June 30, 2007, Don Daniel Maramba National High School Gymnasium. The Reds have finally come to Sta. Barbara. No, they are not the communists, they are the numerous supporters of the new Mayor Honorable Reynaldo Vicente Velasco who ran for office this year under a red hue. Last Saturday marked the beginning of the "Balon Pulitika!" municipal administration. Amidst a rather more sober and solemn affair than the proclamation of the election winners, the induction ran smooth as in military time. As the guests arrived, a welcoming University of Luzon drum and brass band perked up everyone's souls. After a while, the programme started with the solemn celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Rev. Fr. Fidelis B. Layog as the presider. His homily on trusting in God struck a chord, and echoed in the inaugural address of the incoming Mayor minutes later. A prayer of consecration led by the municipal officials graced the occasion, with a floral offering to the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Manaoag. After the Mass, the oath-taking ceremonies began. One by one, the newly elected officials, accompanied by their spouses and siblings, were sworn into office by the municipal trial court judge, Hon. Judge Loreto S. Alog Jr. and accompanied by Atty. Feliciano Bautista, President, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Pangasinan Chapter). With gentle prodding, the audience finally freed itself from its reservations and broke into cheers and applauses while firecrackers sounded in the background, especially when the new Mayor finally took his turn. After the picture taking, and the standing ovations, the new Mayor delivered an expected inaugural address. Centering on his 7 point agenda for progress, he clearly enunciated his disgust for graft and corruption and his dreams of what he called "new beginnings." Thanking everyone, the new Mayor promised to take full responsibility of his plans, even beyond his term. After his speech, he was greeted again with an ovation, cheers and more picture-taking. This then marked a new precedence in the history of inducting officers in Sta. Barbara in grandiosity and religious undertones. Still, the whole event was considered very modest compared to what the authorities are planning for the coming town fiesta in December. A fast-food lunch awaited in many makeshift stations courtesy of all the new officials, even the uninvited were admitted with merciful benediction, in the Christian sense, not political. Nevertheless, it was not a star-studded affair, but the local tv network covered it. And the new tractor donated by the Department of Agriculture Regional Office made a timely appearance. A variety show commenced after lunch, again, the spirit of new things happening. One exciting new thing after another... the day probably ended as it should: ready for another beginning. |
| The Inaugural Address of Honorable Mayor Reynaldo Vicente Velasco |
NEW BEGINNINGS OF SANTA BARBARA |
First and foremost, I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone - my siblings, the alumni and all our leaders and supporters - who, in one way or another, big or small, helped my team get elected to the municipal government of our town, Santa Barbara. Most especially, I wish to thank my wife, Fim, and my only son, Ricky, his beloved wife Kaye, and my two grandchildren - Alex and Robin - for having given their wholehearted support since the start of the campaign - on to our road to victory. To them, my decision to run for mayor of our town, and now to serve for the next three years as its chief executive, is more of a sacrifice. Having served the country, first as a government scholar at the Philippine Military Academy in my youth, and as a military and police officer for 38 years, it has always been the wish of my family that I live a simple and private life. They have awaited my long overdue retirement from the service: To enjoy their precious company and make up for the lost years of being together. To just simply go to places and explore the best spots in our beloved country and other countries. To just simply smell the flowers, see the beauty of the sunrise and the sunset every passing day. To just be a simple farmer. To just play golf. And most of all, to be just being Private Citizen Rey Velasco. BEING MAYOR, A NEW VOCATION But the noble calling to serve Sta. Barbara was a matter and opportunity that cannot be refused. The collective clamor for change and reform was more than enough to come out of retirement to be of service once more to our country and our people. I consider public service as a vocation. Serving our town, to me, is new career, devoid of the trappings of power and prestige that went with earning three stars in the police service. Being mayor is my humble way of paying back our people with what I can do to make a difference, to make up for what I owe the taxpayers for me sending me to a military school and to replicate the good things I did for other people on other places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and in my hometown. The people of Santa Barbara made history in the last elections. They dared to bet on a team that promised change, a team that presented a vision for this town, a team that dreamed for a better future of this town and a team that anchored on "Balon Pulitika, Aliguas Sta. Barbara." NEW BEGINNINGS Today, we are taking the first bold step to a new beginning. Good beginnings begin with big dreams. My administration has big dreams for Santa Barbara because we believe that only leaders who dream big, achieve big results. We shall deliver more than what we promise and not promise more than what we cannot deliver. In the frenzy of the campaign, many of you may no longer recall what we sought to do for our town. But refresh your memory, it is all packaged under my name REY VELASCO. Allow me then to lay them before you once again. R is for REFORM IN GOVERNANCE; E is for EDUCATION FOR ALL; Y is for YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT; V is for VALUES FORMATION AND STRENGTHENING; E is for ENVIRONMENTAL CARE AND PROTECTION; L is for LIVELIHOOD AND JOBS CREATION; A is for AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY; S is for SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES; C is for COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP and O is for ORDER AND PEACE. We envisioned Sta. Barbara to be a model town, not only in Pangasinan, not only in Region One, but we aspire to make it a model town in the whole country, Making it one is hard to do, but it can be done. Pag sama-sama tayo, kayang kaya natin ito. THE ORDER OF THE DAY Our town will be a model in terms of peace and order. Right from the start, we intend to make Santa Barbara the safest town in Pangasinan, safe to its residents, safe to businessmen, safe to visitors - in their homes, in their place of work and on the streets, But it will be the most dangerous place for criminals. I advise any criminal or would-be criminal to leave the town of Santa Barbara soonest. It is dangerous to your health. Keeping peace and order in our town, which also means the fast and correct administration of justice - is my top priority. This is because it is one area where I know I can deliver. More than that, peace and safety in any place - are the two key ingredients to progress anywhere in the world. Ask any serious investor why he almost always chooses to put up his business in big cities or close to the cities, or why they prefer to put up businesses in Luzon and the Visayas over MIndanao. And they will tell you they feel safer where they invest. JUSTICE FOR ALL Restoring peace also means that if previous officials of this town abused their power and committed crimes when they were in office, I feel it is my patriotic duty to bring them to justice. That I will do. Don't get me wrong though. This is not about being vendictive but it is all about restoring our sense of justice and decency while in public office. It behooves upon every public official elected by the people or appointed by those in power to embrace the noble dictum that Public Office is Public Trust. No one is above the law and crime does not pay. Everybody has to answer for his misdeeds and abuse of power. TOP PRIORITIES Hand in hand with restoring and keeping peace and order, we will make Santa Barbara a model for good and honest governance. To start it right, in the next 30 days, I shall commission the staging of Strategic Planning and Visioning Seminar for Santa Barbara not only among the local and barangay officials but it shall involve other sectors and stakeholders of our town. The results of this strategic planning seminar will determine the courses of action this administration will take in the coming months and years. A medium term development plan will guide us to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. However, let me share with you some of the things I want to do. We will build a local government system that delivers quickly and efficiently its frontline services to its people. We shall develop a one-stop shop system for the processing of business and individual papers in just one day. Mitigation of flood, improvement in the delivery of health and social services delivery, assistance to basic and special education, building and repair of schools, roads bridges and other public work projects - are top priorities under this administration. In the area of infrastructure development, I want to make special mention to solving the perennial problem of yearly floods on top of my development agenda. It may not be accomplished in only three years. But a specific, doable action program, must be started soonest. On this note, I wish to inform you that Public Works and Highways Regional Director Fidel Ginez has initially mentioned the amount of Php 25-million needed to start the long and arduous task of mitigating or minimizing flood. We will immediately look for funds to start the project by early January next year. Like keeping peace, stopping the yearly flood is a prerequisite to the development of this town. I appeal to your sense of understanding, patience and cooperation. AGRICULTURAL AND LIVELIHOOD PRODUCTIVITY The third area where we want Santa Barbara to become a model town is in its program to pursue progress and development. We fully know that this is the biggest challenge that my administration faces. It cuts across the lives and livelihood of all families and segments of the local economy. Foremost in our agenda will focus on farming families that make up the biggest part of Santa Barbara. The rehabilitation of our irrigation system should be given top priority. On the long term, we will endeavor to build a new and efficient irrigation system that can service all the arable land of this town. I will put to task the whole machinery of the town government to come out soonest with a farm development program adopting the best practices that other rural cities and more progressive towns have adopted plus teaching the latest farming techniques to our farmers. We will attend not only to the production side of farming. We will put equal stress on marketing farm products. We will look at the viability of getting neighboring farmers in a cluster that produces bigger volumes of similar crops or products the way the city of Alaminos has been clustering its farmers. We must also find ways of harnessing other family members of farmers whose energies can be channeled to home-based industries like handicrafts, food processing and making exportable items like Christmas decors - in between planting and harvest seasons to augment family incomes. Maybe, a modest target of getting farming families to earn an average of Php 10,000.00 a month after three years may be a reasonable goal. This, we still have to validate. URBAN SUBURB & INVESTMENT HUB In other areas, we will seek opportunities offered by Santa Barbara's closeness to the cities of Urdaneta, Dagupan and San Carlos in terms of supplying commercial crops and other products that we can provide these cities and other big towns in the province. Housing development is one strategic business for the fast growing suburb and services which need to be supported and encouraged. We have at least five housing developments and we intend to invite and encourage more real estate developers to make Santa Barbara primary housing development center in Pangasinan. This early, we have identified a potential airport on a 500-hectare marginal land along the border of Santa Barbara and Mapandan specifically in the corridors of Barangays Erfe and Leet. Together with Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., we have already met with Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza to put up on track this airport project which was earlier endorsed by Pangsinan Congressmen. Sec. Mendoza has committed to allocate the initial funding of engineering and technical studies for the airport project including helping the town and the province to look for investors to make this project a reality. If we have to directly benefit from the on-going development of theDiosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Freeport, we must build a feeder airport in Pangasinan so that investors and tourists who go to Clark can jump to our province through smaller aircafts within few minutes. All of these development projects will require investments by the local government, the provincial government, the national government - and above all, private citizens. MASTER PLAN & INVESTMENT PACKAGE This will only mean that if we have to make grand plans, we need to come out with a master development plan similar to what the city of Alaminos did with world-renowned urban developer and designer Palafox and Associates. Aside from the envisioned master development plan, we need an investment package for Santa Barbara. An investment package needs not to target the theoretical foreign billionaires or big-ticket investors. Even before the start of my term of office, some big companies like Magic Group and a Korean investor have signified their intention to invest in Santa Barbara. We can also pioneer in offering investment packages for overseas Santa Barbarans, the OFWs and those who have become citizens in the U.S. and other nations. Deep in our hearts, most overseas Filipinos are raring to do something for their motherland. We intend to get them to invest in some projects where they can make money in the long term and collect later. Eventually, other Pangasinenses may find it worth putting in stakes in viable economic projects in our town. But most importantly, we shall value the noble contributions of the overseas Santa Barbarans by institutionalizing a yearly "PAWIL STA. BARBARA PROGRAM", a local tourism project aimed at bringing them home and honoring them for their heroism and contributions. OUR COLLECTIVE DREAM At the start of my term therefore, I am sharing with you a dream. It is a dream that we are determined to convert into practical plans and programs. It is a dream that does not come through overnight. It is a dream your mayor, his vice-mayor and councilors cannot achieve on their own. That dream will be collectively achieved by the people of Santa Barbara with us leading the way. Every waking day, we will put on one building block and at the end of the day, we will build a town that is indeed a model for good and honest government, and a model for peace and prosperity. Let's just do it. Let's make it happen. God will bless our town. Mabuhay Santa Barbara! Mabuhay tayong lahat!
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| FR. CORSIE LEGASPI IN HOLY FAMILY PARISH |
February 27, 2007. Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi of the Pinagpalang Kamay Healing Ministry came to the Holy Family Parish to respond to the exigent need for healing of the infirmed in Sta. Barbara. Approximately two thousand patients flocked to the parish church to listen to the words of the healer and to join him in asking for God's healing mercy and compassion. Parishioners came in droves bearing colored ribonns signifying the illness they wanted healed. News about the healing session attracted visitors, even foreigners like the three French pilgrims. Preliminary registration exceeded the 2,500 mark, and still people kept coming that day. Anxious patients waited for their turn even outside the church enduring the heat and the seemingly endless wait. Some patients bought special cloths to wipe the sweat from Fr. Corsie which had also miraculous healing powers. The healing began with a Mass, followed by a catechesis on healing and the healing ministry, and a video presentation (while Fr. Corsie immersed himself in preparatory prayer). Wielding only a stole, Fr. Corsie first prayed over some patients "slaying" them in the process. Moments later, he turned his attention to the those afflicted with difficulty raising their arms. In a dramatic stance, all healed of this infirmity raised their arms as they thanked God (caught on video). Other dramatic healing moments were when he used other persons as "channels" of his healing powers. Afterwards, he just sat down and let his healing powers flow over the patients as they approached one by one. Warmth in the church was a problem turned to grace as miraculous sweat was constantly wiped from Fr. Corsie (with special cloths) and given to patrons for further healing. FR. CORSINIO JOSE LEGASPI was born on Febuary 4, 1947. He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, nor far from where the Aguinaldo shrine stands today. He was ordained priest on May 10, 1975 and served as a Parochial Vicar to the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Rosario, Cavite. It was here where he realized, by accident, his precious gift of healing when he healed his own mother who have long been suffering cancer of the lungs. In the presence of his Charismatic group, he prayed over his mother, giving her what he termed later as "soaking prayer" -- a praying over a patient for half hour or so, a number of times a day. The next morning, as the young priest prepared for early Sunday Mass, Fr. Corsie noticed his mother walking about -- vaguely. It was only after his Mass that he realized his mother was actually walking! She had improved tremendously in just one night and getting stronger after that day, until she was finally completely healed of her cancer. Father Corsie has been healing for over twenty years since then. The event marked another ordinary day in the mission of Fr. Corsie. It lasted for more than six grueling hours. Scattered trash belied the miracles that happened that day, captured only by a handful of cameras and video cams. The whole event was under the Caritas of the Parish, headed by Bro. Weng Velasco. |
