EMPLOYEES and tenants of the Patria de Cebu held their last Christmas Party on Monday, December 17, just a month before the old structure will be torn down to make way for the construction of a new and more modern building.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who served as one of the guests, said that while this may be their last Christmas at the old building, he urged the staff and tenants working at the Patria to continue reliving the memories of their time there.
“Kay mao naman kini ang katapusan nga Christmas nga makita pa ang Patria. So, whatever you may have nga pwede nato mapikturan, pwede nato ma-record as part of our life and part of the memories that we treasure. But above all because life is a journey,” Palma said.
Sister Maridel Gonzaga, 29, formation-in-charge of the Cebu Archdiocesan Program for Self-Reliance (CAPS-R) Inc., said one of her fondest memories she has of the Patria de Cebu was when she was first assigned there in 2014 just after she received her habit as part of the Living the Gospel Community.
“Siyempre maguol ta no, mingawon ta mawala na pero wa ta kabalo, basin naa man sila maayo nga mga plano nga buhaton diha (Of course, I will be saddened. We will miss the building but we don’t know. Maybe there is a bigger plan in store for it),” Gonzaga added.
For Rudy Cabaluna, layout artist for “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranun,” the official publication of the Archdiocese of Cebu, for 18 years, the Patria has served as witness to his work with the Catholic community in Cebu.
In his message, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio said that even if the employees and tenants will be separated following the Patria’s development, they will remain a family.
On Tuesday, December 18, Palma and members of the Archdiocesan Committee on Cultural Heritage led by Architect Melva Java will meet at the Archbishop’s Palace to discuss on the issues concerning the scheduled demolition of the Patria.
Palma said that part of the discussion will be whether there are some parts of the old Patria that will remain once the Cebu Landmasters Inc.
would start its development.
“Dili ko sure which part of Patria may be saved. Pero whatever happens, I know nga Patria is part of their life in the past years mao ra gyud. Kay we do not know there are many considerations to be made sa Archdiocese,” Palma told SunStar Cebu.
Java and former SunStar Cebu editor Eileen Mangubat wrote to the Archdiocese to reconsider its decision to demolish the old Patria de Cebu building due to its historical and heritage value.
Java even asked Palma to integrate Patria’s old structure to the design of the new building prepared by the developer.
But Palma earlier stated that there is a need to demolish the old structure as it is no longer safe for occupation after it was affected by a recent earthquake. (SCG of Superbalita Cebu)