By Helen Castaño | 08:44 AM December 16, 2024
Boholano Catholics attended the first Misa de Gallo (pre-dawn mass) ahead of Christmas at the newly lighted St. Joseph The Worker Cathedral-Shrine in Tagbilaran City on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Tagbilaran Bishop Abet Uy who challenged the faithful to stop spreading fake news and misinformation in this age of social media.
“Hinaot mahimo ta sama kang San Juan nga magsaksi sa kamatuoran. Dili sa bakak, dili sa fake news. Ang problema nato karun wala ta kahibalo unsay kamatuoran tungod sa kadaghan sa fake news, misinformation. Unsay hagit para nato? Magbinantayon. Dili ta magpataka og forward ug share,” he said.
“Ang social media karun kung musulti ug mubarog ka sa tinuod kontrahon ka sa kadaghanan. Are you ready or brave enough to witness the truth?, ” he added.
Bishop Abet also encouraged parishioners to pray for the youth that they would become witnesses of Christ’s love.
He said that those who attend the nine-day dawn masses would see its wonder.
” Katulgon pa ka? Atong pukawon ang matag usa pinaagi sa masipang pakpak.
Una ray lisud, kadugayan maanad ra tag sayu. Hinaot ato ning kumpletuhon dili arun ihatag sa Diyos ang gipangayu kundili gihigugma nato siya,” the prelate said.
Illuminated with lights
Parishioners also noticed the “glow” of the shrine, adorned and illuminated with lights sponsored by Bohol Light and Mergers Druggil Corp.
“WOW NA WOW! The St. Joseph Catheral-Shrine of Tagbilaran looks so beautiful with the enhancement of its lightings. So grateful to Bohol Light and Mergers Drugfil Corp. for all the help,” Bishop Abet said in his Facebook page.
Msgr. Efren Bongay, parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral-Shrine, said the lighting of the church was part of the cultural heritage preservation that will strengthen the faith of the people.
The lighting ceremony was held earlier before the start of the Simbang Gabi. It was attended by Giv. Aris Aumentado and Primelectric President Roel Castro.
Lower electricity bills on Dec. 16
Today, Dec. 16, residents of Tagbilaran City will experience a P1.59 per kilowatt hour (kWh) reduction in the total electricity rate this Christmas season compared to the November billing.
Bohol Light, operated by Primelectric, stated that in the billings that consumers will receive starting December 16, residential consumers in Tagbilaran City will only pay P10.67 per kWh, down from P12.27 last month.
Commercial consumers will be charged P10.38 per kWh, a reduction of P1.57/kWh.
When Primelectric took over the operation of Bohol Light last September, the rate was about P13.62/kWh, and the consumers immediately experienced a significant reduction of P3.81/kWh in their October billing.
