Fr. Mejares: “Quake, typhoon were wakeup call”

CEBU, Philippines - The strong earthquake followed by the fierce typhoon that hit parts of the Visayas, including Cebu, late last year should serve as a wakeup call to the people to keep the faith in God strong.

This was the reminder of Fr. Jonas Mejares, church rector of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, in a Mass yesterday to commemorate the first anniversary of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October 15, 2013.

Mejares, in his homily, reminded parishioners the need to upgrade the people’s faith in God and use the faith as shield from trials, challenges, uncertainties, among others.

“Ang pangutana, nganong gitugot man sa Ginoo nga mahitabo kini? Pangutana nga lisod tubagon, mihana kita pagtubag pero hangtod karon, walay kahingpitan ang maong tubag,” he said.

Mejares recalled that shortly after the tremor struck Cebu and Bohol, the super typhoon wreaked havoc in different parts of the Visayas.

“Last year, 2013, has been a very difficult year to many of us and our families due to the calamities that hit our country,” he said.

“What was the message behind all these? I believe that was a wakeup call to all of us. We are all reminded that there is nothing more important in this world than to gain eternal life. There is nothing in this world who is greater than God,” he added.

He reminded the people that no one will be spared from death, adding that the most important thing is for the people’s souls to be saved and “be with God in the kingdom.”

Mejares said that last year’s experience was a test of faith and now is the perfect time to strengthen more the faith.

A special prayer was offered to everyone who was victimized by the violent tremor.

Mejares ended his homily singing the song, “You’ll never Walk Alone”, which for him is the answer to the question on where was God when the earthquake shook His people.

“You’ll never walk alone. God is with us, Senior Sto. Niño is here,” the singing priest said.

Meanwhile, Governor Hilario Davide III has vowed to ensure that structures which the province would be constructing in the future would be disaster-resilient.

“We would like to be sure nga kining panukoron nato really pass the standards,” he told reporters.

He said repairs were already done to Capitol buildings after they incurred minor damages following the earthquake.   The Palace of Justice, situated behind the executive building in the Capitol Compound, remains abandoned after it has been declared unsafe for occupancy.

No definite agreement has been made yet between the provincial government and the Department of Justice as to the fate of the courthouse.

Further, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale confirmed that she and the other Provincial Board members have returned to the Legislative building after they were forced to temporarily transfer to the Executive building when their offices were damaged by the quake.

 “I would like to believe, as certified by engineer nga structurally safe, but we still have to be very vigilant like padayon ang exercise on what to do in case of earthquake,” she added.

Both Davide and Magpale were on their official functions when the earthquake occurred.  — (FREEMAN)