HIS PHILOSOPHY ON SICKNESS AND DEATH (taken from the book "He Has Touched Me!", by Araceli Altmann Linsangan. Pinagpalang Kamay Healing Ministry. 1999). Father Corsie often shocks his listeners when he tells them, in all honesty and candor, that while sickness and death are inevitable, "one does not have to get sick in order to die!" He cites this as one of the basic truths in life. His homily in a healing session is often spiced with with and humor, for laughter, to Father Corsie, is a most powerful weapon. And this readily endears him to an audience of terminally ill patients because this is is exactly what they need -- to be able to laugh in the midst of their pains, their predicaments and their heartaches. In his own unique and good humored manner he manages, without offending, to make them look ridiculous at certain moments in their illnesses. Thus he makes them laugh -- the church is rocked with laughter at intervals; he makes them cry. But also, he gives them HOPE. After the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass which he invariably opens every healing service, Father Corsie speaks for about an hour and a half, explaining basic truths about sickness and death. After introducing himself, he gives a brief history of the ministry of healing to which the Lord has called him, and with which eh has been associated for many years now. He also elucidates that he is not a faith healer, nor a psychic healer. "I do not use gadgets. I do not go into trance. I simply lay my hands on a person and say a prayer. So the best way to define my kind of healing is Divine Healing." Father Corsie then introduces the FOUR TYPES OF HEALING : Physical Healing refers to the healing of the physical aspects of the body, external and internal. This is whast 90 percent of patients come to a healing session for, particularly the healing of terminal illnesses that have progressed beyond the capability of medical science to cure: cancers, kidney failures, lung and liver diseases, heart ailments, arthritic illnesses and others. Inner or Emotional Healing has to do with painful memories of past hurts. These hurts may lie buried in a person's subconscious, and may at times become the cause of physical illness. In some cases, there could arise the need to delve deeper into the psyche to bring into the open the possible causes of psychosomatic illnesses, including possible intergenerational hurts that might have originated even before a person's birth. Father Corsie's expertise in the field of psychology becomes a useful tool here. Spiritual Healing involves the vicious cycles of sin and the forgiveness of sins. In a sense all of us are bound by different cucles or degrees of sin. And whenever we need to be liberated from these sinful influences, we need God's help in effecting change within ourselves. Our inability to forgive others may at times bring on physical illness. It therefore goes without saying that spiritual healing comes hand in hand with repentance which, in itself, is a great liberating force. Deliverance Healing means deliverance form demons and evil spirits. The Bible speaks of such healings as performed by Christ in His time. And with the presence of Christ in our Eucharistic celebrations, and the presence in our midst of those entrusted by God to continue His healing power here on earth -- from the Apostles down the ages -- we can hope for such healings to continue to this day. There are various ways of getting healed, explains Father Corsie. There is instant healing wherein a person is healed on the spot, after a pray-over, as in the case of "frozen shoulders". Patients with "frozen shoulders" or shoulders locked up by Arthritis or aby accidents -- patients who cannot raise their arms vertically -- are picked out by Ministry staffers and lined up on chairs along the aisles of the church. Father Corsie then touches them individually, stretching their arms up. And they are healed in seconds, even if their shoulders had been locked up for as long as forty years. Or, from where the cripples are, somebody walks. Or, from somewhere else in the church, somebody suddenly sees, or hears. Call these incidents, or instant miracles -- they happen in almost every healing session of Father Corsie. Sometimes the healing occurs the morning after the pray-over. Or people discover their healing a few days after, even without medical intervention. Progressive healing, on the other hand, requires more trips to the healing service, or more pray-overs until a patient, gifted with the grace and mercy of God, is healed. Father Corsie often cites the example of a woman who was in a wheelchair and could not walk, sick of a bad heart and Osteoarthritis, who followed Father Corsie's healing sessions fourteen times. On her fourteenth session, she walked from her wheelchair. The healing here happened in stages. Instant or progressive healings can also come about through what is called proxy healing. As the term implies, another person attends the healing service in place of someone who may be bedridden, or for some reason cannot attend the service. Thsi is a case exemplified by the centurion and his sick servant (Mt. 8, 5-13), a case of "distance healing". Father Corsie tells his audience of terminally ill patients, in no uncertain terms, that "not everyone who comes for healing will get healed, just as not everyone who goes to a doctor gets healed. And don't ask me why, " he says pointing to the figure of Christ on a crucifix "ask Him, because I do not know why." He claims, in all humility, that it is God who heals, and he is only an instrument in His service. "What then does it mean for a sick person to be granted the gift of a second life?" he asks. "What will God remove from us, once we receive a miracle of healing?" He cites expenses, pain, the fear of dying, the attendant inconveniences of being sick, the frustrations in being an unproductive person, "and in the social dimension, the emotional stress of loved ones." "So when you get a miracle of healing," he continues, "do not throw your miracle to the dogs. Cherish your second life as though it were your only treasure. Your second life belongs to God." The best way to thank God for a second life, he stresses, is to get involved in parish work, or in an apostolate that serves God and man. "This is the best gift of gratitude that one can offer to God." He rejects the concept of gratitude expressed to God in monetary or material terms. "God does not need your money. God is already rich! He has absolute ownership of everything in the heavens and on the earth, including our lives."
BASIC TRUTHS AND TEACHINGS Father Corsie then proceeds to explain some basic truths in life, as learned by him and members of his Ministry over the years. Sickness and death are inevitable. Therefore we must learn to face up to this reality of life. Death is ure to come, he says, and in death we are all equal. No one is rich or poor, and no one can be spared. "Pantay-pantay lang tayong lahat diyan". We do not have to get sick in order to die. We could die in our sleep, or get run over, or die in an airplane crash. He tells the story of a man who took such finicky care of his diet so as not to fall sick. Then one day, without warning, he died in an accident. Faith does not guarantee that one will get healed. "A mountain of faith does not guarantee a miracle," says Father Corsie emphatically. This statement often sparks controversy among his listeners who argue that all miracles in the Bible were accompanied by faith. But he cites his own examples of people with no faith at all, who have gotten healed. "So it is not faith that heals. It is God's mercy!" There is virtually no second miracle. "If after your first miracle you go back to your old ways (he calls BSDU: balik sa dating ugali), if you do not appreciate your miracle of healing, there may be no second miracle should you get sick a second time, "he warns. God does not make us sick. This is a central point, though a most controversial one, in Father Corsie's philosophy. "our illnesses do not come from God," he argues." God only loves and heals. Nobody has ever established any substantial evidence that it is God who doles out sicknesses to people." In this aspect, Father Corsie deplores the practice by some religious quarters, particularly those involved with the sick, who tell patients that their illnesses are God's will therefore they must learn to suffer the will of God. He call this "a great blasphemy". He adds: "Just as the sun only shines, God only loves and heals. God will therefore not contradict Himself by giving people illnesses." WHERE DO ILLNESSES COME FROM? If God indeed does not make us sick, then where doe illnesses come from? Father Corsie cites genetics as a primary source of illnesses. From genetics we inherit the disposition to illnesses such as Cancer, Asthma, Arthritis, cardiac disorders, mental disorders and the like. Another source of illnesses is negligence, he says. When a body is overwrought, overstressed, something has got to give. Students vying for honors, workaholics driven by ambition, or those over-reaching their capabilities, are examples he cites as candidates for certain illnesses. Being careless with one's health, the lack of adequate nutrition, the lack of sleep are all examples of negligence. Still another source of illnesses is the variety of things we take in through the mouth: wrong foods that cause radical changes in levels of cholesterol, uric acid and other components of the blood -- chicharon, bulalo, lechon -- foods not needed by and in fact harmful to the body; and inordinate drinking of hard liquor that could eventually damage heart, liver, spleen and pancreas. And ," cigarettes! "If you have been smoking all your life", he kids the smokers in the congregation, "and you get sick of Lung cancer, then go ahead and smoke. Stopping your smoking once you have contracted cancer of the lungs will not add four days to your life. So you might as well enjoy yourself". "But once you get sick of lung cancer, do something good for your soul. Go to third and fourth year classes in high schools, where smoking usually starts for young people, and tell them what smoking has done to you. If you are not yet sick, the time to stop smoking is NOW!" Yet another cause of illness is contamination. "If you have body contact with someone sick of a communicable diseases, you are going to get it." A fifth source of illness which no one can remedy, not even God, is old age. Old age is the time for retirement from work, from vigorous play, from vigorous activities that could result in accidents, fractures, dislocations and the like. If one indulges in ballroom dancing, or picks up heavy things after a certain age when bones have become brittle, one is courting disaster. He advises the elderly to enjoy life, get more rest, get more sleep and grow old gracefully. A sixth source of illness is accidents. There is no foretelling accidents -- it could happen to the young or to the old. And serious accidents can make a person an invalid for life. In such a situation a care-giver becomes a necessity. If illnesses do not come from God, then why should anyone blame God for his illness? Why ask the question, 'Lord, why me? I have been good. Where is your sense of fairness?" Father Corsie's advice: "Since death is inevitable for us all, talk to God. Tell him how sorry you are for your sins. Change your lives for the better. In many cases in the Bible where Jesus healed the sick, His words were 'Go and sin no more'. Then beg for God's mercy!" As the saying goes, God's compassion is bigger than all our faults. Thank you so much for the volunteers coming from the different religious organizations of our parish community, the Rotary Club of Sta. Barbara and the Philippine National Police of Sta. Barbara and all other faith-ful parishioners of the Parish...thank you so much. Manlupwan pisasalamat tan dayew ed sikayon amin! (click here for pictures) |
| REV. FR. ANTHONY NATAL DAY |
