Friday, March 30, 2007 Lenten means business in Bacolod By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
LENTEN season is only a time for reflection and meditation but is also a time for business.
This as Bacolod is now inviting tourists to a guided tour to visit seven Catholic churches for a "Via Cruses" or Way of the Cross starting Friday, which is the last Friday of the month prior to the Holy Week.
Dubbed as VISITA IGLESIA, the pilgrimage will direct visitors to churches of St. Jude Thaddeus at Barangay Alijis, San Antonio Abad at Magsaysay Avenue, Sacred Heart at Lupit Compound, San Nicholas de Tolentino at the University of Negros Occidental, and St. Ezequiel Moreno at Villa Esperanza, Tangub, and St. Isidore Labrador at Barangay Tangub and San Sebastian Cathedral for the final prayer.
Component of this activity will be a guided tour along the route, then a Via Cruses and commentary on the history and design theme of the church.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said this undertaking is part of his tourism program to promote Bacolod City as a tourist destination not just for sports and cultural events but religious as well.
In this Lenten pilgrimage, we will offer a colorful look into the religious heritage of the city, the mayor said.
For Catholics, the pilgrimage will be an opportunity for a deeper sense of appreciation of the true meaning of the Life, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, he added.
And for non-Catholics, this will be a historical and cultural tour of religious sites and art works to better understand the human aspect of faith and religious practices in the city, Leonardia also said.
The City Government will also provide some vehicles to be used during the tour.
Leonardia, however, said through this Lenten pilgrimage, the city will definitely earn something from the tourists, as they will also rent for their room here, eat in the local restaurants, and buy something for themselves in the local stores.
NYALA Tours, on the other hand, is co-sponsoring the event and will be providing for the transportation together with those provided by the city government.
Those interested to join may call the Bacolod City Tourism Office at telephones 434-6751/70883066, look for the activity coordinators Mrs. Betty Pabulayan or Mrs. Zette Ea of NYALA TOURS, at 433-1049.
