The patron saint of San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
As part of the celebration, there will be the unveiling of a portrait of Saint Paul the First Hermit, the patron saint of San Pablo City. The event will include a priest’s blessing and a recital of the Holy Rosary. We are delighted to announce that this celebration is in collaboration with The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter USA.
Following the Holy Mass and special ceremonies, we invite you to St. Anthony School at 27 Franklin St, Belleville, NJ, for refreshments and fellowship.
Your presence will add to the joy and significance of this momentous occasion. We look forward to sharing this celebration with you.
Who is St. Paul the First Hermit?
A Christian from his youth, Paul was orphaned at age 15, in 250 the persecution by Decius forced him into hiding, first at a friend’s house and then, fearing exposure, to a cave in the Egyptian desert. He had planned to return home after things quieted down, but the peaceful solitude of the desert seduced him to stay. A palm tree and a spring near his cave provided him with food, clothing, and water until he turned 43. After that time, as it had happened for Elias, a raven brought him half a loaf of bread each day.
In Paul’s 90th year in the desert, his presence was revealed to St. Anthony, who immediately went to find him. Anthony met Paul in his cave, and the two hermits became friends overnight. They shared a whole loaf of bread brought by the raven, discussed world events, and prayed. Anthony thought he had found a companion, but Paul knew that God had sent Anthony to help him die. The biography described their meeting:
Blessed Paul said to Anthony: “For a long time now, I have known that you dwelled in these regions. And for a long time, God had promised you to me as a companion. Since my hour of eternal sleep has arrived, and because I have always desired ‘to be dissolved and to be with Christ’ (see Philippians 1:23), having ‘finished the course, . . . a crown of justice’ (see 2 Timothy 4:7–8) remains for me. You have been sent by God to bury my miserable body, rather than return earth to earth.”
Anthony listened to these words with tears and groans, begging Paul not to leave him behind, but to accept him as a companion on that journey. Paul answered: “You ought not to seek your own interests but those of another. It is indeed profitable for you to cast off the burden of the flesh to follow the Lamb, but it is also profitable for the rest of your brethren that they may be the more instructed by your example. I beg of you, hasten, if is not too much to ask, and bring back the cloak which Athanasius the bishop gave you, to wrap about my wretched body.” Now, blessed Paul made this request, not because he cared at all whether or not his body decayed covered up or naked, since for a long time now he had been wearing garments woven from palm leaves, but because he wanted to spare Anthony the grief of witnessing his death.
Anthony went to get the cloak. When he returned he found Paul kneeling with arms outstretched, but already dead. Two lions dug Paul’s grave and Anthony buried him. But he kept Paul’s outer garment woven from palm leaves, which he treasured from that time and which he always wore on great feast days.
Paul was spared a lonely death because he found a friend in Anthony. His experience suggests that we become friends with the sick and elderly and provide them companionship in their last days. And that we make friends with younger people ourselves as insurance against loneliness in the autumn of our lives.
🌟✨ Grateful for a wonderful evening at the 35th Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado hosted at the Philippine Consulate General of New York! 🕯️🙏 Joined by Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz, and Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, along with esteemed Filipino-American community leaders and members, the event was a true celebration of our religious culture and the warmth of the holiday season.
🌟 The night commenced with the symbolic lighting of the parol, creating a beautiful atmosphere for the Holy Rosary and Holy Mass that followed, uniting us in prayer and reflection.
🎁 Despite the hustle of hosting duties, the festive sumptuous meal and exciting gifts raffle giveaway brought smiles and joy to all in attendance. 🍽️🎉
🙌 Special thanks to our Fil-Am community partners for co-sponsoring this memorable event: Filipino American Festival Inc., Fiesta in America, Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia Inc., FEU Nursing Alumni-East Coast, Gramercy Lodge 537, Pilipino Association of Connecticut Inc., and the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey. 🤝💙
Togetherness, culture, and community – the true spirit of Christmas. 🎄🇵🇭 #SimbangGabi #FilAmCommunity #HolidaySpirit #CulturalCelebration
A reminder of the rich tradition of Simbang Gabi, dating back to the 17th century during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, when Masses were held before dawn for farmers. “Simbang Gabi, also known as Misa de Gallo, is a Filipino tradition in preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a joyful celebration, and we know that the Holy Eucharist is the best way to honor and prepare ourselves for His coming.”
On the sun-kissed afternoon of September 17, 2023, members of the San Pablo City Association gathered at the private pavilion of Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, to celebrate their annual picnic. With the backdrop of a stunningly beautiful day, the event was nothing short of a delightful occasion filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.
