PH Consulate General Joins 20th Anniversary Celebration of Santo Niño Guam 2000
Consul General to Agana Marciano R. de Borja (second from left) joins the Filipino Community during the procession on the occasion of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Santo Niño Guam 2000 Fiesta after the mass at Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica on 13 January 2019 in Agana, Guam. Also pictured are Vice Consul Alex O. Vallespin (third from left) and Filipino Community of Guam Assistant Treasurer Ms. Loisa Cabuhat (leftmost). (Agana PCG photo)
AGANA 06 February 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General joined the Filipino Community in Guam to celebrate the 20th anniversary celebration of the Santo Niño Guam 2000 on 13 January 2019.
The event was spearheaded by the Santo Niño Guam 2000 Fiesta Executive Committee chaired by Mr. Tim Oftana in cooperation with the Aklan Association of Guam, Cebu Association of Guam, Capizeños Association of Guam, Iloilo International, Iloilo Science and Technology University Alumni Association, and the MIGS Group of Guam.
Eight visiting Church officials joined the celebrations, led by Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I., DD, and Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, D.D., who presided the high mass at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna.
They were also joined by Palo Archbishop John F. Du, Ozamis Archbishop Martin S. Jumoad, Aklan Bishop Jose Corazon T. Tala-oc, Bacolod Bishop Patricio A. Buzon, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Dumagan Cabajog, and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo.
The mass was followed by a colorful procession around Skinner Plaza by hundreds of Santo Niño devotees, who brought with them images of the Child Jesus in various sizes, designs and colorful costumes.
In his remarks, Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja commended the organizers of the event and highlighted the significance of the Santo Niño in the history of Christianity in the Philippines.
“This has become a part of the religious and cultural landscape of this island. The Santo Niño is a part of our enduring faith, of our spirituality, of our community as Filipinos,” Consul General Borja said.
As part of the festive celebration, a fellowship dinner and cultural program was held in the evening at the Guam Museum grounds, featuring performances by the Cebu Association, Capizeños Association, Santa Barbara Honor Choir, the Ati-Atihan Drummers, and a special song number by Consul General de Borja’s youngest daughter Agatha
35th Guam Legislature Senator Joe S. San Agustin presented Legislative Resolutions to the visiting bishops and organizers of the event. END
For more information, visit www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph/ https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAgana/ and www.philippinesguam.org.
The high mass at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna presided by Most Reverend Jose S. Palma, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu, with a homily by His Eminence Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I., DD, Archbishop of Cotabato. (Agana PCG photo)
Hundreds of Santo Niño devotees join the colorful procession around Skinner Plaza during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Santo Niño Guam 2000 Fiesta. (Agana PCG photo)