Basilica newsletter out soon

CEBU, Philippines - For the very first time, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño will be having a monthly newsletter to be named “Ang Batobalani”.

Its first issue will be released on August 27.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA disclosed to The Freeman that this will be unveiled during the 7th Huniño (Huni Halad Alang Kang Señor Santo Niño) original song writing contest.

Mejares said they decided to have the newsletter to inform the parishioners on the different activities and projects in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

“We come up with the newsletter because we want to inform the public on what’s going on in the Basilica, since this is a national shrine and of course we want them to be updated with the different activities we will have and we had. It’s a sort of awareness for our parishioners,” Mejares said.

For the first issue, Mejares said they will have a thousand copies first because they want to test its impact on the parishioners.

He added that the monthly newsletter will be bilingual, featuring Cebuano and English articles.

Meanwhile, Mejares said that they are now busy preparing for the Huniño song writing competition.

Earlier, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño revealed the 12 finalists for the 7th edition of the annual event which will be held at its Pilgrim Center.

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 champion Roel Manlangit will be gracing the event as a guest performer along with former Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Apple Abarquez and Fr. Mejares, who will also be singing as guest performers.

Mejares said that the date of the finals night is also the feast day of Sta. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, which is why it is a big day for the Augustinian community. The following day is also the feast day of St. Augustine.

Last year’s grand winner was a collaborative masterpiece of Ian Gerome Perpetua, the lyricist and Kurl Francis Dedumo, the composer. Its title is “Balaang Sto. Niño, Ang Giya Ko”.   (FREEMAN)