December 8, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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On December 8, the Church celebrates one of the most important feasts of Our Lady, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the day when we remember and celebrate that God chose Mary to be the Mother of Jesus from the very first moment of her being; the moment of her conception.

History of Immaculate Conception

It is a day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life.

For Roman Catholics, it is observed as a day of obligation with required church attendance.

The Immaculate Conception is a day whose meaning is often confused. By the sounds of it, one would think we would celebrate the day Jesus was conceived*. On the contrary, it is the day that the Blessed Mother Mary was conceived.

Mary's mother was St. Anne and her father was Joachim. While they are not mentioned in the bible, their names appear in some very early Christian texts. Anne and Joachim had been a childless couple until an angel appeared telling Anne that she would give birth to a child that the world would honour. Anne became a saint as she offered her child to god's service.

This day has been celebrated since at least the eighth century, but the idea that the word immaculate means that Mary was born without original sin divided many theological scholars over the centuries. It wasn't until 1854 that the argument was decided when Pope Pious IX proclaimed this belief to be an essential dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.

*If you think about it, December 8th is unlikely to be the date that Jesus was "conceived". It is the Feast of the Annunciation that celebrates the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce to her that she would become the mother of Jesus. The date of the Feast of the Annunciation is March 25th - nine months before Christmas Day. Once the date of Christmas was finally accepted, then the March 25th was a no-brainer to be the date of the annunciation.

Special Non-Working Holiday

In accordance to Presidential Proclamation No. 845, December 8 or Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a special non-working Holiday in the Philippines.

On 29 December 2017 President Duterte signed Republic Act 10966, declaring 8 December of every year a special non-working holiday in the entire country "to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the principal patroness of the Philippines."

The Philippines has the third largest Catholic population in the world.

Bayambang Pangasinan bags the Guinness World Records for the tallest bamboo statue

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The Guinness World Records officially announced Bayambang Pangasinan has the world's tallest bamboo sculpture (supported) during the unveiling of the 50.23-meter statue of this town’s patron saint, Vincent Ferrer last April 5.

Guinness World Records 

Swapnil Dangarikar, Guinness World Records adjudicator

Guinness World Records adjudicator, Swapnil Dangarikar, made the formal announcement as part of the town’s celebration of the 400th founding anniversary of the Saint  Vincent Ferrer Parish (1619-2019) and 600th death anniversary (1419-2019) of the patron saint of builders.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10215953084872983&id=1023156562

Bannering the theme “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pananampalataya at Pagkakaisa Laban sa Kahirapan,” the municipality of Bayambang in Pangasinan celebrates Pista’y Baley from April 1 to 8, 2019.

Currently the holder of the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue grill that it garnered in April 2014, Bayambang successfully acquired another Guinness record, this time for the world’s tallest bamboo sculpture (supported) of a religious figure.

Pista’y Baley, the Pangasinan term for pistang bayan or town fiesta, is one of the grandest and most revered celebrations of Bayambang in the third district of the vote-rich province of Pangasinan. It is the annual moment when the people of all 77 barangays of the town come together in witness and a salient part of a series of revelries where their unity and camaraderie are manifested.

Year after year, Pista’y Baley attracts hordes of visitors from all over the country. Family members of Bayambangueños from other provinces and foreign and local tourists visit Bayambang to enjoy the merriment that only Pista’y Baley offers.

Epic accolade to Bayambang’s overseer and guardian

Saint Vincent Ferrer has been a beacon of faith in Bayambang for hundreds of years, and his presence has been incessantly felt by Bayambangueños through the Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church. He remains to be a symbol of devotion for the people of Bayambang, and the influence that he has had on the local culture is undeniable.

Many devotees of St. Vincent Ferrer believe that it is their revered patron who perpetually saves them from the onslaught of natural calamities. Historical archives have it that near Palma of Majorca, St. Vincent Ferrer stilled a storm in order to preach from a wharf. At Beziers he stopped a flood. And Bayambang, which he oversees as the patron saint, was saved on several occasions from natural calamities.

This is why the church, with the assistance of Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, his wife, Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose-Quiambao, and several private firms, is spearheading the construction of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in the heart of the town of Bayambang which is politically subdivided into 77 barangays, 11 of which are urban barangays and 66 are rural barangays.

The groundbreaking ceremony held on June 20, 2018 marked the beginning of a bigger and better future for the town. 

Saint Vincent Ferrer’s 50.23-meter monument was erected in Barangay Bani as a testament to the Bayambangueños’ never-ending love for and gratitude to the patron saint of builders.

The park will serve as a place of serenity, not just for Bayambangueños, but for anyone seeking spiritual help and guidance.

