AUGUST Events - exhausting yet fulfilling!

Many people and nations throughout the globe waited for August to come. It was Olympics time; the biggest sporting event in the world. In sync with the global event, the scholasticate community did not miss the chance to hold its own Olympics.

The food and health committee spearheaded the opening of the ISKOLYMPICS 2008 on the first of August. The activity included the symbolic lighting of the torch followed by games like walkathon, marathon, treasure hunt, volleyball and basketball. Two great teams, Black Panda and White Bear, showed and shared their athletic prowess. Though the Black Panda became the over-all winner, all emerged as winners as they received and shared with one another their gold and silver trophies, cellphone loads, pizza and ice cream…The most valuable player of the day was none other than Bro. Mushtaq, who received the MVP award because it happened to be his birthday. Indeed, it was Mushtaq’s birthday Party (hehehe).

One of the specific objectives of the community is to have a healthy community. In line with this, the food and health committee launched a Hepatitis B antibody test last August 9. The first phase of Hepatitis B vaccination followed a week later. This program will be of great help to the community as it becomes healthier and more energetic in serving the sick.

From August 15-19, the community life and housekeeping committee organized the celebration of the different cultures represented in the community: Pakistani, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino. An essential feature of the celebration was the presentation of the health situationer of the different countries. The community invited an international speaker, Dr. Edelina de la Paz, M.D., who talked about the health situation in Asian countries especially in Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. Our very own provincial superior Fr. Ivo Anselmi participated in the interactive discussion.  Moreover, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (FMSCJ) and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus (FMIJ) also participated in the said health forum. Then it was followed by a Mass presided over by our very own superior Fr. Evan Villanueva, and concelebrated by our formator and procurator Fr. Boy Guinit.

After we have filled our minds with broadened awareness and profound ideas, we also made sure to fill our empty stomachs. So the most awaited part of the celebration came – the table fellowship, where the scholastics with the help of their sisters and brothers from their own countries prepared and cooked their own special dishes. The Indonesians prepared nasi kuning, Raa Rete, sambal goreng and krupuk. The Pakistanis served Chappati, Chicken curry, and deserts – mix mathaee and jalaibee. (Hmm. Sounds like jolibee). The Vietnamese offered a complete set of goi-ga which includes chicken salad and chicken soup. And of course the Filipinos prepared batchoy, steamed fish, humba and maja blanca.

With all these delicious dishes and deserts, I guess the reader is salivating and feeling hungry by now.  Yes, indeed! It was a yummy fellowship. I had the best gastronomic experience ever. Whoo!!!

Last August 20, Fr. Evan, Fr. Boy and some scholastics attended the funeral mass for national artist, Dr. Lucrecia Casilag, also known as “Tita King.”  Fr. Evan, MI, her confessor, presided over the mass with Fr. Boy concelebrating. Afterwards we listened to a number of moving choral presentations that paid tribute to Tita King.

The apostolate and vocation committee spearheaded a health forum on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart (FMSCJ) also attended the forum. Thanks to the speaker, Dr. Gina Ples, M.D., our supportive community friend, for enriching our knowledge of this matter. For sure we will never forget SUMAPEN!