CEBU CITY – At least 37 individuals were hospitalized due to alleged food poisoning in a religious event at the International Eucharistic Congress Convention Center (IC3) here Sunday night.
The victims were the performers of the Pentecost Celebration that was organized by the Cebu Archdiocese Commission on the Laity.
The victims were brought to two separate hospitals in Cebu City, said Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the archdiocese.
Tan said the victims suffered from "mild to severe cases of stomach upset due to possible food poisoning."
In a statement, Commission on Laity chairperson Fe Mantuhac-Barino said the victims started vomiting after eating “humba,” a popular Cebuano pork dish.
"They were part of a group of performers during the event attended by representatives of charismatic communities in Cebu," Barino said.
Barino said the commission is still awaiting the result of the investigation of the Department of Health-Central Visayas to determine whether or not they will take action against the food supplier.
The Feast of the Pentecost, which was also a celebration for the Charismatic Jubilee in celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, was held in strict coordination with the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force, Emergency Operations Center, and the city government, Barino said.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over a Mass during the event.
"The hospital bills incurred by the performers during the medical observation period were all paid for by the Charismatic Communities with the assistance of Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma," Barino added.