MEDIA ADVISORY: PANUNULUYAN NG MGA MARALITANG TAGALUNGSOD with Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales

Urban Poor Associates
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Tel.: 4264118 / 4264119 / 4267615 Fax: 4264118

Ref: John Francis M. Lagman http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
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Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

PANUNULUYAN NG MGA MARALITANG TAGALUNGSOD with Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
“TOWARD THE CHURCH OF THE POOR”

The Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and the Task Force Housing Rights along the Railways (Task Force Riles) request your presence at the 20th annual celebration of Panunuluyan (Re-enactment of search for an inn in Bethlehem) to be held on December 18, 2006 (Monday). Cardinal Rosales will say the mass and lead the celebration.

Led by giant puppets of Joseph and Mary, over 2,000 urban poor people will march from GOMBURZA Plaza to Manila Cathedral (and from Baseco and Tondo to the Manila Cathedral) beginning 9:00 in the morning. Participants include children, old people, victims of demolitions, scavengers, relocated railroad families, leaders of people’s organization, urban poor friends and sympathizers from all over Metro Manila.

Cardinal Rosales will greet the marchers on the steps of the Cathedral then lead them into the church. The marchers will also include a donkey (4 Baseco boys), the Blessed Mother in a Kariton and an Ati-atihan band.

During the mass children will act out the Nativity story. They will present special gifts at the offertory. After the mass there will be a salu-salo, games and Christmas carol contest in Plaza Roma.

The theme of this year’s Panunuluyan is “Toward the Church of the Poor.” The Philippine Church has as its goal to be the Church of the Poor.

Photo ops: Present day “Mary and Joseph” search for inn
Blessed Mother in a scavenger’s kariton
Nativity story portrayed by urban poor boys and girls
Cardinal at salu-salo after the mass
Poor people’s games, songs, etc.


Program of Activities

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Assembly at GOMBURZA Plaza opposite Old Senate Bldg., along Padre Burgos Street, Manila

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. March along Padre Burgos, turn right at Gen Luna Street, then to Manila Cathedral

10:00- 11:30 a.m. MASS, His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales

11:30- 2:00 p.m. Salu-salo, games and carol contest in Plaza Roma


If you require further information please contact UPA’s Media Advocacy Officer, John Lagman on (+632) 4264118