Colossal Structure

Standing at 50.23 meters high, this monumental structure made of steel and engineered bamboo currently holds the Guinness World Record for the Tallest Bamboo Sculpture (Supported) of Saint Vincent Ferrer, making it a valuable tourist spot in Pangasinan and Northern Luzon.

Tourists and visitors will look up in astonishment as they gaze upon the height of the image as a symbol of the Bayambangueños’ faith and devotion to the patron saint of builders.

Prayer Park with chapel, fountains, candle-lighting area and business stalls

The current parish priest of St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Rev. Fr. Allen O. Romero, said that the land from God is being developed to become “a beautiful place where people can go and have peace of mind, where pilgrims from different places can visit, and where people can pray and meditate and venerate our patron.”

A chapel will be situated just beside the statue to serve as a place of meditation where devotees can find peace and serenity during their visit. The chapel is added to the master plan because, despite the expected influx of tourists, there needs to be a solemn spot where they can pray and reflect.

At the center of the rotunda will be a fountain, a calming presence to welcome visitors to the Prayer Park. The water element is added to the park because of the weight of its importance to Catholicism. For Catholics, water is a symbol for purification and cleansing. This is why Catholics dip their fingers in holy water before attending a holy mass and why water is poured over a baby’s head during baptism. This element adds to the overall solemnity and tranquility of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park.

Like any other religious spaces, an area where devotees can light candles is important to have. At the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, the candle-lighting area is situated just at the back of the 50.23-meter high structure. It will be a spot where devotees can pray for the illumination of their minds and souls, and as the light from the candle keeps glowing, the faith of the devotees keeps on burning.

Situated near the chapel and candle-lighting area are the stalls that will be erected to provide a venue where devotees can buy their food, candles, or souvenirs.

Because the park is expected to attract many tourists from all around the Philippinesand even the world, Bayambangueños would like to showcase what else the town has to offer by marketing the different delicacies and products that are proudly made in Bayambang.

Aside from marketing the prides of the town, this will also give the locals a great source of revenue, which is one of the major goals of the project.

All set for Black Nazarene Traslacion

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The Black Nazarene (Poong itim na Nazareno)

More than 12 million devotees are expected to join the annual “traslacion” procession of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo Church this Tuesday.

San Sebastian, Recoletos St. - January 9, 2014, Traslación of the Black Nazarene (myrns.roman)

Every year on January 9 during Fiesta in Quiapo, millions of Filipino devotees gather in Manila for a procession of the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of a suffering Jesus fallen under the weight of the cross, along a 6.5 km route from Rizal (Luneta) Park to the minor basilica in Quiapo.

Quiapo Church, January 9, 2014, Traslación of the Black Nazarene (myrns.roman)

The procession reenacts a seemingly minor historical event, the 1787 solemn Translacion, or transfer, of the image from its original home, where Rizal Park is now located, to its present home at the basilica in Quiapo. With the namamasan, the barefoot rope bearers who pull the carriage bearing the Black Nazarene statue, push their way through the crowds. 

Most Filipino Catholics consider the Nazarene statue to be miraculous, able to heal terminal cancers and other sicknesses, to grant petitions, and to help those in need.

Photo : Jim Guiao Punzalan

Schedule of 2018 activities of Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo

The official Facebook Page of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo released the list of activities for the upcoming Traslacion.

Last December 31, 2 am – Thanksgiving Procession and  December 31 to January 8, 6 pm – Novena Mass

January 7, 1:30 pm – Replica procession

January 9, 12 mn – Eucharistic Celebration at Quirino Grandstand. Fr Hernando Coronel is the presider of the mass while Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will give the homily.

January 9, 5 am – After the morning prayer at 5 am, Traslacion starts from Luneta to Quiapo Church.

Historical background

An image of the Black Nazarene, carved of mesquite wood by an anonymous Mexican sculptor, arrived in Manila in the mid 1600s. The statue was partially destroyed in 1945 during the liberation of Manila in World War II. The Archdiocese of Manila commissioned a renowned Filipino santero, or saint carver, Gener Manlaqui, to sculpt the present day replica, using the original head.

The Black Nazarene statue was brought to Manila by the first group of Augustinian Recollect friars on May 31, 1606. The image was originally housed in the first Recollect church in Bagumbayan (now part of the Rizal Park), which was established on September 10, 1606, and placed under the patronage of Saint Juan Bautista Saint John the Baptist.

In 1608, the image of the "Nazareno" was transferred to the second, bigger Recollect church dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino (Saint Nicholas of Tolentine). The Recollect Fathers dynamically promoted devotion to the Suffering of Our Lord represented by the image that in fifteen short years, the Cofradia de Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno was established on April 21, 1621. The confraternity obtained Papal approval on April 20, 1650, from Pope Innocent X.

In the year 1787, then Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina, ordered the transfer of the image of the Nazareno to the church in Quiapo, again providently placed under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist.

The Black Nazarene made a lot of miraculous things. These are the survival of the image from the great fires that destroyed Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the destructive Bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War II. Today the head and the cross stay on the Altar Mayor of the Minor Basilica, and the original body image of the Black Nazarene is used in the processions. Other, even smaller replica can be found in other churches.

The Quiapo church uses a main hymn to the Black Nazarene that has been composed by Lucio San Pedro

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Sinasamba ka namin (We worship you)

Pinipintuho ka namin (we admire you)

Aral mo ang aming buhay (Your lessons are our life)

at Kaligtasan (and our salvation)

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Iligtas mo kami sa Kasalanan 

(Please save us from our sins)

Ang Krus mong Kinamatayan ay 

(Your cross from which you died on)

Sagisag ng aming Kaligtasan 

(is the sign of our Salvation)

Chorus:

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Dinarangal ka namin (We honor you)

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Nilul'walhati ka namin (We glorify you)

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Dinarangal ka namin (We honor you)

Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno 

(Our Father Jesus Nazarene)

Nilul'walhati ka namin (We glorify you)

There are religious celebrations anywhere in the world can match this feast in terms of the number and fervor of devotees surrounding the procession.

Pope Francis' Meeting with Families at MOA

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Pope Francis met with Filipino families, including those representing OFWs and PWDs, at the “Meeting with Families” at the Mall of Asia Arena, his day 2 , January 16, 2015.

During his homily, he reminded the Catholic faithful to “protect the family”, and noted that economic challenges are tearing families apart as more people migrate in search of better employment. 

Pope Francis with the theme of his visit to the Philippines, "The Holy Family's Journey, The Pilgrimage of Every Family", as he calls for respect for life. Pope Francis quotes Saint John Paul II and says the future of humanity passes through the family. He calls for respect for life and reminds the audience of the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death.

Pope Francis reminds listeners to make time to pray. He says we must make time to pray and that rest is essential for our spiritual health, so that we can better hear God's voice and understand His message.

Pope Francis reminds the crowd not to lose the capacity to dream. "When you lose the capacity to dream, you lose the capacity to love."

Below is the full text of the prepared speech of Pope Francis, which he delivered during the Meeting with Families at the Mall of Asia Arena

Below is the full text of the prepared speech of Pope Francis, which he delivered during the Meeting with Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Friday, January 16.

Dear Families,

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am grateful for your presence here this evening and for the witness of your love for Jesus and his Church. I thank Bishop Reyes, Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission on Family and Life, for his words of welcome on your behalf. And, in a special way, I thank those who have presented testimonies and have shared their life of faith with us.

The Scriptures seldom speak of Saint Joseph, but when they do, we often find him resting, as an angel reveals God’s will to him in his dreams. In the Gospel passage we have just heard, we find Joseph resting not once, but twice. This evening I would like to rest in the Lord with all of you, and to reflect with you on the gift of the family.

Joseph’s rest revealed God’s will to him. In this moment of rest in the Lord, as we pause from our many daily obligations and activities, God is also speaking to us. He speaks to us in the reading we have just heard, in our prayer and witness, and in the quiet of our hearts. Let us reflect on what the Lord is saying to us, especially in this evening’s Gospel. There are three aspects of this passage which I would ask you to consider: resting in the Lord, rising with Jesus and Mary, and being a prophetic voice.

Resting in the Lord. Rest is so necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve due to the many demands placed on us. But rest is also essential for our spiritual health, so that we can hear God’s voice and understand what he asks of us. Joseph was chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. As Christians, you too are called, like Joseph, to make a home for Jesus. You make a home for him in your hearts, your families, your parishes and your communities.

To hear and accept God’s call, to make a home for Jesus, you must be able to rest in the Lord. You must make time each day for prayer. But you may say to me: Holy Father, I want to pray, but there is so much work to do! I must care for my children; I have chores in the home; I am too tired even to sleep well. This may be true, but if we do not pray, we will not know the most important thing of all: God’s will for us. And for all our activity, our busy-ness, without prayer we will accomplish very little.

Resting in prayer is especially important for families. It is in the family that we first learn how to pray. There we come to know God, to grow into men and women of faith, to see ourselves as members of God’s greater family, the Church. In the family we learn how to love, to forgive, to be generous and open, not closed and selfish. We learn to move beyond our own needs, to encounter others and share our lives with them. That is why it is so important to pray as a family! That is why families are so important in God’s plan for the Church!

Next, rising with Jesus and Mary. Those precious moments of repose, of resting with the Lord in prayer, are moments we might wish to prolong. But like Saint Joseph, once we have heard God’s voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act (cf. Rom 13:11). Faith does not remove us from the world, but draws us more deeply into it. Each of us, in fact, has a special role in preparing for the coming of God’s kingdom in our world.

