Nuestra Sra. Del Pilar Shrine To Rise In Cagayan De Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 05 Nov) - A replica of the world-famous Nuestra Senora del Pilar shrine at the Fort Pilar National Museum in Zamboanga City will soon rise in a hilltop village called Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao island, south of the Philippines.

Jose Nebrao, president emeritus of Circulo Zamboangueno, said the shrine will be a replica of the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary's shrine set in a wall of the Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City.

Nebrao said the core group of the circulo, an association of resident Zamboanguenos who have migrated to Cagayan de Oro and its nearby provinces, towns and cities, will have the project completed by next year in time for the October 12 fiesta of "Our Lady of the Pilar", the patroness of Zamboanga City.

The project was first announced October 12 during the annual celebration of Fiesta Pilar in Cagayan de Oro which was attended by some eighty members of the circulo and their immediate family members at Xavier University.

The celebration started with the holy sacrifice of the mass celebrated by incoming Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J. at the XU Loyola House chapel. This was immediately followed by the final novena of our Lady at the XU canteen and the traditional "cena communal".

Among those present during this year's Fiesta Pilar celebration were the following: Con-con Ignacio, Raul and Antonietta Rodriguez and family, Jonel and Nanette Bergado and family, Adolfo and Norma Uro, Carmelita Ubalde, Ben and Ginny Aspera, Edwin and Judith Amik, Mr and Mrs Oscar Escudero, Jonathan Tamin, John Ferrer, Col Cesar and Rachel (nee Causin) Miel, Ester and Joan Causin, Randy and Becky Redondo, Henry and Nitz Pelisan, Isidro and Ning "Cupcakes" Audal.

And Tony Rodriguez, Art and Connie Surdilla, Paul & Joy Paladio and family, Manny and Josy Alinabon, Joe and Rose Nebrao, Rudy and Lily (nee Tang) Fulminar, Emmanuel Saavedra, Sor. Rachel Bernardo, RVM; Glor Delgado and this author. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)