Prayer Power Rally at the site of People Power

This post, originally published on August 2, will stay as the top post until noon of August 4. Newer posts below. 

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Upcoming Event: State of the Soul of the Nation

(New posts below this)

Upcoming event: NCR Youth Day for Life

(THIS WILL REMAIN ON TOP OF THE BLOG UNTIL JULY 22. NEWER POSTS BELOW)

UPDATE July 17, 2012: Newer article on CBCP regarding this event: Young people gear up for NCR Youth Day for Life


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From CBCP News (June 15, 2012):

NCR youth day highlights RH bill as lead problem among young people

MANILA, June 15, 2012—Young people from the 10 ecclesiastical territories of the National Capital Region are set to gather for the 1st National Capital Region (NCR) youth day that will highlight a discussion on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill as the leading problem of today’s Filipino youth.

Slated on July 22, the youth event is dubbed “The National Capital Region Youth Day for Life! Live. Love. Learn.” The theme is taken from 1 Timothy 4:12 (“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”)

Aside from getting together the young crowd, the event is also aiming to gather different leaders of the parish youth ministries or commissions, the leaders of different campus ministries of parochial, private and public school in the region, as well as the leaders of the different transparochial groups or organizations to reflect on the NCR youth’s stand regarding the RH bill.

The NCR youth ministry believes the gathering will serve as a venue for the youth to discuss in depth the content of the consolidated statement of the region on the issue of RH bill and the effects of the controversial measure on the lives of the youth

Aside from that, they will also provide the youth an opportunity to share their inputs and to better understand their statement as well as recommit themselves in the efforts of educating the young people on the region regarding the issue.

According to Peter Eric Pardo, regional youth coordinator of NCR, there will be three talks and three workshops that will be scheduled during the event.

Pardo will be one of the speakers together with Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, country director of the Human Life International and Ms. Renelyn Tan, regional director for Asia of World Youth Alliance.

For the workshops, speakers and facilitators will be Mr. Peter Capistrano, former NCR Youth Leader and Coordinator of the Diocese of Pasig Youth Ministry; Ms. Ann Rosselle Cortes, diocesan youth coordinator of Novaliches and Mr. Dani Villanueva, diocesan youth coordinator of Antipolo.

Scheduled talks are “RH bill, saan ka nanggaling?,” “RH bill, ano ka ba talaga?,” and “RH bill, bakit di kita ma-take?,”. The workshops are about “Live, Love and Learn.”

Pardo added that they are targeting 200 young people ages 15-39 from each ecclesiastical territories of NCR. No venue yet has been announced by the organizers at the moment.

NCR is comprised of Archdiocese of Manila, Dioceses of Parañaque, Pasig, Antipolo, Novaliches, Cubao, Kalookan, Imus and Apostolic Vicariates of Puerto Princesa and Taytay in Palawan. (Jandel Posion)

A show of force on the Day of the Unborn

This article is noteworthy for explicitly identifying Mayor Alfredo Lim as being anti-RH, and for extensively quoting Cong. Mitos Magsaysay's speech versus the bill:

From CBCP for Life:

Tens of thousands join K of C’s Walk for Life, reiterate RH bill rejection 

MANILA, March 25, 2012–An estimated 30,000-50,000 members of the Knights of Columbus and their families trekked from Intramuros to the Rajah Sulayman park on Roxas Blvd. yesterday to carry out the annual Walk for Life to manifest the group’s pro-life stand and demonstrate its strong opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. 

Dubbed with the theme “We Value Life” this year, the activity started with a 6:00 a.m. Eucharistic celebration at San Agustin Church, Intramuros, with Luzon State Chaplain and Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco as main celebrant. 

After the mass, participants from different Knights of Columbus Councils and other organizations assembled in front of the church then walked to Roxas Blvd., carrying streamers and placards identifying their group, and bearing life-affirming messages as well as expressions of anti-RH bill sentiments. 

“Give us a chance to breathe because life is a wonderful gift,”” No to RH bill, We value life,” “Defend life,” “We fight for the Culture of Life, Against the Culture of Death,” “Ang buhay na isang regalo huwag sayangin, pahalagahan ito” and “Take my hand, not my life” read some of the placards that dotted the kilometric line of participants of varied ages, from a handful of preschool children and numerous elementary school and high school kids, to adults and quite a few seniors who were upbeat during most of the way to Rajah Sulayman where a program was held. 

