From a distance, I could smell the fantastic aroma of delicious food.  Sayang… the five scholastics had to go home after the mass that is why; they could not taste the good food.  Anyway, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word that comes from God!”  More important is how St. Camillus MedHaven celebrated the Feast of St. Camillus.

Last July 07, 2008, seven days before the Feast Day of our Founder, the residents, staff, and volunteers of St. Camillus MedHaven launched the Sports fest. 

It began with a mini parade.  Led by their respective beautiful muses, three different teams – BLUE WAVE, GREEN WARRIORS and RED ALERT – walked around the compound.  The joy and excitement were felt in all the participants.  “After working here for 16 years, this sports fest is the most happy, and joyful moment.  In short, this is the best,”  Ate Edna (one of the supervisors) said.  Yes, indeed, the activity was pervaded with joy and excitement because everybody really participated and contributed something to his/her own team.

The sports fest lasted for one week.  There were several games played by the Medhaven community: half-court basketball, volleyball, badminton (s/d), chess, dama, tug of war, sack race, wheelchair relay, cheering competition, and dance contest.  The most exciting contest was the Miss Gay competition won by Mr. Fred from the green team.

We might ask, “How did our residents participate?”  (The organizers arranged everything for their part).  Some played chess and dama while others joined the parade, the dancing and the cheering competition. Some also cheered to support their teammate.  According to Ismael and Sandy, two grand masters in chess and dama, the sports fest this time was the best one.  Tatay Steve (one of the senior residents and a person who is also behind the success of this activity) described the event as a happy moment for him because he saw all his “children” enjoying as well as entertaining our patients in this institution.

Then came July 14, 2008.  In spite of the heavy rain, the great parade on Apitong Street pushed through. Sir Joe and Lyre Band were the front liners, followed by the teams and muses, and the participants of the cheering and dance competition.

At 5:00 PM, we had the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI, with Fr. Samuel Cuarto, MI, as concelebrant.  Fr. Aris opened his homily by commenting that indeed the rain did not affect our joy on the feast day; rather it came as a blessing from the Lord.

After the Mass, a sumptuous dinner was offered; everybody shared in the bounty.  After dinner, some programs and contests were held.  That night was the happiest moment.  Tatay Steve and Ate Edna noted that patients, residents, staff members and everybody else were happy and entertained by the contestants.  Lastly, the most awaited event came, which was the announcement of the winners.  The Champion was the Green Warriors Team.  The second and third placers were the Blue Eagle Team and the Red Alert Team respectively.  Ooops...!!  Nobody was hurt, nobody was sad, everybody was happy.  In short, everybody was a champion!!!