Marian Shrine Taller than the Statue of Liberty

Let’s allow some facts to speak:

Name of Project: Shrine of Mary Mother of the Poor

Projected Cost: 1 Billion Pesos

Groundbreaking date: January 7, 2007

Location: Montemaria (Mount of Mary), Batangas looking over South China Sea

Project Proponent: Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation of healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez

Architect: Eduardo Castrillo, a prostate cancer survivor (Major Works: The Redemption and the Apostles at the Loyola Memorial Park in Paranaque and Marikina; the Arsenio Lacson statue in Sta. Cruz, Manila; the Spirit of Pinaglabanan in San Juan; the abstract Pillar of Growth at the Metrobank Plaza in Makati; Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Nations in Donacyno Hill, Poland; Nuestra Senora de Guia at Plaza Ferguson in Ermita, Manila; Nuestra Senora de Remedios in front of the Malate church in Manila; and the Nuestra Senora de Loreto at the Loreto Church in Bustillos, Manila.)

Medium: Brass and steel

Height: The shrine would stand 110 meters, but 92.9 meters (or 204 feet) of that would consist of the statue of Mary, Mother of the Poor; taller than the statue of Liberty in New York with a height from base to torch is only 46.5 meters or 102.3 feet.

Other facts: 33 storeys high, taller than the statue in Rio de Janeiro; In the lower ground of the oratory, images of popular Philippine Marian devotions – Our Lady of Manaoag, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Our Lady of Piat, Ina Poon Bato, Our Lady of Caysasay, Our Lady of Antipolo, Our Lady of Mediatrix and Birhen ng Barangay

Timeframe: Within 4 years (Liberty took 10 years)

Sample Reactions:

From Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles:
“It has been their dream and it is not bad to dream.”
“I’m in favor of whatever place of gathering for rich and the poor. I’m in favor of having a place of prayer.”
“But if they do it and the people will praise them or condemn them, it’s their look out.”

From Canon Law expert and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz through the Philippine Daily Inquirer:
“…he liked the idea of having such a shrine, but building one at such a huge cost was unwarranted, considering the country’s dismal economic situation.”

The Project in Youtube:

A 3D Animation:

Thank you Mama Mary that you remain our Mother in our direst of needs…

———————–
Sources:
sikatangpinoy
filipinojournal
CBCP News
Philippine Daily Inquirer