No compromise yet between IDFI, Sta. Teresita Parish
The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) and the Sta. Teresita Del Niņo Jesus Parish have yet to come up with a compromise on the objection of the latter to have the fourth judging are constructed along Quezon-De Leon, City Proper.
IDFI executive director Ben Jimena said they have yet to talk to Fr. Antonio Anino, parish priest of Sta. Teresita about the problem. The church's objection was manifested on a resolution which was approved by the Parish Apostolic Council, Parish Finance Council and Parish Pastoral Council last January 5, 2005.
The councils asked Mayor Jerry Treņas and the IDFI to reconsider their plan to designate the corner of Quezon and J. De Leon Streets as judging area number 4. The said resolution was signed by Fr. Anino; Rev. Fr. Jose Rex Viloca; parochial vicar, Lucena Amalay; Parish Apostic Council chair, Trinidad Golez; chair of Parish Finance Council and Arsenio Del Rosario, chair of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Jimena said they tried to get in touch with Fr. Anino but the priest was not available for a meeting last week. He said they wanted to ask the consideration of the parish priest as they want to serve the majority of the Ilonggos in honoring Sr. Sto. Niņo.
The executive director also said should there be no solution on the problem, the chief executive could exercise legal measures regarding the problem. "The last recourse is for the mayor to decide on legal aspects," said Jimena.
Jimena said they are asking the priest to "let go" some of its masses on the final day of the celebration.
He said they want the church to be part of the celebration and the cancellation of the masses intended on the day will not harm them any way. "What is one day to modify the usual schedule of the masses," Jimena pointed out.
Jimena also denied reports on the alleged "favoritism" the foundation is giving to Robinson's Place. The fourth judging area is adjacent to the church and to the mall. In previous years, the fourth judging area is located at Quezon-Ledesma Streets.
Jimena also denied reports that he wants to disrupt the holding of the masses at Sta. Teresita since he is a protestant by religion. He said he is a Catholic and he has no intention to disturb the masses held on Sundays. There are seven masses celebrated on Sundays at the Sta. Teresita Church.
In the church resolution, the signatories stressed they have masses at 5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am and 11 am and also 4:30 in the afternoon, 6:00 and 7:00 in the evening. The making of the corner of Quezon and J. De Leon Streets a staging area will disturb the solemnity of the masses because of the noise the festivity will create.
Further, the making of corner Quezon-J. De Leon streets as a staging area will prevent the faithful from attending the mass as the area will be closed to traffic, states the resolution.