TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – The Provincial Government of Tarlac, through the Tarlac Provincial Tourism Office, in collaboration with the Catholic Chruch, through Diocese of Tarlac, officially opened the Tarlac Province Grand Marian Exhibit 2026 on September 16 at the Tarlac Capitol lobby.
The exhibit, which runs until October 1, features various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, and many more. It also highlights the crowning of the image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, led by Gov. Christian Yap.
The event began with a Holy Mass at the Bulwagan ng mga Gobernador, presided over by Rev. Fr. Alfredo Dizon, together with other clergy from the Diocese of Tarlac. The mass was dedicated to praising all the churches in Tarlac province that brought their Marian images to the exhibit.
In the homily, Rev. Fr. Mark Ulysses Castro reminded the faithful of Mary’s role as mediator. “Ito po ay tagapag-alala na si Maria ay tagapamagitan… siya ang naging kasangkapan ng Diyos upang maisilang ang kaniyang Bugtong na Anak,” he said.
Following the mass, the formal opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, led by Gov. Yap and the Tarlac Diocese. Also present were Board Member Harmes Sembrano and Provincial Tourism head Dr. Cherrylyn Pascua.
In his message, Gov. Yap expressed his gratitude to the Tarlac Diocese priests for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the Marian exhibit annually.
“Napakaganda pong pagkakataon na sama-sama nating nasaksihan ang pagbubukas ng Marian Exhibit dito sa ating Kapitolyo ngayong araw,” Yap said.
“Para sa ating mga Tarlaqueño, ang debosyon kay Mama Mary ay bahagi na ng ating buhay at pananampalataya. Sa bawat imahen na ating makikita sa exhibit, hindi lang kasaysayan at sining ang ating masasaksihan, kundi pati ang mga paniniwala at tradisyong patuloy nating ipinapasa sa susunod na henerasyon,” the governor added.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of those who shared their collections to make the exhibit possible. “Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumuo at nagbahagi ng kanilang mga koleksyon para maging posible ang espesyal na exhibit na ito. Inaanyayahan ko po kayong lahat na dumalaw dito sa Kapitolyo at masaksihan ang kagandahan ng Marian Exhibit.“
The exhibit, titled “Maria Pag-Asa ng Lahat,” is an annual project supported by the Provincial Government of Tarlac to deepen the community’s knowledge and continue the culture and tradition of Marian devotion. It is open to the public from September 16 to October 1.
A culmination mass is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The public is invited to visit the Tarlac Marian Exhibit at the Provincial Capitol lobby.
