SAMAL, Bataan – Despite the sweltering heat, Papal Nuncio to Japan Archbishop Francisco Escalante Molina visited the CFC ANCOP/CCO – AA Imelda Housing Community to offer a simple Mass with the homeowners on June 16, 2026.
“They feel blessed because it was the Nuncio himself who visited,” shared CFC ANCOP Livelihood and TVET Department Head Evan Buban, describing the Samal residents’ reaction to the said visit.
Warm welcome
Drum beaters and children waving flaglets welcomed Archbishop Molina to the site where a simple covered area was set up in one of the streets to accommodate the 50 families who attended the Mass held at 3:00PM.
Fr. Alwin Bobis of the St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Diocese of Balanga, concelebrated the Mass with the archbishop.
After the Eucharistic celebration, two CFC ANCOP beneficiaries, Modesto Lunca and Sulpicio Ramal, shared their stories with the prelate, specially about how happy they were to have been chosen to be the site’s new homeowners.
Many of the families in Samal were informal settlers and families living under a bridge nearby.
LGU guests
Present at the said event were attendees from the LGU:
- Kapitan Felife Javier
- Kagawad Samuel Lamon
- Kagawad Mario Esplana, Jr.
- Kagawad Virgilio Dela Cruz
- Tanod Jonathan Calma
- Tanod Eddie De Guzman
- Roma S. Dumandan, Asst. School Principal of the FC del Rosario Integrated School
CFC leaders like the ANCOP head, the cluster head, the Family Ministries heads, and unit heads also graced the event.
