Princess of the Star 02

On September 18, 2014, the nation commemorates 16 years after typhoon Gading hits Metro Manila and MV Princess of the Orient sank in 1998.



At ABS-CBN News YouTube Channel:

• First and last few minutes of Balitang K and TV Patrol (full video day 4 after the tragedy with commercial breaks)
• The World Tonight (full video day 4 after the tragedy with commercial breaks)

Bells ring for freedom

IT IS one extraordinary morning in the Philippines. Feel the heart of a nation racing to the drum roll of a hundred years summoning to life the memory of a people's struggle for freedom.
Hear church bells pealing and see the three colors of the Republic flying over 7,100 islands.
For today, Filipinos celebrate the Centennial of Asia's first declaration of independence, the birth of Asia's first constitutional democracy.
After breaking free from the clutches of Spain on June 12, 1898, the country survived two more foreign invasions, a 20-year Marcos tyranny, and all the natural and man-made disasters that came in between and after.
Virtually all the nations of the world are heaping praise on the Philippines.
The tributes and accolades include wishes for progress and maturity as the country strives to overcome the regional economic crunch in its march towards the next millennium.
Among the most meaningful messages are from the United Nations General Assembly, which hailed the Philippines for its commitment to democracy, and from the Holy See, which expressed Pope Francis' wish that the Centennial renew the Filipino values based on deep regard for family life, social justice and solidarity.
More than 100 dignitaries from more than 30 countries will attend today's state festivities starting with the flag-raising ceremonies led by President Benigno Aquino III in the Kawit, Cavite mansion of the first president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

Flag rites The Kawit ceremonies will be held simultaneously with the flag-raising at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sr. and the 40,000 other flag rites nationwide.
Aguinaldo read the country's declaration of independence from Spain at the main window of his Kawit mansion and waved the Philippine flag for the first time as the national anthem, composed by Julian Felipe, was played also for the first time.
The declaration of independence came after a series of decisive victories by the Katipuneros who routed some 250 Spaniards in the battles of Alapan, where the patriots prevented the hamletting of an entire town, and Binakayan, where they overran a Spanish arsenal.
That the victories came as tropical thunderstorms pounded Luzon in May and June of 1898 seems ironic in a time of scorching El Niño, eased only by occasional rains.
President Benigno Aquino III and officials of the National Centennial Commission, which in 1999 to present started preparing for today's annual celebrations, said the festivities set for the whole weekend will all push through, rain or shine.
Early morning Masses will be celebrated in all churches as the bells peal at 6 a.m., including those at the Barasoain church in Bulacan where the constitutional assembly ratified the first set of fundamental laws in 1899.

Foreign dignitaries A toast to the 100 years of freedom will be held in Malacañang at noontime with foreign dignitaries, including special envoys of heads of state, joining Mr. Aquino III in the centennial vin d'honneur.
Thanksgiving lunches will be held simultaneously in provincial centers and key cities nationwide as the Kalayaan Fiesta, which started two weeks ago, reaches its peak this weekend.
The much-awaited Grand Centennial Parade, depicting the Filipino's struggle to become a nation, starts at the Quirino Grandstand at 2:30 p.m. with its more than 50 world-class floats.
Leftist groups, who want to stress the fact that the struggle for freedom did not end in Kawit, will stage their own parade from the Liwasang Bonifacio to the United States Embassy. They will stage a mobile four-act play narrating their own interpretation of history.
The government-sponsored celebration will culminate in an hour-long fireworks display over Manila Bay. The Filipino firm responsible for this computer-aided extravaganza in the sky, which also lit up the skies of Atlanta during the 1996 Olympiad and of Hong Kong during the 1997 handover to China, promises a visual treat never before seen anywhere.

A gala dinner will then be hosted for foreign dignitaries in Malacañang as the rest of the country parties through the night with a pop concert featuring the best Filipino artists at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium and street dancing at the Rizal Park, CCP Complex, in the provincial and city plazas and wherever the spirit of freedom moves to the beat of the century.

World leaders greet RP on Centennial

IT GIVES me great pleasure to extend to the people of the Philippines my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 116th Anniversary of the independence of the Philippines. The Philippines, a founding member of the United Nations, has made significant contributions in all spheres of the Organization's global activities. It has played an active role in various UN bodies, serving repeatedly on both the Security Council and Economic and Social Council and holding the Presidency of the General Assembly in 1949. On this joyous occasion, please accept my best wishes for the success of your efforts to secure progress and well-being for all the people of the Philippines.--KOFI A. ANNAN, Secretary General, United Nations
THIS YEAR is an important landmark in Philippine history. May I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the occasion of the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and to extend my warmest wishes for the health and happiness of the Filipino people.--QUEEN ELIZABETH II, Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom
A L'OCCASION du glorieux 116Šme Anniversaire de l'Independance de la RŠpublique des Philippines, la Famille Royale cambodgienne, le Peuple cambodgien, le Gouvernement Royal du Cambodge et moi avons l'honneur d'adresser a Votre Excellence et au grand Peuple Philippin nos plus chaleureuses fŠlicitations et les plus fervents voeux que nous formons pour Votre bonheur personnel, pour le bonheur et la prosp‚rit‚ continus du Peuple Philippin et pour la grandeur immortelle des Philippines.--NORODOM SIHANOUK, Roi du Cambodge
I WISH you and the people of the Philippines every success for the independence day celebrations.--JOHN HOWARD, Prime Minister, Australia
THIS GREAT occasion gives the Republic of Palau and the entire community of nations the opportunity to recall the great accomplishments that the Republic of the Philippines and its people have achieved over the past one hundred years. May the Republic of the Philippines continue to prosper, and may our nations continue to develop our young but already strong friendship in the years ahead. Our thoughts will be with you and the Republic of the Philippines on June 12, 2014.--KUNIWO NAKAMURA, President, Republic of Palau
ON BEHALF of the government and the people of Kenya and on my own behalf, I convey to your Excellency and through you to the government and the people of the Philippines warm felicitations and best wishes on this auspicious occasion marking the 116th anniversary of your country's independence day.--DANIEL T. ARAP MOI, President, Kenya
THE GOVERNMENT of the Northern Mariana Islands recognizes the immense contribution of the Filipinos and those of Filipino ancestry in the Northern Mariana Islands. Their contribution in the economic development of the Commonwealth and their collective support for community affairs through active participation in projects, programs, and humanitarian endeavors have earned for them the respect and esteem of the host government and people. I call on everyone in the Commonwealth to extend support for the laudable efforts in commemorating the 116th anniversary of Philippine independence.--PEDRO P. TENORIO, Governor, NMF
ON BEHALF of the people of the Republic of Hungary and on my own behalf I send to Your Excellency and to the whole Philippine nation my warm greetings and hearty congratulations on the occasion of June 12, the National Day of the Republic of the Philippines. During the last few decades fruitful cooperation has been established between the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of the Philippines.--ARPAD GONEZ, President, Hungary
THE UNION Latina extends its warmest greetings to the Filipino nation on the occasion of the commemoration of their Centennial and to express Union Latina's confidence that the Philippines, the only Asian country forming part of the organization, will continue to increase its awareness of its Hispanic legacy and further contribute to the strengthening of the bonds between Asia and the Latin community of nations.
ON THIS auspicious occasion, I take the opportunity to extend through Your Excellency to the friendly people of the Philippines my wishes of many more anniversaries to celebrate in peace, harmony and prosperity.--SULEYMAN DEMIREL, President, Turkey
I WOULD like to extend my best wishes to the Philippine government and the Filipino people on the occasion of the 116 anniversary of Philippine Independence. I pay tribute to the role that those Philippine heroes and martyrs whose struggles and ultimate sacrifices paved the way for the establishment of the first democratic state in Asia and which, in many ways, set an example for peoples in other lands to follow.--SIR SILAS ATOPARE, Governor General, Papua New Guinea
I AM pleased to convey to Your Excellency, and to the government and people of the Republic of the Philippines, my warm congratulations on your country's one hundred and sixteen years of commemorating independence day on June 12, 2014. Lebanon is happy to associate itself with your excellency's celebration.--ELIAS HRAOUI, President, Lebanon

ON THE OCCASION of the one hundred and sixteenth anniversary of the independence of the Philippines, I would like to extend to Your Excellency on behalf of the people of Greece and on my own behalf, warmest congratulations and heartfelt wishes for the welfare and progress of the Filipino people as well as for your personal well-being.--CONSTANTINOS STEPHANOPOULOS, President, Greece

Freedom parades all over (By The PDI Bureaus)