Just as the gift of the Holy Family was entrusted to Saint Joseph, so the gift of the family and its place in God’s plan is entrusted to us. The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph the dangers which threatened Jesus and Mary, forcing them to flee to Egypt and then to settle in Nazareth. So too, in our time, God calls upon us to recognize the dangers threatening our own families and to protect them from harm.

The pressures on family life today are many. Here in the Philippines, countless families are still suffering from the effects of natural disasters. The economic situation has caused families to be separated by migration and the search for employment, and financial problems strain many households. While all too many people live in dire poverty, others are caught up in materialism and lifestyles which are destructive of family life and the most basic demands of Christian morality. The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life.

Our world needs good and strong families to overcome these threats! The Philippines needs holy and loving families to protect the beauty and truth of the family in God’s plan and to be a support and example for other families. Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often said, passes through the family (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 85). So protect your families! See in them your country’s greatest treasure and nourish them always by prayer and the grace of the sacraments. Families will always have their trials, but may you never add to them! Instead, be living examples of love, forgiveness and care. Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death. What a gift this would be to society, if every Christian family lived fully its noble vocation! So rise with Jesus and Mary, and set out on the path the Lord traces for each of you.

Finally, the Gospel we have heard reminds us of our Christian duty to be prophetic voices in the midst of our communities. Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord and responded to God’s call to care for Jesus and Mary. In this way he played his part in God’s plan, and became a blessing not only for the Holy Family, but a blessing for all of humanity. With Mary, Joseph served as a model for the boy Jesus as he grew in wisdom, age and grace (cf. Lk 2:52). When families bring children into the world, train them in faith and sound values, and teach them to contribute to society, they become a blessing in our world. God’s love becomes present and active by the way we love and by the good works that we do. We extend Christ’s kingdom in this world. And in doing this, we prove faithful to the prophetic mission which we have received in baptism.

During this year which your bishops have set aside as the Year of the Poor, I would ask you, as families, to be especially mindful of our call to be missionary disciples of Jesus. This means being ready to go beyond your homes and to care for our brothers and sisters who are most in need. I ask you especially to show concern for those who do not have a family of their own, in particular those who are elderly and children without parents. Never let them feel isolated, alone and abandoned, but help them to know that God has not forgotten them. You may be poor yourselves in material ways, but you have an abundance of gifts to offer when you offer Christ and the community of his Church. Do not hide your faith, do not hide Jesus, but carry him into the world and offer the witness of your family life!

Dear friends in Christ, know that I pray for you always! I pray that the Lord may continue to deepen your love for him, and that this love may manifest itself in your love for one another and for the Church. Pray often and take the fruits of your prayer into the world, that all may know Jesus Christ and his merciful love. Please pray also for me, for I truly need your prayers and will depend on them always! 

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Singer Jamie Rivera ends the program at the Mall of Asia by singing We Are All God's Children. Pope Francis leaves the Mall of Asia Arena and heads to the Apostolic Nunciature to rest.

Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to the Philippines - Message of President Aquino on the preparations for the visit of Pope Francis

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The country prepares and getting ready for Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to the Philippines on January 15 to 19, 2015.

President Aquino will meet His Holiness upon arrival and during a welcome ceremony at Malacañan Palace. On Saturday, Pope Francis will travel to Tacloban City, where he will meet with Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

In view of the visit of the Pope, the Head of State of the Vatican City, President Benigno S. Aquino III appeal to the public to cooperate with authorities to ensure His Holiness’ safety.

Yesterday, President Aquino addressed the nation regarding the government's preparations for the visit of Pope Francis.

Mensahe ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III Pangulo ng Pilipinas Hinggil sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa 

[Inihayag noong ika-12 ng Enero 2015]

Mga Boss, malaking karangalan po ang pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa ating bansa; kaakibat nito, humaharap din po tayo sa isang malaking hamon. Tingnan na lang po ninyo noong 1995 nang idinaos ang World Youth Day sa ating bansa, na pinamunuan ni Pope John Paul II. Punong-puno ang Luneta at dikit-dikit ang mga tao. Dagdag ko lang po: ganito na kapuno noon nang 68 million ang populasyon natin; ngayong 100 milyon na tayo, gaano karami pa kaya ang darating sa misa ni Pope Francis sa Luneta?

Siyempre po, lahat ng tao, gustong makita nang personal ang Santo Papa. Nariyan ang libo-libong mag-aabang sa convoy ng Santo Papa, at ang milyon-milyon na lalahok sa Luneta. Ang pagsisiksikan at pagkagigil na makalapit sa Santo Papa, maaaring maging mitsa para magkagulo. Isipin na lang po ninyo: Kapag maraming tao ang kumilos nang kahit isang pulgada paharap, malaking espasyo ang masasakop. Kung wala nang lugar na gagalawan, malamang ay may maiipit sa mga barikada. Nagsimula lang po ang lahat ng iyan sa kagustuhang makalapit sa Santo Papa.

