Sto. Niño Church re-dedicated

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – A year and a month after it was severely damaged by the devastating super typhoon Yolanda, the city's iconic Sto. Niño Church was blessed and re-dedicated in a concelebrated Mass on December 24, presided over by Palo Archbishop John Forrosuelo Du.

The Sto. Niño Church has been known for its architectural beauty, thus earning the reputation of being a top tourist destination in the city.

However, it was temporarily closed after it was damaged by Yolanda although it first served as an evacuation center for hundreds of parishioners on the eve of the onslaught of the super typhoon.

What followed was a fundraising drive, for the repair of the church, led by parish vicars, Monsignor Alex Opiniano and Father Isagani Petilos, and one of those that responded postively was the Tzu Chi Taiwan Buddhist Foundation.

With the expertise of renowned Manila-based architect Dominic Galicia, the initial plans for repair developed into a full-blown master plan for rehabilitation and eventual transformation of the edifice, which has stood on the same spot for 175 years.

Before the start of the Christmas Eve Mass, Opiniano explained that the elaborate design of the church caused the huge renovation cost.

The design was inspired by the history and culture of Taclobanons, highlighting the significance of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, which can be compared to the eye of the storm where there is quietude and calmness, he said.

The image of the Sto. Niño enshrined in the circular encasement at the upper part of the retablo was also a focal point for attention, as conceptualized by the architect.

The total work required a little more than P64 million, more than half of which is being shouldered by the Tzu Chi Foundation, headed by Master Cheng Yen and locally led by Alfredo Li.

The amount would cover the costs for the repair of the rectory and the installation of an better sound system and lighting, as well as a state-of-the-art fence. Tzu Chi pledged to give the remaining P15 million for the other expenses for construction and for the needed lighting and sound systems.

When repairs started, a make-shift covered yet open worship hall was constructed at Plaza Rizal located in front of the Sto. Niño Church for Masses and other sacraments.

Contrary to fears that the structure would be damaged again by typhoon Ruby that hit Eastern Visayas early this December, the structure remained intact, continually serving as a temporary worship hall.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Du, in his Christmas message, said the Year of the Poor espouses the true meaning of Christmas, as invoked by Pope Francis.

He said Pope Francis, in his visit to Leyte next month, will be taking lunch with him and Luis Cardinal Tagle with 30 selected survivors of calamities from Bohol and parts of Eastern Visayas. Five of them will come from Bohol, five more each from Borongan City in Eastern Samar and Calbayog City in Samar, and another 15 from Tacloban and the towns of Palo, Tolosa and Tanauan, all in Leyte.

There will be 10 to 15 bishops, who will say Mass with the pope at the Tacloban Airport, from eleven dioceses of Palo, Borongan, Calbayog, Maasin, Cebu, Capiz, Jaro, Palawan, Tagbilaran and Panay island. – /CBCP News with PIA-8