Our Lady of Nativity needs a new shrine

The Balangiga Bells are historical significance and is considered a treasure for the province of Eastern Samar. Sad to say, they were taken to Wyoming, USA. And when the bells were shipped to the US, a statue of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was also brought along.

Fortunately, through the efforts of Most Rev. Joseph Hart, the Bishop of Cheyenne in Wyoming, the statue has been returned to the Philippines and was brought personally by then President Fidel Ramos in 1998 to Borongan, Samar, my hometown.

The statue of Nativity is a treasure not only for its being an ancient work of art but also for its religious significance. It speaks of one aspect of our faith which may manifest in myriad ways. It is a legacy we owe the future generation and I feel that it is something to be preserved and cherished.

Now, the people of my hometown led by the tireless Maria Lorna Ebio, Dr. Inigo A. Evardone, Lydia M. Lopez and Rev. Fr. Anacleto Asebias, Jr., have embarked on a mission to construct a new shrine which would house the antique statue. They are now collecting donations to help realize our town’s dreams of housing the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To benevolent souls who would like to support this, they may write the Diocese of Borongan, Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady, 6800 Borongan, Eastern Samar.

After the highly successful Ogie Sings Alcasid concert series held last year, pop singer and composer Ogie Alcasid returns to the concert scene in Onstage as he holds another concert titled One Night Only on April 18, 8 p.m. Musical director is Tats Faustino.

This musical event is Ogie’s first concert for the year and his repertoire will include pop classics and today’s biggest hits. Joining him is Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez. Also making its debut appearance in this concert is Cassanova.

Tickets (priced at P1200, P900 and P600) are available at all Ticketworld Outlets in major National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Place and Robinsons Galleria, Tower Records Makati and Alabang and Music Museum. For ticket inquiries and reservations, call 891-5610.

Halik, the debut album of Aegis has turned quadruple platinum with record sales of more than 160,000 copies. The award was given recently in Eat.... Bulaga!

Halik spawned the chart-topping hits Luha, Basang Basa sa Ulan, Sinta and the title carrier single. The quadruple platinum award is gargantuan considering the proliferation of pirated CDs.

Composed of Juliet and Mercy Sunot (vocals), Rey Aboneja (guitar), Rowena Pinpin (bass), Stella Galindo (keyboard) and Vilma Goloviogo (drums), Aegis is currently busy promoting their latest single Bakit culled from their latest album Awit at Pag-Ibig released under the Harmony Label of Alpha Records.

Alpha Records has a new talent on their stable: Girlie Cruz. This 19-year-old recently waxed her first album, Unang Pag-Ibig and is now released in high quality cassette tapes and CDs.

Girlie was discovered during her performance in Alas Dose sa Trese’s Musikabataan. She also was a vocalist for the Mixed Jam Band. She admires Lani Misalucha and the Side A Band.

Mahal Pa Rin Kita is the title of Girlie’s carrier single and is part of her 12-song album. Other tracks include Unang Pag-Ibig, Pusong Mapaglaro, Nagiisa Para Sa Iyo and Bakit Mo Nagawa?