30/08/2026
124 ๐จ๐๐๐ก๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐, ๐๐ก๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ข๐๐๐
Despite the rain, the faithful came.
Around 1,500 faithful from 16 parishes and missions across the northern, central, and southern deaneries gathered in Manapla, Negros Occidental, on August 29 for the 124th Proclamation Anniversary Diocesan Celebration of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Organized by the Diocese of Bago and hosted by the Parish of Christ the King, the celebration brought together clergy, lay faithful, youth, church organizations, and communities in thanksgiving for 124 years of faith and mission.
The celebration began with a caravan of around 80 vehicles carrying the faithful to Manapla. Upon arrival, participants continued with a foot parade through the municipal proper, with delegates carrying placards bearing images of important figures and martyrs of the IFI, including GOMBURZA, Don Belong and UOD, Birhen sang Balintawak, Gregorio Aglipay, OM Ramento, Fr. Pico, and Benjamin Bayles, among others. The parade culminated in the gathering of the faithful for the Eucharistic Celebration.
And through it all, the rain continued to fall.
But the rain did not stop us.
Instead, it became part of the story.
This yearโs celebration carried the theme, โSustained by grace, nurtured in faith, sent forth in mission,โ based on Ephesians 2:8โ10. The Eucharistic Celebration was led by the Diocesan Bishop of Bago, Rt. Rev. Virgilio Amihan Jr., together with the priests and deacons of the diocese.
In his homily, Bishop Amihan spoke about the connection between grace, faith, and mission. The good bishop reminded the faithful that the Church must continue to nurture disciples. Faith must be strengthened, disciples must be formed, and the mission of the Church must continue through people who are willing to live and share their faith.
In many ways, the people gathered in Manapla were already living that message.
They came despite the rain.
They travelled from distant parishes and missions.
They joined the caravan.
They walked together.
And they gathered as one Church.
๐ ๐๐ต๐ช๐ฌ๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ
Manapla was also a meaningful place for this yearโs celebration. Beyond being the venue of the gathering, it carries a story of faith, service, and compassion through the life of Crispula โManang P**aโ Gallo, a respected community leader whose legacy remains part of the townโs history.
During a severe epidemic in 1960 that claimed many lives in the area, Manang P**a and her husband, Bernardo Gallo, the first municipal captain, cared for the grieving community. They guided and comforted the people during a difficult time, offering help with faith, compassion, and generosity.
Her story is a reminder of the kind of faith that does not remain inside the church. It is a faith that reaches out, serves others, and stands with the people. Her remains are buried in the IFI church in Manapla, making the place an even more meaningful setting for a celebration centered on faith and mission.
In this sense, the gathering was not simply a commemoration of the past. It was also an opportunity to remember the people who embodied the Churchโs mission in their own time and to reflect on how that same calling continues today.
๐๐ท๐ฎ ๐๐ฑ๐พ๐ป๐ฌ๐ฑ, ๐๐ท๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฑ
The celebration also became a gathering of voices from across the Church. Messages of solidarity were shared by church leaders, lay organizations, youth, women, church workers, and other groups, including Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, WOPIC President Vivian Lomio, Laymen President Alex Torrefranca, YIFI President Faith Leila Navarette, CSO Melanie Omaรฑo, Church Worker Solidarity representative Jomelah Mandadero, KMUโs Noli Rosales, Bro. Leslie Garcia of the ONEC Secretariat, and NUPLโs Atty. Rey Gorgonio.
Yet among the many moments of the celebration, two stood out and touched the hearts of many.
The first was the singing of the Philippine National Anthem after the Eucharistic Celebration, a tradition of the IFI that reflects its love for both God and country: Pro Deo et Patria.
Another deeply meaningful moment came when the faithful tearfully sang โMabuhay Ka IFIโ as the IFI flag waved before them.
For a moment, it felt like more than an anniversary celebration.
It was a reminder of Godโs constant love and faithfulness throughout the 124-year journey of the Church. It was also a reminder of the generations who carried the Church before us and of the people who continue to keep its mission alive today.
The celebration continued at the Manapla Gymnasium, where the faithful gathered for fellowship and lunch. Cultural presentations by representatives from the different parishes and missions brought energy and joy to the gathering, while participating parishes and missions were recognized with plaques and tokens of appreciation.
๐๐ธ๐ธ๐ด๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐๐ธ๐ป๐๐ช๐ป๐ญ
But while the celebration honored the past, it also turned our hearts toward the future.
The faithful were reminded that the future of the Church will depend not only on what we inherit from those who came before us, but also on how we live our faith, nurture one another, and serve the Church today.
The words attributed to Gregorio Aglipay remain a strong reminder:
โOn your shoulders, my brothers and sisters, lies the future of our Church; our failure of today will be the tragedy of tomorrow.โ
After 124 years, the mission continues.
The call remains the same:
To remain faithful.
To nurture faith.
To form disciples.
To serve the people.
And to continue the mission.
For us in the Diocese of Bago, the overwhelming response of the faithful in Manapla was already a testimony of faith.
Distance did not stop us.
The rain did not stop us.
The difficulties did not stop us.
We showed up.
We gathered.
We walked together.
We sang together.
We prayed together.
And in our unity and cooperation, we showed once again what it means to be the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Perhaps that is what Manapla gave us on this 124th anniversary: not only a place to celebrate, but a reminder of who we are and why we continue.
124 years sustained by grace.
124 years nurtured in faith.
And still sent forth in mission.
Mabuhay ang Iglesia Filipina Independiente!
Mabuhay ang Diocese of Bago!
