Devotees flock to visit the 2022 Marian Exhibit on its opening day.
SAN MATEO, Rizal – As part of the celebration of the feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, the first ever Marian Exhibit has finally opened on August 31, two years since the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic. Located at the Aranzazu Hall of the Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, it comprises of about 50 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
As of organizing this year’s Marian exhibit, the parish has prepared for almost 2 years, initiated by the Recamaderos de los Imagenes en la Parroquia dela Virgen de Aranzazu (RIPVA) headed by Bro. Randy Florencio with the help of Rev. Fr. Ric Eguia, parish priest, Fr. Alex Miday, parochial vicar, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) headed by Bro. Danny Villanueva, Worship Ministry, Caballeros, Knights of Our Lady of Aranzazu, and others.
One of the head florists in the event is Bro. Rommel “Mhel” Cena, 32 years old, resident of Barangay Santa Ana, San Mateo, Rizal.
According to him, supposedly, there were about 60 images of Mary to be included in the exhibit but due to unseen circumstances in the availability of some Marian images, only more than 50 images were presented.
Also, the shining and vivid artificial flowers were brought by the Camareros.
Blessing and Ribbon Cutting of Marian Exhibit
The Blessing and Ribbon Cutting of the Marian Exhibit then followed on Wednesday night. Spotted in the event were the organizers of the 2022 exhibit, San Mateo Mayor Bartolome “Omie” Rivera Jr. together with his wife, Maria Dolores “Dolly” Rivera, the Hermana of this year’s festival, and the devotees of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Bro. Mhel, a Devotee of Our Lady of Aranzazu
15 years serving as a florist at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, Bro. Mhel has become a devotee of Our Lady of Aranzazu.
For him, the postponement of the Marian Exhibits in the past two years had broken his heart as a devotee of Our Lady of Aranzazu. But amidst all of these, he stated that he had also been invited in the different exhibits to make some floral arrangements, affirming that there have been really blessings on him after all.
Bro. Mhel shared that his devotion to Mother Mary was because of his grandmother who is also a devotee of Our Lady of Aranzazu. At 14, he started to become active at Church as a florist.
Out of more than 50, he had arranged 19 images of Mary in this year’s exhibit. The preparations started last Monday with the help of Bro. Jeremy and Bro. Vince.
When asked about his passion and devotion in his service, Bro. Mhel said, “Natutuwa po ako kasi ‘pag naggagayak po ako ng ganito, mas nasisiyahan po ako, parang nabubuhay ko rin ang alaala ng lola ko…”
Kuya Mhel concluded the one-on-one interview with this heartwarming statement, “Parang sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, ‘parang gusto ko na sumuko’ pero ‘hindi, ayoko.’ Parang may nagsasabing, ‘wag ‘nak, wag kang susuko. Kaya mo pa. Alam ko.’ Sabi ko, ‘sige, gagawa’t gagawa ako hangga’t kaya ko.”
Open from 8 am – 8pm from Aug. 31 – Sept. 11, the Marian Exhibit is open to the public for free.
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