ORANI, Bataan- The statue of the Crucified Christ made of coffee branches can be found at the newly-consecrated Chapel of Maria Ai Monte in Sinagtala Resorts in Tala, an upland barangay here, announced Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairman Felicito Payumo on Sunday.
“Hindi ito sculptured kundi pinagpatong-patong na sanga ng kape na marami sa Tala. Pati buko ng tuhod at siko ay hinubog sa sanga ng kape,” Payumo said.
He explained that the statue was a concept of Architect Nestor David but made by an artist from Bacolor, Pampanga. “Nakita ko kung paano ngang mga sanga ng kape ay nagkaanyo,” he said.
Payumo, David and former Government Service Insurance System Pres. Ding Pascual are the major owners of Sinagtala.
The BCDA chairman said the chapel named after Maria Ai Monte meant that Bataan has now a patron of the mountains and the forests that are threatened in many parts of the country.
“Ang sabi ni Architect David na nag-design ng kapilya, dapat makapasok ng kalikasan, ang hangin at pati mga ibon kaya ginawa niyang bukas ang mga gilid nito at ang altar ay nakaharap sa bundok,” Payumo said.
Bishop Ruperto Santos who officiated in the consecration of the chapel said that the patroness was patterned after Maria Ai Monte in Rome. “This chapel is along the mountains to remind us to take care of nature and God’s creations,” the bishop of the diocese of Balanga said.
“Ang gusto natin ay maging Tagaytay ito ng Central Luzon dahil malamig at maganda ang paligid. Ang gusto natin ay makilala rin itong Carerwega ng Central Luzon,” Santos said.
