The journey to the 11th Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) Australia Echo Conference began even before we touched down in Queensland. My wife and I had booked our flights to Brisbane early—taking advantage of a rare fare sale—long before we learned that the conference venue would actually be in the Gold Coast. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise; the timing spareplad us from the airfare spike that followed the global oil crisis and Middle East tensions.
We didn’t get to experience the famous “50‑cent train ride” because of ongoing track works, but the replacement bus from Brisbane to the Gold Coast brought us smoothly to Southport, where our mission weekend would unfold.
A Glimpse of Hong Kong in Queensland
Walking through Southport, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to Hong Kong. With its towering high-rises and its recent reputation as Australia’s most expensive city for weekly rentals, the vibe was uncannily familiar. This feeling followed us into the Woodroffe Hotel. Our room, though cozy, mirrored the compact residential dwellings of Hong Kong.
The “coincidence” of faith started early; we discovered we were sharing the hotel with fellow Hong Kong transplants Jeff and Lisa, and Kuya Sonny and Ate Betchy.
After arriving midday, we dove straight into the local food scene. The Gold Coast offers an impressive variety that’s a marked change of pace from Adelaide.
While we were scouting for lunch at Australia Fair, we had the pleasant surprise of bumping into familiar faces—Tito Tony and Tita Dolly Haber. We eventually settled on Mangkok Avenue for our meal. I’ll admit, the crispy pata put me well over my healthy eating quota for the month, but staying disciplined is a tall order when you’re on the road and faced with such a vast selection you just don’t see back in South Australia!
As we settled into the venue, more familiar faces began to appear. Before long, we realized we had become the common link among brethren who had once served with us in Hong Kong—many now based in Victoria, and others from Sydney, the city we called home for six years. Thanks to our nightly Zoom rosary sessions, we finally met in person those who faithfully dial in at 8 p.m.
Having moved to Adelaide over a year ago, the whole experience felt like a grand reunion. Seeing our former Tseung Kwan O neighbors Zeus and Cris San Agustin; Aise and Chinna Manuel; Aise’s sisters Andra and Asia; and Alec Lastimosa; plus our hotel mates—made the gathering feel less like a conference in Australia and more like a joyful trip with old friends to a faraway place.
Fr. Dado Haber, Tito Tony’s nephew, presided the Mass and gave a homily that blended humor with a surprising depth. He told a story about a farmer’s barn, where the cow and the chicken mock the pig for being “lazy” and “unproductive.” The cow boasts about giving milk; the chicken proudly points to her eggs. Meanwhile, the pig just eats and sleeps.
Then the pig answers with quiet conviction:
The cow gives milk and lives.
The chicken lays eggs and lives.
But when I give… I give my whole life.
During the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the silence drew me deeper into the mystery of Christ’s Real Presence. And right there, in that sacred quiet, a question surfaced: How are benediction, adoration, and exposition actually different?
It surprised me that after a lifetime as a Catholic, I didn’t fully know. But instead of embarrassment, I felt a prompting—almost like the Lord handing me an assignment. I knew I had to study this, understand it well, and share it through the podcast I committed to start when I return to Adelaide.
I hadn’t formally rehearsed with the music ministry for this conference, but the moment I saw the song line up, something in me knew I had to step in. These songs have carried our community through countless assemblies and household gatherings, and singing them again stirred a confidence I didn’t even realize I’d missed.
Our first morning began with a stirring Praise and Worship. There I was once more with Jason, Oliver, and Raffy—the same brothers I used to jam with throughout the pandemic. Chloe anchored us beautifully on the keys, and Belle, our fellow alto from the Chatswood Himig Sandiwa choir, blended right in. It felt like a reunion wrapped in worship.
Babes had been playfully “bugging” me about which lines to take, even tucking a few musical instruments into the praise parade as props. Since it was just the two of us, plus Jason Sanga and his son Jhazz representing South Australia, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to deliver. We knew we had to bring massive energy just to match the huge delegations from the other states.
However, thanks to the “adopted” help of youth members from across Down Under who came to our aid—reinforced by the likes of Angie and Raffy Reig (NSW) and Miguel Magtibay (ACT)—our rendition of By Your Side was louder and more spirited than anyone expected!
Talk 1: Rooted in Christ
The first talk anchored on this year’s MFC theme, Rooted in Christ, to life. Jepoy Meneses, someone I know since my early SFC days in Hong Kong, opened the first session with a depth shaped by years of service.
