Celebrating Faith and Unity

The 61st Parochial Fiesta Celebration of St. James the Apostle Parish was held on July 25, 2023. The celebration commenced at 8:30 in the morning with a grand Pontifical Mass presided over by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. As parishioners gathered for this sacred occasion, the atmosphere was filled with reverence and jubilation. Rev. Fr. Rolando O. Mandreza, along with other esteemed clergy members, including Rev. Fr. Alfredo O. Bustamante Jr. Rev. Fr. Arnold A. Balaquinto, Rev. Fr. Orlando A. Angelia, Rev. Fr. Joe Lio M. Maghanoy, CSCh, Rev. Fr. Jun Gimeno, Rev. Fr. Dexter Veloso, Rev. Fr. Louis Jasper Alfeche, and Rev. Msgr. Edgar P. Labagala, concelebrated the Mass, making it a truly memorable and blessed experience.

Following the Mass, the festivities continued with the Pista sa Nayon, a vibrant celebration showcasing the talents and camaraderie of the St. James the Apostle Parish community. Various zones and groups within the parish participated in various exciting activities, including intermission numbers, a lively Zumba contest, and a thought-provoking Bible quiz led by Sir John Darrel Rillo. Moreover, a touch of creativity and humor was brought by the Divine Sr. Santiago Cosplay, delighting the audience with their portrayal of the beloved saint. Additionally, each zone displayed its craftsmanship and teamwork in the Kubo Contest, adding a touch of friendly competition to the event. As the festivities continued, the anticipation grew for the Raffle Bonanza. Three lucky winners walked away with amazing prizes, including a refrigerator as the 3rd prize, a Samsung cellphone as the 2nd prize, and a Galaxy tablet as the grand prize.

The celebration reached its climax with a sumptuous lunch, providing an opportunity for everyone to gather and share joyful moments together. To end the memorable Parochial Fiesta, Rev. Fr. Rolando O. Mandreza, delivered a heartfelt closing message and led the final prayer, expressing gratitude for the successful celebration and invoking blessings upon the parishioners.

Indeed, the 61st Parochial Fiesta of St. James the Apostle Parish was a resounding success, exemplifying the deep faith, unity, and love shared by its parishioners. The day’s events brought together the entire parish community, strengthening their bond and reaffirming their commitment to live by the teachings of Christ. As the day came to a close, the spirit of “Basta Santiago, Aktibo! Basta Santiago, Talentado! Basta Santiago, Mahigugmaon sa Ginoo!” echoed throughout, serving as a reminder of their shared identity and purpose as followers of Christ. (Joylyn B. Jalos | LCCP Secretary)