On Broken Grounds and New Beginnings

Most Rev. Abp. Romulo Valles, D.D. graced the inauguration of the proposed Parish Rectory Building at San Pedro Poveda Parish in Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City. Jubilant parish priest, Rev. Fr. Elneri Meñez emphasized in his message that, the groundbreaking ceremony, held on Easter Sunday, is one of the crucial and historical events in the life of the Parish.

The inaugural, presided by the Archbishop, was attended by Architech Gilbert Peter G. Fortich of Fortich Affiliates, Mr. Raymond Taopa of ALTAPIL. Also at the inaugural were the Construction Committee, headed by Mr. Alex L. Perez, joined by the parish youth, the parishioners, and the esteemed leaders of Brgy. Catalunan Pequeño. The 4-storey, mixed-use multipurpose building is one of the first two phases of the construction. The first three level houses, the office spaces and function halls, with a Chapel primarily reserved on the first level, and a roof deck at the fourth level for ceremonial and diplomatic purposes.

In preparation for the structural works, the site adjacent to where the time capsule lays, have to be earth-filled, as it was situated in the Water Resource Area. The structural works for Phase 1 is slated to begin at the second Quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed by year-end, in God’s perfect time. Adjacent to the Rectory Building will rise a Church Building with belfry. Once the construction for the Rectory Building is finished, it will vacate a space where the temporary chapel of San Pedro Poveda stands today.

There are salient features inside the proposed Parish Church, as follows: an ample amount of loft seats reserved for the choir, an Adoration Chapel, the Chapel of Saints, and its unique Cathedral glasses. In addition, the Main Church building also features a belfry and Material Recover Faclity (MRF) on the East side, where the makeshift Parish office building and service area currently stands.

In a detailed floor plan of the main Church building, the Fortich Affiliates applies its space-saving mechanisms through filling the number of void spaces generously. This includes adequate partition in the mezzanines, thereby distributing more equitable rooms intended for the worship areas, the confession rooms, the hallway leading to the sacristy and priests’ changing rooms, and the two chapels. Hence providing adequate seating options to the hundreds of parishioners. The overall seating capacity is around 646 seats, which makes it sustainable. This includes the following: (a) 288 seats on the first floor; (b) 128 seats in the loft; (c) 24 seats in the Chapel of Saints; (d) 18 seats in the Adoration Chapel, and; (e) additional 190 outdoor seats in the west and east wings of worship area (excluding the Narthex).

Currently, the people of San Pedro Poveda Parish hold its liturgical celebrations in their makeshift chapel.

Canonically established on the birth anniversary of its patron saint in 2021, it is no wonder that the community is born out of mission and optimism. Inspired by the burning desires to build a community, in open arms, the Bayanihan spirit is there. The inaugural of its new Rectory Building on Easter marks the new beginning for the community for all years to come.

May the community with zeal, guided by the parish priest and ingenuity of our builders, continue to persevere to bear more fruits for years to come. (John Emman I. Magallanes)