San Pedro Poveda Parish celebrates 2nd Parochial Fiesta

DAVAO CITY – On July 28, 2023, the San Pedro Poveda Parish triumphantly celebrated the 2nd Parochial Fiesta. The celebration embraced the theme, “San Pedro Poveda: Kami nga imong piniyalan, ang mga nagkahiusang katawhan, para sa katumanan sa among gipangandoy nga simbahan.”

Earlier this year, on Easter Sunday, the parish ceremoniously broke ground to commence the construction of the three-story mixed use building. Several weeks after the follow-up of the inaugural, on June 11, 2023, the parish held the Dinner for a Cause and Raffle Draw event at ALMACEN Gym. This program, organized by the Ways & Means Committee of San Pedro Poveda Parish, was a success with over 400 guests.

The major activities leading to the fiesta was observed with the resounding success. In preparation to the Fiesta Celebration, several priests were invited to officiate the 9-day Novena Masses from July 19 up to July 27.

On July 22, the San Pedro Poveda Parish Youth Apostolate victoriously kicked off the “San Pedro Poveda Nights,” a series of Variety Show that aimed to showcase the talents of our Servant-Leaders and the people of Catalunan Pequeño. The following day, July 23, the Ways and Means Committee formally introduced the Pledge of Love 2.0 which aimed to garner Walk-In Donations by expanding its area coverage. The previous cycle of Pledge of Love was exclusively rolled out to the residents in Catalunan Pequeño. The target runtime for this cycle will commence in the first week of August and conclude on December 3, 2023, coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of San Pedro Poveda and the Canonical Establishment anniversary of the titular patron.

Subsequently, the SPP Nights were branched out with a follow-up of various programs: Barangay Night (July 23), School Night (July 24), Senior Citizen Night (July 25), Ministrial Night (July 26), and Religious and Clergy Night (July 28).

During the Barangay Night, parish priest Fr. Elneri “Menying” Meñez made a resonant statement in a now-excerpted privilege speech. He emphasized the significance of ‘San Pedro Poveda Nights,’ that “the Nights were not exclusively for the parish or GKK Servant Leaders (GSLs).” He also underscored that the Fiesta Celebration is a sacred and shared experience all over the Barangay Catalunan Pequeño and is meant to be enjoyed with everyone.

On the eve of the 2nd Fiesta Celebration, all over Barangay Catalunan Pequeño GKK under the jurisdiction of San Pedro Poveda Parish came together in a convoy for a Dawn Procession. Then, on the following day, it was followed by Diana or Pamukaw at 4:00 o’clock in the morning. The Pontifical Mass took place at 9:00 o’clock in the morning with with Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D as the presider together with the mass together with eleven (11) concelebrating priests. Throughout the mass, the archbishop formally blessed the revered image of San Pedro Poveda, after it was unveiled to the public with its newly adorned panels.

After the Pontifical Mass, there was another round of booth decoration contest and a short program in the afternoon. The program showcased the various and lively performances that stood out during the SPP Nights. All participating GKK from their respective Zones were tasked to decorate their booths. Upon careful deliberation, Zone 1, comprising of the following GKK: San Vicente Ferrer Prk. 20, Sacred Heart of Jesus BRC Village, and St. Francis Xavier Bacanaya, was declared the winner of the booth decoration contest. They were rewarded with a corresponding Cash Prize of Php 1,500.00 for their active participation and dedication.

After the short program, there was an Exhibition Match with the clergy at Wellspring Village Phase 2 Basketball Court, followed by Religious and Clergy Night at 7:00 o’clock.

Certainly, the occasion was filled with joy and victories. The theme primarily encapsulates “Nagkahiusang Katawhan,” because the Fiesta is a shared experience, “This is why it is appropriately known as the ‘Fiesta in Catalunan Pequeño,’” as Fr. Menying puts it. May the shared experience extend beyond the Fiesta, serving the purpose of realization and fulfillment of our dream Church. Viva, San Pedro Poveda! Dalaygon ang Dios. (John Emman Magallanes)