Audience with the O.Carm. Prior General

On February 19, the Third Order of Carmelites had an audience with the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, Fr. Fernando Millan, OCarm. The meeting was held at the Titus Brandsma Center. Also present were the General Delegate for Asia and Oceania, Fr. Albertus Herwanta, OCarm., the new Comissary Provincial, Fr. Toots Buenafe, OCarm., and the TOC Provincial Delegate, Fr. Noel Rosas, OCarm. Presentation on the status of the TOC was made by Sis. Rosalie Castro, TOCarm and a short film showing made by Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm in collaboration with the Australian and Indonesian TOC was shown to those present. The video presentation is for the vocation promotion of the TOC. Fr. Fernando gave a short talk on Carmel stressing the importance of Formation. After the audience, a small snack was served. The activity was attended by the TOC communities in Luzon. Pictures of the said event can be found at the Facebook Page of the TOC.

Sis. Sally giving background about the TOC Philippines

Fr. Albertus giving his message to the TOC

Fr. Fernando Millan giving a short talk to the TOC

Giving a gift to Fr. Fernando

Blessing of the images for the chapel of the Flos Carmeli House of Prayer

TOCs with the Prior General, the General Delegate, the Comissary Provincial and the Provincial Delegate

Bro. Arnold with the Prior General

TOCs with the Prior General

Bro. Pol Gregorio with the Prior General

Bro. Terry Garcia with the Prior General

Fr. Toots Buenafe, OCarm (Commissary Provincial) giving his message to the TOC

Elective Chapter of the San Rafael TOC Community (Tondo)

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of San Rafael situated at the Parish of St. Raphael, the Archangel, Balut, Tondo, Manila was conducted last February 13, 2011. The election was supervised by Sis. Sally Castro, TOCarm (National Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council).

The following were elected:

Prioress: Sis. Crisanta Jutic, TOCarm.
1st Councilor: Sis. Nenita Valdez, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor: Sis. Corazon Moran, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor: Sis. Gloria Bolano, TOCarm.
Director of Formation: Sis. Librada Mejia, TOCarm.

Elective Chapter of the General Commissariat of Bl. Titus Brandsma

CITOC News
No: 16/2011-18-2


During the Chapter of the Philippine General Commissariat held on 14-18 February 2011 were elected:

• Commissary General: Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm.
• First Councilor: Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor: Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor: Fr. Gilbert Sabado, O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor: Fr. Eduardo Albino, O.Carm.

Blessing of the Flos Carmeli House of Prayer

The National Council together with the TOCs of the Province of St. John of the Cross went to the Flos Carmeli House of Prayer on Feb. 12, 2011 for the blessing of the place. The house of prayer was blessed by Rev. Fr. Rhen Caculitan, OCarm., the National Vocation Director of the Order. The cross destined for the chapel was also blessed. After the blessing, a hearty lunch was served amont those present.

TOCs of Bacoor

Tarpaulin of the House of Prayer

Blessing of the Main Door

Blessing of the Conference Room

Blessing of the Chapel and the Crucifix

Lunch time



After the blessing



The front of the house

Garden at the back

Facade of the House of Prayer

Elective Chapter of the Flos Carmeli TOC Community (Bacoor)

The Elective Chapter of the Flos Carmeli Lay Carmelite Community situated at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Bacoor, Cavite was conducted last November 20, 2010. The election was supervised by Sis. Milagros Exconde, TOCarm (4th Councilor, TOC National Council).

The following were elected:

Prioress: Sis. Emilia G. Fermo, TOCarm.
1st Councilor: Sis. Juanita G. Lopez, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor: Sis. Denia T. Valente, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor: Bro. Luis Francisco Amado R. Barrientos, TOCarm.
Secretary: Sis. Herminia P. Panaguiton, TOCarm.
Treasurer: Sis. Ligaya I. Autencio, TOCarm.
Director of Formation: Sis. Juanita G. Lopez, TOCarm.

Signing of the Contract for the "Flos Carmeli" House of Prayer

On January 18, the signing of the lease of contract for the "Flos Carmeli" House of Prayer (formerly Mater Carmeli House of Prayer) was done at the office of the TOC National Secretariat at the Teresa of Avila Building, Acacia St., New Manila, Quezon City. Present at the signing were the donors: Rene and Bettina Benitez with their children; the representatives of the TOC National Council: Rosalie Castro, TOC; Mila Exconde, TOC, and Baby Punzalan, TOC; and together with other TOC members, Rev. Fr. Toots Buenafe, OCarm and Rev. Fr. Aris Escobal, OCarm. After the signing, the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was imposed to the family by Fr. Toots Buenafe and a small image given by the TOC to the family was also blessed at the chapel of the Institute of Spirituality in Asia.

Signing of the Contract of Lease

Blessing of the Image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Imposition of the Brown Scapular to the family

Imposition of the Brown Scapular to the family

Short catechesis on the Brown Scapular and about the Carmelites

Giving of the image to Carmela, daughter of Rene Benitez

Elective Chapter of the Immaculate Conception TOC Community (Laguna)

The TOC Community of Immaculate Conception Sta. Cruz, Laguna held their chapter elections last November 27. The election was supervised by Sis. Mila Exconde, TOCarm and Bro. Louie Barrientos, TOCarm of the Regional Council.

The result of the Local Election is as follows:

Prioress: Sis. Rose Molina, TOCarm
First Councilor: Sis. Mercy Rana, TOCarm
Second Councilor: Sis. Dory Articona, TOCarm
Third Councilor: Sis. Lina San Luis, TOCarm
Formation Director: Sis. Monina Bautista, TOCarm
Secretary: Bro. Rudy Elleva, TOCarm
Assistant Secretary: Sis. Betty Elleva, TOCarm
Treasurer: Sis. Betty Cruz, TOCarm
Assistant Treasurer: Sis. Chet Abad, TOCarm

Advent Recollection of the TOC Province of St. Joseph

The 8 communities of the TOC Province of St. Joseph made their advent recollection at the ICSB Hall, Malolos, Bulacan. The room was filled by TOC members coming as far from Pampanga. The recollection was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Adrian Layug. The topic focused on the parts of the Mass and its meaning to the life of the Carmelites. After the recollection, the Rite of Reception and Temporary Profession was administered to some of the members. The Acceptance of Aspirants was also held after the Holy Mass.

Rite of Reception

Rite of Reception

The new Novices with Fr. Adrian

TOC members with Fr. Adrian after the Holy Mass

Joint Formation: Bacoor and Las Pinas Community

JPIC: Prison Awareness Sunday

The Immaculate Conception TOC Community of Sta. Cruz, Laguna joined the celebration of the Prison Awareness Week (Oct. 24 -30) by visiting the local community jail. Visitation of the inmates has been one of the apostolate activities of the TOC community in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The following are some snap shots of the event.