PPCRV Called Again To Service

Barely able to rest after the last poll duty in May of this year, the PPCRV was again called to service as the citizens' arm in the just concluded Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections last October 25, 2010. Armed with its hopeful desire for positive political change and its objective determination for a clean and peaceful elections, some 50 or so volunteers gathered at the parish hall before sunrise to, once again, perform their volunteer duty. After the communion service for the volunteers and a hearty breakfast of adobo rice and egg, the volunteers were given their final briefing and precinct assignments just as the first rays of the sun brought in the new day. By quarter of six, the volunteers proceeded to the Culiat High School for active duty.

Upon arrival, the Volunteers Assistance Desk (VAD) was set up with the voters' lists, laptops and precinct directories made ready for the arrival of the electorate. After the courtesy call on the High School Principal, it was time for the Pollwatchers to proceed to their respective precincts to await the formal start of the election.

Soon as the bell sounded at 7 o'clock, the VAD went on full gear as it took on the early morning rush of voters. There were some confusion among the voters as some of them thought they were to vote in the same rooms they voted in during the national elections last May. For some this was so but for many there was a change of classroom. Majority of the voters came during the early morning but was not sustained. By mid-morning there was just the trickle of voters until the close of elections at 3:00PM. Overall, the conduct of the election was peaceful and orderly. Except for isolated cases of voter identity verification, missing voters' names, duplicate voter's name, the voting was generally successful. The voter turnout, at probably less than 30%, was quite low.

To all PPCRV Volunteers, congratulations on another job well done! May our tribe increase and spread to more parishioners. Until the next assignment, you all deserve a pat on the back and a celebration!

For this local election, the PPCRV set up its own unofficial computerized tally count. Soon as the canvassing began and the precinct count underway, the PPCRV did its own parallel canvassing. As each precinct completed its count, the assigned PPCRV pollwatcher got a copy of the voting results and forwarded it to the VAD where a computerized tally count was done. By 10:30PM, the last of the 60 or so precincts' results was entered and the unofficial election result immediately obtained. Here are the unofficial results of the PPCRV count:

BARANGAY CHAIRMAN

1 GARCIA, Jaime Puno 2320
2 BERNARDO, Victor Damaso 1978
3 MANIQUIZ, Rolando Muyot 301
4 MAPANDI, Halil Nuska 64

KAGAWAD

1 ESTEBAN, Diana Perater 4002
2 BONDAD, Rolando Gajudo 3637
3 CUADRA, Eliseo San Miguel 3630
4 ZIPAGAN, Corazon Venturina 3386
5 PAEL, Jose Abagao 3018
6 BALONZO, Jerrylin Jordan 3012
7 DIAZ, Ma. Edelfa dela Cruz 2974
8 DELA PENA, Jenice Ann Camaro 2822
9 TURLA, Ronald Allan Hernaez 2440
10 DAVID, Remedios Pusag 2204
11 SEVIDAL, Melinda Cesar 2018
12 ENCINARES, Lolita Rondolos 1823
13 PASCUA, Salvador Pineda 1805
14 IBRAHIM, Malik Maliga 1755
15 MAKIMKIM, Jose Cristobal 1497
16 BAUTISTA, Renato Roc 1281
17 DUNLUAN, Albert Lagrosas 1234
18 TUDIO, Claro Gomez 732
19 MIRANDILLA, Cezar Gupit 704
20 MANAWIS, Ma. Cecilia Sayan 626
21 SISON, Adora Evangelista 607
22 SALIK, Abdulkahar Mendoza 596
23 DISCAYA, Renato Magalong 525
24 BATISLA-ONG, Lourdes Depallo 521
25 BONDOC, Renato Garcia 504
26 DACARA, Josevidal Curativo 472
27 ISIDRO, Eric Hilario 471
28 MACATIAG, Oscar de Fiesta 421
29 BALCE, Eduardo Jardin 402
30 DOCOT, Virgilio Llorin 399
31 DOLDOLEA, Ernesto Rapada 377
32 CRISOSTOMO, Alfredo Apalin 358
33 PARDO, Gerardo Lausin 333
34 BUMBAUA, Danilo Danao 319
35 MEDIANISTA, Rodrigo Docio 293

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PYM Holds Youth Night Special

Almost a month after the fiesta, it was the the turn of the youth to showcase their skills in singing and dancing. On the evening of October 16, the PYM turned the church into their own musical theater and organized a night of praise and worship through songs and dances. All ministries and organizations where there were youth members participated in the musical extravaganza. There were numbers performed by the different choirs, from the Himig Sanlo Choir to Enzo Choir to the Gospel Choir. There were also choreographed dance numbers as the band belted out their numbers. The PYM of San Isidro Labrador presented an interpretative dance number that was welled applauded by the appreciative audience.

All in all, the night was a bit long but most of the youth went home filled with enjoyment and fulfillment at being given their special night that showcased a different side of SLRP PYM.

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SLRP Celebrates Mass at Radio Veritas

In commemoration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, which we celebrate every 28th of September, Fr. Luke as shepherd of a parish that bears the name of the first Filipino saint, was invited to celebrate holy mass at Radio Veritas. The mass, which was also attended by some twenty parishioners of SLRP, was celebrated at 12:15pm and was broadcast live nationwide on the Veritas station, 846Khz on the AM Band. It was simultaneously streamed live through the internet. Fr. Luke was assisted by Ates Aida Arines, Bel Geronimo and Lynn Dollente.

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SLRP Well Represented at National Laity Week Mass

Last September 27, Bp. Antonio Tobias, together with representative clergies from the different parishes, led the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Our Lady of Consolation Parish Church in Mira Nila Homes during the opening day of the weeklong National Laity Week activities in the Diocese of Novaliches. Present also was a sizeable congregation representing the lay people from different parishes in the diocese headed by Sis. Lita Macalaguim, the incumbent Chairperson of the Council of the Laity of Novaliches (CLaN).

In his homily, the good bishop emphasized the relevance of the readings (Job 1:6-22) where Job lost everything he possessed - land, animals, and his children, yet he still continued to praise God. Further on, he relates this to the communal togetherness of the early Christian communities, where there was no distinction between matters pertaining to God and matters pertaining to man. He specifically instigated the congregation (especially the laity who serve in church) to be involved in all aspects of human endeavor, particularly the forthcoming political exercise, and not just keep themselves to church activities. The laity must be counted on to give of themselves in the coming elections.

On the part of the SLRP, a large delegation of more than 30 parishioners attended the mass, led by our parish priest, Fr. Luke, our PPC Chaircouple Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson, members of the PPC and the religious. The SLRP Grand Choir sang during the mass.

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Vicar Forane Presides Fiesta High Mass

This year's fiesta high mass was different from fiesta masses celebrated in the past. For one, it was our Vicar Forane, Rev. fr. Nonette Legaspi, parish priest of the Jesus Lord of Divine Mercy parish in Mapaya Village, who presided the mass. Traditionally it is the Bishop of Novaliches.

The mass started with the entrance of the image of our patron San Lorenzo borne by lay ministers representatives with MBG ladies dancing in caracol fashion. This was followed by theprocession of the altar servers, the MOW lectors, the lay ministers and the priest presiders.

In his homily, Fr. Nonette delved on the spirit of the gospel reflecting on the contrast between the poor beggar Zaccheus and the rich man who feasted daily. As much as the message of the parable was implicit on the sins of omission and commission, its specific message centered on the sin of gluttony. As Fr. Nonette expounded on this, he presented the different forms of gluttony, which according to his homily, did not only mean eating too much. Gluttony can also be manifested in our excessive desires and wants which go beyond what we need. He exhorts the faithful to examine themselves and reflect on their lifestyles to see how each and everyone may have indulged in excess. In the end, he counsels all to temper their desires, take only what is needed and share with the less fortunate their extra blessings from the Lord.

After the mass, there was a hearty buffet of street food for one and all to partake in. "Oops! Didn't Fr. Nonette say temper one's desires?" Well maybe it's ok just this time. Happy fiesta everyone.

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SLRP Fiesta 2010 Was One Big Family Gathering

It was a bright sunny morning and a very memorable occasion as the parish celebrated its 23rd fiesta anniversary. Everyone came out in their native Filipino costumes to share with heaven and all the saints this glorious day. Dancing rhythmically the Caracol to the pounding of drums provided by the parish youth, everyone, young and old alike, gyrated their hips and swayed their bodies to the festive ati-atihan sounds as if telling everyone that "this is the day the Lord has made, let us all rejoice and be glad!"

The Caracol procession snaked its way around the parish under the glorious rays of the morning sun. This was followed by the generosity of benevolent parishioners and parish ministries and organizations as they shared local delicacies and kakanin to the famished delight of all participants.

As we looked back to a year ago when Typhoon Ondoy revealed to us nature's destructive power, this day, in contrast, showed God's all loving grandeur and kindness.

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SLRP Community Comes Alive on Parish Night

In the true spirit of bayanihan, the parish workers of SLRP gathered together last September 25 for a night of fun, enjoyment and entertainment. This is the parish' way of rewarding its workers for all the hard work and community building of the past year. Traditionally set for the eve of the parish fiesta, the same occasion marked the one year anniversary of the Ondoy tragedy.

The affair began with the celebration of the mass and the faithful's thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces the parish has been receiving from the Almighty. In most masses during the fiesta weekend, a 5-minute video presentation entitled Ondoy, which was specially prepared by the SLRP Ministry of Mass Media, was shown as a fitting reminder to all of our weaknesses and God's greatness. Fr. Luke, in his fiesta message, underscored the parish resilience and oneness as he recalled the parishioners' spontaneous response to the crisis of a year ago that helped strengthened the parish, physically and spiritually.

After the mass, the fun, pomp and pageantry began. In a 3-hour vaudavillesque extravaganza, the parish workers gave their all as they performed in a variety of musical numbers. Majority of the ministries and organizations counted themselves in as they performed the following: (1) Catechetical Ministry with their swinging dance number to the tune of Sway by Michael Buble, (2) the Junior Legionnaires with their angelic voices and interpretative song rendition, (3) the Block Rosary Crusade, with their dance number to the tune of Every Breath You Take, (4) the Apostleship of Prayer, with their Michael Jackson medley dance number, (5) the Social Services Development Ministry,with their dance number to the tune of Celebration, (6) the Mother Butler Guild, with their grass skirts and graceful bodies dancing to a remix of Pearly Shells-Tiny Bubbles, (7) the Ministry of the Word, with their fastbeat dance number cum fashion show, (8) the Parish Pastoral Council, with their 80s remix dance number of Uptown Girl-Footloose, (9) the Couples For Christ, with their dance number to the tune of Crazy Little Thing called Love, (10) the Hapag-Asa kids, with their song interpretation of Malayo Pa Ang Umaga, (11) the Enzo Choir with their hiphop dance medley, (12) the Himig Sanlo with their dance remix number, and (13) the Lay Ministers with their geisha-inspired interpretation of the song Babae Po Ako.

Two audio video presentations were shown. The repeat showing of Ondoy that started the first half of show and the Parish Youth Ministry video entitled "Does Anybody Hear her?" that started the second half. To entertain the audience during the intermission, there was a magic show by Nap Perez while Fr. Luke's nephew, a special child sang a heartwarming song entitled I'll Never Go.

The winners to the san Lorenzo Ruiz Trivia Contest were also awarded their prizes that night. Each winner went home with a wall clock and a bag of medicines. To add to the excitement and enjoyment, there were lots of door prizes and raffle prizes awarded that evening. All in all, it was a great night of communitarian get together for the parishioners. The level and quality of the performances were definitely a great improvement from two years ago. As the curtains fell that Saturday night and the memories began, I am pretty sure everyone's already looking forward to next year's get together. And as I recall the title of a movie I saw many years ago, I say we'll see each other same time next year. Lights out!

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