Veteran scribes to hold Visita Iglesia photo exhibit

CLARK FREEPORT – Select century-old churches in  Pampanga will take center stage in a three-man photo exhibit dubbed “VISITA IGLESIA: Edifices of the Kapampangan Faith Revisited” to be launched on March 21 and will run until April 4, Holy Wednesday, at the SM City Clark.

Featuring the works of veteran journalists Bong Z. Lacson, Deng Pangilinan, and Peter C. Alagos, “VISITA IGLESIA: Edifices of the Kapampangan Faith Revisited” will highlight in graphic form 11 select parishes, some of which are Centuries-old, found in Pampanga’s four districts.

The exhibit will be graced by the following guests of honor, who will lead the ribbon cutting rites: San Fernando Archbishop Most Rev. Paciano B. Aniceto, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Department of Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations Bien Mateo and AssistantVice President for North Luzon 2 Operations Juancho S. Sibal, and officials from Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. led by Regional Operations Manager – Central Luzon Dennis Amores and OIC, BIS Sales and Marketing – Central Luzon Jeremiah Quiwa.

The churches featured in the exhibit are (1st District) Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City; (2nd District) Sta. Lucia Parish, Sasmuan; St. James the Apostle Parish, Betis, Guagua; St. Augustine Parish, Lubao;and Sta. Rita Parish, Sta. Rita; (3rd District) San Guillermo Parish, Bacolor; and Metropolitan Cathedral, City of San Fernando; (4th District) Sta. Monica Parish, Minalin; San Luis Gonzaga Parish, San Luis; St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Apalit; and the Sto. Nino Chapel in Sto. Tomas town.

According to Lacson, “The exhibit is as much as a celebration of faith – in time for the Holy Week – as a promotion of tourism in the Province of Pampanga, with the magnificent Centuries-old churches found in various parts of the Kapampangan landscape comprising attractions unto themselves.”

He added that tour agencies like the Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP), led by the group’s president Gilda Padua, have expressed their support to the exhibit, which, according to Padua, “is a timely event that will help promote local tourism.”

“As a matter of fact, tour agencies have coordinated with our group for the development of package tours centered on the churches, which they said will definitely draw local and foreign tourists alike to Pampanga,” Lacson said.

He added: “This is most especially significant with the increase in domestic and international flights at the Clark International Airport starting at the end of this month.”

Lacson, Pangilinan, and Alagos are members of the Pampanga Press Club. They are also members of the seven-man troop TFP or “Traveloggers Features&Photos,” a travel group dedicated to promoting tourist destinations utilizing the Clark airport as the country’s premier gateway to the world.(Peter Alagos)