Paano pa kaya kung magkahabulan dahil sa may mandurukot? O kaya may isang walang magawa at biglang magpaputok ng labintador? Pihadong magtatakbuhan at magkakatulakan, at nariyan ang potensiyal na marami ang masaktan.

Pansinin din po ninyo: disiplinado ang tao noong wala ang convoy; nang dumating po ang convoy, kanya-kanya na. Kung nagtagumpay ang mga nakaharang na makalapit sa Santo Papa, at tumigil ang convoy, ang dating moving target naging stationary target na. Isipin ninyo kung may nadaganan pa, o kaya naapakan dahil sa pag-uunahan. Di naman kailangang may mapahamak na sinuman.

Tingnan na rin po ninyo ang video na ito: inatake si Pope John Paul II sa loob mismo ng Vatican. Nariyan din ang insidente nang magmimisa si Pope Benedict XVI, nang sunggaban siya sa loob ng katedral; pati na rin ang paglundag ng mga tao patungo sa kanyang pope mobile.

Tandaan po natin: Pastoral visit ito, at layon ng Santo Papa na makahalubilo ang pinakamarami sa ating mga kababayan. Ang bawat pagtatagpo ay nagdadala ng panganib. Ang gusto natin: Bawasan ang mga panganib sa buhay ng Santo Papa, at balansehin ang seguridad ni Pope Francis at ang kanyang hangarin.

Walang duda na sa malaking pagtitipon tulad nito, posible ang gulo. Maski walang banta ng terorismo, at lalo na kung may planong magpasimula ng gulo, nagbabadya ang peligro na magdadala ng pinsala sa napakaraming lalahok.

Kaya naman, para maging makabuluhan ang pagdalaw ng Santo Papa, kailangan natin ng pagdadamayan at pagbabayanihan. Malinaw na napakalaki ng hamong dala ng pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa ating bansa; nakataya rito ang kaligtasan niya, ng nakaparaming dadalo sa kanyang mga gawain at mag-aabang sa kanya. Ang mismong karangalan ng ating bansa, malalagay sa alanganin. Ang tanong ko nga po: Gusto ba nating matala sa kasaysayan na nangyari sa Pilipinas ang isang trahedya na may kinalaman sa Santo Papa?

Obligasyon ng gobyerno ang inyong kaligtasan, at para magampanan ang tungkuling ito ay may obligasyon din kayo. Sa mga darating na araw, maglalabas ng mga paaalala hinggil sa patakarang panseguridad sina Secretary Mar Roxas at Undersecretary Manuel Bautista. Ang panawagan po namin: Makinig po tayo, at makiisa sa pagbabahagi ng impormasyon.

Pihado po: Malalaktawan natin ang napakalaking hamon na ito sa inyong pakikisama at pagbabayanihan.

Ipakita po natin ang pakikisama at pagtutulungan, nang matiyak nating magiging mataimtim at mapayapa ang pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa ating bansa.

Magandang gabi po, maraming salamat, at inaasahan ko ang pakikiisa ninyo.

Papal Coverage in Smart Araneta Coliseum

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The much-awaited event in the Christendom is set to happen this January, as Pope Francis conducts his first-ever apostolic visit to the country.

It is a chance to keep abreast of Pope Francis’ Papal visit to the country, LIVE on big screen.

To celebrate this global event, The Araneta Center, together with official media partner TV5, invites everyone to an exclusive coverage of the papal visit at The Smart Araneta Coliseum from January 16 to January 18, 2015. The event starts at 9 am until 1 pm, but gates will open as early as 7 in the morning. 

The papal streaming gives viewers the opportunity to vicariously share in Pope Francis’ meaningful journey through the Philippines, which will become the 3rd Asian country the Pope visits this year as head of the Catholic Church, after Sri Lanka and South Korea.

Also featured in the event is the “Tu Es Petrus Tour of Papal Relics”. Petrus is a Latin derivation of the name Peter that refers to all the Pope successors in the Catholic Church.

These relics include not only the mortal remains of the Popes who previously visited the country, bearing the title of “Saint” or “Blessed”, but also some of the things they touched or used. These were all authenticated and recognized by the Church, thus highly esteemed and valued for their sacredness.

Present in the exhibit are first and second class relics, from major to minor kinds, including blood stains, hair strands, and skull cap of Pope John Paul II, as well as the sacred zucchetto of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is in line with The Araneta Center’s public service efforts and genuine desire to fulfill its corporate social responsibility.

