On the evening of April 5, 2026, at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Center, our Filipino community gathered for something deeply meaningful—a celebration not only of Easter, but of faith, culture, and unity through the launching of the Filipino Torch Magazine. It was a night where tradition met purpose… where light overcame darkness.
The Beauty of Salubong: From Mourning to Joy
The celebration began at the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral with the cherished Filipino Easter tradition of Salubong—a powerful reenactment of the meeting between the Risen Christ and His Blessed Mother.
Two processions moved in prayerful harmony:
The men carried the image of the Risen Christ (Jesucristo ng Pagkabuhay), symbolizing victory over death.
The women accompanied the sorrowful Blessed Mother, veiled in black, representing grief and longing.
Both groups prayed the Holy Rosary in unison as they journeyed toward one another.
Then came the most touching moment…
At the altar, a child dressed as an angel gently lifted the black veil from the Blessed Mother—revealing not sorrow, but joy. It was a powerful symbol: mourning transformed into hope, darkness into light.
With this, the images were blessed by Fr. Elmer, marking the end of the procession and the beginning of the Easter Mass.
A Message that Echoes Easter
During the Mass, Fr. Elmer beautifully walked the congregation through the journey of Lent—recalling each Sunday Gospel, each step of reflection, sacrifice, and repentance.
He brought it all to its culmination: the Resurrection.
His message was simple yet powerful:
Like the Blessed Mother, we begin in sorrow—mourning our sins and shortcomings—but we are not meant to remain there.
We are called to move forward… to rejoice… to live transformed lives, proclaiming Christ to the world.
It was a reminder that Easter is not just a moment—it is a mission.
The Launch of the Filipino Torch
After the Mass, the community gathered once again at the Catholic Center for the much-awaited launch.
The evening opened with a prayer led by Fr. Elmer, followed by an inspiring message from Nick Canlas, President of the Barangay Club of Indiana. In his speech. Nick mentioned that the Torch was introduced as more than a symbol—it is a living light. A light of: Renewal, Courage, Faith.
Just as Easter proclaims new life, the Torch represents our calling to rise, to move forward boldly, and to carry hope into the world. Gratitude was extended to: Sponsors and contributors who made the vision possible, Creatives whose passion brought the event to life, And special recognition to Lexie and Jezzy, whose editorial and layout work gave the Torch its voice and beauty. The message ended with a powerful call:
Let the flame rise—and may it live in each of us.
🙏 Gratitude to Our Host Community
This meaningful celebration would not have been possible without the love, dedication, and tireless service of our host community—the Filipino Eucharistic Family of SS Peter & Paul Cathedral.
From the very beginning, they poured their hearts into every detail:
- Arranging the venue at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Center
- Preparing and serving the food with generosity and care
- Organizing the sacred flow of the Mass and Salubong
- Coordinating every small detail that made the entire event seamless and meaningful
Special thanks to the leadership of Ate Sherry and Kuya Jovy, whose guidance and commitment brought everything together so beautifully, along with all the devoted members who worked behind the scenes with joy and humility.
And of course, a Filipino gathering would never be complete without the simple yet unforgettable joys of food and fellowship…
We always look forward to Joaquin’s freshly made pandesal—warm, comforting, and made with love. And for some of us (myself included), the Spanish bread is an absolute favorite—sweet, soft, and impossible to resist.
These small touches remind us that beyond the program and celebration, it is the heart of service and community that truly makes moments like this special.
Celebration, Community, and Joy
The night continued with laughter and celebration:
An exciting Easter egg hunt delighted the children
Fun games brought smiles to families
The program was warmly hosted by Cecille Canlas
And of course… no Filipino gathering is complete without a feast! Nearly 300 people were served a joyful spread of beloved Filipino dishes:
Lechon
Pancit
Lumpia
Menudo
Pandesal
Halo-halo
Kakanin
…and so much more
It wasn’t just a meal—it was a celebration of culture, generosity, and togetherness.
Humble Apology and Commitment
As we celebrate the success of this meaningful event, we would also like to take a moment to express our sincere and humble apology to some of our generous sponsors and supporters who may not have been properly acknowledged during the program—not only this evening, but also in some of our past activities.
Please know that this was never intentional. Your kindness, generosity, and willingness to support our mission do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated.
We recognize that gratitude should always be expressed clearly and intentionally. Moving forward, we are committed to doing better—to ensuring that future events will include a dedicated and appropriate portion of the program to properly recognize and thank all those who help make our efforts possible.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding. You are an essential part of our community and our journey.
A Night to Remember
That evening was more than an event.
It was a reflection of who we are as a Filipino faith community:
Rooted in tradition
United in faith
Alive in mission
As we celebrated the Risen Christ, we also ignited a new beginning through the Filipino Torch Magazine—a platform that will continue to share stories, faith, and light within and beyond our community.
Indeed, it was a beautiful night…
A night of resurrection.
A night of unity.
A night where the flame was lit—not just in ceremony, but in every heart present.
