Thursday, March 16, 2017
Sunday, December 11, 2016
ABS-CBN, GMA-7 seek to renew franchises By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) | Updated December 11, 2016 - 12:00am
Broadcast industry giants ABS-CBN and GMA-7 are asking for congressional approval to renew their franchises.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the House committee on legislative franchises, said yesterday that his panel has recommended for plenary approval the bill renewing the franchise for GMA-7.
That of ABS-CBN remains pending with the committee. It also sought to renew its franchise in September 2014, during the Aquino III administration, but lawmakers did not act on it, noting that the privilege would expire on March 30, 2020 yet.
The panel, he added, also recommended the approval of the renewal application of Smart Communications, the country’s largest mobile phone service provider.
House members urged telecommunications companies during the hearings on the renewal of franchises to improve its mobile phone signals by building more support infrastructure and to provide faster internet service.
They lamented that the country’s internet service is among the “slowest but most expensive” in the world.
During the election campaign period, ABS-CBN aired an advertisement critical of then candidate mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City.
After Duterte won the presidency, some speculated that the broadcast giant would not be able to renew its franchise, which prompted the network to issue a statement.
“Claims that the franchise will not be extended are purely speculative. For the franchise renewal, we believe that our government will uphold the ideals of democracy, including the rights to freedom of speech and expression,” it said.
ABS-CBN said it was “committed to be in public service by providing entertainment, news and information that matter to the Filipino, as we have been doing for the past decades.”
It said it opted for early renewal in September 2014 and went through the normal legislative process.
“But due to time constraints, ABS-CBN later decided to withdraw the application with the intent of seeking renewal in the 17th Congress,” it added.
The network is controlled by the Lopezes. A family member, Regina Paz Lopez, sits in President Duterte’s Cabinet as secretary of environment and natural resources. She used to head the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the House committee on legislative franchises, said yesterday that his panel has recommended for plenary approval the bill renewing the franchise for GMA-7.
That of ABS-CBN remains pending with the committee. It also sought to renew its franchise in September 2014, during the Aquino III administration, but lawmakers did not act on it, noting that the privilege would expire on March 30, 2020 yet.
The panel, he added, also recommended the approval of the renewal application of Smart Communications, the country’s largest mobile phone service provider.
House members urged telecommunications companies during the hearings on the renewal of franchises to improve its mobile phone signals by building more support infrastructure and to provide faster internet service.
They lamented that the country’s internet service is among the “slowest but most expensive” in the world.
During the election campaign period, ABS-CBN aired an advertisement critical of then candidate mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City.
After Duterte won the presidency, some speculated that the broadcast giant would not be able to renew its franchise, which prompted the network to issue a statement.
“Claims that the franchise will not be extended are purely speculative. For the franchise renewal, we believe that our government will uphold the ideals of democracy, including the rights to freedom of speech and expression,” it said.
ABS-CBN said it was “committed to be in public service by providing entertainment, news and information that matter to the Filipino, as we have been doing for the past decades.”
It said it opted for early renewal in September 2014 and went through the normal legislative process.
“But due to time constraints, ABS-CBN later decided to withdraw the application with the intent of seeking renewal in the 17th Congress,” it added.
The network is controlled by the Lopezes. A family member, Regina Paz Lopez, sits in President Duterte’s Cabinet as secretary of environment and natural resources. She used to head the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Veteran pope ‘shooter’ Noli Yamsuan dies at 71
The Filipino photographer who "shot" Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis has passed away. He was 71.
The family of veteran photographer Manuel "Noli" Yamsuan announced that he died at 3:54 p.m. on Saturday at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan City.
"He was in the presence of family and friends when he returned to the Father and was in no pain," said his son Erwin in a post on Facebook.
Yamsuan was a photographer for 43 years. During the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines from January 15-19 last year, Yamsuan was appointed as a photographer by the Papal Visit Committee and he rendered his services for free.
Yamsuan also covered the two visits of Pope John Paul II to the Philippines in 1981 and in 1995. He also took photos during the canonization in Rome of the Philippines' first saint — San Lorenzo Ruiz in 1987.
He became the official photographer of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin from 1974 to 2005.
In last year's interview with GMA News Online, Yamsuan shared how Sin, who became a father figure to him, had "scolded" him as his work as a photographer covered everything from the sacred to the profane.
He worked for Veritas Magazine, Lifestyle Asia, Time Magazine, Asiaweek, Metro Magazine, Taipan, and many others including the adult magazine Penthouse.
However, his proudest moment was during the 1986 People Power Revolution when a military tank ran over his camera. He cherished that camera, saying it bore the "scars of the battle."
Yamsuan is survived by his wife Peachy, head of the media office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and their children and grandchildren.
His wake will be at Chapel A, Christ the King Parish, in Greenmeadows, Quezon City, starting on Sunday.
"We thank everyone for your prayers during this trying time for our family. We are certain that Papa will bring all of your well wishes with him in heaven," Erwin said. —ALG, GMA News
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
CURACHA: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga
CURACHA: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga ay kwento ng isang babae sa katauhan ni Curacha bilang isang torera. Corazon ang tunay niyang pangalan ngunit binansagan siyang “Curacha” ng kanyang mga kasamahan dahil sa galing nito sa pakikipagtalik sa live performance na kanyang pinagkakakitaan. Hindi niya ninais maging isang torera ngunit dito siya dinala ng tadhana sapagkat ang kanyang mga kamag-anak ay sa pagtotorera din nabuhay.
Si Curacha ay sumisimbolo sa ating bansang Pilipinas. Bakit? Nakita ko, na kung sino-sinong lalaki ang gumagamit ng pagkababae nya. Ang lahat ng parte ng katawan nya ay na-explore na ng kung sino-sinong lalaki. Kagaya ng bansang Pilipinas, lahat na ata ng lugar ay napasok o napuntahan na ng mga dayuhan. hindi lamang ito, kung minsan ay linalapastangan pa ito ng mga dayuhan. Simula pa noong masako tayo noon at magpasahanggang ngayon na malaya na ang bansa, may mga dayuhan na lumalapastangan sa bansa.
Mapapansing ang pelikula ay hindi masyadong gumamit ng ilaw. Marahil ipinapakita na nasa madilim na bahagi ng kanyang buhay si Curacha. Dagdag pa na nasa panahon ng martial law si Curacha, kagaya sya ng ating bansa na gustong kumawala sa madilim na pangyayari sa buhay nya.
Ang transparent na bag ay nangangahulugang wala ng dapat itago. Dahil sya ay isang torera, wala na syang maitatago sa mga tao. Wala na syang privacy dahil lahat na ng parte ng kanyang katawan ay nakita at napagnasahan na ng mga tao.
Sa nalalapit na pagtatapos ng pelikula ay nagtapos rin ang Batas Militar sa bansa sa pagdedeklara ng simula ng demokrasya. Kasunod nitong naganap ang pag-alis ni Myrna, matalik na kaibigan ni Curacha, papuntang probinsya lulan ng isang barko.
Samantala, habang papauwi si Curacha pagkahatid sa kaibigan, ay inaawit ang Lupang Hinirang.
Kinakanta namin ito ng aking mga kakalase tuwing Lunes ng umaga. Kaya kinakailangan tumayo ng tuwid at ilagay ng maayos ang kamay sa dibdib habang ito ay inaawit, gaya ng kinakailangan na itaas ng 90 degrees ang kanang kamay sa Panatang Makabayan (na mas mahirap kabisaduhin). Noon, feel na feel ko ang pag-awit nito.
Ang pagbubukas ng Batas Militar ay sumisimbolo sa lahat ng pasakit at kasakiman na natikman ni Curacha. Samantala, ang pagdedeklara naman ng demokrasya ang siyang sumasalamin sa pagkakaroon ng pag-asa sa buhay niya. Ang Lupang Hinirang ay siya ring simbolo ng pag-asa kay Curacha na makawala sa dilim na kanyang pinanggalingan at pagbangon mula sa lahat ng sakit at hirap na kagaya ng ginawa ni Myrna na magbabagong-buhay sa probinsya.
Si Curacha ay sumisimbolo sa ating bansang Pilipinas. Bakit? Nakita ko, na kung sino-sinong lalaki ang gumagamit ng pagkababae nya. Ang lahat ng parte ng katawan nya ay na-explore na ng kung sino-sinong lalaki. Kagaya ng bansang Pilipinas, lahat na ata ng lugar ay napasok o napuntahan na ng mga dayuhan. hindi lamang ito, kung minsan ay linalapastangan pa ito ng mga dayuhan. Simula pa noong masako tayo noon at magpasahanggang ngayon na malaya na ang bansa, may mga dayuhan na lumalapastangan sa bansa.
Mapapansing ang pelikula ay hindi masyadong gumamit ng ilaw. Marahil ipinapakita na nasa madilim na bahagi ng kanyang buhay si Curacha. Dagdag pa na nasa panahon ng martial law si Curacha, kagaya sya ng ating bansa na gustong kumawala sa madilim na pangyayari sa buhay nya.
Ang transparent na bag ay nangangahulugang wala ng dapat itago. Dahil sya ay isang torera, wala na syang maitatago sa mga tao. Wala na syang privacy dahil lahat na ng parte ng kanyang katawan ay nakita at napagnasahan na ng mga tao.
Sa nalalapit na pagtatapos ng pelikula ay nagtapos rin ang Batas Militar sa bansa sa pagdedeklara ng simula ng demokrasya. Kasunod nitong naganap ang pag-alis ni Myrna, matalik na kaibigan ni Curacha, papuntang probinsya lulan ng isang barko.
Samantala, habang papauwi si Curacha pagkahatid sa kaibigan, ay inaawit ang Lupang Hinirang.
Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan…Ito ang ating pambansang awit. Malimit na tawagin Bayang Magiliw ng ating mga kababayan, ngunit ito ay pinangalanan Lupang Hinirang.
Kinakanta namin ito ng aking mga kakalase tuwing Lunes ng umaga. Kaya kinakailangan tumayo ng tuwid at ilagay ng maayos ang kamay sa dibdib habang ito ay inaawit, gaya ng kinakailangan na itaas ng 90 degrees ang kanang kamay sa Panatang Makabayan (na mas mahirap kabisaduhin). Noon, feel na feel ko ang pag-awit nito.
Ang pagbubukas ng Batas Militar ay sumisimbolo sa lahat ng pasakit at kasakiman na natikman ni Curacha. Samantala, ang pagdedeklara naman ng demokrasya ang siyang sumasalamin sa pagkakaroon ng pag-asa sa buhay niya. Ang Lupang Hinirang ay siya ring simbolo ng pag-asa kay Curacha na makawala sa dilim na kanyang pinanggalingan at pagbangon mula sa lahat ng sakit at hirap na kagaya ng ginawa ni Myrna na magbabagong-buhay sa probinsya.
Friday, July 29, 2016
International Center of Evangelization - Program
Programme
Draft programme which is below we will update as we progress,
so please check it out and be informed and keep in touch.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Wednesday 20th July
Thursday, January 9
Friday 22nd July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
7am.-9am. –training for evangelizers (2)
8.45am-9am.– preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12. – break
11.45am-12. – Praise and Worship
12.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (3)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12.-10pm. – evangelization in 5 stages in the city
8pm. – meeting of the Credo course(2): Alan Wright (USA), Albert Galea (Ireland)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Saturday 23rd July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
7am.-9am. – training for evangelizers (4)
8.45am.-9am. – preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12pm. – break
11.45am.-12pm. – Praise and Worship
12pm.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (5)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12pm.-10pm. – evangelization
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Sunday 24th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
9am.-9.30am – Praise and Worship preparing to the Holy Mass
9.30am.-11am. – Holy Mass
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12.-10pm. – evangelization
8.30pm. – meeting of the Credo course (3): Charles Whitehead (England), Michelle Moran (England)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Monday 25th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
8.45am.-9am. – preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12pm. – break
11.45am.-12pm. – Praise and Worship
12pm.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (6)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12pm.-10pm.- evangelization
8pm.-10pm. – meeting of the Credo course (4): Ulf Ekmann (Sweden), Andrzej Sionek (Cracow)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Tuesday 26th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
8.45am.-9.am – Praise and Worship
9am.-11am. – meeting with Bishop Edward Dajczak
11am.-4pm. – Youth Festival
5pm. – the Eucharist of opening on Blonia Park
8.30pm.– meeting of the Credo course(5): Bishop Edward Dajczak, Bishop Grzegorz Ryś
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Wednesday 27th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
9pm. – Papal Window St. Franciszkańska 3
8pm.-10pm. – dinner
Thursday 28th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am. – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
5.30pm.-7pm. – Blonia Park – welcoming ceremony
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
8.30pm. – Pass to the Pope’s window on Franciszkańska 3
Friday 29th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am. – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
6pm. – Blonia Park: Way of the Cross
8.30pm.– Pope’s window
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
Saturday 30th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
7.45am.-8am. – Praise and Worship
8am.-9.30am. – the Eucharist in ICE
9.30am.-11am. – second breakfast
10.30am. – the papal Eucharist with all the clergy
11am. – end of adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
11am. – the march to the Campus Misericordiae
7pm. – Campus Misericordiae: pass through the Gate of Mercy and night prayer vigil
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
Sunday, January 19
4pm – Eucharist with the Holy Father and sending out participants of WYD
8pm – San Carlos Seminary: the meeting of the Pope with volunteers
Monday, January 20
Closing the campus ICE – departure of participants
This version is being worked on and will be subject to change. Please, follow draped over our fixes.
Draft programme which is below we will update as we progress,
so please check it out and be informed and keep in touch.
Monday, January 6, 2020
- 7am. – opening of our office and participants acceptance
- 7am. – beginning of adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
- 4pm.–7.pm – hot meal
- 7pm.-8pm. – starting ICE in the tent conference – creation community
- 7pm. – end of adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
- 8pm.-9.30pm. – Eucharist starting a retreat for evangelizers
- 9.30pm.-11pm. – talk and common celebration time
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
- 7am.–9am. – breakfast
- 8.45am.-9am. – Praise and Worship
- 9am.–11am. – Morning Prayer with conference
- 11am.-12.30pm. – break
- 12.15-12.30am. – preparation to the Mass
- 12.30-2pm. – The Eucharist at the International Centre for the Evangelization of ICE 2016
- 2pm.-4pm. – lunch and resting time
- 3.45pm.-4pm. – Praise and Worship
- 4pm.-6.30pm. – Workshop: The Church in the evangelization
- 6.30pm.-8pm. – dinner
- 7.45pm.-8pm. – Praise and Worship
- 8pm.-10pm.–worship and conference
Wednesday 20th July
- 7am.-9am. – breakfast
- 8.45am.-9am. – Praise and Worship
- 9am.–11am. – Morning Prayer with conference
- 11am.-12.30pm. –break
- 12.15pm.-12.30pm – Praise and Worship
- 12.30pm.-2pm. – Penitential Liturgy
- 2pm.-4pm. – lunch and resting
- 6pm.-8pm. – the Eucharist in the Basilica of the Divine Mercy for all the volunteers WYD with Cardinal. St. Rylko and Cardinal. St. Dziwisz
- 9pm.-10.30 – dinner
Thursday, January 9
- 7am.–9am. – breakfast
- 8.45am.-9am. – Praise and Worship
- 09am.-11am. – the Eucharist ending retreat with sending out for evangelization
- 11am.-12pm. – break
- 11.45am.-12pm. – Praise and Worship
- 12pm. -1pm.- training for evangelizers (1)
- 1pm.-14.45 – lunch
- 2.45pm.-3pm. – Praise and Worship
- 3pm. – beginning of adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament (24h)
- 3pm. – festive march of evangelizers to the city
- 3.45pm. – beginning of evangelization in 5 stages in the city
- 8pm. – meeting of the Credo course (1): o. Gino Henriques (Singapore), Donald Turbitt (USA)
- 9pm.-11pm. – dinner
- 10pm./11pm. – the end of evangelization on 5 stages
Friday 22nd July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
7am.-9am. –training for evangelizers (2)
8.45am-9am.– preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12. – break
11.45am-12. – Praise and Worship
12.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (3)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12.-10pm. – evangelization in 5 stages in the city
8pm. – meeting of the Credo course(2): Alan Wright (USA), Albert Galea (Ireland)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Saturday 23rd July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
7am.-9am. – training for evangelizers (4)
8.45am.-9am. – preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12pm. – break
11.45am.-12pm. – Praise and Worship
12pm.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (5)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12pm.-10pm. – evangelization
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Sunday 24th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
9am.-9.30am – Praise and Worship preparing to the Holy Mass
9.30am.-11am. – Holy Mass
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12.-10pm. – evangelization
8.30pm. – meeting of the Credo course (3): Charles Whitehead (England), Michelle Moran (England)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Monday 25th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
8.45am.-9am. – preparation to the Holy Mass
9am.-11am. – Holy Mass
11am.-12pm. – break
11.45am.-12pm. – Praise and Worship
12pm.-1pm. – training for evangelizers (6)
1pm.-6pm. – lunch
12pm.-10pm.- evangelization
8pm.-10pm. – meeting of the Credo course (4): Ulf Ekmann (Sweden), Andrzej Sionek (Cracow)
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Tuesday 26th July
7am.–9am. – breakfast
8.45am.-9.am – Praise and Worship
9am.-11am. – meeting with Bishop Edward Dajczak
11am.-4pm. – Youth Festival
5pm. – the Eucharist of opening on Blonia Park
8.30pm.– meeting of the Credo course(5): Bishop Edward Dajczak, Bishop Grzegorz Ryś
9pm.-11pm. – dinner
Wednesday 27th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
9pm. – Papal Window St. Franciszkańska 3
8pm.-10pm. – dinner
Thursday 28th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am. – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
5.30pm.-7pm. – Blonia Park – welcoming ceremony
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
8.30pm. – Pass to the Pope’s window on Franciszkańska 3
Friday 29th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
8am.-8.45am. – Morning Prayer worship
9am.-12pm. – Catechesis in language groups and the Eucharist in churches of station
6pm. – Blonia Park: Way of the Cross
8.30pm.– Pope’s window
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
Saturday 30th July
7am.–8am. – breakfast
7.45am.-8am. – Praise and Worship
8am.-9.30am. – the Eucharist in ICE
9.30am.-11am. – second breakfast
10.30am. – the papal Eucharist with all the clergy
11am. – end of adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
11am. – the march to the Campus Misericordiae
7pm. – Campus Misericordiae: pass through the Gate of Mercy and night prayer vigil
8pm.-10.pm – dinner
Sunday, January 19
4pm – Eucharist with the Holy Father and sending out participants of WYD
8pm – San Carlos Seminary: the meeting of the Pope with volunteers
Monday, January 20
Closing the campus ICE – departure of participants
This version is being worked on and will be subject to change. Please, follow draped over our fixes.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
World Youth Day – a new chapter in the history of papacy and Church
In 1985 Pope John Paul II took the initiative that went down in history as one of the most important steps in his pontificate. For the past 31 years, World Youth Day has been attended by millions of young people.
Those spontaneous and joyful pope’s meetings with the youth have firmly established themselves in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.
Much to surprise of some of its members, the Church revealed its unknown face – of joyful faith, camping and Gospel preaching, joint singing and all-night prayers. Organised in various countries, the meetings became an extraordinary tool for evangelism, a magnet attracting generations of young people.
According to Vatican correspondents, it was Church’s response to an increasingly strong conviction that the Church has a lot to say to the young and vice versa.
This can be seen in Pope John Paul II’s speech to the youth given during the inauguration of his pontificate on October 22, 1978: “You are the hope of the world, the hope of the Church. You are my hope”.
Organised in Rome on Palm Sunday on April 15, 1984, the International Jubilee for the Young is regarded as the seed corn of WYD. It was the Holy Year of the Redemption and thousands of young people came to the Vatican to attend a mass celebrated by the pope.
More than 50,000 protestors, demanding the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos jogged to Manila Airport on February 5 to pay tribute to opposition leader Benigno Aquino, murdered at the airport moments after arriving from the United States on August 21. The demonstrators, including thousands of yellow-shirted joggers running with huge "ATOM" (August 21st Movement) streamers, made their way through the Makati -- Manila's financial centre -- where thousands of cheering supporters showered confetti on the procession. Hundreds of riot police lined the 75-mile (110 kilometre) route from the former senator's birthplace in Tarlac to the airport. Altogether troops halted the 10-day pilgrimage four times, but they lifted a final four-hour airport blockade to allow some Aquino supporters access to the tarmac just five minutes before the protestors' deadline expired. Aquino's younger brother, Agapito 'Butz' Aquino, negotiated the marchers' safe passage with General Ruben Escarcha, the Southern Region's police chief. Riot police looked on as the demonstrators, with clenched fists held high, sang in memory of their fallen hero. Butz Aquino addressed the crowd and pledged to continue his brother's struggle against the ruling Marcos Government. Among those who joined the marchers on their last run was Mrs Saturnina Galman, who son Rolando was described by government sources as a hired killer who assassinated Aquino last summer. Philippine opposition parties are united in dismissing the government's claim as a cover-up.
Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Fabian VER told an inquiry on April 6 that military intelligence agents had known about plots to kill opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, seven months before the August assassination at Manila Airport. General Ver said the plots were the work of "subversive groups" and not the government or military. He said the first reports had been hazy, and information was picked up from overhead conversation in restaurants. General Ver said reports from agents who had penetrated subversive organisations suggested the murder was being plotted by communists to implicate the government. General Ver had been called before the fact-finding board as a result of testimony from the step-daughter of the alleged assassin Rolando Galman. The step-daughter, Roberta Masibay, alleged that her mother had been picked-up on General Ver's orders on January 29 and had not been heard from since. Ver denied the allegation as an outrageous lie. Senator Benigno Aquino was shot on August 21 after returning from exile in the United States. The government of President Ferdinand Marcos says he was killed by Rolando Galman, an alleged communist agent, who was then shot dead at the airport by soldiers. Aquino's family says a soldier shot the opposition leader and accuses President Marcos of involvement. The fact-finding board, headed by Mrs. Corazon Agrava, is investigating the killing.
Unofficial returns on May 15 indicated that the opposition Unido party and independent candidates, were leading in 90 of 154 National Assembly seats in the Philippine elections. Official results were not expected for several days. But the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said opposition candidates were leading in nearly all contests in metropolitan Manila. Unofficial results there started trickling through during the night after the May 14 election -- leading to jubilant scenes of celebrations in the streets. The total number of seats contested was 183, and in the previous Assembly opposition candidates held only 17. Some opposition members feared that divisions in their ranks might have harmed their chances. The opposition to the Marcos government, and his New Society Movement (KBL), was strengthened after the still-unresolved killing of opposition leader Benigno Aquino last year. The assassination coincided with a deepening economic crisis. Although Aquino's widow campaigned for opposition candidates, other Unido supporters called for a boycott of any elections held under the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. The turnout at the polls was, however, unofficially estimated at 80 per cent. The polling was accompanied by violence in many parts of the country. Communist guerrillas killed 17 soldiers in an ambush and nine people were killed in a gun battle between rival supporters on Panay Island. The Manila hospital treated people throughout the day who claimed they had been beaten by Marcos supporters. There were also allegations of voting irregularities from watchdog groups, and one reporter was shown discarded ballot papers that had been found in the street. President Marcos, in a statement on May 15, claimed that "the media has succeeded in turning some of our people against us." He also asserted the results would show that the government had not interfered in the polling.
Source: NBC AND REUTERS - MANUEL SILVA
MANILA & CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES - A campaign aide to a member of the United National Democratic Organisation (UNIDO), contesting the National Assembly elections in the Philippines, was found dead in North Manila on May 18. The dead man, Ernesto Cionelo, aged 24, had been a construction worker before becoming a political aide to Aurora Pijuan-Manatoc, who was formerly married to President Ferdinand Marcos's son-in-law. Pijuan-Manatoc was narrowly defeated by Ruperto Gaite, candidate of the ruling New Society Movement (KBL). The victim was said to have died from a single bullet between the eyes. His body was found behind a school. Pijuan-Manatoc expressed her distress over the death and also voiced concern about the level of violence during the election. She said on May 19 that she would carry on campaigning for the restoration of democracy, despite what had happened. On May 20, she attended Cionelo's funeral in Manila. Violence during election, had not been confined to the capital. Streets in Cebu City, on May 20, were littered with banners, posters and the remnants of barricades following a night of violence in which at least one person died. Hospital sources confirmed the death, and said six people were wounded during a match staged to demand the suspension of vote-counting in the May 18 election. Witnesses claimed police first used water cannon to disperse the demonstrators, but resorted to guns when they ran out of water. According to opposition sources, the march was called for after six opposition candidates in Cebu Province learned that official figures showed them trailing behind candidates of the ruling New Society Movement. They had earlier been leading the count, according to unofficial figures. UNIDO, which had complained of widespread electoral fraud, demanded re-polling in 16 provinces, saying that vote-buying and terror tactics had cheated the opposition of victory.
The Agrava Board investigating the death of Philippines opposition leader Benigno Aquino heard evidence on May 21 from the head of the security men entrusted with escorting Aquino from his plane on arrival in Manila in August 1983. Lieutenant Jesus Castro, speaking in the Visayan dialect, told the inquiry commission how his superior, Brigadier General Luther Custodio, the then commander of Aviation Security, had ordered him to scout for tall security men for the task. Castro demonstrated to the court that in fact the opposition leader was about ten centimetres taller than one of the other guards. Castro then described how Aquino was held by both arms by guards as he left the China Air Lines aircraft moments before his death. Five of six escorts so far testified to the Agrava Board, and the line of questioning indicates that the investigators suspect a cover up on the part of one or more of the guards. The gallery erupted with laughter on May 23 during the questioning of constable Rogelio Moreno who said that he saw Aquino fall after being shot but that it hadn't occurred to him to grab the gunman who was almost within his reach. The four other escorts questioned so far have said they did not see the gunman who killed Aquino, and all five who testified said that they ran for cover when Aquino fell after being shot.
About two thousand demonstrators marched through Manila's business district on June 21 to protest against increased prices following the devaluation of the Philippines peso. The rally, ironically organised as a KBL (New Society Movement) march (the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos) assembled at the corner of Amorsolo Street and Pasay Road before making its way through the city's Makati financial district. Leading the march was Agapito "Butz" Aquino, younger brother of Benigno Aquino, the former opposition leader, who was shot and killed at Manila airport late last year. Butz Aquino said that protests would continue because of the 'dictatorial character of the Marcos regime, and that discussions between opposition parties were continuing. The opposition Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy blamed rising prices on the government of President Ferdinand Marcos, and the government agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund), which has demanded a stiff programme of economic austerity. Recently, President Marcos announced an 18 per cent increase in the minimum private sector daily wage from 44 to 52 pesos, a move seen by observers as a political necessity. The immediate reason for the increase was a new round of price increases of oil products and basic commodities, set off by the third exchange rate adjustment in a year, which threatens to push inflation higher than the current 40 per cent.
About two thousand demonstrators marched through Manila's business district on June 21 to protest against increased prices following the devaluation of the Philippines peso. The rally, ironically organised as a KBL (New Society Movement) march (the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos) assembled at the corner of Amorsolo Street and Pasay Road before making its way through the city's Makati financial district. Leading the march was Agapito "Butz" Aquino, younger brother of Benigno Aquino, the former opposition leader, who was shot and killed at Manila airport late last year. Butz Aquino said that protests would continue because of the 'dictatorial character of the Marcos regime, and that discussions between opposition parties were continuing. The opposition Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy blamed rising prices on the government of President Ferdinand Marcos, and the government agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund), which has demanded a stiff programme of economic austerity. Recently, President Marcos announced an 18 per cent increase in the minimum private sector daily wage from 44 to 52 pesos, a move seen by observers as a political necessity. The immediate reason for the increase was a new round of price increases of oil products and basic commodities, set off by the third exchange rate adjustment in a year, which threatens to push inflation higher than the current 40 per cent.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos on July 23 dismissed speculation that a return to martial law was imminent, and appealed to the opposition not to support subversion and terrorism out of hate for his government. The statement was made as part of the President's address to the National Assembly. He was speaking shortly after police used tear gas and truncheons in central Manila to break up a demonstration by thousands of trade unionists and students demanding an end to his 19-year rule. Police moved in after Manila's mayor, Ramon Bagatsing, withdrew permission for the demonstration. Wearing gas masks and swinging clubs, they chased protesters as they ran and stumbled in the acrid fumes that filled the air. At least one protester was seen bleeding from the head, while five others were treated in hospital for minor cuts, bruises and gas inhalation. Minutes after the protest was broken up by police another five thousand protestors regrouped and marched towards a university a few kilometres away. As they marched they chanted "Marcos, Hitler, Dictator puppet", watched by hundreds of cheering bystanders. Police were apparently not aware of the march and at one point demonstrators overturned a government jeep and set fire to it.
Riot police in Manila, using tear gas to disperse students on July 26 after a protest march, sent commuters and shoppers fleeing from a busy central area. Eyewitnesses said several hundred bus passengers fled their vehicles and shops were quickly boarded up when police threw gas canisters at a group of about five hundred students protesting outside the city's police headquarters and town hall. A police spokesman said the riot squads used tear gas because the demonstrators were becoming unruly. Among them was Butz Aquino, brother of shot opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The police spokesman said there were no arrests or reports of serious injury. The protestors had been demanding a permit to hold an anti-government demonstration the following day. Butz Aquino told the crowd to disperse after announcing he would meet officials and try to get a permit for the rally.
Nearly one thousand protestors marched through the streets of Manila on August 15 in the latest of a series of protest marches by supporters of assassinated opposition leader Benigno Aquino. Braving heavy torrential rain, the demonstrators took their protest to Manila's financial district, Makati. The marchers chanted slogans against the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos while workers in the high-rise buildings showered them with ticker tape and confetti. The crowd briefly occupied a major intersection but dispersed peacefully when a hundred riot police threatened to use fire-trucks to break up the demonstration. The protest march was seen by observers as scene-setter to a mass rally planned for next week to mark the first anniversary of Aquino's assassination.
It was then when a cross, four metres high, was placed near the altar in St Peter's Basilica on request of Pope John Paul II. The pope gave it to the young people saying: “Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity”. That is when the history of the WYD Cross began. Since then it has been carried across continents to various cities in which World Youth Day has been organised.
NORTHERN LUZON & SURIGAO, PHILIPPINES - As many as one thousand people are feared to have died when a typhoon roared across the Southern Philippines on September 1 and 2. The typhoon struck only days after a tropical storm passed through the Northern Philippines, killing at least forty people and leaving thousands homeless. The storm damaged several million dollars worth of sugar and rice crops, and washed away buildings and bridges. Damage from the typhoon was even greater. The official death toll reached three hundred on September 3, but government officials warned it could rise to one thousand. Typhoon 'Ike' was the most powerful typhoon to hit the Philippines in fourteen years, reaching 275 kilometres per hour (170 mph) at its peak and damaging or destroying almost ninety per cent of the buildings in central Surigao. Eye-witnesses in the town of Surigao said the typhoon uprooted trees and flattened telephone lines, and residents watched helplessly as roofs were blown off buildings and houses collapsed. There have been major disruptions in power, water supplies and communications services. On September 2, the wife of President Marcos, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, flew into the worst hit areas by helicopter. As she helped to distribute supplies to victims of the typhoon, Mrs. Marcos assured them that the President was giving priority to rehabilitating people left homeless. Supplies were airlifted into Surigao and surrounding areas, as the government tried to cope with one of the worst natural disasters to hit the country for many years.
The beginnings of WYD go back to the International Youth Year declared by the United Nations 31 years ago and approved by the Church. To mark this event Pope John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter to young people from all around the world. This 1985 document was the first apostolic letter addressed to the youth. The pope invited the young to the Vatican for the next year.
The first big meeting of the pope with the young took place on the square in front of the Lateran Palace in Rome on March 30, 1985. The young people brought the cross that the pope gave them the previous year. Pope John Paul II said: “You are called to participate in the true and authentic development, which through the right balances between "being" and "having" must become the progress in justice in its various ambiences and diverse profiles. It must be progress in the civilization of love.”
“You are called to participate in that great and indispensable effort of all humanity that aims to remove the spectre of war and to build peace“, he added.
The highlight of the event was a mass performed by the pope the next day on Palm Sunday. It was attended by 300 thousand young Catholics from 70 countries, including 250 people from Poland, reported L’Osservatore Romano daily.
The mass went down in history as the first World Youth Day and the whole meeting was considered a new chapter in dialogue between the Church and generations of young people. Soon a direct and spontaneous conversation with the pope, asking questions and sharing doubts became typical features of the event.
Pope John Paul II introduced meetings with the youth to the calendar of the Church for good. He decided that each year WYD will be celebrated in local churches on Palm Sunday and every two/three years on international level in a chosen city and attended by the pope.
After local celebrations in 1986, the first international meeting took place. It was held outside Rome, and what now is gaining a symbolic value, in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in April 1987. In those days, the current Pope Francis was a confessor in a Jesuit school in his city.
The motto of the meeting in Argentina was: “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.” Around a million people came from Southern American countries.
The 1989 World Youth Day was organised in Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important places in Christian Europe and a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages. Its motto was: “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Attended by 400 thousand people, the meeting is best remembered for the image of pope dressed as a medieval pilgrim. It also gave birth to a unique solidarity action – young Catholics collected money for education and health care in Bolivia, Tanzania and India.
In 1991 over one and a half million people came to Częstochowa to attend WYD. Held for the first time in Poland, the event was organised during Pope John Paul II’s pilgrimage to his home country. Its unique atmosphere went beyond the limits of religious experience and was caused by the changes occurring in Central and Eastern Europe anxiously observing the Soviet Union.
The uniqueness of the meeting lied also in the fact that large numbers of young Eastern Europeans could participate in WYD for the first time. It was of a great significance to the pope who said in a homily at a mass marking the end of the meeting: “After a long period in which borders remained closed the Church in Europe can now breathe freely with both its lungs”.
“Your presence, dear friends of Eastern Europe, is of great significance today. The Church needs your testimony as a precious treasure: a testimony for which frequently a high price of suffering in isolation, prosecution and prison had to be paid; a high price”, he added.
In a homily full of allusions the pope stressed: “Today, finally, your hour has come. In the cruel years of test the Church and the successor of St Peter did not forget about you”. He appealed for building a new common home in Europe and commended young people to the Virgin Mary.
Abba Father was the official song of the 1991 WYD in Częstochowa with words: “You freed us Father from cuffs and from ourselves”. The lyrics were written by Reverend Jan Góra.
Pope’s decision on organising the next World Youth Day in Denver, USA, in August 1993 was considered a bold step. The choice of the place was of great historic importance – the previous year marked 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
In spite of some bishops’ concerns that the event would be a failure and would not generate much interest, the WYD celebrations were attended by almost 700 thousand people.
Pope John Paul II appealed to the youth: “Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places like the first apostles who preached Christ and the good news of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops”.
The World Youth Day celebrations held in Manila, capital of the Philippines, went down in history in January 1995 with a record-high number of participants of at least 4 million.
Manila’s WYD motto was: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you”. The pope explained those words saying: “[He] promises neither sword nor money nor power, nor any of the things which the means of social communications make attractive to people today. He gives you instead grace and truth. That is all he gives you, and that is all you need”.
In 1997 WYD came back to Europe, Paris, and its motto was “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see”. The event was carefully watched again mainly because of the choice of the venue. Just as in Denver a warm welcome to the bishop of Rome was not expected. However, the Paris celebrations attracted over a million people.
The WYD held in Rome in August 2000, the major event of the Jubilee celebrations marking 2000 years of Christianity, is regarded a model as far as organisation is concerned.
The logistics of the event were a success. The venue, the campus of the University of Rome Tor Vergata in the suburbs of the Eternal City, accommodated over 2 million people, including thousands of Poles.
Boys and girls from different countries were called by Pope John Paul II “guardians of the morning” that keep watch at the turn of the millennium. He appealed to them not to agree on the world in which people are without work and die of hunger. The image of the ill but happy pope energetically responding to young people’s enthusiasm was imprinted in the memory of the many pilgrims. The inhabitants of Rome were also enthusiastic taking pilgrims into their homes and helping every way they could.
The elderly pope whose health was deteriorating fast held one last meeting with the youth in Toronto in 2002. “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world” said the motto of the event attended by 800 thousand people. At the end of the celebrations the pope chose a venue for the next WYD – he invited young people to Cologne. This event was attended by the German pope in 2015 who travelled to Cologne after Pope John Paul II’s death.
The celebrations led by Pope Benedict XVI attracted 1.2 million people. Pope Benedict XVI organised two more events. The one in Sydney in 2008 was attended by 400 thousand people and the one in Madrid by 1.5 million.
Pope Benedict XVI chose Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as the next WYD venue in 2013. After his resignation at the beginning of 2013, the celebrations in the Brazilian city were led by Pope Francis. The motto: “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” was taken from the Gospel of Matthew. Pope’s Francis own interpretation of those words “Go, make some noise” seemed to resonate with many young people. Rio’s event in terms of attendance came close to that in the Philippines, with 3.7 million people.
So far, 28 World Youth Day events were organised, including 13 international gatherings held on different continents. (PAP)
Those spontaneous and joyful pope’s meetings with the youth have firmly established themselves in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.
Much to surprise of some of its members, the Church revealed its unknown face – of joyful faith, camping and Gospel preaching, joint singing and all-night prayers. Organised in various countries, the meetings became an extraordinary tool for evangelism, a magnet attracting generations of young people.
According to Vatican correspondents, it was Church’s response to an increasingly strong conviction that the Church has a lot to say to the young and vice versa.
This can be seen in Pope John Paul II’s speech to the youth given during the inauguration of his pontificate on October 22, 1978: “You are the hope of the world, the hope of the Church. You are my hope”.
Organised in Rome on Palm Sunday on April 15, 1984, the International Jubilee for the Young is regarded as the seed corn of WYD. It was the Holy Year of the Redemption and thousands of young people came to the Vatican to attend a mass celebrated by the pope.
More than 50,000 protestors, demanding the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos jogged to Manila Airport on February 5 to pay tribute to opposition leader Benigno Aquino, murdered at the airport moments after arriving from the United States on August 21. The demonstrators, including thousands of yellow-shirted joggers running with huge "ATOM" (August 21st Movement) streamers, made their way through the Makati -- Manila's financial centre -- where thousands of cheering supporters showered confetti on the procession. Hundreds of riot police lined the 75-mile (110 kilometre) route from the former senator's birthplace in Tarlac to the airport. Altogether troops halted the 10-day pilgrimage four times, but they lifted a final four-hour airport blockade to allow some Aquino supporters access to the tarmac just five minutes before the protestors' deadline expired. Aquino's younger brother, Agapito 'Butz' Aquino, negotiated the marchers' safe passage with General Ruben Escarcha, the Southern Region's police chief. Riot police looked on as the demonstrators, with clenched fists held high, sang in memory of their fallen hero. Butz Aquino addressed the crowd and pledged to continue his brother's struggle against the ruling Marcos Government. Among those who joined the marchers on their last run was Mrs Saturnina Galman, who son Rolando was described by government sources as a hired killer who assassinated Aquino last summer. Philippine opposition parties are united in dismissing the government's claim as a cover-up.
Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Fabian VER told an inquiry on April 6 that military intelligence agents had known about plots to kill opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, seven months before the August assassination at Manila Airport. General Ver said the plots were the work of "subversive groups" and not the government or military. He said the first reports had been hazy, and information was picked up from overhead conversation in restaurants. General Ver said reports from agents who had penetrated subversive organisations suggested the murder was being plotted by communists to implicate the government. General Ver had been called before the fact-finding board as a result of testimony from the step-daughter of the alleged assassin Rolando Galman. The step-daughter, Roberta Masibay, alleged that her mother had been picked-up on General Ver's orders on January 29 and had not been heard from since. Ver denied the allegation as an outrageous lie. Senator Benigno Aquino was shot on August 21 after returning from exile in the United States. The government of President Ferdinand Marcos says he was killed by Rolando Galman, an alleged communist agent, who was then shot dead at the airport by soldiers. Aquino's family says a soldier shot the opposition leader and accuses President Marcos of involvement. The fact-finding board, headed by Mrs. Corazon Agrava, is investigating the killing.
Unofficial returns on May 15 indicated that the opposition Unido party and independent candidates, were leading in 90 of 154 National Assembly seats in the Philippine elections. Official results were not expected for several days. But the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said opposition candidates were leading in nearly all contests in metropolitan Manila. Unofficial results there started trickling through during the night after the May 14 election -- leading to jubilant scenes of celebrations in the streets. The total number of seats contested was 183, and in the previous Assembly opposition candidates held only 17. Some opposition members feared that divisions in their ranks might have harmed their chances. The opposition to the Marcos government, and his New Society Movement (KBL), was strengthened after the still-unresolved killing of opposition leader Benigno Aquino last year. The assassination coincided with a deepening economic crisis. Although Aquino's widow campaigned for opposition candidates, other Unido supporters called for a boycott of any elections held under the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. The turnout at the polls was, however, unofficially estimated at 80 per cent. The polling was accompanied by violence in many parts of the country. Communist guerrillas killed 17 soldiers in an ambush and nine people were killed in a gun battle between rival supporters on Panay Island. The Manila hospital treated people throughout the day who claimed they had been beaten by Marcos supporters. There were also allegations of voting irregularities from watchdog groups, and one reporter was shown discarded ballot papers that had been found in the street. President Marcos, in a statement on May 15, claimed that "the media has succeeded in turning some of our people against us." He also asserted the results would show that the government had not interfered in the polling.
Source: NBC AND REUTERS - MANUEL SILVA
MANILA & CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES - A campaign aide to a member of the United National Democratic Organisation (UNIDO), contesting the National Assembly elections in the Philippines, was found dead in North Manila on May 18. The dead man, Ernesto Cionelo, aged 24, had been a construction worker before becoming a political aide to Aurora Pijuan-Manatoc, who was formerly married to President Ferdinand Marcos's son-in-law. Pijuan-Manatoc was narrowly defeated by Ruperto Gaite, candidate of the ruling New Society Movement (KBL). The victim was said to have died from a single bullet between the eyes. His body was found behind a school. Pijuan-Manatoc expressed her distress over the death and also voiced concern about the level of violence during the election. She said on May 19 that she would carry on campaigning for the restoration of democracy, despite what had happened. On May 20, she attended Cionelo's funeral in Manila. Violence during election, had not been confined to the capital. Streets in Cebu City, on May 20, were littered with banners, posters and the remnants of barricades following a night of violence in which at least one person died. Hospital sources confirmed the death, and said six people were wounded during a match staged to demand the suspension of vote-counting in the May 18 election. Witnesses claimed police first used water cannon to disperse the demonstrators, but resorted to guns when they ran out of water. According to opposition sources, the march was called for after six opposition candidates in Cebu Province learned that official figures showed them trailing behind candidates of the ruling New Society Movement. They had earlier been leading the count, according to unofficial figures. UNIDO, which had complained of widespread electoral fraud, demanded re-polling in 16 provinces, saying that vote-buying and terror tactics had cheated the opposition of victory.
The Agrava Board investigating the death of Philippines opposition leader Benigno Aquino heard evidence on May 21 from the head of the security men entrusted with escorting Aquino from his plane on arrival in Manila in August 1983. Lieutenant Jesus Castro, speaking in the Visayan dialect, told the inquiry commission how his superior, Brigadier General Luther Custodio, the then commander of Aviation Security, had ordered him to scout for tall security men for the task. Castro demonstrated to the court that in fact the opposition leader was about ten centimetres taller than one of the other guards. Castro then described how Aquino was held by both arms by guards as he left the China Air Lines aircraft moments before his death. Five of six escorts so far testified to the Agrava Board, and the line of questioning indicates that the investigators suspect a cover up on the part of one or more of the guards. The gallery erupted with laughter on May 23 during the questioning of constable Rogelio Moreno who said that he saw Aquino fall after being shot but that it hadn't occurred to him to grab the gunman who was almost within his reach. The four other escorts questioned so far have said they did not see the gunman who killed Aquino, and all five who testified said that they ran for cover when Aquino fell after being shot.
About two thousand demonstrators marched through Manila's business district on June 21 to protest against increased prices following the devaluation of the Philippines peso. The rally, ironically organised as a KBL (New Society Movement) march (the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos) assembled at the corner of Amorsolo Street and Pasay Road before making its way through the city's Makati financial district. Leading the march was Agapito "Butz" Aquino, younger brother of Benigno Aquino, the former opposition leader, who was shot and killed at Manila airport late last year. Butz Aquino said that protests would continue because of the 'dictatorial character of the Marcos regime, and that discussions between opposition parties were continuing. The opposition Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy blamed rising prices on the government of President Ferdinand Marcos, and the government agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund), which has demanded a stiff programme of economic austerity. Recently, President Marcos announced an 18 per cent increase in the minimum private sector daily wage from 44 to 52 pesos, a move seen by observers as a political necessity. The immediate reason for the increase was a new round of price increases of oil products and basic commodities, set off by the third exchange rate adjustment in a year, which threatens to push inflation higher than the current 40 per cent.
About two thousand demonstrators marched through Manila's business district on June 21 to protest against increased prices following the devaluation of the Philippines peso. The rally, ironically organised as a KBL (New Society Movement) march (the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos) assembled at the corner of Amorsolo Street and Pasay Road before making its way through the city's Makati financial district. Leading the march was Agapito "Butz" Aquino, younger brother of Benigno Aquino, the former opposition leader, who was shot and killed at Manila airport late last year. Butz Aquino said that protests would continue because of the 'dictatorial character of the Marcos regime, and that discussions between opposition parties were continuing. The opposition Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy blamed rising prices on the government of President Ferdinand Marcos, and the government agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund), which has demanded a stiff programme of economic austerity. Recently, President Marcos announced an 18 per cent increase in the minimum private sector daily wage from 44 to 52 pesos, a move seen by observers as a political necessity. The immediate reason for the increase was a new round of price increases of oil products and basic commodities, set off by the third exchange rate adjustment in a year, which threatens to push inflation higher than the current 40 per cent.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos on July 23 dismissed speculation that a return to martial law was imminent, and appealed to the opposition not to support subversion and terrorism out of hate for his government. The statement was made as part of the President's address to the National Assembly. He was speaking shortly after police used tear gas and truncheons in central Manila to break up a demonstration by thousands of trade unionists and students demanding an end to his 19-year rule. Police moved in after Manila's mayor, Ramon Bagatsing, withdrew permission for the demonstration. Wearing gas masks and swinging clubs, they chased protesters as they ran and stumbled in the acrid fumes that filled the air. At least one protester was seen bleeding from the head, while five others were treated in hospital for minor cuts, bruises and gas inhalation. Minutes after the protest was broken up by police another five thousand protestors regrouped and marched towards a university a few kilometres away. As they marched they chanted "Marcos, Hitler, Dictator puppet", watched by hundreds of cheering bystanders. Police were apparently not aware of the march and at one point demonstrators overturned a government jeep and set fire to it.
Riot police in Manila, using tear gas to disperse students on July 26 after a protest march, sent commuters and shoppers fleeing from a busy central area. Eyewitnesses said several hundred bus passengers fled their vehicles and shops were quickly boarded up when police threw gas canisters at a group of about five hundred students protesting outside the city's police headquarters and town hall. A police spokesman said the riot squads used tear gas because the demonstrators were becoming unruly. Among them was Butz Aquino, brother of shot opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The police spokesman said there were no arrests or reports of serious injury. The protestors had been demanding a permit to hold an anti-government demonstration the following day. Butz Aquino told the crowd to disperse after announcing he would meet officials and try to get a permit for the rally.
It was then when a cross, four metres high, was placed near the altar in St Peter's Basilica on request of Pope John Paul II. The pope gave it to the young people saying: “Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity”. That is when the history of the WYD Cross began. Since then it has been carried across continents to various cities in which World Youth Day has been organised.
NORTHERN LUZON & SURIGAO, PHILIPPINES - As many as one thousand people are feared to have died when a typhoon roared across the Southern Philippines on September 1 and 2. The typhoon struck only days after a tropical storm passed through the Northern Philippines, killing at least forty people and leaving thousands homeless. The storm damaged several million dollars worth of sugar and rice crops, and washed away buildings and bridges. Damage from the typhoon was even greater. The official death toll reached three hundred on September 3, but government officials warned it could rise to one thousand. Typhoon 'Ike' was the most powerful typhoon to hit the Philippines in fourteen years, reaching 275 kilometres per hour (170 mph) at its peak and damaging or destroying almost ninety per cent of the buildings in central Surigao. Eye-witnesses in the town of Surigao said the typhoon uprooted trees and flattened telephone lines, and residents watched helplessly as roofs were blown off buildings and houses collapsed. There have been major disruptions in power, water supplies and communications services. On September 2, the wife of President Marcos, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, flew into the worst hit areas by helicopter. As she helped to distribute supplies to victims of the typhoon, Mrs. Marcos assured them that the President was giving priority to rehabilitating people left homeless. Supplies were airlifted into Surigao and surrounding areas, as the government tried to cope with one of the worst natural disasters to hit the country for many years.
The beginnings of WYD go back to the International Youth Year declared by the United Nations 31 years ago and approved by the Church. To mark this event Pope John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter to young people from all around the world. This 1985 document was the first apostolic letter addressed to the youth. The pope invited the young to the Vatican for the next year.
The first big meeting of the pope with the young took place on the square in front of the Lateran Palace in Rome on March 30, 1985. The young people brought the cross that the pope gave them the previous year. Pope John Paul II said: “You are called to participate in the true and authentic development, which through the right balances between "being" and "having" must become the progress in justice in its various ambiences and diverse profiles. It must be progress in the civilization of love.”
“You are called to participate in that great and indispensable effort of all humanity that aims to remove the spectre of war and to build peace“, he added.
The highlight of the event was a mass performed by the pope the next day on Palm Sunday. It was attended by 300 thousand young Catholics from 70 countries, including 250 people from Poland, reported L’Osservatore Romano daily.
The mass went down in history as the first World Youth Day and the whole meeting was considered a new chapter in dialogue between the Church and generations of young people. Soon a direct and spontaneous conversation with the pope, asking questions and sharing doubts became typical features of the event.
February 23, 1986
- Midnight - Thousands heed Jaime Cardinal Sin’s and Butz Aquino’s call over Radio Veritas to gather around Camps Aguinaldo and Crame and bodily protect the rebels led by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Fidel Ramos and the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM). Metropolitan Command head Maj. Gen. Prospero Olivas tells President Ferdinand Marcos he is incapable of dispersing crowds at Edsa. He also defies Marcos’ order to call Army commander Maj. Gen. Josephus Ramas for reinforcements.
- 1 a.m. - Marcos presents alleged assassin Maj. Saulito Aromin on Channel 4.
- 1:45 a.m. - Supreme Court Justice Nestor Alampay resigns.
- 3 a.m. - AFP Chief Gen. Fabian Ver gathers his men in Fort Bonifacio and appoints Ramas, his protégé, to lead the assault on Camps Aguinaldo and Crame. Enrile urges Cory Aquino to announce her government, with her as duly elected president. Sin goes on the air to ask Marcos and Ver not to use force.
- 4 a.m. - In Washington, US Secretary of State George Shultz assembles a small group, including former Ambassador to the Philippines Michael Armacost, to lay down a firm policy on the Philippines.
- 5:30 a.m. - Marcos loyalist troops destroy Radio Veritas’ transmitter in Bulacan province, limiting its reach to Luzon. Marine commander Gen. Artemio Tadiar is stunned to learn that Ramas, who has little combat experience, has been assigned to lead the attack on rebels. Tadiar and his men are standing guard in Malacañang. Cory Aquino, still in Cebu City, turns down Assemblyman Ramon Mitra’s offer to bring her to Palawan province, and decides to return to Manila. Mass is celebrated inside Camp Crame. Outside, at Edsa, people continue to arrive, some on foot. Human barricades are further fortified.
- 8 a.m. - After waiting for three hours for permission to withdraw his troops from Palace, Tadiar shouts at Ramas: “This is insane! I am still waiting for permission to move troops, yet you are ready to move out!” Marcos orders Col. Antonio Sotelo, commander of the Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing based in Sangley Point, to disable the helicopters in Camp Crame. With no one volunteering to carry out the attack, Sotelo discusses with his men a plan to fight alongside the Enrile-Ramos troops.
- 11 a.m. - Cory Aquino holds a brief press conference in Cebu, asking the people to support the military rebels and calling on Marcos to step down.
- Noon - Marcos men present at the presidential table include Presidential Executive Assistant Juan C. Tuvera, Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado Estrella, Public Works Minister Jesus Hipolito, Food Administrator Jesus Tanchangco, Agriculture Minister Salvador Escudero III, Education Minister Jaime C. Laya, Member of Parliament Teodulo Natividad, Budget Minister Manuel Alba, MP Salvador Britanico, former Acting Foreign Minister Pacifico Castro, MIA Manager Luis Tabuena, Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy, Information Minister Gregorio Cendaña, Justice Minister Estelito Mendoza, Justice Buenaventura Guerrero, Assistant Press Secretary Amante Bigornia, MP Antonio Raquiza, Economic Planning Minister Vicente Valdepeñas and former Sen. Rodolfo Ganzon. Standing behind them are military men, including General Ver, Rear Adm. Brillante Ochoco, Felix Brawner, Carlos Martel, Juanito Veridiano, Hamilton Dimaya, Eustaquio Purugganan, Telesforo Tayko, Serapio Martillano, Pompeyo Vasquez, Victorino Azada, Arsenio Silva, Evaristo Sanches, Emerson Tangan and Navy Capt. Danilo Lazo. Marcos joins his men at the table and then appears again on television and presents two more arrested military officers, Lt. Col. Jake Malajacan and Maj. Ricardo Brillantes who both read statements. Marcos says other officers have been arrested and are being interrogated. He scoffs at Enrile and Ramos’ demand that he resign. He brushes aside claims that 300,000 to 400,000 people are gathered at Edsa, some carrying images of the Virgin Mary.
- 1:30 p.m. - Troops led by Metropolitan Police Chief Alfredo Lim ignores orders to disperse the crowd.
- 2:20 p.m. - Cory Aquino arrives in Manila and proceeds to her sister’s house in Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City. Enrile and Ramos decide to consolidate their forces at Camp Crame. Linking arms, the people at Edsa create a protective wall for Enrile and RAM troops as they leave Camp Aguinaldo and cross the highway to get to Crame on the other side.
- 2:47 p.m. - A car with tinted windows bearing Cory Aquino cruises alongside a Marcos loyalist column of seven tanks and two Marine battalions led by Tadiar moving on Edsa.3 p.m
People at Ortigas and Edsa form human barricades to block the path of the oncoming tanks. A tense standoff begins.
4 p.m.
Marcos calls Enrile and offers him absolute pardon. He rejects Enrile’s demand that the tanks be stopped.
6:30 p.m.
Radio Veritas signs off after the emergency transmitter bogs down.
In a news conference, Enrile announces his men’s rejection of Marcos’ offer of pardon. Ramos talks about “New Armed Forces.”
7 p.m.
Papal Nuncio Bruno Torpigliani hands Marcos a letter from Pope John Paul II asking for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The White House issues a statement questioning “credibility and legitimacy” of the Marcos government.
11:30 p.m.
June Keithley, who has been broadcasting at Radio Veritas since the start of the rebellion against Marcos, moves to dzRJ using Radio Veritas’ frequency of 840 kHz to keep her location secret. Col. Ruben Ciron, one of Enrile’s men, facilitates the transfer of the frequency. The crowd thins as the tanks retreat, but the human barricades remain intact. Consul to Honolulu Raul Rabe, Lt. Noel Buan, Brigadier Generals Tomas Manlongat, Renato de Villa, Dionisio Tan-Gatue, Carlos Aguilar, Benjamin Ignacio and Rodrigo Gutan, and Police Superintendents Narciso Cabrera, Ruben Escarcha and Alfredo Yson withdraw their support to Marcos.
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February 24, 1986
- 12:20 a.m. - June Keithley starts broadcasting over dzRJ (christened Radyo Bandido dzRB) by playing “Mambo Magsaysay.”
- 1 a.m. - Church bells ring and word spreads that President Marcos is planning an attack. People again converge on Edsa; tires are set ablaze and sandbags and rocks are piled up to block the roads to Camp Crame.
- 3 a.m. - Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver is still unable to locate dzRJ, which is very near Malacañang.
- 3:30 a.m. - At Camp Crame, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile warns of two oncoming armored personnel carriers (APCs). Human barricades led by nuns and priests prepare to block the path of the APCs.
- 4 a.m. - In Washington, US President Ronald Reagan refuses to personally tell Marcos to step down but agrees to give him asylum. US Secretary of State George Shultz calls Ambassador Stephen Bosworth in Manila with instructions to tell Marcos “his time is up.”
- 5 a.m. - Marcos rejects US stand. Speaking on radio, he vows: “We’ll wipe them out. It is obvious they are committing rebellion.” Ver and the Army commander, Maj. Gen. Josephus Ramas, give go-signal for an all-out attack on Edsa using tear gas, gunships, jet fighters and Marine artillery. At Camp Crame, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos calls for civilian reinforcements amid reports that a large loyalist military force is being assembled. Rebel soldiers tearfully prepare for battle and ask for absolution. They sing the Philippine Military Academy hymn and bid one another farewell.
- 5:15 a.m. - Tear gas explodes on Santolan Road outside Camp Aguinaldo. Marcos loyalist soldiers led by Col. Braulio Balbas enter the camp and take positions on the golf course fronting Camp Crame. More tear gas canisters are launched, but strong breeze blows gas back to the loyalist troops.
- 6 a.m. - Tension rises as helicopters approach Camp Crame. Seven Sikorskys armed with rockets and cannons land inside the camp. Col. Antonio Sotelo and the entire Air Force 15th Strike Wing defect. Balbas trains awesome firepower on Camp Crame after hearing an exaggerated account of rebel strength from Rodolfo Estrellado of military intelligence. Unknown to Balbas, Estrellado has joined the rebel side. Aboard a gunboat, Commodore Tagumpay Jardiniano announces to his 50 officers that he is supporting the Ramos-Enrile forces. Officers rejoice after minutes of silence. The frigate soon drops anchor in Pasig River with guns trained on Malacañang.
- 6:30 a.m. - Keithley announces that Ver and Marcos and his family have fled the country.
- 7:30 a.m. - Triumphant, Enrile and Ramos address ecstatic crowd outside Camp Crame. Two fighter planes with orders to bomb the camp tilt their wings and head toward Clark Air Base in Pampanga province.
- 9 a.m. - To show that they have not fled, Marcos, his family and his generals appear on television. He announces the lifting of his “maximum tolerance” policy and declares a nationwide state of emergency.
- Ramas issues “kill” order to Balbas. In reply, Balbas says he and his men are looking for maps.
- 9:20 a.m. - Ramas again orders Balbas to fire. Balbas answers: “Sir, I am still positioning the cannons.”
- 9:50 a.m. - Rebel soldiers and loyalist troops continue to exchange fire for control of Channel 4. After a demonstrator waving an Aquino banner climbs a wall of the station, a wounded soldier comes out to surrender.
- Marcos’ press conference at the Palace with his family is suddenly cut off the air.
- 10:15 a.m. - Rebel soldiers inflict slight damage on Malacañang to indicate their capacity to strike back.
- Noon - Three rebel gunships destroy choppers at Villamor Air Base.
- 12:30 p.m. - Marines led by Balbas withdraw from Camp Aguinaldo.
- 1:25 p.m. - Channel 4 resumes broadcasting, delivering news of more defections to the rebels’ side.
- 3 p.m. - With more and more people converging on Edsa and surrounding areas, Singaporean Ambassador Peter Sung offers to fly the Marcoses to his country. Marcos refuses.
- 4:30 p.m. - Ver and Ramas decide to launch final “suicide assault.” Cory Aquino shows up on makeshift stage in front of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency office on Edsa and Ortigas Avenue and delivers a brief exhortation to the crowd.
- 6 p.m. - In Washington, Reagan agrees to make public call for Marcos’ resignation. Philippine Airlines chair Roman Cruz Jr. sends his resignation letter to Cory Aquino, making him the first public official to recognize her as the duly elected President.
- 7:30 p.m. - The United States endorses Aquino’s provisional government.
- 8:10 p.m. - Marcos and his entire family appear on television. He appeals to loyalist civilians to go to Mendiola and calls on people to obey only orders issued by him as the “duly constituted authority.” He declares a 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew. No one observes his curfew.
- 9 p.m. - A meeting between Aquino and the Ramos-Enrile group ends with a decision that her inauguration as President will be held at Club Filipino in San Juan the following morning. The rebels want the inauguration to be held at Camp Crame.
- 11 p.m. - In Malacañang, the Marcos children’s dinner with Chief Justice Ramon Aquino and his son ends. Present are Imee and Irene and their husbands, Tommy Manotoc and Greggy Araneta, and Marcos Jr., who is dressed in fatigues. Outside, people defy the curfew and continue to roam the streets of Manila.
February 25, 1986
- Midnight - Marcos loyalist soldiers fire through barbed wire barricades on Nagtahan Street, injuring several people. Some of Marcoses’ belongings are taken out of Malacañang.
- 3:30 a.m. - Marines rejoice as orders to attack Camp Crame are canceled.
- 3:45 a.m. - Airplanes carrying reinforcements ordered by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver head for Clark Air Base. The troops stay there for the duration of the revolt.
- 5 a.m. - On the phone to Washington, President Marcos asks US Sen. Paul Laxalt if he should resign. Laxalt’s reply: “I think you should cut, and cut cleanly. The time has come.” Marcos tells Labor Minister Blas Ople, who is in Washington lobbying for the Marcos regime, that he is not stepping down because first lady Imelda Marcos does not want him to.
- 5:30 a.m. - Marcos gives the go-signal for his family to prepare to leave.
- 6 a.m. - Rebel soldiers storm Channel 9’s transmitter tower, which is held by loyalist troops. The noise of a gun battle is heard at the Aquino residence on Times Street, Quezon City, where Cory Aquino and her children are.
- 8 a.m. - People are called to guard Club Filipino in San Juan in case Marcos attempts to disrupt Aquino’s inauguration as President.
- 10:15 a.m. - Aquino arrives at Club Filipino. Opposition lawyer Neptali Gonzales reads a resolution proclaiming her and former Sen. Salvador Laurel as duly elected President and Vice President.
- 10:46 a.m. - Cory Aquino is sworn into office by Senior Justice Claudio Teehankee. The crowd breaks into the anthem of the anti-Marcos movement, “Bayan Ko.” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile join the singing flashing the Laban “L” sign.
- 11:45 a.m. - Marcos enters Malacañang’s Ceremonial Hall for his own inauguration.
- 11:55 a.m. - As Marcos raises his hand to take his oath, the live television coverage is abruptly cut with a perfect shot hitting the transmitter, shutting down Channels 2, 9 and 13. Chief Justice Ramon Aquino is called back for a reenactment of the swearing-in of Marcos recorded by movie cameras. For the first time in Philippine history, the country has two presidents. The Marcoses, with Bongbong in fatigues, proceed to balcony and wave at some 2,500 people assembled below. The crowd cheers: “Martial law! Martial law!”
- 3:45 p.m. - Loyalist soldiers try to ram down barricades set up at Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue in Quezon City, but people power prevails. On Nagtahan, pro-Aquino groups and loyalists coming from Marcos’ inauguration clash.
- 4:30 p.m. - Imee Marcos’ husband, Tommy Manotoc, relays the offer of US Brig. Gen. Ted Allen to use American helicopters or boats to move Marcos from the Palace.
- 5 p.m. Marcos calls Enrile again to coordinate his departure from Malacañang. His aides start packing not only clothes and books but also boxes of money that have been stored in his bedroom since the start of the election campaign. Prime Minister Cesar Virata negotiates Marcos’ departure with Aquino.
- 6:30 p.m. - Imee and Irene Marcos plead with their father to leave Malacañang after he tells his remaining men that he has decided to die there.
- 7 p.m. - US Ambassador Stephen Bosworth asks Cory Aquino if Marcos can be allowed two days in Paoay, Ilocos Norte province, before heading abroad. To prevent possible regrouping of Marcos loyalists, Aquino refuses. In Malacañang, luggage is loaded on boats, which proceed to Pangarap golf course across Pasig River where US helicopters are to collect the Marcoses.
- 7:30 p.m. - The families of Ver and Eduardo Cojuangco motor to Clark Air Base in Pampanga province.
- 8:40 p.m. - A convoy of heavily secured vehicles makes a beeline for Clark.
- 8:45 p.m. - The Marcoses and other government officials board helicopters. Some of their possessions are loaded on the choppers.
- 9:05 p.m. - The first helicopter leaves Palace grounds. Shortly, the crowd near Malacañang rejoices after hearing reports that the Marcoses have left.
- 9:45 p.m. - Marcos lands in Clark and is met by Bosworth. People in the area welcome him with chants of “Cory! Cory!”
- 9:52 p.m. - Radio dzRH announces: “The Marcoses have fled the country.”
- 10 p.m. - US Air Force TV station FEN confirms Marcos’ departure.
- 11:30 p.m. - People wrench the Palace gates open. Marcos loyalists inside Malacañang flee in all directions, with members of Palace household and security men jumping into the murky Pasig River to flee the angry crowd. Looters and vandals enter Malacañang. Ramos’ men move in to secure the premises. Officers who withdrew support from Marcos: Brig. Gen. Felix Brawner of elite First Scout Ranger Brigade and Brig. Gen. Carlos Martel, Special Mission Wing of Air Force.
Sources: “Chronology of a Revolution” by Angela Stuart Santiago, “Walang Himala: Himagsikan sa Edsa” by Angela Stuart Santiago, “The Quartet Tiger Moon” by Quijano de Manila, “People Power: The Philippine Revolution of 1986,” “Bayan Ko,” and Inquirer Archives
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Pope John Paul II introduced meetings with the youth to the calendar of the Church for good. He decided that each year WYD will be celebrated in local churches on Palm Sunday and every two/three years on international level in a chosen city and attended by the pope.
After local celebrations in 1986, the first international meeting took place. It was held outside Rome, and what now is gaining a symbolic value, in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in April 1987. In those days, the current Pope Francis was a confessor in a Jesuit school in his city.
The motto of the meeting in Argentina was: “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.” Around a million people came from Southern American countries.
The 1989 World Youth Day was organised in Santiago de Compostela, one of the most important places in Christian Europe and a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages. Its motto was: “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Attended by 400 thousand people, the meeting is best remembered for the image of pope dressed as a medieval pilgrim. It also gave birth to a unique solidarity action – young Catholics collected money for education and health care in Bolivia, Tanzania and India.
In 1991 over one and a half million people came to Częstochowa to attend WYD. Held for the first time in Poland, the event was organised during Pope John Paul II’s pilgrimage to his home country. Its unique atmosphere went beyond the limits of religious experience and was caused by the changes occurring in Central and Eastern Europe anxiously observing the Soviet Union.
The uniqueness of the meeting lied also in the fact that large numbers of young Eastern Europeans could participate in WYD for the first time. It was of a great significance to the pope who said in a homily at a mass marking the end of the meeting: “After a long period in which borders remained closed the Church in Europe can now breathe freely with both its lungs”.
“Your presence, dear friends of Eastern Europe, is of great significance today. The Church needs your testimony as a precious treasure: a testimony for which frequently a high price of suffering in isolation, prosecution and prison had to be paid; a high price”, he added.
In a homily full of allusions the pope stressed: “Today, finally, your hour has come. In the cruel years of test the Church and the successor of St Peter did not forget about you”. He appealed for building a new common home in Europe and commended young people to the Virgin Mary.
Abba Father was the official song of the 1991 WYD in Częstochowa with words: “You freed us Father from cuffs and from ourselves”. The lyrics were written by Reverend Jan Góra.
Pope’s decision on organising the next World Youth Day in Denver, USA, in August 1993 was considered a bold step. The choice of the place was of great historic importance – the previous year marked 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
In spite of some bishops’ concerns that the event would be a failure and would not generate much interest, the WYD celebrations were attended by almost 700 thousand people.
Pope John Paul II appealed to the youth: “Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places like the first apostles who preached Christ and the good news of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops”.
The World Youth Day celebrations held in Manila, capital of the Philippines, went down in history in January 1995 with a record-high number of participants of at least 4 million.
Manila’s WYD motto was: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you”. The pope explained those words saying: “[He] promises neither sword nor money nor power, nor any of the things which the means of social communications make attractive to people today. He gives you instead grace and truth. That is all he gives you, and that is all you need”.
In 1997 WYD came back to Europe, Paris, and its motto was “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see”. The event was carefully watched again mainly because of the choice of the venue. Just as in Denver a warm welcome to the bishop of Rome was not expected. However, the Paris celebrations attracted over a million people.
The WYD held in Rome in August 2000, the major event of the Jubilee celebrations marking 2000 years of Christianity, is regarded a model as far as organisation is concerned.
The logistics of the event were a success. The venue, the campus of the University of Rome Tor Vergata in the suburbs of the Eternal City, accommodated over 2 million people, including thousands of Poles.
Boys and girls from different countries were called by Pope John Paul II “guardians of the morning” that keep watch at the turn of the millennium. He appealed to them not to agree on the world in which people are without work and die of hunger. The image of the ill but happy pope energetically responding to young people’s enthusiasm was imprinted in the memory of the many pilgrims. The inhabitants of Rome were also enthusiastic taking pilgrims into their homes and helping every way they could.
The elderly pope whose health was deteriorating fast held one last meeting with the youth in Toronto in 2002. “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world” said the motto of the event attended by 800 thousand people. At the end of the celebrations the pope chose a venue for the next WYD – he invited young people to Cologne. This event was attended by the German pope in 2015 who travelled to Cologne after Pope John Paul II’s death.
The celebrations led by Pope Benedict XVI attracted 1.2 million people. Pope Benedict XVI organised two more events. The one in Sydney in 2008 was attended by 400 thousand people and the one in Madrid by 1.5 million.
Pope Benedict XVI chose Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as the next WYD venue in 2013. After his resignation at the beginning of 2013, the celebrations in the Brazilian city were led by Pope Francis. The motto: “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” was taken from the Gospel of Matthew. Pope’s Francis own interpretation of those words “Go, make some noise” seemed to resonate with many young people. Rio’s event in terms of attendance came close to that in the Philippines, with 3.7 million people.
So far, 28 World Youth Day events were organised, including 13 international gatherings held on different continents. (PAP)
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
AlDub movie expected to become a blockbuster by Crispina Martinez - Belen July 11, 2016
Considering their popularity as love team, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza’s launching movie “Imagine You And Me” is expected to make it big at the box-office.
The much-awaited movie of the phenomenal love team opens tomorrow, July 13, in cinemas nationwide. “Imagine You And Me” is a production of APT Entertainment, GMA Films, and M-Zet Television Inc.
AlDub fans eagerly await the release of the movie and Maine’s supporters are even more excited due to the fact that their idol, the “Dubsmash Queen” herself wrote and sang the theme song of the movie directed by Mark Tuviera. Did you know that it took only 15 minutes for Maine to write the song “Imagine You And Me?” Well, it’s because the sentiment of the song has always been in her heart.
Asked if she is pressured about her first starring movie doing well at the box-office, she said, “Hindi po nawawala ang pressure. Lahat kami kinakabahan as to what will be the outcome of the movie. But I’m sure maganda kasi maganda ang istorya, pinaghirapan ni direk, kami lahat so sana maging successful sa box office.”
Alden, on his part, expressed, “The pressure is there of course. Like what Maine said, lahat kami kinakabahan kasi mataas ang expectations ng mga tao. But after hearing the feedback from fans basing on the trailer and other promotions for the movie, we are excited and we look forward to it being a box-office success.”
Alden added among highlights of “Imagine You And Me” are the beautiful scenes they shot in Italy. “Sabi ni Direk Mark, it was really meant to be shot in Italy.”
Both Alden and Maine credit Direk Mark for bringing out the best in them acting-wise.
“Imagine You And Me” also stars Cacai Bautista, Cai Cortez, Irma Adlawan, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
• • •
Be ready all the time – Boyet de Leon
Multi-awarded actor Christopher “Boyet” de Leon is in the cast of “Dukot,” a suspense thriller by critically acclaimed director Paul Soriano, which also stars Enrique Gil, Shaina Magdayao, Ricky Davao, Bing Pimentel, Bangs Garcia, Ping Medina, Alex Medina, and Dino Pastrano.
“Dukot” is a co-production between Star Cinema and Ten 17 Films. It opens tomorrow in theaters nationwide.
The film, which, according to Paul, is based on true events, aims to expose the horrors and trauma of kidnapping.
In the movie, Boyet plays a member of a kidnapping syndicate.
The actor believes in the saying “Better safe than sorry” so he makes it his business to provide his family first aid kits and installing CCTV units in their house. “We also have dogs,” he said.
It did not prevent evil-minded people to try to break into their house, however. He related how, just a couple of months ago, “Pinasok kami ng mga magnanakaw but I got aware of them so binaril ko sila, not really meaning to hit them. Before that, robbers also got into our house but they were apprehended. We really have to be very careful. First and foremost, we have to pray to God for protection and ask his garrison of angels to guard our houses, our families.”
In “Dukot,” Enrique’s character Carlo is kidnapped by a ruthless gang of ex-military mercenaries. The movie promises to show a different side of Enrique’s formidable talent as one of the top young actors in the industry today. This is the first time Enrique and Paul have worked together.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 12, go to Don Ado Escudero, Vilma Selga, Agnes Rustia-Ver, Trina Yujuico-Kalaw, Dr. Chari Ballecer, Susan Reyes-Grau, PJ Dacuycuy, Cathy Bermundo-Garcia, Carmen Macapulay, Sunshine Dacudao, Tanya Louie Plastina, and Armand Reyes…Happy birthday Sarah Abdullah, Regie Baylon, Dorie Arosa, Thea Lalican, Bro. Bo Sanchez, James Floyd and Fr. Jeff Quintella…Belated b-day greetings to Susan Amoranto and Mark Lindo Lon (July 11)…Share A Mocha Moment and enjoy a One For You, One To Share (Buy One, Get One) on Chocolate Hazelnut Mocha from July 18 to 20, 2016. Promo is valid for hot and iced variants in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines. Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit # 6990, Series of 2016. July 13: Dr. Vinson Pineda, Ben and Barbara Ann Yalung, Lalaine Vitug, Claire Macaraeg, Maya Savellano, Zeny Iglesias, Msgr. Marlo Peralta, Gregory Salterio, Gina “Bam-Bam” Joveres, Judy Manuel, Ma. Teresa Tan, Laurie Tan, RK Villacorta, Rey Cristobal, and Vicky Morales of GMA-7’ “24 Oras”…
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/aldub-movie-expected-to-become-a-blockbuster/#jAiOszbzsBf8m3WT.99
The much-awaited movie of the phenomenal love team opens tomorrow, July 13, in cinemas nationwide. “Imagine You And Me” is a production of APT Entertainment, GMA Films, and M-Zet Television Inc.
AlDub fans eagerly await the release of the movie and Maine’s supporters are even more excited due to the fact that their idol, the “Dubsmash Queen” herself wrote and sang the theme song of the movie directed by Mark Tuviera. Did you know that it took only 15 minutes for Maine to write the song “Imagine You And Me?” Well, it’s because the sentiment of the song has always been in her heart.
Asked if she is pressured about her first starring movie doing well at the box-office, she said, “Hindi po nawawala ang pressure. Lahat kami kinakabahan as to what will be the outcome of the movie. But I’m sure maganda kasi maganda ang istorya, pinaghirapan ni direk, kami lahat so sana maging successful sa box office.”
Alden, on his part, expressed, “The pressure is there of course. Like what Maine said, lahat kami kinakabahan kasi mataas ang expectations ng mga tao. But after hearing the feedback from fans basing on the trailer and other promotions for the movie, we are excited and we look forward to it being a box-office success.”
Alden added among highlights of “Imagine You And Me” are the beautiful scenes they shot in Italy. “Sabi ni Direk Mark, it was really meant to be shot in Italy.”
Both Alden and Maine credit Direk Mark for bringing out the best in them acting-wise.
“Imagine You And Me” also stars Cacai Bautista, Cai Cortez, Irma Adlawan, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
• • •
Be ready all the time – Boyet de Leon
Multi-awarded actor Christopher “Boyet” de Leon is in the cast of “Dukot,” a suspense thriller by critically acclaimed director Paul Soriano, which also stars Enrique Gil, Shaina Magdayao, Ricky Davao, Bing Pimentel, Bangs Garcia, Ping Medina, Alex Medina, and Dino Pastrano.
“Dukot” is a co-production between Star Cinema and Ten 17 Films. It opens tomorrow in theaters nationwide.
The film, which, according to Paul, is based on true events, aims to expose the horrors and trauma of kidnapping.
In the movie, Boyet plays a member of a kidnapping syndicate.
The actor believes in the saying “Better safe than sorry” so he makes it his business to provide his family first aid kits and installing CCTV units in their house. “We also have dogs,” he said.
It did not prevent evil-minded people to try to break into their house, however. He related how, just a couple of months ago, “Pinasok kami ng mga magnanakaw but I got aware of them so binaril ko sila, not really meaning to hit them. Before that, robbers also got into our house but they were apprehended. We really have to be very careful. First and foremost, we have to pray to God for protection and ask his garrison of angels to guard our houses, our families.”
In “Dukot,” Enrique’s character Carlo is kidnapped by a ruthless gang of ex-military mercenaries. The movie promises to show a different side of Enrique’s formidable talent as one of the top young actors in the industry today. This is the first time Enrique and Paul have worked together.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 12, go to Don Ado Escudero, Vilma Selga, Agnes Rustia-Ver, Trina Yujuico-Kalaw, Dr. Chari Ballecer, Susan Reyes-Grau, PJ Dacuycuy, Cathy Bermundo-Garcia, Carmen Macapulay, Sunshine Dacudao, Tanya Louie Plastina, and Armand Reyes…Happy birthday Sarah Abdullah, Regie Baylon, Dorie Arosa, Thea Lalican, Bro. Bo Sanchez, James Floyd and Fr. Jeff Quintella…Belated b-day greetings to Susan Amoranto and Mark Lindo Lon (July 11)…Share A Mocha Moment and enjoy a One For You, One To Share (Buy One, Get One) on Chocolate Hazelnut Mocha from July 18 to 20, 2016. Promo is valid for hot and iced variants in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines. Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit # 6990, Series of 2016. July 13: Dr. Vinson Pineda, Ben and Barbara Ann Yalung, Lalaine Vitug, Claire Macaraeg, Maya Savellano, Zeny Iglesias, Msgr. Marlo Peralta, Gregory Salterio, Gina “Bam-Bam” Joveres, Judy Manuel, Ma. Teresa Tan, Laurie Tan, RK Villacorta, Rey Cristobal, and Vicky Morales of GMA-7’ “24 Oras”…
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/aldub-movie-expected-to-become-a-blockbuster/#jAiOszbzsBf8m3WT.99
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