The clergy
wore purple vestments. The church adorned as such, hiding its cracks. The first of four candles was lit. The first Sunday of Advent was hailed and
celebrated by a throng of faithful gathered
on a sunny morning at the St. Joseph’s
Cathedral in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Weeks after
a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated the province, the cathedral,
partly-damaged by the strong tremor is once again fulfilling its purpose – a cradle of hope
and cornerstone of faith for humanity.
With renewed
vigor and kindred spirit, Boholanos are slowly getting back to their feet. They have not much time to sulk. Humbled, they realized
that they are far more luckier and better off than the victims of super typhoon Yolanda. In an instant, they
stopped complaining about their ravaged houses and collapsed bridges. Their
loss is nothing compared to those whose
lives are now just part of Yolanda’s death toll.
Foreign and
local aid to the home of the Sandugo Festival and now, pulverized centuries-old churches are not as much as what Eastern
Visayas is getting and receiving. The attention to the quake-stricken region
has waned. Help, even construction
materials for damaged houses don’t come easy. But the people of Bohol are
moving on and moving forward. Their ingenuity is at work to the fullest. They have
started rebuilding their future and what’s left of their homes and lives.
Modest houses made of ‘sawali’ (bamboo
strips) are now taking over Bohol’s countryside landscape.
And the
local government is glad. Very glad in
fact, that the national media has been taken off their back. For a time, they
were worried of what has to become of Bohol’s tourism industry especially with
the ‘sensationalized’ reporting on sinkholes that sent shivers to foreign and
local tourists alike.
But oftentimes, trials are the best opportunities to
harness every bit of potential. Today,
curiosity drives tourists even more to the famed chocolate hills. Who would ever have imagined that its core would reveal shells, white sand, limestone and other sea minerals. Bohol, many now say is undeniably a giant coral reef.
In his
homily, the priest urged the faithful to take the tragedy as an opportunity to
renew their faith. An opportunity to be of service to others. To be thankful of
blessings big and small and to spend each moment on earth as if it is the last
day of their lives.
Advent after all, is the preparation for the second coming of Christ.
Advent after all, is the preparation for the second coming of Christ.
"When life knocks you to your knees, and it will, get up! If it
knocks you to your knees again, as it will,
then, it is the best
position to pray"
~ Ethel Barrymore
