HULING PARANGAL SA WATAWAT: HIGHLIGHT OF NATIONAL HEROES DAY CELEBRATION IN MARIKINA!

by former Vice Mayor of Marikina Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK

    Republic Act 8491 declares that a worn out flag through wear and tear shall be solemnly burned in a  fitting ceremony. It was made into law because it was a common practice before to dispose of the flag, a symbol of the patrimony of a nation by just throwing it away.

    Today, during the National Heroes Day Celebration, this ceremony was held to honor the heroes who sacrifice their lives fighting so that their children and their children after them shall see the Flag planted firmly on the blood tainted soil of our country.

    It was a glorious morning at the Police Memorial Monument located at Loyola Memorial grounds in Tañong, Marikina City. With WFN SK Toti Dulay indisposed because of Covid infection, the Marian Assembly led by SK Angelo Agaid, the project officer was also ably represented by Faithful Pilot SK Al Cruz and WDD SK Butch Duque, both having a part in the program. The Marian Assembly sent 21 patriotic knights and other brother knights led by 7631 GK SK Dads Eguia, easily the largest delegation during the event. Other NGOs were present including the lead organization, the CAT, Rotary, Junior Police other than the PNP.

    

    Again, the Marian Assembly showed the way during the celebration of the National Heroes Day and the Flag Burning program. It proves that WFN SK Toti Dulay leadership style of tapping the talents of every officer makes a winning formula in transforming the Assembly again into a well respected organization. 

    Let us hold hands together and move as ONE to proudly raise the banner of the Marian Assembly high for everybody to see!

    VIVAT JESUS!

HAIL TO THE NEWLY INSTALLED OFFICERS OF CONCEPCION COUNCIL 7631 OF MARIKINA

  by former Vice Mayor of Marikina Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK 

     The several - times - postponed Installation of officers of the Knights of Columbus Immaculate Conception Council 7631 was at last commenced today, September 23, 2021 inside the ICP church. The Council chaplain Fr Rowie Reyes congratulated the officers for CY 2021-2022 and at the same time continued its church activities with greater fervor!

    The council was chartered last 1981, 40 years ago, when the Philippines as a country was challenged by the failing Martial Law regime. There were difficult times, when Charter GK SK Mel Santos assumed his post. But the council endured all the hardships because of the dedication of the founding fathers of 7631. 4 decades later, another set of officers, led by GK SK Dads Eguia assumed this responsibility of leading  the council, this time with an even greater challenge, the pandemic.

    Even before the installation, GK SK Dads Eguia immediately went to work starting July 1, 2021. The council implemented the program, NO BROD LEFT BEHIND, a program to help members in need of assistance, SENTINELS OF THE FLOCK, an activity to assist the church implement the IATF mandated guidelines during the live mass, ALAY SA KAPWA FRONTLINERS, food provision to the frontliners manning the checkpoints during the ECQ and actively participated in the Marian Assembly activities under the helm of its very own WFN SK Toti Dulay PGK.

     

    WDD Butch Duque PGK PFN was assisted by WW Francel Abrenica PGK PFN during the ceremonies. Each officer received his certificate of his position solemnly and reminded Grand Knight SK Dads Eguia and all the officers to perform their positions with utmost dedication and fervor.

    To the newly installed officers.............

    VIVAT JESUS!

MARIAN ASSEMBLY OFFICERS OF KC MARIKINA, INSTALLED!

 by Former Marikina Vice Mayor Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK

    

    The Covid19 pandemic casted a dark pall in the country and in the entire world. The uncertainties that prevailed affected the normal way of life of everybody. Even some activities of the Assembly were delayed because of the ECQs imposed in the NCR.

    With the help of God and the guidance of Blessed Fr Michael McGivney, the Installation of the officers of the Marian Assembly was held without a hitch this afternoon, September 24, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Parish church.

    The Faithful Friar, Fr Rowie Reyes allowed the ceremony because the IATF, this time allowed it under its guidelines. Feverish preparations were undertaken to make sure that the Installation will be solemn and symbolic of the outstanding performances that it had undertaken for the few months, since a new set of leaders took over last July 1, 2021.

