Espino, Villegas team up for Cristo Rey preparations

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – The provincial government and the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan have joined forces for the grand celebration of Cristo Rey at the Capitol Complex, reputedly the best capitol in the country.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas finalized the content and flow of the celebration during their meeting at the governor’s office yesterday.

Fr. Francis Posadas of the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Lingayen said the event expects around 15,000 to 20,000 guests and 70 priests from the 28 parishes of the four vicariates of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, composed of 15 towns and two cities.

“It is quite fitting that the first-ever archdiocesan celebration of Cristo Rey will be held here in Lingayen,” said Espino, who was designated as the celebration’s executive committee chairman.

Espino said the Lingayen Parish was the original seat of the old and much bigger Archdiocese of Lingayen, which later on became the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

“The Christ the King celebration is one of the much anticipated and biggest events in the Catholic Church’s calendar of activities,” said Posadas, co-chairman of the event.

Aside from Espino and Posadas, officers of the executive committee are Lingayen Mayor Jonas Castañeda as vice chairman, and Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim as vice co-chairman.

Members of the executive committee represent the second, third, fourth and fifth congressional districts, which comprise the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, namely Reps. Leopoldo Bataoil, Rachel Arenas, Gina de Venecia, and Kimi Cojuangco, respectively.

As part of the preparatory activities leading to the celebration, there will be a visit of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag until Sept. 27 and on Nov. 14-22.

“Takbo Alay kay Cristo” will also be held on Oct. 16, starting at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, passing through Maramba Boulevard and ending at the beachfront.

A simultaneous vicariate youth vigil on Nov. 20 will also be held, one at the Capitol Plaza, where seminars and lectures on religion and patriotism will be conducted for the youth.

In the afternoon, Villegas will preside over a Mass at the Capitol Plaza, after which a procession will follow.