Pinoys in Brunei offer prayers for Ondoy victims

While their counterparts in other countries sent home material contributions to victims of tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana), Filipinos in Brunei offered spiritual ones.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Filipinos in Brunei held an "Ecumenical Prayer for the Nation" at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bandar Seri Begawan.

In an article on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph), the DFA said Bishop Cornelius Sim of the Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam welcomed the members of the Filipino community from various religious denominations attending the Ecumenical Prayer for the Nation.

Sim expressed solidarity with members of the Filipino Community in Brunei and assured them of the parish church’s support for the flood victims, both spiritually and materially.

Philippine Charge d’Affaires Celeste Balatbat provided a situation report on the conditions in the Philippines, particularly in the heavily affected areas.

Leading prayers for the protection of the environment and natural resources was architect Ed Feliciano (Agape); prayers for the victims by Cris Medrano (San Lorenzo Ruiz); for the assistance from various government agencies and non-governmental organizations by First Secretary and Consul General Raymond Balatbat; and for OFWs worldwide for their contributions to the national development and support by Dan Roxas (Filipino Association in Brunei Darussalam).