EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 128 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.

128 - ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR THE NEW YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, the dawning of the new year calls both for a celebration as well as a reflection of the need to craft strategic goals to meet the growing needs of the population; WHEREAS, even as the new year unfolds, most of the country still remains backward insofar as agricultural production methods and practices are concerned thus substantially affecting the countrys ability to produce enough food for its people, let alone provide livelihood for people in the countryside; WHEREAS, with the advent of the year 1987, there is expected to be a quantum surge of advances in the field of science and technology; WHEREAS, these advances are expected to have substantial effects on all aspects of human life, whether in commerce, information, health or the production of basic goods and utilities; WHEREAS, in the light of these expected advances, there is a need to craft policies and programs to ensure that the fruits of science and technology shall be fully developed and applied to all programs of this administration; NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON COJUANGCO-AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: Section 1. Presidential Commission on the Year. A Presidential Commission on the New Year (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) is hereby established under the Office of the President to be composed as follows: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. Secretary of Agriculture - Chairperson Secretary of Science and Technology - Co-Chairperson Secretary of Budget and Management Member Secretary of Trade and Industry - Member Secretary of Interior and Local Government - Member Secretary of Tourism - Member Press Secretary - Member Director General of the National Economic Development Authority Member Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs - Member representing the Office of the President Chairman of the Social Security System - Member

k. l. m. n.

President and CEO, Land Bank of the Philippines - Member Chairman, National Youth Commission - Member Two (2) representatives from the Private sector to be designated by the President - Member Director General of the Commission - Ex-Officio Member Sec. 2. Functions of the Commission. The Commission shall be an advisory body to the President and shall exercise the following functions and responsibilities: a. Develop and recommend to the President the countrys strategic vision and goals in the next year on how the country should prepare and adopt expected advances in science and technology for agriculture and other priority areas; b. Prepare and recommend to the President the Master Plan on the New Year, with emphasis on science and technology to advance the countrys agriculture sector; c. Identify, coordinate and operationalize all related activities necessary to implement the countrys celebration of the new year and the above-mentioned master plan; and d. Accept or receive donations and other conveyances by gratuitous title of funds, materials and services for the use in the planning, operationalization and management of the countrys celebration of the new year and the above-mentioned master plan, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations; e. Undertake all other measures necessary for the successful implementation of the said master plan. Sec. 3. Committee on the Turn-of-the-Year Celebration. In order to ensure the success of the countrys celebration of the turn-of-the-year from September to December 31, 1986, and coordinate the participation of the entire citizenry nationwide, a committee on the turn-of-the-year celebration is hereby established under the supervision of the Commission, to be composed as follows: a. b. c. d. e. f. Secretary of Tourism Chairperson Secretary of Trade and Industry Member Secretary of Interior and Local Government Member Secretary of Budget and Management Member Press Secretary Member One (1) representative from the Private Sector designated by the President as Member of the Commission, and chosen By the Commission Member g. Director General of the Commission Member

The Committee is hereby directed to submit its program and plans of action for the turn-of-the-century celebration, as approved by the Commission within thirty (30) days from the effectively of this order. Sec. 4. Report to the President. Relative to the performance of its mandated functions, the Commission shall submit its report to the President within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this order. Sec. 5. Director General. The President shall designate a Director General for the Commission. The Director General shall act as the Chief Operations Officer of the Commission, perform and manage all aspects of the Commissions operations and other functions and duties as may be assigned to him by the Commission. Sec. 6. Secretariat. A Secretariat for the Commission shall be organized under the direct supervision of the Director General. The Secretariat shall have such number of personnel as may be necessary for the efficient and effective performance of its functions. All agencies of the government represented in the commission shall assign or detail an employee each to form the Secretariat. The Commission shall provide the Director General and the members of the commission with such honoraria or allowances as may be allowed by law and at rates consistent with those prescribed pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations. Sec. 7. Funding. An amount of Fifteen Million Pesos (P15, 000,000.00) to be sourced from the Presidents Contingent Fund to fund the maintenance and other operating expenses, and other related activities of the Commission. For activities related to the turn of the century nationwide, the Commission shall submit to the President within sixty (60) days from the effectively of this order its recommendations on possible sources of funds and on how to tap the private sector as well. Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All orders, issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Sec. 9. Effectively. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. DONE, in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of July 1986, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Six.

