The Catholic Church is embarking on a fundraising drive for the rehabilitation and renovation of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the home of Filipino priests-scholars undertaking further ecclesiastical studies at the heart of the Universal Church in Rome.
Isang Tugon campaign aims to reach and involve Filipino Catholics nationwide and abroad to raise public awareness and rally support for the Collegio.
Isang Tugon is organized by the Pontificio Collegio Filippino Foundation, Inc. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, is chairman of the Foundation.
Collegio was inaugurated by Saint Pope John XXIII in 1961. The 70-room building sits on a two-hectare lot about four kilometers from the Vatican. After over 50 years of providing haven to our priests, Collegio is now in dire need of support for the long overdue rehabilitation of its facilities.
Cardinal Tagle has called Collegio “Our Home in Rome” and is appealing for prayers and financial support for the country’s pontifical college.
“Collegio is not only home to Filipino priests, but also serves as an international gateway for Filipino pilgrims, Filipino residents in Italy, and many other people who find the Filipino culture and the Filipino faith a source of inspiration,” Tagle said.
Proceeds from Isang Tugon will help rebuild and strengthen Collegio as it continues its mission of fostering the ecclesiastical formation of Filipino priests, benefitting the entire Catholic community. For the past 53 years, Collegio has played a significant role in renewing the Philippine Church.
Contributions can be made through the branches and online banking facilities of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Banco de Oro, and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank).
Mobile subscribers can also contribute through their mobile devices. Smart and Sun subscribers can type PCF <space> AMOUNT and send to 4483 to remit a maximum of P1,000 per donation. Globe and TM subscribers can dial *143#, choose GCash, select “More” in the menu, choose “Donate” and select Pontificio Collegio Filippino Foundation.
Donations through MasterCard and Visa credit cards are available online.
Visit www.pcfroma.org.
35th grand Marian procession
The 35th Grand Maria procession will held at the historic walled city of Intramuros, Manila on Dec. 7.
Schedule of activities:
Dec. 2-4, 11:30 a.m., Triduum Masses at Manila Cathedral.
Dec. 5, 9 a.m., First Holy Communion Mass at San Agustin Church
Dec. 7, 2 p.m., Hermana Mayores Mass at Manila Cathedral.
Homeschooling confab at Angelicum
Angelicum College of Quezon City will host the National Conference on Homeschooling on Dec. 6. Theme is “Homeschooling: Bridging Quality and Flexibility in Philippine Education.”
The conference is for school administrators, teachers, education students and parents.
Call 7322443 loc. 136 or 118. Visit www.angelicum.edu.ph.
UST Christmas Concert
The highly anticipated annual Christmas Concert of the University of Santo Tomas will be held at the Santissimo Rosario Church on Dec. 3-4.
The concert will feature top talents from the UST Conservatory of Music such as the UST Symphony Orchestra, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, Coro Tomasino and Brass Choir.
Also performing are bassist Jun Francis Jaranilla, sopranos Naomi Sison, Jade Riccio, Jasmine Salvo and Charlene Ramos; tenors Ronan Ferrer, Lemuel de la Cruz, Eugene de los Santos and Raymund Muyot; organist Armando Salarza; and student soloist Kathleen Sunga.
Frederick Maturan, the grandson of famous balladeer Diomedes Maturan, will also be making his debut in the concert.
Conducting the UST Symphony Orchestra are master conductors Michael Jacinto, Ronan Ferrer and Herminigildo Ranera.
“Music is a very close to the hearts of every Filipino,” said professor Augusto Antonio A. Aguila of the office of UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, OP. “It speaks of our genuine affinity with the performing arts as music, singing and dancing are very much part of our celebrations especially during the happiest season of the year—Christmas! This is probably the reason why we always say that it is more fun in the Philippines and that no one celebrates Christmas like the Filipinos. The University of Santo Tomas takes pride in its annual Christmas Concert which truly changed the way Filipinos celebrate the Yuletide season in the metropolis.
“A pioneering endeavor way back in 2003 by Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, the director of the UST Museum. The grand musical extravaganza has become the event that marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Manila and in University of Santo Tomas.
“The Christmas concert likewise coincides with the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas tree in the campus which adds enormously to the festive atmosphere of the season.”
Call UST Museum of Arts and Sciences at 7811815 and look for Susan Samson or the UST Office of Public Affairs at 7323544 and look for Michaela Lagniton.
