Bacolod to hold concert for Pope

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  - A concert featuring classical music in honor of Pope John Paul II, who is set to be beatified May 1, will be held May 5 at 6 p.m. at the L'Fisher Hotel in this city.

The concert, titled "Omaggio: Giovanni Paolo II (Homage to Pope John Paul II)," is organized by the John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and will feature internationally acclaimed Negrense artists and local talents.

"Aside from an evening of classical music, we really wanted a venue where we can talk about Pope John Paul II," Menchie Tan, assistant academic dean of John Paul II National Institute, said.

The JPII National Institute is considered the "living legacy" of Pope John Paul II, according to Monsignor Victorino Rivas.

He added that the Institute, the only one of its kind in the Philippines and to some extent, in Asia, is part of the worldwide Pontifical Pope John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

"Simply called the JP II Institute, it is not merely named after the beloved pope; it is, in fact, an institute the pope himself created, and the only school he had put up," Rivas said.

Just before the concert, the organizers will present the life and works of John Paul II, as well as the facts about the Institute, Tan said.

Negrense sisters, soprano Nenen Espina and pianist Mary Anne Espina, will join another Negrense tenor Randy Gelongo in a one-hour-and-a-half concert that will also feature string quartet Quarteto Espressivo and the University of Saint La Salle chorale.

Meanwhile, a live telecast of the beatification of Pope John Paul II will be shown Sunday afternoon at the tower built in his honor at the Bacolod reclamation area, Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, disclosed.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict XVI will hold the beatification Mass at 10 a.m. on May 1 at the St. Peter's Square, which is 4 p.m. Sunday in the Philippines, Pasquin said.

The live telecast of the beatification will be held at 4 p.m. followed by the laying of flowers at the foot of the statue of Pope John Paul II at the tower, after which, the Youth for Christ and the Singles for Christ will hold a cultural program as an expression of rejoicing for the beatification.

The seven-storey tower stands in the area where Pope John Paul II spoke to thousands of Negrenses during his historic visit to Bacolod City on Feb. 20, 1981.

One of the late Bishop Antonio Fortich's biggest triumphs was to get Pope John Paul II to make a side trip to Negros during his visit to the Philippines in 1981.

"I told Cardinal Sin the Pope does not just want to see the scenery at Mayon Volcano, he wants to see the problems of the people," Fortich said then.

The Pope delivered one of his most powerful messages in behalf of the poor in Bacolod, Fortich had added.

In his speech, Pope John Paul II said, "Injustice reigns when the laws of economic growth and ever greater profit determine social relations, leaving in poverty and destitution those who have only the work of their hands to offer."

He also warned that "the church will not hesitate to take up the cause of the poor and to become the voice of those who are not listened to when they speak up, not to demand charity, but to ask for justice."

Pope John Paul II was born as Karol Juzef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920. He was Pope from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84.

Merely six years later, on May 1, 2011, the feast of the Divine Mercy, he will be proclaimed "Blessed" at beatification rites in Rome. Beatification is a step closer to sainthood.— /WAB (FREEMAN)