Bohol Quake Prompts Local Firm To Build More Churches

The Philippines which sits along the so-called 'pacific ring of fire' is one of the countries in the world that is very much prone to volcanic activities and earthquakes. The quake incidence which destroyed several historical churches in the country particularly in the province of Bohol and Cebu has firmed up the advocacy of Filipino-owned tobacco manufacturing company Mighty Corporation to build more churches in the country.

“The recent calamities that hit the country last year only strengthened the Filipino faith. Mighty Corp will continue to build churches that Filipinos go to in their times of great trials,” said Retired Judge Oscar P. Barrientos, the executive Vice President and spokesperson of Mighty Corporation.

Mighty Corporation through its corporate social responsibility arm, the Wong Chu King Foundation, helped in renovating the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Naic, Cavite as well as the Basilica Minore of the Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan.

In a handwritten letter, Cagayan Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan expressed gratitude to the wongchuking family and said, “For the past many years, I have personally known Mrs. Nelia Wongchuking. She, together with the entire family, are great devotees of the Our Lady of Piat.”

Mrs Nelia Wongchuking heads the Wong Chu King Foundation.

Archbishop Talamayan added that the family has also built a chapel in Malolos, Bulacan as a gesture of their devotion to the Our Lady of Piat.

The foundation also initiated relief operations in the province of Bulacan and Cavite when they were hit by the recent typhoon and monsoon rains.

Meanwhile, Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona and other church leaders express their support to the initiatives of the Wong Chu King Foundation and also to Mighty Corporation in its current struggle to clear its name on charges of technical smuggling and tax evasion.