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim commended the supposed concern of the RH bill’s proponents for caring for the women’s health issues but pointed out that the measure’s name can be deceiving.  

“Ang hindi ko ho maintindihan, ang title ng proposed bill na ito, ‘reproductive health bill’. Ang sinasabi ng mga proponents nito, ay pinangangalagaan daw nila ‘yung kalusugan ng mga ina na manganganak dahil maaari daw mamatay sa panganganak at meron silang mga statistics na nagsasabi kung ilan ang namamatay sa panganganak,” Lim said. “Sa biglang pandinig, napakagandang pakinggan — inaalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga ina natin.” 

He segued into a personal testimony of living a welcoming attitude toward life and being contraceptives-free with his first wife of 44 years before she died and with whom he has eight children, and with his second wife with whom he has four children. 

Zambales Representative Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, known for her firm opposition to the RH bill as well as her prowess in discussing it in plenary debates, explained what makes the measure unnecessary and thereby unworthy of support. 

Some 80 percent of the provisions in the RH bill, she said, are contained in the Magna Carta of Women which was signed into law in 2009. 

“Nakalagay po sa proposed RH bill that we should provide pre-natal and post-natal care sa lahat ng mga babae dito sa Pilipinas. Iyang provision na ‘yan nasa Magna Carta na eh. Kapag sinabi niyo pong ‘access to all kinds of family planning methods,’ nasa Magna Carta na rin ‘yan. Kapag sinabi mong ‘the right to space your children,’ nasa Magna Carta ‘yan.” 

“Kapag sinabi mong dapat mag-provide ng birthing facilities ang mga health centers nationwide, nasa Magna Carta na rin ‘yan. At ‘pag sinabi mong dapat magkaroon ng midwife, nurse at duktor ang mga health centers nationwide, nasa Magna Carta na rin ‘yan,” Magsaysay continued. 

“So bakit pa natin kailangang ipasa ang RH bill? Eh dapat ngayon pinapatupad na po namin sa pamahalaan ‘yung provisions ng Magna Carta.” 

The congresswoman also delved on the concept of essential medicines and how she regards the attempt to categorize birth control drugs and devices as “essential medicines” as senseless. 

“Anong sakit ba ang ginagamot ng contraceptives? Ang pagbubuntis ba ay isang sakit?” she recalled asking RH bill sponsors in plenary debates, to which the latter replied in the negative. 

“Ang alam ko sa ‘essential medicine,’ ‘yan ay iniinom ng isang tao sapagkat siya ay may sakit, at kung sakaling inumin niya yung gamot, gagaling siya. Kung hindi naman pala sakit ang pregnancy, ibig sabihin walang sakit, so hindi mo pwedeng i-consider na ‘essential medicine’ ang condoms at contraceptives,” the solon explained. 

The bigger picture that could explain the bill’s proponents’ motivation was revealed by Magsaysay. 

“Ang sabi kasi nila, sa DoH, mas mabilis ang priority sa pagbili ng gamot kapag ‘essential medicine’ ang classification. Kaya gusto nilang lokohin tayong lahat at sabihin ang contraceptives ay dapat gawing ‘essential medicine,’ she said. 

The Zambales congresswoman also mentioned that she would rather that students were taught values formation rather than sex education, as the youth need to learn to know and value their self-worth, understand principles such as integrity and focus on character building in general. 

Allen Paolo Guballa, State Chief Squire, also spoke as part of the program, which ended with the release of white balloons as the song “Habang May Buhay” was played. 

