Our Lady of Balintawak and the Child Jesus. Photo courtesy of Aliana Rose Perez Bugay
SAMAL, Bataan — The Iglesia Filipina Independiente here on Sunday commemorated the 119th proclamation anniversary on Tuesday of the IFI, also known as Aglipayan Church through a Holy Mass with dance and song numbers.
Members of the Women of the Philippine Independent Church and youth organizations performed the dance numbers.
Grey Perkins with the accompaniment of Rev. Fr. Elmerick Azucena sang “Ave Maria” as serenade to the Our Lady of Balintawak and the Child Jesus, the religious statues dressed in balintawak and farm clothes, respectively.
Rev. Fr. Roderick Miranda, priest of the Santa Catalina de Siena parish, who officiated in the Holy Mass, said that remembering the proclamation of the Church meant being a part of its mission of salvation.
“Ginugunita natin ang makasaysayang pagkakatatag ng ating simbahan upang sa gayon ay magbuklod sa atin ng matatag na kaisahan at patuloy na humubog sa atin tungo sa matatag na pag-ibig sa Diyos at makubuluhang paglilingkod sa bayan,” the parish priest said.
Miranda said IFI was founded by Filipino citizens and the laities all over the country. “Kung wala ang mga layko, wala ang simbahan,” he said.
Samal Mayor Aida Macalinao and Vice Mayor Jun Espino were among town officials who greeted the IFI.
“Ang simulain ng IFI ay pagpapatibay ng pakikipaglaban sa kahirapan na dapat pagtulungan lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Ang pagkakaroon ng isang matatag na simbahan ay dahil sa kahirapan at kaapihan na ginawa ng mga dayuhan,” Macalinao said.
“Sinubok tayo ng pandemya sa loob ng dalawang taon ngunit sa matatag na pananampalataya at tulungan ay malalampasan din natin ito,” the mayor added.
Strict implementation of health and safety protocols were observed in the church.
Labor leader Isabelo delos Reyes and members of the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina proclaimed the split from the Roman Catholic Church on August 3, 1902. Former Catholic priest Gregorio Aglipay became the first IFI Obispo Maximo (Supreme bishop).
