BLACK NAZARENE FEAST TODAY / PUBLIC
URGED TO SPEND HOLIDAYS IN RP
[PHOTO
AT LEFT -
Workers arrange flowers at the Quirino Grandstand, where the Black
Nazarene was taken for a vigil last night in preparation for the grand
celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene today. Val
Rodriguez]
MANILA, JANUARY 9, 2010 (STAR) Crowds swelled last night at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park as people gathered to pay homage to the image of the Black Nazarene, which would be brought back to Quiapo Church early this morning.
Police estimated over three million devotees will join this year’s Black Nazarene procession.
Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said more people would participate in a vigil and the crowd would grow further.
Some of the devotees stayed at the Grandstand through the night to be able to attend the concelebrated Mass to be led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales at 6 a.m. today.
As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the MPD-Tactical Operations Center (TOC) said about 500 people had already assembled at the Grandstand.
“We have less than 100 policemen deployed in the area,” Magtibay said.
There are also about 1,000 people who come and go at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more commonly known as Quiapo Church, as it has become the tradition of many Filipino Catholics to visit Quiapo Church every Friday.
Magtibay said the devastation caused by calamities, especially the typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” that hit the country last year, “might force more people to return to God.”
Thousands of Filipinos affected by Ondoy last September and Pepeng last October have not recovered from their losses.
Hundreds of people also spent Christmas in evacuation centers because of the eruption of Mayon volcano in Albay last month.
Parish priest Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio said last year between five and six million people, three million of whom were devotees, came in and out of Quiapo Church.
Monsignor Ignacio noted that devotees increase every year. In 2006, there were only one million devotees.
With the expected influx of devotees, Magtibay said they are deploying 1,500 uniformed police personnel, and this year, there would be contingent security from the Northern Police District, Eastern Police District, Southern Police District, and Quezon City Police District.
He added that police would deploy 45 ambulances, 22 medical team stations, and five sub-stations.
The Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Navy would also lend six rubber boats to be positioned below the Quezon Bridge, in case a devotee accidentally falls into the Pasig River.
They would also double check the stability of the bridge.
In cleaning up the garbage, they would rely on the assistance given by the Manila City Hall and about 500 youth volunteers.
“We would have a holistic approach wherein they would re-enact the translacion or the arrival of the Black Nazarene from Mexico to Quiapo,” Magtibay said.
Fr. Alvin Fullon, procession committee head, said this is the first time they would devote time for voters’ education because it blends with this year’s theme “Tunay na Deboto, Matuwid at Masunuring Katiwala ng Poong Hesus Narzareno” for the 403rd Black Nazarene anniversary.
Actress Juana Change would lead a one-hour voters’ education, he said.
‘Don’t meet the procession’
Organizers said they again brought the image of the Black Nazarene to the Grandstand to prevent people from being trampled in narrow passageways.
They advised devotees not to meet the procession and just wait for it to pass by.
Monsignor Ignacio said devotees are also sensitive when it comes to politicians, and they only accepted Vice President Noli de Castro, who has long been a devotee, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who is the hermano mayor, to join the procession.
In the procession, organizers would use the old route planned by the Quiapo community.
From Quirino Grandstand, they would pass through Katigbak Drive, Padre Burgos Street, Taft Avenue, Palanca St., Estero Cegado, Carriedo, Evangelista Street, Puyat Street/Raon, Quezon Boulevard through the Quezon Bridge, Palanca Street, Globo de Oro Street, Gunao Street, Arlegui Street;
Fraternal Street, Vergara Street, Duque de Alba Street, Castillejos Street, Farnecio Street, Arlegui Street, Carcer Street, Hidalgo Street, Bilibid Viejo, Guzman Street, Hidalgo Street, Barbosa Street, Globo de Oro Street, Palanca Street and Villalobos Street through Plaza Miranda and finally back to the Quiapo Church.
The procession is expected to last 12 hours.