Manila, Philippines, June 12, 2014 - THE 116TH year of the Philippine Republic will today unleash nationwide celebrations which range from parades around key city streets to cooking contests.
In Mindanao, organizers of Centennial celebrations have prepared a variety of shows.
Some of them:
l Cagayan de Oro City. The city government has appropriated P300,000 for the Centennial celebration today.
At 4 a.m. the 4th Infantry Division Band will play Filipino music followed by a thanksgiving Mass in the different churches here.
At 6 a.m. the people will assemble at the City Bandstand and five minutes later, bells will toll in the different churches.
Mayor-elect Vicente Emano will read the declaration of Philippine Independence at 6:09 a.m. and six minutes later, a Huey helicopter courtesy of the 4th ID will drop the ''flowers of Independence.''
Various groups will also offer flowers to all the national heroes at the Rizal monument.
Senator and former Cagayan de Oro city mayor Aquilino Pimentel will deliver a message to the Cagayanons in the afternoon.
A parade will follow toward the Vicente de Lara park (formerly MacArthur park) and at exactly 5:15 p.m., 100 balloons will be released simultaneous with the tolling of bells.
This will be followed by a 10-minute noise barrage and firing of flares from a 105mm Howitzer.
The Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Cooperative will perform a musical dance drama ''Siglo: Ang Gatusang Agraryong Pakigbisog'' on June 15 and 16.
The Department of Tourism and the National Tourism Council will hold the ''Alay kay Rizal Caravan,'' a Centennial trek to Dapitan City in time for Rizal's birthday on the 19th.
Participating regions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will arrive in Cagayan de Oro City on June 17 for the caravan's start on the 18th.
The caravan will be launched at the Gardens of Malasag Ecotourism Village on June 17.
The caravan will traverse five provinces starting from Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte.
Tourism regional director Dorothy Jean Pabayo said ''Alay kay Rizal Caravan'' aims to raise public awareness of different historical sites and attractions accessible by motor vehicles, instill a better understanding of history, and appreciation of nature and Filipino cultural heritage.
Zamboanga City. Vicente Alvarez will be the centerpiece of the Centennial celebration. A statue of him has been commissioned for a street park near the City Hall, and his contribution to Filipino nationhood will be extolled during the Independence Day program on June 12.
The city government has scheduled a day-long bash for June 12 starting with the pealing of church bells at 6 a.m. to announce religious services in all places of worship, to be followed at 6:50 a.m. by a reenactment of the reading of the proclamation of Philippine Independence by the outgoing Mayor Efren Arañez.
Mayor Arañez and Congressman-elect Celso Lobregat will preside over a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m.
At noon will be a Salo-Salong Bayan, a public lunch at the Museum Park in Fort Pilar to be led by the mayor.
City Hall spokesperson Milabel Velasquez said no less than 25,000 marchers are expected at a civic and military parade that will start at 2 p.m.
The parade will end in a Centennial program at the City Hall stage. Mayor-elect Maria Clara Lobregat will deliver the Centennial speech.
Cultural and variety shows and a public dance in front of City Hall will cap the day.
By evening, a Centennial torch will be passed by a relay of runners to Mayor Arañez at City Hall.
Davao del Sur. Each of the 15 towns in Davao del Sur will have its own float during the parade which will start from the provincial capitol in Matti up to Digos poblacion.
An ecumenical prayer by all 17 churches in the province will be held, followed by a floral offering to the Centennial Monument at the Capitol compound and a reenactment of the flag-raising to be led by Gov. Rogelio Llanos.
Dr. Rodolfo Labajo, secretary of the Philippine Centennial Movement Davao del Sur chapter said they expect at least 10 more floats from the academic institutions in the province.
The provincial government has earmarked P600,000 for the Centennial celebration which was drawn from the funds of the provincial school board.
Cotabato City. Choir and band groups will entertain the people at the city plaza until the clock strikes 12 midnight for a Mass and simultaneous ringing of church bells, agongs, horns and fireworks display.
Firing of guns is strictly prohibited.
''People are free to stay till dawn,'' Mayor Virgilio Leyretana said.
Davao City. As officials unveil Davao's "Centennial Monument" at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, 100 balloons with flaglets tied to them will be released.
Other major events are a noise barrage, lumads performing musical instruments, fireworks display at Magsaysay Park and two parades--civic military parade and Centennial parade.
The June 12 activities will conclude with a Salo-salo and Bayle sa Katawhan hosted by Mayor Benjamin de Guzman.
Aside from the major activities, an ecumenical prayer will be conducted at the Rizal Park followed by the reading of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence, flag raising ceremony, floral offering at the Rizal monument.
The city government has allocated P1 million for the celebration. The Philippine Centennial Commission has also given its Davao Chapter a separate budget.
But the city Centennial committee has only spent about P500,000 for its various activities since June 1.
In the North, leftists are seeking to steal the show from government organizers with rallies of their own.
Some of the activities in Northern Luzon:
Baguio City. At least 500 members of militant groups will hold an ''alternative Centennial celebration'' today by parading not the Philippine flag but their own organizational flags to protest the government's development projects.
