For the past four years, December 12 has been a red-letter day for OLAP not only because it is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but also because it is the sacerdotal anniversary of its parish priest, Msgr. Jesus-Romulo Rañada.

And so, the Thanksgiving Mass at 6:30 p.m. on December 12, 2011 once again had a joyful feel. The tarpaulin read: “Joyfully Celebrating the 20th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Msgr. Jesus Romulo Rañada.” This time, the day was extra special because it so happened that it was within the OLAP Emerald Year, the 20TH anniversary countdown celebrations of the church until its summit on May 26, 2012.

When Monsi was ordained as a priest on December 12, 1991, a chaplaincy was to be decreed a parish a few months later, on March 18, 1992 to be exact. That parish was no other than the Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish which he would be shepherding some 16 years later, when he set foot on OLAP grounds as  pastor on June 8, 2007.
Before long, the people trouped to St. Charbel Executive Clubhouse where something wonderful awaited the monsignor. Guests were requested to have a touch of green in their attire/and or accessories and true enough, they came especially dressed for the occasion to show their love and support for Monsi. The celebrant himself donned an exquisite Barong of subtle green.

A Parade of Colors was held to officially start the program. Meanwhile, a voice-over narrated Monsi’s early journey into the priesthood, showing a striking similitude of style with the story of creation in the Book of Genesis. Then entered the monsignor followed by the PPC and the Emerald Committee officers and members. Rev. Fr. Jing, Rev. Fr. Michael Ravola, and Sister Nicette Vargas happily joined the processional. The Youth, dressed in glittering angel costumes, lined up at the two sides of the floor runner where a burst of confetti rained on Monsi as he walked passed by them.

As expected, Atty. Paris Real and Ate Christie Falcon, masters of ceremonies of the night, were successful in making the audience comfortable and connected. Kuya Paris injected some humor which Monsi enjoyed being known for his intelligent wit and humor himself.
Kuya Ed Ramos led the heartfelt opening prayer asking the Lord to keep Monsi, His priest, under His loving care and protection. A warm welcome remark was given by Ate Josie Geronimo, PPC premier servant leader, who expressed the joy of the parish for the more than four years of blessings with Monsi out of his 20 years in service to God and His Church. She said that aside from the many makeovers, the people appreciate the completion of the Pastoral Center that is “attached” to the structure of the church. And now, the OLAP Parking Lot, a project he has also initiated, is near completion.

Kuya Ben Fondevilla and Ate Thelma Mendiola presented to the public the achievements of Monsi all these 20 years that drew ohs and ahs, like, “Holds graduate and post graduate degrees in Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium – Summa cum laude; recipient of The Serviam Award in 1998 (Archdiocese of Manila),” among others.   

Sister Nicette Vargas, who has been a friend of Monsi for 20 years that started way back their student days at the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Louvain, Belgium (Theology), graciously obliged by giving a short message about Monsi. She said that Monsi insisted on a clean and beautiful environment. Monsi always got higher grades than her during exams although he just listened at lectures, while she kept on taking notes. She then delved more into how he was as a student, friend and brother (since she has no brother). 

 “Since he has received so many blessings, he becomes a channel of life for your parish and for all of us,” she said. “So, Monsi Romy, continue to have a beautiful and fulfilling priesthood for God and God’s people.”

Dinner was served after saying grace led by Fr. Jing. Afterwards, a toast with his good wishes for Monsi was given by Kuya Rick Falcon.  An upbeat number by the Parish Youth Ministry sustained the life of the party.

A surprise song number entitled “Ikaw ay Pari” by his staff came next. The song was especially written for Monsi by Kuya Dominic Gumamela, song writer/composer and official organist of OLAP.

It wouldn’t be complete without the cake and candle-blowing ceremony courtesy of Ate Josie and Emerald Steering Committee chair, Ate Evelyn Roble. Ate Neddy Angeles, who ordered the cake, saw to it that it looked cute but still has a touch of something sublime. As expected, it left one marveling at the entire undertaking: the cake has a creatively crafted design of OLAP church in between the Pastoral Center and Parking Lot, and in-between was a “Monsi smilingly peeping.”

