28/10/2025
Official Statement of Gratitude on the Success of the Jubilee of Migrants celebration
Diocese of Antipolo Commission on Migrants, Seafarers, and Itinerant People (DACMI)
The Diocese of Antipolo Commission on Migrants, Seafarers, and Itinerant People (DACMI) offers its profound gratitude to the Lord Almighty for the grace-filled and successful celebration of the Jubilee of Migrants held in Baras, Rizal. Through His divine providence, the event was blessed with favorable weather and the generous support of numerous individuals, institutions, and partners who contributed to its meaningful realization.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our beloved bishop, Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, D.D., for his paternal guidance and steadfast encouragement. Our appreciation also goes to our Vicar Forane, Rev. Fr. Rommel Felizardo, whose leadership and inspiration continued to strengthen us even in his absence, and to our Priest Director, Rev. Fr. Joey Bautista, for his unwavering support and calm direction throughout the preparation and celebration.
We likewise acknowledge with gratitude the priests of the Vicariate of St. Jerome for their generous contribution, and all the priests who concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration and offered their prayers for the success of this gathering.
Our sincere appreciation is also extended to the Executive Members and Vicariate Coordinators of DACMI for their cooperation, dedication, and commitment to our shared mission in service of our migrant communities.
We express our deep gratitude to the Municipal Government of Baras, headed by the Honorable Mayor, together with the GSO (Maโam Rose), PESO (Maโam Bambi and Maโam Indira), Tourism Office, Sir Johnel, and our ever-reliable focal person Sis. Baby Andaya, for their invaluable assistance and collaboration. We also thank the parish workers and usherettes of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph whose warm hospitality contributed to the smooth flow of the event.
We are sincerely thankful to our panel speakers for their enlightening messages and invaluable insights:
โข Asec. Venecio Legaspi, Assistant Secretary for Land-Based OFW Concerns, DMW
โข Director Malou Reyes, OWWA
โข Atty. April Casabuena, Regional Director, DMW
โข Ms. Ellene Sana, Executive Director, CMA
โข Rev. Fr. Roger Manalo, CS, Executive Secretary, CBCP-ECMI
Our gratitude likewise goes to our testimonial speakers โ Ms. Rubylyn Acebo, Ms. Jemica Araojo, and Mr. Arnold Martires โ whose stories of faith, sacrifice, and resilience deeply inspired all who attended.
Special recognition is given to our talented performers: the OFW Babies of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Brgy. CCL โInrak ni San Geronimoโ Dancers, St. Joseph Parish School Dance Troupe, and the Baras Drum and Lyre Ensemble, whose performances added color and joy to the celebration.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Jubilee Commission partners โ the Commission on Indigenous People and the Office of the Religious Clergy โ for their solidarity and collaboration during this diocesan celebration.
In a special way, we recognize the Diocese of Antipolo Cluster Against Human Trafficking (DACAHT) and its partner commissions: the Ministry on Social Action, Human Development and Caritas, the Commission for Family and Life, the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Vocation, the Commission on Basic Ecclesial Community, and the Commission on Catechetics. We are grateful for your active participation in the signing of the amended Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MoPA), reaffirming our collective commitment to the protection and dignity of every human person.
Finally, we thank all migrants from the 82 parishes of the Diocese of Antipolo who joined us in this historic celebration. Your presence is a living witness to our unity, faith, and mission as one diocesan community journeying together with and for our migrants and their families.
With hearts full of thanksgiving, we proclaim:
To God be all the glory!
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