Friday, January 9, 2015

Christ the Redeemer

 CHRIST THE REDEEMER

In grateful thanksgiving to the City of San Fernando and Province of La Union, Congressman Victor F. Ortega and Former Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega and their family personally commissioned the 25 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at Reservoir Hill, overlooking the city proper and San Fernando Bay.

This was inspired by former Undersecretary Jose “Peping” Mabanta and wife Belle Campos Zita, who put up in their retirement home in Pililla, Rizal a statue similar to that in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ortega family thought it would be good to have a similar statue at Bacsil Ridge but Mr. Mabanta suggested that it is better to put up the statue near the city proper. When Mr. Juan Go heard about this, he offered his lot for free. Mr. Juan Go and family donated the 100 sq. meter area on which the statue stands. Having a common dream, a dream of leaving a landmark that would express their gratitude for the love and support from our community, the Ortega and Go families joined hands to have the project realized.

Since then, on Good Friday, a procession called "Mary's Way" starts at the St. William's Cathedral and the devotees walk barefoot, praying the rosary and when they reach the place of the Christ the Redeemer, they follow the Stations of the Cross donated by Gov. and Mrs. Manoling Ortega, and they recreate Christ's suffering and ending at the Christ the Redeemer statue, just when the sun rises.

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