The Filipino Migrants: April 2014

A Birthday Celebration (s)
Birthdays ought to be celebrated always - simply because: That day is the oldest you've ever been; Yet the youngest you'll ever be!

So it should always be enjoyed fully.

Romeo Torres, JT as he is fondly called celebrated his birthday on March 30 at the usual venue - F07 at Dantata & Sawoe life camp. As always, when ever he is around, laughter and boisterous camaraderie abound. Lito cooked all the food, hence it's called from Lito's Catering.

March celebrants joined -Marisa and Fely.
It was a very wonderful celebration. And of course, everyone's satisfied.
As it is every Sunday a friendly mahjong session, a favorite pastime among OFWS, ensued.

....Ang may kaarawan - si Congressman JT kasama si Kagawad Nonits

Si Romeo "JT' Ang main celeb, kasama si Marisa at si Fely, mga March celebs din and Marlyn

...Si Fely Ramos of the Philippine Embassy (celeb) at si JT of JBN

Lunchtime: Nonits, Tickboy, Lito; Marilyn, Gina, Maris and Fely

...with John and Rex; food from Lito's catering....

...at talagang masarap Ang Mga putahe; adobo, menudo, giniling, gulay, atb pa. kasi di ko alam Ang tawag....

...at kahit anong sarap ng food, no pansin Kay Dyet.

...an added event: Angelo, Bryan and Dena promoting the Century Condominiums..

Donna; Rex; Sherwin and Angie

Angelo, Bryan and Dena as they're showing the profits in investing with Century esp. in the pre-selling categories.

Wilmar and Gina; Marisa and Tickboy; Fely and Marilyn

After a very convincing sales talk, Maebs bought a unit.

Doods helping in the sales.

And the very adorable Dyet...

Pope's Day

In a very unique twist of fate in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, a sitting pope resigned and an 'outsider' came in. Popes of different eras shaped and reinforced the dogmatic teachings of the church. That is, until these recent years, the faithful and in fact the whole world witnessed the gradual transformation of whoever was the pontiff at the helm of such era - from Pope John XXIII - into 'just a regular guy' - trying to reach out to the restless and cynical worldly creatures. A very tough call indeed for rigid and rigorous teachings for implementation as handed down from St. Peter to the present-day disciples - imagine coping in a forever changing mores and undefinitive values!

It is no longer just in the confines of a confessional box nor a fiery sermon at the pulpit; rather it is the actual interaction within the real world as seen through the eyes of the 'disillusioned and unbelieving' believers. Trying to plant the seeds of spirituality in an arid land where comfort, commercialism and capitalism steadfastly reigns and reins - body and soul.

As the scholarly Pope Benedict XVI (and beloved in his own right) stepped down, Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio was chosen on April 13, 2013 to fill in his shoes - the first Jesuit pope since the Society of Jesus was founded nearly 500 years ago - on which we are commemorating his first year of ascendancy to the throne.

That alone is a clear indication of a very huge sculpturing of the church. Pope Francis as he is now known IS the embodiment of his society's teachings - that of his namesake St. Francis of Assisi. - the symbol for peace, austerity and poverty; the reformation of the church begins with the reformation of the individual.

The world is so much aware of the huge influence of Pope Francis. And as the celebration for the Pope's day commenced, we joined hands in prayer for Pope Francis to succeed in uplifting and giving dignity to the poor - temporally and spiritually. In this vein, the Apostolic Nuncio hosted a reception at the Apostolic Nunciature, Abuja on Marchb 13, 2014.

Excerpt from the speech of the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, also the Holy See's Permanent Observer at the ECOWAS...
...'The choice of the name 'Francis of Assisi' the patron saint of the poor, the motto
."Miserando atque eligendo' (referring to those words of St. Bede the Venerable: meaning that Looking at him with love and compassion he chose him) anticipate the programme of the pontificate of this former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, in Argentina. Those nearest to him say that Pope Francis behaves like a Franciscan but he thinks like a Jesuit. His first Encyclical Letter 'the Light of Faith' and the first Pontifical Exhortation "The Joy of the Gospel' as well as his homilies reveal a POPE and a PASTOR with great zeal and passion for social justice and for a new evangelization. In his simple language and humble behaviour, Pope Francis strongly rejects the globalization or the culture of indifference to the poor and the 'throw away mentality.'...
The Papal Nuncio went on to acknowledge the presence of all the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria representing 54 dioceses, and thanked all the dignitaries of the stàte, the diplomatic corps and international organizations, the civil and the military authorities and all the guests. He extended his deep appreciation to the Apostolic Nunciature personnel and the chapel's choir and all the friends who rendered support for the success of the occasion.

Photos from the event:

...receptionists... Otie Barraquias, Claire and Sr. Aurea; OSA fathers as they arrived; Rev. fr. Juan Antonio

...Tess Azarcon and a beaming guest and Clifford of the Philippine Embassy

The Papal Nuncio addressing the diplomats and guests; State Minister delivering her speech

Toast As proposed by the Papal Nuncio:

'I wish to propose a toast in honour of the Holy Father Pope Francis and for the good health and success of his universal mission; to the excellent relations between Nigeria and the Holy See; to His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Good luck Where Jonathan and to the Nigerian people for their prosperity and peace.'