POST (SVP) FIESTA

While our Philippine counterparts celebrated with great pomp and prizes the feast of SVP, we, those based in Houston, “sweatly” remembered the feast with barbeque and basketball brawl. We were joined by our wives and equally exciting kids (who smeared Kris’ sofa with chocolate jelo) at the home of Kris and Cathy in Missouri City. We were blessed to have Giovan and Jackie's family.

While our wives prepared dinner, we excitedly went to play basketball. I was personally worried because I have not written yet my last will. I had not played in more than two years and my body was objecting to my sudden sports endeavor. Ravaged by diabetes, high cholesterol and baldness pressure, I knew my body was not in sync .

Thanks to our years of meditation exercise/training. It helped a lot. What the body couldn’t accomplish, the mind can get it with a breeze. The first game was an excuse. “We had not had a game in forever.” The second one was hard to swallow. I was thinking more of the barbeque than the basketball. And the third? It was a murder. Even with all the huffs and puffs and prayers, still we lost. I was so sorry for Kris’ untiring effort and Giovan’s gigantic heart. Our excuse? We are too old for them.

My consolation though was, for the last 3 years that I’ve been here, this was the first time I was able to celebrate SVP’s feast with other alumni.

What do you expect from us but to vent our anger to the smokey barbeque and slimy spaghetti, washed with Corona light. That night, we not only had fun, we had family.

Next time, you’d better come Stanley A. for we really need a center.

ACM OPENS THE SANTUARIO ACTIVITIES

Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City Philippines - The Alumni of the Congregation of the Mission (ACM) opened the Santuario fiesta actvities by holding its Annual Grand Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly last September 22 at the De Paul House, Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City. This year's theme was focused on its vision, "developing and nurturing a welcoming community... "

Arnold "Arquintz" Quintana of SVS batch 1985-1989 registered first around 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday despite of the continuous rain. New and old timer ACMers took the opportunity to catch up and update themselves of what's goin on with their lives. While some the ACM kids were entertained by clowns, magicians at the kiddie room, and overflowing of sorbetes ice cream.

Around 5:00 pm, the ACMs held its Annual General Assembly at the conference room. Those who present were: Ian, Vernon, Ives, Gerry, Arnold, Dino, Leo, Jord, Auch, Jun, Ambet, Efren, Bogs, Teody, Alex, Red, Marvin, Bong, Billy, Jung, and Jeff. The President presented the Vision and Mission, the Objectives, Strategies, and Activities set and implemented by the Officers. And grouped them together for the workshop on What should ACM STOP, START, and CONTINUE doing? The proposed intiatives would be evaluated by the officers and update the members on the approved plans. They concluded the meetin with the ACM HYMN, "San Vincente Pag-asa ng Dukha".

By 6:00pm, the ACMs and their families heard the Thanksgiving Mass with Fr. Roland Tuazon, C.M. and Fr. Dario Pacheco, C.M., as the main celebrant and co-celebrant. New timer Arnold Quintana and Ian Perez of SVS batch 1985-1989, shared their experiences after they left the seminary and expectations on the ACMs. Mrs. Cecile Guevarra gave her testimony as the wife of an ACMer, Ambet Guevarra. Fr. Roland gave a snapshot of the Continuing Formation Program for the ACM through his homily, which formally launched the "Kapatiran". The ACM kids offered the ACM profile, Kapatiran brochure, and General Assembly output.

Right after the Mass, they had buffet dinner at the lobby of De Paul house. While waiting for the main performer of the night, Leo Gellor drew the raffle for the candies and announced the ten early birds and "dekada" award (80's won the most number of ACMs). Emcees Marvin Javier and Gerry Guillen entertained the audiences with their wits and impromtu humor. The ACMs, families and friends, CMs, and Theologians jammed the night with the "Enteng" band old and new generations (Fr. Poloi, Fr. Kiko, Atty Billy, Jun, Jung, Pisat, Paul, Allan, Ian) in their songs of the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000. Raffle draw winners were: Jef Baquiran (1st prize DVD next base); Gerry Guillen's family (2nd prize Overnight stay at Fontana with free food and beverage stubs); and Dino Eloriaga (3rd prize 2 in-1clock with picture frame).

