Pope Francis likely to visit Yolanda-hit churches

Pope Francis I is expected to fly to areas badly hit by typhoon Yolanda when he visits the Philippines next year and worship in churches rebuilt after the catastrophe.

However, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle said at a press conference at the Arzobispado in Intramuros that the Pope might not be able to visit all the 20 churches that are expected to be rebuilt in the typhoon-devastated areas.

“Ewan ko kung kayang bisitahin ng Pope lahat ng 20 na simbahan. Baka maganda rin na may hindi tapos na mabisita ang Papa para makita niya,” Tagle said at the press conference for  Ryan Cayabyab’s concert, RISE! Rebuilding from the Ruins, which will unfold on June 11 at the Manila Cathedral Basilica.

When pressed if the Holy Father will visit at least one of these churches, Tagle smiled, “Siguro po.”

Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, the social services and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, said they hope to raise P20 million from the concert, which will be presented by the PLDT-Smart Foundation and the One Meralco Foundation, together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The concert will also feature Basil Valdez, Dulce, Jed Madela, mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo, tenor Ervin Lumauag, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and eight choirs. Cardinal Tagle himself will participate in the concert.

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Cayabyab, a Papal awardee, said this concert is his way of giving back.

“Music heals. It heals the hurt, the sadness and loss of loved ones. Music rebuilds confidence, as well as rebuilds our places of worship,” said Cayabyab, who just turned 60 years old.

Caritas Manila and Cayabyab’s collaboration was made possible by businessman and philanthropist Manny Pangilinan, who is also a member of Caritas Manila’s board of trustees.

Pangilinan, chairman of One Meralco Foundation and PLDT-Smart Foundation, said that as Yolanda survivors begin a new life, “it is important that they also regain the strength of their faith.”

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“This is the living Church’s effort to rebuild the churches destroyed by Yolanda, which is not only a tribute to God, but also to the living community. Hindi mayayanig ang ating pananampalataya. No quake or storm is strong enough,” Tagle stressed.

Why a concert?

“The Church is a repository of art. Expressions of sublime things are best expressed in art. The reconstruction of the world depends so much on artists who lead us to deep truths,” added Tagle.

(For RISE! sponsorships and ticket inquiries, please contact Caritas Manila at (632) 562-0020 to 25.)

‘World of Music’

Music truly heals.

The International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) and the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM) will hold a musical entitled World of Music on June 17 in cooperation with the New World Makati Hotel. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The joint project aims to raise funds for the rehabilitation of Divine Word Hospital that was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte.

World-class performers will provide beautiful music like Jed Madela, Jay Cayuca, Ding Mercado and Eugene Villaluz of The Minstrels,  Pat Castillo and Jacqui Magno of The Circus Band, Rachelle Gerodias, Jonathan Badon, Primovera Singers and the champions from the World Championships of the Performing Arts. The  show will have a special participation of the ambassadors and their spouses.

The IBF is headed by Gretchen del Rosario, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, together with event chairperson Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, IBF president Penny Farolan, vice president Bambina Buenaventura, corporate secretary Rose Marie Villamor, treasurer Alice Guerrero, directors Marge Tambunting, Olivia Romulo, Marion Coscolluela, Nora Salazar and Blesila Cabrera.

The Spouses of Heads of Mission officers are Omolara Evelyn Farounbi (Nigeria), president; Isabelle Garachon (France), vice president; Margaret Ledoux (European Union), secretary; Marie Won Wha Soon (Korea), treasurer; and DinhThi Thu Houng (Vietnam), membership officer.

SHOM advisers are Gracita Sieber (Switzerland), Mano Hirubalan (Singapore) and Eti Bar-On (Israel).

(For inquiries, call the IBF Secretariat at 833-1320 or e-mail ibf.dfa@gmail.com.) (You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com.)