SBMA joins the world in celebrating the Blessed Mother’s birthday

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Not even the heavy rains of typhoon “Labuyo” prevented devotees here to celebrate the birthday of the Virgin Mary, as the faithful put up various images of the Blessed Mother in a motorcade around the free port on Tuesday.

Hundreds of members of the CFC Handmaids of the Lord and other religious groups, employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and business locators, and residents and students from the Subic Bay community “adopted” 25 images of the Blessed Mother from different parishes in Central Luzon for the motorcade.

The celebration was organized by the SBMA chaplaincy under Father Audie Mozo, Jr., parish priest of St. Columban in Olongapo City, which has jurisdiction over the San Roque Chapel here.

The San Roque Chapel has actively promoted devotion to the Blessed Mother, leading to the annual celebration here of “Mama Mary’s” birthday and the launching of the Subic Marian Regatta two years ago.

In his homily, Fr. Mozo said that the heavy rains put to test the devotees’ commitment and love for God and the Blessed Mother.

He said, “If it were your birthday and your children say, ‘Ma, happy birthday na lang; hindi ako makakapunta kasi umuulan.’ How would you feel?”

Some images featured in the motorcade that made its way around Subic’s central business district and the Kalayaan and Binictican housing areas were: Our Lady of the Rule, or the Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Regla; Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Joy, St. Anne and the Child Mary.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, who led SBMA officials in the event, noted that the Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia, adding that “Filipinos are known to be active in joining the prayer rallies, processions and other religious festivities to show our devotion and gratitude to our Creator.”

For his part, SBMA Administrator and CEO Armand Arreza said, “With all the blessings that the Subic Bay Freeport is getting, it is the best time to recollect our deeds and offer our thanks to Mama Mary.”

Arreza added that SBMA and the Freeport community, including residents from nearby communities, have joined in organizing this year’s procession of carriages under the direction of Fr. Mozo.

Earlier on Monday, Fr. Mozo also led the Subic Freeport community in welcoming the Asian Youth Day (AYD) Cross at the San Roque Chapel here as part of the Philippine pilgrimage in preparation for the forthcoming celebration of the 5th Asian Youth Day (AYD5) in November in Cavite.

Embracing this year’s theme, “Young Asians, Come Together, Share the Word and Live the Eucharist,” the pilgrimage of the AYD Cross is an activity that aims to bind, through prayers and reflections, the youths in Asia.

“While in the Philippines, the AYD Cross is going around the country, bringing the challenge among our Filipino youth to follow the doings of our Lord,” said Fr. Mozo.

Originating in Thailand in 1998-1999, the pilgrimage of the AYD Cross is considered an opportunity for Christian youths to express their devotion and love for their parishes.

Launched in the host-diocese of Imus in Cavite last year, the AYD Cross has started its pilgrimage around Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions last June, and visited areas in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas and Mindanao-Sulu the following months.

The Cross will stay in Central Luzon until September 15, before it starts its pilgrimage in Northern Luzon from September 16 to October 10.