IT was exactly one year ago yesterday when a huge fire devoured homes in eight sitios in barangay Lorega San Miguel and displaced 1,300 families or 5,500 persons.
But the pain and grief suffered by the families then were replaced with relief and joy as the families rebuilt their homes and celebrated the opening of a new chapel which the Alay Sa Dios Community turned over to the city that owns the lot where it stands.
Msgr. Rey Penagunda, one of the vicar generals of the Archdiocese of Cebu, presided over the 4 p.m. Mass in lieu of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who is in Marinduque to attend the installation of a new bishop.
“Our minds may lose its capacity to store memories. But the heart will never forget. Amid what happened a year ago, always know that God will never forget us,” he told the congregation in Cebuano.
While no one died in the fire, Penagunda said the families still lost their homes and their possessions.
Solidarity
“Amid all these things, something great happened. That fire brought about solidarity among people,” he said.
The chapel built in the middle of the area devoured by the fire is a testament of people’s collaboration and unity, he said.
The chapel dedicated to San Vicente Ferrer costs nearly P2 million and was constructed through the efforts of Alay sa Dios Community led by its president Bob Gothong.
The chapel was designed by Architect Edmund Samson and constructed by Engr. John Yap. Vic Enterprises served as its benefactor.
After the Mass, Gothong handed over to Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella a framed photograph of the chapel.
“This chapel isn’t just about standing up amid the ruins. This is also a sign of unity among people who worked hand in hand after that big fire,” Labella said.
Barangay Lorega San Miguel chairman Fritz Herrera said he could not imagine how the fire brought politicians from different camps together.
“I and Mayor Michael Rama belong to different political parties. But after the fire, he came here and gave an assurance that we will solve the problem together. That is unusual; a humble gesture of a public servant,” he said.