ETERNAL GARDENS UNVEILS TRANSFIGURATION IMAGE IN CABUYAO, LAGUNA

ETERNAL Gardens marked a great milestone in its corporate history on June 18, 2019, when it unveiled its famous symbol, the image of the Transfiguration of Jesus,  in the City of Cabuyao, Laguna.

Once dubbed as the “richest municipality in the Philippines” because of the big number of migrant workers from other towns and cities in its industrial estates, Cabuyao,  at this time a city, is now the home of the 11th branch of Eternal Gardens. From this youngest park in the Eternal Gardens group, the venerated image looms in a gesture of blessing over the city.

No less than former president of the Republic and then Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the guest of honor at the unveiling of the Transfig-uration image. It was the second visit of the Speaker in the city in eight months, having also graced the groundbreaking of the newest Eternal Gardens branch in barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna in October last year.

The event also marked the blessing of the San Vicente Ferrer Plaza built by Eternal Gardens in honor of the patron saint of barangay Mamatid.

Speaker Arroyo was joined by her spouse, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and their son,  former Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo.

D. Edgard A. ­Cabangon, chairman of the ALC Group of Companies and of Eternal Gardens, welcomed guests, along with top company executives including Benjamin V. Ramos, vice chairman; Numeriano B. Rodrin, president and chief operating officer of Eternal Gardens, and D. Antoinette Caban-gon Jacinto, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Eternal Plans, Inc.

Other officials present as special guests were Barangay Mamatid chairwoman Erlinda Alcasabas, Cabuyao Vice Mayor Leif Opiña, and Mayor Rommel Gecolea.

In her speech, Ms. Arroyo congratulated local officials and residents “for having Eternal Gardens here. The city of Cabuyao has good investment prospects”  and the Cabangon family recognizes this.

She also said she was thankful that the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, whom she had named as the country’s representative to Laos when she was president, had initiated the expansion of Eternal Gardens to Cabuyao.

The former President and Speaker also said that the installation of the image of the Transfiguration of Jesus in Eternal  Gardens branches “is very meaningful as it reminds investors that Jesus is Lord. It reminds us that we are alive not because we are living today, but to rest in glory with the Lord.”

Cabuyao mayor Gecolea, in brief remarks, said the opening of Eternal Gardens Cabuyao branch brings a lot of economic benefits for residents and those in neighboring places.  “This used to be idle land. But its development brought with it the improvement of the roads leading to it, easing traffic. And the business activities in this branch will help many members of the community in terms of jobs creation,” Gecolea said.

Mr. Cabangon, for his part, thanked Ms. Arroyo for accepting the invitation to be the guest of honor in the unveiling of the Transfiguration. He also gave thanks to the local government officials present and the sales people of Eternal Gardens for their hard work and perseverance in supporting the company’s latest branch.

The City of Cabuyao is the fifth component city of Laguna, besides the Cities of San Pablo, Calamba, Santa Rosa and Biñan. Eternal Gardens also has branches in Santa Rosa and Biñan, for a total of three modern memorial parks in the province.

Today, barely a year since it broke ground in October 2018, expansion plans are already in place for Eternal Gardens Cabuyao branch to accommodate the increasing demands of Cabuyeños and residents of nearby towns for quality memorial properties. Likewise, the Cabuyao park is set to be the location of the third Eternal Chapels branch, which will feature mo­dern viewing chapels and offer complete mortuary services.