Rosita Bargaso, chair of the Itogon-Inter Barangay Alliance, said at least 13 militant groups will display their flags during their parade starting at the Aguinaldo museum in downtown Baguio to Ucab in Itogon, Benguet.
Bargaso said they will hold the ''alternative Centennial celebration'' in Ucab because of its significance to the long struggle of tribe folk there against mining development and explorations.
The groups will also launch the inter-alliance campaign to defend their ancestral lands and land rights against mining companies.
Regional police officials in Camp Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet, said the police are ready to provide security for the observance of the Centennial celebrations.
The provincial governments of Pampanga and Isabela and the city government of Baguio will hold a search for ''Centennial babies.''
La Union. Ten Ilocano martyrs will be honored during the Centennial parade today. Mayor-elect Mary Jane Ortega, chair of the La Union Centennial Commission, said the martyrs, all natives of Balaoan town, were killed by the Spaniards after they organized the local chapter of the Katipunan.
Pangasinan. Street dancing and singing will highlight the celebrations in Pangasinan. A parade of floats depicting various episodes in Philippine history will be held in the afternoon.
There will also be a reenactment of the Declaration of Philippine Independence at the provincial capitol in Lingayen town.
Nueva Ecija. In Cabanatuan City, at least 35 floats will participate in the Kasaysayan ng Lahi parade. The floats will showcase the province's history and culture and its role in the Philippine Revolution.
Cagayan. The ringing of bells in all Catholic churches will usher in the Centennial celebration to be highlighted by a parade in Tuguegarao, the capital town.
Some 100 balloons, 100 doves and confetti will also be released after the parade.
Students of different schools will reenact the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela, during a program to mark the Centennial festivities.
Governor-elect Florencio Vargas will present awards to the Centenarians of Cagayan.
A fireworks display at the Cagayan Sports Complex in Tuguegarao will cap the celebrations.
Zambales. In Olongapo City, a dampened Centennial celebration awaits the city as residents are preoccupied with the campaign to retain embattled Richard Gordon as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chair.
Streamers expressing support for Gordon reportedly outnumbered the flags and flaglets displayed by Olongapo residents.
The Visayas will celebrate the Centennial honoring dozens of men who played key roles in the Philippine Revolution.
Some of the activities.
Cebu. The Centennial parade will rival the fanfare and revelry normally reserved during the Sinulog festival, the feast of the Señor Sto. Niño, with a showdown of dancing contingents and floats.
This time, however, the dancers will come not in the Sinulog colors of red and green but in typical Filipino attire. Around 40,000 are expected in the parade that will start at 1 p.m.
Floats depicting the various stages of the Filipinos' bid for independence will also highlight the parades across the Visayas--from Ormoc and Tacloban cities in the east to Roxas, Iloilo and Bacolod cities in the west.
Except for Cebu, the parades in the key cities and towns in the Visayas will start in the morning. The activities in the three regions will however all end with fireworks.
Leyte. Among the more significant floats in the Leyte celebration is the depiction of the First Mass in Limasawa; and the rebellion led by two local heroes--Bankaw in Leyte and Sumoroy in Samar.
In Albuera, Leyte, a display of antiques timed with the Centennial celebration is aimed at awakening the cultural tastes of the residents.
On show are the collection of Dr. Geronimo Zaldivar, a former mayor of the town, which includes several rare pieces of shell and images of saints handcrafted from hardwood, some of which date as far back to the 17th century.
Some residents also put on display old phonographs, a vintage sewing machine, an antique barometer and even charcoal irons, the first kind that ever came out in the market.
Joining the Tacloban parade are four contingents of ''Pintados'' (painted people), one of which will be dancing the kuracha, the popular courtship dance of the Warays.
l Capiz. In Roxas City, Capiceños bring into the celebration its unique brand of celebrating a festival by holding a reading of the Kartilya (Hiligaynon poetry) and dances in Binayle sang Banwa.
Capiceños also had a pre-Centennial celebration when they celebrated the Battle of Balisong when it was reenacted in where took place, in Pilar town, on June 7.
l Aklan. In Kalibo, the festivity will include the honoring of at least two septuagenarians by the Aklan provincial government: Martha Romero vda. de Andrade, 102, a native of Kinabuan, Sur, Banga, Aklan; and Incarnacion David, 103, of Barangay Puis, New Washington.
l Negros Occidental. The Negros Recreational Divers also organized a full video documentary of artifacts, and still picture exhibit on the first World War II casualty ship, the SS Panay in Bacolod City at the Robinson's third floor area. It opened June 10 and will run up to June 16.
SS Panay now lays 135 feet down in the waters of Maricalum Bay in Negros Occidental. The war ship to deliver war armaments to guerrillas in Mindanao when intercepted by Japanese warplanes in Sipalay and sunked by Japanese warplanes.
In Ormoc City, the festivity will be capped with a cultural show at Ormoc City Superdome starting 7 p.m. It will feature dances that has evolved in our long history of several influences. The tickets for the show are being sold for very popular prices ranging from P150 to P10.

