Monday, October 13, 2008 Utzurrum: Milestones and memories By Chinggay V. Utzurrum The scene
THE venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, as Mother Ignacia is now known, is a few steps away from being beatified.
This was the gist of the homily of Fr. Chris Amores, a graduate of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) school, which the good Sister founded. The mass was held at the Santo Rosario Parish on her death anniversary last Sept. 10.
As a backgrounder, Mother Ignacia was a Filipina-Chinese from Binondo, Manila, and the Mother Foundress of the Beaterio of the Compania de Jesus, which now has become the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.
God called her to His service at the age of 21, and with Divine help, many young ladies followed her life of prayer, sacrifice and service.
So charismatic was Ignacia that her mission areas are found in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and abroad in Indonesia, Papua New guinea, Rome (Italy), Ghana (Africa), American Samoa and USA.
Very actively campaigning for Mother Ignacia’s sainthood are members of the Mother Ignacia Movement (MIM), headed by chairman Fr. Cris Mendez, and vice chairman Terry Manguerra who, with the supportive sisters, planned the anniversary mass and warm camaraderie that followed.
For more inquiries about MIM, please call the RVM Regional House at 253-6486 or 412-5538.
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An avalanche of congratulations and a wish for a safe journey were heaped on newly assigned Philippine Ambassador to India, Hon. Francisco Benedicto, who hosted a media gathering recently. We are mighty proud of the ambassador who is the epitome of diplomatic protocol. His many assignments, some of them Singapore, Korea, Canada, Venezuela, have honed his skills in the work of an ambassador, and we have no doubt he will be an asset to our country abroad. Farewell, Ambassador Frank, and God be with you!
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Coming home to Cebu after living in the metropolis for ages must be relaxing and rejuvenating for pretty Maureen Veloso-Borja, who dabbles in the super-competitive world of real estate. Very successful, too. Her gang lost no time in showing her the old town. Balik-balik, Maureen!
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Speaking of reunions, Theresians of High School Class 1960 had another birthday to mark when Dr. Sally Gimenez-Baking gathered her batchmates for lunch at Port Seafood Restaurant. “The buffet here is terrific, with so many choices,” she gushed as she returned for seconds. Her classmates soon followed suit, as conversation centered on their up-and-coming Jubilee in 2009. Toasts, Sally!
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Graduates of Assumption College (Manila and Iloilo) are known as Old Girls, although some are pretty young. They never fail to meet every Aug. 15 (Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady) for Holy Mass and fellowship. This year happens to be sparklingly special for Inday Briones-Blanco, as their high school class is a diamond jubilarian, and for which they have designed a spectacularly sparkling outfit. No, not real diamonds!
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Recent Cebu visitor was concertist Rey Roa, who’s Salt Lake City Utah-based now. Missing Cebu so much, he gifted his fellow Cebuanos with free concerts in schools, and churches. We caught up with him at the Cathedral where he did a duet with super-talented soprano-violinist June Ong. Another of his protégées, who trained in Utah. Carry on, Rey!
