St. James COPA Foundation, Inc.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐎𝐧!

The St. James COPA Foundation (COPA) is staging its much-awaited yearly concert on 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝟕:𝟒𝟓 𝐩𝐦 at the 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐃𝐞 𝐋𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐥.

“A Symphony of Hope” will feature the world-renowned Ateneo Chamber Singers and the much-loved balladeer Basil Valdez in an evening of songs and melodies to fill people’s hearts with hope. The concert theme taps into Pope Francis’ declaration of the coming Jubilee Year 2025 as a Year of Hope.

Hope is what COPA wants to offer through this concert, as the funds raised will primarily be used to extend financial assistance to some 250 poor and remote parishes all over the country. COPA also partners with social service institutions in Muntinlupa to extend help to disadvantaged members of our society.

COPA invites everyone to support its mission by watching the show and bringing family and friends to an enjoyable evening. For tickets, you may get in touch with your BEC coordinators or call/message 𝐋𝐮𝐝𝐲 or 𝐒𝐡𝐞 at 𝐭𝐞𝐥. 𝐧𝐨. 𝟖𝟖𝟒𝟐 𝟔𝟑𝟔𝟗.

𝐅𝐫. 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐉𝐫.: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲
By Avie Perez

This Peter is not a fisherman like St. Peter was.

He is a virtual farmer, construction worker, entrepreneur, social worker, and priest.

Last year and this year, St. James COPA (Church of the Poor Apostolate) Foundation chose Fr. Pedro “Peter” B. Molina Jr. out of over 200 other poor parish priests as awardee for Luzon for his projects using COPA funds.

Fr. Peter, 46, just celebrated his tenth year as a priest.

In 2021 when he assigned to be the parish priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Camarines Norte, he was taken aback by the poverty he saw. There was no stable source of food. Vegetables and fruits were few. Only kamoteng kahoy (sweet potato) seemed available.

So Fr. Peter went to work immediately. Within the convent grounds, he raised baboy damo (wild pig). He built a simple fishpond. And so on. He seemed to be testing right in his own backyard if the help he was thinking of extending to his poor parishioners would be practical. And feasible.

He has not looked back since.

Today, 31 families take care of at least one pig under Fr. Peter’s Pig Dispersal Program, despite the adverse effects of the Asian Swine Flu. “I give a particular beneficiary one piglet and one inahin,” he says.

“In six months, a pig can be an inahin. These we give to more families to start them off. We teach the beneficiaries to help others in turn. They learn to care for others too. We do not want them to be dependent on ayuda (aid).”

At the remotest sitio of his parish in Mercedes, Camarines Norte under the Diocese of Daet, he found a dilapidated chapel that had not seen a priest for a while.

“The sitio had no roads. It had no electricity. The chapel in the sitio was “sira,’’ unusable. Last year, “pinaayos namin (we repaired it). I brought portable lights. The people brought their gasera (oil lamps).They were very happy to see a priest there.”

Under his Solar Lights Program, Fr. Peter bought “online” -- from part of his P44,000 prize money as awardee of St. James COPA Foundation last year -- solar lamps to satisfy the power needs of six houses.

Fr. Peter recalls that all he wanted was to study when he was younger. This desire led him to study in a seminary. There was no one to send him to school then. Typhoon Rosing had brought many a livelihood to its knees in 1995. “I felt relieved sa simbahan (in church). ‘’

Fr. Peter is one of three sons and a sole daughter who is now a nun. Their father is into iron works (“he makes tricycles”) and their mother who is into upholstery in Albay.

What makes him a standout?

Aside from his Pig Dispersal Program and Solar Lights Program, he also has a Munting Pabahay Program where COPA funds are used to buy plywood to help build homes for the needy in the parish. ‘Apostles’ of the parish supplement these funds by going around the parish during Holy Week, begging.

“Para sa disenteng maliit na bahay lang (just decent, small housing units only),” he describes the program.