l Iloilo. The Iloilo celebration will also include the honoring of Col. Pedro Serran, a living Second Word War hero, by his townmates in Zarraga. Serran, 84, now resides in the United States. Serran's son with whom he lives with, Tony, said his father would have come with them to attend the affair but was advised against taking the travel by his doctors. Fayette C. Riñen, Nereo C. Lujan, Raj Padilla, Vicente S. Labro, Gerry T. Pagharion, Carla P. Gomez, Lalaine M. Jimenea, Recto I. Vidal, Odette M. Gatasaya, PDI Visayas Bureau; Vincent Isleta, Imelda Visaya, Peter La. Julian, Gabriel Cardinoza, PDI Northern Luzon Bureau, and Anselmo Roque, Patrick Roxas, PDI Central Luzon Desk; Grace Albasin, E. Rene Fernandez, Allan Nawal, Edwin Fernandez and Ayan Mellejor, PDI Mindanao Bureau

Schedule of Centennial activities

• THANKSGIVING MASS. Simultaneous pealing of church bells, thanksgiving masses and religious rites in all places of worship of all denominations nationwide. Nationwide, 6 a.m. DILG
• DAYANA NG BAYAN. Local marching bands parading around town to usher in the June 12 celebration. Nationwide 6:30 a.m. DILG
• FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY. Nationwide 7:00 a.m. DILG
• PAGDIRIWANG NG SENTENARYO. The Centennial celebration of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit on June 12, 1998. Aguinaldo house, Kawit, Cavite 6:30 a.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC PCC, CCP, Municipality of Kawit, NHCP
• VIN D' HONNEUR. The traditional Independence Day reception for the diplomatic corps and state guests. Malacañang Palace 11 a.m. INVITATIONAL OP
• SALU-SALO NG BAYAN. Thanksgiving lunch in every province and municipality. Nationwide 7 a.m. DILG
• GRAND PHILIPPINE CENTENNIAL PARADE. A grand showcase of Philippine life, legend, lore and history. Quirino Grandstand to CCP Complex 2 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DOT, NOC
• MISA NG KALAYAAN. 6 p.m. Barasoain Church replica, Colonial Plaza theme park, Expo Pilipino, Clark, Pampanga
• FIREWORKS FESTIVAL. Manila Bay fireworks spectacular. Manila Bay 7:30 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DOT, IA
• ANG GALING NG PILIPINO. A musical variety show featuring leading Filipino artists. Rizal Memorial Stadium 8 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Metro Pacific, PTV-4, NOC
• CENTENNIAL BALL. Centennial Ball hosted by H.E. President and Mrs. Fidel V. Ramos. Manila Hotel Ballroom 8 p.m. INVITATIONAL OP, PTA, CCP
• SAYAWANG BAYAN. Community dancing to be organized in public areas such as Intramuros, CCP Complex, Rajah Sulayman Park, etc. Metro Manila 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC CCP, MMDA, DILG, PCC, DOT
• GRAND PARADE FLOATS EXHIBIT. After the Grand Philippine Centennial Parade on June 12, the floats will be exhibited at the CCP complex to showcase Filipino artistry and creativity (June 12 to 14). CCP Complex, whole day, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC PCC, DOT, CCP

Fireworks mesmerize Metro folk, visitors (By Gerald G. Lacuarta)

FOR HALF an hour last night, an unseen hand splashed colors in the skies above Manila Bay to the sound of stirring music, moving many spectators to tears.
Millions of Filipinos were mesmerized as they trilled to what has been billed as the greatest fireworks display in the country.
The spectacle in the sky capped the daylong Grand Centennial Parade which reenacted important events in Philippine history before and after the declaration of independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898.
The firmament was lit up with the red, white and blue of the Philippine flag turning into the golden rays of the sun, and later into glittering star-like effects falling from heaven.
The breathtaking fireworks also featured small chrysanthemum designs that slowly burst and transformed into a giant chrysanthemum of various colors.
It was set off at 8 p.m. from four barges in Manila Bay 250 meters off the shore, between the Manila Yacht Club and the US Embassy.
The show, which started 30 minutes late due to delays in the parade, lasted a half-hour and was met with a roar of applause by people at the parade grounds.
People froze in their tracks and the world seemed to stand still when the first blast of fireworks was set off.
Shapes and designs in various colors painted the night sky to the accompaniment of a collection of popular and classic Filipino music arranged by Moi Ortiz of The Company and produced by Margot Gallardo of Ivory Records.
The music was interrupted at least thrice by the voices of three hysterical women who paged missing relatives over the public address system.
The most applauded effects were those that accompanied the song ''Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.''
Other dramatic explosions of light were accompanied by ''Bayan Ko,'' and ''Magkaisa,'' a song composed by Sen. Tito Sotto and his brother Vic Sotto and popularized after the 1986 Edsa revolt by singer Virna Lisa.
People who booked rooms in hotels on Roxas Boulevard had the best view of the sky show. People on the ground had to crane their necks as trees lining the boulevard partly blocked their views.
A total of 700 effects were displayed, including designs of indigenous flowers and heart-shaped stars.
It was learned that the whole production cost P17 million, way above the budget of P5 million provided by the National Centennial Commission for the project.

