 |
| Rep. Arthur Yap turns-over the check to Bishop Leonardo Medroso for the rehabilitation of Loboc Church. Also in photo are Fr. Felix Silagan and Fr. Andy Ayco. |
The seed money is from Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s personal fund
to be used solely for the repair of the roofing of the Loboc Church.
Sen. Enrile asked Rep. Yap of any
worthy projects he could finance for the 3rd district. Rep Yap thought of
beautifying the Loboc Church which is a national historical monument and a
tourist attraction. Senator Enrile's son, Cagayan
Rep. Jack Enrile, who is eyeing a Senate seat in 2013, also helped follow
up the release of the check.
Aside from the P500-thousand for the
repair of the Loboc Church roof, Rep. Yap and Senator Enrile are now
working on the inclusion of about P200-P250 million in the national budget for
the rehabilitation of the whole Loboc church. At 374 years old, the Loboc Church has
showing its age.
Bishop
Medroso was touched by the generosity of the donation facilitated by Rep. Yap.
On
the other hand, the town of Loboc
might get bigger firetrucks from Japanese donors tapped by Rep. Yap in an
effort to ensure all towns in the 3rd district are
well-equipped in times of emergencies.
Rep.
Yap explained that he would facilitate requests for assistance from any mayor
for that matter, not only Mayor Leon Calipusan
of Loboc. Rep. Yap said he is very willing to be of help to any mayor who needs
assistance, whose town has not received any assistance from DILG and PCSO yet,
and Rep. Yap is now facilitating acquisition of firetrucks and ambulances from
Japanese donors.
***
The Coolest Capitol Figure. For many
years, as a cashier, financial adviser on financial matters during the time of
then governor now second district Rep.
Erico Aumentado and now assistant provincial treasurer of the provincial
government of Bohol, Primitiva
Jamodiong-Ontong, still perfectly fits that enduring title (if you haven’t
noticed, she has amazing hairstyles most of the time).
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| Primitiva "Priming"Ontong |
Unlike most of her colleagues and
contemporaries, Priming, the endearing monicker of Primitiva (“it means ‘native’
but I still love my name”), is retaining that sweet and wholesome aura about
her, perhaps because she harbors no frustration nor bitterness in heart.
Yes, Priming’s being cool is natural
and, no, her “sweetness” is not a put-on. Everybody, close friends and complete
strangers alike, call her Maam Priming with affection.
As an assistant provincial
treasurer, Priming said that her position is a very challenging job. “I take
good care of our money. It’s supervisory but our office has the final say to
control the cash.”
Asked how she copes with stress, “I
just relax and sleep.”
Living a healthy lifestyle, her diet
includes fish, vegetables and fruits. “I have carrot, cucumber and radish juice
I drink 30 minutes before breakfast. It’s good for the health! I also drink more
than 8 glasses of water every day.”
This much is known to many, Priming
is a Marian devotee. She has at least 8 favorite saints and angels. “They are
St. Anthony de Padua, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Benedict, St. Augustine, Sta.
Monica, St. Gabriel, St. Michael and St. Rafael.”
Prayer
is powerful. Ask Priming.
“I always pray with joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to 'Rejoice always, pray continually, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.'
I recite 7 Glory Be in honor of the Holy Spirit, 15 Our Father prayer given to St.
Bridget of Sweden. I assist the mass
daily as my devotion,” shared Priming. “Before I go to sleep, I pray to thank
the Lord. I pray for my family and friends. Before, I go to work, I have to pray to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment and I give
five
minutes to read Our Daily Bread.”
 |
| with members of the God the Father of All Mankind... |
There have been many clichés about like-minded people banding together. With the same interests, they reach similar goals faster and enjoy the process, too, because they have each other to share the journey with. So, Priming is joining the God the Father of All Mankind group, started by the Italian nun, mystic, and visionary, Mother Eugenia Elisabetta Ravasio (1907–1990).
“Doy Leo, God the Father told Mother
Eugenia that ‘All those who call Me by the name of the Father, even if only
once, will not perish, but will be sure of their eternal life among the chosen
ones.’”
Incidentally, Catholics mark the
first Sunday of August every year as the feast and day of consecration to God,
the Father of All Mankind. Sunday is the last day of the traditional octave or
eight days of prayer and daily consecration to the Father of All Mankind, that
began last July 31.
A concelebrated Mass will be held at the
Cogon Shrine during the consecration and feast of God the
Father of All Mankind on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. Activities leading to the feast
will include octave prayer at 7 a.m., followed by a Holy Mass. All devotees are
invited to attend.
I
hate people…who are matapobre,
one who
looks down on poor people.
I
avoid people…. who are gossip mongers. Kana jud Doy Leo mga tsimosa, intrigera, they spread fire!
My
greatest pleasure is…entertaining
clients with a genuine smile. I am happy to help other people especially the
poor.
My
worst moment is…when
I was rushed to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties.
My
biggest fear is…I commit mistakes and I am not able to ask Jesus to
forgive me for all my sins and I will go to hell! Knock on the wood, palayo lang jud!
I
pray for…good
health and happiness for myself and for the people that I love. I also pray for
the salvation of all souls in purgatory so that they can go to Heaven.
The
most important person in my life is....my husband! I love
him.
If
I were to be reincarnated as an animal I would be… a sheep. It
symbolizes innocence and loyalty. It is also a symbol of simple goodness we bring to life when we have
the desire and affection to do good for others and to be good ourselves.
My
most traumatic experience was... I had a car accident. The car just skid
off the side of a cliff. That
time, I had my five year-old daughter with me. I thanked the Lord because we
were safe!
I
deal with gossip by…first, I avoid gossip, then by praying to God for
strength. Doy Leo, gossip can create an unpleasant atmosphere at work. So, I
don’t like tsismis while working.
Am
I afraid of growing old?...I don’t afraid to grow old. I thank
the Lord for the gift of life. Pero naa
gud beauty secrets pud.(Laughs)
My
favorite memory verse is....John 15:7. It says,
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be done for.”
My most memorable
miracle was…about my daughter who is a CPA. She was hired
to work in Singapore but was denied entry at the Singapore Immigration. My daughter
texted me to pray for her while she was also asking the Lord to change the mind
of the immigration officer. At that very moment, after praying, the Immigration
officer granted her entry. My daughter is still working at the Royal Bank of
Scotland in Singapore.
I
lose my temper when...Doy Leo, masuko ko pag-ayo pero mawala ra dayon kung
makapray ko.
I
am happiest when...I can help other people.
I
am saddest when....I see trouble in the office.
My
ultimate goal is...to be with God in heaven.
What
I like about myself… My heart beats for the poor people.
What
I don’t like about myself….I am a worrier. Dali ra ko maguol, usahay emotional.
When I started to worry, I pray to the Lord. It creates internal balance and
stability.
Face-to-face
with God, I’d tell Him…Thank You, God and I love You.
***
Thanks
for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.
