Archdiocese of Manila to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in Philippines | ABS-CBN
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Archdiocese of Manila to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in Philippines
Archdiocese of Manila to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in Philippines
Job Manahan,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 05, 2021 07:47 PM PHT
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MANILA — The Archdiocese of Manila will launch the celebration for the 500th anniversary of Christianity's establishment in the country on Saturday, highlighting the contribution of Manila to the faith's continuity in the country.
MANILA — The Archdiocese of Manila will launch the celebration for the 500th anniversary of Christianity's establishment in the country on Saturday, highlighting the contribution of Manila to the faith's continuity in the country.
In a statement, the Archdiocese said on Friday it also celebrated the 442nd year of its establishment as the first diocese in the country.
In a statement, the Archdiocese said on Friday it also celebrated the 442nd year of its establishment as the first diocese in the country.
A Mass will be presided by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, at the Manila Cathedral around 9 a.m. for the celebration.
A Mass will be presided by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, at the Manila Cathedral around 9 a.m. for the celebration.
"The local celebration in the Archdiocese of Manila follows the CBCP guideline of emphasizing celebration, formation, and legacy," the statement from the Manila Archdiocese read.
"The local celebration in the Archdiocese of Manila follows the CBCP guideline of emphasizing celebration, formation, and legacy," the statement from the Manila Archdiocese read.
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The celebration was inspired by the first Mass that took place in Limasawa and the first baptism held in Cebu, they explained.
The celebration was inspired by the first Mass that took place in Limasawa and the first baptism held in Cebu, they explained.
"The Archdiocese of Manila created a program that highlights the contribution of Manila to the 500 years of the story of the Christian faith in the country – that Manila is truly gifted to give," they said.
"The Archdiocese of Manila created a program that highlights the contribution of Manila to the 500 years of the story of the Christian faith in the country – that Manila is truly gifted to give," they said.
"It is important for us to celebrate because mission does not end in the time of pandemic; in fact, missionary work is given more significance in times of difficulties," the Archdiocese added.
"It is important for us to celebrate because mission does not end in the time of pandemic; in fact, missionary work is given more significance in times of difficulties," the Archdiocese added.
WATCH:
Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila, representatives of the religious and of the laity will be present for the celebration.
Archbishop Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, the priests of the Archdiocese of Manila, representatives of the religious and of the laity will be present for the celebration.
The mayors of cities within the Archdiocese -- Manila, Makati City, Mandaluyong City, Pasay City, and San Juan City -- were also invited to the event.
The mayors of cities within the Archdiocese -- Manila, Makati City, Mandaluyong City, Pasay City, and San Juan City -- were also invited to the event.
The Archdiocese partnered with Star Music Philippines for the event's song "We Give Our Yes," composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo and performed by Jamie Rivera.
The Archdiocese partnered with Star Music Philippines for the event's song "We Give Our Yes," composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo and performed by Jamie Rivera.
The single was also produced by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.
The single was also produced by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.
Rivera will perform the song live, while the official music video will also be released also on Saturday.
Rivera will perform the song live, while the official music video will also be released also on Saturday.
Mission Cross
The celebration will also feature the wearing of the 500 years "Mission Cross" bearing the name of Jesus that is inscribed in Roman characters and ancient Baybayin script.
The celebration will also feature the wearing of the 500 years "Mission Cross" bearing the name of Jesus that is inscribed in Roman characters and ancient Baybayin script.
Such cross will serve as an invitation to the public of wearing it, describing it as a "sign of our faith in Jesus, of protection from God, and most importantly, as a badge of our missionary work."
Such cross will serve as an invitation to the public of wearing it, describing it as a "sign of our faith in Jesus, of protection from God, and most importantly, as a badge of our missionary work."
A ceremonial wearing and giving of the Mission Cross will also happen for the local chief executives and community representatives from the Archdiocese's chosen pilgrimage churches.
A ceremonial wearing and giving of the Mission Cross will also happen for the local chief executives and community representatives from the Archdiocese's chosen pilgrimage churches.
"This symbolizes the encounter of the faith from Western missionaries and our own culture and life, resulting in a colorful and vibrant Filipino faith that now becomes our contribution to the universal Church," they said.
"This symbolizes the encounter of the faith from Western missionaries and our own culture and life, resulting in a colorful and vibrant Filipino faith that now becomes our contribution to the universal Church," they said.
Some of the said churches chosen by the Manila Archdiocese are the following:
Some of the said churches chosen by the Manila Archdiocese are the following:
- Manila Cathedral (Manila)
- Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Tondo (Manila)
- San Pablo Apostol Parish (Manila)
- Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish (Pasay)
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Makati)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Makati)
- San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong)
- St. John the Baptist Parish (San Juan)
- Manila Cathedral (Manila)
- Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia (Manila)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Tondo (Manila)
- San Pablo Apostol Parish (Manila)
- Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish (Pasay)
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Makati)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (Makati)
- San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong)
- St. John the Baptist Parish (San Juan)
These churches will be declared by the Archdiocese as pilgrims, with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asking the Apostolic Penitentiary to likewise grant them "indulgences."
