Katbaloganons hold novena

Katbaloganons hold novena

Katbaloganon Association of Canada members and officers gather for the second Novena for San Bartolome, patron saint of Catbalogan, Samar, on Saturday, June 8, 2013. Butch Astorga is the president.

FOR SAN BARTOLOME

MISSISSAUGA–The Katbaloganon Association of Canada held the second novena of its 2013 Novena in honor of Blessed Virgin Mary and San Bartolome, the Patron Saint of Catbalogan, Samar.

The event was held last Saturday, June 8, at the Mississauga residence of the hosts Junjie and Lanie Estalilla.  The prayer itself was co-hosted by Tito and Cenia Mendiola, Bing and Grace Sison, Raul and Arlene Mendiola, Raquel Mendiola and Boboy and Tina Macapagal.  It followed the First Saturday prayers hosted by the Astorga, Ramos and Torres families.

The 33rd Gala Night Affair and Whole Night Fiesta will be held August 9, 2013, as a culminating event following the nine-Saturday Novena, at Woodbine Banquet and Convention Hall.  This year’s Hermanas Mayor are Corazon Astorga and Rowena Torres.

The annual gala is a fund-raising affair to support needy communities in Catbalogan, Samar, most especially school children, a project they have been doing for many years now.  The organization also provided seed-money donation of $1,000 for the fund-raising to support the daughters of the late Maricon Gerente, the caregiver who recently died after a coma from an operation to remove a brain tumor, according to Hector “Butch” Astorga, president of the Association.  Gerente is a native of Catbalogan, Samar.

CORAZON Astorga (right) marked her birthday with town mates and their family from Catabalogan, Samar, in Mississauga on June 8, 2013. At left is Cenia Mendiola.

Contact persons for information are Butch Astorga (416)454-9676 and Rena Tenazas (905-458-4777) ext. 158.
(MAG)