The attendance was unexpectedly overwhelming with more or less 3,000 members coming from the eight (8) dioceses in South-Central Luzon, such as, the diocese of Rizal and Pampanga (RizPam); Diocese of Greater Manila Area (GMA); Diocese of Bataan and Bulacan (BatBul); Diocese of Laguna; Diocese of Cavite; Diocese of Romblon and Mindoros (ROOM); Diocese of Marinduque, Quezon, Batangas, and Camarines Sur (MaQueBaCa); and the National Cathedral.
This year’s celebration stressed the unique expression of Aglipayan spirituality and culture within SCL region, which was shown through Exhibits of Saints (that have cultural and historical value in the local Church), and Cultural presentations portraying the unique history, culture and spirituality of each diocese.
The celebration started at 7:00 o’clock in the morning with a motorcade participated by the delegations from the different Dioceses, after which, a Thanksgiving Mass presided by His Eminence Godofredo J. David, D.D., the 11th Obispo Maximo. Preaching on this occasion was the Right Reverend Joselito T. Cruz, Bishop of Rizal and Pampanga. The Bishops of SCL Conference concelebrating in the Thanksgiving Mass were Bishop Gregorio R. Delos Reyes, Chairman of the SCL Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of the Diocese of GMA, Bishop Ronelio V. Fabriquer of the Diocese of ROOM; Bishop Rowel S. Arevalo, of the Diocese of MAQUEBACA; Bishop Pedro C. Ojascastro of the Diocese of Cavite; and Bishop Ephraim S. Fajutagana, General Secretary of the Church.
The liturgical dancers from a local church of the Diocese of Rizal and Pampanga and the Laguna Diocesan Choir performed during Thanksgiving Mass.
Right after the Thanksgiving Mass, Solidarity Messages were delivered by some invited government officials and Ecumenical Church leaders to grace the affair, namely: Chairman Lazaro De Leon, Brgy, 675, Zone 73, Manila; Representative of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim; Marinduque Congresswoman Carmencita O. Reyes; Senator Allan Peter Cayetano; Senator Manny Villar; Atty. Emmeline Aglipay (representing her father General Edgar B. Algipay (Ret.); NCCP General Secretary Rev. Fr. Rex R. Reyes, Jr.; The Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Most Rev. Edward Malecdan; and Former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata.
The Most Rev. Godofredo J. David delivered his Primatial Message right after the solidarity messages. After the Fellowship Lunch, the Rev. Canon Henry C. Janiola gave a thirty (30) minutes power point presentation about the National Cathedral on its 40th year as well as the update on the comprehensive repair of the Cathedral. Then, the Cultural Show followed which all dioceses rendered their cultural presentations. The Teatro Group of Rizal Technological University (RTU), Mandaluyong City, also performed as guests with a Musical-Drama on the Founding of the IFI as an introductory part of the Cultural Program. The Celebration ended with the Symbolic Releasing of Balloons and Doves representing the different Dioceses of the South-Central Luzon to symbolize the journeying together of the eight (8) dioceses as one region. The Logo of this year’s regional celebration also reflects the unity and journeying together the dioceses of SCL region.
The National Cathedral Teatro renders interpretative dance on the new NC Anthem composed by Fr. Mario Quince.
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Featured by Atty. Eric Fortaleza, Secretary to the NC Council and Rev. Canon Henry C. Janiola, For Administration.
