IEC book set for release

CEBU, Philippines - Organizers of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress will launch tonight the commemorative book that chronicles the stories and activities during the event in Cebu four months ago.

"It did not end in the (51st International Eucharistic) Congress… We hope to remember the IEC forever… this is our legacy for the most successful hosting of IEC in history," said Dr. Jobers Bersales, editor of the commemorative book, in a press conference.

Bersales said the 284-page book will have 14 chapters and will feature photos contributed by various photographers and articles from various writers.  

The photos and articles will highlight Cebu's successful hosting of the IEC last January 2016.

The book will be launched formally tonight at 7:30 at the IEC Pavilion, the venue of most of the Congress' activities.

Bersales said only 5,000 copies will be printed for now.   Together with the book is a DVD that contains video clips of the activities and photos during the event.

Bersales said producing the book is estimated at P5 million with the University of San Carlos printing it.

Father Joseph De Aquino, head of the IEC Documentation Committee, said the budget for the book is among the items approved for the IEC expenses. Proceeds of the book will go to the IEC Foundation.

Meanwhile, a partial accounting of the expenses during the IEC showed the actual cost was P130 million, which is well within the P150 million raised for the event, and way below the projected cost of expenses at P262 million, said Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, secretary general of the IEC.

 "The figure given is not final yet. We still continue in paying the bills since some still come in," he said.

Initial accounting of funds raised for the event reached P150 million, which may mean an extra P20 million.

Villarojo attributed the savings to the people and institutions that helped in the event for free. He assured that a financial report will be made public in due time. — (FREEMAN)