THE first church history book ever written since Christianity came to Pangasinan in 1587 titled “Pananisia: Heritage and Legacy” was launched on March 25 at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City.

In his message, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, book author said, “Pananisia is faith. It is faith that is our heritage.  It is faith that is our legacy for future generation”.

Pananisia is a Pangasinan word which means faith.

Thw 258- page full -color coffee table book contains  photos never before published about the Catholic heritage of Pangasinan.

The book is the result of well-researched  scholarly publication on the history of the  Catholic Church in north central Philippines, which in the beginning included  Nueva Ecija, Zambales, La Union and Tarlac.

Villegas said so many officials of the Church and government have come and gone,  “but what this book celebrates is that concrete person who has never left Pangasinan and who has stayed in Pangasinan all through the years. And that is  Jesus Christ”.

“We already have saints who have served in Pangasinan, and their names are written in the  book. We already have martyrs who became parish priests in Lingayen, in San Carlos City, in Dagupan City, who are now saints and beatos of the Catholic church.  And this is our wealth in Pangasinan,” the archbishop said.

Recalling how and when he started in Pangasinan as archbishop, he felt that writing the book was part of his mission from God.

In her message, Congresswoman Gina de Venecia lauded Villegas for taking the lead in writing the book “because the story of Catholicism in my home province is told through gorgeous photographs and lyrical prose by Archbishop Soc himself”.

De Venecia said Pangasinan has become a much better place already with Villegas’ presence as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

She credited Villegas for building the first theology seminary in Pangasinan, the Mary Help of Christians Theology Seminary in San Fabian, the initiative to declare Our Lady of Manaoag Church as a Basilica Minore by His Holiness, Pope Francis last February

She said the launching of his coffee table book is a tangible religious heritage that mirrors the culture and the real identity of Pangasinense.

Proceeds of the sales of the coffee table book will benefit the Mary, Help of Christians Seminary scholarship program.  It sells at P1,700 in the bookstores.

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., his wife Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia and the Vera-Perez Family sponsored the book launching in Quezon City.

Among the guests were Felicidad Tan-Sy (wife of Henry Sy),  Gloria Romero and film producer Lily Monteverde.–(Tita Roces)

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