COUNCIL OF THE LAITY
Archdiocese of Caceres
September 12, 2009
HON. JESSE M. ROBREDO
Mayor, Naga City
Dear Mayor Robredo:
We, the Catholic lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Caceres, are thankful for the efforts "to keep the Peñafrancia Novena days free from undue distraction." The Peñafrancia Fiesta is a time for us to re-commit ourselves to God through the Blessed Mother and to do this, we need an appropriate environment. We do not want activities that have nothing to do with spiritual growth and religious maturity. Such activities demean our devotion to Ina and disrespect the Peñafrancia Fiesta.
Thus, we appreciate the "series of meeting between the church and city" and the release of the joint statement. The statement was disseminated and reached Catholic communities in the Archdiocese. We trusted that statement is proof that our leaders are one in giving us the opportunity to grow in faith.
However, we are disappointed and dismayed when we saw the calendar of activities prepared by the city government of Naga published in its widely distributed Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia pamphlet. Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia Festival includes activities that have been banned within the Novena on moral grounds. In the joint statement, it is very clear that pageants and beer plazas should not be held within the period of the Novena.
With this, we express our objection to the Naga City government's approval of:
1. All forms of pageantries which may include among others: 16th Pretty Boy Bicolandia Pageant, September 12; 4th Munting Mutya ng Bicolandia Pageant, September 13; That's My Boy Bicolandia, That's My Boy Naga City Pageant, September 14; Miss Gay Young Bicolandia on September 16; Mr. Young Bicolandia Pageant, September 18
2. Public Intoxication which may include among others: Ginebra Videoke King, September 17 - 18; Ginebra Night on September 19
We demand that those involved in the conceptualization, approval and implementation of these activities be made accountable for having violated a bilateral agreement that states that "pageants, street parties and beer plazas are no longer features of Peñafrancia Fiesta."
We vehemently object to the preparation of the calendar of activities that disrespects the sanctity of the Holy Mass and the spiritual value of confessions and processions by presenting them as mere additional events in a Viva Naga, Viva Bicolandia festival.
We demand that the line-up of agreed non-religious activities should not have been presented with the schedule of sacraments and religious practices. A calendar of activities that treats parades, mall tours, fashion shows, dance showdowns, regattas, cooking demos, bull rides, videoke challenges, food expos, and Bakbakan sa Danlugan to be of equal value with sacraments and religious practices is offensive to us, the lay faithful.
We trusted that the joint agreement would be implemented in keeping with the true nature of Peñafrancia Fiesta. However, bad faith appears evident. The approved activities were made known only when the Viva Naga Viva Bicolandia Festival has already begun.
We demand for transparency in the approval of activities that are being justified as a celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta. As devotees, we want to know what the Naga City government plans to implement, either directly or indirectly, in observance of the Peñafrancia Fiesta.
As devotees, we have been entrusted the responsibility to take care of the devotion. It is in this spirit that we make these demands.
In honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, our model of faith and service, we call on our leaders to be good examples of faith and service. Breaching an agreement that seek to uplift our dignity as devotees is the opposite of ethical leadership. As devotees, we long for leaders whose words we can trust.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
ATTY. MINETTA ESTANISLAO
President, Council of the Laity of the AC
JUDGE FREDDIE BALONZO
President, Mother Butler Mission Guild
JUDGE NOVELITA VILLEGAS LLAGUNO
President, Apostleship of Prayer
MR. MACARIO APIN II
Director, Couples for Christ
MRS. LETICIA CIPRIANO
President, Legion of Mary
MR. ROMULO MUSTERA
President, Holy Name Society
SK PETE REAL
Knights of Columbus
JUDGE ZEIDA B. GARFIN
President, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Association
MRS. BLESILDA ARQUESA
President, Mother Butler's Guild
SK LUIS FERRO
FN, Bishop Alberto, KC
DR. FE NEPOMUCENO
President, BPC, Bagumbayan Sur
MRS. JUANITA ALARCON
President, Parish Renewal Experience
MRS. CARIDAD BUERE
President, Children of Mary and Visita Domiciliaria
MRS. LOURDES CAMACHO
President, OL of the Miraculous Medal