CBCP prexy leads Kaplag opening

CEBU, Philippines -  He ditched a historic Catholic moment at the canonization of two popes attended by two living popes in order to lead a local church activity that pays homage to the dawn of Philippine Christianity.

This was what Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, recently did in honor of the commemoration of the event that led to the Christianization of the country that started in Cebu.

“Because of this (Kaplag Pontifical mass), I was supposed to be there at the canonization but because of the opening of the 450th anniversary of Kaplag, I chose to stay here,” said Villegas in an interview after the April 28 Kaplag Pontifical Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño de Cebu.

Kaplag is the celebration remembering the “finding” of the image of the Sr. Sto. Niño brought by the expedition of Portuguese voyager commissioned by Spanish government

“It is the start of the formal proclamation of the Gospel in the Philippines. The event in 1521 was the first mass and baptism but the Christianization in the Philippines happened in 1565. So it is very important because we actually owe our Catholic faith that event,” the CBCP president explained.

Villegas led Monday’s opening activity leading to the 450th anniversary of the Kaplag in April 28, 2015 including a Solemn Pontifical Mass and the official declaration of the opening of the 2015 celebrations as part of the historical finding of the image in a burnt hut and now Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño complex.

The prelate shared how he felt the strong Cebuano faith as he officiated the Eucharistic celebration at the iconic Basilica.

“I came here because they asked for my blessing. But I will go back to Dagupan tonight feeling blessed by the people of Cebu,” Villegas said.

This year’s Kaplag may have highlighted the one year road to the 450th next year but the traditional celebratory activities were still done inside the Basilica complex.

These included the reenactment of the Kaplag or the Traditional Halad with actors portraying the finding of the image led by Basilica United Vendors and Photographers Association, Cofradia del Santo Niño, and Sandiego Dance Company. (FREEMAN)