    WFN SK Toti Dulay's ascendancy as the head of the patriotic degree was a blessing to the Order. With wealths of experience as a PGK, consultant of many business and political figures, he put it in good use to bring the Assembly into a higher elevation of service.

    The limitations of the Covid19 pandemic and problems that affected the Assembly did not diminish the faith of WFN SK Toti Dulay to excel. Several activities were immediately undertaken. The Baybayin Webinar Series with culmination at Manila Hotel was initiated with partnership from the Rotary Club Alabang. The Police Memorial Day and the National Heroes Day events were patriotic activities where the Assembly stood out. Grand plans to further strengthen the organization were undertaken, such as the creation of the Fraternal Fund. As the name implied, it will provide assistance to brods in need.

    The lofty goals will surely be achieved, because, WFN Toti Dulay is a stickler to the details. He meticulously prepared for any activity of the Assembly by assigning officers and members to particular roles and kindly followed up to make sure that the responsibilities were achieved.

      The great thing about what was happening in the Assembly was the transformation of the officers and members to be initiators and doers. A case in point is SK Jim Velecina, who suggested the creation of the Fraternal Fund. WFN SK Toti Dulay inspired the other brods to become pillars of the Assembly too. SK Rene Revuelta revived the Assembly newsletter because he said that he was inspired to have so many stories and activities to tell. Faithful Captain Al Cruz will initiate a project that will provide J&B uniforms to honor guards. The be great again attitude was so infectious that  the officers came snappily dressed in ties and long-sleeved white shirts and black pants, socks and shoes.  While WFN SK Toti Dulay and some officers came immaculately dressed in 4th Degree regalia.

        Master SK Ted Sandoval PGK PFN FDD, during the ceremonies, thanked the Assembly for the activities that were initiated and challenged it to achieve even more. He said that the Marian Assembly had a tradition of greatness and achievements. He also reminded the gathered officers and guests that the Liwasang Ebolusyon was a creation of the Marian Assembly during the time of Charter FN SK Ed Pangilinan PGK FDD and SK Joerol Escaner PGK PFN FDD. This singular achievement, must be cherished and revered at all times by performing their responsibilities with utmost zeal and honesty.

    Congratulations newly installed officers of the Marian Assembly led by its Worthy Faithful Navigator SK Toti Dulay. With the mantles of leadership now placed upon all of you, newly installed officers, raised the banner of the Marian Assembly even higher!

VIVAT JESUS!

Practice Makes Perfect at Marian Assembly

by former Marikina Vice Mayor Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK         

          The installation of the officers of the Marian Assembly will be on Friday, 1:30 in the afternoon at the Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. Fr. Rowie Reyes and Master Ted Sandoval , District Warden Francel Abrenica and District Secretary Charlie Maghanoy officiating the installation. The Installation of the Officers of any organization is a red letter event because it is the symbolic formal acceptance of authority and responsibility of the chosen leaders. It is one of the highlights of any officer's term where the installing  officiating officer will remind each and every gentleman of an organization to act responsibly, honestly, humbly and with fervor all his duties.

    The Marian Assembly's installation of officers is on September 24, 2021, which is a few days from now. WFN SK Toti Dulay requested the officers to practice last night to make sure that everything will go perfect as much as possible. The leader of the Assembly is a very thorough and methodical faithful navigator. He always makes sure that every officer knows the intricacies of the installation.

The Marian Assembly intends to make a video of this installation to highlight the adjustments made by the Knights of Columbus on their traditional ceremonies during Covid crisis. The video, if properly done will be uploaded to the Descendancy Channel in YouTube as future reference to the assemblies all over the world since it will be searchable in Google and YouTube under the topic “Knights of Columbus assembly installation during Covid”.

           The attention to details was shown in the first few months of FN Dulay term from day 1, last July 1, CY 2021-2022.  The Assembly made great strides in improving its service to the parish and community. He makes sure that every officer knows his role. He always kindly reminds them to implement whatever program and activity they are assigned to do.

