Every Pampanga day celebration has a concelebrated mass at the provincial capitol compound and this year was no different as San Fernando Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto officiated in the mass held at the Benigno Aquino, Jr. Memorial Hall on December 06, first day of the week-long observance of Pampanga’s 440th anniversary.
Apu Ceto, as the Archbishop is fondly called, said that we should be thankful that Pampanga has been in existence for so many years, an “affirmation of our courage and dignity as a people”.
He further said that with all the conflict in various parts of the world, including in our country, “only the word of God remains and prevails”.
He implored those present that “we are brothers, not adversaries”.
In addressing the local officials present, he enjoined them to renew their commitment to serve the people, “for these are the people of God”.
Among the local government officials present were Vice-Governor Joseller Guiao, Board Members Cris Garbo, Tarcicio Halili, Monina Laus, and Melchor Pingul, along with department heads and employees of the provincial government.
“Apart from our government officials, all of us should be true to our own identity not only as Kapampangans but as Christian leaders,” the Archbishop declared.
He thanked all local officials, led by Governor Lilia G. Pineda for “living up to your duty to do what is true, beautiful and that which is for the common good”.
Seeing the presence of some Aetas in the congregation, Aniceto expressed gladness, saying that “we should give them space and let their voice be heard” which is what the governor has been doing.
He also called on everyone to cooperate so that Pampanga becomes worthy of its original avocation, toward “social, economic upliftment and being of genuine and consistent service to the people, especially the poor”.
Just before the mass ended, some bits of good news were announced to the congregation. Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 3 presented two checks: one worth P1 million for 200 beneficiaries of the livelihood program being implemented by the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Authority (PCEDO), and another worth P100,000.00 for the KulArt, a project to benefit young Aeta artists whose works are sold commercially.
Panlilio thanked the provincial government for their continuing support while Guiao, in behalf of the provincial government, assured the DOLE of a steady partnership and thanked them “for their gifts to our constituents who are deserving of assistance”.
The Archbishop witnessed an example of what he called earlier as “building a home of abundance for our people”. (Pampanga PIO)
