MANILA, Philippines—One can easily spot Elvira Go yards away when she dons her signature “ambassadorial” tunic. When close friends intimated that she looked stiff and overly mature on television in the outfit, she gamely switched to a more youthful silhouette of geometrics and florals.
But, she has not retired her signature outfit. She will soon be wearing her fabled tunics because the Vatican’s long prearrival instructions stress a formal dress code. Elvira, after all, will be staying in the same hall as the Pope for three weeks this October.
The host of “Power to Unite” (on NBN-4 and IBC-13) was recently appointed auditor by Pope Benedict XVI to the Synod on the Word of God, the first lay person from the Philippines to be accorded such an honor.
(Ambassador Tita de Villa was invited three years ago to the Synod on the Eucharist but as a country representative. Prior to De Villa, a Filipino nun was also once invited.)
Most logical choice
When the Observatore Romano officially announced on Sept. 6 the appointment of Elvira Yap Go, it came as no surprise to dozens of Filipino bishops who had prayed that she be considered. Go, Papal awardee Pro Ecclesiae et Pontificae, was a most logical choice, because she puts into practice what parish priests and bishops can only aspire for: Promote active Bible reading among Filipino families.
Go is reluctant to admit it, but she almost single-handedly put together the Catholic Family Bible Quiz which, after only three years has made inroads in scriptural studies in local communities. This year, “Power to Unite,” her MTV on Bible reading, won the Gold Award for entertainment at the prestigious New York Festivals.
Besides being an active trustee of AnakTV, Go also chairs the International Organization of Folk Arts Philippines, promoting values through myths and legends. As though her schedule were not full enough, she also oversees the scholarships of deserving, but poor children from depressed communities.
The Vatican report says that this Synod of Bishops includes the largest participation ever by women. The Pope appointed 25 women to participate in it, including six experts and 19 auditors. Among them are three Asians, one of whom is Go.
A synod is neither a deliberative body nor one that defines dogmas or makes rules for the Church. It’s a major gathering of bishops from all over the world, summoned to Rome by the Pope to advise him on the subject of his choice.
Responsibility
This year, the theme is on the Scripture and the family—twin topics that are right up Go’s advocacy alley. “As the event nears, I’m getting a clearer picture of the enormity of my responsibility and of the rare chance that I’m being given to share what lay people like me can do in God’s service,” Elvira enthuses.
The Philippines will also be represented by four illustrious bishops elected by the CBCP: The Most Reverend Luis Antonio Tagle, Pablo Virgilio David, Arturo Bastes and Broderick Pabillo. The secretary-general of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, was also appointed to participate.
As an auditor, Go is expected to attend all the sessions and will have the opportunity to express her opinions on various subjects addressed in the discussion circles.
