Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines showed off their dancing skills July 22 on Appreciation Day at the Iloilo Convention Center during centennial festivities in Iloilo, Philippines. (Courtesy Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP, via Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines)
By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Special to the Herald
“More than a century ago, in 1925, in the humble town of Molo, Iloilo (Philippines), a woman of remarkable faith and courage, Mother Rosario Arroyo, responded to God’s call with a resolute ‘fiat.’ A member of a prominent family, and with a heart devoted to the Lord, she gave her ‘yes’ and laid the foundation for the establishment of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines.” — welcome address by Mother Nemia Daral, prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
The 100th anniversary of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines marked a milestone in their commitment to faith, service and education.
Rooted in prayer and the Dominican spirit of truth, their humble beginnings — guided by the vision of Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo — have grown into a missionary congregation now serving in the Philippines, Hawaii, the continental U.S., Kenya, Italy, Japan and Australia.
Spanning five days, the centennial celebration was a time of gratitude and reflection. It honored the support of the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo, the witness of countless consecrated women and clergy, and the spiritual fruits of their ministry.
As pilgrims of hope, the Dominican Sisters give thanks for the past, embrace the present, and look to the future with renewed commitment to their mission.
July 18-20: Medical mission, “Alay sa Bayan” (“An Offering to the People”)
Coordinated by Sister Leonarda Montealto (Hawaii) and her nephew Dr. Daniel Jereza, the medical mission linked Hawaii doctors and volunteers with local health care professionals in the service of the poor.
Inspired by Mother Rosario’s example of serving the poorest of the poor, the mission offered free assessments, treatments, medications and hospital referrals to patients of all ages.
July 20, Day 1: Sisters’ Day
Life on mission is fluid. Once sisters leave the motherhouse, many may not see each other again. Sisters’ Day was a rare and joyful reunion for members from across the globe. It was a time to renew one’s first fervor through the communal praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, along with sharing meals and recreation.
Highlights included the unveiling of the Centennial Marker, the opening of exhibits and a visit to the Dominican Sisters cemetery to honor and pray for departed sisters. Archbishop Emeritus Jose Romeo Lazo of Jaro presided at the morning conventual Mass.
July 21, Day 2: Ohana Day
In a spirit of gratitude, sisters’ families, former sisters and lay Dominicans gathered at the motherhouse to reconnect and celebrate. Some traveled up to four hours by bus to attend. The day featured introductory activities, games, a shared lunch and vibrant performances from various Dominican schools showcasing their cultural pride and impressive talent. Missionaries of Jesus Father Abraham Pinuela, the brother of Sister Agnes Pinuela (Holy Angels School, Colma, California), presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
July 22, Day 3: Appreciation Day for teachers and staff
After World War II, the congregation expanded its mission beyond orphan care to education, opening its first three schools in the Philippines: Mary Immaculate Academy (Calinog), Our Lady of Fatima Academy (Dao) and St. Martin Academy (Dumalag). Since then, the sisters’ educational ministry has flourished globally.
Held at the Iloilo Convention Center, the event honored the dedication of teachers and staff. Jesuit Father Phillip Ganir, an alumnus of St. Elizabeth School in Aiea, presided at the Mass and expressed gratitude to the sisters for teaching him liturgy from a young age — fostering experiences that nurtured his love for God and the church. Concelebrants included Via Christi Society Father James Aboyi of St. Benedict Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, where the sisters minister; and Dominican Father Stephen Maria Lopez (Priory of St. Albert the Great, Oakland, California).
July 23, Day 4: Fiat Day
Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Agana, Guam, presided at the conventual Mass celebrating vocations. He reunited with Sisters Elsa Laygan, Orpha Obrico, Mariana Salmo and Thaddeus Magtoles, who had served in Saipan and Tinian during his early seminary years.
Later that day, Diocese of Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva and vicar general Msgr. Gary Secor arrived with 34 pilgrims from Hawaii for a tour of the Mother Rosario Museum and lunch.
The day concluded with a Mass at the Iloilo Convention Center, celebrated by Titular Archbishop of Gratiana Francisco Escalante Molina, apostolic nuncio to Japan.
In his homily, Bishop Silva said, “What is most important is that various people heard a call from the Lord to serve his people in a particular way and responded by their fiat.”
Alumni clergy and religious from the congregation’s many schools were also acknowledged.
July 24, Day 5: Thanksgiving Day
The five-day celebration culminated with a solemn pontifical Mass at St. Anne Parish Church in Molo, celebrated by Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Manila. He was joined by 15 bishops and 192 diocesan, religious and Dominican clergy; the church overflowed with joyful attendees.
During his homily, Cardinal Advincula affirmed the sisters’ vocation as a gift to the whole church.
“Today we celebrate not just a milestone, but a mission that continues to bear fruit,” he said. “The sisters build more than institutions, they form disciples, inspire vocations, heal wounds and nurture faith-filled communities. As someone taught by the Dominican Sisters in my early years, I say: We are the fruit. We are the hope.”
Archbishop Midyphil Billones of Jaro echoed this gratitude: “The message of Jesus is about faithfulness and humble service. The sister who quietly prepares the chapel, who offers compassion, who suffers in silence, who prays unseen — these are the ones walking the path of Jesus. Today, Mother Church embraces you with love and thanks you for reaching 100. May you go even further.”
The congregation and clergy at the culminating Mass July 24 at St. Anne Parish Church in Molo. (Courtesy Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP, via Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines)
Members of Hawaii’s medical mission team paused for a photo in Iloilo, Philippines. (Courtesy Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP)
Hawaii team brings healing, hope with medical mission
On July 19, a team of 10 volunteers from St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea and Resurrection of the Lord Church in Waipio joined a special medical mission in Iloilo, Philippines, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary.
“Alay sa Bayan” (“An Offering to the People”) was the theme of the July 18-20 medical mission sponsored by Dr. Daniel Jereza (a nephew of Sister Leonarda Montealto) and the Dominican Sisters. More than 1,000 people received free medical, pediatric, dental and optometric treatments, as well as medicine and overall care. Free haircuts were provided by military volunteers.
At the invitation of Sister Montealto in Hawaii, mother-son dentists Dr. Joji and Dr. Camden Tokunaga led the dental and vision care for the medical mission. Dr. Joji’s daughter, optometrist Dr. Remi Tokunaga, provided eye exams and free glasses.
Celeste Fong supported dental hygiene efforts, while Dyms Thomas, Natasha Galarza and Raynette Fong handled sterilization and instrument prep. Vilma and Earl Estrada, along with Roeana Alexander, assisted with drug distribution, reception and patient care.
The dental mission served about 225 children, adults and seniors on the first day alone. Volunteers brought over eight large bins filled with dental instruments, sterilized materials, medicine, dental chairs, syringes, toothbrushes, children’s tote bags and other supplies.
Though turnout was lower on the second day due to a typhoon, the need and impact remained strong. Some patients braved the rain to have multiple teeth removed after long waits for care they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Special thanks to Robin Fox for organizing and coordinating the logistics, as well as for acquiring donations of dental supplies. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend due to a family emergency.
Roeana Alexander reflected on the experience: “This dental mission was my first — and certainly not my last. I’m truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve. Despite obstacles, the Lord provided guidance through Sister Cecilia, Sister Leonarda and the warm welcome of the Tokunaga family. It was a deeply fulfilling experience and a blessing to serve my brothers and sisters in Iloilo.”
— Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP