the 2011 Fiesta Parade (3)

As I have stated in my earlier blog post, the City Mayor invited Bishop Abarquez, the Parish Pastors and the Hermanas Mayores to the 2011 Fiesta Parade. Here are some pictures of them at the City Hall stage as they waited for the start of the parade.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and Mayor Onald Aquino with (l-r) Susan So Seng, Thelma Manaog, Rev. Fr. Julio Gaddi, Vice Mayor Rey James Uy, Councilo Ver Porlares, Councilor Ronald Mark Aquino, Councilor Virgil Clemens and Board Member Jasper Sumagang.

more images from the fiesta pontifical mass

the retablo during fiesta 2010

Some students from the CKC high school for the deaf as they participated in the mass

Bishop Isableo Abarquez as he delivered his homily

The hermanas mayores with Bishop Abarquez and some of the concelbrants

Tita Freda (Ladrero) Darling and Nick Robinson

Images from the Pontifical Mass

The fiesta celebration was highlighted by the Pontifical Mass which was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral last September 8, 2010 at 9:00 in the morning. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez presided over the Eucharistic celebration which was also attended by 50 priests from parishes all over the diocese.

Here are some pictures from the celebration

The "istandartes" which preceded the entrance procession.

Some of the priests who concelebrated in the Mass.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and the Deacons.

Nick Robinson and some members of the Bernardo and Uyloan families during the offertory.

Pheona and Riza during the offertory.

Pheona as she delivered a 'thank you' speech on behalf of the hermanas.

Riza Bernardo Suan speaking on behalf of the hermanas during the ceremony for the turn-over of the 'istandarte'.

Bishop Abarquez incensing the image of the patroness during the 'Salve Regina'.

the 2010 Hermanas Mayores

The Hermanas Mayores of the 2010 Fiesta Celebration. (l-r) Riza Bernardo Suan, Thea Joy Uyloan (representing Hannah Pia Uyloan De Guzman) and Pheona Camille Ladrero-Robinson

jamming with Nonoy Zuñiga

Two weeks ago, the 2008 Hermanas Mayores sponsored the traditional Hermana Night at the LMA Auditorium. It was almost the same with the previous hermana nights - the usual food, speeches, dancing and the kuratsa. And then, there was Nonoy Zuñiga and his brother Zebedee who both happened to be the brothers of Zoraya Macaraig, one of the hermanas mayores. And jamming was the call of the night. The Voice Tag Band - Boboy & Naty Biliran with Analee Balane and Nomel Pido - did jam with Nonoy and Zebedee.

Nonoy Zuñiga with Voice Tag Band's Analee Balane, Naty Biliran and Nomel Pido

I have uploaded two unedited videos which I took using my mobile phone (which explains sound and the not-so-good lighting condition).

Nonoy performing "Doon Lang" with Nomel Pido

"The Way You Look Tonight"

fiesta postscript 2

Here's the second set of pictures taken during the recent fiesta celebration (courtesy of Vhijaya Obong-Chu)

Marian Procession on September 7. Vhijaya (with the istandarte) and her brother-in-law Bobby Benedicto

Part of the crowd that participated in the procession

Tradition. The cantores singing marian hymns as the patrona passed by the hermana's residence

part of the faithful who filled the Cathedral during the Pontifical Mass

The ceriales leading the faithful in singing the synod hymn

fiesta postscript 1

A few weeks ago, my "new" friend Vhijaya (Obong-Chu) sent me some pictures taken during the last fiesta celebration. Thanks to my office work, it's only now that I was able to feature these in my blog.

Here's the first set of pictures, the ones taken during the Hermana Night:

That's Vhijaya (2nd from the right) with (L-R) Jun Obong, Ronnie Obong, me and Edel Romano-Alegria

Vhijaya and me with Bishop Isableo Abarquez. (I don't remember what it was that we were laughing about)

Bishop Abarquez (2nd from the left) with (L-R) Ms. Iday Cui, me, Vhijaya and Fr. Richard Tan

Vhijaya posing at the cocktail bar

Vhijaya with her cousin Dang Dira

after the Pontifical Mass

Everyone always looks forward to the Pontifical Mass during the City Fiesta. I got too excited (again) I forgot to take pictures. After this morning's mass I managed to to take a shot of the Hermana Mayor and her husband with the Calbayog's Bishop Emeritus Msgr. Max Cruz . . .


. . . and a pix of myself with Msgr. Max

Gab-i san Pagpasalamat

I hosted this year's Hermana Night dubbed as Gab-i San Pagpasalamat. I can't believe it I forgot to take pictures during the event. Anyway, some good friends, among them mana Edel Alegria promised to email me some pix and I would be very glad to share it with you the moment I got it.

Tonight the Hermana Mayor hosted Bishop Isableo Abarquez, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, the Parish Council Officers and a good number of balikbayans and Calbayognons to dinner and dancing and of course, the usual kuratsa which raised more than twenty thousand pesos for the Parish.

I managed to get hold (I think grab is more like it) of the copy of the short thank you speech that Vhiyaja delivered. Here's what she said:

Your Excellency Monsignor Isabelo Abarquez, Honorable Mayor (and Mrs.) Mel Sarmiento, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Maupay nga Gab-i sa iyo ngatanan!

On behalf of my sister, Velinda, and the rest of our families, I would like to welcome you all to this Thanksgiving Celebration of Our Lady's Nativity. We are so happy and proud that we are able to participate in Calbayog's biggest event.

I would like to acknowledge the role of some special people who helped us make this event happen. Without them, this celebration would not be a success:

1. My aunt, Miss Veronica Obong
2. My godmother, Miss Ignacia Cui
3. My Uncle, Raul Isidro (who designed the souvenir program)
4. Mr. & Mrs. Reno Araneta (who printed the souvenir program)
5. My cousin, Ronnie Obong (my coordinator)
6. My (new found) good friend, Ronald Ricafort
7. My cousin, Dominga Dira
8. The(Parish) Pastoral Council

And to everyone who pulled their resources together to make "Gab-i sa Pagpasalamat" a night to remember.

Let us show our appreciation for all their hard work with a round of applause.

Your presence this evening has made it a special occassion for all of us, one that will be cherished for a long time.

May the Good Lord continue to bless the City of Calbayog and fill us with the abundance of His love and protection.

Salamat sa iyo ngatanan!