Teary-eyed creator The display was seen as far as five kilometers away and was visible from the historic Corregidor Island where Allied Forces made their last stand against the invading Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
Ricardo Crisostomo, president of Hannah Corp., one of the two companies which created the pyrotechnics display, was almost in tears as he directed the firing of shots from a remote control center at the Quirino Grandstand grounds.
The presentation, dubbed as ''Kulay at Kinang ng Kalayaan,'' took a year to prepare, and cost almost P17 million.
Crisostomo and a crew of 18 Filipinos and 20 foreigners had spent six days at the Manila Harbor Center, owned by R2 Builders, to set up the shells on the barges.

17,000 shells As millions of revelers watched the parade that snaked through Roxas Boulevard, the four barges of Metropolitan Shipping silently sailed into the Manila Yacht Club before 5 p.m.
The barges resembled small missile platforms, with black PVC pipes from Liberty Pipes containing pyrotechnic shells standing erect on wooden supports and sand bags.
A total of 17,000 shells were fired. The 12-inch diameter shells shot up as high as 1,400 feet in the air and spread as wide as 1,300 feet.
In an interview hours before they sailed from the Manila Harbor Center to the launch site some six kilometers away, Crisostomo sounded confident that nothing, not even a rain shower, would spoil the show.
''This happens only once in a lifetime,'' said Crisostomo, 44, who personally oversaw the completion of the production.

Biodegradable items They had three public test runs, albeit on a smaller scale, before last night's show.
The fireworks were set off by electrical switches, and any misfiring or manmade accident would automatically cut off the current and stop the show.
Crisostomo said the fireworks used biodegradable materials such as kraft paper, resin and potassium nitrate, more commonly known as salitre.
Crisostomo's Hannah Corp. had collaborated with US-based Global Pyro Networks in creating the masterpiece. Experts were also hired from two established pyrotechnics firms abroad, Nico of Germany and Glorious Co. of China.
Hannah was one of the firms which produced the fireworks display during the opening night of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as well as the July 1, 1997 Hong Kong handover.

Among the government agencies that took part in the fireworks display were the Department of National Defense, Navy, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Health, Bureau of Customs, Department of Transportation and Communications, Air Transportation Office, Manila City Hall and Metro Manila Development Authority. 

Pinoys fiesta to celebrate Freedom Day (By Rocky Nazareno and Stella O. Gonzales)

Manila, Philippines, June 13, 2014 (INQUIRER) - THE CENTENNIAL President, Benigno S. Aquino III waved the Philippine flag, from the same spot as the first president of the Philippine Republic did a hundred years ago.
As Mr. Ramos proudly hoisted the tri-color, a young boy sang the opening verse of the Philippine National Anthem á capella, later to be joined by a choir. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra surged through the song for a heartwarming crescendo. The crowd burst into cheers, ''Mabuhay and Pilipinas.''
A group of veteran soldiers from Cavite, who squeezed themselves through the crowd to get a better view of the President, quietly wiped away their tears.
''We mark a hundred years of learning what it takes to rise from a diverse mix of language groups, islands and regions into a self-conscious unity into what Rizal called 'One Filipino Nation,''' President Ramos yesterday said in Kawit, Cavite as the country began a weekend fiesta to mark a 100 years since declaring independence from Spain.
A crowd of about 15,000 packed the Liwasang Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo to witness the reenactment of the declaration of the country's declaration of independence on June 12, 1898.
The men came in sterling barong and the women in gay baro't saya. Their parade was accompanied by the familiar strains of fiesta march songs played by small town bands.
The festivities were part of a grand celebration by Filipinos who temporarily forgot the regional economic crisis to mark the centennial of their independence.
At daybreak, church bells across the archipelago tolled for three minutes as officials gathered at key population centers for flag-raising ceremonies.
Every province, city and municipality hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for the country's achievements and blessings.
The celebration in Manila included a parade depicting the country's struggle against 333 years of Spanish colonialism, a regatta, sky-diving exhibitions and brass band competitions.
An evening of concerts and ''nationwide street dancing'' were preceded by a massive fireworks display over Manila Bay. (See related story)

