The Hapag-asa Program, which was launched late last year, will not only benefit the children who are being fed through the program but their parents as well.  The mothers of the children-beneficiaries are taking part in a series of seminars on nutrition and health education.  The modules for the lectures, designed to be easily understood by the participants, include lessons on personal hygiene and preparation of nutritious meals.  This formation component of the Hapag-asa Program aims to empower parents, especially mothers, to improve nutrition and health in the family.  The series of seminars started with the orientation of participants last February 12 and will continue every 2^nd and 4^th Friday of the month.  Volunteers from the Family and Life Ministry will act as facilitators.

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The second part of the Basic Bible Orientation Seminar was held last February 13 at the Delaney Hall.  The seminar, with the theme “Discovering God’s Word”, was attended by 65 parish leaders and parishioners.  Ms. Michele Navarro of the Institute of Pastoral Development facilitated the said event.  The participants were empowered to learn the basic skills for Bible study, discover and interpret biblical passages and be better motivated to respond to God’s word.  This seminar was coordinated by the Formation Ministry.

In partnership with our Parish, the Punlaan School administered qualifying examinations for a scholarship grant last January 25 and February 15. We warmly congratulate Zabrina Ismael, Karen Capucao, Marie France Zamora, Rana Rabe, Hazelle Tamayao, Jonna Dawis, Mariecar Enfectana, Ginalyn de Jesus, Marygold Pascua, and Jenny Tapel for passing the exam. These ten young women from the different areas of our community have qualified to proceed with the admission process and have come a step closer to a scholarship grant that covers a Two-Year Free Training and Education in the Dual Training Program in Food and Beverage Services for the Tourism Industry and Hotels and Restaurants. The scholarship benefits include free tuition, a year of in-school training, a year of on-the-job training in a top hotel or restaurant, free laboratory materials, monthly allowance, and immediate employment after graduation. However, Punlaan School is still accepting hopeful applicants for its June 2010 admission. Applicants must be 16 to 21 years old, high school graduates with a general average of at least 80% or its equivalent, of good moral character, at least 5’2” in height, single, and physically fit. Punlaan School’s Office of Student Affairs keeps its lines open for inquiries. Ms. Berna Balon can be contacted through the number 727-0581/82.

Punlaan School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization recognized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as a model school for the Dual Training System.

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This year, in lieu of the annual Lenten recollection, the Parish’s Worship Ministry, headed by Boots Concepcion, organized a Lenten pilgrimage. The pilgrimage will be held on February 27, 2010 at the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center in Lucban, Quezon. This pilgrimage is primarily for Worship Ministry members but all servant leaders from the other ministries of the Parish are likewise cordially invited.

- Michelle Rose Rubio, Kiboy Tabada, & Ily Grace Yumul