Knights of Columbus Inaugurates Clubhouse & Brgy. Hall

by Bienvenido P. Cortes

The Knights of Columbus Clubhouse and the Barangay Hall of Barangay 2, Ellieta cor. Christopher Columbus Sts., Roxas City, was inaugurated and blessed in simple ceremonies. Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula, D.D., Archbishop of Capiz presided. City Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino and other local officials and guests graced the said occasion.

Archbishop Advincula started the program with his invocation. The singing of the National Anthem followed. The good archbishop then blessed the reconstructed building, the ground floor occupied by the Office of Barangay 2 Council and the second floor by the Roxas City Council No. 3691 of the Knights of Columbus.The Capiz prelate have high praises on the presence of this building as this will serve to unite people in this area for community action.

On the part of the Knights of Columbus, this writer and Grand Knight of Council 3691, thanked and appreciated City Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino and the barangay council of Barangay 2 headed by Punong Barangay Luzminda de la Cruz for initiating and facilitating the reconstruction of the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse and Barangay 2 Hall. The original clubhouse constructed during the term of the late Grand Knight Cesar A. Talabucon (1991-1992), was totally destroyed by Typhoon Frank on June 18-21, 2008. Cortes thanked Mrs. Nilda A. Alovera, widow of SK Richard Alovera, Sr. whose family donated the lot where the clubhouse now stands.

Mayor Alan, who is also a member of Council 3691 planned to rehabilitate the Knights of Columbus clubhouse. With the advice of Engr. SK Ramon Ponsaran and SK Benny Loterena and in coordination with the barangay council of Barangay 2, a new building is now inaugurated.

Mayor Celino also plans to construct a chapel near the clubhouse where the residents can conduct cultural and religious activities.

SK Julius B. Abela, District Deputy V-147, of the Knights of Columbus, presented awards of appreciation to Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula, D.D., archbishop of Capiz, for blessing the building; to City Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino, for facilitating the reconstruction of the clubhouse; to Punong Barangay Luzminda de la Cruz, for coordinating with the office of the city mayor in the reconstruction of the building; and to Mrs. Nilda A. Alovera, for donating the land.

In behalf of Brgy. 2, Punong Barangay Luzminda de la Cruz conveyed her thanks to Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino for providing a permanent place to hold office and transact business with their barangay constituents. In previous years, they had been holding office in rented private houses. Now, they are happy to occupy the ground floor permanently for barangay council office. Dela Cruz also presented a Barangay Resolution of thanks to Mayor Alan and to Mrs. Nilda A. Alovera, donor of the clubhouse lot.

Capiz provincial board member Ed Magalanes, city councilors SK Julius L. Abela, Powell del Rosario, and Tawe Billones, Jr., journalists, Epi Celino, Edalyn Acta and Amy Almosa, Lendo Eusalan, Capiz Electronics Institute attended the blessing and inauguration of the clubhouse. /MP