PHILIPPINE NEW YEARS CELEBRATION UPDATES

WEEK-LONG GRAND WELCOME FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Manila, Nov. 2, 2010 - If the United Kingdom boasts of its Millennium Dome and Singapore crows about its Millennium Mania, Filipinos will shout a ringing Mabuhay to the Pilipinas Bagong Taon Festival at the end of 2010, as the world welcomes the year 2011. From Dec. 26-31, nothing but the best in the Philippines will be showcased at the Rizal Park, the center of celebration of the Filipino spirit in the 21st century. Like a travel back in time, Filipinos and guests from around the world, will witness the evolution of the Filipino spirit in the past 112 years. The achievements of Filipinos great and small will unfold before the eyes of spectators expected to run into hundred of thousands from Day One of the festivities. In store for everyone young and old, locals and foreigners are two major celebrations: the weeklong Pilipinas Bagong Taon Festival and the Turn of the Year Program at the Quirino Grandstand on Dec. 31. Under Executive Order No. 128, President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III has created the Presidential Commission for the New Year (PCNY) to plan and oversee all activities aimed at welcoming the New Year. The PCNCM is chaired by Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture with Secretary Dr. Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology as co-chairman. The Milenyo Filipino Festival will present the best in Philippine arts and culture in agriculture, in science and technology, and in trade and industry. It wills also drumbeat the meaning and importance of the Turn of the Year Celebration Program on the last day of the year 2010 or New Years Eve. Festooned in a truly special fashion, the entire Rizal Park will be the venue of the festival, carrying Filipino outdoor decorations, which include buntings, surprise art objects and banners. The Rizal Park festival will put into focus the general theme of the Philippine New Years celebration: food security for all Filipinos amid the countrys march to a higher level of science and technology. Its special look is calculated to generate public interest and positive exposure for the country both in the local and international media. The Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Festival has something special and spectacular for all. At the Childrens Park, the Pistang Pambata will have big surprises for the youngsters, including puppet shows, folk games, and a higantes (giants) parade. The park will be spruced up with additional mythological figures such as the Ibong Adarna, kapre, to highten awareness and interest of Filipino children in Philippine mythology. The Halamanan ng Bayan at the corner of Taft Avenue and Burgos Street will be the site of ecotourism displays, exhibits, concerts, demos and teach-ins. It will be used to propagate the care and preservation of our environment.

For the arts and culture buffs, Sining Pinoy will convert the entire Agrifina Circle into a site of Pinoy Caf outdoor art exhibits, cultural performances, concerts, fashion shows, poetry reading, among others. The Philippine Millennium Garden Show at the Luneta Orchidarium will show the best collections of orchids, bromeliads, mums, poinsettias, roses and other tropical plants. For the gourmands, the Handaan festival organized by hotels and restaurants along Roxas Boulevard and Kalaw Street will entice them with rows of food stalls underneath shady trees. Teatro at Pelikula is an open-air auditorium showing the best Filipino musicals and plays as well as the best Filipino movies. There will also be an exhibit on Philippine pre-history located at the Cave at the Rizal Park with live performances showing vignettes of the early civilization of the country. The best designs on exportable products will be shown at the Disenyo at Kalakalan (Philippine Trade Exhibit) at the lobby and open areas of the National Library. Sulong, Agham at Teknolohiya will showcase interesting Philippine inventions and achievements in science and technology. A special agricultural fair, Ginintuang Ani ng Lupang Pilipino located at the tree-shaded park behind the National Library will display the countrys progress in the field of agriculture. The Ambag ng Sining Silangan fair at Rizal Parks Japanese and Chinese gardens exhibits Japanese and Chinese influences in the Philippines. At designated days and hours of the festival, there will be parades of popular Philippine fiestas to enliven the park and add more color to the celebration. The parades will start at the Department of Tourism building and will pass through all the walkways of the park. In-between these cultural parades will be street tableaux featuring folk dance performances and vignettes of important Filipino plays produced through the years.

Although the whole world is neck-deep in preparations for New Years Parties and special events, many point out that the year 2011 is not the start of the next year but the end of the present year. Thus, the third year begins on January 1, 2012.

