1521 and 2021 are remarkable and unforgetable years in history.
In the year 1521, the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan and three Spanish ships (there were originally 5 at the start of the voyage) arrived in our islands (which was named by Magellan as "
"Las Islas de San lazaro": it was another explorer Rui Lopez de Villalobos that called our islands "Felipinas" or Philippines in 1542). On that expedition was a Spanish priest
Fr. Pedro de Valderrama. The Augustinian priest celebrated both the first mass and baptism in our archipelago - in Masawa (Limasawa, Mar 13, 1521) and Sugbu (Cebu, April 14, 1521), respectively.
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| Circumnavegation of the globe by the Magellan expedition |
The first mass and the first baptism marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in our country and the spead of Christianity in this part of the world.
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| A painting by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo on the First Baptism in the Philippines |
500 years later, this 2021, Roman Catholicism is very much the main religion in the Philippines.
86% of the population is Roman Catholic. But the year 2021 is also a year of great tragedy for the country (and for many countries, for that matter) as it is ravaged by a resurgent covid pandemic. The health system in the National Capital Region is overwhelmed and many Filipinos have lost a family member (in some cases, multiple family members) to the virus. In the midst of this gargantuan health crisis, Catholic diocesses have suspended public Masses, restricted access to Confession, and postponed Confirmation and other Sacramental celebrations.
But life goes on and it is during these difficult and unsettling times, that people turn more to their Faith, to their Church for stability and inner peace.
Thus, important events and activities are happening this 2021 to commemorate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. To celebrate the Quincentennial.
Consider the following:
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| Pope Francis presided over a festive Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica in March 14 to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines 500 years ago. |
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| Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila and now prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, concelebrated the mass with Pope Francis |
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| Bishop Precioso Cantillas of the Diocese of Maasin led the unveiling last Mar 22 of the painting depicting the First Easter Sunday Mass in the Philippines. A member of the diocese' youth ministry, Dionesio Gayo made the 10X5 acrylic painting. |
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| The Spanish naval training ship, Juan Sebastian Elcano departs Cebu in a display of fireworks in Mar 22 as it passes under the 8-km long Cebu Cordoba Link Expressway which is under construction. The ship arrived in Cebu Mar 20 in a Goodwill Port Call in commemoration of the Quincentennial celebrations of the arrival of Christianity. |
A lot of celebrating history happening this 2021.
Runners are history buffs too and thank God for a race director like Griv Brown for there is the
Quincentennial Ultramarathon 50.0K scheduled for April 10. The Bicolano Penguin have joined in the past a couple of ultramarathons that Griv organized:
TC2BS and
CC2AC. Both were well-organized and replete with historic significance. Must be the teacher in him that inspired Griv to teach history to his runner-participants.
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| Race Director Griv Brown in a race briefing in one of the ultramarathons he has organized in the past. |
His history teaching ways are evident in his latest ultra. There is actually no registration fee for the Quincentennial Ultramarathon 50.0K but for those who like to run with a bit of history on them, Griv offers several enticing finisher item options. Runners are free to choose what finisher item they will recieve and each item has a corresponding selling prize. One can literally tailor fit his finisher items according to his budget.
Given that the DOH guidelines for the ECQ in Metro Manila included requiring runners to wear face masks and time for running limited from 6am to8am in the morning, the Bicolano Penguin had to request from Griv that he be allowed to finish the 50km distance in 3 tranches. (3 days) as opposed to just one day. Race Director Griv granted this request.
It took the Bicolano Penguin 3 mornings (April 7, April 8 and April 9) to finish all 50kms with a total running time of 7 hours & 51 mins. Ran inside our village. For this ultra, I ended up wearing 3 pairs of running shoes and the T8 running mask proved to be a practical invention.
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| Members of the Saforun team having a group photo in Tacloban City after finishing the Quincentennial Ultramarathon. |
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| Jean Nelyn Solis ran her Quincentennial Ultra in the hilly roads of Sarangani province. |
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| Myla Barretto of Team Sinarapan had her finish of the Quicentennial Ultra in front of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Buhi, Camarines Sur. |
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| Rene Bestudio and Bryan Surigao of Catbalogan Running Society started their Quincentennial Ultra when it was still dark. |
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| Eduardo Cailo, Ethel Cailo and Grace Solarte of Catbalogan Running Circle take a breather in their Quincentennial Ultra. |
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| Gray Bateo of Tenderfoot Organization of Enthusiastic Striders (T.O.E.S.) at the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park in Palo, Leyte. |
50 kilometers in the nascent days of summer. 50 kilometers in all that humidity and heat. Why do humans join this ultramarathon. Why join the Quincentennial Ultramarthon 50.0K? Here is an answer from one of the participants - Gray Bateo:
"Joining Quincentennial 50K Ultramarathon does not only give me the opportunity to the do the ting I loved most (joining ultramarathon events) which was denied to us runners during the pandemic but it likewise gives me the chance to join in commemorating the historic 500th anniversary celebration of the Christian Faith in the Philippines , and the Philippines' part in the first circumnavigation of the world."
Well said. Well done...
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