Beautiful Negros!

Beautiful Negros!

Pope John Paul II Monument

A Bacolod businessman initiated to build a monument in honor of Pope John Paul II's visit to Bacolod City on February 20, 1981. An 8-storey monument now stands at the Reclamation Area near SM Bacolod, the city's biggest mall. It was at that spot where the Pope said mass to close to a million people.

The cross on top of the tower was built and designed by Arch. Ramiro "Chick" Garcia, Jr. The Cross is lighted at night which makes it the new landmark of Bacolod City now being the highest structure in city.

Atty Simplicio Palanca had a statue of John Paul II sculpted by Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem, (OAR).

It is the hope of Bishop Navarra to make this tower a Pilgrimage site. He wrote Archbishop Cardinal of Krakow, Poland to send some memorabilia of Pope John Paul II and he replied that he would send some.

The Diocese of Bacolod appeals to all to also share your mementos or souvenirs during the Holy Father’s visit here in 1981. It shall be put in the different floors of the Tower in order to establish Pope John Paul II’s character.

Good Friday Procession

Every religious and faithful always look up to the city of Talisay, 7 kms. away from Bacolod City, when Good Friday comes. Talisay is noted for its 'caros' or 'pasos'. These are hand-drawn carriages, usually preceded by a generator set which provide power for the lights, on which stand the life size statues depicting the tableau of Christ's passion and the characters involved in it. They are well-lighted and adorned by flowers.

Some of the caros are owned by influential families who have made it a family tradition to hand over to their next generation the maintenance of these caros. The life size statues of the women are dressed in beautifully beaded and sequinned robes in fine cloth.

Thousands of devotees participate in the procession with lighted candles in hand. Young and old, people from all classes join together as they express their faith to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Behind very caro or paso is a group from a church organization and they are assigned to say the Holy Rosary. It is a slow and solemn walk from the church and ends up back in church.

Acolytes getting ready for the town procession

Oracion del Huerto

Jesus de la Columna

Jesus de la Pacencia

San Pedro

Sta. Veronica

Jesus Nazareno

Sorrowful Mother meets Jesus

The Crucifixion

San Juan (St. John)

La Angustia (Pieta)

The lil angels

Sto. Entierro

Some of the faithful

Maria Cleofe

Mary Magdalena

Sta. Martha

Sta. Maria Salome

St. Mary of Bethany

La Dolorosa by the Lizares Family

Maundy Thursday in the Philippines

As a practice only in the Philippines, Catholic faithfuls perform the 'Visita Iglesia' after the Maundy Thursday church service in the afternoon. At the latter part of the service, the Holy Eucharist is transferred to an area at the side of the church and the faithfuls come and worship. Each church would adorn that area based on its theme with candles and flowers. Photos below show some of the churches visited. The practice is one should visit 7 churches to worship on that evening. The vigil is until midnight.

This is the time when families would go together thus strengthening our close family ties. As the saying goes, "The Family that prays together, stays together."

The San Sebastian Cathedral

St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City

Triumph of the Holy Cross, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City

Mary, Queen of Peace Parish (Hua Ming)

Holy Family Chapel, City Heights

St. Joseph the Worker Chapel, Dona Juliana Heights

San Isidro Labrador Parish, Brgy. Tangub