JFF Tours | Porsche's Diary

We find it affordable and convenient to stay in Java Hotel. Since it was year 2012, I have only few things in mind that I can recall about this trip. I just had to rewrite this blog. We had land arrangement with JFF Tours owned by Ms. Yza Felipe and Joey Felipe. Kuya Joey was the one who accompanied us through the trips. I told him I can see Joem Bascon in him (an ABS-CBN actor).

We have other itineraries like Sequioa Mansion, Sand Dunes, Old Houses in Vigan, Paoay church, Marcos house, and others which I have to look for the pictures. I lost the post from my previous blog. I hope I can still find them. The sole purpose of this blog site is for my kids to remember our memories mostly mine especially when I am gone.

To continue with our Ilocos Trip in 2012, I was blessed to have seen Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Archbishop Villegas is currently the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and President of the Asia-Oceania Mariological Society.

Here is an excerpt from directory.ucanews.com about Archbishop Villegas:

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD was born on Sept. 28, 1960 in Manila. He was ordained a priest on Oct. 5, 1985. On July 25, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Manila. His Episcopal ordination took place on Aug. 31, 2001. On May 3, 2004, he was appointed Bishop of Balanga. His installation was on July 3, 2004. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him on Sept. 8, 2009 Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. Archbishop Cruz was installed on Nov. 4, 2009.

He is currently the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and President of the Asia-Oceania Mariological Society.

He has written and published six books of homilies and spiritual reflections. He was awarded the 1994 Catholic Authors’ Award and the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines in the year 2000. The Bataan Peninsula State University bestowed on him the Degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa in recognition and appreciation of his work for the province of Bataan.

He is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO), the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Tenth World Youth Day held in Manila in 1995 and the Fourth World Meeting of Families in 2002.

He is the youngest of the three children of Norma Jacinta Buenaventura and the late Emiliano Villegas.

EDUCATION
Elementary – Pateros Elementary School
High School – Letran College (Manila)
Philosophy – San Carlos Major Seminary (1977-1981)
Theology – San Carlos Major Seminary (1981-1985)
A.B. in Philosophy
M.A. in Theological Studies – San Carlos School of Theology (1994)

MINISTRY
July 1985 – Private Secretary to the Cardinal-Archbishop of Manila
December 1989 – Appointed concurrent Rector of Our Lady of Peace Shrine
September 1991 – Papal Chaplain of his Holiness Pope John Paul II
October 1992 – Member of the College of Consultors-Archdiocese of Manila
December 1993 – Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila
March 1994 – Chairman of the Ministry for Priestly Formation of the Archdiocese of Manila
February 1996 – Assistant Pro-Episcopal Vicar of the Ecclesiastical District of Manila
September 1996 – Member of the Archdiocesan Finance Board
February 1997 – Episcopal Vicar-Administrative concerns of the Mission Society of the Philippines .
April 1997 – Minister of the Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila
August 1997 – Member of the Tribunal in the Cause for the canonization of the Servant of God, Marie Eugenie Milleret, foundress of the congregation of the Assumption
December 8, 1989 – May 2004 Rector, Mary Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine)
January 2000 – Appointed District Head of the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City-South
May 3, 2004 – Appointed Bishop of Balanga, installed on July 3, 2004
September 8, 2009 – Appointed Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, installed on November 4, 2009

Moving on, the room has a smoking area (veranda). But, since we do not smoke, we utilized the area by having a snack and drinks while spending quality time (QT). There are free breakfast for 2 every morning and I can really say that the accommodation is cheaper compared to the elegance of the facilities. The staff were very courteous and jolly (1 of the pics below). Our only free time was the last day of trip, it was short though because we checked out early to catch the early trip going back to Manila. Have a look at these pictures taken: