By Mark A. Araneta

Fifty-nine houses were donated by the members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Catholic Women's Organizations (FFCCWO) during an on-the-spot pledging session done yesterday, the second day of the FFCCWO's 17th National Convention held in Tagbilaran City After the inspirational speech delivered by Rev. Msgr. Alberto S. Uy, E.V. – the Vicar General of the Diocese of Talibon - the convention participants viewed very intently the video presentation showing the many homeless people of Ilaud, Jagna, Bohol who have been seeking assistance from the “Alay Sa Kabos Foundation, Inc.” under the Vicar General. Immediately responding to the call of the hour, the Master of Ceremonies – Ardy Ines Araneta - picked up the microphone and in a very light but challenging manner, threw to the FFCCWO delegates an equally challenging moment: THE NEED TO SHARE!

Without much ado, as they say on stage, Ardy smilingly and casually asked the National President of the FFCCWO, Ms. Juana T. Go, if the latter was willing to share her blessings with the people of Bohol. Ms. Go immediately stood and donated P100,000.00 in cash. This was answered by another delegation throwing out P200,000.00 – also cash – and followed by several others whose cash gifts ranged from P40k to 50K to 100K to P200K until the amount was more than enough to build 59 houses. The sharing of blessings from the Filipino-Chinese Community stunned the Master of Ceremonies who said: “In the history of my hosting career, here and abroad, this is the first time that I am able to facilitate and witness with my own eyes an outpouring of abundance amounting to more than one million pesos within a period of 30 minutes.” Both Dativa Ong - the National Convention Chair and Msgr. Uy – expressed sincere thanks to the delegates who never hesitated to give their cash and check donations to Barangay Ilaud.

With the theme, “Woman as an Evangelizer of Faith & Love”, the national convention started last Friday, March 7, 2014 with a Eucharistic Celebration at the Dagohoy Grand Ballroom of the Bohol Tropics Resort with Most Rev. Leonardo Medroso, DD – Bishop of Tagbilaran as the Main Celebrant. As a gesture of appreciation to the presence of the Main Celebrant & the other priests, the FFCCWO, through the National President Juana Go, National Spiritual Adviser Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, DD and National Convention Chair Dativa Ong donated the amount of P200,000.00 to the Diocese of Tagbilaran to help the construction of the Tagbilaran Diocesan Centrum. The dignitaries who joined in the processional to mark the opening ceremonies after the Holy Mass included the Chapter Presidents, Secretaries & Spiritual Advisers from the 34 Chapters representing Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Capiz, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iriga, Jolo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Lucena, Manila-Binondo, Manila-MTQ, Manila-Paco, Manila-St. Jude, Manila—Valencia Hills, Manila-St. Peter, Naga, Ozamis, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tagum, Tuguegarao, Virac, Zamboanga

Together with them were the members of the Council of Presidents, namely: Elizabeth Yang (Cebu), +Virginia Chosuey (Iloilo), Luz Lim (Manila Mary the Queen), Rosita Uy Bico (Bacolod), Estrella Lily Uy (Cotabato), Elizabeth Gan Go (Cebu), Celia Lim (Manila-Binondo), +Lourdes T. Chua (Bacolod), Abelardo Wong (Zamboanga), Evelyn T. Lo (Bacolod), Fanny L. Uy (Iloilo), Juanita Ng Chee (Cebu), Conchita Tan (Cotabato), Carmelita D. Tieng (Manila-St Peter), Raquel Lu (Cotabato), Juana T. Go (Manila-Binondo). The FFCCWO National Officers who also joined the processional were: Juana Go of Manila-Binondo,President; Luisa Ng of Iloilo – Vice-President; Carolline G. Jeun of Cagayan de Oro, Secretary; Shirley Ching of Manila – St. Peter, Treasurer; and the Members of the Board of Directors: Virgie Po of Butuan, Dr. Araceli Tan of Zamboanga, Lilia Grino of Capiz, Dativa H. Ong of Tagbilaran, Anita Lee of Dagupan & Most Rev. Leopoldo C. Jaucian, SVD, DD – the National Coordinator & Spiritual Adviser. The evening cultural presentation on the first day had Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II welcoming the guests and the Diwanag Dance Theatre & Cultural Group directed by Marianito Luspo entertaining them with “Hadla Nga Bol-anon” Show.

On the second day, the Main Celebrant of the Holy Mass held at the Metro Centre Hotel, was Rev. Fr. Peterson Tieng-the Spiritual Adviser of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Young Adults (FCCYA). In the mass, the Veni-Jesu Choir of Cebu who provided music during the liturgical services in cooperation with the delegation from the Cebu Chapter donated another 50,000.00 to the FCCYA in preparation for the latter's gathering in Tagaytay City. Invited to speak yesterday, the second day, were Rev. Fr. Randy Jasper Calo Odchigue for the Keynote address, Rev. Msgr. Alberto Uy for an Inspirational Message with Rev. Fr. Sinforiano Monton guiding the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The evening concert held at the Assumption Garden Square in Dauis, Bohol captivated the hearts of the audience who sang and danced to the music of the singing group called “The Angelos.” This group, fresh from its successful Hongkong Concert events, is composed of dashing and vibrant gentlemen who have been travelling all over the world bringing musical excellence of worldclass Filipino Artists who won the Aliw best group in concert title and the Global Pinoy Excellence Award elevating them to the ABS-CBN Records Family.

Today is the third and final day of the convention featuring the Loboc Children's Choir in the Morning Holy Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian. The election of the National Officers will take place immediately before another Inspirational Speaker, Dr. Gaines Marie Rosario to be followed by the bidding of the next chapter host and convention site to be moderated by the Council of Presidents. The “PRESIDENTS' NIGHT” at the Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) tonight will culminate the 3-day activities with Gov. Edgar Chatto of Bohol delivering his fellowship Dinner Message. A video presentation and report of the activities of “Sharing God's Love” will be presented by Ms. Caroline Jeun to be followed by the National President's Hour and the presentation and Induction of the New Set of Officers. One of the most awaited numbers of the evening event is the fellowship program where the members of the FFCCWO Tagbilaran Host Chapter under its President, Dativa H. Ong will perform a dance production number under the choreography of Prof. Nila Itac. The Master of Ceremonies for all the activities in the convention is the TV TALK SHOW HOST and Accredited Member of the KBP, Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, ARDY INES-ARANETA. (See Photos of the Convention at page of Mary Mel's Trends, this issue).