Admission is absolutely free! Tickets are now available in Gateway, Ali Mall and Farmers Plaza concierge. T-shirts will also be given away to participants for free to serve as memento of the said event.

The relics are also available for viewing at the Gateway Activity Center from January 19 to January 31, 2015.

For more information on the Papal coverage at The Big Dome, visit www.aranetacenter.netand www.dearpopefrancis.ph

For Pope Francis Ph Visit, January 15, 16, and 19 are special nonworking days in NCR

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Malacañang has declared January 15, 16, and 19 as special nonworking days in the National Capital Region in view of the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. issued Proclamation No. 936 on Monday, declaring three of the five days that the Pope will be in Manila as special nonworking days in NCR.

(http://www.gov.ph/2014/12/23/proclamation-no-936-s-2014/ )

His Holiness Pope Francis will bring his message of “mercy and compassion” to at least 11 different venues in the province of Leyte and Metro Manila during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Manila from Sri Lanka, the first leg of his Asian trip, by plane past 5 p.m. on January 15, and will go on a motorcade to his official residence in the Philippines.

President Aquino will be welcoming Pope Francis upon his arrival at Villamor Airbase on January 15, Thursday. The President will lead the welcome ceremony for the Pope at the Palace’s Kalayaan Grounds the next day, Friday.

Tens of thousands are expected to see and hear Pope Francis deliver a speech at the University of Santo Tomas in January.

Superbook Season 2

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Good news to all Superbook lovers and fans! Finally, the long wait is over!

Superbook Season 2 will air on Philippine TV for the first time in ABS-CBN beginning October 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Packed with 13 all-new and exciting episodes, Superbook Season 2 is definitely the perfect bonding and learning time for the families.

Superbook lovers will surely enjoy watching their favorite Superbook characters Chris, Joy and Gizmo as Superbook surprises them to experience new adventures, meet new friends and new heroes, explore new places and discover new lessons based on the greatest story book ever written -The Bible.

For our first Superbook Season 2 episode, we will meet Jonah, a man who was tasked by God to do a very special mission. Will he do it? Find out this Satuday, October 11, 9:30 on ABS-CBN. Invite the whole family and your friends. Don't miss this amazing trip back in time!

Trailers c/o ABS-CBN:

Superbook Jonah episode: http://youtu.be/CRMTnMu_3d8

Superbook S2 World Premiere trailer: http://youtu.be/gV2Yl5mJmDs

Goin Bulilit on Superbook Season 2: http://youtu.be/TpSLfc3OEig

Don Moen returns to Manila on October 17 - “God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2014”

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“God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2014” will treat concert-goers to an inspiring musical and spiritual experience featuring the musical talent and skill of the 64-year-old artist who has captivated millions with his marvelous voice and style that gave the world songs like “God Will Make A Way,” “Thank You, Lord,” “God Is Good All The Time” and “Give Thanks”. 

Don Moen, the singer-songwriter-producer who gained worldwide recognition for his hit praise-and-worship songs that interpret closely the words of the Bible, is scheduled to return to Manila for an evening of contemporary Christian music on Friday, Oct. 17, at the new CCF Center, Frontera Verde Ortigas Ave., Pasig City (beside Tiendesitas).

The popular American singer will take center stage during the one-night musical presentation from Ovation Productions almost one year after his last local tour that took him to the cities of Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos and Dipolog in Mindanao and which followed his 2012 concert series that covered Metro Manila, Tagbilaran City and Butuan City.

Other Christian songs he has popularized include “Lord, I Offer My Life To You”, “Crown Him”, “I Want To Be Where You Are”, “Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord”, “Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate”, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “All We Like Sheep”, “Your Steadfast Love”, and many more. 

Aside from his excellent vocal quality and style, Don’s music stands out for its straightforward simplicity that bares men’s souls before God, and which contributes in making worship music sound so effortless, animated by his smooth tenor over catchy, string-laden adult contemporary tunes.

While many worship leaders can reach only certain demographics, Don can extend to and touch a cross-section of worshippers and believers from diverse social classes and religious beliefs, with many seniors and youngsters enjoying his songs. 

A frequent visitor to the Philippines during the past several years, Don has established a solid base of Pinoy fans of different classes and ages and who are expected to turn out in impressive numbers during his coming performance.

Associated with some of the best-known contemporary Christian music for more than three decades, Don developed his musical talent while attending Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma until he became a Living Sound musician for Terry Law Ministries before joining Integrity Incorporated, authors of the “Hosanna! Music” praise and worship series.

As worship leader, he produced a total of 11 volumes in the series, including the first album, “Hosanna! Music: Give Thanks” which sold hundreds of thousands of copies and became the label’s bestseller. He followed this up with a number of successful albums of his own. His music has total global sales of over five million copies.

