■ REFLECT ON CHRIST'S SUFFERING, PALMA URGES CATHOLICS

Prayer and reflection, that should be the focus instead of traveling and merely having fun this Holy Week. Thus, said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who led mass on Palm Sunday. Palma addressed especially the young, saying the Holy Week is a time to reflect on Christ’s suffering. “Let us not take advantage of the Holy Week just to enjoy. Let us find balance in all things. Let us give time for God during the Holy Week,” Palma told reporters, in Cebuano.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma announced that a dialogue between Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana and Fr. Roy Bucag, town’s parish priest, will be set for the two to settle their differences.

Esgana and Palma reached this agreement after a three-hour closed door meeting at the Archbishop’s Palace late yesterday afternoon.

Esgana said that the Isla Music Festival, which will be held from April 12 to 15, will continue. But he assured that the activities will in no way disturb the religious activities during the Holy Week.

Esgana reached out to Palma to broker a possible reconciliation between him and Bucag.

Esgana earlier reportedly threatened to sue Bucag for allegedly violating local ordinances, including organizing a prayer rally without securing a permit from the Municipal Government as well as involving minors for the activity.

Last April 1, Bucag organized a dawn prayer rally to protest the town’s holding of the four-day music festival.

Palma told reporters that he was happy that Esgana took the initiative of reaching out to him to shed light on the matter and to settle the conflict between the mayor and the parish priest.

Esgana explained to Palma that he has no plans of filing charges against Bucag for holding the prayer rally.

Palma said he will task Aux- iliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo to arrange the meeting between Bucag and Esgana.

Esgana, in a separate interview, said that he decided to approach Palma because he wanted the prelate to hear his side on the issue.

Esgana hopes that the reconciliation will be set after the Holy Week. /