It took almost a century before the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was built in 1961 under then Bishop Most Rev. Gregorio Espiga. The interesting angular structure departs from the conventional religious architecture of most churches in the country. (Photo courtesy of Puerto Princesa City Tourism)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The committee of 400 Years of Christianity (YOC) assures preparedness for the two-day culminating activity and commits to continue with the program regardless of the weather condition on August 24, 2023.
The committee, composed of the Apostolic Vicariates of Taytay (AVT) and Puerto Princesa with the city and provincial government recently held a press conference with the local media and some content creators to discuss the preparations for the activities on August 24 and 25.
Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa (AVPP) expressed hope for good weather to run the activities in the open field, particularly on August 25. The committee will provide raincoats to participants if the rain pours during the event.
“Wala tayong plan B dahil wala tayong pwedeng paglipatan. Ang only option na nakikita namin sana ay ating coliseum kaso under repair— makakapag-provide na lang ng kapote, so it will be a rain or shine,” Bishop Mesiona said.
The first day is the Thanksgiving procession from the old airport to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral to be followed by a holy mass. The 36 parishes from AVPP and 31 from AVT will join during the procession. The songs and prayers during the procession will be aired on the radio.
The second day on August 25 will be allotted for the youth jam, symposium and mass gathering at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.
The church believes that the challenge of this milestone is on how to continue the mission which is the inspiration of the official song of 400 YOC.
“Ang procession ay dito lumakad si St. Ezekiel Moreno na naging capital ng Palawan. Itong procession na ito ay makabigay sa atin ng inspirasyon na itong kasaysayan natin ay part ng salvation history,” Bishop Emeritus Edgardo Juanich added.
The Provincial Government, on the other hand, conducts activities that will help to promote and incorporate the 400 YOC in raising cultural awareness of Palaweños.
Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates said some of the efforts of the provincial government are the literary contest, blessing and restoring of the Governor’s residence, and reprinting of the 'History of Palawan' book authored by the late Diokno Manlavi.
“We want to bless and restore the Governor’s residence sa Eulalia Park [dahil] bahagi yon ng 400 Years of Christianity,” he added.
Meanwhile, the marker of the street named after St. Ezekiel Moreno will be unveiled on August 19. It was formerly known as Taft Street and was renamed through the city ordinance authored by Councilor Nesario Awat. (RPG/PIA MIMAROPA - Palawan)
