If you too insist to know why I left, come along with me and read between the lines the episodes of my "confinement," Inside the Walls of Holies. I leave you the privilege of judging me, drawing some conclusions, whatever assumptions you may give to my "religious episodes". If you doubt my personal existence, don't hesitate to see me personally or send me a line or two.

Right after high school, I decided to enter the religious life. I believed I had the calling to follow the footsteps of our Lord, and I felt that strong force to be a missionary priest someday and consequently be another Christ. Therefore, I packed up all the necessary things required to live a simple life and entered the Congregation, leaving behind me my beloved parents, brothers, my only sister, relatives and friends. Goodbye to all of them and to the world. My "barkada" (peers) had to be eradicated from the daily chores of life. Did I leave a girlfriend behind? That was not a problem, for I didn't leave anyone outside with a broken heart. Nights were sleepless, endless adjustments to the new life style, not knowing what was expected.

I tried to believe that only my own self did exist, a clanging cymbal without anything in it, to be ready to receive all the spiritual needs for my formation. It was an empty "shell," naked down to the ground. However, I placed myself before God to be clothed with the necessary formations needed of a servant of God. I have faith in Him Who brought me here inside this holy place of formation.

My first few months in the seminary were moments of adjustments to the bigger family of new faces from different regions. Most of the time were conferences for instructions, rules and regulations to be observed, and some fundamental principles to be followed for the enrichment of one's vocation. It was the period of trying to acquaint ourselves with one another as well.

The seminary is not only a community of prayers as some people might think. For a seminarian, he is also trained in many levels of life though matters about his vocation is the most concern. He is to fill his brain with good ideas in order to have something to cling on throughout his formation. He not only has to equip himself with knowledge, but also has that physical soundness. "Sound mind and sound body" is needed in order that he can pray to the Lord more fervently and devoutly.

The seminary is not isolated from the outside world, nor a seminarian detached from it. There are times the seminarians are allowed to go out for a walk, hike, see a good movie, concert, or anything that interests them. There is an adventure and joy in a day's hike, from the slope of the mountain up to the top, then down to the slope again. Others are daring and adventurous and a day's hike becomes one's satisfaction and accomplishment. There is joy in being the first person to arrive at a destination, proud of oneself being the first.