Naga City “Marian Capital of the Philippines”-I cannot recall where I heard this or read about it. Why not? It has been said “wherever Bicolanos go they bring their love and devotion to Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia- The devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia is in many parts of the world. I recall having heard the Most Rev. Loenardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., D.D. Archbishop of Caceres, saying “put Naga City on the map” Today we see once again the various Marian images brought to the Metropolitan Cathedral grounds getting ready for the Peñafrancia Summer Festival (May 16-29, 2010) procession of Marian Images to go before the miraculous Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia to her Basilica. Suffice for the introduction.

Sometimes last year I clipped from a Bicol Mail issue November 5, 2009:

Naga, one of RP’s 12 cities in 2010 China World Expo

“Naga City---This City has been tapped as one of the 12 Philippine cities that will participate and be featured at the Philippine Pavilion in World Expo 2010 slated to be held in Shanghai, China from May to October next year…. Although he admitted that he has only a few days left as sitting mayor when the Expo opens in May, 2010, Mayor Robredo pledged his full support and the city’s active participation in the event where he sees Naga playing a major role in the Expo’s September calendar when the city and the Archdiocese will be celebrating its 300th year of devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia... Inside the Philippine Pavilion, Naga City will be arrayed with Iloilo, Cebu and Manila, cities known for their historic past…

Many, many years ago while preparing College Students in the Colegio de Sta. Isabel, now USI, for the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, September introducing them to the devotion, while using a comic-book publication on the History of the Devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia in Pilipino (Tagalog) I had always been fascinated by the story of Juana Sequeros who came alive after having died seeing in three CROSSES falling from the skies and predicting where the two crosses fall there will rise Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries…the 3rd cross-she did not know where and what will be… I kept saying to myself could this be Naga City, Bicol, Philippines?

“In your trials turn your face toward Pena-de-Francia, kneel down to the ground with faith and devotion, and pray the Hail Mary twice in honor and homage of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose image is there concealed for about 200 years now. Indeed in doing so you will have rest at heart. Soon that image will be brought to light, and Our Lord will work wondrous miracles by it. Then, people of all nation’s will come these for the image.’

The Pastoral Letter of His Grace the Archbishop of Caceres for the third year of the preparation for the Tercentenary celebration of the Devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Ina, focused on “SHARING THE FUTURE IN HOPE” How? Quoting from the Prophet Isaiah “Clear a way for my people” (September 2009).

On October 18, 2009, another Pastoral Letter followed “A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS’ (Rev. 21, 24). Teaching “Church works not to extend power or affirm dominion, but to carry, to all, Christ who is the salvation of the world.”

As member of the Documentation Committee of the Peñafrancia Tri-Centennial Committee and aware of the various ways we did to appeal for assistance in retrieving, collecting memorabilia related to the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, by advertising in three national dailies, Bulletin, Star and Inquirer and three local dailies: Bicol Mail, Bicol Reporter and Vox Bicol ( November 2008) always surprised by the seeming slowness of responses, my DOC-COM activities have become colored with this assignment…

April 6, 2010, I happened to read “Roses and Thorns” (Mr. Alejandro R. Roces) In a flash Isaiah’s prophecy came to mind “CLEAR A WAY FOR MY PEOPLE” and the Pastoral Letter “A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS”.

The Philippines: 1st ASEAN CULTURE CAPITAL

“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive. It is with this thought that we take pride inbeing the 1st ASEAN Culture Capital. This honor gives the Philippines the opportunity to be at the forefront of promoting intercultural exchange among member states and engagement among artists which allows for the cultivation of a long-lasting friendship for peace and sustainable development…We believe that culture and the arts are essential in achieving the appeal for unity to advance the welfare of our people. After all, a nation that does not promote its culture is like a man who does not give importance to his soul.”

Still reflecting on “a nation that does not promote its culture is like a man who does not give importance to his soul”… I read Star’s, April 23, 2010 “It’s Aliwan Fiesta time “where is said “Festive merry-making is one of the most defining traits of the Filipino…many fiestas were mentioned… “Masbate’s Lapay Bautique Dance Festival showcased Bicol culture, traditions and values. Why not Naga City, Peñafrancia?

Gripped by the DOC-COM assignment and the continually fascinated by Juana Sequiros dying words “people of all nations will come these for the image” I saw again and again how history has a direction. Let me digress little a while. Philippine Star World News, April 29, 2010 reports…“Denmark has made a splash by bringing to shanghai Expo 2010 its “Little Mermaid” statue out of Copenhagen for the first time. We can see this little Mermaid statue travelling from Naga City to Manila by South Road passing the Quezon Province-Pacific Ocean shoreline.

In the May 8, 2010 issue of the Bulletin “Shanghais’ Sense for Spectacle” various pictures were shown. The Philippine Passion is readily identifiable from the Asian Plaza. “Better City, Better Life” is the main theme of Shanghai Expo 2010 and Naga City is one of RP’s 12 cities Expo. With Mayor Robredo’s full support there is certainty that the 300th year celebration of the devotion to Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia can play a “major role”.

“Organizers of the Shanghai Expo 2010 declared that all the problems facing the city, including congestion, pollution, crime and conflict, are believed to have originated from the discords between man and nature, between man and man, and between spiritual and material aspects of life.”

I like to believe that the Peñafrancia Tri-Centennial 2008-2010 Central Committee is aware that this World Expo will run until October 31, 2010, and could be a beginning step for a “Marian Capital for ASEAN countries, “Fashioning the Future.” Is not the Philippines until now the only Catholic country in Asia? And isn’t it “Through Mary, Mother of Chris, the Mystery of the Redemption of the human race was made possible” (Laymen Into Action-Joseph Cardign, Geoffrey Chopman, London 1964-Chapter IX p. 132)