Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto will bless the newly renovated Cathedral of Sto. Domingo in Basco, Batanes, on March 29, which is also the episcopal silver jubilee of Msgr. Camilo D. Gregorio, bishop prelate of the province.
The bishop’s sister, pianist Anamarie Gregorio de Guzman, performed in a concert, which also featured Raul Sunico and Della Besa, at the Francisco Santiago Hall last year to raise funds for the renovation.
Archbishop Ernesto Salgado of Nueva Segovia will officiate the Concelebrated Mass at l0 a.m. on March 29, with Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan of Tuguegarao as homilist.
More popularly known as Basco Cathedral, the Sto. Domingo Cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Batanes. It is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, having been built in 1783 by the Dominicans.
Prelature of Batanes
The Prelature of Batanes has six parishes and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Itbud and 24 priests, 11 of whom are in Manila for further studies.
The Rector of the Cathedral is Fr. Ronald Manabat, while the parish priest of Sto. Domingo Guzman in Basco is Bishop Gregorio.
The churches with their parish priests are: San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao, Fr. Bridge Casas; St. Joseph the Worker in Ivana, Fr. Aldred Ordoñez; St. Antoninus of Florence in Uyugan, Fr. Marlon Chingwanco; San Vicente Ferrer in Sabtang, Fr. Algerico Gonzales; and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Fr. Domingo Deniz, OP.
Through this column, Bishop Gregorio would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to those who helped renovate the cathedral.
Calungsod at St. James Alabang
On April 2, the feast day of the Visayan martyr Blessed Pedro Calungsod, who will be canonized on Oct. 21 in the Vatican, the Servant Blessing Community Development Organization (SBCDO) will launch the sale of his statues at St. James Parish in Ayala Alabang, after the 7 a.m. Mass. This begins the propagation of the devotion to the second Filipino martyr saint, a model for the youth. The proceeds of the sale will go to the medical assistance program of SBCDO.
Gabby Lopez of the Development Academy of the Philippines is a volunteer in the organization. He informed this column that Manila Archbishop Chito Tagle will celebrate Mass at 8 a.m. The parish priest is Msgr. Albert Venus.
Quota International
Guests and supporters of Quota International in Manila ate lugaw for merienda to raise funds to support the organization’s projects.
Led by its president Lourdes “Lou” de Guzman, the “Lugaw for Quota’s Sake” at the CAP Auditorium in Makati raised funds for Quota’s service projects for disadvantaged women and children, as well as for the deaf or hearing or speech-impaired. In charge of the lugaw event were past presidents Laly Castro, chair; and Jingay Facurias, co-chair.
The club’s Quota Cares projects also include a sports development program benefiting 20 Muslim youth aged 12 to 17 from the Maharlika Village in Taguig City. Under the program, the beneficiaries went through a month-long bowling clinic capped by a tournament in which they played with the Magallanes Bowling Association.
Quota-Manila is an affiliate of Quota International, an international organization for service and friendship with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and a strong presence in 14 countries. There are 17 Quota clubs in the Philippines, comprising Quota’s 31st District.
Pinay gathering in LA
If you remember Linda Nietes of Casalinda Bookshop in the ’70s, you would also remember that she was the one who inspired us to love the books of Filipino authors.
Linda is still doing it, helping Filipinas in Los Angeles get their books sold through her Philippine Expressions Bookshop in Los Angeles.
On March 31, Fil-American women will gather at 12 noon at the Pizza Per Tutti Pizzeria & Tratoria on 4143 Lankershim Blvd. and Acqua Vista, Toluca Lake, CA 91602. Tel 818-7608200.
Book launch in the US
It will be a celebration of Women History Month and the launching of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s “Out of Cebu: A Collection of Essays and Personal Prose.” The book collects 28 essays about the author’s Cebuano ties and her pride of heritage, including colorful accounts about her mother’s family, the Cuencos, a prominent political family in Cebu. The book also includes writings about the author’s life and travels outside of Cebu.
Also to be launched is Ofelia V. Dirige and Aurora S. Cudal’s “Global Filipino Cuisine: Healthy Recipes.” First published in 2009 with the late Dr Riz A. Oades, this is a revised and expanded edition of 100 modified choices with nutrient analysis. This is a much-needed book for healthy eating in the community.
Proceeds from the sale of the second title will cover programs and services of the Fil-Am Wellness Center/Kalusugan Community Services at 1419 E 8th Street., National City, CA 91950. www.WebKalusugan.org / Info@WebKalusugan.
Book of miracles
My book, “Purely Personal Book of Miracles,” is also displayed in Linda Nietes’ Philippine Expressions bookshop. It is available in the Philippines at National Bookstore.
‘Thanksgiving’ CD
Pianist composer Amy Gustilo Lopez will launch her third CD of instrumental music, “Thanksgiving,” on March 26, 2:30 p.m., at the Rockwell Chapel in Makati.