Pagsangyaw 2021 officially starts in Cebu parishes

Members of the laity perform during the launch of the Pagsangyaw 2021 held at the IEC Convention Center on March 16. | Delta Dyrecka Letigio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The laity-led movement, Pagsangyaw 2021, opened in over 50 parishes across the Archdiocese of Cebu today, March 24.

According to Fe Barino, the chairperson of the Commission on the Laity, the Pagsangyaw was “successfully” launched with the “enthusiastic” involvement of the respective parish priests.

Barino said the parish priests were allowed to find creative means on how they will present speakers from the laity before the start of every masses.

“Ang uban nag powerpoint presentation. Naay nag video presentation. Lingaw kaayo kay kada parokya aduna silay lain-laing manner sa pag-execute sa Pagsangyaw,” she said in an interview with Cebu Daily News Digital.

Barino said that among the 50 parishes that they monitored, the San Pedro Calungsod Parish in Barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City stood out because of its unique approach in introducing the Pagsangyaw to the parishioners.

Prior to the official start of the eucharistic celebration, Reverend Father Arman Orehuela randomly call parishioners and asked them to give out their reflections on a certain Bible verse.

Barino said that this was an innovation to the original Pagsangyaw set up where the chosen speakers were asked to prepare their respective speeches that were also pre-approved by their parish priests.

She said that Orehuela chose to have spontaneity in giving of Bible reflections to solicit more engagement from the parishioners since they will never know who will be called in front of the altar to speak.

Barino said she felt excited that both the laity and the clergy welcomed with enthusiasm the Pagsangyaw which is in preparation for the 500th year celebration of the presence of the Catholic faith in the Philippines in 2021.

“Unta mo baskog ang pagtuo sa mga Katoliko niining Pagsangyaw nato sa kada parokya,” she said.

The Pagsangyaw 2021 is an activity led by the Commission on the Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu to encourage the ordinary faithful to share their faith with their parishmates.

Barino said that through the activity, they hope that more missionaries will emerge from the celebration of the 500th year anniversary of Catholicism in the Philippines in 2021.

“Lihok gyod ni sa Ginoo. Kami sa Commission on the Laity, catalyst ra mi para sa pagsangyaw sa mga layko sa ilang pagtuo,” said Barino. /dcb