Balweg: Pre-Christmas actions

BEFORE going to the topic as given by the title of this article, Snapshot Focus would like to click the info to relatives and friends of Fr. Bernard L. S.V.D (Societas Verbi Divini (Latin for Society of the Divine Word), that the Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary) of his ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated in his hometown of Bangilo, Malibcong, Abra on December 29 (Sat), 2018. This info is likewise directed to all that his priestly ministry may have touched in word and action during the last twenty-five years starting 1993, the year in the Gregorian calendar, when he was ordained priest in the SVD Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines.His province of Abra, is a province of the CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) in the hinterlands of Northern Luzon, Philippines.

The father of Fr. Bernard is from Tayum, a veritable Ilocano lowland town (“ili”) in the said province while his mother is a heart-and-soul Gobang Tinguian. He is, therefore, not just a perfect physical blend of the Ilocano and Tinguian Filipino but a powerful combination of the indigenous and mainstream cultural hues thereof. Hence, the celebrator is a symbol of peace and unity in the province of two divergent and even at times clashing cultures.

Come one, come all!, says Fr. Bernard. I quite know his and his larger family’s thought at these moments because Emilia, his very fortunate and happy mother this yearend, is my maternal first cousin on the Mangoag clan.

***

We are now in the final leg of Advent, a Christian season of preparation for the great event that is Christmas in the Gregorian calendar. In this super-preparation, CUBCL (Cooperative Union of Baguio City and Luzon), BARP (Blessed Association of Retired Persons Foundation, Inc.) BMPC (BARP Multipurpose Cooperative), and BCCSF (Baguio City Credit Security Fund) have proved themselves to be at the forefront of joyous action. A sampling of activities done by each one of the three is given below.

Last December 1, 2018 (Sat.), CUBCL, through its Board of Directors and office staff, proceeded to Camp 7, this city along the famed Kennon Road, to fulfill their mandate for community outreach and concern. This time not for an energy-consuming seminar-workshop but for a break that is less thought-pressing and outright spirit-refreshing. They found it in Camp 7, particularly at Lower West, at a former Korean School Building. There, some 60 needy children had congregated upon instruction given days previously to receive Christmas gifts scheduled for them by the CUBCL for 2018 yearend. The CUBCL contingent that came was surprised to find that selected boys and girls were lined at Washingan, past the Talipapa satellite market just near the Kennon-Loakan road junction, bearing for each one a letter that would form the phrase “CUBCL, Welcome!” when letter bearers properly they arranged themselves upon a signalled notice. The children then led their visitors to the appointed but hitherto undisclosed program venue. They were finally ushered to the front to the tune of the CUBCL song, the first time the song was sung in an out-of-house gathering.

The affair was quickly thronged with the expected number of people strengthened by appreciating parents and officials of Sitio Lower West. The program started with the acknowledgement of attendees, the prayerful invocation, welcome, Pambansang Awit and explanation of the first time gift-giving by CUBCL in Lower West by Chairman Angie Gayados and BOD Susan Angaga who gladdened the kids by their entertaining agility as did guitarist Mr. “Boyet” Diaz, husband of Treasurer “Jean” Diaz. The gifts were given not just simply but by the appreciation of a quality or an activity that a child manifested, like the best smile, the best answer, etc.. Everybody received three kinds of goods in each pack. From the extra were given to previously unlisted receivers, even to parents for standing by the sides but then actively participating in the therapeutic exercises led by a “Mrs. Na Nagmumukhang Miss” Angie Gayados.

Among those called to say and express their feelings and thoughts of the pre-Christmas affair was Purok leader “Berting” Antonio, past Kagawad Lorena, and past Tanod Binayan.

After the closing remark, birthmonth celebrators BOD Susan Angaga and God is Love Bldg. Administrator Mylene B. Jeun, a sumptuous lunch was served after which each individual or group went his/her way with happy memories and waiting for the Christmas way of life.

To be continued...

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