SCIENCE EXHIBITS AT RIZAL PARK FOR MILLENNIUM BASH

Manila, Nov. 3, 1999 - A multi-media show at the Philippine Planetarium at the Rizal Park to keep Filipinos abreast on achievements in space exploration and discovery will soon be unveiled as preparations to welcome the New Year shift into high gear. The Presidential Commission for the New Year (PCNY) headed by Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture agreed to upgrade the exhibits at the Planetarium to educate the public, especially the youth, on advancements in science and technology (S&T).

Under Executive Order No. 128, President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III directed the Lim-led presidential commission to prepare an overall plan that would guide the government into the next year, with special focus on S&T. The PCNCM, co-chaired by Secretary Felimon Uriarte of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will give special emphasis on the modernization of the countrys agriculture sector through the use of S&T. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is preparing a working plan on the exhibit at the Planetarium that would include information materials on the new millennium; concept of a modern National Meteorological and Hydrological Service for the new century and the millennium; Planetarium shows at the National Museum; and Posters on Astronomy. Pagasa is also eyeing the deployment of a portable Pagasa planetarium and telescopes in Davao City. Earlier, the commission reached a consensus that because of budgetary constraints, the government would have to tap private sector support for the completion of various millenniumrelated projects. Angara said the projects to be implemented, such as the aqua nature park in Manila Bay and a heritage park at Mount Makiling in Laguna, should also be, in the long-run, a self-sustaining program so as to conserve public resources for the administrations pro-poor programs. He also cited the creation of an oceanarium similar to those in Hong Kong and Singapore to be located at Manila Bay. According to Angara, the commission is closely coordinating with various government agencies nationwide to ensure the successful implementation of these priority projects, especially those focusing on national food security. Press Secretary Rodolfo T. Reyes, a commission member, said the body has also identified several priority projects and programs whose lasting effects would serve as the Estrada administrations legacy to future generations. EO 128 also created a Committee on the Turn-of-the-Year Celebration chaired by Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism to undertake a series of activities to welcome the New Year. The committee has already prepared a month-long nationwide-worldwide celebration that will start on Dec. 1 with the President unveiling a national new years marker at the Rizal Park.

SPECIAL STAMPS, BILLS AND COINS TO WELCOME 2011

Manila, Nov. 15, 2010 The government is eyeing the production of special edition stamps, bills and coins to commemorate the countrys celebration of the coming of the new year. The Presidential Commission for the New Year (PCNY), headed by Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture, bared plans to tap the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in the production of the commemorative items.

Proceso said this project aims to give a lasting legacy for the new generation by way of celebrating the event through the creation of these commemorative materials. The PCNY plans to depict in the commemorative items the pro-poor programs that the Aquino administration has drawn up for the coming of the new century. The Chief Executive created the PCNY last July to prepare a government master plan that will highlight, among other things, the role of agriculture modernization, through science and technology, in the New Year. The Committee on the Turn-of-the-Year Celebrations (CTYC), chaired by Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism, is preparing an array of activities for the end of the year celebrations. President Aquino will open the celebrations by unveiling an official millennium countdown marker at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park. The CTCC has lined up a broad range of activities reflecting the overall theme of Milenyo Pilipino. Lim noted that while the celebrations will be nationwide and worldwide, with the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila serving as the focal point of New Years festivities. Executive Director Daniel Corpuz of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation said the CTCC has already prepared entertainment shows, called Music Street. Featuring Filipino artists and talents, it is designed as a promotional tool for various activities related to celebration of the new millennium. Corpuz said Pusan Point, off the coast of Davao Oriental, will be a focus of public attention during the millennium festivities. Many foreign and local tourists are expected to trek to Pusan Point, where the first sunrise of the New Year will be witnessed in the country. A Millennium Village will rise at the Rizal Park, where agricultural products and achievements in arts, culture, science and technology, along with indigenous and adaptive handicrafts and tropical flora, will be exhibited. According to the CTCC, the millennium festivities will culminate in a program at the Rizal Park that will start on the evening of Dec. 21, 2010 and wind up at the early morning of Jan. 1, 2011. As planned, Its components will include the following: Disko Millennia, a millennium street dancing at the Rizal Park that will last until the early morning of the New Year; Pasiklaban sa Grandstand, a special entertainment show featuring the best Filipino artists; Ugnayan ng Bayan, a symbolic joining of hands by Filipinos that shall be led by President Aquino, amid fireworks display, pealing of bells, and singing of commemorative songs; Unang Bukang Liwayway sa Bagong Millenyo, the celebration of a special holy mass at dawn on January 1, 2000, that will conclude the celebrations.

