SM's advisory on Pope's visit to MOA Arena

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SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena management issues advisory reminding the public that its gates will open at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, during the visit of Pope Francis.

His Holiness Pope Francis is expected to arrive at the MOA Complex at 5:15 p.m. SM MOA Arena management said gates will be closed at 3:30 p.m. The South Open Parking will open at 9 a.m. and also close at 3:30 p.m.

Pope Francis will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, which will involve a reading of the Holy Gospel, reflection, prayer, and blessings for all families present.

Dubbed “Encounter with the Families,” selected families will also be sharing testimonies on poverty, migration, and disability, with the Pope and the public. This event is expected to end at 7 p.m.

SM MOA management said all tickets are free and issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which organized the event.

Local dioceses will also issue free tickets for the 16 cinemas that will show live streaming of the Pope’s MOA appearance, namely SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, SM City Manila, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Clark, SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, and SM City Lanang.

Those who are in the vicinity of the MOA Arena can also see the Pope during the motorcade, as well as the proceedings inside the MOA Arena through LED screens with speakers at the MOA complex.

SM management said the MOA Arena Annex building, located in front of MOA Arena, will open at 4 a.m. onwards (on a first come first served basis).

Only those who will present official Papal visit 2015 IDs and the red-colored Arena tickets (for the pre-seated delegates inside the MOA Arena) will be allowed entry, and white colored Arena tickets (for the seated delegates in the South Open Parking between MOA Arena & SMX).

Pope Benedict XVI appoints Bishop Chito Tagle as Manila Archbishop

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MANILA, October 13, 2011— Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, a known theologian, as the new archbishop of Manila.

At 54, Tagle will succeed Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales who served the influential post for eight years.

Archbishop-elect Tagle’s appointment was officially announced in Rome on October 13 at 12:00 noon (6:00 pm, Manila time).

The information was officially received by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Thursday in a communiqué from the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

“I write to inform you that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed His Excellency Most Reverend Luis Antonio Tagle, until now Bishop of Imus, as Archbishop of Manila,” said Monsignor Gabor Pinter, Charge D’ Affaires.

Rosales, who just turned 79 years old last August 16, earlier said that the Vatican has already accepted his resignation early this year and was just waiting for his successor to be named.

The cardinal submitted his resignation in 2007 when he turned 75, the mandatory retirement age for prelates, but the pontiff extended his term indefinitely.

Born in Manila on June 21, 1957, Tagle took his Philosophy and Theology at the Ateneo De Manila University’s San Jose Major Seminary.

He was ordained to the priesthood on February 27, 1982, at the age of 25.

From 1985 to 1992, he was sent for further studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. where he earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology.

Since 1997, Tagle is a member of the International Theological Commission of the Vatican. In 1998, he was an expert at the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Asia that took place in Rome.

On December 12, 2001, he was ordained Bishop of Imus. Since then, his activities have been as numerous as in the past. He travels throughout the country in answer to many invitations as a speaker.

At the Synod of Bishops held in Rome in 2005, he was elected member of the post-synodal Council and assistant to Cardinal Angelo Scola, general reporter of this Synod.

Tagle is currently the chairman of the Commission on Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

No date yet has been set for the ordination and installation of the new Manila archbishop. (CBCPNews)

As from CBCP News:

Make A Stand : CBCP Year of the Youth Official Theme Song

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Make A Stand is the official theme song for the double celebration for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Year of the Youth and the Episcopal Commision on Youth (ECY)'s 25th Anniversary December 16, 2010 - December 16, 2011.

MAKE A STAND

How long must we sit and wait for a hero?

And how long must we waste today for tomorrow?

To our people that’s lost in the dark

We can be guiding hand, shining star

If we only could see that the hero is here

In our hearts, young as we are…

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

Stand firm, be a guiding light to the nation

Stand proud, let's unite in one celebration

With the Power of God from above

We can tell all the world of His love

Standing firm in the faith

Doing all of our work from the heart

We've got to start to make a stand

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

For together, we’re strong

Now it won’t be for long

Till we heal this broken land

If we live what we’ve learned

Take this time to take our turn

To make a stand!

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

We can make a stand.

written and produced by Jude Gitamondoc

interpreted by Daryl Leong

with backup vocals Jean Barbadillo, Eliza Barwado, Don Eguna, Johanna Lavajo, Daryl Leong, Les Paul Pineda, Edison Saynes

arranged, recorded, and mixed by Jad Bantug at 1032 Studios