Payatas B, Quezon

YOUTH HOPE CENTER

April 5, 2010: We visited the unfinished Hope Youth Center in Payatas B, Quezon City with contractor Engr Myles, and discussed the situation with Rev Lando Jaluag. The original contractor went bankrupt and abandoned the construction. Rev Lando was able to get in touch with FtH Board member Lito and Lito seek the help of FtH to complete the construction. Together with financial help from Lito’s church in Kona, Hawaii, it was decided to help Rev. Lando finish the building where he planned to help the youths in the area.

December 28, 2010: Rev Lando is now Fr. Lando, after his vows of priesthood. In seven (7) months of preparation, signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, and construction, the building has been completed and painted. It was time to inaugurate the building with the arrival of the donors from Kona, Hawaii. We drove to Dusit Hotel in Makati to meet with Lito at 1:00PM, where Martin picks us up. Together, we proceeded to the Tower Condominium near Wack Wack G&CC in Greenhills, where Dr. Sonny Genio is staying. One more stop at Richmond Hotel in Eastwood to meet Edgar Francisco, all from Hawaii. With the party completed, we headed for the Youth Hope Center (HYC) in Payatas B, Quezon City for the scheduled 3:00PM inauguration.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo did the official blessing of the building. We had a candle light procession from the parish church to the HYC about 2 block s away. There were 2 stations where we cut a ceremonial chain, before we reached the front door of the HYC where the Bishop started the blessing of the building. The Bishop sprayed the holy water in all the rooms, the kitchen, bathrooms and the walls of the building to make them resist damage. After the blessing, we returned to the church, had snack prepared by the students of culinary department, entertained by some members of the youth club.

The YHC will be used for training of the youths in the area for massage, cooking, weaving, sewing, and other skills to help them find jobs and be productive citizens. The YHC will provide a place for the youths to meet and keep them busy, away from drugs and crime, under the guidance of Rev. Lando.

Pablito
Jan 7, 2011