PNOY LEADS AS PINOYS LINK ARMS ON NEW YEARS EVE

Manila, Nov. 22, 2010 - The Philippines will welcome the New Year with a nationwide kapit-bisig (linking of arms) on New Years Eve at the Rizal Park and other parts of the country to demonstrate the unity of Filipino people into the year 2011. Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism (DOT), who also chairs the Committee on the Turn-of-the-Year Celebration, said that President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III has been invited to lead the symbolic kapit-bisig in welcoming the New Year. The kapit-bisig ritual will be replicated all over the world to show oneness and togetherness of the people of the world, Lim said. The schedule of the December festivities was taken up by Lim in a committee meeting held this week at the DOT office in Manila. Lims committee is part of the Presidential Commission on the New Year headed by Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture. President Aquino created the commission to plan and oversee all activities aimed at welcoming the New Year. Preceeding the countdown for the New Year at exactly 11:55 P.M., President Aquino will link arms with his family, government officials, celebrities and other participants during a program starting at 11 P.M. The month-long festivities will kick off on Dec. 1 with the launching of the Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Markera 30 foot-tall parol (Christmas Star) also at the Rizal Park, with the President and other top officials as guests. A brass band exhibition will precede the ceremonial lighting of the marker scheduled at 4:30 P.M., Lim said. A universal prayer is likewise incorporated in the Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon celebration, Lim said. Lim said her committee is now finalizing the schedule of the week long Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Festival activities that will start on Dec. 26 and culminate with the new years countdown at the Rizal Park on New Years Eve. The whole program will be covered live on radio and TV stations with live feeds from major cities and other selected spots nationwide. A mass will also be celebrated prior to the final countdown for the New Year. The event will serve free food for all. All expenses will be paid by the Velarde family and close friends and not by the El Shaddai movement.

MORE NEW YEARS CELEBRATION DETAILS RELEASED

Manila, Dec. 6, 2010 - As the countdown for the arrival of the new year 2011 approaches feverish pitch, President Aquino announced that the nation will welcome 2010s arrival with a kapit-bisig (linking of arms) on New Years Eve at the Rizal Park and in other parts of the country to demonstrate the unity of the Filipinos in the year 2011. Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim has prepared a P25-million fireworks display which will light up Manilas skies for 30 minutes to bid goodbye to 2010 and welcome the year 2011. The fireworks will be funded by businessmen, led by a prominent Makati business tycoon and Industrialist who shouldered half the cost of the pyrotechnics display.

The President created the Presidential Commission on the New Century and the Millennium headed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. The tourism secretary is a member and chairs the sub-committee on the turn-of-the-century celebration. The month-long festivities to welcome the new millennium kicked off last Dec. 1 with the launching of the Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon marker - a 30-foot-tall recycled parol (Christmas lantern) handed down from the administration of former Tourism Secretary Mina T. Gabor. The DOT under Lim tapped the Philippine Tourism Authority and the business sector for funding to refurbish the old parol, which is now prominently displayed with moving lights on Roxas Boulevard, across from the Rizal monument. Designed to eclipse all other previous celebrations, the week-long Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Festival activity is budgeted at close to P50 million, including the P25-million, 30-minute fireworks display at the Rizal Park.

PILIPINAS SA BAGONG TAON STARTS DEC. 26 AT RIZAL PARK

Manila, Dec. 7, 2010 - The Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon festival, the six-day nationwide celebration to welcome the new year that the government is hosting this yuletide at the Rizal Park, will start on Dec. 26. The Pilipinas Bagong Taon festival will also highlight the centerpiece program of President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III: agricultural modernization through science and technology. According to Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the weeklong festival will showcase art, cultural, historical, agro-related scientific and technological activities as well as trade and industry exhibits meant to highlight achievements notched by the Philippines this century. The theme for the Pilipinas Bagong Taon celebration is agricultural progress through science and technology. Lim, who heads the committee on the Turn of the Year Celebrations, said the Rizal Park will be transformed into a special new years theme park where festivities and shows geared to attract people to the festival will be staged. The celebration will culminate at the Quirino Grandstand on Dec. 31. Lims committee is a component of the presidential Commission on the New Year, which is chaired and co-chaired, respectively, by Secretaries Proceso Alcala and Mario Montejo of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Science and Technology (DOST). Mr. Aquino created the commission and the committee under Executive Order No. 128. This committee has been holding a series of meetings at the DOT Central Office in Manila just across the Rizal Park to finalize the calendar of events for the Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon. The New Years countdown on New Years Eve will be aired live nationwide by various television and radio stations. The Milenyo Filipino Festival, while serving its basic purpose of presenting the countrys best in arts and culture, in agriculture, in science and technology and in trade and industry, will be used to drumbeat the meaning and importance of the turn-of-the-century program.