After working for 20 years in such positions as creative director of Integrity Media, president of Integrity Label Group and executive producer of Integrity Music albums, Don left Integrity Media in 2008 to start a new venture, the Don Moen Company, which eventually acquired MediaComplete, the church software company that created MediaShout.

Don received a Dove Award for his work on the musical, “God With Us” and Dove Award nominations for ”God Will Make A Way” and eight other songs two years earlier. A greatest hits compilation featuring 19 top hits and aptly titled, “God Will Make A Way: The Best of Don Moen” was released by Integrity in 2003.

A prolific songwriter, Don has worked with Claire Cloninger, Paul Overstreet, Martin J. Nystrom, Randy Rothwell, Ron Kenoly, Bob Fitts, Debbye Graafsma, Paul Baloche, Tom Brooks, among many others. He has also worked with talented musicians like Justo Almario, Abraham Laboriel, Alex Acuna, Paul Jackson, Jr., Lenny LeBlanc and Carl Albrecht.

Don’s album, “Hiding Place,” became his first studio, followed by “I Believe There Is More” in the fall of (2008), “Uncharted Territory” (2012), and “Christmas: A Season of Home,” (2012). Don released an album titled, “Hymnbook” as a celebration of his reaching over one million likes on his Facebook page.

He is visiting the Philippines fresh from a historic Holy Land tour on Sept. 9-14, where he worshipped in Israel together with his wife Luisa and other worship leaders like Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Wilbur and Bible teacher and author Stephen Mansfield. Three months earlier, He embarked on a tour of Africa that was highlighted by a three-day concert in Kampala, capital city of Uganda. 

Join us in a night of praise and worship with Don Moen at CCF Center, Frontera Verde Ortigas Ave., Pasig City on 17th October.

“God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2014” is produced by Ovation Productions and supported by The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Inquirer.net, 96.3 Easy Rock, Retro 105.9 and Monster Radio RX 93.1. Ticket prices are P2,000, P1,500, P1,000 and P500 plus applicable service charges. 

Tickets are available at the CCF Center, (02) 635-3410 and at Ticketworld outlets (891-9999) and online at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

PNoy and INC unveils the Philippine Arena, world's largest doomed indoor arena for centennial rites

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The Philippine Arena is now the world’s largest doomed indoor arena for centennial rites.

The Philippine Arena, 50-hectare complex called Ciudad de Victoria or City of Victory 
(Photo: Edwin Bacasmas(Inquirer.net)

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo unveiled the marker of the Philippine arena as celebrating the inauguration of the “largest doomed indoor arena” in the world, built inside the Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday, July 21.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo  unveils marker of the Iglesia ni Cristo Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. 

(Photo via @RTVMalacanang)

The Philippine Arena, 50-hectare complex called Ciudad de Victoria or City of Victory, in Bocaue, Bulacan, a domed indoor arena, is the centerpiece of the centennial projects of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for its grand celebration on July 27.

It features a bowl-formed structure inspired through the narra, the Philippine national tree, based on the world-acclaimed architectural firm Populous, its concept designer. Populous also designed the large 23,000-chair O2 Arena in London, in addition to various huge sports arenas and stadiums on earth.

The Philippine Arena is much more than two times how big The O2 in London as well as from the large indoor arenas in the US, that was why it had been a large challenge to create and make. The Philippine Arena “pushed the limitations of arena design” and it is now considered the world’s biggest indoor arena, Populous stated in the website.

Aside from the Arena, which can seat a maximum of 55,000 people, two other massive structures are being completed inside the 50-hectare Ciudad de Victoria. These are the 20,000-seater Philippine Sports Stadium and the two-hectare Philippine Sports Center.

According to INC executive minister Eduardo V. Manalo, arena will not only hold major church gatherings, this would be also open to be used by Filipinos of other faiths as well as by worldwide groups or towns for worldwide events and occasions. It will also operate as a multiuse sports and concert venue, capable of holding a range of events from boxing and basketball to live music performances.

Throughout its groundbreaking in August 2011,  Manolo stated the world along with other massive architectural marvels to become built-in the town of Victory have been made to bring glory to God and recognition towards the country.

He also stated the world had recently been imagined even throughout time of his father, the late INC executive minister Eraño G. Manalo, due to the requirement for large venues for events cellular the quickly growing chapel membership.

Holy Week

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Holy Week is a Christian holiday that takes place on the last week of lent, and one week before Easter.

The holiday starts off with Palm Sunday (April 13), and includes Holy Thursday (April 17), Good Friday (April 18), and Holy Saturday (April 19).

Easter Sunday is on April 20, 2014. 

The Christian celebration of lent takes place 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays, and this year began on March 5, 2014 and will end on Thursday, April 17, 2014. 

