May 8, 2017 ~ St. Peregrine Laziosi Diocesan Shrine. With a marching band playing festive music, the fiesta mass in honor of the Patron Saint, St. Peregrine Laziosi, presided over by The Most Rev Jesse E. Mercado, Bishop of Parañaque, and concelebrated with the friar-priests of the Order of Servants of Mary (the parish of St. Peregrine Laziosi is under the care and management of the St. Peregrine Philippine Vicariate of the Order) went underway May 7th, 2017. Following the mass, lunch was served at the reception at the Parish Hall. Lunch boxes were also given out to parishioners who took part in the celebrations.

The Fiesta Mass was the highlight of the 2-week long celebration of the Parish feast in honor of St. Peregrine Laziosi. Among the activities for this year’s fiesta was the Visita di San Pellegrino wherein a pilgrim image of St. Peregrine visited the communities within the jurisdiction of the Parish, spending at least a night over. Following the Visita di San Pellegrino was the start of the Novena masses held every 6:30 in the evening at the St. Peregrine Laziosi Diocesan Shrine.

Other activities during this fiesta celebration was the Kasalang Bayan held April 29, 2017, a procession of the image of the parish patron saint together with the patron saint of every community. This was held on the day of the celebration of the Liturgical Feast of St. Peregrine last 4th of May. It is traditionally observed that the parish feast be celebrated on the first Sunday of May regardless of when the liturgical feast day falls on the calendar. Both are held in utmost solemnity albeit the liturgical feast in a more subdued tone.

A Medical Mission (Operation Tuli) was also organized together with the Kiwanis Club of Muntinlupa Rizal to give medical assistance to parishioners and provide a free circumcision procedure to young boys from the parish. A total of 150-200 young boys and a number of the elderly and infants were able to avail of this free medical service.

To herald in the feast day, bells from the different community chapels simultaneously tolled together at 6 in the morning of May 6. The Bishop of Parañaque, assisted by the Parochial Administrator, presided over the Confirmation Rites in the morning and a sportsfest organized by the Commission on Youth was held in the afternoon.

Culminating the fiesta celebrations was the Search for Mrs. St. Peregrine Fiesta Queen 2017. The pageant was held at the Parish Hall at 7 in the evening. Six candidates from the communities competed in several categories showcasing their beauty, talent and intellect. Mrs. Mary Ann M. Ranido of Sikatville was named Mrs St. Peregrine Fiesta Queen 2017 while runners-up were (1st) Mrs. Rosita P. Herradura of Villa Carolina 1 and (2nd) Mrs. Ma. Esherlita E. Balat of Lodora Village. Other awards handed out were Ms. Photogenic and People’s Choice Award (Mrs. Josefina E. Vardadero, Parkhomes Subd.), Best in Talent (Mrs. Rosita P. Herradura, Villa Carolina 1) and Best in Long Gown (Mrs. Mary Ann M. Ranido, Sikatville).