Dos and don’ts for a safe Manaoag centennial celebration

In just a week, the centennial celebration of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan will be marked on April 22.

With the theme “Inan Maria: Crowned in Grace, Calling Us to Jesus,” the celebration honors the Blessed Virgin Mary and her call for the faithful to follow the teachings of her Son.

It also recalls the Marian image’s origin story, where the Blessed Mother is said to have appeared to a local farmer from a tree and instructed him to build a church on the site so devotees could seek her intercession.

Here are reminders for those who will participate in the event.

Procession coordinator Fr. Jerome Geronimo, O.P., advised the public to bring umbrellas and fans to cope with expected hot weather, as well as water bottles to stay hydrated.

Devotees were also reminded to bring rosaries and candles with wax holders for the grand procession on Wednesday, April 22.

Meanwhile, Police Maj. Peter Paul Sison, Manaoag police chief, said the following items are prohibited during the centennial celebration:

• Weapons
• Fireworks
• Glass containers
• Drones
• Laser pointers

Sison also advised the public to use transparent bags and avoid wearing caps.

He added that the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office and the Police Regional Office 1 will deploy additional personnel to secure Manaoag town during the celebration.

Carlito Hernando, head of the Manaoag Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said personnel will be deployed at town borders and adjacent areas, along with response teams for fire and search-and-rescue operations.

The MDRRMO will also conduct a four-day operation from April 20 to 23 for the centennial celebration.

Eleven medical stations will be set up to address health concerns.

In case of emergencies, the Manaoag Sports Complex will serve as the designated evacuation center.

Designated parking areas have also been prepared as millions of devotees are expected to attend, with about 100,000 people anticipated in the town.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag has released the route for the grand procession on April 22 at 4 p.m.

A solemn reenactment of the canonical coronation will also be held at 9 a.m. on the same day.

The Marian image was originally crowned on April 21, 1926, by Msgr. Guillermo Piani, then apostolic delegate to the Philippines, on behalf of Pope Pius XI.—MCG, GMA News