History is made on June 20, 2018 as Bayambangueños witnessed the Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the construction of the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in Brgy. Bani. Bayambang is eyeing to clinch another title in the Guinness Book of World Records aside from the record for the world’s longest barbeque grill. The prayer park will feature a 51-meter St. Vincent Ferrer statue, a monumental structure made with steel and engineered bamboo that would be taller than the Statue of Liberty in the United States of America and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao gave credit to his wife, Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose-Quiambao, who had the idea of constructing a shrine for the town’s patron in time for the celebration of the 400th year of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish in Bayambang and the 600th death anniversary of the saint on April 5, 2019. The Mayor also thanked the sponsors shouldering 100% of the cost, namely, Stradcom, Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. (KKSBFI), and CS First Green, together with JQS Builders, Far East Industrial Supply & Company, RAA–Architects, Engineers & Consultancy Services, and Puzzlebox 3D for their support in making the construction possible.

“Now we are creating a landmark for people to remember and recognize Bayambang,” Mayor Quiambao announced. According to Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, by the time the prayer park is finished, Bayambang will not only be known as the fifth capital of the Philippines or the record holder for the world’s longest barbeque grill, it will also be known as the religious town where the tallest statue of St. Vincent Ferrer in the entire world can be found.

Rev. Fr. Allen O. Romero reminded everyone that the land is being developed to become “a beautiful place where people can go and have peace of mind, where pilgrims from different places can visit, and where people can pray and meditate and venerate our patron.” Fr. Romero led the blessing of the area while Dr. Henry J. Fernandez, who will be the Hermano Mayor for the year 2019, led the Jubilee Prayer to St. Vincent Ferrer.

“Tayo pong lahat ay mawawala sa mundong ibabaw, pero ang iiwanan nating kasaysayang ito ay magiging permanente,” Vice-Mayor Sabangan said. He then added that, “Sa dami po ng nangyayaring magaganda sa ating bayan, this is the time na tayo po sana ay magkaisa upang sa ganoon ay mas mapabuti, mas mapaayos, at mas maging masagana ang ating bayan ng Bayambang.” Senior Tourism Operations Officer Rafael L. Saygo then reiterated the call of Mayor Quiambao to be “makabayan” instead of being “makasarili.” KKSBFI Managing Director Levin N. Uy also encouraged those who were present, which included the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons led by SK Federation President Gabriel Tristan Fernandez, LGU department heads and employees, representatives from the major sponsors, school heads, and the Bayambangueños who became a part of the historic event, to “be a Jesus to others,” even quoting St. Vincent Ferrer himself when he said that “Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God.”

A time capsule, where the message of Mayor Quiambao and other materials relevant to the event were placed, was buried on the site of the ceremony. It will be opened on June 20, 2029, exactly 10 years after the momentous event.

The statue is set to be finished on March 31, 2019.

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