St. Clement’s gala raises funds for Carillon Tower restoration

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Redemptorists of St. Clement’s Church in La Paz, Iloilo City, held the Red Charity Gala 2026 on Feb. 20 at the National Museum of the Philippines–Iloilo to raise funds for the restoration and development of the church’s historic Carillon Tower.

Organizers said the project is expected to cost about PHP 10 million and will fund rehabilitation and site enhancements for the landmark structure.

Planned work includes reinforcing the tower’s foundation, installing tower clocks on its viewing decks, and adding facilities such as a museum, an elevator, and a prayer room.

The Carillon Tower houses 13 bells commissioned through the vision of Fr. Francis Burns, CSsR, and has stood for about 70 years as a symbol of faith among Ilonggo devotees.

The gala featured performances by the Davao Suzuki Youth Orchestra, concert pianist Evgeny Ukhanov, soprano Kay Manlutac Balajadia-Liggayu, concert cellist Prof. Renato B. Lucas, and classical guitarist Lyon Lopez.

Fr. Constantino “Bong” Puzon, CSsR, said the ringing of the Carillon bells serves as a call for the faithful to praise God.

Organizers said the fundraising drive is part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of the first Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the Philippines and Asia, first held at St. Clement’s Church on May 13, 1946, a devotion that later spread widely nationwide.

The gala also marked the formal launch of Redemptio Studios, the official collaborative media ministry of the Redemptorists of Cebu and Manila, anchored on the motto “Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio” (“With Him is Plentiful Redemption”).

Organizers introduced ThredHope during the event as the philanthropic development office of the Redemptorist Visayas–Mindanao Province, which aims to advance compassion, partnerships, and sustainable development initiatives in service of the poor and abandoned.

Organizers said fundraising efforts are ongoing, with hopes of beginning construction within 2026.