Bro. Franz Meet the Defensores Fidei Chairman and Top Apologist

Bro. Franz in front of the Altar side Altar of Sto. Domingo Church

For almost a year since Bro. Franz Luigi Lugena joined in The Splendor of the Church he's been longing to meet the Defensores Fidei officials and get to them personally. Of course I share this dream and I also want him to meet Atty. Marwil Llasos sothat he could be enriched by Bro. Mars' erudition and vast experience. However, since Franz is working in a government agency wherein he is required to be present regulary, he was always prevented by his schedule.

Bro. Franz with Mom in front of the Sto. Domingo

That desire became a reality last December 29, 2008 when he was able to make use of his short Christmas break wherein he accompanied his mother to Manila. His aunt's house is near Sto. Domingo and it was there where we set our meeting for DFF. It is also a blessing for me to be able to revisit this historic shrine of Our Lady. For personal consecration and for the consecration of my apostolates to her maternal protection.

Fr. Abe at the side Altar of Sto. Domingo

Bro. Franz and I together with Bobby, my childhood friend proceeded from Sto. Domingo to Greenhills. Then we visited Totus Bookstore where Franz bought materials concerning Justification because he was engaging into intense web debate with Protestant pastors on that issue in the Bereans.

Bro. Franz in McDo, Greenhills

We were feasting our eyes on new books in Totus when Bro. Henry arrived. He immediately greeted us warmly and invited us to eat. We told him that we just finished taking something so he offered hot soup instead. We walked to the other side of the road to reach the Chinese restaurant.

Bro. Henry Siy, the DFF Chairman treated Fr. Abe and Bro. Franz in Chinese Restaurant. We enjoyed the soup while we were sharing about the state of Apologetics in Sorsogon.

While we were enjoying our soup Bro. Henry showed his appreciation that a young man like Bro. Franz is very active in Catholic Apologetics. And he was also delighted to know that like him Franz is an Engineer too. Actually, the two are very much in common. They are very patient, reserved and soft-spoken, yet deep thinkers with analytical mind caused by proficiency in Mathematical solutions. Franz is delighted to see a Catholic Apologist who is soft spoken and very charitable in refuting the opponents of the Church.

Bro. Henry and Bro. Franz

While we were exchanging stories and latest updates from the Chairman, his cellphone sounded and after talking to the one on the other end we were informed that Atty. Marwil Llasos will be available to join us in Totus. He added that the "Lord is generous to us." Indeed, He is. We wanted to see Bro. Mars and he called up telling us that he was coming. So after finishing our soup we returned to Totus to wait for Bro. Mars.

Fr. Abe and Bro. Franz in Totus Bookstore

After some minutes Bro. Mars arrived and after the pleasantries invited us for a coffee. Bro. Henry and Mars led us to the Starbucks nearby where we exchange ideas about apologetics. Bro. Mars and Bro. Henry focused on our discussions and encounters with the Bereans because Bro. Mars is actively debating them in that forum.

Bro. Mars, Fr. Abe, Bro. Franz and Bro. Henry in Totus

The two informed us that personal communications are on-going between the Berean pastors and our apologists. We have offered them the challenge for public debates but they politely declined. They also refused to defend in public the books of Anthony Pezzota despite the fact that it is in their recommended list. As usual Bro. Mars regaled us with his wit and humor against the enemies of the faith.

Bro. Marwill sharing his Apologetic skills while we were drinking coffee at Starbucks near Totus Bookstore.

Finally, we said our goodbye and we offered Bro. Mars a ride to his place. We were delighted because Bro. Mars took the image of Our Lady in Totus, the one presented in this blog during the National Apologetic Convention. It belongs to Bro. Mars and was blessed by yours truly. It has become the patroness of Defensores Apologetic Seminars. We brought Bro. Franz first back to Sto. Domingo and then we sent Bro. Mars to his apartment where he showed me his bachelor's pad. It is simple and modest but obviously rich with faith and manifestations of knowledge [Bibles, Books both about Law and Theology. Then we returned home.