Lorega fire victims get new chapel

CEBU, Philippines - Exactly one year since a huge fire hit in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, a new chapel was blessed and turned over to the community after a Mass yesterday afternoon.

Leading the Mass on behalf of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was Monsignor Rey Penagunda.

 Unlike last year where a huge fire charred their homes leaving them stunned, the people in the barangay gathered yesterday in a more festive mood. In his homily, Penagunda reiterated the core of Pope Francis’ message during his visit in the Philippines particularly to console the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.

“Why do bad things happen to good people? God went down from heaven to be one with us and to save us. Ang Diyos mihatag kanatog paagi aron atong makita ang gugma gikan kaniya,” Penagunda said.

 The almost P2 million chapel was constructed for free by Alay Sa Diyos Community Cebu, a marriage counseling group. Architect Edmund Samson designed the building and the construction was spearheaded by Engineer John Yap.

 Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella attended the blessing on behalf of Mayor Michael Rama who was out of town.

“Ang kapilya simbolo sa panaghiusa ug pagtinabangay sa mga lumolupyo sa Lorega San Miguel. Napamatud-an sab dinhi nga puwede masalikway ang political differences sa panahon sa katalagman,” Labella said.

 This was seconded by Lorega San Miguel barangay captain Fritz Herrera who does not belong to the same political party as Rama.

 “Exactly one year ago at 4:47 pm miulbo ang fire alarm on a quiet afternoon nga naukyab tang tanan. Wala ko nag-expect nga ang duha ka lider sa dakbayan mag-abot diri. Nag expect ta nga dili ta tagdon. Instead, ako ang iyang gitawag, siya nangita namo and asked me nga di nako siya biyaan,” Herrera said.

 Last year’s fire left 700 families and 5,000 individuals homeless.

 The area was re-blocked to make way for wider roads to accommodate vehicles during emergencies like fire.— (FREEMAN)