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FMAA HOLDS ITS SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN DAVAO CITY

THE FMAA-DAVAO hosted the 6th General Assembly of the Fil-Mission Auxiliary Association (FMAA) last April 25-27, 2008. The biennial gathering, which called on 165 delegates, was held at the Charles Borromeo Retreat House in Matina, Davao City. The theme of the gathering was about unity/solidarity in the FMAA as key to stronger missionary collaboration with the MSP.

The delegates came from Mandaluyong City, Tarlac City, Nasugbu/Lian in Batangas, Cebu City, Gingoog City, Marawi City, Davao City and one delegate from Seoul, South Korea. The MSP priests who participated were Frs. Soc Mesiona, Pat Casino, Ed Edpalina, Eric Galo, Cedric Alimbuyong, Pete Mesiona, Rey Lipat and Tophie Amoroso.

Ms. Ping Cortel, the outgoing chairperson of the FMAA National Coordinating Council, formally opened the assembly on the first day of the gathering. On the second day, Fr Soc Mesiona, the MSP Father Moderator, gave his welcome address. In his address, he looked back to the past and informed the delegates that at the beginning of the MSP’s establishment, the CBCP had already thought of founding a lay association to become partners of the MSP priests. In other words, the foundation of the FMAA was destiny. The keynote address was delivered by Fr Bill LaRousse, MM. He is the present provincial of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in the Philippines. He is also a member of the association of Catholic missiologists in the country and a professor of missiology at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao. As a missiologist, he talked about the theology of mission and some ways on how to become more effective in missionary collaboration. The third speaker was Fr Pat Casino, the national director of the MSP Mission Promotion Office. His talk was focused on the association itself, that is, “Strengthening Unity in the FMAA.”

The night (of the second day) was full of fun. The different FMAA units rendered beautiful songs while some performed variety of dances. A group of “widows” danced the “Pearly Shell,” a group of few men who wore women’s dresses, danced “Papaya” while children and youth presented some modern dances. The search for the “Gandang FMAA” was cool and entertaining. The Cebu delegates, including Fr Cedric Alimbuyong and some MSP seminarians, performed a production number which was  Sinulog-themed. Ms Precy Niebres, the lone delegate from Seoul, Korea was crowned as the Ms FMAA.

The third day was utilized for a review of the amended FMAA Constitution and By-laws after which it was unanimously approved by the delegates. There followed the election of the new set of officers of the National Coordinating Council. The elected officers were the following: Ms Beth Samudan (National Coordinator), Ms Ping Cortel (Vice National Coordinator), Mr Ruben Sumagang (Coordinator for Pastoral Concerns), Ms Mila Punzalan (Secretary),  Ms Lucena Gervacio (Finance Officer), and Ms Marissa Sumalinog (FYM National Coordinator). The three-day gathering ended with a Holy Eucharistic celebration which was presided by Fr Soc Mesiona MSP while the rest of the MSP priests concelebrated. The next FMAA General Assembly will be held in Cebu City in 2010.

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