Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Espina: Culmination of the year of St. Ezekiel Moreno By Mila Espina In my diary
THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) took an active part in the celebration of the Year of St. Ezekiel Moreno from December 2006 to 2007.
The Order of Agustinian Recollects (OAR) religious community all over the nation commemorated the mission and spirituality of the first Augustinian Recollect saint among the Filipinos. His enduring mission to heal the sick, despite his lingering ailment, touched the lives of people in the Philippines and all over the world. Inspired by the teachings of St. Augustine, St. Ezekiel Moreno devoted his time extolling the virtues of the Virgin Mary and honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Father Superior Constantino Real, OAR; Father president Anthony Morillo, OAR; VP-Student Welfare Father Charlito Orobia, OAR; and the Josenian community take the lead in the culmination of the Year of St. Ezekiel, from Dec. 3 to 7. The activities include: St. Ezekiel exhibit (Dec.3); a symposium for students at the Basak Campus with Father Rommel Rubia, OAR; and healing mass with Father Ferdinand Hernando, OAR, at the Mt. Carmel parish (Dec.4); a musical play, The Restless Heart, directed by Gweendolyn Cresencio (Dec. 4-5); and quiz bowl and lyre concert in the Main Campus (Dec. 6). The big event is a eucharistic celebration to be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, and followed by sports activities and parlor games.
Meanwhile, the religious diorama held every Christmas season, called Jesus in Talavera, will reel off on Dec. 7 for the third time. It depicts the relevance of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem in the contemporary world. The event is coordinated by Father Amadeo Lucero, OAR, VP-finance and external affairs director, assisted by the USJ-R religious and academic community. Added to this event is the ongoing documentation of USJ-R’s 60 years of academic excellence and service to the community by the USJ-R External Office.
Cebu–turkey partnership
The weeklong visit of the Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency and Mrs. Adnan Basaga and party, hosted by Honorary Consul Leontina Benedicto and DFA Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, paved the way to a better grasp of Turkey’s history and political survival. The visit drew insights on how to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the Philippines, particularly Cebu, and Turkey.
The reception was held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel; and the business luncheon interaction was held at the Casino Espanol on Nov.12 and 13, respectively. It brought Cebu’s key players together to determine channels of cross-cultural bonding. Turkey overhelmed all of us with the latest tally of its tourism arrivals, close to 25 million yearly. And because it offered huge investment initiatives, Turkey attracted investors and accelerated its economic capabilities. Education and English teaching are current priorities to widen its western hold.
How do we promote Cebu in Turkey? What career and employment opportunities are in stake for Pinoys who wish to work in Turkey?
Ambassador Basaga thought these concerns are valuable to his country and could be studied thoroughly. As a whole, the 84th anniversary on the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey was well-spent in Cebu.
