This is how the Wong Chu King Foundation sees its group's mission in restoring historic churches and other religious structures.
Take for example the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary in Naic, Cavite which the foundation, with the help of Mighty Corporation, has recently restored to its former glory in March this year.
As we all know, some of the Important events in the history of our nation took place inside the walls of our churches. These landmarks played a vital role in the lives of many Filipinos and are enduring symbols of the Catholic faith in the Philippines.
As we all know, some of the Important events in the history of our nation took place inside the walls of our churches. These landmarks played a vital role in the lives of many Filipinos and are enduring symbols of the Catholic faith in the Philippines.
The Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary is one of the oldest and largest church in the coastal town along Manila Bay and stood as a precious link to our ante-bellum Spanish colonial past. Spanish friars built the church as a low-roofed stone structure in 1835 but was rebuilt and completed with a neo-Gothic convent complex in 1872. The church played a role in the fight of Filipinos for independence against Spanish, American and Japanese conquerors.
“We cannot allow this historic church to go into a state of disrepair,” said Alex Wongchuking, Executive Director of the Wong Chu King Foundation, which has devoted its resources to rebuilding churches in the country, helping the poor get education and doing other charitable works.
The Wong Chu King Foundation is the social arm of Mighty Corporation or Mighty Corp, the first and only Filipino-owned cigarette manufacturing company in the Philippines. Wongchuking completed reconstruction work on the shrine last February and the official turn-over was held last March 30, on the occasion of the foundation’s 24th anniversary.
“The church strengthened the Filipino faith and it stands as a mute witness to the martyrdom of the defenders of Philippine freedom and nationhood,” Wongchuking said.
Cavite Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista said that the restoration of the church to its original architecture will “encourage people to grow in their faith, in a life of prayer and in a life of holiness, which is God’s desire for all of us.”
The Bishop also said that the roof and the walls of the shrine were crumbling and the church’s interior gradually deteriorating, Wong Chu King Foundation came like an answered prayer to them.
“With this beautiful church, one can say that the presence of God is really felt by the people,” Bishop Evangelista concluded.
Mrs. Nelia Dy Wongchuking, Wong Chu King Foundation President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was born in Naic and has fond memories of the church of her youth.
The young Nelia met her husband, Wongchuking, in the church vicinity while the latter was selling cigarettes, and their love blossomed against the backdrop of this ancient and historical landscape. Wongchuking later founded La Campana Fabrica de Tobacos shortly after the end of World War II. Both Wongchuking and his wife, Nelia, were a simple, hard-working and religious couple. The Christian values they brought to their workplace shaped the company that is now known as Mighty Corporation.
Wongchuking died several years ago but his legacy lives through the foundation which was put up in 1990 to perpetuate his name through scholarship programs, cultural and charitable activities.
In addition to rebuilding the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary, the foundation also built a new garden with a fountain for the parish, said Wong Chu King Foundation General Manager James Navarette said.
Mighty Corp President Edilberto Adan said the church was restored to its 19th century architectural design, but the scars made by cannon blasts on church walls were retained to preserve its history.
“The church strengthened the Filipino faith and it stands as a mute witness to the martyrdom of the defenders of Philippine freedom and nationhood,” Wongchuking said.
Cavite Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista said that the restoration of the church to its original architecture will “encourage people to grow in their faith, in a life of prayer and in a life of holiness, which is God’s desire for all of us.”
The Bishop also said that the roof and the walls of the shrine were crumbling and the church’s interior gradually deteriorating, Wong Chu King Foundation came like an answered prayer to them.
“With this beautiful church, one can say that the presence of God is really felt by the people,” Bishop Evangelista concluded.
Mrs. Nelia Dy Wongchuking, Wong Chu King Foundation President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was born in Naic and has fond memories of the church of her youth.
The young Nelia met her husband, Wongchuking, in the church vicinity while the latter was selling cigarettes, and their love blossomed against the backdrop of this ancient and historical landscape. Wongchuking later founded La Campana Fabrica de Tobacos shortly after the end of World War II. Both Wongchuking and his wife, Nelia, were a simple, hard-working and religious couple. The Christian values they brought to their workplace shaped the company that is now known as Mighty Corporation.
Wongchuking died several years ago but his legacy lives through the foundation which was put up in 1990 to perpetuate his name through scholarship programs, cultural and charitable activities.
In addition to rebuilding the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary, the foundation also built a new garden with a fountain for the parish, said Wong Chu King Foundation General Manager James Navarette said.
Mighty Corp President Edilberto Adan said the church was restored to its 19th century architectural design, but the scars made by cannon blasts on church walls were retained to preserve its history.
No comments:
Post a Comment