He anchored his message on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians (Col 2:6–7), then drew a powerful analogy from biology: what we see above ground is only a fraction of a tree’s true form. Its unseen roots make up a massive part of its structure. Bonsai trees may look beautiful, but their intentionally restricted roots prevent them from ever reaching their full potential. In the same way, our spiritual roots must grow deep if we want to stand firm, flourish, and bear abundant fruit.
It reminded me of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–8): seeds that fall on hard, rocky, or thorny ground cannot take root. Without depth, a plant becomes vulnerable—easily uprooted, like a tumbleweed. Jepoy even acted out a tumbleweed caught in a Western-style gun duel, complete with the Good, the Bad and the Ugly soundtrack, to drive the point home.
He expanded the biology metaphor further: beneath the soil, trees interlock their roots, forming an underground network that shares strength, nutrients, and stability. In the same way, when we reach out to one another, we strengthen the community and help each other grow.
Talk 2: Living the Call
Later in the afternoon, Jocas Javier from MFC Victoria delivered a powerful session on Living the Call, an excellent follow‑up to Jepoy’s earlier talk. He started with a rendition of songs that represent different stages of relationships like Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and Shania Twain’s You’re Still the One.
In his talk, Jocas reminded us that a life rooted in Christ must be visible in the transformation of our choices and lifestyle.
Drawing from St. John Paul II’s Redemptor Hominis, he emphasized that true renewal in Christ is expressed through love, forgiveness, and service.
Jocas then used the seasons of a tree to illustrate the spiritual journey. Just as a tree sheds its leaves in winter and withstands strong winds that test the strength of its roots, we too face daily challenges that can build resilience. As Nietzsche famously said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
He also acknowledged the reality of spiritual drought—those seasons when we appear fine on the outside but feel barren within. Some trees look healthy externally yet are hollow inside; still, they become nesting places for birds. In the same way, even in our hidden struggles, God can bring purpose and fruitfulness.
The sharings that followed were equally moving. Clemens and Tracy Ringor from MFC Victoria offered a powerful testimony about the challenges in their family and how they learned to reframe those struggles as opportunities for growth.
Jocas’ wife, Gayle, also shared openly about her struggle to balance work and family life. Yet in the midst of those tensions, she highlighted the immense power of God’s love—a love that strengthens her and enables her to love the people around her more fully.
After the day’s sessions, the delegates shifted gears and eagerly prepared for a night of socials. The Mamma Mia Socials Night turned the Southport Community Centre into a vibrant scene of disco sparkle and Mediterranean boho vibes.
The playlist moved from iconic ABBA anthems to songs that resonated with the younger crowd, creating a night filled with laughter, energy, and dance moves that defied rhythm, physics, and sometimes dignity.
I secretly hoped people would stop recording videos—so the camera‑shy dancers could freely showcase their stiff, mechanical steps without fear of going viral.
The party wrapped up earlier than we expected, giving us plenty of time to reconnect with friends we hadn’t seen since the April 2024 MFC Conference in Melbourne.
After all the sweat‑inducing calisthenics on the dance floor, hunger kicked in. We headed out from our hotel toward Australia Fair in search of something to nibble on. But before we even got there, we passed by the venue entrance where the organizers were still packing up. In a stroke of serendipity, they handed us unopened boxes of Subway sandwiches—extras they had ordered as backup in case the food supply ran short.
We brought the sandwiches back to the hotel lounge and shared them with Jeff and Lisa, and with Kuya Sonny and Ate Betchy. What was meant to be a quick bite turned into a long, laughter‑filled reminiscence of our Hong Kong days. The conversation flowed so naturally that none of us noticed the time—until someone finally realized it was already 1 a.m. and we needed to call it a night. After all, Kuya Sonny was leading morning worship.
After the morning rosary led by the Queensland organizing team, with its impeccable on-time performance, the schedule received a slight reshuffle. The Mass celebrant had an earlier commitment, so the Holy Eucharist was moved to midday. Morning worship followed immediately after.
Despite our late‑night conversations, there was no trace of fatigue in Kuya Sonny. He was already in playful banter with the Plando kids before taking the stage to lead worship. From my vantage point in front—as part of the music ministry—I could see his intensity. Every now and then he would motion for us to pick up the beat, urging the community into fuller praise.