These churches will be declared by the Archdiocese as pilgrims, with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asking the Apostolic Penitentiary to likewise grant them "indulgences."
"These pilgrim churches are meant to be centers of prayer, forgiveness, and charitable works during this jubilee year," according to the statement.
"These pilgrim churches are meant to be centers of prayer, forgiveness, and charitable works during this jubilee year," according to the statement.
Bishop Pabillo will also be expected to open Manila Cathedral's "jubilee door" along with other Philippine cathedrals during Easter Sunday on April 4, 2021. He will also open other churches' jubilee doors on the Easter Week.
Bishop Pabillo will also be expected to open Manila Cathedral's "jubilee door" along with other Philippine cathedrals during Easter Sunday on April 4, 2021. He will also open other churches' jubilee doors on the Easter Week.
"Our frontliners, medical workers, and all of us who try our best to contribute to helping the country are ourselves doing and saying yes to the mission of Jesus."
"Our frontliners, medical workers, and all of us who try our best to contribute to helping the country are ourselves doing and saying yes to the mission of Jesus."
The Archdiocese said other details of the celebration would be posted soon.
The Archdiocese said other details of the celebration would be posted soon.
President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 rebuked the need to celebrate the 500th year since the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the Philippines, which also brought Christianity to the country, saying the foreign landing in Cebu heralded centuries of abuse against Filipinos.
President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 rebuked the need to celebrate the 500th year since the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the Philippines, which also brought Christianity to the country, saying the foreign landing in Cebu heralded centuries of abuse against Filipinos.
Duterte said he was not trying to pick a fight with priests, but admitted that he was "angry" over what happened centuries ago.
Duterte said he was not trying to pick a fight with priests, but admitted that he was "angry" over what happened centuries ago.
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Filipina victim reveals beatings, abuse in Myanmar scam center
Filipina victim reveals beatings, abuse in Myanmar scam center
Agence France-Presse,
Sally Jensen
Published Feb 14, 2025 06:25 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 14, 2025 06:26 PM PHT
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An alleged victim of a scam center shows an injury on their arm as they wait to cross the border to Thailand to be repatriated, in Kyauk Khet in Myawaddy in Myanmar's Kayin State on February 12, 2025. AFP photo
![An alleged victim of a scam center shows an injury on their arm as they wait to cross the border to Thailand to be repatriated, in Kyauk Khet in Myawaddy in Myanmar's Kayin State on February 12, 2025. AFP photo](https://od2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20250214100224/77be36e4b079003b27bd0d7fe81972460d2402e070e00850241b505f6deb1bdd.jpg)
At a scam compound in Myanmar, Filipina worker Pieta had just days to romance strangers online and trick them into investing in a fake business -- failing which she would be beaten or tortured with electric shocks.
At a scam compound in Myanmar, Filipina worker Pieta had just days to romance strangers online and trick them into investing in a fake business -- failing which she would be beaten or tortured with electric shocks.
Pieta was one of 260 people -- many visibly injured or bruised -- rescued from an illicit center along the Myanmar border this week and handed over to Thailand, following a series of crackdowns on the illegal operations.
Pieta was one of 260 people -- many visibly injured or bruised -- rescued from an illicit center along the Myanmar border this week and handed over to Thailand, following a series of crackdowns on the illegal operations.
Scam compounds have mushroomed in Myanmar's borderlands and are staffed by foreigners, sometimes trafficked and forced to work, swindling people around the world in an industry analysts say is worth billions of dollars.
Scam compounds have mushroomed in Myanmar's borderlands and are staffed by foreigners, sometimes trafficked and forced to work, swindling people around the world in an industry analysts say is worth billions of dollars.
Pieta, a pseudonym to protect her identity, thought she was accepting a job in Thailand that paid $1,500 a month when she left the Philippines six months ago.
Pieta, a pseudonym to protect her identity, thought she was accepting a job in Thailand that paid $1,500 a month when she left the Philippines six months ago.
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Instead, she was forced to work grueling shifts for no pay at the compound in Kyauk Khet, a village in Myanmar's Karen state, scamming people in Europe and living in constant fear of punishment.
Instead, she was forced to work grueling shifts for no pay at the compound in Kyauk Khet, a village in Myanmar's Karen state, scamming people in Europe and living in constant fear of punishment.
"If we didn't reach the target, we were beaten up... (or given) electric shocks," she told AFP from a holding centre in Phop Phra, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Thailand's Mae Sot after the rescuees were taken by boat across a small border river on Wednesday.
"If we didn't reach the target, we were beaten up... (or given) electric shocks," she told AFP from a holding centre in Phop Phra, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Thailand's Mae Sot after the rescuees were taken by boat across a small border river on Wednesday.
"I'm just going to cry. Oh my God. I'm so happy... that I left that place," she said, adding that enforced squats -- sometimes up to 1,000 -- were also meted out as punishment.
"I'm just going to cry. Oh my God. I'm so happy... that I left that place," she said, adding that enforced squats -- sometimes up to 1,000 -- were also meted out as punishment.
The 260 foreign nationals -- among thousands allegedly lured into the notorious cyberscam centres with promises of high-paying jobs before they are effectively held hostage -- came from over a dozen countries including Ethiopia, Brazil and Nepal.
