When the priests came out to party

I was reluctant to go, but then how could I say no? A few months ago, I found myself seated right beside Ruthy Vera, the chairperson for the Francisfest — an event that I had never heard of. Ruthie and her husband Bobet Vera are like family to me — they remind me how a family is there to support one another, best exemplified by how they treat each other and their children. I call them a “Vera Happy Family.” So when they invite me to an event, I drop everything just to be with them.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” it’s said. Ruthy was really reluctant to accept this chairwomanship to raise funds for her parish, Sanctuario de San Antonio — what with her responsibilities as wife and mother of four young children — but she finally obliged, thanks to the prodding of the very convincing Father Joel Sulse.

Father Joel was right; he knew all along that Ruthy would do a great job, as evidenced by the turnout that night at the ballroom Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the funds raised for the church — a total of P5 million raised in a six-week timeframe. How’s that for the new Wonder Woman of the church? Take a bow for your selflessness, Sister Ruthy! (That’s what I call her!)

So there I was, right smack center with Most Reverend Chito Tagle, Most Reverend Teodoro Bacani, Most Reverend Bernardino Cortez, Most Reverend Jose Oliveros. What was I doing in the company of Reverend Fathers and Brothers?

Francisfest, as I would later find out, is a fundraising activity to benefit the outreach programs of Santuario de San Antonio Parish and the institutions it continually supports. A more than worthy cause, I must say. I felt like such a good boy in the company of such holy but real people.

For The Kingdom And The Glory

Ruthy, radiant in a red Valentino gown, addressed a full house of her friends and supporters of the church. Tables had to be added and squeezed in to fit the ballroom which hit maximum capacity to accommodate other distinguished guests, including Parish Pastoral Council president Randy and Cecille Limjoco, Rosalinda Orosa, Letty Lopez, Chloe Periquet, Letty Syquia, Mike and Karen Limpe, Sebastian and Letty Roxas-Chua, Steve Lopez, Tessie Fernandez, Gloria Tan Climaco, Esther Tan, Angie Tan, Luis and Vina Mercado, Justa and Mon Tantoco, Bernard and Barbara Lichaytoo, Amb. and Mrs. Frank Alba, Jun and Nancy Tambunting, Freddy Consunji, Joe and Marivic Concepcion, Buboy and Libet Virata, Charlie Uy, Tong and Daisy Payumo, Teresita Liboro, Olga Martel and Lucille Villanueva, to name a few.

World-class stage performers Pinky Marquez and Bo Cerrudo top-billed the dinner concert, entitled “All for the Glory of God,” with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its music director and principal conductor Rodel Colmenar. “It was an evening of inspiring and nostalgic music with messages of hope and gratitude,” said Bobet, admiring his lovely wife from afar as she stood onstage to present bouquets of flowers to the performers.

“The goal was ambitious given the limited time. And then the unthinkable happened. The country was ravaged by the devastating back-to-back tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng. The attempts to seek contributions from the potential donors had to give way to the more urgent need to help the typhoon victims of last year,” said Ruthie of their challenges in mounting the event, as even Francisfest committee members had to heed the call to provide relief by committing a substantial amount to the calamity victims.

After all the calamities that hit the country last year, there is this thing called “donation fatigue” — a point when people and establishments have already given so much to several institutions, they shut down. At that time, they were asking themselves: “Are people still willing to give? Have they reached their limit?”

Giving And Receiving

“It was the power of prayers. For others, it was an act of compassion and gratitude. Yet the truth is, it is human nature to give,” Ruthy and her Francisfest committee are blessed because they themselves give.

So here’s the official report. The funds raised actually far exceeded the target, and from an initial goal to raise P5 million, it has almost doubled to P9.6 million. Now, where will the funds go? Among the ongoing projects is the renovation of the Parish convent, particularly the conference hall, parlor and counseling rooms. So when you go to Sanctuario de San Antonio and notice the developments, you’ll know whom to thank.

Of course, it goes beyond the home parish. The proceeds will benefit the continuing outreach programs of the Parish such as the JPIC scholarship, the prison ministry and the adopt-a-child ministry, which is in partnership with the Philippine General Hospital. Funds are also earmarked for its designated charities, St. Francis Friendship Home, La Ermita de San Nicolas de Tolentino and the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Botolan, Zambales.

I was learning so many lessons in giving from the generous souls that had gathered that night — and then I realized that was why I was there: to learn, to reach out and to realize how empowering it is to come together to be able to achieve something great, for the greater good. The words of St. Francis echoed in my heart that night: For it is in giving that we receive.

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The unprecedented success of Francisfest was made possible by magnanimous givers whose generosity affirmed that no request is too big to ask. Platinum sponsors include Justa L. Lee, Atty. and Mrs. Bobet Vera, Futura Realty Inc. and Imelda O. Cojuangco. Gold sponsors were Kanlaon Development Corp. and RJC & Carving Farms while Silver sponsors include Enrique M. Aboitiz, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Roxas-Chua, AY Foundation, Suyen Corp. of Ben Chan, Catholic Women’s Club, Susana AS Madrigal, Barangay Forbes Park, Gloria Tan Climaco, Ganet Management Corp., Mr. & Mrs. Wilfredo Pamplona, Mr. & Mrs. Paulino Que, Surfichem Inc., Randy & Cecile Limjoco, Pasig Development Corp., RPG Bocobo Holdings, Prudential Guarantee Assurance and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Other sponsors also include International Container Terminal Services, Inc., McDonalds and Security Bank, among many others.