A blessed Dedication Day, Mariella Louise Manipon!

With the proud Christian parents of Mariella Louise

The Manipons – Mark and Sheila are back in town!

Sheila sent a text message last June 9 informing me of their arrival in the country last Friday (June 5). They were gracious enough to have invited me to their daughter’s dedication day celebration that following Sunday (June 14), at the residential compound of Mark’s parents near Tandang Sora Ave.

The dedication ceremony is the closest religious ritual their Christian denomination has to the Catholic Church’s infant baptism.

During the ceremony, the parents make a vow of commitment to the Lord God. They submit their child to God’s Will and promise to raise her according to God’s Word.

The dedication itself was done earlier during the day at the Bread of Life Ministries’ worship center – Crossroad 77 at Mother Ignacia Ave. near our alma mater St. Mary’s College of Quezon City.

Mariella’s pictures through her first 7 months of youthful existence –

she turns 1 year old in September

I saw both old and new faces at the reception. They were high school batch mates of Sheila back at SMC where she and Mark (Elementary) both studied but came from different batches. Unfortunately Sheila’s batch mate Charisse Calingasan and a good friend of mine, was among her SMC friends who were absent.

SMC Alumni H.S. Batch 1997 - Sheila, Jhet, CJ, Shaundy and Melai

I heard that when the Manipon couple leaves for the Middle East I think by early July, they will be leaving behind their daughter to be taken cared of by their parents. That’s sad but I understand their plight considering the person who used to take care of Mariella returned back to country with them but would not be coming back to Saudi Arabia. Since both are working abroad, (Mark is a project engineer working for Bank Aljazira while Sheila is a Human Resource Officer for the International Medical Center) for the moment, it would seem best that the grandparents take care of their young child.

I wish this young family well! After all, I was one of their sponsors during their civil wedding here in the Philippines. I continue to remind them about the importance of having a church wedding at the soonest time possible. Nothing beats the outpouring of God’s blessings to a sacred union forged in His Holy Name and approval. I pray that they may soon enjoy that day of joy and blessings!

For now, I join Mark and Sheila along with their friends and loved ones in welcoming Mariella to the Christian family! May the good Lord bless her and keep her!