Christian faith:

1. We became a Christian country… without becoming a converted country.

a. Faith became tradition, not transformation.

b. We inherited Christianity through history, but many Filipinos never experienced personal conversion, discipleship, or deep formation and true repentance.

c. This is why:

1) People go to Mass, Worship Service, Fellowships but still cheat or bribe.

2) People pray novenas, sing Praise & Wirship but hurt others.

3) People carry amulets & prayer needs but don’t carry the teachings of Christ in daily life.

The rituals stayed.
The conversion did not.

2. Our Christianity became cultural — not moral.

a. For many Filipinos, being Christian is part of their identity, but not always part of our behavior.

Examples:
1) Simbang Gabi is full, but many relationships remain broken.

2) Churches, Worship Halls, Fellowship Areas are full on Saturdays and Sundays, but offices are full of corruption on Mondays onwards.

3) People fear “scandal,” but not sin.

4) People avoid “hiya,” but not wrongdoing.

5) We protect our image, but not our integrity.

3. We mixed Christian faith with superstition + pre-Christian beliefs.

a. This is called folk Catholicism.

b. Many Filipinos:

1) treat religious objects like magical items.

2) Some pray to saints as if they replace God

3) Many practice rituals without understanding the doctrine behind them

4) We mix Christian prayers with pagan beliefs, charms, and superstitions

The result?

Faith becomes emotional, shallow, and confused, instead of biblical, clear, and Christ-centered.

4. Our positive Filipino values became unhealthy when misused.

a. Filipino values are beautiful, but when twisted, they block the Gospel.

1) “Hiya”

→ prevents people from telling the truth
→ makes people tolerate wrongdoing inside the family or community

2) “Pakikisama”

→ leads to compromise
→ “Don’t say anything, baka magalit.”

3. “Utang na loob”

→ makes people loyal to corrupt leaders
→ blinds people to injustice

The result:

Filipinos often stay silent in the face of sin because they want to avoid conflict.

But the Gospel calls us to truth, justice, and courage.

5. Our Church practices became festivals, not formation.

We are strong in:
a. Praise & Worships
b. Fellowships
c. Mass
d. Fiestas
e. Processions
f. Crusades
g. Devotions
h. Pilgrimage
I. Images
j. Rituals

But we are weak in:
a. Scriptures
b. True Worship
c. Catechism
d. Moral Formation
e. True Repentance
f. Social Justice
g. Lifelong Discipleship

Our Christian Faith became event-based, not life-based.

We promote activities, not holiness.

6. The Christian Faith/Church became entangled in politics and can’t draw the line.

For decades, politicians used:

a. Religion
b. Church patronage
c. Religious endorsements

….. to win loyalty, votes, and influence.

And some Church leaders were:

a. Silent when they should speak

b. Political when they should be prophetic

c. Compromised instead of courageous

This weakened the moral credibility of the Christian Faith/Church.

7. We practice Religion/Christian Faith — but not True Repentance.

Filipinos are very religious, but very few practice:
a. Deep confession

b. Life accountability

c. Restitution

d. Obedience to the Word of God

e. Genuine moral reform

We confess sins, but do not abandon them.

We hear the Word, but do not obey it.

We ask God for blessings, but ignore His commands.

8. We love God — but we do not fear God.

This is the deepest issue.

Christianity in the Philippines is:
a. Affectionate

b. Emotional

c. Devotional

d. Comforting

But often lacks the fear of the Lord — the holy respect that leads to the beginning of wisdom, obedience, integrity, repentance, and justice.

Without the fear of God, faith becomes sentimental, not transformational.

SO WHAT IS REALLY WRONG (Summary)

Here is the whole truth in one powerful statement:

The Philippines became culturally Christian, but not Spiritually . We kept the forms of religion, but not the power of the Gospel.

That is why we have:

a. Many churches, but weak morals

b. Many prayers, but little transformation

c. Many devotions, but shallow conversion

d. Many rituals, but little repentance

e. Many fiestas, but little justice

Faith is present but not practiced.

Religion is strong but discipleship is weak.

Tradition is alive but truth is ignored.

THE HOPE

The problem is serious, but not hopeless.

The Philippines can change and it starts with:
a. True repentance

b. Real discipleship

c. Deep catechesis

d. Integrating faith with justice

e. A Church that forms, not just entertains

f. Families that practice truth, not just tradition

g. Leaders who fear God more than they fear people

When Filipinos rediscover the Gospel not just the culture of Christianity the nation will rise.

15/11/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰

Nov 9, 2025 || Through every step and rhythm, we witness how stories of the past dance with the dreams of the young where faith, unity, and love for the tribe keep our culture alive.

10/11/2025

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 | 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐛𝐨 𝐊𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚 & 𝐎𝐛𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐯𝐮 𝐈𝐂𝐂𝐬/𝐈𝐏𝐬 | 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗,

In this moment between an elder and the children, we see the bridge of wisdom and hope where the stories of the past meet the dreams of the future. Among the Bagobo Klata & Obu Manuvu ICCs/IPs, tradition is not just remembered, but lived passed on through faith, unity, and love for the tribe.

As the elders remind: “Ang pagkahiusa ug pagpanabang mao ang tinood nga kalig-on sa tribu.”
(Unity and helping one another are the true strength of the tribe.)

10/11/2025

Main Event| 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐛𝐨 𝐊𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐂𝐂𝐬/𝐈𝐏𝐬 & Ubo Manuvu | 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

“𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.”

Amidst the typhoon, we pressed on with our commitment to serve reaching out to our Bagobo Klata Indigenous brothers and sisters in Purok Durian, Barangay Tawan-Tawan, Davao City, through an Outreach Program held on November 9, 2025.

