CTK Bids Goodbye to Fr. Bong Tupino
Fr. Bong Tupino was given a rousing despedida dinner by parish volunteers last June 8, after the 6 pm mass. Given the maximum capacity at the Parish Formation Center second floor, the Parish Pastoral Council had to limit the number of attendees per mandated organization, prayer movement, ministry and village-BEC.
Fr. Bong had also been feted in separate despedidas by various mandated organizations, prater communities, as well as village BECs. Acropolis for example, celebrated with Fr. Bong after he ofCiciated at their village mass last Sunday, June 3. The Lectors and Commentators gave their despedida- lunch for Fr. Bong right after their LeCom General Assembly last June 9 from 10 am to 12 noon.
At the Parish Social Hall, the PPC- organized farewell began with emcees Bing and Elise del Rosario requesting Fr. Bong to say the special grace before the despedida meal. Fely Ong, head of the organizing committee that included Maan del Rosario, Eileen de Leon, Irene Robles, Alma Yeh and Sheryl Coronel, had set up three buffet lines to minimize the queue times.
As the people who had served the parish faithfully for six or more years lined up to get their food, Fr. Bong went around to the different tables to personally greet the well-wishers who had become his close friends over the years. He also made
sure to stop at the two tables with the children performers from the Mustard Seed Children’s Choir. Sitting in the front tables were the PPC officers, the parish staff with Leila Banico, and our priests Fr Bong and Msgr. Tony Mortillero.
By 8:15 pm, when a majority of the guests had finished most of their dinner, the formal program began with the song ‘Seasons of Love’ from the Broadway hit ‘Rent’, done by the cute kids of the newly- formed Children’s Choir, under the auspices of the Mustard Seed Ministry. The children were trained on the acapella song by professional singer Girl Valencia.
This was followed by a dance number by the Youth Ministry members as well as members of the Family & Life Ministry core team. Near the end of the dance, the performers encouraged the crowd to stand up and dance with them, a la ‘Clash mob’.
These two acts were then followed by ‘Fr. Bong’ dancing for the Cirst time. Everyone knows that Fr. Bong doesn’t dance or perform in public and yet there was his giant face on a a large bag worn by the dancer. The performance was the brainchild of Fely Ong who had seen a similar performance in the past.
The PPC officers, led by Lay Coordinator couple Bert and Marie Anne Santos, Assistant Coordinator couple Henry and Joyce Tañedo, Secretary couple David and Fely Ong, and Treasurer couple Bing and Elise del Rosario each gave a very short tribute, which was followed by Bert Santos asking everyone to stand up, grab a glass, and giving a toast to Fr. Bong. The PPC officers then gave a token of appreciation to Fr. Bong, on behalf of the entire Parish Pastoral Council. It was an artist’s pastel sketch, with the CTK church in the background.
The final number was a community singing number, with the song ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, sung by the attendees, led by Fely Ong and Ellen Chua, to Fr. Bong.
Fr. Bong was asked to give a final response. In it, he recounted why he was a priest and why the priesthood gave him the incentive to wake up bright and cheery each morning. He also requested the Parish Pastoral Council and the rest of the parishioners who serve in the ministries, in the prayer movements, and in the mandated organizations to continue to serve the parish.
The following day, June 9, the Lectors & Commentators Ministry held its 2nd quarter General Assembly, with Fr. Bong as the formation speaker. Fr. Bong gave everyone a free copy of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete Et Exsultate. He shared several relevant passages with the LeComs. Later, the LeComs gave Fr. Bong a despedida lunch.
