Hans Sy honors his mom Felicidad with an exhibit-tribute to Mother Mary
On this sunny day the Sky Sanctuary beams like a jewel. Sitting atop the Mall of Asia, it is a crown of blue and white that shines brightly.
This beautiful structure was intended as a gift from one loving son to his beloved mother.
Mrs. Felicidad Sy, or Nanang to many, is the pious matriarch of the Sy family. It was she who thought of building a chapel or having Mass celebrated in every SM mall so that spending time with the Lord might be accessible to everyone. She intentionally and generously helps the clergy, religious institutions and churches with their ministries and projects.
She also has a great love for the Blessed Mother. Knowing that honoring Our Lady would give her the greatest joy, Nanang’s son Hans had an enlightened idea. Offering the space to Father Genaro Diwa, the head of Manila’s Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, its inaugural exhibit was opened to the public last Monday, May 5, in time for Mother’s Day.
“May is the month of mothers,” Father Genie Diwa says. And the month of May is also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the mother of all mothers, the mother of us all. This Mother’s Day gift and the exhibition of the Marian images: the confluence of these two events are a true manifestation of love.
The oval-shaped Sky Sanctuary is meant as a place of inspiration and reflection—a refuge from the world. Visitors can reflect on the beautiful images of the Blessed Mother here, represented in her various titles.
The exhibit is entitled “Mahal na Birhen: Kaisa sa Lakbay ng Pag-Asa.” Father Genie explains that “This is in consonance with the (Jubilee) Year of Hope—in which the late Pope Francis has invited us to journey into a deeper appreciation and discovery of our Hope as people of God. This exhibit is not just a display, it is a spiritual journey. A journey alongside Mama Mary, our beloved Mother, whose grace and compassion guide us through a life of hope and faith.”
The exhibition runs until July 25, after which curator Father Rolando Limjoco shares that a program of succeeding events has been planned. The space will feature changing exhibitions celebrating the beauty and art of the Christian faith while also holding conferences and lectures in the venue.
There are even opportunities for learning about Philippine culture. At the opening of the exhibit, artisans Erick John de Leon Tiglao, Ameer Diokno Olimpo and Christian Eguillon demonstrated the sinusog—a traditional way of stringing together sampaguita leis in snugly bound layers.
There was a floral coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal by the Hijas de Manila—a century-old organization of devotees who offer flowers to the Blessed Mother. Music at the event was provided by the Banda San Fransisco de Maragondon, or Banda Matanda from General Trias, Cavite who have been in existence since 1888 and who first played the Philippine National Anthem in 1898.
Those who come here may also pray the Holy Rosary by following a walkway around the Sanctuary which features globes of light, each of them set a few meters apart. Drone shots taken from overhead make it appear as a beautiful illuminated rosary.
Father Rolando Limjoco shares that this place has unexpectedly become a kind of shelter where people come to share their stories about life, faith and the intercession of Mary. We all look for our mothers—no matter how old we are—when we are lost, when we need healing, when we want to share our joy.
When we no longer have our earthly mothers, Mama Mary is still with us to accompany us, embrace us, and bring us to her Son.
