Manila Celebrates 112th Philippine Independence

Manila Celebrates 112^th Philippine Independence

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will lead city officials in celebrating the 112th Independence Day celebration tomorrow, June 12, Saturday at the Pambansang Bantayog ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal ( Rizal Monument ) in Luneta.

The Mayor will raise the Philippine flag at 7a,m along with city officials and employees at  the Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery .

The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebration is ” KALAYAAN, Tagumpay Ng Bayan”.

In 2009, the Mayor honored the war heroes and veterans at the North Cemetery .

The Mayor urged all Filipinos to join the celebration as we have once again succeeded in exercising our freedom and democracy during the successful May 10, 2010 first automated elections.

A whole-day jobs fair will be held at the Lagoon area of the Rizal Park and in the afternoon, President Arroyo will deliver her last Kalayaan address to the nation to be followed by a civic military parade of 10 floats representing her 10-point agenda and the 11th float called Inang Bayan which will feature the successful Filipino achievers here and abroad.

So as not to inconvenience the public and the motorists, the City of Manila has released its rerouting plan for major roads leading to the Independence Day rites on Saturday, June 12, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

Traffic will be rerouted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard north and southbound lanes from Katigbak to TM Kalaw.

All vehicles traveling southward from Delpan Bridge Pier Zone shall turn left at P. Burgos right Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All vehicles traveling northward along Roxas Boulevard shall turn right at TM Kalaw to their destination.

Vehicles coming from McArthur, Jones and Quezon Bridges shall take the road leading to Round Table, Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All cargo trucks traveling Osmeña Highway shall turn to President Quirino Avenue, straight to Nagtahan, AH Lacson, Yuseco Street crossing Jose Abad Santos straight to Raxabago, Capulong to their destinations and vice versa.

Routes to be closed during the civic military parade from 12 noon onwards are: the entire stretch of Roxas Blvd. and Bonifacio Drive north and southbound from Anda Circle to President Quirino; the entire stretch of P. Burgos east and west bound from Roxas Blvd. to Ma. Orosa; the entire stretch of TM Kalaw east and west bound from Roxas blvd to MH del Pilar; Finance Road to Taft Avenue; Lagusnilad and P. Burgos.

MANILA CELEBRATES 138TH MARTYRDOM OF GOMBURZA

The City of Manila led by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim commemorated the 138th martyrdom of Filipino priests during the Spanish era and better known as GOMBURZA for Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.    They were all killed in Luneta and buried in Pandacan (birth place of Father Jacinto Zamora). They were eventually buried in the Paco Park.   “Dapat lagi nating isinasaalala ang kabayanihan at pagkamartir ng ating tatlong pari.  Kahit na hindi sila lumaban o nagpakita ng katapangan sa giyera naipadama naman nila ang paninindigan para sa karapatan ng ating mga kababayang pari,” Lim told the youth in the audience   . Lim said the main concern of the three priests– GOMBURZA  was to give Filipino priests their own churches in accordance with the policy of the Catholic Church, which the Spanish friars did not observe because of professional jealousy. The friars wanted to stay as long as they wanted.     “Ang tatlong mga pari ay idinawit sa isang himagsikan sa Cavite kung saan naman ang mga tao ay lumaban dahil sa mataas na paniningil ng mga buwis.  At may nabasang sulat na gawa ni Padre Jacinto Zamora na may nakalagay na “Pulbura at Bala” kung saan ito ay isa lamang palabas na balak gawin ng mga pari”, Lim added.   Since the friars did not have any much evidence against the 3 Filipino priests, GOMBURZA were executed after two days in Luneta.   Lim told everybody present not to forget the traditional love for our country.  “Huwag nating kalilimutan na ang pag-aalay ng buhay ay isang pinakamahalagang  pagtitiis o sakripisyo ng isang tao alang-alang sa pagmamahal sa bayan.”   Lim said people must only vote wisely this coming election using your mind, heart and conscience in choosing the most deserving candidate.

