Pope Francis thrills in PH with 'jeepney' popemobile

MANILA - Pope Francis made a triumphant entrance for a mass with millions in the Philippines on Sunday aboard a "popemobile" styled after the nation's iconic, flamboyant and much-loved "jeepney" minibus.

The pontiff, standing in the elevated open body of the uniquely Filipino version of his popemobile, travelled through the streets of the capital Manila for the main event of his five-day visit.

Wearing a think plastic yellow poncho over his vestments, the 78-year-old pontiff smiled and waved to hundreds of thousands who had lined the route to the venue for the mass.

The rectangular vehicle with distinctive giant grille repeatedly stopped so he could reach into the cheering masses and pick up babies to kiss and bless them.

The pope rode the jeepney popemobile to Rizal Park where millions had gathered to hear him celebrate mass, in one of the world's biggest papal gatherings.

The jeepneys are regarded by many Filipinos as a symbol of national ingenuity. Locals created them from surplus US military jeeps after American forces left at the end of World War II.

The bodies of the jeeps were extended, seats were added and a fixed roof put in place. The vehicles were then painted with colourful and Catholic designs.

They proved to be strong vehicles with decades-long lifespans, and can be seen ferrying people through city streets and animals on mountain roads.

However the diesel-powered vehicles are also one the nation's chief air pollution culprits.

Francis's jeepney was an all-white popemobile. It had no doors, after the pope told local organisers he did not want a bulletproof vehicle so he could reach out and touch his followers.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Another anti-pork rally set in Luneta Friday

MANILA – A protest rally against the pork barrel system will be staged by several militant groups and Church-based groups at the Rizal Park on Friday.

The organizers said around 10,000 people, mostly students, are expected to attend the rally.

Fr. Joe Dizon, one of the organizers of the event, said the gathering will be used to educate more people on the pork barrel system and how it works.

The organizers and police, however, have yet to agree on the duration of the event.

Dizon said their original request to rally from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. was cut short to 6 p.m.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they received the orders from the Manila City Hall, but one of the organizers, Bayan’s Renato Reyes, said the national government should decide on the matter and not the local government.

Kenneth Montegrande, spokesperson National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC), reminded all those who will be joining the rally to respect the park and avoid vandalism, littering, or any other activity that may damage the park.

Attendees will be allowed to bring placards and effigies, but they are not allowed to burn it inside the park. -- Report from by Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Georgina, Raymond Gutierrez heckled at anti-pork rally

MANILA -- A number of the anti-pork barrel protesters who gathered at Rizal Park Monday allegedly yelled "epal" at Richard Gutierrez and Georgina Wilson, with an eyewitness relating the reported booing that took place.

Gutierrez and Wilson, along with TV host Isabelle Daza, supposedly earned the ire of some participants of the rally when they arrived at Quirino Grandstand, according to a report published Tuesday on news website Inquirer.net.

"A handful of people also cried epal when they saw actors and TV hosts Richard Gutierrez, Georgina Wilson and Isabelle Daza at Quirino Grandstand but the crowd did not join the shouting," said the report, which enumerated personalities seen at the event dubbed the "Million People March."

One of the protesters who was at the venue, Jeff Valisno, told ABS-CBNnews.com on Tuesday that he witnessed the reaction among the other participants when the group of celebrities showed up at the event.

"Ang na-boo ay sina Georgina Wilson, Isabelle Daza, Raymond Gutierrez, (fashion designer) Rajo Laurel at 'yung partner niya," Valisno said.

Although Valisno said he did not see the group arrive and leave the protest, "I saw them sa grandstand area mga 10 a.m. Hindi naman malakas ang mga boo, pero obvious na marami ang naasar at nagparinig sa kanila."

According to Valisno, the group did not interact with the other participants at the anti-pork barrel rally. "May mga tao na nagsasabi na 'Ano ang ginagawa nila dito?' Hindi aman sila nakihalubilo sa tao," he said.




On image-sharing service Instagram, the three celebrities posted photos of them at the rally, with one showing Wilson and Daza posing with protesters in the background.

Wilson, in one post, also shared a quote attributed to "Million People March," which says, "Pinoy Kami. We pay our taxes on-time and in-full. You, our government, owe us a full explanation."

Gutierrez, meantime, posted a photo of him with his companions in a vehicle en route to Rizal Park.

Early this month, the TV host, in a report, was alleged to have had business ties with the children of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

He allegedly formed a public relations company with James and Jo-Christine Napoles in April 2012, among other separate companies put up by the siblings in recent years.

Gutierrez, however, has yet to address the issue.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Philippines to mark Independence Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Aquino will lead the celebration of the 113th proclamation of Philippine Independence in various sites Sunday, June 12, 2011.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said that simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at the Rizal National Monument at the Rizal Park, the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite and other important sites all over the country.

Aquino will lead the wreath-laying and flag-raising rites in Kawit at 6:30 a.m. in which he will deliver his Independence Day message.

At 7 a.m., all sea vessels and churches nationwide will blow fog horns, sirens and church bells to be led by the Philippine Coast Guard.

With the theme “Kalayaan: Paninindigan ng Bayan,” the celebration will showcase various activities led by different government agencies.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will take the lead in showcasing its Static Display, Kinetic Presentation, PMC Drum and Bugle Team Exhibition, and PMA silent drill, and a slow drill exhibition from the PNPA.

The Department of Labor and Employment will hold a whole-day job fair at the Fountain Area of the Rizal Park.

The Department of Tourism and NHCP will also spearhead the afternoon program which will start at 4 p.m at the Quirino Grandstand. There will be an arrival honors for the president followed by a “Parada ng Kalayaan.”

Some 1,000 Manila policemen will be deployed in Rizal Park and United States Embassy during the 113th celebration of Independence Day at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Sunday, the Manila Police District said.

Also, at least 24,000 jobs are out for grabs in the government’s one-day Kalayaan Job Fair, which commemorates the Independence Day celebration, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said.

Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said that about 113 local, overseas, and government employers will participate in the job fair, which will be held Sunday at the Rizal Park in Manila from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The job fair was organized by the DoLE- National Capital Region (NCR) and the Bureau of Rural Workers (BWSC) with Special Concerns and is part of the government’s continuous project to facilitate work to job seekers. (with a report from Leonard Postrado)

Article Source - mb.com.ph