Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, DD, STL
Archbishop
Archdiocese of Lipa
MONTEMARIA
Montemaria, a promontory located in Barangay Pagkilatan,
Thenceforth Montemaria, as name and place, became famous the world over. With such renown, the
After three years, in which many were expecting and inquiring
about the promised huge Marian image to be already in place, Fr.Suarez on February 4, 2010 at 0807H texted me: (sic) “Gud am po. I try to col u po to let u know that the board and da donors are unanimous in not building the shrine in mtmaria a condition that congressman mandanas is asking. I need to talk to u person about da development soon.” This fact was actually announced the previous night, during a concert at the Meralco Theatre. Thereafter it was made public that the last mass in Montemaria would be on February 14, 2010. Someone texted me on February 15: (sic) “Hve u heard that Fr Ido was escorted & whisked away by PNP aftr his Mass ystrday. Call & txt threats r recd....”
The news of the pullout was met with diverse reactions, mostly
negative especially against Dodo Mandanas and indirectly against the Archdiocese of Lipa. Text exchanges indicate a great deal of perplexity resulting among many, including Batangueños. The forthcoming elections did not escape being linked with the stunning declaration. Some say that he (sic) “saw one tarpaulin by d road of Dodo w/ a hole in d eye”. Dodo is Congressman Mandanas about whom it is also said: (sic) “Matutuwa si Bokal Berberabe”.
I myself cannot get away from queries. My only declaration is: “Fr. Suarez and his groups, both the Companions of the Cross as well as the so-called Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation (MMP), came without our inviting them. We accepted them with open arms trying to help them in some difficult problems. Now that they unilaterally declare their leaving Montemaria and the Archdiocese of Lipa, we cannot stop them. Let it be clear that we do not send them away.”
Questions continue to be raised. As the current shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lipa, I must give my views on how things developed.
Let me narrate the following:
1. I met Fr. Ido for the first time when he was introduced to me by Fr. Rodem Ramos sometime in 2006. He offered help for the construction of the Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace Church in Antipolo del Norte,
2. At one point in 2006, Fr. Ido through Fr. Rodem signified his desire to establish himself in the
3. In January 7, 2007, I was invited to concelebrate with His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales the Holy Mass and blessing of the cornerstone of the Virgin of the Poor image and Basilica which would rise on the location. The Virgin Statue will be taller than the Statue of Liberty. For the first time I reached Matuko Point and admired the beauty of the place. At that time, I was not asked to speak, as the local archbishop. Many noticed that. I would have expressed my agreement to the plan because of other poor who will benefit from the project.
4. It turned out that Fr Ido and Congressman Mandanas met. That meeting’s casualty was my proposal for a future Church for the poor in another area. That was shelved due to the Mandanas offer. Congressman Mandanas offers five hectares for the proposed shrine. Dodo Mandanas was the author of the word Montemaria which thenceforth replaced the name Matuko Point.
5. In mid-2009 Dodo Mandanas saw me to give a proposal, without touching on the five hectares set aside for Fr Ido's project. He says he would set aside around ten hectares for further religious site development, owned by ‘members’ but administered by the archdiocese. I realized that Mr Mandanas and Fr Ido's group had a falling away. Nevertheless Dodo Mandanas did not withdraw his pledge to donate the five hectares. I held the “arrangement” with the archdiocese in abeyance. Certainly the archdiocese cannot accept the administrative role of business projects, especially that which connotes exclusivity. (With the withdrawal of Fr Ido,s plan, this became moot and academic, Dodo avers.)
6. Many questions come from the local clergy and from other people regarding the project. Late October in the
7. The set February meeting came. Interested persons were
present, including my acquaintance from
is reported donating, more than eighty-six hectares. Anybody in the place of Fr Ido and his associates will understandably
find the better offer attractive. Batangas, especially in that Pagkilatan area, cannot donate that huge property. Long before, the place was destined to become an ecotourism center. The Foundation was reported eager to buy the needed portion around the donated zone at a low price.
Montemaria will remain in Batangas without the grandiose
plans. After all Dodo Mandanas was the one who coined the
word MONTEMARIA to replace the old name Matuko Point.
Batangas / the Archdiocese of Lipa may not have been the ideal place for the magnificent project. But we welcomed it when it came to us. We ask forgiveness if our generosity and openness was too limited. Forever will we be grateful to the Foundation and to Fr Ido for being patient with us and making us share immense blessings all these past three years. We cheerfully received them when they came; we consider it our loss now that they go. We wish them all success for their worthy endeavor for God and the Blessed Mother, Virgin of the Poor. #UB
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