LIM IS HERMANO MAYOR OF NAZARENE FEAST THIS YEAR

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, this year’s hermano mayor of the Black Nazarene fiesta, attended the concelebrated mass at the Quirino Grandstand officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and other invited bishops and priests early Saturday morning.

Lim was accompanied by City Hall’s key officials and department heads.

Cardinal Rosales’ homily focused on the personal image of the Black Nazarene as simple, humble and charitable.

“Dalhin nyo sa inyong mga tahanan at sa Maynila ang isang payak, mapagkumbaba at madamahin sa kapwa tao ang kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno,” the Cardinal said.(Bring to your homes the simplicity, humility and compassionate virtues of the Nazarene). 

Among the city officials who participated in the recital of the “Prayers of the Faithful” were Manila 3^rd District Representative Naida Angping, Manila Police District Director C/S Gen. Rodolfo Magtibay, City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, Mayor Lim’s Chief of Staff Ricardo De Guzman, City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz, Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau OIC Atty. Solfia Arboladura, Manila Barangay Bureau Director Atty. Analyn Buan and Dr. Ted Martin, director of the newly-opened  Mother and Child Hospital in Binondo.

Msgr. Ignacio thanked the city’s leadership for its relentless support for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

After the mass, Lim and other city heads waited and lined up to kiss the hand of the Cardinal.  Mayor Lim jokingly addressed his department heads by saying “Mag-mano na kayo kay Kardinal para mabawas-bawasan ang inyong mga kasalanan.” (Better get blessings from the Cardinal so your sins will be lessened).

Lim Formalizes Candidacy – “Revolt” for Change

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim together with Vice-Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso after gracing the wreath-laying ceremony of 146^th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio filed their Certificate of Candidacy at the Commission on Election (COMELEC), local district of Manila Monday morning.

After the momentous program for the commemoration of Manila ’s great hero, Lim and Domagoso were accompanied by their supporters coming from the 6 political districts of Manila .  “Ngayon ay araw ng pagbabago at mapayapang himagsikan sa lungsod ng Maynila tungo sa reporma. Marami na ang nangyayaring hindi tama.  Parang binabalewala natin yung pagsasakripisyo at pag-aalay ng buhay ni Gat Andres Bonifacio,” Lim said.

He said that it is a revolt for peace, clean, and honest election and a cry for the election of the righteous candidate and good governance. “A government that is clean, honest and true to their oath of office”, Lim added.

Domagoso, born and raised in Tondo, felt honored that he is from Tondo like Andres Bonifacio.  “Isang malaking karangalan na maging taga-tondo.  Sapagkat doon isinilang ang isang dakilang bayani na tunay at nagsimula ng pagbibigay ng kalayaan sa ating bansa.  At natutuwa kami sa ating alkalde, na itong araw na ito ay ito rin ang araw ng paglulunsad ng laban sa mga masasama sa gobyerno at yung mga bolero ang nilalabanan ng samahan at kupunan na ito”, Domagoso said.

Domagoso emphasized Mayor Lim’s performance for providing the city with its basic needs and services such as health and education.  “In 2 years time, 2 ospital, eskwelahan, at health center, we are talking about basic services, health and education were provided during those years, during the term of Mayor Alfredo Lim.  So, sino ang nakapagbigay nyan?  Noong una nyang termino noong dati ganoon din, ngayon ganoon na naman, naibalik na naman, nakamtam na naman ng mga taga lungsod yung kanilang basic services or basic needs, na pinoprovide naman ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.  So doon kami magba-bond sa issue na yun, ” Domagoso elaborated.

 “Ang amin lang pinaglalaban, na kami ay naninindigan sa katotohanan para sa mamayan ng Lungsod ng Maynila na walang pagkukunwari, walang pagbabalat-kayo, kung hindi yung tapat sa kalooban namin ang magbigay ng panunungkulan sa Lungsod ng Maynila”, Lim added. 

 The mayor was accompanied by his legal counsels, Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Atty. Renato Dela Cruz, and Atty. David Corpin. Garayblas, “the little mayor” expressed his gratitude and happiness towards the unbeatable tandem.

