Pamana at Awit

The Support Group for Filipino Seminarians, USA (SGFS) is a local, parish-based initiative fostering vocations to the priesthood in Illinois. We reach out to Filipino seminarians to help and support spiritually, emotionally and materially. SGFS provides the seminarians a home away from home.

Since its founding in 1999, SGFS has fostered and provided assistance to 25 seminarians, all have been ordained to the priesthood and now serving in their respective dioceses all across America.

SGFS extends its ministry in outreach programs and charitable activities in the Philippines.

In addition, SGFS hosts cultural and fund raiser events partnering with others who share its mission-vision.

Cultural events:

2012 – SGFS presented its first cultural program, Pamana at Awit, a presentation that promotes awareness of Filipino values and traditions in the form of songs, dance and costumes

2014 – SGFS presented Pamana at Awit: Paghahandog, a cultural extravaganza celebrating Filipino heritage and self-offering to God, also in the form of songs, dance and costumes

2017 – SGFS hosted Pamana at Awit: Panunumpa, a dinner dance celebrating love and marriage by renewal of marriage vows to ten couples within the Chicagoland area

2021 – SGFS presented Pamana at Awit: Pagtitipon, a gathering of priests for an evening of Christian musical extravaganza

2022 – SGFS hosted Pamana at Awit: Panunumpa II, a dinner dance celebrating love and marriage by renewal of marriage vows to twelve couples within the Chicagoland area

SGFS Team L-R: Jennie Bulseco, Preci Villasin, Sharon Roman, Wilma Salgado, Fr. Sunny Castillo, Jun Salgado, Amie deStefano, Marta Dee. Not in photo: Gerry D’Souza and Cynthia Santos

Guest friends and priests who attended the event.

The Organizers L- R: Marta Dee, Angel Roman, Sharon Roman, Fr. Sunny Castillo

Front From L-R Melody Esmero Angstadt, Nenet Miranda, Ms. Veronica Leighton, Jane Miran, JoAnne Turija, RJ Turija Back from L-R Perlita Tarroza, Alice Lagman

The couples who had Renewed their Marriage vows L-R Ragnar and Melanie Gaden, Rainer and Jessica Ecang , Ernie and Ester Fernandez, Ted and Tess Mendoza, Mary Anne and Allen Racho , Sheila and Nilo Barranco, Irene and Edmund Perez, Jenifer and Eric Calma, Jenny and Vic Viejon, Maribel and Kevin Calloway Not Pictured were Couples Jose and Nell Frias and Pete and Giselle Rosal

Front from left to right:Nilo and Sheila Barranco, Kevin and Maribel Calloway, Eric and Jenifer Calma, Rainer and Jesica Ecang, Ernie and Ester Fernandez, Ted and Tess Mendoza/ Back Row from left to Right: Jose and Nell Frias, Ragnar and Melanie Gaden, Edmund and Irene Perez, Allen and Mary Ann Rancho, Pete and Giselle Rosal, Jenny and Vic Viejon VIA