The completion of OLAP Parish Pastoral Center is in sight as the dream for an 8-million-peso target nears reality via Project 848! Project 848 stands for Eight million pesos, Four months, and Eight ways of giving.
The great thing is that the church’s parish priest, Msgr. Romy, is at the helm of this fabulous fundraiser that aims to generate P8 million for the said construction of the five-story Pastoral Center, making the people in various organizations and ministries excited and enthusiastic to say that “we can make it happen.”  It was launched within the evening Mass on Saturday, May 8, with him as priest presider, and afterwards, as endorser of this fund-raising project. As he said, it is also, and more importantly, “a loving act of community building, making a brighter future for this community.”
Significantly, its formal kick-off campaign was on May 8, the month of flowers for Mary, and its closure on September 8, the month of Mama Mary’s birthday.  Msgr. Romy believes that with confidence and cooperation, OLAP family would be able to raise P8 million with everyone’s help through the grace of God, in four months time, from May 8 to September 8, with the eight possible ways of giving in order to complete the building of the said Pastoral Center and dedicate this work in honor of Mary the Mother of the Lord.
In his personal and passionate Pastor’s Message in the Project 848 Brochure, he says, “Through your generous contributions we can complete our Parish Pastoral Center in honor of Our Lady and proclaim with her the glory of the Annunciation of the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Lord,” he added.
In fact, work has already begun on the ambitious project and the Construction Committee hopes that it will be complete by the end of this year so that OLAP may be able to celebrate Christmas at the fifth floor that houses the multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 300 persons. Construction is now on-going at the fourth floor level.
Furthermore, as stated in the said brochure, “Last November 7, 2009, after the early morning Mass in honor of Our Lady, our Bishop Antonio Tobias led us in the formal ground breaking ceremony for the construction of our Pastoral Center. It was truly a happy occasion for us with the building design by Arch. Jose Lugtu that unfolded before us.
“That was six months ago. Since then the construction has steadily progressed. The first phase of the project consists of the expansion of the existing OLAP Crypt increasing the number of units from 175 to 618. The second phase located on Church level is now almost complete. We have added 112sq.m. to the existing worship space. The Church has now increased its seating capacity from 500 to 632 persons at one time. A new altar for the Blessed Sacrament will complete this new area.
“The three additional floors under construction make up the Pastoral Center with the 3rd floor to house our free dental-medical clinics and feeding center. The two remaining floors would be dedicated to formation with more ample space for meetings, seminars, workshops, fellowships and other formation and community needs.
“The 4th floor will consist of one huge seminar room, an adjacent meeting room, and a consultation room with conveniently located restrooms and kitchenette. The 5th floor will serve as a multi-purpose hall accommodating up to 300 persons with restrooms and a service kitchen. Finally, on the topmost floor will be the bell tower to house our 10-year old carillon bells from Belgium.”
After the Mass, balloons were given away to raise awareness regarding the said fundraiser. Select ladies also distributed Project 848 brochures to prospective parishioners and mass-goers to solicit pledges.
Indeed, at the core of this work is that with God nothing is impossible! With God’s grace and the people’s perseverance, things can begin to happen, and indeed they shall happen—through 8 possible ways, all the for the glory of God
As Msgr. Romy puts it: “Come, let us make things happen! Let the Lord show forth His power. Let 848 cease to become just a mere number but a dream that gradually yet surely turn into something real for God’s glory.”