FOR the first time since my return to the Philippines in August 2025 from Northern California, I spent my New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, in the Presidential Security Command (PSC), Malacanang Park.
First, I was escorted by a kind PSC soldier to Sto. Nino Chapel, not far from a hospital inside the camp.
I arrived 30 minutes before 7 p.m. Afterwards, a kagawad led me to the Office of the Malacanang Chaplain.
Father Roel Arceno Isip, the Command Chaplain, greeted me with open arms as he introduced me to Father John Paul Hechanova, the Assistant Command Chaplain, who was in the past based in the USA. Both of them would celebrate the Mass at 7:30 p.m.
I was very attentive in the Mass 1st Reading on Numbers 6: 22-27 that records the priestly blessing “where God instructs Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites. This divine, six-fold benediction requests God’s protection, grace, favor, and peace upon the people, specifically to place His name on them and invoke His blessing.”
Then this was followed by the 2nd Reading of Galatians 4: 2-7 which
explains that believers are “no longer slaves to legalism or worldly principles but are adopted as God’s children and heirs through Jesus Christ. Having sent His Son to redeem those under the law, God sent the Spirit into believers’ hearts, enabling them to call Him ‘Abba, Father’.”
As read by Fr. Hechanova, the Holy Gospel that night was on Luke 2: 16-21, which highlights “the humble birth of Jesus, the validation of his messianic identity by shepherds, and his submission to Jewish law through circumcision, where he is officially named. It emphasizes Mary’s role as the theotokos (God-Bearer or Mother of God) pondering these events in her heart.”
It centers on our faith, a conscious, trust-based relationship with the Divine that fosters peace and purpose. Certainly, true faith offers spiritual freedom.
Thanks to the sponsors of the Mass: the Presidential Security Battalion, Presidential Guard Battalion, Presidential Security Command School, Presidential Communication and Electronic Information System Battalion, and Presidential Intelligence and Security Group.
After the Mass, Fathers Isip and Hechanova invited me to join them in the year-end dinner at the Presidential Security Command’s Cafe Troopers.
As I left the Cafe Troopers, which was my first time, I was looking forward for more visits in the near future.
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More on PSC’s Experiences
I was fortunate that during Presidents Cory Aquino, Eddie Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, and Bongbong Marcos I was able to enter the PSC, formerly the PSG (Presidential Security Group), except during the administration of Presidents Noynoy Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte.
Cory Aquino: I was the Presidential Message Writer. Twice I had a personal talk with then Presidential Son Noynoy Aquino in PSC.
Eddie Ramos: I often joined the Malacanang Press Corps in PSC.
Joseph Estrada: I was often invited to the PSC several times.
Gloria Arroyo: I took the opportunity to roam around the entire PSC lot, including the housing for the soldiers’ families.
Bongbong Marcos: I wrote the Bahay Pangulo (Presidential Residence) for Balikbayan Magazine for it was the first time the Bahay Pangulo was open to selected media. I was able to enter First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos’ study room/office. And recently I attended Dec. 31, 2025 mass at PSC Sto. Nino Chapel and dinner at PSC’s Cafe Troopers.
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Anacleta Angeles of US Consulate General Osaka
I was fortunate to meet recently Filipina OFW, Ms. Anacleta Angeles, who has been working in the US Consulate General in Osaka, Japan.
She is from Pangasinan and is spending her vacation in the Philippines to be reunited with her family, relatives and close friends.