8th National Traditional Pilgrimage

Bohol, Philippines- The Apostles of Mary hosted for the eighth time the annual pilgrimage to Fatima Shrine in Carmen, Bohol. The event was attended by more than 350 youth and adults from different parts of the country. The said event was even attended by participants from other countries.

It was opened with a Sung Mass at Rizal, Park in Tagbilaran City. The 3-day walk then followed which was interspersed with meals, snacks and rest during the day and conference and presentations during the night. Fr. Conrad Daniels gave a conference on the first night about the Social Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just like in the past, the group conducted several contests like Folk Song and Marian Song and gave out various awards to deserving groups. The National Baltimore Catechism exam was conducted on the 2nd night.

The League wishes to thank all the sponsors who helped in the success of the annual event. Special thanks to the following:

* Mayor Leon Calipusan of Loboc for allowing us to use the Loboc Gym for 2 nights and for safety and security of the pilgrims.

* Philippine Red Cross Bohol Chapter through Jacinto Quimson, RMT, Officer in Charge, for first aid and medical assistance for the entire pilgrimage. We were provided with 3 volunteers and 1 ambulance.

* Philippine Army through Lt. Col. Alfredo Sanchez, Commanding Officer, for the 2 big tents (which could accommodate 50 persons per tent). His men even volunteered to set-up and dismantle the tents.

* PNP Batuan, headed by SPO4 Gamaliel Merlas, Commander, for providing security of the pilgrims during the pilgrimage. They served as traffic marshals.

* PNP Carmen, which provided the same free service to the pilgrims.

* Msgr. Jeffrey Manalog, JCL, Vicar General and Bishop Medroso, Diocese of Tagbilaran, for allowing us to visit and enter different churches and parishes.

* Our gratitude also to the sponsor of the trophies, Mr. Lito Geronimo, who also sponsored last year's trophies.

A million thanks to all of you and may the Good Lord reward your generosity!

8^th National Youth Pilgrimage

Various contest winners

Baltimore Catechism

15 – 30 years old and 31+

1^st place     Marcel Mompar          96%     Sta. Lucia, Butuan

Prizes: 1962 Daily Missal, Php 7,500.00, Gold Medal and Certificate

2^nd place    Vanessa Gerondio       91.5%  Sta. Lucia, Butuan

Prizes: Php 6,000.00    Silver Medal and Certificates

3^rd place     Cindy Armada             83.5%  Jaro, Iloilo

Prizes: Php 5,000.00    Bronze Medal and Certificate

14 years old and under

1^st place     Jessa Claire Cabusao       95.5%     Sta. Lucia, Butuan

Prizes: Catechism in Picture    Php 2,000.00    Gold Medal and Certificate

Folk Song Contest

1^st prize     San Jose Clan, Bohol

 Prizes: Trophy and Certificate

2^nd place   Sta. Lucia, Butuan

    Prize: Trophy

3^rd place    Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo
Mt. Carmen Clan, Manila 
Prize: Trophy

Best Costume     Sta. Lucia, Butuan

                          Prize: Certificate
 

Marian Song Contest

1^st prize     San Jose Clan, Bohol

 Prizes: Trophy and Certificate

2^nd prize    Sta. Lucia, Butuan
Prize: Trophy

3^rd prize     AoM & LoM Manila

Prize: Trophy

Minor Awards
Best Group Banner                
          Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo

          Prize: Certificate

Most Lively Group                
          Sta. Lucia, Butuan

          Prize: Certificate

Most Organized Group         
          Sta. Barbara Clan, Iloilo

          Prize: Certificate

Largest Contingent                
          Jaro, Iloilo

          Prize: Certificate

Congratulations to the winners!

For photos, click on the PHOTO tab (link to Picasa web album).

Leadership Training 2008

DECEMBER 20, 2008
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
South Elem School, Lagao, GSC
ABOUT: The activity was an endeavour to help the participants understand the importance of the acquisition of maturity, and how to be one. They also studied the four temperaments to help them know better themselves and to be able to handle the various "modes" of people whom they deal with in their daily lives, but most especially, their own. It is said, "A good leader is the king and master of himself."

for more pictures, visit our PICASA WEB ALBUM.

FORMATION SESSION in South Cotabato

OCTOBER 26, 2008
FORMATION SESSION
Greenwoods Retreat House, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
ABOUT: Formation Session for the youth of KNCHS, Marbel, General Santos, Tagum, Polomolok and Sarangani Province. Various lectures were given to the participants, like the objectives of the League, crisis in the Church, modern philosophical errors, group apostolate, etc.

for more pictures, visit: click here

Letter from Vice Governor of Sarangani

OFFICE OF THE VICE GOVERNOR
Alabel Complex, Sarangani Province

October 23, 2008


MR. JERWIN AGUINALDO
Chief Captain - Apostles of Mary
Catholic Youth League of the Philippines


Dear Mr. Aguinaldo:

On behalf of the Provincial Government of Sarangani, we would like to thank you for your generous support during the Medical Mission held at Brgy. Lumatil, Maasim.

We wish to inform you that it benefited more or less one thousand residents from Brgy. Lumatil, Brgy. Daliao, and Brgy. Kanalo in the Municipality of Maasim, Sarangani Province. Almost 600 children were fed during the feeding activity. We appreciate the resources you shared with us such as slippers, juice, biscuits, and used clothing as we start to restore confidence and peace in the Province. No words can express our sincere gratitude for the kindness you have showed us. Our appreciation is ever growing and we hope that we can still count on you in the future.

Agian, you have my sincerest thanks.


Your truly,


SGD STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON
Vice Governor

Medical Mission and Feeding Program in the Municipality of Maasim

Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon of Province of Sarangani sent a thank you letter to Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo of the Catholic Youth League of the Philippines for their generous support during the Medical Mission and feeding program held at Barabgay Lumatil, Maasim on October 15, 2008. More or less one thousand residents from Barangay Lumatil, Barangay Daliao, and Barangay Kanalo in the Municipality of Maasim in Province of Sarangani. Almost 600 children were fed during the feeding activity. The Apostles of Mary were giving slippers, juices, biscuits and used cloths as a way to restore confidence and peace in the Province. The Team also distributed hundreds of rosaries and catechism pamphlets in Cebuano version for the victims of war and to the Philippine Army. The Association of Catholic Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals in Asia (ACIM-Asia) were distributing free medicine to the patients. ACIM-Asia is a professional association of health professionals concerned with the issues that affect the medical profession (euthanasia, abortion, bioethics, etc.) and with providing the solutions within the framework of the natural law and the social teaching of the Catholic Church.

The Apostles of Mary Chief Captain would like to thank the following sponsors in Manila who helped and gave their support for the success of the feeding program and the distribution of gifts to the less fortunate children: Ms. Armi Nabablit, Mr. Romel Dela Rosa, Mrs. Babes Simon and company and PAL Foundation for delivering the necessary goods and provisions.

The Chief Captain with the Provincial Staffs distributing Juices and Biscuits to the Children

Battle for Life

September 23
Manila

Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo and Vice Chief Captain Seymour Apolisok had been attending the debate of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill at the Plenary Hall of Batasang Pambansa.

September 24
Manila

The Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo and Dra. Ligaya Acosta of HLI attended the interpellation and debate of the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress.

Deputy Speaker Raul Del Mar of 1st District of Cebu City was standing for Pro-Life side. According to him the HB05043 violated many laws in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

After the Session, Mr. Aguinaldo and Dra. Acosta met Cong. Del Mar to state their support.

War in Mindanao

August 22: Asma Akmad, Provincial Vice-Governor's aide in charge of medical missions and relief operations in the province, made a plea to ACIM-Asia for assistance in the town of Maasim, where war had recently erupted.

August 23: Chief Capt. Jerwin Aguinaldo, representing the Apostles of Mary Catholic Youth League of the Philippines and ACIM Asia proceeded to Maasim with the Vice-Governor's relief team. He brought with him candies for children, cans of tuna, rosaries and prayer guides, and copies of the booklet "Fatima's Peace Plan from Heaven". As he distributed the Rosaries and the booklets, military people who were in the area also lined for their free supply.
While there, he assisted in the preliminary stress debriefing program for the children evacuees seeking refuge in the town gymnasium. He gave out candies as children shared their fears and anxieties, sang or cried out their confusions and pains, and eventually played games to find a sense of normalcy in the chaotic upheaval of their lives.

He saw the pitiful condition of the evacuees. There was a child who had sustained burns from scalding water that spilled on her as she rushed with her family to escape the gunfires ravaging their village.

He saw malnourished and sick children and himself echoed the plea for medical assistance among the victims of war, especially the children.

September 26: ACIM-ASIA will be assisting in the medical mission in Maasim using medicines left over from the Rosa Mystica Health Mission. Dra. Lagare will serve. The search for doctors willing to serve in the mission is still going on. Maasim is one of the poor Sarangani towns without a hospital. It is expected that chronic and acute diseases other than war-related illnesses will be seen. It will be a tough mission.

Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo is collecting food and clothing from friends and benefactors in Manila. He is working to collect enough to feed 1000 children during the medical mission.

EVACUEES FLEEING THEIR VILLAGES, SEEKING REFUGE IN THE TOWN GYMNASIUM

Chief Jerwin with the armed bodyguards and the staff from the provincial government who went to Maasim to direct the evacuation relief operation