Preparations ‘on track’

THE stage of the venue for the annual anniversary celebration and prayer assembly of Evangelical Christian and Roman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Religious Group "Jesus is Lord Church" on October 26 is almost complete, said Fr. Raul Gallego, chairman on venue preparation.

Gallego said that although the designated parking area is not yet finished, car passes were already distributed to those who applied for accreditation through the parishes.

The parking area, which is across the street of the venue, can accommodate 10,000 cars.

He said work on the template had to stop the other night because of heavy rain. Work resumed yesterday morning.

He said they are praying it won’t rain during the remaining days of preparation so they can be ready for the dry run on Saturday.

“I am confident that everything will be ready by Saturday. I hope it will not rain anymore,” Gallego said.

More assurance

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also assured the public that the venue will be completed in time for the celebration. He intends to bring members of the media to the area when it is completed, a few days before the big day.

“There is still time. Everything will be addressed,” Rama told reporters yesterday.

The templete is being constructed on a Cebu City Government lot adjacent to the future SM City at the South Road Properties.

Gallego said SM City and the Cebu Contractors Association provided free filling materials for free. The latter also provided free labor (drivers and heavy equipment operators) and other construction materials.

The priest said the templete will become a permanent structure in the area. They want to preserve it as a historical place.

“We already wrote the Cebu City Council to pass a resolution declaring it as a historical place. Once declared, it will become a tourist attraction,” Gallego said.
A million people are expected to attend the thanksgiving mass.

In a related development, T. Padilla Barangay Captain Michael Ralota wants to name the Mambaling access road to the SRP as San Pedro Calungsod Ave.

Ralota, an ex-officio member of the City Council, proposed an ordinance to name the access road in honor of the first Visayan and second Filipino saint.

Media exposure

He also sponsored a resolution requesting the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to conduct live coverage of the event.

A copy of the resolution was furnished to former KBP president Ruphil Bañoc and Bobby Nalzaro of radio dySS and Leo Lastimosa of radio dyAB.

“The KBP Cebu chapter member media institutions have a greater role and duty to inform and to disseminate to the general public the highlights of certain focal events that are impressed with lasting and historic cultural significance, including the national thanksgiving mass,” read Ralota’s resolution, which the council approved.

As for renaming the Mambaling access road, Ralota’s proposal was referred to the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission and the committee on laws for comment.

Mayor Rama said he has no objections to the proposal.

Reconfigured jet to fly Pope.

A reconfigured Airbus A300 aircraft of Philippine Airlines (PAL) will fly Pope Francis to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea today at the close of His Holiness' four-day pastoral and state visit to the Philippines.

Senior officials of Philippine Airlines led by Chairman Dr. Lucio Tan and President Ramon S. Ang and the charterers, PMFTC, Inc. will join the Pontiff on the flight that will take about four hours and 42 minutes. Papua New Guinea is the second stop in the Holy Father's Asian tour this year.

After farewell ceremonies at the Old Manila International Airport, the Plane enblazoned with the exultation: “Totus Tuus!” takes off at around 10:00 A.M.

The flight will be commanded by Captain Johnny Andrews. The pilot-in-command is Captain Alfredo Juliano who assisted by Captain Oliver Castro, First Officers Ruben Matro and Servando Bocao and flight engineers Danny Hallare and Manuelito Respaldon. Inflight service will be provided two sets of cabin crew numbering 22 led-by pursers Angelito Tiras and John Inopea.

The rest of the crew are assistant flight purser Aurora Bautista, stewards Wesley Calfoforo, Salvador Cacho, Joseph Torral, Rafael Torralba, Aurora Ponce-Enrile, Susan del Carmen, Jesulta de Leon, Stella Frias, Elsie Escutin, Hermie Cagalingan, Cristina Padilla, Lourdes Ledesma, Ysabel Costas, Evangeline Gatmaitan, Margarita Manzano, Cynthia Rosales and Service Manager Augusto Barrios.

As reconfigured, the Aircraft is fitted with special seats, a sleeperette, and a dedicated lavatory to suit the requirements of the Holy Father during the flight to Port Moresby, located some 2,161 nautical miles south of Manila.

During the deceased pope John Paul 2's visit in February 1981, PAL flew the Pontiff to several key cities in the country: including Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Baguio and Subic.

PSG Chief bares plot to assassinate pontiff

Law enforcement authorities were worried over a plot to assassinate Pope Francis even on the day of his departure, forcing them to change his route from the Apostolic Nunciature to the Old Manila International Airport yesterday.

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Visit inspired us - Aquino

Manila, Philippines, October 28, 2014 - President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday said the successful visit of Pope Francis to Manila has inspired his government and the Filipino People to act with more determination to combat poverty.

"We will carry on with even greater resolve our mission to conquer poverty, to lift every citizen to a life of dignity and well-being and to sustain ourselves on the needs of the spirit," Mr. Aquino III said in his short speech during the departure ceremonies for the Pope.

The President said his government, like the people who heard the Pope’s message of faith, hope and love, is “committed to meeting the greater needs of all humanity.”

He said the Pope has left the country “with a new sense of both the capabilities and responsibilities of our national community - specially our resources of spirit and our responsibilities to others.”

At the same time, the President said his Philippines will continue to coordinate with his neighbors in trying to bring peace and economic prosperity in the region and the world.

For his part, Vice-President Jejomar Binay said the Pope's visit should have effect on criminals and other wayward elements of society.

Interviewed at the old Manila International Airport Terminal after the departure of the Holy Father, Binay Sr. said he is hoping the Pope's Apostolic Visit will be “the start of the conversation of criminals towards a better life and legal occupation.”

“Sana itong ating mga kababayan na naliligaw ng landas ay nagkaroon ng pagbabago ng kaisipan. Sa ibinahagi sana ng ating Santo Papa, sana'y hindi na mag-hanap-buhay ng illegal, at humanap ng trabaho na mahusay,” the Vice-President said.

“Wala silang panahon na magnanakaw, ang mga naliligaw ng landas, siguro sa pagdating ng ating Santo Papa ay humingi din ng kapatawaran. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito,” Binay Sr. said.