        National Heroes Day, Police Memorial Day, revival of the Marian Assembly Newsletter, Fraternal Fund are just a few of many planned and implemented activities. The moral and fervor of the patriotic brods are at an all-time high.

The Installation of Officers for WFN SK Toti Dulay is an event which is a mirror of the great performance of the Assembly in the past, at present and in the future! Thus, Practice Makes Perfect! 

VIVAT JESUS!

SENTINELS OF THE FLOCK

 By Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK

    On Sept. 16, 2021, the National Capital Region was placed under GCQ Alert Level 4. Despite the high number of cases in Metro-Manila, the IATF is experimenting with a modified form of restriction. Instead of a NCR- wide lockdown, small area,  localized or granular form of restrictions, were imposed in areas where there are high cases of Civid19 identified.

    It also recognized the level of protection against COVID19 of vaccinated individuals by allowing them more freedom of movement. 

    In applying these new strategies, the government allowed the church to open their doors to vaccinated parishioners, with ages ranging from 18 to 65 y/o up to a maximum of 10% of its sitting capacity. 

    The parish priest, Fr Rowie Reyes, again turned to the Knights of Columbus Council 7631 and Marian Assembly to help him impose the IATF guidelines in preventing COVID19 from infecting his flock. WGK SK Dads Eguia and WFN SK Toti Dulay immediately heeded the request and mobilized the brods to become sentinels of his churchgoing flock.

    With this mandate, the KNIGHTS manned the entrances of the church to make sure that the mass goers are registered, temperature monitored , practice physical distancing while seated in the pews, with face masks and face shields. After the mass, the KNIGHTS make sure that the pews and floorings are meticulously cleaned and disinfected.

    During the sermon, Fr Rowie recognized the efforts and sacrifices of the brother knights in implementing the IATF guidelines, unmindful of the dangers of being infected by the dreaded virus. For which the mass going flock nodded their heads and clapped their hands in appreciation.

    At the end of the mass, while exiting the doors of the church, the flock again,  expressed their appreciation by saying thank you to the brother knights  for protecting them against COVID19....truly the Knights of Columbus are the Sentinels of the Flock!

    VIVAT JESUS!

Marian Assembly Attends the Traditional Police Memorial Day Observance

by Dr. Fabian Cadiz, FDD, PFN, PGK

        The Police Memorial Day is a yearly event to honor policemen who died in the line of duty. It is held every 2nd Saturday of September in the Police Memorial Monument, Loyola Memorial Park, Tañong, Marikina City.

The lead organization is the Civic Action Team, which is responsible for the establishment of the monument in 1972. Aside from the monument, the police memorial plots and columbarium were also built as the final resting places of policemen who served the city.

The guest of honor is none other than the Director of the Eastern Police District, PBGen Matthew Baccay. He extolled the sacrifices of the policemen not only in the past, but also during the pandemic, where over a hundred frontliner policemen lost their lives battling Covid19.

Among the NGOs present, the Marian Assembly, represented by SK Angelo Agaid PGK  PFN, FPilot SK Al Cruz and SK  Wilfredo Atienza PGK was there to observe the ceremony and honor the fallen policemen. Together, they lay a wreath in front of the Police Memorial Monument witnessed by the gathered guests.

Skipper Jahn Alejaga, thanked the Marian Assembly patriotic brods in their honor guard uniforms for attending this year's ceremony. He said that the civic-mindedness of private individuals and NGOs are one of the pillars of support for the policemen while serving the city.

As the staccato of the shots from the gun salute reverberated across the hallowed grounds where the heroic policemen lay in their final resting places, the patriotic brods in their snappy uniforms stood in attention with their eyes gazing upwards in their honor.....

As the taps sounded from the bugle....the green beretted patriotic brods sensed a strong bond of kinship with the policemen....a solemn pledge to faithfully serve the country...

VIVAT JESUS!