Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan joined the celebration of "Takayama Ukon Day" at the Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Intramuros, Manila, on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Lacuna-Pangan was blessed with Pope Francis' Apostolic Blessing for presiding over the Manila City Council that passed Resolution No. 273, Series of 2018, declaring Dec. 21 every year as "Blessed Takayama Ukon Day" in Manila.
Takayama Ukon Day is a three-part event that honors the life and legacy of Blessed Takayama Ukon, who is a historical religious figure known for his steadfast faith and dedication.
The celebration also marked the 409th anniversary of his arrival in Manila on Dec. 21, 1614 with 350 Catholics exiled from Tokugawa, Japan.
According to Mayor Honey, Takayama’s legacy had inspired a lot of citizens not just Japanese but Filipinos as well.
The event was participated in by the Embassy of Japan, represented by Shigehiro Matsuda, director of the Japan Information and Culture Center.
“Today's event holds special significance, as it marks a celebration of Takayama Ukon and a profound connection between the people of the Philippines and Japan at the grassroots level,” Matsuda said.
He said the annual event strengthens the deep-rooted relationship “woven into the fabric of history that goes beyond mere diplomatic ties.”
“Takayama's legacy acts as a bridge, bringing together the communities of Manila City and Takatsuki City; The Philippines and Japan; and the heart of every Filipino and Japanese in a shared celebration of faith, culture, and history,” he added.
The commemoration also commenced with a concelebrated Mass at the Manila Cathedral presided over by Cardinal Thomas Aquinas Maeda, underscoring the spiritual significance of Takayama Ukon's legacy.
The Mass was followed by a symbolic procession that took place from Postigo del Palacio to the PLM University Chapel, retracing the same route that Takayama Ukon once walked.