The Walk for Life took place a day before the Day of the Unborn, a special day officially designated in several countries including the Philippines for celebrating the sacredness of the lives of babies before birth. Besides the Philippines, March 25 is marked with a pro-life theme in El Salvador, Argentina, Guatemala, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Slovakia, Cuba, Austria and Romania. (CBCP for Life)

Activities for Respect and Care for Life Month (February) 2012

Looking back at the struggle for life and against the RH bill in 2011

I recommend the following articles:

Filipinos Close 2011 with Huge Pro-Life Caravan and Legislative Victories -- by Dr. Ligaya Acosta

Year-ender report. The crusade for a culture of life. Part 1. Part 2. -- CBCP for Life

Pro-Life Caravan Convergence in Lipa and National Marian Rally on December 11 at Luneta

This article will stay on top of the blog until the end of December 11, 2011. Newer posts below -- CAP

From the CBCP for Life article, Nationwide Caravan for Life to culminate in Dec. 11 Luneta rally (emphases mine):

The nationwide pilgrimage and caravan will culminate in Manila on Sunday, December 11, in what is expected to be a grand prayer rally with thousands – faith-based and civic groups, the youth, family and life advocates, laity and clergy – participating and uniting in prayer. 

“This is meant to ask for God’s mercy to spare the Philippines from the onslaught of the culture of d.e.a.t.h. (which stands for divorce, euthanasia, abortion, total population control, and homosexuality), particularly the reproductive health bill,” Acosta said. 

“At the same time, the caravan aims to bring a strong message to the whole country – especially our legislators, that we say no to the culture of death, and rally the Filipino people to unite with the Catholic Church in actively opposing the reproductive health bill and other death bills, now threatening to pass in the Congress of the Philippines,” she explained. 

The reproductive health (RH) bill has been the subject of public debates, both in and out of the halls of Congress, with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte expressing his desire to put the measure to a vote before the end of the year. 

Over a dozen more solons are on the list of those scheduled to interpellate the bill’s sponsors at the House of Representatives. At the Senate, on the other hand, debates continue, with the most recent session zeroing in on documentation that revealed massive funding of RH lobby groups by foreign agencies, including pro-abortion and population control groups. 

Acosta pointed out that the pilgrimage and Sunday’s prayer rally are meant to draw attention to another legislative measure that stands to ruin the fabric of Philippine society. 

“This pilgrimage also comes providentially at a time when same-sex union is on the verge of legalization, with the approval on third reading on November 21 by the Senate, through Senate Bill 2814, titled “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination, Profiling, Violence and All Forms of Intolerance Against Persons Based on Ethnicity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Language, Disability, or Other Status,” which provides on Section 7 among others that “All persons shall have equal rights in matters related to marriage, adoption……” the HLI official said. 

“The same bill’s house version, House Bill No. 4807, has also been passed on third reading, and both houses will have a bicameral session on December 13! Thus, people of God need to unite and storm the heavens with prayers.” 

Ongoing pilgrimage 

The lead vehicle of the Caravan will carry a 7-foot statue of Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, as well as a big image of the Divine Mercy, “to hopefully bless the whole country as the caravan travels through the different provinces and cities,” Acosta said. 

Following the images are vehicles of the different contingents from the participating dioceses, parishes, lay groups and individuals, who pray the rosary, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, and Prayer of Reparation during the travel. 

After passing through identified convergence points in Mindanao and the Visayas such as Butuan, Surigao, Tacloban, Catbalogan, Calbayog City, and Matnog in Sorsogon, the Caravan will move to Lipa City on Saturday, December 10 for another day of intense prayers and reflections at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. 

Participants from Northern and Central Luzon, as well as from Central Visayas, are requested to converge in Lipa City on this day as Lipa is the main convergence point for participants from these regions. 

Among the day’s activities at the church will be a talk by Acosta at 10:45 a.m.- 12:00 noon. 

The Caravan will leave Lipa City at 8:30 a.m. on December 11 and proceed to the Quirino Grandstand, Manila, for the culmination of the week-long pilgrimage. 

Manila details 

Participants who wish to enjoy the decorated floats that are part of the Caravan are advised to be at the Quirino Grandstand at 1:00 p.m. for the parade and judging of these floats. Program featuring pro-life speakers including legislators will start at 4:30, followed by a concelebrated Mass at 6:00 with Bishop Teodoro Bacani as main celebrant. 