Araneta said the Rizal Park will be dressed up in a truly Filipino fashion with arches, buntings, art objects, and streamers to focus the general theme of the Philippine millennium celebration. As envisioned, the Milenyo Filipino Festival will have various events to be held in designated areas of Rizal Park. The Pistang Pambata (Pinoy Childrens Festival) which is located beside the DOT Building will be spruced up and will have local mythological figures such as Ibong Adarna and Kapre to heighten the awareness and interest of Filipino children in our myths and folklore. There will also be puppet shows, folk games, and higantes parade, among others. Turismo ng Kalikasan (Philippine Eco-tourism Center) will be located at the Halamanan ng Bayan at the corner of Taft Avenue and Padre Burgos Street. It will be the site of eco-tourism displays, exhibits, concerts, demos and teach-ins which will emphasize the governments concern for the environment. The Sining Pinoy (Pinoy Safe Scene) will occupy the entire Agrifina Circle which will be transformed into a veritable Caf Street with outdoor art exhibits, cultural performances, concerts, fashion shows and poetry reading. Liwasang Bulaklakan (Philippine Millennium Garden Show) at the Orchidarium will show the best collection of orchids, bromeliads, mums, poinsetias, roses and other tropical plants. There will also be a commercial exhibit of cut flowers and other ornamental plants. Ambag ng Sining Silangan (Exhibit of Japanese and Chinese influences on Philippine Culture) will show photos and art objects depicting the vast Japanese and Chinese influences on Philippine culture. Teatro at Pelikula (Program of Cultural Shows and Movies), is an open-air show that will feature the best Filipino plays and movies starting at 6:00 p.m. Ginintuang Ani ng Lupang Pilipino (a Special Agricultural Fair) is the Kanlungan ng Sining located at the back of the National Library where a special agricultural fair will showcase our achievements in agriculture. Sulong Agham at Teknolohiya (Science and Technology Exhibit) is a special science and technology exhibit to be held at the Planetarium. It will showcase interesting Philippine inventions and achievements in science and technology. Disenyo at Kalakalan (Philippine Trade Exhibit) at the lobby and the other open areas inside the National Library will be the venue of a special trade exhibit where the countrys best designs on exportable products will be shown. Sinundang Kabihasnan (Philippine Pre-Historic Exhibit) is the interesting exhibit on Philippine prehistory located at the Cave at the Rizal Park. It will have live performances that will show vignettes of the early civilization of the country. Handaan (Philippine Food Fiesta) The tree-shaded areas corner T.M. Kalaw Street and Roxas Boulevard will be set aside for food stalls, Restaurant and hotels will have their respective outlets in this area.

To enliven the park and to add more color to the celebration there will be parades of our popular fiestas on designated days and hours of the festival. Some of these fiestas are the Carabao Festival in Pulilan, Bulacan; Pahiyas in Lucban; Maytinis in Cavite; and the Agawan in Sariaya, Quezon. The parades will start from the DOT and will pass through all the walkways of the park. In between these cultural parades will be street tableaux featuring folk dance performance and vignettes of important Filipino plays produced through the years.

LUNETA IS THE BEST SPOT FOR NEW YEARS EVE

Manila, Dec. 17, 2010 - The government is mounting a P5 million, 20-minute fireworks show to usher in the year 2011 and cap the Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon festival which officially begins on Dec. 26. Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim announced yesterday that the fireworks display and weeklong festival along Roxas Boulevard will rival those of other countries. Lim said at a press conference that The new year celebration will highlight major achievements in Philippine art and culture, agriculture, science and technology, and trade and industry in the past 112 years through a variety of trade and socio-cultural activities. Rizal Park will be the site of trade expositions, concerts, art exhibits, cultural performances, fashion shows, parades, garden shows, food festivals and film showings. Cebuanos, on the other hand, will celebrate the New Year by way of a Cebu Sinulog 2011 that will include activities to thank the Almighty for all the blessings bestowed on the province in the past centuries. The festival, higlighted by mardi gras in Cebu City, is expected to attract participants from over 20 provinces. In Dumaguete, the tourism office has launched a Balik Dumaguete campaign that calls on all Dumagueteos from all over the country and the world to spend the turn of the century in their hometown.