The 260 foreign nationals -- among thousands allegedly lured into the notorious cyberscam centres with promises of high-paying jobs before they are effectively held hostage -- came from over a dozen countries including Ethiopia, Brazil and Nepal.
- Signs of physical abuse -
AFP spoke to some of them under the condition of anonymity. Many bore signs of physical abuse, including one woman who had huge bruises on her left arm and thigh and said she had been electrocuted.
AFP spoke to some of them under the condition of anonymity. Many bore signs of physical abuse, including one woman who had huge bruises on her left arm and thigh and said she had been electrocuted.
Liu, one of 10 Chinese nationals rescued, described gory methods his Chinese bosses inflicted as punishment.
Liu, one of 10 Chinese nationals rescued, described gory methods his Chinese bosses inflicted as punishment.
He told AFP that he saw one worker having his face rubbed into a metal grate on the floor until he bled to death -- a claim AFP is unable to verify.
He told AFP that he saw one worker having his face rubbed into a metal grate on the floor until he bled to death -- a claim AFP is unable to verify.
"So many were beaten to death, it was so bloody," he said.
"So many were beaten to death, it was so bloody," he said.
Scam centres have proliferated across Southeast Asia in recent years, including the Philippines, where police this week rescued 34 Indonesians from a Manila compound.
Scam centres have proliferated across Southeast Asia in recent years, including the Philippines, where police this week rescued 34 Indonesians from a Manila compound.
Chinese supervisors there had allegedly stripped them of their passports and said they would be moved to a new site in Cambodia against their will.
Chinese supervisors there had allegedly stripped them of their passports and said they would be moved to a new site in Cambodia against their will.
Gilberto Cruz, of the Philippines' anti-organized crime commission, told AFP Friday that about 21,000 Chinese nationals who had worked for now-banned offshore gaming centers continued to operate smaller-scale scam operations in the country.
Gilberto Cruz, of the Philippines' anti-organized crime commission, told AFP Friday that about 21,000 Chinese nationals who had worked for now-banned offshore gaming centers continued to operate smaller-scale scam operations in the country.
Thai officials said the Kyauk Khet center is also run by Chinese nationals and first appeared on the other side of the Moei River in 2019, although it is still under construction.
Thai officials said the Kyauk Khet center is also run by Chinese nationals and first appeared on the other side of the Moei River in 2019, although it is still under construction.
None of the returnees -- exhausted and overwhelmed -- told how they travelled, or were trafficked into the compound.
None of the returnees -- exhausted and overwhelmed -- told how they travelled, or were trafficked into the compound.
Other victims in the past have said that after arriving in Thailand, they were whisked across the border and forced to commit online fraud.
Other victims in the past have said that after arriving in Thailand, they were whisked across the border and forced to commit online fraud.
But Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, a senior police official, told local news outlet The Standard on Friday that in many instances, victims come to work in the centres voluntarily.
But Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, a senior police official, told local news outlet The Standard on Friday that in many instances, victims come to work in the centres voluntarily.
- Escape attempt -
"The majority are aware of what to expect, although some are deceived while still in their countries of origin," he said.
"The majority are aware of what to expect, although some are deceived while still in their countries of origin," he said.
For those who come out of choice, it is unlikely they fully understand the horror awaiting them.
For those who come out of choice, it is unlikely they fully understand the horror awaiting them.
Kokeb from Ethiopia said he and his fellow were workers were forced to toil for 17 to 18 hours a day, and many had their phones confiscated to prevent escape.
Kokeb from Ethiopia said he and his fellow were workers were forced to toil for 17 to 18 hours a day, and many had their phones confiscated to prevent escape.
Still, two other Kenyans -- who said they had been forced to defraud internet users in "rich countries" such as the United States -- staged an escape with several others days before the handover, and were caught by a local militia.
Still, two other Kenyans -- who said they had been forced to defraud internet users in "rich countries" such as the United States -- staged an escape with several others days before the handover, and were caught by a local militia.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) which controls the Kyauk Khet area -- where the compound is located -- claimed responsibility for extracting the workers.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) which controls the Kyauk Khet area -- where the compound is located -- claimed responsibility for extracting the workers.
General Saw Shwe Wah, DKBA's second commander-in-chief said on Wednesday he was "relieved to have safely handed them over" to Thai authorities.
General Saw Shwe Wah, DKBA's second commander-in-chief said on Wednesday he was "relieved to have safely handed them over" to Thai authorities.
They and another Myanmar military group have said they will be releasing thousands more scam centre workers into Thailand in the coming weeks.
They and another Myanmar military group have said they will be releasing thousands more scam centre workers into Thailand in the coming weeks.
The returnees told how thousands were still being held in Kyauk Khet, but they are overjoyed to finally be returning home.
The returnees told how thousands were still being held in Kyauk Khet, but they are overjoyed to finally be returning home.
Liu left behind his wife in his hometown in Yunnan province when she was pregnant with his second child.
Liu left behind his wife in his hometown in Yunnan province when she was pregnant with his second child.
"I can't wait to see my children," he said.
"I can't wait to see my children," he said.
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