January 10, 2007. Happy Birthday Fr. Anthony! Fr. Bong (his nickname) celebrated his 40th Natal Day for the first time with the people of Sta. Barbara. Some of his friends also went to the parish convent to greet the birthday celebrant and join the rest of the community in a simple dinner. The occasion was indeed very joyful to see people gathered together as one family. Indeed, the people have made this day special to Fr. Bong. It is not only a night of music but also a moment of being one with the person whom people dearly loved. (click here for pictures) Happy Birthday! Wishing you all the best! We love you so much! |
| NEO-CATECHUMENATE CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHILDREN |
January 6, 2007.....it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon when the children and grandchildren of the members of the Neo-Catechumenate Communities gathered as a family to celebrate the Yuletide Season. Having a short dramatization of the nativity scene, the responsibles led the chidren to reflect and appreciate the beauty of self-giving, love and gift-giving. Indeed, the children remembered how Jesus Christ made himself truly a precious gift to all the families for their own salvation. As their parents, lolas and lolos have made this day specially for them by gving them food to celebrate with and gifts to enjoy, Jesus Christ too made the moment of his birth a life-with-God to celebrate and his gift-of-love to give praise and gratitude. Indeed, the children and the members of the Neo-Catechumenate Communities had the day with much fun and smiles. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! (click here for pictures) |
| PIONEERS OF DAVID YOUTH COMMUNITY GATHERED FOR A CHRISTMAS PARTY |
About thirty of the pioneers of the David Youth Community of the Holy Family Parish gathered togethered to reminisce their experiences as they initiated the youth formation in the Parish under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Escano. Many of them have stories to tell about how they started and how they enjoyed and how they benefited in this parish youth formation. It was a joyful and challenging start but the youth remain. Christmas gifts was indeed secondary for them because seeing each other again and sharing the same meal again is more than gift that they could ask for. More so, seeing their old pictures in their early youthful years was truly a time to say to oneself, "Wow, that was me few years before....look at me". It was indeed a happy moment to remember. The pioneers also remembered a man whom they considered a big brother and sometimes a father to them. They offered prayers for the late big brother William and offered also their thanksgiving to his wife and his daughter who garced the occasion with their valuable presence. Thank you kuya William! Thank you for everything! (click here for pictures) |
| 47 MORE KNIGHTS OF THE ALTAR VESTED WITH THE SACRED GARB |
December 17, 2006 was moment of having a mini-ordination for these 12 young men as they received their garb of Knights of the Altar. Rev. Fr. Fidelis Layog, Team Minister, commissioned them to their sacred service together with their parents. "Watching my brother serving at the altar is very nice", commented by a sister of the one the Knights of the Altar. "I have come with mama to see my brother become a server", added by another enthusiastic brother. "I am very happy to see my son be part of the those who serve in the church and serve serve the priest during holy mass", said by a mother. "It is good to see them and remember our own investiture (Investiture II) last April of this year", said by an elder brother knight. The new Altar Servers are: Darwin Ballesteros, Jomark Canlas, Jervic Capua, Christopher Datuin, Mark Aubrey De Vera, John Kennedy Diaz, Ron Ian Diaz, Jerette Junatas, Harry Macanlalay, Neil Patrick Manuel, Alkevin Silan and Mark Christian Zara. After the Mass, the Knights of the Altar had their Christmas Party at Pavilion of Villa Familia. Attended by the new altar servers and their respective parents, the old al tar servers (Justin Chris Agustin, Benedict Benito, Cornelio Bustillo III, Daniel Camacho, John Paul Dalope, Jerome Cesar Dalope, Kevin De Vera,Claroven Erodias, John Granada, Zebedee Molina, Bryan Padilla, Allan Tamayo, Lauro Tamayo, Reyco Ramos, John Louise Calimquim [Jay Abubo, Jeffrey Pioquinto, Miguel Soriano & Jerome Delin: inactive]) (click here for pictures) |
| ROTARY CLUB OF STA. BARBARA CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF SERVICE |
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Together with the Inner Wheel Club of Sta. Barbara (IWCSB) which is composed of the lovely Anns of some of the Rotarians of RCSB, we continue to serve the people of Sta. Barbara with projects like "Adopt a Barangay Praoject" in Brgy. Payas, periodic medical and dental missions, distribution of piglets for Livelihood Projects, Anti-Drug Seminar to the students of Payas National High School, distribution of jet-matic and hand pump in Payas National High School, regular visitation to the Gawad Kalinga Community in Brgy. Matic-matic, Sta. Barbara, feeding program and literacy program through giving of books to children. Likewise, the Family Planning Seminar is likewise one of the various formation programs that the RCSB and IWCSB is giving to the people. (Rotary in action for one year pix) Last Dec,eber 10, 2006, RCSB celebrated its First Charter Anniversary which was highlighted by the Thanksgiving Mass at the Holy Family Parish Church and by giving awards to the Most Outstanding Service Personnel from the five sectors of the community, namely, School, Church, Government and Public Utility Service. The awardees, namely Mr. Cesar Pontawe (School), Mr. Severino V. Reyes (Church), Mr. Enrique Vinluan (Government), Mr. Reygie Prado (Public Transport), have devoted their more than 15 years of service to the community of Sta. Barbara and have supported their respectives in their daily living and education. Afterwhich, the Rotarians have visited the Gwad Kalinga community to do their regular community service and feeding program. In celebrating the Christmas, the RCSB and IWCSB have given gifts and toys to the children in some of Barangays. In the evening, the Rotarians together with their families had a Christmas party at the Holy Family Parish Convent. They had fun and games, laughters and gift giving and above all a fellowship worth remembering in the later years. (Rotary Christmas Party Pix) Indeed, the Rotary Club of Sta. Barbara and Inner Wheel Club of Sta. Barbara are here to commit themselves unselfishly with the Four Way Test and the Principles and Objectives of the Ritary Club as guiding light and their path to service as they "Lead the Way" to provide the community hope founded on the motto "Service Above Self". "Join us! Walk with us! Be part of a community that serves!" |
| STA. BARBARA SOCIAL CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE ANGELS FOR THE POOR |
At the first day of the month of gift-giving, the Sta. Barbara Social Club of Southern California, in coordination with CARITAS Sta. Barbara, has made themselves angels for the poor of our beloved town. Manny Calimquim and Arturo Santos who are members of this association, were the messengers that made this distribution of groceries and twenty kilos of rice a moment of joy for our townmates that are indeed indigents. Around two hundred 20kg bags of rice were givent that cloud-cast day. Several gift-giving activities like this were sponsored by the Sta. Barbara Social Club of Southern California under the able leadership of Mrs. Celedonia Calimquim and the active participation and generous contribution of the club members. The sponsor-members of the club made it clear that it was not politics nor any other self-centered interest that the project was conceived but solely through altrustic intentions. The association since then have gained more and more confidence in their contributions and are ever gaining more ground over the needs of the majority of the poorest of the poor. For the time being, it is purely Providential that there is something for the poor from those who truly love generously. The process to choose who will receive the gifts was a challenge. Through the hard work of Manuel Velasco and his barangay coordinators, the prospective beneficiaries were identified and were brought to the Parish where they participated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. At the Villa Familia Resort, the hopeful and joyful townmates received their God-given gifts. The future for the Sta. Barbara Social Club of Southern California is bright as long as management remains firm in its commitment. And Christmas will be jolly after all. (click here for pictures) |
| SWEET MOMENTS OF MUSIC WITH DULCE & MIGUEL CASTRO, THE CONCERT |
October 29, 2006. A night of sweet music has captured the attention of 450 good-hearted people as they enjoyed their dinner at City De Luxe Restaurant, Tapuac District, Dagupan in their support for the fund raising campaign of the Holy Family Parish. The beautiful diva Dulce, dubbed by critics as singer non-pareil and the Philippines' finest singer, displayed her powerful voice with flawless flourish, polished by years of singing immortal love songs identified with her such as "Memory" from the Broadway musical "Cats," "Ako ang Nagwagi," and mellow medleys of immortal Filipino love songs. Our Asian Diva, winner of several prestigious music awards in Asia, transported the audience into a by-gone age of love themes when she did several songs with guest performer Miguel Castro, who is known in the business as a singer, an actor and a visual artist with much passion. She even let the audience sing some parts, interluding with testimonies of faith, ministry and light-hearted anecdotes. Her rendition of "Malinac lay Labi" will pass her to be a Pangsinense. She wished she could learn more songs from the dialect. An hour and a half later, the enamored audience was still asking for encore. In the end, Dulce brought home their hearts. It was a night to remember indeed. Thus, much gratitude is due to the Gulf Bank especially to the President Myrna Lopez, who have devoted much of her time to make this concert a success. Gratitude goes also to the staff of Gulf Bank who are always available for a helping hand and valuable support. To the generous benefactors who have continuously supported the projects of the Parish, much thanksgiving is offered to them. To the sponsors and donors whose loving gestures of support is indeed well appreciated and thus they well deserve thanks. To all the people who have always made themselves available in every endeavor of the parish, likewise a million thanks. To all of friends and loving parishioners of the Holy Family Parish, thanking them is not enough to acknowledge their unceasing support to the Parish. Sincere thanksgiving are the words that can be offered always to them. (click here for pictures) |
| DAVID YOUTH SEMINAR |
Class 26 and 27 are so far the last group of youth to undergo David Youth Seminar. David Youth is a group of the youth of Sta. Barbara that assists their fellow youth in their Christian formation of love for God, love for the Church, friendship, co-responsibility, personal development and servant leadership. The David Youth seminar is a weekend seminar gathering the youth of Sta, Barbara to journey in their personal life with God, to examine their quality of life according to the Divine commands and Divine Will and to improve their views in life by giving them a personal vision-mission in the spirit of love for God. Significantly, camping on the grounds of the Stations of the Cross, the participants had a taste of nature. With only a week to spend out of their sem break, they couldn't ask for a more meaningful vacation. (click here for pictures) Taotaoag 06 was truly a night of fun and laughters too. (click here for pictures) |