Specific rituals and traditions, as well as set dates for observing lent, vary across denominations, as the Eastern Orthodox churches begins on a Monday and does not celebrate Ash Wednesday.

Just like during lent, during Holy Week, Christians typically abstain from meat and dairy, alcohol, and follow a stricter moral code.

Yesterday, April 13, is the Palm Sunday. A Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four canonical Gospels.

In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday includes a procession of the assembled worshipers carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.

Here's the Gospel for today Holy Monday: 

"Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was filled with the scent of the ointment.

Then Judas Iscariot -- one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him-said, 'Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?'

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contents.

So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; let her keep it for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.'

Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus."

- - -  John 12:1-11

"Viva Señor Jesus Nazareno!" Feast of Black Nazarene 2014

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"Viva Señor Jesus Nazareno!"

The Feast of Black Nazarene, annual event every January 9th. It commemorates the 'Traslación' or Passage of life-sized, dark wooden statue of Jesus Christ through procession or transfer of the image to its present shrine in Quiapo Church, Manila.

Highlight of the celebration is the grand procession of sea of devotees from Quirino Grandstand at seven in the morning.

(Photo: Jim Guiao Punzalan)

The organizers said that an estimate of 12 million people are expected to join the activities for  the Feast of Black Nazarene.

MMDA releases Feast of Black Nazarene 2014 procession route, traffic rerouting scheme. Since the procession will not pass through the usual route, McArthur Bridge, which the Department of Public Works and Highways said is only fit to handle 20 tons or 10,000 people at any given time, the procession is expected to last 10 to 12 hours.

Here's a map detailing the parade route of the annual procession for the Feast of Black Nazarene 2014:

Route from Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), right Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos, left Taft Ave.(P.Burgos) thru McArthur Bridge, right Palanca, thru under Quezon Bridge, left Quezon Blvd., right Fraternal, right Vergara, left Duque de Alba, left Castillejos, left farnecio, right Arlegui, left Nepomuceno, left Aguila, right Carcer, right Hidalgo thru Plaza Del Carmen, left Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat, left Guzman, right Hidalgo, left Barbosa, right Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca, right Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

Here are the Traffic Re-routing scheme for Feast of Black Nazarene 2014:

1. All vehicles coming from northern part of Manila intending to utilize the stretch of Bonifacio Drive (for Port Area offices) or right to A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Ave.

2. All vehicles coming from Taft Avenue northbound shall turn right at A. Villegas (Arroceros), right at Quezon Bridge to point of destination.

3. All vehicles coming from southern part of Manila intending to utilize the northbound of Roxas Blvd. from T. M. Kalaw to P. Burgos shall turn right to T.M. Kalaw to point of destination.

4. All vehicles coming from Quezon City using the stretch of Espana shall turn right P. Campa, left Andalucia, right Fuguso, left T. Mapua to point of destination.

5. All PUJ’s/light vehicles coming from Espana intending to proceed to South Pier Zone take the usual route using Quezon Bridge.

6. All vehicles coming from Divisoria intending to utilize the stretch of C. Recto Avenue shall turn left to T. Alonzo, right at Furguso, right at Andalucia to point of destination.

7. All vehicles coming from Legarda shall turn right Recto or left Mendiola to point of destination.

8. All heavy vehicles/cargo trucks coming from the south shall take Pres. Osmena, right Pres. Quirino to Nagtahan via A.H. Lacson to Capulong (vice-versa).

Some notes from MMDA:

1. All motorist intending to proceed to North of Manila or South of Manila shall advise to utilized the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan (vice-versa) or to utilized the stretch of Road 10 to Roxas Blvd. (vice-versa) to point of destination.

2. All buses coming from southern part of Manila (Laguna and Cavite) utilizing Taft Ave. are not allowed to enter from 7:00 AM to 12:00 NN and allowed only up to Pres. Quirino as their turning point. #mmda 

THE Manila City Council has declared January 9, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, a special non-working holiday in the city.

A resolution passed on first reading by the council said the feast would highlight the “religious significance and cultural importance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene” and that there is truly a need to “preserve, enshrine, and promote its observance, commemoration, and celebration in the City of Manila.”

Councilor DJ Bagatsing who authored the ordinance, said that it is essentially sound for Manila to propose a local holiday on the Feast of Black Nazarene. 

“This would give loyal worshippers a better chance of engaging in this sacred tradition,” Councilor DJ Bagatsing added.

The city had earlier announced the suspension of classes on Thursday to spare students from being stranded because of the expected deluge of devotees. 

Barefoot devotees will again be allowed in trains, according to the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). LRT rides will not be free and security inspections will continue. He said the number of LRT commuters doubles during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The traditional “pahalik” of the Black Nazarene had already started after the venerated image was transferred to Quirino Grandstand Monday evening.