Last July 2 was our first time to attend the fiesta of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang in Gamu, Isabela. Zeny Zicarelli, who runs the Zicarelli Hotel, drove us to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guibang at 3:30 a.m. on time for the 4 a.m Mass.
There we were looking up at the image of Our Lady in the altar, whispering our prayers. My friends Theo Cruz and Ali Rich Garcia, and I felt a vibration of welcome from Mama Guibang who made it possible for us to be there.
Fr. Gerry Daquiuag, Rector of Our Lady of the Visitation Seminary in Cauayan, Isabela, officiated the Concelebrated Mass with Fr. Sam Salazar, OFM; Msgr. Marino Gatan, Fr. John Bartolome, Fr. Francisco Uanan, and Fr. Evan Blair Cauan, parish priest of St. Joseph Church in Echague as concelebrants.
Our Lady of the Visitation Seminary Choir sang during the Mass.
The church was packed that early in the morning by devotees who came from all the towns of Isabela and as far as Nueva Vizcaya.
Eucharistic minister for 28 years
Andres Lagao Sr. told me that he has been serving as eucharistic minister for 28 years, serving the Lord and venerating Our Lady of Guibang.
With him during the 4 a.m. Mass were Romeo Respicio, Venaventura Malenab and Emmanuel Leal.
As we sang and prayed in both Ilocano and Tagalog, our hearts were filled with love for Mama Mary who we know will intercede for us to God.
Need for new altar
The first time I visited the Guibang shrine was in 1993 upon the invitation of the now late Msgr. Johnny Corpuz. I did not know then that I would be propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Guibang.
Bur the shrine needs renovation. Let us pray that by July 2, 2014, Our Lady of Guibang will have a new altar.
Our Lady of Piat Mass
Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg welcomed the devotees of Our Lady of Piat who filled up the Sto. Domingo church last July 6.
The Mass held on the Saturday after the fest of Piat on July 2 which was July 6 this year was organized by the Devotees of the Nuestra Señora de Piat Foundation.
The image of the Virgin owned by the Nando Singson family was enthroned for veneration. Concelebrants in the Mass were Fr. Rolando Aquino, SVD, Fr. Fidel Palisoc and Reverend Chris Nombres.
Look for the books of Fr. Palisoc published by Claretian Publications: “Hope for Church Renewal” (2012); and “Guidelines for the Pastoral Formation of Major Seminaries in the Philippines” (2013, monograph).
San Pedro Calungsod film
For the first time, a religious film has been approved to join the Metro Manila Film Festival in December, much to the surprise of the movie press.
Francis O. Villacorta’s film “San Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir” is one of eight official entries. It is produced by Ida Tiongson. Its inclusion in the festival was answered prayer to many novenas prayed by Francis’ family and his friends.
The saint will be played by Rocco Nacino, a young actor who played the same role in the documentary on Pedro Calugsod which won an award. Also in the film are Christian Vasquez, TJ Trinidad, Ryan Eigenmann, Robert Correa, BJ Forbes, Carlo Gonzalez, Arthur Solinap, Cholo Barretto, Geoff Taylo and Isadora Valasquez.
A cast of a hundred actors will play the role of Chamorros, natives of the Marianas Islands (Guam).
Inspiring the Filipino youth
Villacorta believes the film will inspire the Filipino youth.
But the film won’t be just about Calungsod’s martyrdom as it will also be about the role he played in the San Diego Mission to the Marianas Islands(Guam) led by Fr. Diego de San Vitores between 1668 and 1672. What virtues did he practice to serve the propagation of Christianity at a time of paganism, doubt and disbelief?
How this young soldier of Jesus Christ fought for the conversion of the Chamorro natives to Christianity and his unquestionable obedience and loyalty to the San Vitores, the head of the mission, is at the heart of the forthcoming film.
Villacorta said he did research work for the movie for two years.
“Young people today can learn a lot from the heroic life of San Pedro Calungsod,” he said. “Ordinary as he was, being a young catechist and mission assistant, the dedication to his work and his devotion to God is all too inspiring. His longing for his biological father back home in the Visayas will eventually be overcome by his longing for Jesus Christ. What a fascinating study of a young life all too willingly given up for the love of our Savior. Because in the end, I believe, our lives on earth is all a preparation for our reunion with Him, our Creator.”
St. Camillus order marks 4th centenary
The Camillians, founded by St. Camillus de Lellis in 1591 will mark their fourth centenary with a yearlong celebration s starting today, July 14 in their local provincialate in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
There will be Holy Mass at 4 p.m. and the unveiling of emblem of the order. The order’s main charism is taking care of the sick and the poor. They are officially called the Order of Ministers of the Infirm.
The Camillians have been in the Philippines since March 8, 1975 when three Italian priests established their first community in Quezon City. Today, there are 58 Camillian religious in the Philippine Province, 34 of whom are Filipinos.
Opting to serve quietly in the background, they have founded hospitals and hospice-care centers around the archipelago. Patients who have been abandoned in hospitals are frequently left to their care.
St. Expeditus radio program
“San Expedito, Ang Santong Madaling Lapitan” will be aired on July 20, 8-9 p.m., on Radio Veritas at 846 AM Band. Fr. Diwane Cacao will do “healing on the air.”
Radyo Veritas, UST collaboration
On July 12, Radio Veritas and the University of Santo Tomas (UST), will launch a new community LED Digital Screen board located at the corner of España Boulevard and Lacson Avenue. The ceremonial switching of the e-board will be led by Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, OP, UST rector, and Fr. Anton Pascual, president and CEO of Radio Veritas.
The 20 x 40 feet e-board is a joint project of Radio Veritas and UST, both committed to uplifting the quality of Catholic Social Communication in the Philippines. It will be utilized in an integrated community effort to shape the laity through the use of the multi-media.
The program will include remarks by Fathers Dagohoy and Pascual, UST Secretary General Fr. Winston F. Cabading, OP, and Radio Veritas consultant Bro. Clifford Sorita.