Then there is also the Adopt-a-Family Program where food, consisting of repacked rice and groceries, are distributed in the rainy months. Camarines is usually in the path of the country’s strongest rains.

But the rains do not stop this parish priest from his work. He does his rounds of the parish even in the midst of typhoons by walking, riding a motorcycle, riding a banca.

What gives him the most joy as a priest? It is to leave a legacy, he asserts.

“Yung magmamalasakit ka sa kapwa (it is having compassion for others). It is knowing we have a simbahang mapagmalasakit (it is having a compassionate, caring church).”

To the COPA Foundation, he says: “You don’t know us, pero malaking tulong kayo sa pari (you are a big help to us priests) sa mga malalayo at mahihirap na lugar (in the far-flung and poor places)”.

Last month, Fr. Peter went for a break to “find myself again, ask help from my superior, strengthen my faith …” He went on a 30-day retreat.

Recharged, Fr. Peter’s cup runneth over.

𝐅𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡

“Ok, next!”
Husky-voiced Fr. Rodel Paulino, new parish priest of the village’s St. James the Great Parish, is driven and works so hard that some think he is not prone to small talk. Like the CEO or COO of a big corporation, he wants things done on time.

But up close, Fr. Rodel is warm, calling his parishioners “sister” or “kuya.” Or even “brader.” A church guard says of him, “Magaang ang dating (Easy to get along with).”

Still opinions of him vary but all agree that our new parish priest is a hard-working shepherd of his flock.

He hit the ground running last February when he took over the reins of the parish.

He set up meetings right and left with many of the parish commissions and ministries. He aimed for an early exchange of ideas and direction-setting. His packed schedule would have made an older priest lose his voice or come down with the flu. The heat of El Nino recently drove this 50-year-old to wipe the sweat off his face and neck consistently when celebrating Mass. This led us in the Ministry of Ushers, Greeters and Collectors (MUGC) who serve at the country club Sunday Mass to always be ready with a cold bottle or glass of mineral water within his reach.

His overarching plan for the parish? “I want two things: Faith and fellowship. We share our faith; we enjoy our life together through fellowship.”

Fr. Rodel is a homegrown Las Pinas ‘citizen’, a neighboring city of Muntinlupa. He is the eldest among four boys and a girl.

He took up accountancy at Far Eastern University, which is possibly why he is today’s eagle-eyed financial administrator of the Diocese of Paranaque. He was honed in his priestly calling at the St. Paul Seminary Foundation in Silang and Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary in Imus, both in Cavite. He also studied theology at the Jesuit-run San Jose Seminary.

On Mar. 5, 2005, at 31 years old, he became a priest. His first assignment was as secretary to the most Rev. Bp. Jesse Mercado who has headed the diocese since its creation in 2003.

What led Fr. Rodel to the priesthood was a “life-changing” moment 29 years ago at the World Youth Day celebration in Manila. It was 1995 and he was a young man of 21. The now St. John Paul II presided at that celebration, the first time an Asian country hosted the annual religious gathering of the youth and young adults for prayer, worship and celebration of the Catholic faith.

“I felt something (stir) in my heart…(as I seek) a deeper meaning of my mission.” He saw something “in the face of the youth and the Church.” He had worked for the Bank of Philippine Islands, Meralco Foundation, a construction firm, and at Globe Telecom. Then the vocation beckoned.

His wish list for his new parish includes the church being everyone’s “happy place … Our parish must be a happy place. If you are happy, you bring that spirit to your family.” The same goes for the St. James Formation Center, now under construction. “By December 2025, it will be usable,” he promises. It will be a “happy place” too.

So far, the changes he has made in church include reviving the 4 p.m. Sunday Mass in Pilipino. And turning on the air-conditioners in church for every Mass. “How can we help Mass goers focus more on the liturgy (if they get distracted by the heat)? I want them to say, ‘The Mass moved me because it was celebrated meaningfully.’”

The extra expense for electricity is of no consequence to him. “Money is the last consideration. “’Di naman ako magastos (I spend prudently). When I help, I give my heart. We must know how to be of service to the community.”

The parish is now also more active in social media, proof of Fr. Rodel’s strong belief in its power to reach today’s faithful. He is all praise for the audio-visual presentation on the recent Santacruzan held in the parish. “Ang ganda, ang galing (How beautiful, how effective),” he says.

He does not read from prepared notes for his homilies. A frequent Mass goer notes that Fr. Rodel is comfortable delivering his homilies extemporaneously in either English or Pilipino. “He does not say ‘áh’or ‘uhm’ … which can be distracting.”

When the usual reshuffling of parish priests was on the table after their regular stints were about to end, Fr. Rodel, then parish priest of Madonna del Divino parish in nearby Southvale, Las Pinas, asked for “a poor community” to shepherd. Instead, he was given St. James the Great parish in Ayala Alabang, probably one of the richest parishes in the country.

Truly, God has his ways. Fr. Rodel believes the “unexpected” assignment may mean he has something to share with and at the same time learn from St. James’ parishioners whom he describes as “very available. Ang daling bigyan (It is so easy to give) ng instructions. People here are gifted to organize so we can bring order to things. They do things joyfully.

“There is COPA (Church of the Poor Apostolate). We joyfully help other parishes, the very poor parishes.

“We will have a stewardship program … we will create a manual on how to manage parishes well.” And he goes on and on about his plans until he stops at one point to reiterate, “We are one parish. We work together, we pray together. The shepherd is there to guide you.”

Our new parish priest is a morning person. He likes breakfast meetings. When he fails to see folks in church, he finds a way to visit them in their own homes. “We have to go back to our core: to evangelize, to reach out,” he says. He is asleep by 9 or 10 p.m. “Sa puyatan, low-bat ako (Late nights drain my energy),” but he is up by 4 a.m. to read the Bible.

His pet Pomeranian “Milkie,” said to be named after high priest Melchizedek in the Bible, loiters under the dining table while Fr. Rodel and his fellow priests eat breakfast.

Behind his desk on the wall of his “convent” in the parish office is a big cross-stitched portrait of Jesus and His Sacred Heart. What do people not know about you, one asks the priest, but which Jesus does?

Almost as if he was in the confessional, Fr. Rodel says softly: “I am an introvert.”

He has to address a crowd at every Mass. He has to face any and all parishioners who seek his counsel. He has to hobnob with folks, both the wealthy and powerful, and the poor and simple. He has to engage people from within and outside his parish. So how does he do it?

“I have to exert double effort. It is exhausting. By the grace of God, I am able to do it.”

In an instant, Fr. Rodel is gone from his seat. He is at the door of his “convent.”

“Sister, anong sabi ni Kuya Ben (Sister, what did Kuya Ben say)?” he asks his next visitor.

𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗔 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.

COPA hosted a dinner reception at the Barangay Community Center for its mission partners and benefactors. The evening was highlighted by two speakers who shared stories about their respective mission postings. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Vicar Apostolic of Taytay, Palawan, and Fr. Pedro Molina, parish priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino parish in Barangay Colasi, Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The event was attended by St. James parishioner-benefactors of COPA.

A thanksgiving Mass and reception marked this year’s COPA Night July 9, an annual fellowship among COPA officers, benefactors, volunteers and mission partners. The Mass was presided over by Bishop Jesse Mercado and concelebrated by St. James parish priest Fr. Rodel Paulino and 11 bishops from COPA’s partner dioceses in its Adopt-A-Parish program. After the mass at the parish church, a reception was held at the Barangay Community Center.

𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧/𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬

St. James COPA Foundation formally welcomed its new honorary chairman, newly-installed St. James Parish Priest Fr. Rodel Paulino, during its Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2024. Under COPA’s by-laws, the parish priest becomes COPA’s ex-officio Chairman.

COPA also elected a new set of officers from among its current trustees. Elected as new Chairman of COPA was Jun Penaranda Jr. who has just finished his three-year term as president. He replaced outgoing Chairman Chito Limcaoco who will assume a new role in the parish as president of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Elected as COPA’s new president was Mar Aguas who had been COPA Trustee and Treasurer. Long-time Trustee Mon Abejuela was elected as the new Treasurer. Other COPA officers and trustees are Ivi Glinoga, vice president and head of Social Action Ministry; Atty. Wilfredo Nuesa, corporate secretary; Bienvenido Araw, head of Adopt-a-Parish Program; Maria del Carmen Afzelius, Maria Antonia Lim, Patrick Bocobo, head of Emergency Assistance, Marc Tan, and newly elected Trustee Atty. Miguel Herrera.

Donations of 100 pcs sulphur soap for the female PDLs at Muntinlupa City Jail.

BEC’s and COPA Host Christmas Parties for AAVA Workers

Carrying on a longstanding tradition, the St. James Parish BEC’s with the support of St. James COPA, have been hosting Christmas parties for AAVA workers and their families. AAVA’s street workers are individually assigned to the eight BEC’s who host them and their families with food, games and prizes. Each family is also gifted with gift certificates that they can use for their Noche Buena.

St. James COPA Extends Relief Assistance to Catarman Flood Victims

In the second half of November, Catarman in Northern Samar was hit by heavy rains equal to over a month of rainfall, producing flash floods and resulting in heavy property damage and even some fatalities. In response, St. James COPA extended assistance to the Diocese of Catarman with whom it has a long standing relationship.

Fr. JR Sumayop, who once served as guest priest here at St. James is assigned to the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Mission Center in Dalakit, Catarman. His parishioners were among the beneficiaries of COPA’s financial assistance which was used to purchase relief goods, food, clothing and medicines for some 365 families. The photos on this page show the situation in Catarman during the floods. The church of the Mission Center was under four feet of water at some point.

Emergency assistance is one of the ministries of St. James COPA Foundation. While it extends relief assistance to victims of disasters, it also helps in the rehabilitation efforts of its mission partners, especially the parishes who cannot count on government assistance in restoring their physical structures.

COPA’s other programs are the Adopt-a-Parish which extends assistance to needy parishes, and the Social Action Ministry which partners with institutions operating in Muntinlupa such as Haven for Children, Elsie Gaches, Marillac Hills and Casa Miani which cater to the disadvantaged members of society.

If you wish to help COPA, donations may be deposited to the following accounts.

Account Name: St. James COPA Foundation, Inc.
BPI Account: 8291-0107-85
Security Bank: 0711-721986-001

You may also donate by checks payable to St. James COPA Foundation, Inc. Please send checks to our COPA office at the St. James Church or call the following numbers for pick up of your check. Ludy Barcelona 0917 8106272 or She Domen 0995 6406354.

St. James COPA trustees, members and volunteers gathered at the lovely home of COPA president Jun Peñaranda for a pre-christmas fellowship and joint birthday celebration of Trustees Freddie Nuesa and Jun Peñaranda. Special guest was Fr. Joseph Landero who shared his experiences as asst. parish priest at St. James since July of 2021. Fr. Jolan expressed his gratitude for the heartwarming support he got from the parish community and from COPA.

COPA’s 25th anniversary concert “𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐀 @ 𝟐𝟓: 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥” played to a full house October 14 at the Sylvia P. Lina Theater, De la Salle Zobel. Under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Ryan Cayabyab
Singers, and violinist Dio Saraza Jr. wowed the audience with a repertoire consisting of well-loved OPMs, excerpts from the Cayabyab Musicals, and Broadway and Hollywood numbers. The whole ensemble rounded up the evening with a Les Miserable Suite, the first time that it was ever performed by the RCS with orchestral accompaniment, which brought the audience to its feet with resounding applause for a standing ovation.

The COPA concert is an annual event which raises funds for the foundation’s social apostolate, consisting of its Adopt-a-Parish Program extending support to needy parishes, its Social Action Ministry partnering with institutions catering to the disadvantaged members of society in Muntinlupa, and its Emergency Assistance Ministry which responds to calamity survivors nationwide.

𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒!

National artist for Music, “Maestro” Ryan Cayabyab, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers and The Manila Symphony Orchestra are ready to hit the stage for St. James COPA Foundation’s concert happening on October 14, 2023 at the Sylvia Lina Theater, De La Salle Zobel. “COPA @ 25, Blessed and Grateful” is presented in celebration of St. James COPA's 25th year of sharing its blessings to the poor and the marginalized in Philippine society.

“Mr. C”, as he is fondly called by many in the local music industry, Cayabyab is a multi-awarded musician, composer and conductor regarded as a true Philippine music legend. In 2007, he formed his own “dream team” by handpicking a seven-part powerhouse ensemble known as “The Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS)” who are now spreading the seeds of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) throughout the globe. They are to be accompanied by no less than the Manila Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest orchestras in Asia and the longest surviving artistic institution in the Philippines.

Aside from a handful of timeless Cayabyab original compositions, the expansive concert repertoire for the evening includes Metropop Music Festival winning songs, enduring Filipino ballads by the great George Canseco, favorite Apo Hiking Society OPM hits, and even a couple of songs from the 2017 pop musical film, “The Greatest Showman”. Now on leave as Concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, celebrated violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr. agreed to perform two special numbers. These, and many other music hits to be performed by the world-renowned featured artists promise to make the COPA thanksgiving anniversary concert nothing short of memorable.

Get your tickets now at the COPA Office at the St. James Church or through your St. James Parish BEC head! Call the COPA Office at 8842-6369 for more info.

FATHER CHI IS BACK IN TOWN!

Shortly after having been ordained into the priesthood in 2000, Fr. Chibuike “Chi” Ojilere, CSSp, a Nigerian-born Spiritan missionary was assigned to far away Digkilaan, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. There he served as parish priest at Our Lady of Fatima Parish for 10 years.

In 2007, through the help of the St. James COPA Foundation, he was assigned to St. James Parish for a few months, and has since become a frequent visitor. He is here again for a short visit.

"Marami akong kaibigan dito.. Parang pamilya na,” says Father Chi fondly in fluent Filipino, a language he learned to speak and understand while assigned in Iligan. He speaks Bisaya fluently as well.

Fr. Chi easily makes a lasting impression on Filipinos he meets not only because he comfortably speaks in our mother tongue, but also because of his unique vocation story.

As a child growing up in football-crazy Nigeria, Fr. Chi started playing the sport at age 4. Through sheer desire and ability, he secured a spot in every team he tried out for - from his grammar school days all the way until he made it to the national team! However, while enjoying the limelight as a national team player, he surprised his many fans when he said goodbye to football to join the priesthood. “My motivation (kahit nung) bata pa ako ..meron na akong passion to help the needy.” And he saw no better way to pursue this passion than by becoming a Catholic missionary priest.

It is this passion to help the less fortunate that he shares with COPA. Through COPA’s “Adopt-a-Parish” program, Fr. Chi’s parish in Iligan regularly receives funds used in the formation of lay ministers and catechists. Back then, this made his job of overseeing 35 chapels scattered all over the mountains of Digkilaan more manageable.

In March 2007, M**F rebels attacked Fr. Chi’s Mountain barangay in Digkilaan. Through its Emergency Assistance Program, COPA provided funds to feed residents who took refuge in their parish church for several weeks. This and other stories shared by him at COPA gatherings moved so many St. James parishioners to extend aid to him in cash and kind - including a motorcycle that helped him so much as he constantly traveled through rough terrain to reach his parish’s many chapels.

Back in Nigeria since 2010, he now manages an orphanage of 64 children, many of whose parents are slain victims of Boko Haram (“Nigerian Taliban”).

“We feed (the children).. we send them to school.. we clothe them, take care of their health, look for families to adopt them,” says Fr. Chi, explaining that it only takes 4 USD to feed a Nigerian child in his orphanage for a day. No amount is too small to help the young orphans under Fr. Chi’s care.