‘Drink plenty of water’
Meanwhile, meteorologists advised devotees joining the procession today to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration as humid weather is expected to prevail in Metro Manila.
Prisco Nilo, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said Metro Manila would have partly cloudy skies with temperature ranging from 21 to 31 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa deputy administrator Nathaniel Cruz said they expect the weather to cooperate during the feast of the Black Nazarene.
“Little chance of intense rain. If there will be occurrence, it will be of light intensity only,” Cruz said, adding that cool temperature is likely to prevail in the morning but will warm up slightly in mid-afternoon. - Evelyn Macairan, Helen Flores
Public urged to spend holidays in RP (The Philippine Star) Updated January 09, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Tourism Secretary Ace Durano yesterday urged the public to spend their holidays in the country and contribute to the local economy, especially with the many long weekends of regular and special non-working holidays for 2010 that Malacañang declared.
“Spending your vacation here is a great pledge to love your own and do your part in boosting our country’s growth,” said Durano.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) released the list of the long weekends, with the Palace’s declaration of regular and special non-working holidays for 2010 as stated in Republic Act 9492 and Proclamation 1841.
The long weekends related to the holidays are:
• Feb. 20-22, Saturday to Monday (Feb. 22 - EDSA Anniversary)
• April 1-4, Thursday-Sunday (April 1 - Holy Thursday, April 2 – Good Friday)
• April 9-11 Friday-Sunday (April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan)
• May 1-3, Saturday-Monday (May 1 – Labor Day moved to May 3)
• June 12 to 14, Saturday-Monday, (June 14 – Independence Day)
• Aug. 21-23, Saturday-Monday (Aug. 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day moved to Aug. 23)
• Aug. 28-30, Saturday-Monday (Aug. 30 – National Heroes Day)
• Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Saturday-Monday, (Nov. 1 – All Saints’ Day)
• Nov. 27 to 29, Saturday-Monday, (Nov. 29 - Bonifacio Day)
• Dec. 24 to 27, Friday-Monday (Dec. 24 – Non-Working Holiday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day, Dec. 27 – Rizal Day)
• Dec. 31-Jan. 2, Friday-Sunday, (Dec. 31 – Non-Working Holiday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day)
The observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha would be issued by the government upon the advice of the Office on Muslim Affairs.
Durano said aside from country’s eight anchor tourist spots – Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Cebu, Bohol, Vigan, Baguio and Manila – the department is also promoting unexplored sites to benefit the communities in remote areas.
“We enjoin people to visit tucked-away destinations as well for economic gains to trickle down to the grassroots,” Durano said.
These alternative spots are readily available and highly accessible for tourists who prefer to immerse themselves in the local life, enjoy the flavor of homegrown leisure, and stay in accommodations such as homestays and inns, added the tourism chief.
The DOT has launched some alternative sites like the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park in Leyte and the Danao Adventure Park in Bohol.
“While beaches of Boracay and Palawan are still top-drawers, Camiguin, Leyte, Mindoro, Occidental and Oriental Negros, Siquijor, Quezon also have pristine waters and stunning coastlines,” Durano said.
Nature-lovers could go to Bataan, Batanes, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Marinduque, and Romblon, while heritage hunters may seek the old historical charm of Bacolod and Iloilo, aside from Ilocos.
Tourists who plan to just visit urban areas in Manila, Makati, Cebu and Davao have a range of options laid out for them.
“On top of shopping, food trips, night-time entertainment and theme park activities, we have huge theater performances and concerts lined up for the year,” said DOT Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr.
He noted travel trends that the public should look out for.
“Extreme outdoor activities are big this year. The range is more expansive now, with tourists who are open-minded and raring to experience something new,” Jarque said.
The department has been promoting adventure activities such as plunges, zipline rides, wake boarding, skim boarding, kayaking and cylotourism.
“A beach lover can enjoy a relaxing spa retreat in Palawan, a festive party in Boracay, or a surfing break in La Union. Our islands offer a unique plethora of things to do for all kinds of tourists,” said Jarque.