Faith is beautifully interwoven within Filipinos’ way of life. It has shaped our culture and traditions, explaining why the nation continues to find solace and a community under the roof of churches.
This sense of community and faith keeps local churches striving to adapt to modern times and guide individuals who have heard the calling to serve in the house of God. Such dedication has spurred the support of people who share the same ideals, like Felicidad T. Sy.
Fondly known as Nanang in the SM community, Sy is the better half of the late Henry Sy. Her unwavering dedication to the Catholic faith resulted in the establishment of the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation Inc. (FTSFI), an affiliate of the SM Foundation.
at the SM Seaside Complex
Since its inception, the FTSFI has promoted Catholic living by supporting church activities and charitable institutions in the Philippines. Its projects include restoring and building Catholic churches throughout the Philippines and providing SM employees with spiritual development programs. FTSFI also enabled church leaders and ministers to spread social good through spiritual wellness and the promotion of culture through special assignments.
arranged by FTSFI.
According to Imelda Elido, who works at the helm of FTSFI, the foundation has erected and maintains eight churches and chapels across the Philippines, namely the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall, San Pedro Calungsod in SM Aura, Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life beside the SMX Convention Center, San Pedro Calungsod Church in Cebu City, Mary the Queen Chapel in Jaro, Iloilo, and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in General Uno, Cavite City.
Recent additions include Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary chapels in SM North EDSA, SM Grand Central, and SM Makati, as well as the Holy Family of Nazareth Chapel at the NU Nazareth campus and the Cross Tower in Cebu.
FTSFI’s mass wedding, or kasalang bayan, has joined over 100 couples in holy matrimony since 2013. It also set to host another mass wedding in October 2023. It meanwhile helped in holding the Sacrament of Confirmation for over 100 individuals.
The foundation has also held spiritual recollections, lector’s formations and renewal, and various learning sessions on sacristy upkeep and flower arrangement, among others, for more than 2,000 participants.
To spiritually nourish Filipinos’ faith in God despite indoor confinement, the FTSFI held televised masses at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord at SM Megamall, reaching about 35 countries. Elido added that they aim to hold spiritual development programs, including a mass wedding at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life, beside the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City this year.
Through its unwavering devotion, FTSFI continues to aspire to help Filipinos enrich their spiritual wellness and live out their faith to contribute to building a more inclusive and compassionate society, one that reflects the values inherent in the Catholic faith.