Tundag family places 2nd in national Bible quiz

A family from the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cebu City recently won second prize in the 2nd National Catholic Family Bible Quiz.

Godofredo Tundag, a Catholic Faith Defender for almost 30 years now, with his wife Simeona and children Daichie, Raineer and Immaculate Mae were featured in the newsletter of the National Catholic Family Bible Quiz, representing the Visayas regions in the finals of the NCFBQ competing against two other families from Luzon and Mindanao.

Earlier, the Tundags bested several other competitors at the regional level.

"But the truth is, we joined the competition without thinking of the monetary benefit," according to Godofredo.

"Winning," the couple said, "was a manifestation of how God redeemed us again from trials and tribulations."

Godofredo shared that before he married Simeona, his faith in the Catholic church was tested when he was strongly persuaded by his elder brother - who earlier was affiliated with another religion - to give up Catholicism.

He recounted that they oftentimes discussed and debated on "challenging passages in the Bible", but such did not wane their brotherly affection for each other.

When he decided to enroll in a theology course seminar on Biblical Apologetics, he met Professor Socrates Fernandez who became his mentor. He was then inspired to pursue his own doctrinal formation.

The family encountered their "first mountain to climb" when the furniture company where Godofredo worked as a designer during the first 10 years of his marriage to Simeona, closed shop.

The Tundag couple surrendered their future to God and "survived only from the honorarium they received in the conduct of religious seminars and the sale of rosaries and other religious articles."

Then, the couple lost their 17-year-old eldest daughter who succumbed to a heart ailment. At about this time, Godofredo was severely torn between his fidelity to the faith and his affection for his elder brother.

But the couple continued to just lift their cries to the Heavens and constantly prayed for redemption and guidance.

The family survived the "storms of the 80’s" and the "uncertainties of the 90’s", constantly remaining obedient to the will of God, and keeping the faith alive in their hearts.

Today, his children are able to go to schools through scholarships backed by religious sponsors.

The Tundag family is also a member of the core group tasked to attend to future activities of their parish such as the 1st International Catholic Family Bible Quiz for Filipino migrants.

Handing over the award recently was Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal along with other church officials. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV