Ina Bayanihan Projects: Manifestation of Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church

DEVOTION to Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro  is a call for everyone to be heroes in our own little way for the love of God, neighbor, country and God”s creation. It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium made manifest in the launching of this noble and Divine initiative participated and supported by the different stakeholders from the Church, Government Agencies, NGOs, Academe, Scouts, Uniformed Men and Women, Religious Organizations, Socio-Civic Groups among others last July 12, 2024.

The entire missionary movement of the Church has always been a work of the Holy Spirit and opportunities for evangelization may be based on the three transcendentals: truth, goodness and beauty. Burning zeal for God’s glory paved the way for the realization of these Ina Bayahihan Projects with the Theme: “Bayanihan sa paglinig kang Naga River (Danlugan-Landingan), pagtanom, pagpakaray asin pagpagayon kang Naga Riverside asin Rotonda Historical Marker”, andam sa selebrasyon kang sentenyal na pag korona ki Ina” .Proposed activities include: Clearing of Naga River from Danlugan to Landingan; Repair and Painting of Railings & Revetment Walls/ Enhancement of Amenities/ Optional Painting (Plain or Religious Mural Making) for Houses/Buildings/Structures along Naga Riverside, Beautification/Greening and Improvement of Rotonda Historical Markers.

Momentous day started with the Eucharistic Celebration at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral with His Excellency, the Most Reverend Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon, D.D.- Archbishop of Caceres as Main Celebrant with Con-Celebrating Priests, Most Reverend Monsignor Noe Pastor Badiola, Basilica Rector/Spiritual Director of Our Lady of Peñafrancia-Basilica /Confradia De San Jose and Chairman-Ina Bayanihan Projects, Reverend Father Colonel Rex sent by Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Reverend Father Domingo Florida-Rector, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral and Reverend Father Felipe Culvera III-Parish Priest- Our Lady Of Peñafrancia Shrine. In attendance and supporters were Officers and members of the OLPA Basilica and Peñafrancia, Divino Rostro Officers and members from the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine, teachers and students from Joseph Gualandi School for Hearing Impaired Inc., Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf, Scout Leaders , teachers and students from Camarines Sur and Naga City, Officers and members of the Confradia De San Jose, Engineers and Architects, staff from the City Engineers Office-Local Government Unit of Naga, with full support from Mayor Nelson S. Legacion and Engineer Alexander Caning 0f CEO and Naga ENRO, Mr Pancho Piano- Internationally renowned Artist, Muralist, 42nd Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5, PBGEN Andre P Dizon and PCOL Erwin L Rebellon, City Director of Naga City Police Office were in attendance together with PNP officers, full support from PCOL Julius Caesar M. Domingo- Provincial Director, PNP- Camarines Sur, Philippines and his officers provided escort and security from the onset of transport of Dredger from Legaspi City and during the Motorcade in partnership with the Public Safety Office headed by Mr Renne F. Gumba LGU-Naga. Continued collaborative support from members of the AFP, 565 Engineering Batallion of the 9th Infantry Division were likewise conveyed throughout the duration of Bayanihan activities. Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office- Rawis, Legaspi City-Equipments Division headed by Dredge Master Engineer Ian Gotos and team, Mr Jaime Magalona Letada Jr, Director of Culture and Arts of the Province of Camarines Sur headed by Governor Luigi Villafuerte and full support from Congressman Lray Villafuerte and Congressman Migz Villafuerte, Trainors, provision of Band members to grace the Blessing and groundbreaking Ceremony at Rotonda Historical site and Danlugan made the event extra special, Choir and dancers of the Province of CamSur brought life and joy as they sung during the Mass, welcomed the Motorcade with dances bearing our beloved images of Ina and Divino Rostro along Basilica grounds, sung the opening prayers and the National Anthem during the Press Conference at the Basilica Hall , danced the Sarong Banggi in their colorful Filipiniana costume brought pride and joy from guests, participants and onlookers. Amazing Hosts for the Presscon wer Ms Anthonette Eduardo and Mr John Michael Lanon. Engineer Virgilio C. Eduarte, Regional Director, Engr. Sereno - Chief, Equipment Management Division, DPWH Region 5,Rawis, Legaspi City, Philippines, District Engr Romeo Doloiras , CamSur 3rd District Engineering office , Canaman, CS were one in giving support to said Bayanihan activities, PICE headed By Engr Ryan Guevarra, Architect Ryan Rabusa of BMC, Dra Dada Llaguno. RKX Construction, Mrs Cristy Palma, Atty Rico Abelardo, Dr Glenda Icaro, Ms Ying Torallo, Arlan Gamboa, Mrs Cristy Palma of Bob Marlin, Mr Marc Sebastian and Mr John Paul of Gawad Kalinga and BUILD-Anti-Poverty Alliance from CS , Engr Warren and Mrs Oyette Perez Chavez, Marantz Tailoring and Bellissimo, Rev Fr Francis Tordilla, Director of CCOM. Kuya Dadoy Bien, Mr Melvin Mangaoang and Mr Christopher Cruz provided the Livestreaming in both the Eucharistic Celebration and Press Conference, Rene Polliente, Raymund Vargas, Atty Gigi Maristela Opsomer, Atty Anthonette Velasco- Allones, Undersecretary of Migrant Workers , USI-BSN 1990, USI-HS Batch 86 , Judge Maggie Cu, Mr Robert Obiedo and the First Lady of the Philippines were supportive of the cause. Office of the President conveyed interest in supporting the Bayanihan since the President had consecrated the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Former First Lady a devotee of Ina through the years.

This initiative is “a call to unity, peace, love and mercy, a rallying cry for every Bicolano and Filipino to come together, transcending differences and working hand in hand for a brighter and more prosperous life ahead,” and an establishment of Regional network of Provincial and City institutionalized effort that will unify and strengthen capacities of stakeholders in the Bicol Region maximizing their potentials to respond to the challenges of Regional development as it reflects a shared commitment to the cause of nation-building, a collective effort that involves every sector of our society, and each personal commitment to positive change is a vital building block for the collective progress of the region and nation. The projects were conceptualized not only for the annual festivities and upcoming Centenary of the Pontifical Coronation of the Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia but also to help partially address some of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to be achieved by 2030 , namely SDG 6 on “clean water and sanitation for all” by expanding water and sanitation management, SDG 13 on limiting and adapting to climate change by taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, SDG 17 on “partnerships for the goals by strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development and alignment of policies. A roadmap to achieving amazing things begins in absolute simplicity. St. Francis of Assisi has been quoted as saying, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Now is the time to love, to acquire a new purity of vision, to start what is necessary. The times we live in demand from the followers of Christ, devotees of Ina and St Joseph something more: the awareness of Christianity’s social dimension, which not only builds up Naga as the Pilgrim City and center of Marian devotion in the Bicol Region, but assists in the building up and vibrant involvement of all six (6) Dioceses in Caceres. We need to live the Mystical Body of Christ in such an excellent way as to translate it into the mystical body of society. It has already been proclaimed in the voice of the people that is often the voice of God. This hidden bond, cherished in the heart of every Bicolano, is Mary, our beloved Ina.