‘HOPE, LOVE DESPITE TRAGEDY’
Naga City citizens forgo lavish feast day celebrations, choose solemn prayers for landslide victims
The deadly landslide in Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga may have taken lives, but it also provided valuable lessons such as learning to hope in God’s love amidst tragedy.
This was the message of Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Florencio during the Pontifical Mass for the 189th annual fiesta celebration in the City of Naga in honor of its patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, yesterday.
In solidarity with those who were affected by the landslide, the City Government of Naga cancelled all of their activities in line with this year’s fiesta.
But aside from the City, even residents didn’t celebrate or prepare a feast in their homes as a way to mourn with those who were affected.
In his homily, Florencio said that he feels the suffering of those who were affected by the landslide as he too was a victim of a major calamity.
Before he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu, Florencio experienced the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda when he was still assigned in Leyte in 2013.
“Like so many of you, I too questioned where God was in that disaster? Where was the Church and the promise help to those who suffered?” Florencio said.
But he also saw how God gave him hope in the midst of suffering.
Florencio reminded the faithful that like St. Francis of Assisi, their patron, one must strive to see hope against challenges and to care for the environment.
He also reminded the faithful to learn from tragedy and misfortune by becoming better persons.
Fr. Murphy Sarsonas, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns, also sees the landslide in Barangay Tina-an as God’s reminder to the faithful to observe environmental awareness.
Sarsonas urged the citizens to not ignore the environment as it could mean dire consequences.
“Whatever environmental awareness gained should be translated to good habits,” Sarsonas added.
But as religious activities in the City of Naga continued, some residents opted to pray for their affected neighbors rather than celebrate.
Pamela Quino, 46, from Barangay West Poblacion, said that instead of celebrating, she decided to pray for those who suffered in the landslide.
Quino, who works for the City Council of Naga, said she felt it was improper to celebrate especially since so many are still coping with the tragedy that befell them in Barangay Tina-an.
Carl Alinganga, 32, from Barangay East Poblacion, said that instead of celebrating, he and his family decided to also offer prayers for those who died in the landslide.
“Kailangan gyud nila atong pag-ampo, dili ra sad sa mga namatay ug sa katong mga parente nga nahabilin ug nagbangutan sa ilang kamatayon (They need our prayers, not only those who died, but also their relatives who are left grieving),” Alinganga said.
Like so many of you, I too questioned where God was in that disaster? Where was the Church and the promised help to those who suffered?
BISHOP OSCAR FLORENCIO