The ACMs thanked their sponsor Strategic Events, ThinkStrategic Inc, Abacus Securities, Shakeys, UnionBank, Warren Apostol, Valenton & Valenton Law Offices, Fr. Ed. Jocson, Sogo Hotel, and Radio Mindanao Network.

Letter of Thanks

• The last few weeks had been very tough for Noel M. and his family. We were blessed to be informed by Norman R. about his health condition. In an instant, a barrage of prayers from Angono to Amsterdan stormed heaven. Below is Noel's letter to Consul Ronell, after he got out from the hospital

Bro. Ronell,

Maraming salamat sa prayers, I can truly count on the prayer network of the Vincentian alumni and priests. There were certainly times when I thought it could get worst. I am now back at work and on the road to recovery. Again, Thank you! You are manifestation of God’s loving care.

Noel

ILO-ILO ACM FELLOWSHIP

by Reynold Glenn Jaboneta

October 10, 2007...All roads lead to Rome...Villa Sagrado. This is the city of love...Iloilo and we are graced by the presence of Mr. Efren "Bogs" Dancel. His visit and stay in Iloilo paved the way for the so-called ACM fellowship.

Present were Fr. Danilo M. Failadona, C.M., Acting Rector of De Paul College, Fr. Thursisius P. Gonesto, C.M., Chaplain:De Paul College, Ariel Bendo, professor: St. Paul University, Arman Forbes, professor:Colegio de San Jose, Felix Sareno and Steve Laster of Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, and Reynold Glenn S. Jaboneta, De Paul College.

Candle light dinner...bouquet of roses as centerpiece. ..students from Sagrado who according to the introduction of Felix were winners in various bar tending and bottle juggling competitions showcased their skills before us.

Bogs answered questions regarding the ACM like the mission-vision of this group. He shared with us too what activities the ACM were doing in the past up to the present. He suggested a similar activities we need to do as members of ACM based in Iloilo.

Stories like Ariel and Al Rey in violation of No Jaywalking in Lawton Adamson days and made to come up the stage somewhere in Lawton with a note on a loud speaker not to imitate the example of the two. The Enteng Band...success stories...good news...bits and pieces of seminary life.

It was also my night. Imagine Sharon Cuneta and Cherie Gil with the dialogue and then getting wet because somebody needs to pour water into somebody's face. I went through the night with a lighter version. When the waiter was serving drinks he literally got me soaked into liters of ice tea. It was Felix Sareno's or Bogs' version. The people in-charge was so kind enough and sensitive to keep me dry. As they say, the show must go on, so the nite went through. Everytime a dish or a drink was served I stayed away from the table to avoid another dramatic moment.

The night was magical, romantic(Propesor Tuko has Romeo and Juliet. I was made to dress like Juliet that special night). But last night it was my night after more than ten years of not seeing Romeo.

The night was made historic because for the first time we were made aware of our roots as Vincentians in a fellowship such as this.

It was a Wednesday but in the spirit of Tuesday Conferences.

HAPPY FEAST DAY!

Dear ACM,

Happy Feast day to all! I had a share of lunch withexsem Glen J and with Frs Danny Fai,Thurs, and BrotherJoey here at De Paul College today. They the famous"Winnie Roast Party" where everyone is roasting fortheir lunch with so many fun games and exciting bi-ikto catch and eventually to be roasted by the group whowon the bi-ik catching contest.I missed the fun during the Reunion last Sept 22..again in behalf of my family I would like to thankeveryone for helping us during the operation of my son"Claude Wayne S. Fuentivilla" at PHC. Surely ourbeloved "Noynoy" is beaming with pride in heaven thathe was a son of a Vincentian father. Comes November13, 2007 is his ist yr death anniversary.Mabuhay kayong lahat mga kapatid!

Rey M. FuentivillaACM Iloilo