 On one hand, Joey Silva, Deputy Mayor and now the political campaign manager for KKK party said that despite the positive strength of Lim’s party, they are holding tight their confidence as anything can happen in the campaign period and during the election proper.

 The KKK founded by the Mayor and actively coordinated by Silva, chose the following candidates to run under its wing: Nino dela Cruz, Nestor Lim, Peter Ong, Thelma Lim, Josie Siscar, Lou Veloso, and the majority incumbent councilors, and supports the liberal party senatorial bets.

MANILA REMEMBERS JUSTICE FOR THE POOR AUTHOR

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led the celebration of the 81^st birth anniversary of the late Vice-President of the Republic Salvador “Doy” Laurel in the wreath-laying ceremony held at the Roxas Boulevard corner Pedro Gil Street .  The celebration was also attended by Laurel ’s wife, Mrs. Celia Diaz-Laurel and family and close friends.

Others who offered wreaths were, National Historical Institute Executive Director Ludovico Badoy, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission Vice-Chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta, City School Superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Chairman Joe Lad Santos.

Lim told the students present of an interesting background of Laurel being the fifth son of the late President Jose P. Laurel and served as Vice-President of teh Republic together with then President, the late Corazon Aquino. 

He also commended Laurel ’s action in giving way for his presidential bid for President Aquino in the snap election. He was the founder and standard bearer of the United Nationalists Democratic Organizations (UNIDO).

The mayor admired Laurel ’s stand and fought against the Martial Rule during the Marcos Regime.  “Bihira lang ang mga taong tumayo at lumaban sa diktaturya na kagaya ni Doy Laurel ”, Lim added.

Lim challenged everyone present that the key is in their hands towards change.  “Kayo ang hahatol kung sino ang dapat na iluklok sa pwesto at iyan ang hamon sa atin ni Doy at President Jose P. Laurel”, Lim stated.

Doy Laurel ’s wife, Celia, cited one of the most notable deeds when Doy Laurel authored five “Justice for the Poor” laws, also known as “LaurelLaws.

Mrs. Laurel said, “Doy Laurel never failed to think about the country though he was in abroad and sick”.  She shared the words of Doy saying, “You don’t have to be in the government to serve people.  Your neighbors are already enough.  Serving them means serving the country because they are citizens of this country.”

“Love for country is something that no one can take away from you”, the words from Celia Laurel which she asked the future generations to remember.  Through this, the dream of President Laurel and her husband, Doy, will come true, she added.

Lim commended the students from Jose P. Laurel High School who rendered a song number that touched and impressed the people present and said that they must be given a scholarship in music in order to develop more of their singing talent.

PAINTING EXHIBIT PAYS TRIBUTE TO CORY

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will formally open on Monday the “Democracy in Yellow” painting exhibit, a tribute to the late President Corazon Aquino organized by the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, Office of Councilor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Museo ng Maynila and Sigwada Gallery.

 

            The painting exhibit comes after the 100^th day death anniversary of the late president, considered a national icon for democracy, to be held at the Lacson Underpass, Quiapo.

 

            The Mayor will deliver the opening remarks while Councilor Nieto will explain the background of the project. Nonoy Alkalde of Pinikpikan, Dom-An, Sagada, Mountain Province will give a special presentation.

 

Aquino’s daughter, Pinky Aquino Abellada will then give her message.

 

Lim will then lead the ribbon-cutting to formally open the exhibition along with Pinky Abellada, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Councilor Nieto and Cecile Pagaduan of Sigwada Gallery.

 

The Manila City Chorale and Manila City Band will render the “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” song which became associated with the late president.

 

 On Tuesday, November 10,2009 at 10 a.m., the exhibition will be brought to the Rodriguez Hall, 2^nd Floor of City Hall. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be led by Mayor Lim, Vice Mayor “Isko Moreno” and Councilor Nieto to be followed by a public viewing while the  Manila City Band plays the songs “Magkaisa” and “Bayan Ko.”