You can help too! Donate to Fr. Chi’s mission through the St. James COPA Foundation. Contact the COPA office at telephone 8842-6369.

A NIGHT OF MUSIC IN CELEBRATION OF COPA’S 25TH YEAR

The much-awaited St. James COPA Foundation concert “COPA @ 25: Blessed and Grateful” is coming very soon! The thanksgiving concert features Filipino artists Ryan Cayabyab, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (with violinist Dio Saraza), and will be held on October 14, 2023, 7:45 PM at the Sylvia P. Lina Theater, De La Salle Zobel.

The featured acts have previously performed at past concerts celebrating COPA’s milestone years. Ryan Cayabyab and the RCS graced the stage back when COPA celebrated its 15th year anniversary. And then they came back, this time joined by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, to mark COPA’s 20th year. Their performances were so memorable that, in keeping with tradition, they were asked to return to the stage once more as COPA now celebrates 25 years in mission.

Multi-awarded “Maestro” of Philippine contemporary music, Ryan Cayabyab needs no introduction. Conferred the Order of National Artist for Music by the Philippine government in 2018, Cayabyab is a highly-acclaimed composer and musician who stands out for his wide-ranging musical output: film and television scores, full-length Filipino musicals, solo and instrumental works (including three one-man a ca****la song albums), and numerous popular songs sung by top Filipino recording artists, to name a few.

In 2007, Mr. Cayabyab formed his own “dream team” by handpicking a seven-part powerhouse ensemble known as “The Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS)”. Popular for performing nationalistic songs and Ryan Cayabyab originals, the young talents have released 3 albums to date. They have traveled the globe to promote Philippine music, performing in the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, and several Asian countries. During the pandemic, they released 7 new songs on streaming platforms, and are now transitioning back to live performances.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra, a pioneer in the practice and appreciation of fine music in the Philippines has cemented its place as a major musical force in the Asia Pacific Region. Approaching its 100th year, it has expanded into a Foundation that discovers and trains Filipino musical talent with the ultimate goal of enhancing Philippine culture. Recently, they performed as featured orchestra in Shenyang, China in 2019; and later in 2022, at the Asia Orchestra Week in Japan. Now on leave as concertmaster of the MSO, Juilliard alumni and multi-awarded violinist Dio Saraza agreed to perform a couple of special numbers as a kind accommodation to COPA.

Concert tickets are now available at the COPA Office at the St. James Parish Church, or through the heads of the St. James BEC’s. Funds raised will benefit COPA’s three major programs: the “Adopt-A-Parish” (ADAP), the Social Action Ministry, and the Emergency Assistance Program.

Enjoy a night of delightful music while helping COPA sustain its various outreach projects in service of Filipinos most in need.

ST. JAMES COPA'S SOCIAL ACTION MINISTRY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN SERVICE

Monsignor Gerry Santos, former St. James the Great parish priest, celebrated Holy Mass at the Barangay Ayala Alabang Hall on September 1, 2023 to mark 30 years since St. James Church of the Poor Apostolate or COPA’s Social Action Ministry was first formed. Msgr. Gerry was essential to the establishment of the parish’s social action arm in 1993, not long after the St. James Parish church was built in record time. Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Rolly Agustin, current St. James parish priest, and Fr. Joseph Landero, assistant parish priest.

“We look back to the past with gratitude,” said Msgr. Gerry in his homily, to “thank the Lord for 30 years... for the gift of people who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure …to the movement of serving the poorest of the poor.” Msgr. Gerry recalled the event that galvanized the parishioners into social action. Early in his assignment at St. James, he thought he would celebrate his 10th anniversary in the priesthood by saying Mass at the Bilibid Prison, and sharing a meal with the inmates. He told some parishioners of his plan, and invited them to join him if they wished. Much to his surprise, an avalanche of cars followed him to Bilibid the day of his celebration, bringing food for the inmates. Thus was the spirit of social apostolate ignited among the parishioners who started to think of how they could reach out to the less fortunate.

The 30th anniversary event honored the key people behind the COPA Social Action Ministry, many of them serving for 30 years now, through a moving audio-visual presentation viewed by the attendees immediately after the Mass. Foremost among them was Dra. Chit Quemel who, together with her late husband, started it all by establishing the “Social Apostolate Committee”, from which different ministries were initiated. The original programs were the Prison Ministry at the Tunasan Jail/NBP led by Manny Ramos, the Lingap Center/Marillac Hills led by Babygirl Tanedo, the Hospice outreach led by Atty. Siony Kalalo, the Diamond Club led by Mila Garcia, the Elsie Gaches Boys Cottages under Marlene Amoranto, and the Elsie Gaches Girls Cottages under Rica Limcaoco.

Today, additional ministries have been added under St. James COPA to benefit more sectors. There is the Haven for Children, the Daughters of Virgin Mary Immaculate (DVMI), the SOS Children’s Village, and the Casa Miani San Jose Orphanage. Current heads of the different ministries were likewise acknowledged: Boy Gorrez of the Prison Ministry, Issa Buhay of Diamond Club, Emily Santos of the Elsie Gaches Village (Girls), and Ivi Glinoga of the Hospice.

Over the years, the leadership of the ministry had been passed on: first to couple Resty and Lou Lerma, followed by Chito and Rica Limcaoco, Matt and Nena Simbulan, Mike and Paula Tantoco. Currently it is headed by COPA Trustee Ivi Glinoga. Guidance was provided through the years by Msgr. Gerry as well as Fr Junjun Borres, SJ, Fr. Eli Lumbo, Fr. Blas Briones, Fr. Joseph Diamante, Fr. EJ Miranda, Fr. Elso Nalangan and Fr. Rolly Agustin.

SAM volunteers who have since passed away were lovingly remembered. Among them were Resty Lerma +, head of SAM from 1994-97, Cel Gantner +, Diamond Club volunteer, Cerie De Leon +, Prison Ministry volunteer, Bert Soriano +, Prison Ministry/Hospice volunteer, Lito Barcelona +, Head of Prison Ministry/Haven for Children volunteer, Butch Aguto +, Prison Ministry/Marillac Hills volunteer, and the Diamond Club members who have also passed on.

Forerunners and members of St. James Church of the Poor Apostolate (COPA) Foundation's Social Action Ministry were honored at a celebration marking 30 years since it was first formed.

In photo: Tita Chit Quemuel (seated) who started the Social Action Apostolate back in 1993. Standing: Marie Rodriguez, Manny Ramos, Msgr. Gerry Santos, Rica Limcaoco, Yolly Ramos, Baby Girl Tanedo, Ludy Barcelona & Chito Limcaoco.

Read article: https://www.sjcopa.com/st-james-copas-social-action-ministry-celebrates-30-years-in-service/

SOCIAL ACTION MINISTRY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN SERVICE

To mark St. James COPA’s Social Action Ministry’s 30 years in service, Holy Mass was celebrated at the Barangay Ayala Alabang Hall this morning by Monsignor Gerry Santos, who was St. James parish priest back in 1992 when this ministry was formed. Msgr. Gerry was key to the establishment of the parish’s Social Action Apostolate that has since evolved into what we know as the Church of the Poor Apostolate or COPA today.

Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Rolly Agustin, current St. James Parish Priest and Fr. Joseph Landero, Asst. Parish Priest.

A video presentation following the Mass looked back through 30 years of fond memories among passionate volunteers who have been initiating outreach programs targeting less fortunate neighbors of Ayala Alabang Village. Through the years, this has extended way beyond, as other poor communities all over the country have been continuously assisted as well. Through the short AVP, pioneers that led the different ministries were recalled, and tribute was given to current trustees, volunteers and the priests that continue to provide the group with guidance. And then, key members who have since passed on were likewise lovingly remembered.

An intimate lunch and fellowship among the COPA board members, volunteers, and staff immediately followed the short program.