Tolentine Herald: Diocese of Bacolod Magnificat March

Monday, October 14, 2013

Diocese of Bacolod Magnificat March

Bacolod City—(October 14, 2013) Despite the heavy downpour hour before the walk started, the Magnificat March pushed through with great success. Organized by the Diocese of Bacolod, the Church-led event gathered different sectors of the diocese—clergy, religious, parishioners of different parishes, lay and religious organizations, students, artists and concerned individuals— for three important objectives: the protection of human life, promotion of good governance and total abolition of the pork barrel system.

A giant and meaningful stage backdrop done by DIHON (Dibuhista nga nagHiliugyon sa Negros), a group of socially-conscious visual, welcomed the delegates. According to Rafael Burdeos, “the mural visual image depicted the images of the Philippine presidents (President Benigno Aquino, Jr., Gloria Arroyo, Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos) who were all aware of the pork barrel, the image of the suffering masses and of the sectoral groups who are angry and protesting against the systemic corruption.”

PHOTO CREDITS: PRIMO DE LA CRUZ

Gracing the event were Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal. Their speeches were intervened by Ilonggo song numbers rendered by local artists from Murcia.

The theme of the speeches centered on scrapping the pork barrel, passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, and challenging people to become vigilant and responsible especially during this coming Barangay Elections to vote wisely.

Representatives from Dioceses of Kabankalan and San Carlos were present to show their solidarity with the Diocese of Bacolod and delivered their respective diocesan manifesto of support to the condemnation of corruption and total abolition of the pork barrel system.

The prayerful demonstration was capped by the speech of Bishop Vicente Navarra of the Diocese of Bacolod in which he posed a challenge to all present to do their share in helping our country fight corruption in the government. After which, the Bishop led the Act of Consecration to Mary of the Filipino nation, asking the maternal intercession of Mother of God in our sufferings and struggles as a nation.

PHOTO CREDITS: PRIMO DE LA CRUZ

The "Magnificat March" is also a fitting commemoration of the secondary patron of the Diocese, Our Lady of the Rosary of Bacolod. Magnificat is Mary's prayer in the New Testament of accepting the challenge of being the Mother of Jesus, all in the context of humility "my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord… he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the poor."

—With initial information coming from Bro. Jaazeal “Tagoy” Jackosalem, OAR

PHOTO CREDITS: NICKOY MAGBANUA PIORNATO/PRIMO DE LACRUZ