For more information about the “National Marian Pilgrimage for Life: No to RH bill, no to same-sex union,” please contact Lorna at the Pro-Life Office at tel. nos. 733-7027 or 734-9425 or mobile no. 09192337783. You may tune in to Radio Veritas for updates on the ongoing pilgrimage. (CBCP for Life)

The line-up of activities for the National Marian Rally that has been received by this blog is as follows:

PROGRAM


1:00 PM - Arrival of Delegates/ Floats of Mama Mary
3:00 PM - Divine Mercy Chaplet
Rosary
3:20 PM - Bible Enthronement
3:25 PM - Joyful Songs


4:00 PM - Speeches
Speakers:
• Senator Vicente “ Tito” Sotto III
• Sis. Francisca Regancia (Soldiers of Christ)
• Sis. Lydia Salazar (Soldiers of Christ)
• Cong. Dax Cua (Lone District, Quirino)
• Cong. Michael Velarde (Buhay Party List)
• Cong. Amado Bagatsing (Manila, 5th District)
• Cong. Bingbong Crisologo (Quezon City, 1st District)
• Cong. Mitos Magsaysay (Zambales, 1st District)


6:00 PM - Celebration of the Holy Eucharist


Soldiers of Christ
7:30 PM - Sharing of Testimony
9:00 PM - God’s Healing Message by
Bro. Ting Arcadio

Day of Prayer on May 9 and Pro-Life March to Batasan, May 10, 2011

Originally posted on May 5, 2011, revised on May 8, 2011, re-dated May 9, 2011:


(NOTE: NEWER POSTS BELOW. THIS POST WILL REMAIN ON TOP UNTIL THE EVENING OF MAY 10, 2011)


From CBCPNews:

National Day of Prayer vs RH bill set on May 9

The Catholic Church has set May 9 as “National Day of Prayer” to invoke divine intervention and guidance for legislators to reject a birth control measure. 

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said he called on the faithful to devote special time in praying for the lawmakers that they reject the reproductive health (RH) bill. 

In an interview over Radyo Veritas Thursday, he also encouraged the praying of the rosary regularly starting on Monday until the controversial measure is finally junked. 

“I-alay natin ang pagdarasal ng rosary sa mga Kongresista, Senador at kay Pangulong Aquino na maliwanagan ang kanilang pag-iisip at pahalagahan ang buhay,” Arguelles said. 

In Southern Philippines, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said they’ve a “text brigade” for the success of the National Day of Prayer. 

He said it’s high time for the people to publicly show their opposition against the bill which pushes the use of contraceptives. 

“This will manifest our unity. To show to everybody that all sectors of the society are against the proposed bill,” said Bagaforo. 

“This is also an opportunity for us as one nation… one voice in prayer,” he said, and which according to him, is an effective instrument in the fight against the bill. 

In Agusan Del Sur, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said the church will also lead a protest against the passage of the RH bill. 

Pueblos said he is set to make a directive to his priests to observe the National Day of Prayer by also wearing blue or white shirts or by wearing white ribbon pins. 

He said he will also order the holding of a prayer vigil on Monday. 

“I will call my people to do this, let’s storm the heaven with prayers,” Pueblos said. 

In Manila, the Church is currently on its 5th day of holding a novena-for-life against RH bill. 

The novena will end on May 9, the day Congress will again take up the proposed legislative measure on birth control. 

The novena-for-life is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 pm daily at the chapel of the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila. (CBCPNews)

The Day of Prayer will be followed by:

JERICHO MARCH TO BATASAN

Location: Assembly,St Peter Church, Commonwealth,Quezon City

Time: Tuesday, 10 May 2011 13:00 H

The final poll results of the ABS-CBN "Harapan" debate on the RH Bill

The entire debate can be watched HERE.

Thanks to all who voted for the pro-life side!

Naturally, as has been repeated time and again in this blog, numbers do not make the truth. Even if the anti-RH side had lost this one, this blog and the anti-RH side will remain firm in their opposition to the RH bill and the forces behind it. Nevertheless, it is always good to have a lot of people on the side of righteousness.

Event Alert: Nine-day Vigil for Life starts today at the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila

From CBCP News:

MANILA, May 1, 2011—A nine-day Prayer Vigil for Life starts today in preparation for the resumption of activity in both Houses of Congress and, thereby, of the possibility of pending bills being taken up in official deliberations soon.

Encouraged by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the novena is led by Radyo Veritas, CBCP Media Office, the member organizations of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas and youth groups.

The novena of prayers vigils that will be held also in several dioceses specifically directs prayers concerning House Bill 4244, or The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011.

