THE PATRONESS OF CAVITE IS THE Nuestra Señora de Soledad de Porta Vaga. Caviteños mark her feast day on the second and third Sundays of November. While Masses are held in San Roque Church in Cavite City, Fil-Americans, mostly Caviteños, will also hold a Mass today at 10 a.m. at the Rancho del Rey Middle School in San Diego, California. Fr. Virgilio Saenz Mendoza, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Church in Naic, Cavite, left for San Diego last Monday so he can celebrate Mass.

Caviteños who have migrated to America have brought with them the tradition of celebrating the fiesta of the Virgen de la Soledad. The presence of Soledad icons in their homes has made their devotion deeper.

Why the devotion to the Soledad? Marc Dalma, VP for external affairs of the Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora de Soledad, says that he and his companions in the group feel the presence of the Virgin Mary while they are preparing for her fiesta. It seems that things fall into place when they are doing things for the fiesta. Also, she helps those with financial and family problems and heals the sick. One example was the healing of a patient with Bell’s palsy from Pasay.

New church façade

To honor her, the newly renovated façade of her shrine in San Roque Church was unveiled last Thursday, followed by a concelebrated Mass officiated by Imus Bishop Chito Tagle. Today, Masses begin at 5 a.m., every hour until 7:15 a.m., after which Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Infanta, Quezon, will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. Those from other places can catch the Masses at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. followed by a procession at 7 p.m.

Second fiesta

The second fiesta of the Soledad falls on Nov. 15 with the concelebrated Mass at 5 p.m. by Bishop Tagle. Those who cannot go to Cavite City can see her at the Marian procession on Dec. 6, 4 p.m. in Intramuros.

Bayanihan teaches

Not many people know that the internationally famous Bayanihan Dance Company has been teaching and touching lives through its Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation. The one-year curriculum includes teaching of folk dances and songs. The program has been conducted in Laguna, Marikina, Bohol, Ilocos Sur and Cavite, in cooperation with the provincial government.

Helping is the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation. Watch Bayanihan Dance Company perform “Beyond Folklore” at the Cultural Center Main Theater on Dec. 18, 8 p.m. and Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Making this possible is the Bayanihan team composed of Suzie Benitez, executive director of the foundation; Isabel Santos, artistic director; Ferdinand Jose, dance director; and Melito Vale Cruz, music director. Tickets available at CCP box office.

Tahanan ni Maria

Tahanan ni Maria, home for the elderly in Carmona, Cavite, will be the beneficiary of the fundraising golf tournament of PAREB San Juan. Sponsored by Breezewoods Development Corporation, the tournament is set at the Valley Golf and Country Club on Nov. 13, 7 a.m. Text Nanett at 0917-8583238; call Cherith at 408-7929; or text Nino at 0919-583-2545.

Retreat for priests

The Theologica Centrum is holding a retreat for diocesan priests (Nov. 9-12) at the Tagaytay Conference Center in Mendez, Cavite. Fr. Jaime Achacoso is retreat master. Call (02) 635-6113 or e-mail theological centrum@yahoo.com.