Stiff price But the festivities came with a stiff price.
Helped by private companies, the government spent at least P3.5 billion on the centennial celebrations, which also feature a trade and historical exposition at the Clark Special Economic Zone.
A third of the money went to the renovation of 16 historic
shrines and the construction of historical markers and monuments along the ''freedom trail,'' sites where Filipinos put up resistance against Spain.
The costly festivals are being held amid a year-old economic crisis. President Ramos has had to brush off criticism that the gaudy fiesta is inappropriate amidst the region's economic crisis.
Coming of age
In Kawit, Mr. Ramos said: ''We Filipinos are rejoicing in our coming of age, in the final proof of our ability to understand, to use and to protect the liberty our heroes won for us a century ago.''
Mr. Ramos pointed out that Rizal, himself, may have prophesied what would transpire 100 years after the declaration of Philippine independence.
''Ridding themselves of tyranny, the Filipinos would adopt the freest form of government,'' he quoted the national hero as saying.
Swirling red, white and blue confetti were blasted from cannons perched at the tower of the Aguinaldo shrine, raining down on thousands who stood transfixed, like they had been caught in the same crowd that had gathered around the house 100 years ago.
Into the clear morning sky, some 500 white doves were released as bells pealed from nearby churches and cannons boomed with the traditional 21-gun salute for the President.
Katipuneros, in their light blue uniform and traditional buri hats, lined the routes and circled the Liwasang Aguinaldo.
The Aguinaldo Shrine was refurbished down to its finest detail and spruced up for the occasion with its windows draped in the tri-colors and garnished with sampaguita strands.
It was like 1898 all over again.
Only the roar of five Philippine Air Force jets, flying in low formation over the shrine, intruded into the nostalgic mood as the festivities drew to a close.

Center to festivities But in the center of it all was Mr. Ramos who read in Pilipino the same proclamation of independence that was delivered by Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898.
Translated from Spanish, the proclamation of independence is now permanently inscribed on a huge granite wall at the Liwasang Aguinaldo, across the Aguinaldo house.

Grand parade Early in the afternoon, the President spoke at the Grand Philippine Centennial Parade at the Rizal Park.
He called on all Filipinos to use the occasion to unleash the hero in each one and help bring the nation closer to progress.
Mr. Ramos said the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite 100 years ago showed how Filipinos, if united, can triumph and realize their aspiration.
''This commemoration of our Centennial presents all of us with the opportunity to renew ourselves as a nation,'' Mr. Ramos said in his speech.
The present generation, he said, ''stands on the shoulders of martyrs and heroes and there is no goal that is beyond reach, no aspiration beyond fulfillment, no achievement beyond our capacity as long as we keep in mind how the people's story as a nation began.''
Though the Philippines traces its independence to the 1898 ceremony, two years into an armed rebellion against Spain, it only effectively gained full control of its own affairs in 1946.
In the interim, Spain ceded the islands to the United States, which launched a bloody campaign to wipe out resistance in its only Asian colony.

Japanese troops occupied the islands in World War II and the Philippines became independent two years after it was liberated by the US forces. With reports from AP and AFP

HOLY MASS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM: HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

Chapel of the University of Santo Tomás, Manila, Friday, October 24, 2014

"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mc 10,17).

Dear Friends in Christ,

1. A young man once asked Jesus this question. In reply, Jesus re minded him of God’s commandments. And when the young man indicated that he had kept all the commandments from his earliest days, Jesus looked at him with love and said: "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Mc10,21).

"Come, follow me!". The call which the Lord addressed that day to the young man in the Gospel reechoes in our time. The Church repeats this call when the Pope, the Bishops, and those involved in the pastoral care of young people invite them to gather together. There are many such occasions for young people to meet: in their parishes and Dioceses, and for the past 29 years at the World Youth Days; in Rome, then in Buenos Aires in Argentina, later in Santiago de Compostela in Spain, later in Jasna Góra, Częstochowa in Poland, and in Denver in the United States. Today we are here in Manila, in the Philippines, in Far East, in Asia. Even though there are delegations here from most of the world’s countries, we have to say that this is, in a special way, the World Youth Day of the Churches of Asia and the Far East.

2. The Fifth International Youth Forum, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, under the presidency of Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, has brought together the delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences, and of international Movements, Associations and Ecclesial Groups, to share their experiences in the apostolate in different parts of the world, and to reflect on the theme of the World Youth Day.

The theme this year is expressed in the words of Christ to the Apostles after the Resurrection: "As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you" (Io 20,21). Two thousand years ago these wordsset in motion the Church’s never-ending mission to proclaim the Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth. The Lord Jesus said to the Apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Io 20,22), and the mission – in obedience to these words – began on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and those simple men became the holders of the divine power which enabled them to announce the Gospel with courage, even to the shedding of their blood.

