Awaiting Look!!!

While the other members of the permanent formation course are going around the Retreat house in Morlupo, Rome, to feel the cold and refreshing wind, Fr. Dexter awaits them with a smile as they enter the house and share with the other Fathers their memories about their self-giving activities in their respective areas of responsibility.

Dream Team of Habitat Engineers for Phase 2

The energetic team captain, Engr. Toto, of the Habitat for Humanity-Philippines has called the other members of the Project Management Team for the housing project in St. Hannibal Housing Project Phase 2 to immediately start the work. In the plan, two model houses are to be built before the groundbreaking on October 29, 2006. The other members of the team are civil, electrical and geodetic engineers, SHEC staff, community organizers, volunteers and leaders of the St. Hannibal Homeowners' Association.

International Conference- on the go!

Meeting the Rogationists from all over the world creates an atmosphere of joy and gladness. It helps the Fathers to see their Charism from the global point of view. With the start of the biblical conference, the Fathers are excited to share their experiences in living the Rogate in the particular cultures and peoples they are living with. Present in the conference are the former general fathers of the Rogationists and some Fathers from Spain, Mexico, India, US, Africa, Italy and Philippines.

THANKSGIVING MASS AND AWARDING CEREMONY

After a short but intense preparations, the day has come! The Vice-President of the Philippines, NOLI DE CASTRO, has come last September 21, 2006 and led the awarding of certificates to the beneficiaries. Barangay Captain of 165, Ms. Trecie Vivas, gave a warm welcome to the guests and Rev. Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ, respectively introduced the present housing project. After the awarding of unit certificates to the first 50 beneficiaries, the president of the St. Hannibal Homeowners Association Phase II, Inc., Mr. Benigno Paragsa, expressed their sentiments through his thanksgiving speech. With full enthusiasm and vigor then, the Vice President Noli De Castro responded. The latter’s speech was received with great applause. After a short picture taking, Rev. Fr. Joe Aripio, vicar forane of Sta. Clara vicariate, headed the thanksgiving mass celebration. The Rogationist Fathers Bruno Rampazzo, Rito Ybañez, Rodolfo Patiag and Cesare Bettoni concelebrated in the event.

So tired!!!

The people from the areas covered by the St. Hannibal Homeowners Association Phases I and II were very happy and enthusiastic upon knowing the date of the Inauguration of their housing project and the groundbreaking of the BPI property on October 29, 2006 – knowing then that the main guest is no other than the President of the Republic of the Philippines, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO. Preparations for the said event was then started. The excitement turn into pure energy when on September 18, 2006 the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) announced the coming of the Vice President of the Philippines NOLI DE CASTRO for the awarding of BPI lot to the beneficiaries on September 21, 2006. The different committees were immediately organized and the rush preparations began. The people concern, especially the officers of St. Hannibal Christian Community, worked together enduring the heat of the sun while cleaning the vast BPI property, spent sleepless nights for the decorations and arrangements of stage, tables and chairs, had music practice and all those kind of stuffs.

SHACC IS FASTER THAN FASTER

As the projects are hasten, other opposing groups also arose like mushrooms. Some revived the old organizations in their areas, while others form new groups, just to oppose and delay the projects. As there were plenty of issues raised by other association opposing the St. Hannibal group, the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) called a meeting on September 14, 2006 to settle the problems confronting the former. Of the two deviant groups invited, only the Faster Group of Tramo Riverside appeared. Some issues then were solved while others were scheduled for the next meeting.

All the officers of the St. Hannibal Homeowners Association Phases V and VI together with Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ and his staff attended the meeting at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council(HUDCC) office in Makati City last September 13, 2006. Present during the meeting were The National Housing Authority(NHA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Habitat for Humanity. During the meeting, they discussed matters about the status of the land in the creek-side of Rodriguez St. Malibay, Pasay City Towards the end of the meeting, they have decided to form a technical working group composed of DENR, NHA, MMDA and DPWH to study comprehensively the area, should the land be feasible for proclamation.

TEARS OF PAIN AND JOY…

On September 12, 2006, the values coordinators from the different areas gathered at the St. Hannibal Training Center for their weekly meeting. This time, the whole activity was covered and recorded by Rev. Fr. Rito Ybañez, RCJ, for documentation and presentation purposes. During the sharing, they did not only smile and laugh in sharing their experiences but many also shed tears as they recalled the difficulties and hardships they have encountered when they joined the St. Hannibal Christian Community.

Torn Between Two Bosing

Fr. Gabby Flores, who is a general counsilor of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, arrived from Rome. It is with pleasure that Frs. Eric and Dexter welcoimed him with delight as one of the participants in the ongoing formation of the Rogationist priests. This is taken in the center of Spirituality in Morlupo, Italy.

The joy of meeting kababayan

On the eve of our arrival in Morlupo, Italy, Bro. Nilo Poblete accompanied us to the house of some of his Filipino friends. It is a joy to be with these people who are trying their best to earn for a living for their beloved who are left in the Philippines.

Flying with the Spirit to Italy

What a joy to travel going to the place of St. Hannibal. Together with Fr. Dexter is Bro. Kenneth Cortez and Fr. Eric Raveza, they made their stopover in Dubai to rest to a moment from a long trip from the Philippines.