The measure, commonly referred to as the RH bill, primarily proposes a nationwide State-sponsored and State-guaranteed provision of the full range of reproductive health services and a six-year sex education program for Grade 5 to 4th Year high school students in both public and private schools as well as for out-of-school youth.

The Vigil for Life is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 pm daily at the chapel of the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila.

Today it will be preceded by a Eucharistic celebration at 5:00 pm to be officiated by Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, Media Office director of the CBCP.

The last day of the novena, May 9, coincides with the resumption of business at the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A novena is a private or public devotion done to obtain special graces. It is encouraged by ecclesiastical authority and takes on four kinds: the novena of mourning, preparation, prayer, and that which brings with it indulgences. (Diana Uichanco)

Interview with Atty. Marwil Llasos tomorrow

Talks on the RH Bill tomorrow at Megamall

March 25, 2011 Pro-Life Rally at Quirino Grandstand

Today's the Big Day!

LIVE BROADCASTS FROM THE EVENT WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH 

RADIO VERITAS AND CFC PRO LIFE

“Filipinos! Unite Under God for Life!”

Luneta Grandstand

March 25, 2011

The Feast of the Annunciation

Day of The Unborn

PROGRAM: Emcees (Fr. Erick Santos, Fr. Joel Jason, Ms. Gaines Rosario)

3:00 -Arrival and Animation - Emcees

EL SHADDAI CHOIR

Welcome and acknowledgment of Participants

70’s Beats and Pieces band


3:50 – 4:00 --Lively Cultural Dance Number by Hiyas ng Pilipinas

4:00 – 4:15 -- Recitation of the Holy Rosary - youth group

4:15 – 4:45 -- Istasyon ng Krus Para sa Buhay c/o Fr. Genie Diwa

4:45 – 5:00 -- Inter-faith prayer and Declaration of Opposition c/o Fr. Caloy Reyes

5:00 – 6:00 -- Testimonies/Declaration of Opposition

- Ms. Mae Belgica

- Congresswoman Aliah Dimaporo

- Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez

- Bro. Bo Sanchez

- Cong. Roilo Golez on HB 13

- Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile

- Video Message from Cong. Manny Pacquiao

6:00 -- Recitation of Angelus/Prayer for the Unborn led by Sr. Pilar

6:05 – 6:20 -- Animation and Inspirational Songs

EL SHADDAI Choir

6:20 – 7:00 -- “Interrogation” and “I Stand” chant

CFC Singles for Christ

Symbolic Tearing of RH bill by different sectors of society

- Youth (EJ Aguila and Renelyn Tan)

- Politician (Mayor Lito Atienza)

- Religious (Sr. Pilar Verzosa)

- Medical (Dra Angie Aguirre)

- Journalist

- Muslim Faith Sector (Cong. Aliah Dimaporo)

- Family

- Archbishop Paciano Aniceto (CBCP)

Live Pure presentation (CFC-FFL)

“Masterpiece” song and dance (CFC-FFL)

7:00 – 8:30 -- Holy Mass presided by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, concelebrated by Cardinal Jose Sanchez, and the Bishops and the Priests.

Prayers of the Faithful:

· Doctors – Dr. Oscar Tinio (President, PMA)

· Catholic Physicians Guild – Joe Yamamoto / Oca Tagulinao

· Lawyers – Justice Santiago Kapunan (President, IBP)

· Teachers

· Filipino Families – Rodrigo Family

· Politicians – Michael Velarde (Buhay Party List)

After Post Communion Prayer -- Consecration of the Family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

· Fr. Yulito Ignacio

Special Address by Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai

9:00 -- Fireworks Display and Singing of Happy Birthday to celebrate LIFE.

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NB: THE MANILA RALLY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY RALLIES IN 20 DIOCESES AND PRELATURES IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

Looking back to the PICC Rally, February 13, 2011

,On the eve of what promises to become the biggest protest action against the RH Bill, I think it would be appropriate to look back to the PICC rally against the RH Bill held only a few weeks ago, and to revisit some of the presentations made at that time: Filipinos, Unite for Life! 

The link leads to a website with summaries of the speeches delivered at the event by various pro-life congressmen.