IEC media office opens in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Six months before the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, its organizers have opened its Advertising and Print Media Office.

The said office, blessed yesterday by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, is responsible for the printing of the IEC Guide Book.  It is located on M.C. Briones Street corner L. Jaime Street in Mandaue City.

“This (office) involves especially the preparation of the guide book and also the program book, and eventually the souvenir book,” Palma told reporters.

“If one wants to know the importance of the IEC, the guide book or program book is very important. They contain all of the activities. The delegates are guided on what to expect from day to day, where to gather, who the speakers are, what to bring, how to participate,” Palma added.

Joseph de Aquino, chairman of the IEC Documentation Committee, said the construction of the Advertising and Print Media Office was materialized through the cooperation of the EIC, ClintKAMMS printing company and the University of San Carlos.

“Basically, this is a printing press. We have all the books and other printed materials that have something to do with the Eucharistic Congress printed here,” de Aquino said.

Palma said that the guide book will serve as guide to the delegates if ever they would visit religious places such as the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in Cebu City, Nuestra Señora Virgen dela Regla of Lapu-Lapu City, the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City and the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist in Barangay Simala, Sibonga town.

Once the gathering will be over, the said office will then be tasked to release souvenir books.

“Something to treasure would be the souvenir book that would come out shortly after the celebration. It would record important events, document wonderful speeches and sharings and other highlights that will make people remember such a big event of the Church in Cebu,” Palma said.

Around 15,000 delegates are expected to join the IEC in January 24 to January 31 next year.  Local and foreign delegates will converge at the IEC Pavilion which has been specifically constructed for the said gathering at the seminary compound in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

EIC is an international gathering of people that aims to promote “awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.” — Flor Z. Perolina (FREEMAN)