Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists
This Lenten season will mark the 25th year of Kalbaryo ng Maralitang Tagalungsod on April 19, Holy Tuesday with the theme “Homes free from demolitions and resilient to disasters with secure livelihood and sustainable future.”
Some 5000 or more urban poor people and others from all over Metro Manila are expected to gather at Plaza Miranda beginning at 8:00 AM.
Around 9:00 AM, the urban poor will start the march from Plaza Miranda to Mendiola This will be led by 50 women carrying a 30 feet cross as women carry the biggest burden in times of eviction. The procession will have a trail of crowd following the seven men wearing Christ mask and carrying small crosses that symbolize the Passion of Christ, but each corresponds to the issues of the poor, in particular their housing rights.
There will be a program of contemporary prayer, children performances and the reading of Kalatas which contains the results of the technical working group created by President Benigno Aquino III to study the concerns and proposals of the urban poor.
“Kalbaryo” shows that the sufferings and death of Jesus on his journey to Calvary are repeated in the sufferings of the poor, and his resurrection is repeated in the efforts of the poor to free themselves from poverty.
Urban Poor say, “We will be bringing clocks to signify that this is the time ‘Oras na!’ that the government must act on the calvary of the poor.”
Photo ops: During the procession, urban poor women will carry a cross measuring 30 feet. The Via Crucis, Children’s performances, and the big crowd bringing placards and clocks.
Date: April 19, 2011 (HOLY TUESDAY)
Time: 8:30 to 11:00 AM
Venue: Plaza Miranda to Mendiola
Please Cover.