LUNETA TRANSFORMED FOR MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS

Manila, Dec. 19, 2010 - Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism, chairman of the Committee on the Turn-of-the-Century Celebrations, announced that the Rizal Park, the venue of the the weeklong The 25th Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Cultural Pageantry Celebration, will be transformed into a special New Years Park. Various sections of the Rizal Park will carry themes; have interesting decorations and activities to attract the masses to the festival and the Turn-ofthe-Century program at the Quirino Grandstand on Dec. 31. Rizal Park, she said, will be dressed in a truly special fashion. It will carry highly interesting Filipino outdoor decorationsarches, buntings, surprise art objects, streamers that will put into focus the general themes of the Philippine Millennium celebration. DOT Undersecretary Ram Antonio said this years festivities to welcome the New Year will have various events to be held in designated areas at the Rizal Park.

Opening ceremonies will be on the 26th of the month simultaneous with the opening of several activities. In the afternoon. There will street dancing at the Quirino Grandstand and a sarsuwela at the open-air auditorium. Dec. 27 will be the Araw ng Pampalakasan (Sports Day), which will be highlighted by different sports activities like the Arnisan Exhibition at the Rizal Park grounds and a sky-jumping exhibition. In the afternoon, there will be a unique chess exhibition that would feature the countrys top chess players with humans as chess pieces. The following day, Dec. 28, will be Araw ng Batang Pinoy (Filipino Childrens Festival). The venue, which is beside the DOT building, will be spruced up and some local mythological figures such as Ibong Adarna and the Kapre will be put up to heighten awareness and interest of Filipino children on Philippine myths and legends. There will also be kite-flying exhibition at the Quirino Grandstand while on the Childrens Playground, various games and shows will be held. Dec. 29 will be the Day of Filipino Fiesta, where there will be folk games, Parade of Philippine Fiestas, and a Comedy at the open-air auditorium. Dec. 30th will be the Araw ng Dakilang Bayani (Rizal Martyrdom Day), where activities lined up will include a wreath-laying at the Rizal Momument in the morning, to be followed by the tracing of the last footsteps of Dr. Jose Rizal. There will also be the Paseo de Ayer at the Rizal Park promenade. On the eve of the new year, Dec. 31, activities would include a new years mass, Diana ng Musiko and the ABS-CBN Extravaganza which will be held up to 3:00 a.m. of January 1, 2011. The highlight of the event will be the Kapit-Bisig (linking of arms) ritual to be led by no less than the President Benigno Aquino III himself and the First Family together with other government officials and showbiz celebrities. This will be held at the Quirino Grandstand on New Years Eve. A 20-minute long grand fireworks display, sponsored by private businessmen, will light up Manilas skies and the entire length of Manila Bay.

RIZAL WEEK CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

Manila, Dec. 22, 2010 - The nation today begins celebrating Rizal Week yesterday to honor the countrys national hero, Jose Rizal, with activities which will culminate on his 114th death anniversary on Dec. 30. Rizal died on Dec. 30, 1896, when a firing squad composed of Spanish soldiers shot him at Bagumbayan (now Luneta) in Manila. His death sentence was provoked by his writings which inspired Filipinos to raise up in arms agains the Spanish colonizers. His most famous literary pieces are the classic patriotic novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Leading todays opening rites are officers and members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council, the Kapisanan ng mga Guro ng Rizal (Kagunari, and other related organizations. They will make a floral offering at the Rizal Monument at the Rizal Park, in solemn rites led by Supreme Commander Rogelio Quiambao.