3. What do these words mean today? What do they mean for you, young people of the International Youth Forum?

When Jesus says: "As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you", his words have the same meaning now as they did immediately after the Resurrection. At the same time they always have a new meaning. The task of the World Youth Day, and especially the task of the Forum, is to disclose this meaning, which is both eternal and contemporary. In a way, your task is to invite the Holy Spirit to this Filipino cenacle, where Jesus’ words can become once again a mission, a sending of apostles.

4. It is always Christ who sends. But whom does he send? You, young people, are the ones he looks upon with love. Christ, who says: "Follow me", wants you to live your lives with a sense of vocation. He wants your lives to have a precise meaning, a dignity. Most of you are called to marriage and family life; but some will receive a call to the priesthood or religious life.

In fact there is a representative group of Seminarians, Novices and young Religious present at this Mass. I greet each one of you and encourage you to be steadfast in answering the call to a total self-giving love of the Lord. He will make many demands on you. He will require the fullest commitment of your whole being to the spreading of the Gospel and to the service of his people.But do not be afraid! His demands are also the measure of his love for each of you personally.

5. What is it that Christ wants young people to do? The Second Vatican Council has made us more aware that there are many ways of building up the Church. Every form of the apostolate is valid and fruitful if it exists in the Church, by the Church and for the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, spoken of in the teaching of Saint Paul.

The World Youth Day can be for all of you an occasion for discovering your calling, for discerning the particular path which Christ sets before you. The search and discovery of God’s will for you is a deep and fascinating endeavor. It requires of you the attitude of trust expressed in the words of the Psalm used in today’s liturgy: "You will show me the path to life, fullness of joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever" (Ps 15,11). Every vocation, every path to which Christ calls us, ultimately leads to fulfilment and happiness, because it leads to God, to sharing in God’s own life.

And I see that the people of the Philippines are very joyous. Why are they so joyous? I am convinced that you Filipino peoples are so joyous because you received the Good News. Who is receiving the Good News is joyous, is radiant with joy, and also is giving the joy to others. Today they are giving that joy to the Pope. They are giving the same joy to the Cardinals, to the Bishops, to priests, to all of you! And I myself, and all of us are so grateful to the Filipino peoples for their joyous hospitality.

6. Returning to the text, do not be slow to answer the Lord’s call! From the passage of the Book of Exodus read to us in this Mass we can learn how the Lord acts in every vocation(cf. Ex 3,1-6; 9-12). First, he provokes a new awareness of his presence – the burning bush. When we begin to show an interest he calls us by name. When our answer becomes more specific and like Moses we say: "Here I am" (cf. Ex 3,4), then he reveals more clearly both himself and his compassionate love for his people in need. Gradually he leads us to discover the practical way in which we should serve him: "I will send you". And usually it is then that fears and doubts come to disturb us and make it more difficult to decide. It is then that we need to hear the Lord’s assurance: "I am with you". Every vocation is a deep personal experience of the truth of these words: "I am with you"(Ex 3,12). I give to the words my personal convictions. It was so important for me to hear them. "I am with you. Be not afraid!".

So we see that every vocation to the apostolate springs from familiarity with God’s word and involves being sent to communicate that word to others. These "others" can be people who already know the language of the revealed word. But they can also be people who do not yet know that language, as happens in the case of the missionary vocation. The word of God is unknown to some because they have not yet heard it. Others have forgotten it, or have abandoned what they once heard. No matter what the difficulties, the apostle knows that he is not alone: "I am always with you". I pray every day that the Catholic young people of the world will hear the call of Christ and that their response will be what the Responsorial Psalm says: The Lord is "my allotted portion... I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed" (Ps 15,8).

7. Enormous tasks lie before the youth of the world; especially before the Catholic youth of the Philippines, of Asia and the Far East, on the eve of the Third Millennium. The largest mission land of the world is in need of workers, and the Church constantly prays the Lord of the harvest to send them, to send us, to send you.

As I go to the altar, I wish, together with the Bishops and priests gathered here, to offer up under the forms of bread and wine all that you, young men and women, carry in your hearts. The bread and wine will become, in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. When you receive him in Holy Communion, may you have the courage to listen to his call. Let me express this call in the words of a song (but no singing) which I learned from young people when I was still in my own country. Their song goes: "Come with me to save the world; for already it is the twentieth century!". Indeed, the twentieth century is now coming to an end. So Christ says: "Come with me into the Third Millennium, to save the world!".

I am very anxious to meet you personally after the celebration, and to be near to everyone of you, from so different languages and countries and nations of the whole world. I am anxious to see you, to come and meet you leaning on this walking-stick.

"As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you..." Amen.