Today's early bird is the Vicariate of Sto Niño, Diocese of Cubao, which picked up 500kg kalabasa for distribution to PWDs and elderly parishioners.
We are distributing tons of rescued kalabasa from Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija today to various parishes, feeding programs, and prison ministries in NCR.
In Tanging Yaman Foundation, we often see a spiral of kindness and generosity.
For example, we provided Supertyphoon Odette rehab funds to the Diocese of Talibon in Bohol which coordinated the construction of houses in the various parishes. In Sierra Bullones, the Immaculate Conception Parish donated additional funds to make a bigger house, parish volunteers brought curtains, and the local police gave groceries to the family of Rolando Mata.
We thank the Diocese of Talibon Social Action Center and the team of Immaculate Conception Parish priest Fr Jocelito A Eronico for leading the community in the spirit of thanksgiving and renewal.
Last month, we shared pictures of core shelters in Argao, Cebu, a Super Typhoon Odette rehab project of TYF in partnership with Cebu Caritas. TYF funded 31 houses, while Caritas Germany funded 34 others. Although the houses were immediately handed over and occupied by beneficiaries, the formal handover ceremonies took place only on Easter Monday, April 10, after the mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo. In the afternoon, five priests, including Cebu Caritas president Fr Alex Cola, trekked to the hills and farmlands to bless the houses. A Blessed Easter indeed!
Credit also goes to the families who shared responsibility for the construction. For example, they took care of hauling materials from the main road. Since moving in, the families painted the houses using paint supplied by Cebu Caritas. They will also build sheds for the toilet, with construction materials also provided by Cebu Caritas.
Boat building is an intricate, highly prized craft, and we are grateful to our Odette rehab partners for seeking the most reliable boat builders in their areas.
In Siargao, the boats were built in the grounds of the Sta Monica Parish, with Fr Larry Espuerta regularly sending pictures so we could track the development from plain slabs of wood to sleek, painted boats alongside their happy owners.
On Saturday, April 22, Fr Larry blessed and distributed eight boats to fishermen from various barangays in Sta Monica. Two more fishing boats will be distributed in the coming weeks.
