Pinoys in Malaysia pitch in for church bell tower

26Aug09

Filipinos in Malaysia made a significant contribution for a bell tower project at a local Catholic church there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said the Filipino Sports and Welfare Community of Johor (FSWCJ) turned over the completed bell tower to St. Theresa’s Church in Masai, Johor, Malaysia, Aug. 15.

“The six-meter high bell tower is made of structural steel frame and is a ‘movable’ structure which can be transferred to another site,” the DFA said.

Attending the handing-over ceremony were members of FSWCJ, Parish Priest Fr. Jiva, Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Arul, and other parishioners of St. Theresa’s Church.

Representing Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros were embassy attachés Jose Juancho Perez and Virgilio Pasive Jr.

FSWCJ has more than 300 members comprising engineers and technicians employed by three big oil and gas construction yards in Malaysia.

FSWCJ President Engineer Conrado Narciso presented Fr. Jiva with a replica of the bell tower as a souvenir.

Narciso, construction director of Gumusut, the biggest oil and gas project in Southeast Asia, said the bell tower project was conceived last May 31 as its first community project in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of FSWCJ.

In June 2009, the FSWCJ launched the “Bell Tower Design Contest” to its members. The winning designer got a cash prize of RM300 ($90) at the handing-over ceremony.

Engineer Teresita Regalado, the Bell Tower Project director, said the ground-breaking ceremony was held last June 27.

Regalado said the project was completed on August 8, ahead of its original schedule of Oct. 3, the feast day of St. Theresa.

“The total cost of the bell tower project amounted to 24,600 ringgit (approximately $7,200), with most donations coming from former members of the association who are now working in other countries and who still continue supporting FSWCJ’s plans and programs,” the DFA said.

Fr. Jivan expressed his appreciation to the FSWSJ for the noble project presented to the Church.

He said the bell tower should not be turned over to him but to the parishioners of St. Teresa’s Church, which consist of English, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil speakers.