Tag Archive: Charity

Fr. Boyet’s Mission & Legacy

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 4 Comments

August 5, 2024

Back in 2011, I was introduced to Fr. Florentino Concepcion when we visited his project “Bahay at YAMAN ni San Martin de Porres”. It can be found in Claro Santos St., Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan. I wrote about the project’s beginnings then and has never stopped since talking about the merits of Fr. Boyet’s projects for the elderly, the abandoned and street children, the unwed mothers, the homeless and even the drug-dependent youth. I pray for Fr. Boyet and his growing projects often , given the enormity and demands of his many social and charitable projects. I have persuaded many of my friends to give up their Christmas gift budgets to instead donate the money to augment Fr. Boyet’s financial needs. If you have time, give a listen to this video clip on Fr. Boyet’s mission and legacy. I am convinced it will touch your hearts and guide you on the more important facets of life. More than praying, the “giving” is a well-thought out act meant not just to nourish the bellies but the souls. Much like how Mother Teresa has taught us. Acts of Charity. Fr. Boyet is on a mission of transforming young men and women to be better, more productive members of our society. But he obviously needs a lot of help.

Mother Teresa’s Mission and Father Boyet’s Legacy : https://youtu.be/vDfIGA2U4lQ?si=F758-xhmlWTw2NnD

My earlier blog on Fr Boyet’s Projects:

A Slice of Batanes In Bustos, Bulacan. A Slice of Heaven For God’s Children.

There is this ongoing project that compels commitment from some of us. Aside from sheltering, feeding and educating these “Martinian Children”, they are now engaged in Fr. Boyet’s weekly apostolates doing charity as well as introducing them to missionary work. You’d be proud of these wards cutting hair and nails of homeless people, talking to them, handing food packs. The photos below show their latest activities with about 1,400 Dumagats from various sitios around Angat Dam. These lessons on missioning certainly benefit both Fr. Boyet’s wards and the dumagats. There is that shared background and experience and hopefully , the shared hope and aspirations that life can be better. Kindness , compassion and empathy surely go a long way.

Christmas may be months from now but any token contributions towards charity will be most appreciated. In my case, i have since stopped sending Christmas (at times birthday gifts too) and instead donate in their behalf. My experience is they are all the more pleased with that “exchange”. Same way I am more than pleased they donate instead of sending me gifts. After all, we have really stopped wanting more, and may even be burdened with having more. Scaling down is more “restful” and less burdensome. Here’s how you can help. Just sent mine via Instapay.

You may send a text message to Fr. Boyet to expect your fund transfer. Don’t forget to send my regards!

Tags: Apostolate, Charity, Fr. Boyet, Musings and Ramblings

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A Slice of Batanes In Bustos, Bulacan. A Slice of Heaven For God’s Children.

Filed under: Travel, travels — 34 Comments

July 27, 2011

I have not been to Batanes. I am forever planning a visit to this northernmost part of the country. So many summers passed and I have not once visited. But this is the nearest thing I’ve done short of visiting this northernmost island.

Ivatan Stonehouses in Bustos. Not in Batanes.

The Main Ivatan Stonehouse

Inside the Ivatan Stonehouse

The BAHAY AT YAMAN NI SAN MARTIN DE PORRES can be found in Claro Santos St., Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan. It began as a feeding center in Tondo back in 2002 for the street children of Manila through the initiative of Rev. Fr. Florentino S. Concepcion. Better known as “Father Boyet”, he inspired countless others to share time and resources for what was initially a Soup Kitchen which blossomed into a center for streetchildren who found love and care beyond the hot meals and shelter. As the “Bambang Kids” grew in number, Fr. Boyet transferred the “community” in 2003 to this donated lot in Bustos, Bulacan. As more well-meaning Christians supported Fr. Boyet’s project, these streetchildren were fed, sheltered, ‘healed’ and treated with love and tender care. Volunteer psychologists and social workers, along with financial donors, helped sustain this apostolate mission such that the Center now houses and cares for as many as 120 streetchildren.

The Chapel. Boys sit left of aisle. Girls on the right. If unruly, the boys sit with the girls.

An Apostolate so pure in its ways, so simple in its Mission.

We weaved through ricefields and paddies to reach the Center which now has a Chapel and a few stone houses built like the ones you’d find in Batanes. These Ivatan -inspired stonehouses are so lovely that we all agreed we’d stay a night here sometime soon, and spend more time with the children. The dormitories where the children live are surrounded by moat-like fishponds. Up on the 2nd floor, there are folding cabinets in varied colors and an uncluttered floor shining in its cleanliness and space. I can imagine the boys rolling out their mats here and sleeping with the wide windows open to let the breeze in.

A Moat and A Dormitory

Sleeping Quarters On The Second Floor

Right across the dormitories, there is a Social Hall cum dining area. Lovingly designed with vibrant colors, the hall is artistically decorated with items one would normally discard. Like empty bottles hanging on a makeshift chandelier made of dried twigs and branches. I found beauty everywhere. The colors, the minimalist decor, the ingenious artistry, the carpentry, all these combine to create an atmosphere of love and communality.

Don't Discard Those Bottles and Twigs!

For sure, the Center can do with a lot of help from us who can spare time and resources to live out our Christianity right here where help finds meaning. With 120 streetchildren under his wing, Fr. Boyet needs our support. Go visit them, and view a slice of Batanes in this area of Bulacan. Meet King David, a 10year old who has gone through 4 religions at so young an age. He can entertain you with his operatic voice. I kid you not. And there’s Ramon Magsaysay, an abandoned baby who is forever clinging to Fr. Boyet the whole time we were there. And another pre-teen whose body bore tattoos long before he knew what those markings are. Go visit, and discover a part of yourself too. That part which longs to offer a slice of heaven for God’s children.

SAN MARTIN DE PORRES
Address: Mission Road, Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan 3007, Philippines
Manila Office: +632-367-02-72
Cell no: +63-918-517-4492

More Than Just A Soup Kitchen Now!

Sheltered, Fed, Educated and Loved.

God Bless Fr. Boyet and the Kids!

“In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort, we must help the weak and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 21:3)