News—More than 500 friends and donors attend first-ever Dinner for a Cause at SVD Farm despite rainstorm
Tagaytay City—Despite a sudden rainstorm, the first-ever Dinner For A Cause fundraising event was successfully conducted last April 21, 2023, at the SVD Laudato Si' Farm,
More than 500 friends and donors attended the event at the SVD Holy Spirit Chapel and the SVD Farm’s St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo.
The event, according to the organizers, was meant to pay tribute to the donors and friends of the Farm, fulfill the Farm’s mission and vision, and raise funds for the Farm.
“After years of being at the receiving end, we feel that it’s time to offer you a tribute as the sponsors, benefactors and friends of SVD and the Farm,” said Mrs. Olivia Ala-Tolentino, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Dinner For A Cause.
While the organizers were preparing for the event, a storm hit the venue at around 3:00 PM. “Rains poured heavily, accompanied by lightning and thunder, while the wind howled strongly. However, we deemed that these challenges should not stop us from achieving our goals for the night,” recalled Mrs. Tolentino, sharing that the organizers quickly adjusted to ensure everyone's safety during the event, changed the location of the Holy Mass, and provided other impromptu accommodations.
Despite the storm's disruptions, the evening's ambiance was warm and joyous. The organizers shared touching stories and expressed their deep gratitude to God for His continuous blessings and to the attendees for their unwavering support.
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The event began at 4:00 PM with the blessing of the Farm’s newly-built structures by Rev. Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, President of the SVD Board of Trustees and Provincial Superior of the SVD Philippines Central Province.
Following the blessing, at 5:00 PM, the Holy Mass was held at the SVD Holy Spirit Chapel presided over by Rev. Fr. Agerico “Jerry” Orbos, SVD.
Afterwards, the much-anticipated dinner began at around 6:00 PM, with the names of sponsors prominently displayed to express gratitude for their generous contributions.
As attendees enjoyed their meal, an engaging Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) about the SVD and the SVD Farm was played in the background, showcasing the organization's remarkable journey and the positive impact it has made on the environment and local communities.
The program proper began at around 7:00 PM, featuring charismatic emcees Rev. Fr. Ronie Pinca, SVD, and Frt. Karl Cabanalan, SVD. The program also featured heartfelt messages, performances, and informative segments that kept the attendees captivated throughout the evening.
The program started with the opening prayer. This was followed by inspiring videotaped messages from Most. Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, and Rev. Fr. Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD, Superior General of SVD, each of whom expressed their wholehearted support for the noble cause of the SVD-Tagaytay Community.
The highlight of the evening was the informational “vlog” segment creatively, presented by Rev. Fr. Stanislav Orečný, SVD, who took the audience on a virtual journey through the four zones of SVD. His presentations “(introduced) SVD as a religious missionary congregation” and highlighted SVD’s “interculturality” and its “advocacy on Laudato Si’,” inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical of the same name which focused "on care for our common home."
In between his presentations for each zone, other SVD priests and seminarians performed various song, dance, and skit numbers in order to entertain the guests.
After these presentations, Fr. Jerome took to the stage and delivered his heartfelt message of gratitude and encouragement, inspiring attendees to continue supporting the endeavors of SVD and the Farm. After his message, five more musical interludes showcased the immense talent of members of the SVD community.
As the event drew to a close, Rev. Fr. Samuel “Sam” Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD-Tagaytay Community, delivered his closing remarks. In his message, Fr. Sam expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by everyone present and emphasizing the Farm's commitment to its mission.
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All ticket sales and other donations from the event were gathered for the purpose of supporting the SVD-Tagaytay Community—the SVD Farm, the Divine Word Seminary (SVD), the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS), and the SVD-Alternative Learning System (SVD-ALS).
The Dinner For a Cause event at the SVD Farm was undoubtedly a resounding success, uniting hearts and souls for a greater cause. It not only raised funds to support the initiatives of the SVD-Tagaytay Community but also created awareness and instilled a sense of responsibility towards our planet and fellow human beings. With the continued support of its community, the positive impact of SVD and the SVD Farm will undoubtedly flourish in the years to come.
Read more about Fr. Jerry’s Dinner for a Cause homily through the link below:
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.