Promised Land - Fulfilled

Last September 21, 2006, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) of the government has paid 50% of the total cost of the price of the land to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). This transpired in the presence of the Vice President of the Philippine Republic, Hon. Noli De Castro. After the payment, the awarding of unit certificates to the beneficiaries took place. 344 families will be benefiting from this in-city relocation. What a blessing to have this event in the life of those living on the danger zones of Malibay, Pasay City, Philippines. After almost two decades of waiting for the security of their tenure, now the time has come. They will be having their own land, a promised land. Heartfelt gratitude is ascribed to all the agencies and friends who have contributed to the success of this event: SHFC, National Housing Authority, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor, Local Goverment of Pasay City, Pasay City Interagency Committee on Housing, City Engineering Office, Registry of Deeds, Office of the City Assessor, Office of the City Mayor, Office of the Congresswoman, Office of the President for Religious Affairs, Office fo the Vice-President, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Caritas Manila, Pondo ng Pinoy, San Juan Nepomuceno Parish, San Roque Parish, Mary Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, Leaders and members of the St. Hannibal Christian Community, Habitat for Humanity-Philippines, BPI and to all the persons who wish not to be recognized.

LAKBAY-ARAL

On September 6, 2006, the Health Committee of St. Hannibal Christian Community (SHaCC) went to Brgy. Holy Spirit in Quezon City and to the Bureau of Plants Industry for their “Lakbay-aral.” They were given first-hand lessons on systematic waste management and greening programs. This was continued on September 8, 2006. This time, the Health Committee was joined by the Environment Committee. The two groups together with the organizers(the UP-PGH Doctors) and some UP medical students went to the UP Los Baños Agricultural Department for the orientation and viewing of the “Hydroponics”(plants which usually grow in soil but planted in water for convenience and faster growth).

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS?

After a series of meetings and preparation, the time has come last September 8, 2006 for the applicants from the depressed areas covered by SHEC to take the entrance examinations. If they pass the exams, they’ll be trained as medical transcriptionists. The idea of training-for-free these young individuals came from Ms. Nene Dionisio. She wanted to help people coming from the depressed areas and raise their living standards. A good number passed the examinations.

DEWORMING

Under the direction of volunteer-doctors from UP-PGH, Bro. Hernan Recinto together with Bro. Mico Flores went around the different Barangays under the guidance of St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) for the “deworming” of children last September 1, 2006. Presently, the Health Committee of St. Hannibal Christian Community(SHaCC) are busying themselves with the feeding program and sanitation in the areas.

PCIACH MEETING

On August 23, 2006, the Pasay City Inter-Agency Committee on Housing (PCIACH) once again met and discussed matters related to housing particularly the projects of the St. Hannibal Empowerment Center. They’ve discussed particularly the projects of St. Hannibal Homeowners Association Phase I, II and III.

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

On August 19, 2006, Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ, together with Bro. Maxim Geli and some volunteers attended the Episcopal ordination of Rev. Fr. Broderick Pabillo in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Fr. Pabillo is a former salesian who requested to be assigned in Palawan to be with the poor and to live poor. He once was a rector of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco in Better Living Parañaque City and a professor of scriptural studies in the Don Bosco Center of Studies and other theological schools in Metro Manila. Bishop Pabillo was once a professor and spiritual director of Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ.

VIVA LGU!

On August 17, 2006 the Local Government Unit or LGU started to do their part in the beautification of Brgy. 156. In one of the Inter-Agency meetings, they pledged to take charge of the site development in the area razed by fire last December 21, 2005. While construction of houses is on-going under the supervision of Habitat for Humanity and assistance of SHEC, the LGU is simultaneously undertaking development works in the area. At present they have started installing and fixing the drainage and some drillings.

TU ES SACERDOS!

On August 5, 2006, the St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) community sent representatives to Iloilo for the ordination to the order of Priesthood of Rev. Fr. Francis Paul Escaño, RCJ. Aside from being a Rogationist, Fr. Francis –he was Bro. Francis then – was also assigned in one of the depressed areas covered by the SHEC community. He was and continues to be part of the St. Hannibal Empowerment Center and St. Hannibal Christian Community. May God be glorified and manifested in him! Fr. Francis, tu es sacerdos in aeternum!

Houses, no doors and windows, wanna help?

Last December 21, 2005, a community composed of squatters in Barangay 156, Tramo, Riverside, Pasay City was razed by a fire leaving the 299 families homeless. The property occupied, privately owned, is about 3000 square meters. Right after the sad event, the St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) initiated the move to help the people. The fire victims were organized. Their homeowners’ association was registered in Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. The process of land acquisition started in order for the people to have a security of tenure. With SHEC as the coordinator of all the activities, a group of concerned people and agencies was mobilized to assist the fire victims. Thus, we have the following:
Land Acquisition
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) of the government – assists the people in buying the lot from the owner. The people, in turn, will have to pay the SHFC in 25 years with an affordable rate.
Site Development - (drainage, road concreting, electricity and water system)
This is taken charge by the City Government of Pasay.
Housing Component –
Of all those who lost their homes, for now, only 34 families among them expressed their desire to be assisted in the construction of their houses. The Church, through the Pondo ng Pinoy, with the help of His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, D.D., allocated a considerable amount for the construction of low-cost housing for the 34 units. The cost of each unit is P60,000. This is payable in 20 years with zero interest; P250 monthly amortization. Starting this week, the construction will be completed in two weeks with the technical assistance of Habitat. But in the contract, the doors and windows are not part. The cost of the door and windows is P3,000 per unit. For this reason, we are knocking at your generous heart to help us find kind people to assist these unfortunate people have a complete and decent 20 square-meter house with doors and windows.

Values Formation
Land acquisition, house construction and site development are important elements in the integral development of the people. But these are not enough; values formation is needed. Thus, all the peoples are given trainings on how to appreciate their blessings from God and to eventually share them to others.

We will appreciate whatever that comes from your heart. For further information about the manner of sending to us, you may visit our website http://www.shecrog.org/ Thanks so much.

We will be very grateful for whatever assistance you can give for these people. Thanks and God bless.