‘Pagsungko Ki Ina’ 2015: Fr. Rex Hidalgo’s 3D Homily

‘Pagsungko Ki Ina’ 2015 
Fr. Rex Hidalgo’s 3D Homily 

This year’s traditional ‘Pagsungko Ki Ina’ caught me

by surprise as it was just the first week of August, still

more than a month away from the Penafrancia Fiesta.

I arrived  at Plaza Medica and greeted by  the image of the 

‘Lady of Penafrancia’ in a makeshift altar at the lobby.

It was was brought earlier by devotees on a procession by carrying 
her on their shoulders, while praying and  singing hymns on the way.

“Pagsungko ki Ina’ is a yearly pre- fiesta tradition

where the image of the ‘Lady of Penafrancia’ is

brought to different communities, institutions and

even private households in the Bicol Region.

Year after year, I have been posting about this tradition

but I never focused on the priest that presided the mass-
but this time, Fr.Rex  Hidalago’s homily was just

too good to ignore as he caught everyone’s attention.

He came literally armed and prepared to make his point 
and to get everybody’s eyes and ears to the podium.

He sang and danced,

…and pointed out that stars, does 
not literally mean- movie stars.

He played the role of the devil incarnate to the hilt,

…he then produced a shining armor (a toy

sword with flickering light) to fight him off,

… winning the fight by earning a halo.

He even turned to me and gave me a smile and a peace 
sign and gamely posed when he saw me taking photos.

He then  became an angel with a 
throbbing heart in between his  wings.

…and finally 'levitated' (by standing on

a chair) before he ended his homily.

The good priest appeared like a talented

stand- up comedian with a sacred cause.

He kept his SRO flock entertained during the sermon

and made them laugh their way to holiness without

faulting or giving them a tinge of guilt and rudeness.

Father Hidalgo makes us realize our wrong 
deeds, albeit happily and without repercussions.

He makes us laugh out loud to exaltation 
and  gloriously giggle our way to sanctity.

We are blessed on whatever we do and whatever happens 
in our lives. Smile, laugh and be happy. I believe that’s what
 God  meant us to be- and he sent Fr. Hidalgo to do the job.

Read the links below for related posts

Penafrancia Fiesta; All Day Home Cooked Feast
Penafrancia Translacion 2013  @ Caby’s Cabana, Naga City
'Pagsungko ki Ina', 2013  Jardin Real de Naga Clubhouse
Pagsungko ki Ina, 2012; the Clubhouse,Jardin Real de Naga 
Naga City’s Flores de Mayo at Penafrancia de Mayo

Pagsungko ki Ina, 2014 Plaza Medica, Naga City Penafrancia Fiesta 2014, Series 1

Translacion 2014: Penafrancia Fiesta 2014, Series 3