Obviously, the most enjoyable part of the program for the celebrator and everyone else present was “Monsi’s 20 Favorite Things.” It was researched by the Program Committee, a concerted effort of the PPC and the OLAP Emerald Year Organizing Committee with the help of Ate Hermie. Accordingly, the 20 favorite things were composed of something trivial and symbolic. The descriptions were wonderfully put into words by Ate Mayette Fondevilla who said that the list was not confirmed by Monsi but it was how the leaders know him. “It would be presented in the spirit of fun and celebration of this important occasion in Msgr. Romy’s life.  We are grateful and happy to be somehow part of it,” Ate Mayette volunteered. They were presented as gifts by by friends and coordinators of the various ministries

They were presented as follows (1st 10 fun and trivia favorites): a gift of honey, from Healthy Options – by Ate Josie Guevarra of the Divine Mercy Group; one can of Dunlop Balls –  Ate Dolor Ocden, coordinator of the CWL; a bag of Trail Mix (a mix of nuts, raisins,  and dried fruits) – Ate Fe and  Kuya Romy Calugay of the Marriage Encounter Community; a bag of oatmeal with fruits or Muesli for breakfast – Ate Fina Derit of the Pondo ng Pinoy;  Frozen Yogurt – Kuya Ernie Gadia of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion;  Vita Plus, a health drink – Kuya Ben and Ate Mayette Fondevilla;  a bag of Starbucks ground coffee – Kuya Joe Lugtu of the temporalities ministry; a bottle of Olive Oil – Ate Angie Panganiban of BEC; wrist, elbow and head bands – Ate Aning Baloloy of the Cursillo Movement; adobong hito, his favorite ulam – cooked by Ate Caring;
The 2nd batch of favorite things (in recognition of Monsi’s hard work on various aspects of OLAP):  a commemorative plate to celebrate his Emerald Year as a priest – Ate Menen Marco, one of the tri-coordinators of the Charismatic Community;  Catechists Handbook – Bart de Guia; an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe whose feast we also celebrated on December 12 – Kuya Edwin Manresa of the CFC-FFL; the guidelines for the use of the Pastoral  Center –  Kuya Danny Yanga of our Temporalities ministry, and is in charge of traffic management during Sundays;  a replica of the grand cross, one of the projects that Monsi completed this year, that has further enhanced the beauty of our beloved OLAP church – Ate Finda Lacanlalay, Minister for the Youth; a set of guidelines for lectors and commentators whom Monsi constantly guides to improve in their skills as proclaimers and in their spiritual formation –  Kuya Yoben Enriquez,  PPC auditor and concurrently coordinator of LCM; a song book that our Music Ministry uses, one pastoral concern of Monsi –  Kuya Dominic Gumamela; an emerald-colored rosary being a devotee of Our Lady and in recognition of his effort to convert OLAP into a shrine – Ate Ditas Dajao; a Capiz star, in recognition of Monsi’s support to the Pamaskong Handog for our parishioners – Ate Belle Pacay, an honorary OLAP parishioner. 

And last, but not least, two more symbols of Monsi’s hard work and concerns as OLAP pastor, none other than the brochures of Project 848 and Project 11.2.8, where aside from the campaigning and strategies, Monsi  co-wrote the theme songs  which he had to sing and even dance to! – Kuya Hector Geronimo the esteemed Barangay chairman, also known as the husband of Ate Josie Geronimo.

In response, Msgr. Romy said his heartfelt thanks to the PPC, his staff, and the Emerald Committee in putting up a wonderful celebration. He acknowledged the presence of friends and former parishioners from the Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd and Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish.

“We have travelled through the past five years together and I’m very happy to be part of your life,” Monsi said,  “at this point, my 20th year as a priest at napakagandang pagkakataon na ako ang inyong parish priest at the time na you are also celebrating your 20th year as a church. And so it is a blessing for us at sana ay patuloy kayong pagpalain ni Lord . Alam nyo I have only one more year and half with you and so I hope that we will be able to accomplish many things not so much more on infrastructural matters but more and more on your spiritual side. You will really experience God’s love if you focus more on the spiritual formation and your pastoral commitment to our people.”

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