December Advent Mission Trip

Christmas has come and gone. I realized I've still not uploaded the Advent Mission Trip pics from Payatas. Looking through it, it feels like Christmas all over again!

We took the older kids to Manila Ocean Park. When they got off the bus, all there was at the car park area was this small little grass area where we were to play some games before going into the Park. The kids thought this place was IT! They were going "Oh My God"! and were in awe of the place. This is what they saw.

May said, "Oh my! When we take them to the real Ocean Park, I think they will really faint."
Here are the kids loss for words

We also took Nic and our lost sheep JP to Erap City with us and spent time with them. The most memorable thing for everyone was the stars whizzing past us as we sat on the roof top one night. More than 20 shooting stars appeared. It felt like the heavens were watching over us that night and the 2 boys made endless wishes! We only found out the next day thatwe had witnessed a meteor shower. Super cool!

Pick the cutest cupid:

30hour FAST IS BACK

YES THE 30HOUR FAST IS BACK! This will be the 4th FAST.

This year the FAST will be held on the 4th Sunday of Lent.

It will kick off on 13th March in the morning and end with Eucharistic Celebration at 530pm on 14th March.

Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit (Attic)
along Upper Thomson Road

Registration fee: $10 (Students: $5)
Other Contribution: 1 sack of rice

Open to: 16 years and above (Youths - Young Adults)

Note: This is a 30 hour-stay in event. 30hours without food, 30hours in solidarity with the poor.

Watch this site for more updates!

PROGRAMME UPDATE,

INSPIRING SPEAKERS

AND MORE...

Post-Typhoon Ketsana Updates

It's been awhile since we last gave an update on the victims of Typhoon Ketsana living in Montalban area. We were in Payatas in December and met 3 famillies there who had lost their homes during the typhoon. They were living in Tempecil (Montalban) and their children study in Paaralang Pantao. They shared their experiences with us.

Most of the families affected by Ketsana/Ondoy in that area have since relocated to higher ground within the same area where it is much safer. The area has already been designated for another relocation project. The housing authorities, however, have allowed the victims to seek shelter there temporarily for 3 months after which they'll be relocated to another area. I think it's San Isidro, just before Anawim.

Most people have picked up and moved on with their lives. We're amazed by their resilience to move forward. Of course life is not the same. Defintely harder but they are coping. Many families were very happy with the relief aid they had received from us, especially the utensils and sleeping mats. Some are still in need of pots and woks and borrow from neighbours. Oops! we forgot about that.

The medical mission went very well. With about 1000 seeking treatment. There was a Singaporean doctor and Japanese doctors and Filipino doctors too. The people were very grateful for the meds. Thank you ACCT (Archdiocesan Crisis Coordination Team)

Once again, we'd like to thank all the wonderful and generous Singaporeans who helped! :)