St. Bernard Abbot Parish holds 16th Himuloan Festival

By Fr. Eric Bobis

St. Bernard Abbot Parish in Ocampo, Camarines Sur celebrated the 16h Himuloan Festival on August 18 in line with the Parish Fiesta on August 20.

Himuloan Festival was conceived in 2008 when Fr. Jaime Danilo Viola was parish priest. This event was meant to organize the tinagba, offerings from the harvest, of the parishioners that used to be gathered during Corpus Christi. To integrate the celebration to the parish fiesta and to enhance the spirit of generosity and solidarity, the parish started with the concerted effort of various sectors of Ocampo to realize the vision of communal act of sharing.

The act of sharing moved the 25 barangays in Ocampo, schools, institutions, barangay pastoral councils (BPCs), religious ministries and movements, stakeholders and other civic spirited groups and individuals to unselfishly share the fruit of the land and labors. The Local Government of Ocampo has, since the beginning, eagerly collaborated with the parish in the same vision.

This year there are 62 institutions and groups including non-sectarian schools, padyak operators (OPODA), and non-government organizations that filled their carts and cars with himulo (offerings). The gathered goods were shared to institutions that take care of the less fortunate. Thirty-two (32) institutions including 20 poor parishes, 4 orphanages, seminaries and institutions that cater to the poor and underprivileged received the offerings.

Fr. Bernie Anthony Ramirez, parish priest, mentioned in his message that Himuloan is a communal celebration of generosity. He added that in the 16th year, offerings increased in volume, manifesting a growth of the faith life of the parishioners.

One of the recipients, Fr. Frankie Eligoyo, parish priest of Santa Josefa Parish in Payak, Bato, Camarines Sur mentioned that the truckload of offerings he received on behalf of the parish shall also be shared to those who are in need of these gifts.

Witnessing the beginnings of this festival, Fidela H. Malaluan, a member of the organizers mentioned that words of St. Teresa of Calcutta, “there’s no poor who has nothing to give, and no rich who has no need,” has inspired the Himuloan. She added, “This celebration has great meaning as we learn how to share. In this time when festivals often mean lavish spending, the people of Ocampo are learning to celebrate in a different way, that is to share out of generosity.”

Fr. Bernie Anthony Ramirez, parish priest of St. Bernard Abott Parish in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, receives the himuloan or the offerings of the people. (Photo by Fr. Eric Bobis)