Session 3: Walking in Mission
I’ve attended many conferences -— Hong Kong Echo Conferences, World Singles Conferences —- and each final session is almost always a send‑off talk. This year was no different. But this time, it carried a deeper weight. Just before Tito Frank Padilla’s passing on Christmas Eve last year, his son Xavy stepped into the role of Servant General. I had never heard him give a talk before, so I was keen to listen.
He began with the image of a tree: once rooted and nourished, it must bear fruit. So must we, transformed by the grace of Christ. There is much to be grateful for—lives changed, families strengthened, and countless stories of God’s goodness. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, we are to give thanks in all circumstances, even in difficult seasons like the one we are currently navigating.
We ourselves weren’t sure we could make it to this conference. We even gave away our hotel booking instead of cancelling it, hoping another couple could benefit. Yet by God’s grace, we still made it—and we’re grateful we did.
Gratitude, Xavy reminded us, forms humility and generosity. When we recognize how much we’ve received, we become more willing to give whatever we can.
He also shared more about the life of Tito Frank—his deep devotion, his near‑death experiences in mission, and his unwavering commitment to the community. Through trials that reshaped MFC’s identity, Tito Frank remained faithful. And through that transformation, our identity became clearer than ever: Missionary Families.
As I continue discerning how to help establish the Live Christ Share Christ movement in South Australia, I am humbled by the generosity of brothers and sisters who give their time, talent, and treasure. I remembered one of our LCSC activities in Prince Edward, Hong Kong—when Ian Bautista and Adhee and MJ Daluz gave a talk on Christian Relationships. That memory stirred something in me again: a renewed desire to take up the challenge and play my part.
Jepoy returned to the stage to give a quick rundown of the movement—timely, and very much aligned with the podcast I’m planning to launch.
Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay, Archbishop of Brisbane, presided over the Mass. At this point, I can already count several bishops I’ve had the privilege of meeting and interacting with in Australia: Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay (now appointed to the Roman Curia) during my time at Our Lady of Dolours Parish in Sydney; Bishop Karol Kulczycki of the Port Pirie Diocese, who joined the Santo Niño feast in South Australia; and Archbishop Patrick O’Regan of Adelaide, who presided at the Para Hills–Modbury Parish’s 50th anniversary in Hope Valley.
And now, Archbishop Mackinlay—gracious, warm, and surprisingly at ease with Filipino culture. He welcomed the mano po gesture without hesitation, something not all Australian clergy are comfortable with. He was also remarkably patient, taking time to accommodate everyone who wanted a photo with him.
After the final praise fest concluded and the last plug was pulled—signaling the official end of the conference—the question everyone had been waiting for finally hovered in the air: Who will host the 2027 Echo Conference?
To our surprise, Adelaide was approached as a potential host. We didn’t decline the possibility, but with only one household group of five families, we knew the task would be a stretch. Still, if it were our turn, we would do what we could. The area servants eventually deliberated between South Australia and the Northern Territory. Moments later, the verdict was announced: Darwin will host the 2027 Echo Conference.
Before everyone dispersed, the organizers handed out awards. I was pleasantly surprised—perhaps “caught off guard” is the better phrase—to receive the Praise Powerhouse Award, described as recognition for the loudest and liveliest worship participation. I wasn’t sure if it referred to the praise parade, my time with the music ministry, or simply my naturally loud interactions. Either way, I was grateful, though genuinely not expecting it—especially from someone who’s often told, “Louder, Cagape!”
As we said our goodbyes and exchanged hopes of meeting again in Darwin next year, Tito Jess Medina—the Country Servant for Australia and head of the Queensland organizing team—invited us and a few other delegates to join them for dinner.
We spent the night at the home of Wendell and Jelma Aton. Though it was our first time meeting in person, their family felt familiar; they were among the most active participants in our Zoom rosary, joining the calls regularly. We also met their children, Gail and Kyle. Only then did I realize they lived just eight minutes away from my cousin Michael—whom I had tried to meet weeks earlier but only managed to see briefly on the day of our flight. I’m hoping Wendell and Michael will connect soon.
After playing with their pet guinea pigs, gathering fresh malunggay leaves, and enjoying a hearty Vietnamese pho meal at Inala, we bid the generous Aton family goodbye and made our way to the airport. Later that day, we flew back to Adelaide—hearts full, spirits renewed, and grateful for a weekend that felt like both mission and homecoming.
As we flew back to Adelaide, we leave the Gold Coast feeling exactly as the theme suggested: Rooted. In faith, in community, and in the lifelong friendships that span from Hong Kong to every corner of Australia.
Thank you for all your insight!