BACOLOD CITY—AN EIGHT-story building has been erected on the spot in the city’s reclamation area where Pope John Paul II delivered one of his more strongly-worded speeches on behalf of the poor.
The P17-million Pope John Paul II Tower sits on the 700-square-meter lot where the late leader of the Catholic Church spoke to thousands of Negrenses during his historic visit to the city on Feb. 20, 1981, San Sebastian Cathedral rector Fr. Felix Pasquin said.
The Pope John Paul II Tower was a “gift of love to the Catholic Church” from Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. president Simplicio Palanca, Pasquin said Thursday.
Catholic leaders here hope it would become a pilgrimage site and tourist attraction.
The tower, the most imposing structure in Bacolod City, features an 8-foot sculpture of the late Pontiff atop a 6-ft pedestal. The structure includes a 12-ft lighted cross.
Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem sculpted the statue showing Pope John Paul II giving his blessings to the people.
Two floors will be a museum that would house John Paul II memorabilia, including one of his vestments or albs, Pasquin said.
Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra on Monday received the alb from the Cardinal-Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, he said.
Bacolod residents have also sent in their souvenirs of the papal visit, including medals and pins that would be displayed at the museum, Pasquin said.
The museum would also display enlarged photos of the visit of the Pope to Negros, which was a major highlight in the life of the Diocese of Bacolod the past 75 years, he added.
Pasquin said they plan to establish linkages with travel agencies that include the tower in their itinerary when they sell Bacolod to tourists.
The tower’s seventh and eighth floors would serve as viewing decks where a coffee shop and a souvenir shop have been proposed, he said.
Palanca will turn over the tower to Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra on Feb. 18.
Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, is expected to attend the rites and assist Navarra in blessing the structure, Pasquin said.
After the turnover of the tower to the Diocese of Bacolod, the bishop might organize a management team to operate it, he said.
The construction of the tower was timed for the diamond jubilee of the diocese this year.
Pasquin said the late Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich had put up a marker to commemorate the Pope’s visit at the reclamation area but this could no longer be found.
Fortich had noted that during his visit to Bacolod, the Pope delivered one of his most powerful messages on behalf of the poor.
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