Filipino Ministry Gala draws more than 500 supporters

November 12, 2015

The Filipino Ministry Gala coordinated by the Filipino Ministry Consultative Board took place Oct. 18 with more than 500 supporters gathered in the banquet halls beneath St. Mary’s Cathedral. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone was a special guest.

“A deep sense of family permeates every level of Filipino culture and this is very evident by the way you make your local parishes your home,” the archbishop said in remarks.

Father David Pettingill, retired pastor, St. Gabriel Parish, San Francisco gave a keynote address on families, the evening’s theme.

“We adopted the theme from the ‘World Meeting of Families’ held in Philadelphia in September and also the theme of the bishops’ synod in Rome,” said Estelle Oloresisimo, newly installed secretary of the sponsoring group.

Other officers include Edgar Estonina, chairman; Deacon Ven Garcia, vice chairman; Loy Banez, parliamentarian; Estrelle Chan, treasurer; Peter Chan; Freda Motak and Richie Almendrala.

Entertainment was by the Singing Priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and Filipino Ministry Dancers.