Traffic was worse than terrible on Makati’s Pasay Road the late afternoon of the other Saturday.

Guest of Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Francisco Ortigas III, a distinguished visitor was celebrating Mass at Don Bosco Church—Monseñor Diego Monroy Ponce, Rector of the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe.

Each year, some 20 million visit La Villa de Guadalupe, many walking on their knees on rough stone pavement outside the modern church where 10,000 can fit.  Pilgrims come close to the image on a moving sidewalk from where they look up to the painting of Our Lady.

Hillary Clinton was at Guadalupe last March and asked Msgr. Monroy, “Who painted the image?”  The reply was, “God.”  The story is well-known.  The Blessed Mother appeared to the humble indio Juan Diego in December 1531 with the request that a church be built at that very place. Twice Juan Diego went to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga and was twice dismissed.  He was believed only when the third time, the indio unfolded his cloak.  Unheard of in cold December, roses tumbled to the floor and the Virgin’s image was revealed.

Credited with the quick conversion of 8 million Aztecs, Nstra. Sra. de Guadalupe is Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines.

Msgr. Monroy’s visit reminds us that from 1565 and until its independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico was our most important trading partner and that we were governed not from Spain but from Mexico.

The Rector visited Sta. Ana church to see the restoration work now underway accompanied by Ambassador and Mrs. Ortigas.  Funded by the Cofradía de la Inmaculada Concepción, traces were found two inches below the modern surface showing that Baptistry walls were originally like those of old Mexican churches, in happy reds and yellows, with gold leaf highlights.

Up to the Camarín de la Virgen, Msgr. Monroy viewed close the venerated image of Nstra. Sra. de los Desamparados.  The Rector unexpectedly burst into song, the beautiful “Salve Regina.”  Deeply moved, others in the group joined in.

The Camarín was in disarray, with pipe scaffolding holding up a plywood floor six feet below the artesonado (coffered) painted ceiling.  The Rector climbed a shaky ladder to join a half dozen Michelangelos busily cleaning the 18th century paintings.  The Monseñor remarked how some churches back home had similar chambers with the same kind of ceilings—a Mexican connection in art and architecture.

After the obligatory photographs and accompanied by parish leaders, the visitors proceeded to the convent, pausing at the tribuna for a closer view of the dome with its life-size paintings of Christ, the apostles and the evangelists.  The visit ended with a merienda of soft drinks, peanuts and cookies.

Two hours later, the Monseñor was with the thousands gathered at Mass to hear the message of Guadalupe.

Cemex, the Mexican cement company, is one of the country’s largest foreign investors.  A large Philippine firm, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. has operations in Mexico. The Philippines and Mexico are rediscovering each other.

Comments are cordially invited, addressed to walalang@mb.com.ph.