| LAYOG FAMILY REUNION |
| Seven families out of nine of the Layog clan gathered for the historic 21st day of October 2006 to mark the first ever family re-union at the pavilion grounds of the Villa Familia Resort at the Holy Family Parish. On this beautiful cloudless day, the relatives of Fr. Anthony and Fr. Fidelis arrived coming from Bulacan, Manila, Malasiqui, Urdaneta and Bayambang in a display of color coded attires. The reunion began with a prayer service lovingly dedicated to the beloved departed members of the Layog clan especially for the souls of Romano and Martina, the parents. Afterwards, lunch and parlor games livened up the group while the younger generation enjoyed a dip in the pool. At dusk, the affair mellowed into karaoke singing. Finally, a thanksgiving mass punctuated the event but did not signal the end until the partaking of the supper and more karaoke singing sessions. Although pictures of past memories abounded, real catching up was reserved to smiles and jokes. Indeed, the re-union was a huge success. Some relatives lingered for more because they just couldn't have enough. A joyful spiirt indeed. For Romano and Martina, they couldn't ask for more. (Click here for pictures) |
| ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHISTS DAY CELEBRATION |
September 23, 2006 - Catechists from the 26 aprishes of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan came together to celebrate the climax of the September Catechetical month. Attended by 185 catechists, the celebration was a moment of awareness as our beloved Archbishop, Most Rev. Oscar V. Cruz, DD, JCD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, talked about the social relevance of the Decalogue. The catechists were admonished not only to teach the 10 commandments but also to live what they taught. Having the theme "Sacred Heart of Jesus - The Source of Personal Renewal and Social Transformation," they indeed will have to pattern their lives and heart to that of Jesus to achieve true renewal and transformation. They have to claim this as their personal vocation and mission for the welfare and moral life of their respective communities. Thus, they have to teach their students their rights and vocation as Christians worthy of a life that is moral and God-centered. In thanksgiving, the catechists celebrated the Holy Eucharist presided by Rev. Fr. Antonio Ray Quintans, the Archdiocesan Catechetical Director, and Rev. Fr. Anthony Layog, the homilist and team minister of the Holy Family Parish. Afterwards, the catechists enjoyed their sumptuous meals at the Villa Familia Resort in joyful agape. The success of this celebration was due to the hard work of Sr. Cynthia Esquejo, WCW, Sr. Evelyn Manucay, WCW, the team ministers of the Holy Family Family Parish, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Layog and Rev. Fr. Anthony Layog, who shepherd the service-spirited Holy Family Parish Catechists in all their activities. With much devotion and reverence, thank you so much. Thank you so much for the support and guidance of Gloria Erfelo, the Archdiocesan Catechist Coordinator and her staff. (Click here for pcitures) |
| MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY |
October has come and our devotion to our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, has called many parishioners to join together in praying the Rosary. Sponsored by the Devotees of the Mary, Help of Christians Association, the month promises a time of daily prayer and meditation on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, accompanied by Holy Mass. It will again be a great celebration of the merry month of Mary, with offerings from generous parishioners. The youth particularly have a significant share partaking every Friday in the leading of the Holy Rosary. We offer our prayers and the Holy Mass for guidance and blessings for the families of our parish, our benefactors both at home and abroad, our friends and for the intentions of the Holy Father. We are a family. "The family that prays together, stays together. A world at prayer is a world at peace".(Click here for pictures) Marian Parish Recollection.(click here for pictures) Marian Activities attended by Mary Help of Christian Devotees.(click here for pictures) |
| TWO BISHOPS BLESSED THE PARISH ORATORY |
July 30, 2006 - Once again, heaven looked upon the parish of the Holy Family when its community gathered in a solemn con-celebration of the Holy Mass with two bishops and the parish team ministers. The rain tried in vain to dampen the spirit of the occasion; despite the humidity, joy and anticipation reigned. Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, JCD, DD presided the Eucharistic sacrifice, even as Auxiliary Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, DD delivered a touching and socially relevant homily. The transformation of the oratory from a simple bodega of sorts started January 11, 2006. The Tabernacle, the centerpiece of the sacred place, came from the donation of generous families in Sta. Barbara. Nevertheless, other features of the oratory will catch the eye of those who enter for the first time. The design is generally coherent with the baroque style of the old building, yet appropriately updated. A simple fellowship was prepared in the upstairs hall of the convent attended by friends and benefactors. Pictures of the momentous event...click here. More pictures of the occasion...click here. |