MISSIONARY TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES—Reported by Dr. Ligaya A. Acosta, November 3-5, 2010.

More than 600 people, among them two cardinals and 10 archbishops and bishops from 15 countries, attended this year’s 17th Asia-Pacific Congress (ASPAC) on Faith, Life and Family, held November 6-8 in Manila, Philippines.  Just prior to this event, more than 300 attended the pre-congress International Pro-Life Training for Clergy, Religious, and Lay Leaders of Asia and Oceania, held in the same venue from November 3-5. The number of participants at these events far exceeded expectations. Attendees included all the elites in the pro-life field, including legislators.  The full-time attendance of the cardinal, archbishops and bishops was unprecedented!  We had to transfer to the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel the second day of the pre-congress training, as the function room I had reserved could no longer hold the overflowing number of participants!

Held at the beautiful Dusit Thani Manila Hotel right in the heart of the Philippines’ commercial and business district, the Congress proper revolved around the theme:  “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the Nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).  The pre-congress training, on the other hand, had the sub-theme:  “For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting.  For necessity is laid upon me.  Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1Cor 9:16).

Each day started with lively songs of praise and worship, rosary, and Mass, and ended with an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, during which participants would join in a touching prayer of reparation led by His Excellency Bishop Anthony Lee Kok Hin of Miri, Malaysia – a past HLI Cardinal Von Galen Award recipient. Buganda dancers and drum beaters provided color and pomp for both the opening and closing program, which left the participants spellbound.  With all the participants proudly wearing their respective country’s colourful traditional costumes on opening day, it was a sight to behold.  The entrance of colors, enhanced by the beat of drums and the play of lights, was met with thunderous applause, as each country’s representative proudly waved his or her flag and planted it on stage, signifying their unity with Human Life International in the mission to defend Faith, life, and family all over Asia, Oceania, and the world.

Media and Opposition

The six-day event made the headlines and prominent spaces in national dailies, as well as primetime news on TV and radio, both before and after the event! The event threatened death peddlers and pro-“reproductive health” legislators in the Philippines, who were put on the defensive – especially as the participants, led by no less than Cardinal Vidal himself, fearlessly declared that they will continue to fight against the onslaught of the culture of death, particularly the reproductive health bill again being massively pushed in Catholic Philippines, to the extent of willingly going to jail if, God forbid, it becomes a law.  The sight of all the participants defiantly standing and raising their fists saying “Hands Off the Philippines” several times was overwhelming and was caught by media.

Before the opening of the Congress, I received news that there were some ill-intentioned infiltrators among the audience, and so I gladly greeted them in my welcoming remarks, saying that I hoped they would stay until the end of the Congress so that they would know the truth and hopefully change their lives for good.  I was also informed that some of them would make a scene during the event, but they must have been overwhelmed by the large number of people and the spirit of faith and commitment pervading all throughout the Congress.

The Future, Participants, and Contributors

When Kazakhstan, who will host the 18th ASPAC in September 2011, was called onstage for the traditional presentation of the upcoming Congress host, there was a thunderous applause, as everyone looks forward to another Spirit-filled event.

Indeed, this year’s ASPAC once more strengthened and inspired everyone to vow to continue defending the Faith, life, and family at whatever cost. It bore many fruits, among them the formation of the “Doctors for Life” and “Tea Party for Life” organizations in the Philippines.  The event quadrupled my speaking engagements, as it roused many “sleeping giants,” and inspired the many participating countries to do the same.  Certainly every penny required to put on the Congress was worth it, as the impact was greater than imagined, multiplying money spent by more than a hundredfold.

Some other intended participants from other countries, particularly Nepal and China, were not able to make it due to visa problems.

The event was held in cooperation with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines; the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL); the Knights of Columbus; and the Family Media Advocacy Foundation, who selflessly helped in all the activities.  Priests and nuns and many intercessory groups continuously offered Masses and prayers for the success of the Congress – the prayers were definitely heard.  Truly God is good and God is great!  When we totally surrender and offer our plans to Him, He definitely blesses us and makes the impossible possible.

I especially thank HLI-Central for their never-failing inspiring support, and of course, the many generous benefactors of Human Life International, without whom this six-day, biggest pro-life event of the year in Asia and Oceania would not have been possible.  I pray unceasingly that Our Lord and Our Lady keep you all under their loving care. May He continue to bless you and your kind hearts abundantly, and protect you and your families.