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Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Memorial rites to mark 15th anniversary of killer quake
THE tolling of church bells, planting of memorial trees, offering of light boats and prayers will mark the city's remembrance this coming Saturday of those who perished in the devastating earthquake that shook Baguio City and Northern Luzon 15 years ago.
The bells will be sounded at exactly 3:25PM, the time when the killer temblor, which registered 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck on July 16, 1990.
An hour before, Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Catholic vicar apostolic of Baguio and Benguet, will offer a memorial prayer to open the traditional "atang" (offering) rite at the view deck area beside the Burnham Lake.
"Death, fear, suffering, sadness, and wanton destruction overwhelmed our City and other places that fateful day. And clinging to you in our desperate cry for mercy and grace. You did not forsake us," a portion of the printed prayer said.
"We saw and your presence embodied in heroes who thought less of themselves and more of others - the rescue workers selflessly risking their lives and limbs between twisted steel and narrow pits so that others may live; the medical personnel treating the wounded with gallant succor; the heavy equipment operators unceasingly clearing the rubbles, the media bridging physical isolation between loved ones; our community and spiritual leaders relentlessly lighting the wick of hope."
Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon, Representative Mauricio Domogan and Vice Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. will then deliver their respective messages after which multi-sectoral representatives will float the candle-lighted memorial boats.
Memorial Day will open at the Busol Watershed where media practitioners led by Robrt Tabay, president of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club, will lead school children in the planting of pine seedlings as living memorials to the victims of the tragedy.
The forest ceremony will also feature the launching by city police director, Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez of a "green beat" for police officers who will serve as guides of children in their exploration of the watershed under the Eco-Walk program.
The mayor, together with Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, chair of the Baguio Regreening Movement, will also join the kids and police officers in installing a memorial pole for peace.
Preceding activities include a symposium on "Beyond Disasters: Meeting Challenges Ahead" to be hosted by the University of the Philippines and "Yanig", a concert at the Baguio Conversion Center, both on Friday.
Lightening up the mood on Memorial Day will be the "Enduro Light Adventures" and the "Mr. Wow Baguio" bodybuilding competition, aside from an exhibit by the City Disaster Coordinating Council at the Malcolm Square from July 19 to 29. Ramon Dacawi)
(July 13, 2005 issue)
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