Send-Off

A Fond Farewell

Borrowed from the Bard: Parting is such a sweet sorrow…

In this whole wide world, people meet and part. Others you may have known for years and yet do not leave even a slight dent in your life.  Others you may have known for years and leave a gaping hole into your being. And yet others, you may have known only for a week, a month, a year and all along you are hoping that the person may stay a little longer, a little more…

Most Overseas Filipino Workers here in Abuja are acquainted with these three personalities who had touched our lives in their own distinct ways.

Indonesian Ellya Rosa Ilic

Supermarket Manager

Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Ltd

This petite, gregarious, unassuming and very charming lady is the embodiment of generosity itself.  Even with her hectic schedule in the company, she is there for every Asian community’s activity – be it in cleaning, organizing, soliciting for donations or entertaining.  A very graceful dancer and melodious singer, she does not fail to gain admiration from her listeners. Her big heart encompasses her love  for everybody regardless of race and faith.  On August 4, she is finally leaving Nigeria with her husband Mico Ilic who is the Chief Quantity Surveyor of the company after more than two decades here.

As a token of appreciation for her support to the Filipino community, the Philippine Ambassador H. E. Nestor N. Padalhin awarded her with a Certificate of Recognition held last July 29, 2012 during the first Family Day celebration under the new leadership of the Pusong Pinoy Association in Nigeria, President John Hernandez.

The Philippine Ambassador

H. E. Nestor Padalhin

When the then Ambassador Masaranga Umpa finished his tour of duty, the Philippine Embassy here in Abuja was left without an ambassador for quite sometime.

Then H. E. Nestor Padalhin arrived. With him is a fresh start. He clearly understood the life of an OFW having been in Lebanon as Chargé d’ Affaires. He boosted not only the temporal but also the spiritual life of the OFWS.   Local staff status had been upgraded.  A firm believer of Catholic faith, he, ably supported by his wife Annie, introduced the Couples for Christ movement to the Nigerians and rekindled to some degree, the same to some OFWS who are members of CfC in the Philippines.  He is an ambassador of and for the people.  They will leave Nigeria after a successful tour of duty for a new assignment – as an ambassador to Syria.

Rev. Fr.  Dong-Jin Andrew Shin

Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria

Embassy of The Holy See, Vatican

Korean films are making waves in the Philippines, Boys over Flowers (F4) for one, and the Pinoys are unwittingly hooked.

A South Korean by birth,  Fr. Andrew’s arrival here in Abuja almost a year ago was a like a breath of very fresh and invigorating air. His spirituality is belied by his youthful appearance.  Any doubt we had for this young priest was all wiped out the moment he stepped at the pulpit and spoke the words of the Lord. He won our hearts that led us to develop a different approach in the practice of our faith. His homilies created a niche in the very core of our being. There is so much love in him that he can relate well to everyone who comes his way.  He has an infectious smile and a kind word to everyone. 

In one of his homilies, he asked, ‘When is the most important moment in your life?’

Flashes of good memories paraded through our eyes. And we were wrong.

He said, ‘the most important moment in ones life is NOW.’

In his one year stay here in Abuja, we all know that he will be missed by his parishioners and especially us, the Filipino workers. But we are also happy in the thought of him being so close at home. He is sent to his native land to work in the new diocese.

In his last homily which is very comforting, ‘…even if we do not meet here on earth again, we will meet in heaven…’

He left on Friday July 27, 2012.

 For these three wonderful people …MABUHAY!

OFWS gave a send-off and the laughter and happiness shared at this moment is really one for the book.

The Honorees: Mrs. Annie Padalhin, Fr. Andrew, Rosa Ilic, Ambassador Nestor Padalhin

Fr. Andrew, Tess, Sr. Eflaida, Sr. MaryGrace

Ampy with grandkids Alessa and Jamie; Maebs and Alessa; JayR and Katz; Gel with Augustine

...a snapshot with Ambassador Nestor Padalhin - John, Lito, Annie Padalhin, Willy, Tess

...our honorees: Fr. Andrew, Amb. Padalhin, Rosa Ilic with Lito...

Fr. Andrew is NOT doing magic to vanish Ambassador Padalhin and Amb. is NOT warding off...

Fr. Andrew after his heartfelt speech, here shown with Rosa, Lito Amb. Padalhin, Tess; Rosa and Mercy; Rex, Angie, Sr. MaryGrace and Annie Padalhin

...and Ambassador's equally heartwarming talk...

...and now it's Rosa's turn as Benjie, Maebs, Gel, Tess, Lito and Fr. Andrew wait...

...and wait for the cheers to settle down...

...and Rosa's heart-to-heart talk...of two decades of friendship...

Blessings before meals...

Mealtime: that's Donna's specialty...'ukoy' made of squash and Amba pointing the native dish

Amba, Sr. MaryGrace, Donna, Annie P; John and Willy and Tess; Willy and Ancing

...ang magic ni Sr. Efling: 'now you see it now you don't' - and Maebs was soooo amazed!...food was goooonnnne! heh heh heh

...Rex and Gel; Sr. Efling and Benjie; and with Maebs

and now...down to business...

...just trying to digest the food...seriously...

Fr. Andrew with Donna; Mercy and Rosa; Fr. Andrew and Tess; and with Vangie

...and a pleasant surprise meeting Gilbert again...

Fr. Andrew with Gilbert; Sherwin and Donna Cayabyab; Ampy Ronquillo and grandkid Jamie; Fr. Andrew and John

...Mrs. Ellya rosa Ilic; Maebs, Sr. Efling, Donna; Gel; Ampy and Mercy

Mrs. Annie Padalhin and Sr. Eflaida

Rosa with Katz and mom Ampy; with Maebs and Sheda; and with Annie

...a parting gift from Fr. Andrew: Alessa and Jamie with their mom Katz and grandmom Ampy Ronquillo of the Italian Embassy

Recipients: Donna Cayabyab; Maebs Mercado; Rosa Ilic

Recipients: altar boy Gel Llames; Sheda Reyes; Benjie Nadado; Jaime Bugayong Jr.

           

Ambassador Padalhin and Jamie and Alessa

                                         

Recipients: Rex Lautrizo; the ever-angelic Doods Mercado; Ambassador Padalhin; altar boy Sherwin Cayabyab

Recipients Ampy; Vangie Novio; Rosa; Donna

Can't resist posting twice, so angelic hhhrrrrmmmmmpppp; with Gilbert Bernados

Recipients: Sr. MaryGrace and Sr. Eflaida

Nope. Fr. Andrew ain't administering to a Buddhist's confessions...

...and as it was still raining, we still savor Fr. Andrew's companionship...

Vangie and Sr. MaryGrace

                                               

The Honorees once more...

...and as Fr. Andrew stepped out of the house, he gave his prayers and blessings...

...a very fond farewell....