ON SUNDAY, October 7, the Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7, Asin Road, celebrates its 32nd Anniversary as a beautiful place of worship, particularly among Roman Catholics. A simple program of activities, laced with golden memories of spiritual-religious events will again come to the fore. Thank you dear Lord for your sustained blessings to the core of personalities who cared and shared to make the Shrine inside a rock cave at Sitio Pacac, Barangay Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, a heavenly place especially for mama Mary devotees from all over the country, including yours truly, my better half Consuelo Sol and our loved ones.
The day’s festivities start with a Holy Mass set at 10 o’clock in the morning. It will be celebrated by a Rev. Fr. from the Recoletos Seminary, Baguio. The talented male choir from the Don Bosco Parish Church at Trancoville Barangay will be with us. Rev. Fr. Alejandro, Formateur of the San Pablo Seminary at Cristal Cave Barangay, this city, celebrated last Sunday the Holy Eucharist which in a way was his farewell Mass at the Shrine. He left for Rome for a two-year scholarship grant by the Vatican early this month. He was with us as the Shrine’s and the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) Spiritual Adviser for more than a year after a four-year stint of Rev. Fr. German Ledesma, who now serves as the Church Parish Priest of Loakan Barangay. By the way, the NCCB initiated the development of the Shrine way back in 1986 after the EDSA Revolution as a symbol of everlasting faith in the Holy Trinity and Mama Mary in our quest for peace, reconciliation, solidarity and progress, particularly for all our countrymen and our nation as a whole.
After the Holy Mass, a simple fellowship get together will follow, hosted by officers and members of the Shrine’s project Committee, namely couple Wilfredo and Brenda Leyson from Urdanita City, Raffy Estocapio from the city, Jaime and Gladys Tamsi from Nangalisan Barangay, Tuba, Benguet, my son-in-law Col. Pipes and wife Marisol Buena from Taguig City, my son Fritzgerald and family, FBASECA President and Punong Barangay of Upper Quezon Hill Edita Ibarra and the Aguinaldes family from Pinsao Proper Barangay. O yes, “maraming salamat” also to Fritz’s friends Pow and Tet and our long time friends Eddie and Tessie Marcelo, charter patrons of the Shrine.
The Holy Mass at the Shrine tomorrow is also this month’s regular monthly mass for October. Join us and together let us enjoy the day’s festivities!
MABUHAY AND OUR HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS to our granddaughter Isabel Rain Padilla! She brought our family and loved one a bundle of joy. Last Friday, Rain won the coveted title and was crowned as Miss School of Engineering and Architecture, SSC Kasama and SEA’s of SLU. The beauty and brains pageant was held at the SLU Gym attended by a packed audience of students and other guests. At least, 12 female and 12 male engineering and architecture students were on centerstage. Rain’s partner was Keanu Fernando who won 1st Runner Up honors. Frederick Gabriel Richard, Exiba-Mechatronics captured the first place. The big show highlighted with competition in creative wear, casual wear and evening wear. On the other hand, Charm Callanza (SEANTM) won 1st Runner Up while Vanecca Nacino (Electronic Engineering) placed 2nd Runner Up plum in the female division.
Rain’s winning answer to the question, “Kung ang kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan, sino o ano ang pagasa ng kabataan?” “I firmly believe that it is the family that is the foundation and more importantly, ang pagasa ng kabataan are their parents, biological or not.” Rain proceeded to thank all parents. Her answer brought the house down! The pageant was hosted by Nill Patrick Dulle and Genald Alexis Hidalgo. Congratulations to all pageant participants!
Her Dad, Mom and younger sister who witnessed the SLU bonanza event said the top winners trophy includes a tourist trip to Palawan, a treasured foreign and local tourist destination in our beautiful country.
This early, the December breeze is being felt by all Pinoys. The cosmopolitan residents of our city is no exception. The National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is more than ready to implement its caring and sharing Christmas season. For your information and perusal, NCCB and the CSWDO is the joint sponsors of the annual Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio. We are ready to celebrate the 45th year anniversary of the multi-awarded special December episode. Thank you to our litany of stakeholders which include the Philippine Military Academy, AFP; Day Care Centers of the CSWDO, Phases Learning Center, Baguio City National High School, BAMARVA, SLU SVP Housing Cooperative, Balibayan Jossie Delanila, U.S. Navy veteran Angel Villalarvo and family, St. Vincent Parish Church at Campo Filipino and the Shrine of the Brown Madonna, among others.
The program highlights of the monthlong Silahis ng Pasko are the Day Care Centers “Parents and Children’s Christmas Mardigras, PMA Cadets Day at the Park, Quest for the city’s Lucky Christmas Family, Share a Joy Program for Mother’s Little Helping Hands; Quest for the Baguio Lucky Christmas Family; Immaculate Conception Day Rites at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna, the Annual Quest for the Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitors four days reception sked, the BCNHS School Singing Christmas Tree, Special day for Special People (PDW), Baguio Balikbayans and the Kafagway International Sports Program and the 1st Kafagway Elderly Leadeship and Community Service Awards Rites, climaxed with the Quest for the Baguio Lucky Christmas Baby and the Baguio Lucky New Year Baby at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Like in the past, Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio 2018 will bring us all together in unison – lowlanders, highlanders and the city’s foreign communities to pray and enjoy the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Redeemer.
Through the years, the NCCB and the CSWDO is very appreciative with unfathomable gratitude to all the organizations as well as the cure-minded individuals who are with us in Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio all the way! God Bless!