How to celebrate the fiesta of Pasig

in this time of crisis, in this time of almost social confusion?

This is a reflection on the call for transformation in every person
everywhere in the community, everywhere in society.
For many this is a time of want, a time of many disorder and extreme anxiety in our
society, this is the time of the call for change.

Spirituality and Art

is also the living soul of the people and the nation.

“Maria sa Pagsibol ng Bansa”

This is an exhibit meant as a feast of the spirit, both lowly and inspired, as gathered from
the efforts of devoted kindred hearts and minds. This is mainly about Mary the Blessed
Mother, seen and felt as part of the continuing birthing of our national spirit, in all her
different manifestations to the people of God down through our times.

A longing call in the night just like the “ Mutya ng Pasig “ calling on the spirit of the
nation, this is Our lady of the Immaculate Conception, the same lady of the poor and the
downtrodden; The same lady witnessing for the prophetic message of deliverance and
redemption, freedom and liberation. The lady of the Magnificat:

Our Lady “ who hath proclaimed the greatness of the lord…. Whose spirit rejoices in
God our savior -- as he who hath scattered the proud in their conceit? Who hath filled
the hungry with good things and sent away the rich empty. Who hath cast down the
mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.. And who hath remembered his
promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers to Abraham and his children
forever.”

The first mission parish of Our Lady of the Visitation was established in Pasig on July 2
1573. It was the first Marian parish in the Philippines and probably in this part of Asia. In
1587 Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was recorded as the patroness of the
mission convent of Pasig.

The local community lore such as that of the “Mutya ng Pasig”, prefigured a lady rising
from the waters of the River Pasig and calling on the love of the people. It became the
symbolic beginnings of a historic sense of mission for the “Taga-ilog” people of Pasig.

The prophetic message and mystical symbolism of the Immaculate Conception

patroness of Pasig, which was rapidly embraced by the local community, in fact, presage
the struggle of the people for the birthing of our nation. The first national challenge for
revolutionary change that was made by the Asamblea Magna of the Katipunan as the
first national revolutionary assembly was made at the original Pasig River then called
Bitukang Manok River in the heart of the old town of Pasig. Also, “Nagsabado” the first

Reflection Dedicated to the People of Pasig ♦ 8 December, 2001 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
 successful people power type of uprising during the revolution also happened in Pasig
on midnight of Saturday August 29, 1896.

Reflection Dedicated to the People of Pasig ♦ 8 December, 2001 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary