By Marc Cosep
PIO Digital Media Specialist

CEBU CITY (November 28, 2022) — A pleasant sight greeted employees towards the end of the flag-raising ceremony this morning, when the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, the Patroness of Cebu City, arrived at City Hall and stayed for half the day.

Waving blue and white flaglets, the employees welcomed her as they sang the “O Maria, Rayna Sa Pilipinas” when her motorcade arrived at the Plaza Sugbo grounds fronting the City Hall Legislative Building.

The image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu after exiting the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

Mayor Mike Rama told the employees during his regular flag-raising ceremony address that the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe plays an important part in his life.

“I cannot help but feel emotional because during my younger years my family always asked for the help of Our Lady,” he said.

I cannot help but feel emotional because during my younger years my family always asked for the help of Our Lady.

Mayor Mike Rama

He also said that upon their travel back to Cebu from their recent Singapore trip, both his wife Malou and their son MJ fell ill.

“But I interceded and prayed for them through Mama Mary unya naulian sila,” the mayor said.

“That is why we should always pray for our Mama Mary despite our trials,” he said.

The motorcade of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu after passing through Fuente Osmena and to Osmena Blvd. on its way to City Hall. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

Immediately upon arrival, the image was immediately brought to the Legislative Building Social Hall, where employees from various departments prayed and offered their petitions.

The office of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Market Office, Department of General Services, City Assessor’s Office, and the City Administrator’s Office led the vigil that followed.

Mayor Mike Rama was among those who embraced the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe upon its arrival at the City Hall. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

At 11 a.m., her image was then brought down back to the Plaza Sugbo grounds where a Rev. Fr. Romulo Ofredo officiated a Mass. 

He said the City is fortunate to have been visited by the Our Lady of Guadalupe and told everyone to always embody the three virtues of Mother Mary in their Christian journey.

A mass at held outside City Hall at around 11 a.m. today before the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe was brought to the Cebu Provincial Capitol next before its return to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

“You are very lucky because she has visited you here today.  That is why we must always remember to embody her virtues of love, humility, and kindness as we journey in our Christian life,” he said.

After the mass, the image was brought to the Cebu Provincial Capitol building before she was brought back to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu. The City Hall visit is part of a series of activities in line with the celebration of her feast day on December 12.  #