00:00 Aside from the Day of the Hearts, Catholics are also celebrating Ash Wednesday in different parts of the country.
00:06 And from the Baclaran Church in Paranaque, we have a reporter on the spot, Mackie Polido.
00:11 The whole day from 5.30 to 7pm, the mass is held here in Baclaran Church.
00:22 It's also Baclaran Day, so the mass is held from time to time. But because it's Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lent season,
00:31 when you enter the entrances of the Baclaran Church, there are mothers or seminarians who are offering prayers to the ancestors of the Catholics.
00:43 So, you know, the offering of the Lent is an external gesture of returning to God this Lent.
00:52 In the belief of the Catholic Church, it symbolizes the poor life of man.
00:58 And because the Lent is also the return of man, it's better to be worthy to do and think of God.
01:04 This day is the beginning of the Lent season, as I mentioned, and it will culminate in Holy Week, the time of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
01:13 According to Fr. Rico John Bilangel, Rector of the Baclaran Church, it's good that Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday are held together.
01:21 It's a good reminder of how to deepen the relationship with our fellowmen and loved ones.
01:28 More than the activities of others, like going to expensive restaurants, dating, and giving gifts,
01:34 it's better to deepen our love for God and to date the Lord in the Church.
01:41 This is the statement of Fr. Rico John Bilangel, Rector of the Baclaran Church.
01:46 Let us celebrate Valentine's Day by going back to the original intent of what God's love is.
01:58 There is a beautiful message that the sun of hearts and the Wednesday of the Holy Spirit coincides.
02:05 At the end of the day, it is about God's ultimate sacrifice and love.
02:12 You know, Connie, the truth is that many of us, some of the Catholics who went to the Baclaran Church,
02:25 and the other couples, the only one we talked to, their wedding anniversary is today.
02:31 They've been together for 21 years.
02:34 And it's their anniversary on Valentine's Day.
02:38 But because it's Ash Wednesday, they chose to go to the Church because their priority is the Church this Ash Wednesday.
02:47 Connie?
02:48 Happy Valentine's Day and thank you very much, Maki Polido.
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03:06 [music]
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