Cross for peace planted at Pinatubo summit

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – A 15-foot cross now stands at the summit of Mt. Pinatubo, planted there over the weekend by four generals and at least 150 other soldiers who prayed there for peace as the Aquino administration resumed talks with both communist and Muslim rebels.

The cross was blessed last Sunday by military chaplain Fr. Gilbert Licudan in the presence of 1st Air Division commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo Banayat, 410th Air Division commander Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Ona, Air Defense Wing commander Brig. Gen. Edwin Manuel Remotigue, and 600th Air Base Wing commander Brig. Gen. Fred Payawan.

Guy Hilbero, tourism officer of Mabalacat town, said he and the military officers and men kicked off their climb to the Pinatubo summit from the grounds of the 600th Air Base Wing here at around 4 a.m. last Sunday. They then proceeded to Barangay Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac which is the safest takeoff point for the trek.

“In Sta. Juliana, the military held a Mass before they planted trees on the slopes and distributed some gifts to Aetas who live in the area,” Hilbero said.

About 20 mostly military vehicles then transported the Air Force officials and the other trekkers in a one-hour-and-a-half ride through the volcano’s slopes up to a point where they had to travel on foot. After over one hour of walking, the trekkers reached the site of the newly planted cross.

“The cross is the first to be seen by trekkers as they approach the summit. At the elevated site of the cross, one can already have a panoramic view of the crater lake some 500 steps away,” Hilbero said.

Hilbero said the cross, made from treated mahogany and about seven-inch thick, was also put in place in time for both Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 and the 18th founding anniversary of the 600th Air Base Wing next week.

“Remember that when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, there were people who claimed the eruption was divine retribution for the so-called ‘sin cities’ of Angeles and Olongapo which hosted recreation areas for Americans at their former military bases in the two areas,” he said.

“So apart from the cross symbolizing the plea of the military for successful peace talks, it is also a prayer for divine enlightenment so that folk not only in Angeles and Olongapo but also in all of Central Luzon would take Valentine’s Day from a nobler and spiritually rewarding perspective,” he added.