Pilgrim from the lowlands will go up to Piat, Cagayan Valley, starting June 23 for the Novena at 3:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 4 p.m. honoring Our Lady of Piat. Novena Masses will be until July 1.
On July 1, the novena is at 3 p.m., followed by the procession around the poblacion at 3:30. At 5 p.m., the Concelebrated Mass will be led by Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg. Fr. Othelo Bartolome is parish priest, Fr. Rusty Aggabao is assistant pastor.
Vigil Masses
Tradition brings pilgrims to the Vigil Masses every hour on July 1 in preparation for the grand feast of Piat on July 2. This is the reason pilgrims who don’t have a place to stay find themselves spreading out mats on the ground outside the basilica.
There will be five Vigil Masses on July 1 between 7 p.m. and 12:45 a.m. Between 12:45 and 2 a.m., the Holy Hour will be presided by Fr. Roger Cortez.
On July 2, there will be nine Fiesta Masses starting 2 a.m. The last and ninth Mass will be at 12 noon.
Since her arrival in Cagayan Valley in 1604 from Macau, Our Lady of Piat has been called the “Mother of Cagayan.”
A distinct feature of the life-size image of the Virgin Mary carrying the Christ Child is the handkerchief she is holding. It is said to wipe away the tears of her children.
My knowledge about this devotion came from Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan. In 1993, he brought Barge Ramos and me to Piat.
The Virgin’s beautiful face is on the cover of my book, as suggested by my good friend Bobby Caballero. “Purely Personal Book of Miracles” is available at National Book Store.
Our Lady of Piat is one of the oldest Marian images in the Philippines. On June 20, 1954, in a ceremony led by Papal Delegate Egidio Vagnozzi, she was named “Queen of Heaven and Earth.”
The Ibanags call her “Yena Tam Ngamin” (Mother of Us All) and to the natives of Piat, Cagayan, she is known as “Apo Baket” (the Ilocano term for Grand Matriarch).
Her shrine is now a Minor Basilica.
Piat Mass in Sto. Domingo
Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg will officiate the Concelebrated Mass honoring Our Lady of Piat on July 7, Saturday, 9 a.m., at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City.
Concelebrating are Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay and Fr. Bong Cabrera, the new parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Teresa Village, Project 6, QC.
Organized by the Devotees of Nuestra Señora de Piat Foundation, Inc., headed by Gen. Edgar Aglipay, the Mass is celebrated on the Saturday after July 2, feast day of Our Lady of Piat.
The Northern Fairview Marriage Encounter Choir will sing during the Mass, courtesy of Nando Singson.
Our Lady of Guibang
Ilagan Bishop Joseph Nacua, OFM-Cap, will celebrate the Mass on July 2, feast of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang, at 8 a.m. in her shrine in Gamu, Isabela.
Parish priest Fr. Francisco Albano will welcome pilgrims.
Project Malibay
The Soroptimist International of Makati is holding Project Malibay, a weekly livelihood skills training program for marginalized women and girls of Malibay in Pasay.
SI Makati follows the vision of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), which is “improving the lives of local communities and throughout the world.” SIA is an organization of established, mission-driven, results-oriented women volunteers.
Teresita “Tes” Choa, the first Filipino president of SIA, will be the guest speaker at the installation of SI Makati officers and members for Biennium 2012-2014. It will be held June 21 at One Rockwell East Tower in Makati City.
According to Mimi Casanova-Noble, outgoing president, incoming governor Minda Garcia and outgoing governor Ploma Papa of the SI Philippine Region will induct and install, respectively, the following officers and directors: Bessie G. Escalona, president; president-elect Teresita Gonzales; vice-president Imelda Vibar; correspondence secretary Elizabeth M.B. Cristobal; recording secretary Lucy Ang; treasurer Cynthia de Dios; assistant treasurer Amalia Bernardino; auditors Nenet Gasmin and Virginia Ascano; and PRO Cherry Tumaneng.
Board of directors: Tes Choa, Milagros del Rosario, Nadine Gustilo, Rebecca Kalaw, Celestina Ng, Clarita Ordoñez, Aida Tieng and Ligaya Tankeh. Immediate president is Mimi Casanova Noble, charter president is Villa Granada de Guia. Keep up the good work, ladies! It always feels good to know that there are people who care deeply for the welfare of others. As Jesus said in the New Testament: “What you do to the least of my brethren, you do it unto Me.”
‘Dare to Dance’
Jade Vine Restaurant & Executive Inn in the ’60s used to be the popular venue of Broadway shows performed by female impersonators like Helen Cruz and Pando (“Barbara Streisand”). It was fun time and Manila’s high society used to come every night to watch and listen.
The newly renovated Jade Vine is now the venue of ballroom dancing. Coming up is the “Dare to Dance,” a Latin American ballroom dancing competition for dance instructors on June 28, 7 p.m. to midnight. Fee is P400 with dinner. Vincent Briñas is coordinator.
Thanks to Bert Torrijos, president and GM, for bringing back the fun. (Text 0917-8538731.)
National Marian conference for clergy
The National Marian Conference and Pilgrimage for the Clergy will be held at St. James the Great Parish in Alabang, June 19-21. It is organized by the Confraternity of Mediatrix of All Grace and the parish headed by Msgr. Albert Venus, Some 130 priests and 24 bishops and archbishops have registered.
Speakers are Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Fr. Melvin Castro, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaporo, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Bishop Camilo Gregorio, Archbishop Amgel Lagdameo, Bishop Teodoro Bacani and Bishop Gabriel Reyes. The public can listen to the addresses; no registration fee required. (Clergy from the provinces who need host families may text Fr. Melvin at 09l7-5149798; Brenda Padilla at 0917-5776848; and Mimi Valero at 0920-9388044.)
