MANILA, Philippines - Having heard Mass a few times at most of them, my heart broke when I saw the pictures (and in the newscast) of the centuries-old churches destroyed (three of them totally, according to latest reports) by the killer quake in Bohol.
One of them is the San Pedro Church in Loboc town (above, left, before the earthquake), which has a well believed to contain water that can cure the sick.
It was the Loboc Church (above, right, now in ruins) that served as backdrop 13 years ago when Cesar Montano proposed to estranged wife Sunshine Cruz (above, photographed during happier times) at sunset in the vicinity of the lighthouse a stone’s throw away. Cesar fell on his knees while the angelic voices of the Loboc Children’s Choir, under Lutgardo Labad, filled the air with romantic songs.
Down-trodden by the tragedy like his fellow Boholanos, Cesar (who has a vacation house in Baclayon town, where the church was also destroyed), is now finalizing a fund-raising concert for the quake victims and survivors. He has mobilized the likes of Noel Cabangon. I’m sure other Boholano artists (among them Luke Mejares, Giselle Sanchez and Star In A Million winner Jerome Sala) will gladly join.
Cesar and company are planning to hold the fund-raiser at Teatrino. Hopefully, Teatrino owner Precy Florentino will give Cesar’s group a generous discount or, why not, donate the venue as her way of helping the victims. Is it possible, Precy?