ANAWIM YEAR 29
We Are the Light!
We Are the Light!
“LAHAT tayo ang liwanag. All of us are the light coming from Christ.”
That was the key message of our founder, Bro. Bo Sanchez, during the celebration of the 29th Founding Anniversary of our Anawim Home
for Abandoned Elderly on June 19, 2024.
Bro. Bo was apparently paraphrasing the event’s theme:
Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Liwanag na Mula Kay Kristo — You, I, We are the Light Emanating from Christ.
Anawim started in a dark forest– but now, look, Anawim is as bright as the smiles of our lolos and lolas
Fruit of God’s Love
We started in the early 1990s. Some members of the Light of Jesus Family wanted to serve the Lord and become missionaries, even ready to give up their lucrative jobs.
God was more than ready to grant their wish, providing them with a mission field on a five-hectare land located at Sitio Tañag, Barangay San Isidro, Montalban, 
Rizal.
A devoted member of our Light of Jesus Family, Sis. Trinidad Mangahas, donated the land.
And by Divine Grace, Bro. Bo was led to put up a haven for abandoned elderly, which he called Anawim— after the Hebrew word, God’s poor.
In December 1994, Anawim Lay Missions was born, putting up our Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly.
THANKSGIVING. Anawim Year 29 started with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by Fr. Joseph Pumihic (left) with co-celebrant
Fr. Benoit Bambili, and Liturgy readers Jonnie Vasquez and KC, Altar Boys Mark John Calma (left) and Zwordjet Canlas, and the Choir.
In his homily, Fr. Benoit thanked Bro. Bo for putting up Anawim. Fr. Joseph thanked God for inspiring Bro. Bo put up the Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly.
Fr. Joseph thanked sponsors, donors, and workers for their service: “You have made our elderly feel loved and accepted.”
He pointed out: “Anawim is a fruit of God’s love.”
Unconditional Love
Abandoned by those who were supposed to take care of them, lolas long for affection which they express here in the now popular Korean sign for love. And with unconditional love, standing behind them, from left: Bro. Bo;
Bro. Eng Si, Anawim Board Member, and his wife Nimfa; Bro. Vic Español, Anawim Board Member and region head, Feast International which well supports our Mercy Ministries, Bro. Hermie Morelos, president of Anawim Lay Missions Foundation and chair, Light of Jesus Mercy Ministries, with wife Sis. Reng Morelos; Bro. Bo’s wife, Sis. Marowe Sanchez, also affirming with the love sign.
Yes, they need to know someone cares…
… Like Sis. Marowe who hugs Lola Nila while Bro. Bo bends down to care for Lola Leony.
…Someone like Bro. Hermiewho thoughtfully holds the wheelchair of Lola Violy in place as she sings
Ang Anawim ay Isang Paraiso, composed by one of the elderly residents.
Love Reciprocated
Our grannies expressed appreciation for their benefactors’ love with a beautiful program led by Sis. Arsenia ‘Arcie’ Binohhi and Sis. Stella Marie Josefa Apao as emcees. At right, they join Anawim Employees in this dance dubbed Mamang Sorbetero (Ice Cream Peddler) led by Angelo Banatao and Stella Marie Josefa.
Anawim Nursing Caregivers present a dance depicting the mission of Jesus played by Oliver Biccay.
Lola Cathy belts out Frank Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night. And not to be outdone, lolas show off their action song, We Will Rock You.
And if it’s action you want, an Anawim event is not complete without Lola Fely’s Dance-for-All challenge. Happy to join
the fun are our Jeremiah girls, under the loving care of Jeremiah Foundation Executive Director Sis. Jing Saavedra Apuhin. Deepest thanks, Sis. Jing!
Also thrilled to rock and roll is no less than Bro. Bo, pulled to the dance floor by the irrepressible Sis.Babes Zambrano, Anawim spiritual ministry head.
Forever thank you, Bro. Bo!
Yes, it was a fun, awesome celebration of Anawim Year 29!
He did not dance because he was busy-busy managing the event. Yes, behind the flawless festivity is Anawim Executive Bro. Carlos Dimson.
Salutes and heartfelt gratitude to you and your team!
All glory to God!
