Restored Malinao church reopens to public

REDEDICATION RITES was held by representatives of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Parish of Malinao headed by Fr. Hermino 'Junjun' Felipe and the Local Government of Malinao led by Mayor Ariel Igoy to signal the official reopening  to the public of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church in Malinao today, December 15, 2018.

The reopening of the restored Akeanon heritage church is one of highlights of this year's Pascua sa Malinao Festival which is already on its 7th year.  This church was the place where  the centuries old Christmas tradition of 'misa de pastorelle' is held featuring the flight of the cometa (comet) and the two giant bitoon  sa eangit (heavenly stars) as well as the opening of the iconic granada amid the angelic voices of the pastora, a tradition that inspired the festival.

Inaugurated in the year 1889, the St. Joseph the Worker Church in Malinao, Aklan has undergone restoration under the auspices of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). The  restoration project cost is at Php 18 million.##

photo credits: Raymon Inolino Ileto

- report and text from Ro Akeanon FB