The National Assembly of the Chinese Filipino Apostolate was held last November 12-13, 2004 at the Lorenzo Mission Institute, San Carlos Pastoral Complex. Xavier School actively participated in the gathering and, together with many other Chinese Filipino parishes, schools and organizations all over the Philippines, supported the following joint statement.

     We, representatives of Chinese-Filipino Catholic communities from across the Philippine archipelago, gathered as a national assembly, are aware of recent moves to open a casino in Binondo, Manila, a place where many of our ancestors once lived.

     From its creation in the sixteenth century as a district for the Christian Chinese to the present, Binondo has been home to Chinese and Filipino families who highly value the formation and education of their children. Therefore, we unite ourselves to our Tsinoy brothers and sisters who oppose the opening of a casino in Binondo, for the direct and indirect negative effects it will have on our young people and on the community.

     Binondo is already a bustling commercial and residential district, rich in history and culture. A casino may generate revenues and provide funds for worthy causes, but the very idea of gambling is contrary to the values of patience, hard work, and love of family that have made Binondo what it is today.

     Again, we oppose the opening of a casino in Binondo.

(SGD)

Bishop Teodoro J. Buhain, DD
National Coordinator
Chinese-Filipino Apostolate

Msgr. Esteban Lo, LRMS
Assistant National Coordinator

Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ
National Secretary

Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ
Consultant

With the signatures of 72 others: priests, nuns, and lay leaders from Dagupan, Metro Manila, Lucena, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, and Zamboanga

13 November 2004
Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Institute
San Carlos Pastoral Complex
EDSA Guadalupe, Makati City

Go back to the top ^