Las Pinas Stake (Diocese) Holds a 9-Day Celebration of National Family Week 

The Las Piñas Philippines Stake (diocese), in coordination with the Muntinlupa City Government, celebrated the 25^th National Family Week by holding a series of activities from 20 September to 29 September 2017 in Muntinlupa City.

The nine-day National Family Week celebration kicked off with a parade in the morning of 20 September. Around 50 families from Muntinlupa City, employees from the Muntinlupa City Government, and members from the Las Piñas Stake joined in the parade. The motorcade ended at the Muntinlupa LDS Chapel where families shared breakfast together. A program ensued right after breakfast.

Members of the Las Piñas Stake participated in several activities organized by the Social Services Department (SSD) of the Muntinlupa City Government, such as the boodle fight with families of city government employees, Pamilyang Muntinlupeño Isang Daang Nagsalo-salo, for which Bishop Eric Edra was the keynote speaker, and family forum.

The highlight of the celebration was the two-day Family Search Exhibit and On-the-Spot Student Painting Contest held at Starmall Alabang, Muntinlupa City, held on 28 – 29 September 2017. 

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi, along with one of the city councilors, Councilor Grace Gonzaga, attended in the opening ceremony on 28 September 2017. Mayor Fresnedi gave a brief but powerful message on the importance of strengthening family relationships in Muntinlupa City with the help of the community.  After his message, a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed. Las Piñas stake members, headed by its Stake President Elmer Sumagpao, as well as the employees of the SSD and the Local Council for the Protection of Children of the Muntinlupa City government, headed by Ms. Annalyn Mercado and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi were present. The Family Search exhibit ran from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at that day.

On 29 September, the Las Piñas Stake hosted an On-the-Spot painting contest held at Starmall Alabang. Junior and senior high school students from eight public schools in Muntinlupa City joined in the art contest.  The painting contest focused on this year’s theme: “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag, at Panatag na Pamilyang Muntinlupenyo”.  Congressman Biazon announced the winners during the closing and awarding ceremony, and winners received prizes both from the Las Piñas Stake and the office of Mayor Fresnedi.

Congressman Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, along with City Councilors Ivee Tadefa and Stephanie Teves, attended the closing ceremony. The youth of the Las Piñas Stake performed the cultural dance “Singkil” which awed the audience and the VIPs alike.  President Elmer Sumagpao, together with the Stake Public Affairs Director, Brother Romeo Elisan, briefly met with Congressman Biazon after the program.