The San Pablo City Association’s annual picnic has always been a significant event for its members, serving as a reminder of their roots and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among fellow Filipinos living in the United States. This year’s picnic was made even more special by the presence of distinguished guests, including the former Governor of New Jersey, James “Jim” McGreevey, and the Jersey City Tax Assessor, Mr. Ed Toloza. Mr. Toloza has always been a beloved guest of the association.
The gathering began with the warm and gracious welcome of the attendees, who were met with an impressive array of Filipino dishes that would satisfy any food lover’s palate. From the savory kare-kare and pinakbet to the delectable pancit and lumpia, the picnic was a gastronomic feast that transported everyone back to the flavors of the Philippines.
As the day unfolded, both children and adults alike were treated to a variety of games and activities. Laughter echoed through the pavilion as participants competed in friendly matches, showcasing their competitive spirit and fellowship. There was line dancing where attendees showcased their graceful moves.
The generosity of the San Pablo City Association was also evident in the gifts they provided for the children in attendance. Each child left the picnic with a smile on their face and a new toy in hand. Boys were delighted with remote-controlled humvees and helicopters, while girls were charmed by the stuffed animals they received. These gifts served as a tangible reminder of the warmth and sense of community that the association embodies.
The 2023 San Pablo City Association Annual Picnic was more than just a gathering; it was a reaffirmation of the bonds that connect Filipino-Americans in the Northeast. It showcased the enduring spirit of camaraderie and the commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of San Pablo City and the Philippines.
As the sun set on that memorable day at Liberty State Park, the echoes of laughter, the aroma of delicious food, and the rhythmic beats of Filipino music lingered in the hearts of all who attended. The annual picnic served as a reminder that, no matter where they are in the world, the San Pablo City Association will continue to celebrate their culture, cherish their community, and strengthen the bonds that make them a close-knit family.
MAYO LANDICHO is attending our May 7 Foundation Day as our special guest straight from Canada. He is our fellow San Pableño, a multi-talented singer/songwriter and a modern & international tattoo artist who received numerous awards in the US, Canada, and the Philippines. He is an educator, outdoorsman, and environmentalist who conducts several lectures at universities, conferences, and trade shows. To learn more about Mayo, visit www.mayolandicho.com and www.birthmarktattoos.com.
We cordially invite you to celebrate our hometown, San Pablo City, Foundation Day on May 7, 2023, at 1:00 pm, at Knights of Columbus,150 Chestnut St., Nutley, NJ.
Sean Andrei Lacorte-Mercado, 17, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is the eldest and only son of Arlyn Lacorte and Erl Mercado. He is also the only grandson of Cristina Recidocruz and Elmer Mercado, both true-blooded San Pablenos. He has a younger sister, Adreinne Crizelle Lacorte-Mercado, who recently represented the San Pablo City Association as Reyna Elena II of Catholic Action of Mary’s Santacruzan and Ms. Teen PACCAL 2022. Sean escorted his sister to every Filipino-American cultural event they were invited to participate in during the summer.
Sean is a senior and will graduate in the Summer of 2023 at Coney Island Prep High School (a charter school). Since elementary school, he is always an achiever and on the honor roll. Sean loves to dance and create TikTok dances. He is a basketball varsity player since middle school until the present. He also loves video game streaming. Sean wants to study computer science in college and become a mechanical engineer someday.
Being the first Youth Ambassador of the San Pablo City Association, Sean plans to guide the young kids and teens of the organization. He hopes to lead and teach them qualities such as kindness, respect, and compassion to ensure they grow up to be the best possible versions of themselves. As a Filipino, he aims to inspire and encourage young generations to keep in touch with their roots as he finds keeping our culture alive extremely important. Not only he is willing to guide, but he is also ready to learn more about leadership and embracing our traditional Filipino cultures. He has a long journey ahead of him, but he aspires to accomplish several goals with this new role.
Our young San Pablenos participated in the 10th Annual Filipino American Festival Inc. in Overpeck Park, Ridgefield Park, NJ. They are young descendants and members of The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association, East Coast Chapter USA. They are honored to be part of the signature fashion show showcasing their beautiful Filipinianas and Barong Tagalogs. They made us very proud in representing our organization and our cause.
We heartfully thank Ms. Ludi Hughes, founder/CEO of FAFI, for inviting us to be part of the festival. We also really appreciate the generous donation given towards our fundraising. <3
Join Us for the 2024 ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC! 
Date: Sunday, June 30, 2024
Time: Noon – 6:00 PM
Location: Liberty State Park, Freedom Pavilion B, 5 Theodore Conrad Drive, Jersey City, New Jersey
Event Highlights:
Donation:
