Hagonoeño Priest offers Belen in honor of Yolanda Victims

KAKATHA NEWS EVENTS 2013


Dated: November 25, 2013

This Christmas nativity set, otherwise called a "Belen" was formed by the Commission on Formation of San Juan dela Cruz Parish in Ugong, Valenzuela City through the inspiration of Rev. Fr. Romulo Mercado Perez (San Sebastian), Parish Priest. Photo Courtesy: Sem. Jestoni T. Macapas, ICMAS

UGONG, VALENZUELA CITY - The events that occurred in Eastern Samar and in the province of Leyte brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda have resulted to the empathy of all the faithful in different dioceses across the country. In the Diocese of Malolos, many of the parishes have decided to divert funds for the Commission on Social Action of the Diocese, which now handles relief operations delivered to affected areas of the province.

     In San Juan dela Cruz Parish in Ugong, Valenzuela City, the Parish Priest taught of a good way to commemorate the spirit of Christmas in the light of all the tragedies that occurred in the country. Rev. Fr. Romulo Mercado Perez (San Sebastian) thought of creating a unique image of the traditional Belen for the year 2013. He thought of finding inspiration from the tragedy and to recognize the graces given by God in helping those who have been affected by the typhoon. Thus, with the teamwork of the Commission on Formation, the belen was formed at the parish grotto and was displayed for the parishIoners to see.

The belen of San Juan dela Cruz Parish in Ugong, Valenzuela City with the inscription that says, "May pag-asa pa, kasama natin ang Diyos." This meant, "There is still hope, God is with us." Photo Courtesy: Sem. Jestoni T. Macapas, ICMAS

     The belen presents a typhoon-ravaged home with branches from trees at the top of the roof. It identifies with the ordinary Filipino through the crumpled Philippine Flag by the right and a sign by the left that says "MAY PAG-ASA PA, KASAMA NATIN ANG DIYOS" (There is still hope, God is with us." Within the said home is the belen's depiction of the child Jesus, Mary and Joseph as ordinary Filipinos who have survived the tragedy of Yolanda. This meant the great poverty of the Savior who during that night was born in a manger for animals. To see such a profound image of endurance and hope became the heart-warming factor for this piece. In asking about the idea of this image, Fr. Perez said, "Noong nag-isip kami kung ano yung ilalagay namin bilang belen dito sa parokya, naisip ko ang tungkol sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyong Yolanda. Kaya noon nag-meeting kami sa Commission on Formation, pinag-isipan namin na gumawa ng belen upang parangalan ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo." (When we thought about what to put as a belen for the parish, I thought about what happened to those affected by the storm Yolanda. When we had our meeting with the Commission on Formation, we thought of making a belen in honor of those who were ravaged by the storm."

     This belen has become a sight of inspiration in line with the spirit of the Christmas season. Christmas is a season of hope, it brings people despite the many struggles and difficulties people experience in the world today. It is with this that it has been a blessing for this thought of Fr. Perez and the faithful of San Juan dela Cruz Parish to come into a reality. KAKATHA News Admin.