Lapu-Lapu City (Opon) is a first class and highly urbanized City in the province of Cebu located in Region VII-Central Visayas here in the Philippines.
The place was founded by the Agustinian friars in 1730 and was named Opon and is known for its historical and religious sites such as the Church of Our Lady of the Rule also known as Nuestra Señora Virgen De la Regla Church.
It was the title given to our Blessed Virgin Mary by the natives of Cebu who believed that the prosperity, They say that it gives a blessing achieved through the strength of her maternal intercessions.
The Virgen De La Regla became the Patroness of Lapu-Lapu City. Their devotion started in 1735 when Father Francisco Avalle was appointed as the first parish priest in Opon. he came from Andalucia Spain and brought a painting of the Virgin's image with him. Using the painting, since then, the Virgen De La Regla has became a part of the lives of Oponganons.
Every year, the town people celebrates the Feat Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the 20th and 21st day in November. Inthis month, the people are seen busy organizing and preparing everything including the activities which will happen in this annual celebration. One of these is the novena (Novemeber 12), it is one of the main highlight of the celebration.
In addition to this, after the novena, the people would gather up on the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to wotness the Fluvial parade that sails around the island from Pacific Cebu Resort to Muelle Osmeña Wharf, passing the sceneries in Plantation Bay, Blue Water, Tambuli Hotel, Shangri-La, Moevenpick and many more luxurious pavements sitted by the sea.
I am led to believe that the Virgen de la Regla, our Mother and the Mother of Jesus, symbolizes God's intinmate precese in our lives. That through her we experience God's closeness in or personal life. And this experience of closeness is whar, I believe, makes the Virgen de la Regla so popular and the resons why people keep on coming. The Virgen de la Regla is the mother of the spiritual family to which we all belong. And this should make us reflect that we are a blessed people. For while she is with us there is always hope.
Happy Fiesta Oponganons :) !
Researcher and Writer: Roxan Marie Potot
Graphic Artist: Trixie Amor Mamugay
Editor: Shara Mae Verdun
Photographer: Re-Jane Nalam
Public Relations Officer: Jessa Biboso
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