AMBASSADORS of Light in Bangkok: Anderson Go (standing, fourth from right), founding president of Ambassadors of Light Foundation, with Sonia L. Atabug; Geraldine T. Osias, Thai Minister of Culture; soprano Carmie de los Santos; executive director Murakami Yoshio of Tampopo-No-Ye; one-handed saxophonist David Nabb of University of Nebraska; and Thai student guideWeerawan Ramkomut. Seated are Gloria Jamadre, chair Sawang Srisom of Network of Music and Arts of Persons with Disabilities; alto Ma. Elvira Serna; and Thai guide.

Since 1993, the Friends of St. Joseph and the Hospicio de San José have been propagating the devotion to St. Joseph through novenas and exhibits of icons.

Thanks to Msgr. Josefino Ramirez for inculcating in us the importance of this devotion. He formed the Friends of St. Joseph in 1993; the first exhibit of images was held that year.

This year’s theme is “St. Joseph, model of holiness, the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life.”

Yesterday, the exhibit opened at 5 p.m. It was organized by Dr. Danilo Trinidad Reyes, Atoy de Jesus and wife Marissa, and Dennis Maturan. The first novena Mass was celebrated by Fr. Serafin Peralta, CM, who spoke on “St. Joseph: Man of Faith and Forgiveness.”

The novena Masses, themes, and celebrants: March 11—“St. Joseph: man of profound prayer” (Fr. Gregorio L. Bañaga, CM); March 12, “St. Joseph: man trustful in the living God” (Msgr. Matt Garcia); March 13, “St. Joseph: channel of God’s peace and forgiveness” (Fr. Norwyn Baydo, SMM); March 14, “St. Joseph: model of obedience to the will of God” (Fr. Jimmy Bilita, CM); March 15, Feast of St. Louise de Marillac, “The gift of love and service of St. Louise de Marillac to the Church” (Fr. Venerando Agner, CM) for 8 a.m. Mass.

On March 15, 6 p.m., Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle will give a reflection on “St. Joseph: discerner of the will of God”; March 16, “St. Joseph: model of authentic love of God” (Fr. Gerald Borja, CM); March 17, “St. Joseph: model of total dependence on God” (Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pelario, CM); and March 18, “St. Joseph: man of faith and action” (Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr).

March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, is a great day for residents of Hospicio. Alumni come for the 8 a.m. Mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Arsenio Bautista, the chaplain. Devotees from all over come every year as a form of panata to thank St. Joseph for prayers answered. Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. will celebrate the 6 p.m. Mass.

Bangkok summit of disabled

The human spirit was lifted high through song and music in the recent 11th Asia Pacific Wataboshi Music Festival at National Theater in Bangkok. Our Ambassadors of Light (AOL), headed by Anderson Go, the visually impaired founder, joined other disabled musicians from 11 countries.

Organized by Murakami Yoshio of Tampopo-No-Ye Foundation based in Nara, Japan, the festival featured one-handed saxophonist David Nabb of University of Nebraska. Handling the preparations in Bangkok was wheelchair-bound Sawang Srisom, chair of the Network of Music and Arts of Persons with Disabilities.

‘Life is like Music’

AOL soprano Carmie de los Santos and alto Ma. Elvira Serna sang Anderson Go’s composition “Life is like Music,” and also “Smile,” a song composed by the King of Thailand for the disabled. Anderson accompanied the chorus on the organ.

With the Philippine delegation were Geraldine Osias and Sonia Atabug of the AOL board of trustees, and choreographer Gloria Jamadre of SPEDS.

Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Lingling-ay Lacanlale was represented by her cultural officer, Shirley Reyes, in the opening reception.

Lenten recollection

Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara is deeply involved in the formation of his priests, lay leaders and the Catholic population of Pasig City, Taguig City and Pateros.

The bishop led this early the Diocesan Lenten Recollection, last Feb. 25, at Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in Caniogan, Pasig.

Around 3,000 people packed the retreat, which was organized by the Education Ministry of the diocese headed by Fr. Ramil R. Marcos, parish priest of St. Tomas de Villanueva

Bishop Mylo spoke of the disciplines of Lent, fasting, prayer and almsgiving in a manner easily understood by his audience. He creatively linked the three disciplines with the theological virtues of faith, hope and love.

Citing the Scriptures and lessons from saints and the popes, he invited his listeners to heed the call of Lent for personal renewal that, in turn, leads to society’s renewal.

Relic of St. Clare

Catch the relic of St. Clare at St. Anthony de Padua Church in Bustillos, Sampaloc, until tomorrow. On March 22, 9:30 a.m., the relic will be displayed at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in San Fernando, Pampanga, until 3 p.m.

It will be moved to Poor Clare’s Convent in Betis, Pampanga, where it will stay overnight. Then, it will move to Bataan the next day.

Goodbye, Gani

I will always remember Isagani Yambot for his kindness and approachability. May his soul rest in peace in the bosom of our Heavenly Father.