Even in challenging conditions, our hearts remain firm in standing with Indigenous Cultural Communities — honoring their identity, culture, and vital role in promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development.

During the activity, I reminded our young ones:

“𝙈𝙜𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙖, 𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙬 𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙤 𝙠𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙮 𝙨𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙮. 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙩𝙪𝙤𝙣 𝙪𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜-𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙤. 𝙆𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙜 𝙪𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙖 𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪 𝙪𝙜 𝙨𝙖 𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙙.” (Children, never grow tired of dreaming. Keep studying and praying. Your determination and dreams are the hope of your tribe and of our nation.)

My heartfelt thanks to our partners Ms Shela Bernados, MIPCPD/MIPYO, Chooks-to-go and the 27th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army under the Leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Eliezer Bejarin for their steadfast support and security assistance in ensuring the success of this activity.

Together, let us continue walking the path of 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 🇵🇭

06/11/2025

IS GOING TO WAR THE ONLY EXCUSE LEFT TO ESCAPE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

04/11/2025

03/11/2025

Supreme Court Decision re Mamanwa ICCs/IPs

Reiterating that trust funds held by government agencies must be spent only for the specific purpose for which the trust was created, the 𝘌𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘤 has upheld the disallowance of funds intended for socio-economic programs of Surigao del Norte’s Mamanwa Tribes, but were instead used by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples - Regional Office for its operating expenses.

In a Decision written by retired Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, the SC 𝘌𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘤 upheld the disallowances, stressing that trust funds held by any government agency must be spent only for the specific purpose for which the trust was created, as provided under Presidential Decree No. 1445, or the 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴.

The case arose from a 2009 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL), the Mamanwa Tribes of Taganito and Urbiztondo in Claver, Surigao del Norte (Mamanwa Tribes), and NCIP Regional Office No. XIII (NCIP Region XIII). The MOA covered the construction and operation of a nickel mineral processing plant within the ancestral domain of the Mamanwa Tribes.

Under the MOA, THPAL committed to provide financial assistance to the NCIP, to be used exclusively for socio-economic projects that would benefit the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Surigao Del Norte. The MOA also required THPAL to deposit the financial assistance to a trust account to be created by the NCIP.

In 2012, tribal leaders signed 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘰. 14, recommending that the financial assistance also be used for the NCIP’s operating expenses, including hiring community workers, holding tribal assemblies, and conducting training programs.

The Commission on Audit later flagged NCIP Region XIII’s use of the financial assistance funds for its 2013 and 2014 operations, finding it contrary to the MOA. It issued several Notices of Disallowance totaling PHP 1,573,227.83, citing misuse of funds.

In upholding the disallowances, the SC said that the financial assistance constitutes a trust fund as expressly stated in the MOA. The disbursements came from a trust account created exclusively for socio-economic projects benefitting the IPs/ICCs of Surigao del Norte.

Therefore, using the funds for NCIP Region XIII’s operating expenses—such as rent, equipment purchases, maintenance, communication, and supplies—violated the law.

The SC also ruled that 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘰. 14 could not justify using the financial assistance for other purposes, as it was merely an endorsement to the NCIP 𝘌𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘤 to consider repurposing the fund. “The tribal resolution alone cannot validly change the trust agreement under the MOA,” said the SC.

Read the full text of the press release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=154776

Read the full text of the Decision at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=154770

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution-policy/.

31/10/2025

We can have all the festivities as we celebrate the October “IPRA” Month from National to Local, but how I wish all IPMRs & NCIP (since they have funds) to have meaningful programs to deliberately visit and engage the ICCs/IPs especially ang nasa GIDAs areas to solve:

a. the community concern on Leadership conflict;
b. boundary conflict;
c. IPS, IPO, ADMO & IPMRs Jurisdiction conflict;
d.,IPMR Selection Processes Conflict;
e. CADT/CALT Delineation & Registration;
f. IP Migrants Rights & Residency;
g. ADSDPP Implementation;
h. Royalties; CMRDP & Wealth Management;
i. Enhanced MOUs and MOAs;
j. Social Justice & Protection concerns (food, clothing, shelter, water, electricity, education, farm to market road, health, livelihood, irrigation etc).
k. Security & Protection of Culture.

31/10/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗦𝗮 𝗨𝗴𝗮𝘁: 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

In my term as NCIP Chairman last 2022, we conducted an Ancestral Domain Visit in the Matigsalog-Dirayahon Tribe at Brgy. Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon — one of the displaced tribes, victims of insurgency and conflict.

October 30, 2025 — After almost three years, we returned to the same community to celebrate the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) Month through an Outreach Program with the theme, “Weaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development.”

Together with our partners, the community received bags of rice, groceries, school supplies, slippers, and simple tokens of care — small gestures that symbolize solidarity, compassion, and hope.

This return was more than just a commemoration it was a testimony of healing, faith, and shared purpose.

Ang tinuod nga kalamboan dili lang makita sa semento o kalsada, kundi sa pagpanalipod sa atong ugat ug sa pag-atiman sa atong umaabot nga kaliwatan.

True progress begins when we value our roots and uplift the people who keep our heritage alive.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the men and women of the 56th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, Ms Shela Bernados, and to the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO) for their unwavering support and partnership in making this outreach meaningful and successful.

Special thanks to Sec Ed Año.

28/10/2025

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
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Shalom! May today, we realize the value of blood, tears, and sweat, and give our all in every task, shedding our blood, tears, and sweat to the fullest extent, and receive the greatest reward. We pray and bless you today.

20/10/2025

Good Day!!!

“When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:15)