Another highlight at the start of the weeklong celebration is the presentation of medallions to the finalists of the Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines. Leading this years awardees is Victoria Dominique Ang of the Ateneo de Manila University. The others are Cynette Lovelyn Mirasol, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City; Aivel Sherich Berdin Pancito, Mindanao State University, Marawi City; Beth Fernando Castillo, Silliman University, Dumaguete City; Anelo Tabuac, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; Joseph Prima, University of Eastern Philippines, Iriga City; Maricel Bermejo, Central Philippine University, Iloilo City; Rowena Sy, De La Salle University; Saturnino Israel Villar Abinan, St. Benedict College in Alabang, Muntinlupa; and Luz Matilde Dorotea Ortega, Ateneo de Naga in Naga City. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairwoman Ester A. Garcia endorsed the project.

ROSALES, NOY AT LUNETA NEW YEARS MASS

Manila, Dec. 30, 2010 - A special concelebrated mass called Misang Bagong Taonwill be said at the Quirino Grandstand in Manilas Rizal Park (Luneta) on New Years Eve. Secretary Alberto Lim of the Department of Tourism (DOT), who chairs the Committee on the Turn-of-the-Century Celebration, said Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will officiate at the mass, scheduled for December 31 at 5:00 P.M. An ecumenical prayer will precede celebration of the mass to emphasize the ecumenical nature of the occasion, Lim said. Lim said President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III and other members of the First Family will attend the holy mass. Representatives of labor, women and children, fisherfolk, farmers, indigenous communities and other sectors will join the First Family in the offertory procession. Bro. Mike Velarde, founder of El Shaddai Charismatic Movement, has announced that some 500,000 El Shaddai members will attend the New Years mass. During the mass, seminarians, parish choirs and guest artists will render praise songs and traditional music. Meanwhile, bands from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Navy will also be on hand to provide music. Araneta said Pope Benedict XVIs message to the Filipino people will be read during the mass at the Quirino Grandstand as well as the selected Marian Shrines in various parts of the country. At the Luneta and at least 10 shrines around the Philippines, there will be processions to be led by images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The concelebrated mass, which will project the Philippines as a pilgrimage destination in Asia, will be covered by the national multi-media with possible hook-up by satellite. It will also be recorded, with the videotape to be sent to the Sister Angelica Channel. The religious activity has been arranged in cooperation with the Wells Spring of Life, Sacred Land of Asia, Marian Movement, and Charismatic Movement of the Philippines, Confradia, and Association of Shrine Rectors and Pilgrimage Promoters of the Philippines. The New Year mass is part of the annual Pilipinas sa Bagong Taon Cultural Pageantry Celebration, the weeklong festivities prepared by the Aquino administration to welcome the new year.

The Philippines and the entire world will welcome the New Year with a nationwide-worldwide kapit-bisig (linking of arms) on New Years Eve at the Rizal Park and other parts of the country to demonstrate the unity of all Filipinos in the year 2011. President Aquino will lead the symbolic kapit-bisig ritual, which will be replicated all over the country.

STARS IN SIMULTANEOUS MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS

Manila, Dec. 31, 2010 - Top fashion, society and showbiz personalities and artists will dazzle spectators during the New Years Specials that will be staged simultaneously at various parks and open spaces in Metro Manila tonight. At the Luneta, highlights of the New Years Special are President Benigno Noynoy Aquino IIIs speech and a show of unity, or kapit-bisig (linking of arms), that will be led by the First Family. Starting at 8:00 P.M., the Rizal Park New Years Special will feature showbiz celebrities Cocoy Laurel, April Boy Regino, Pops Fernandez, Agot Isidro, Rachel Alejandro, performing with 600 students, 200 soldiers and more than 100 bit players in a production number entitled Tayoy Mga Pinoy at the Quirino Grandstand. Simultaneously, Jolina Magdangal, Rica Paralejo, Carol Banawa, Roselle Nava, Jefrey Hidalgo, Tootsie Guevarra and Jeremiah will perform at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, while Nanette Inventor, Jamie Rivera and the Repertory Philippines will hold their own show at Fort Santiago, Manila. Roderick Paulate, Lara Fabregas, Joy Viado, the Tux, Wowie de Guzman, Carlos Agassi, and the Street Boys, among others, will participate at the Pinoy Sayawan medley at the Rizal Park, while John Pratts, Carlo Aquino, Stefano Mori and others will be doing their numbers at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. These and other production numbers will be aired live through the facilities of the ABS-CBN and various radio and TV stations. This turn-of-the-year program at the Quirino Grandstand is part of the Pilipinas Bagong Taon festival that the government is hosting this Yuletide season. Turn-of-the-Year celebration program worlds biggest
By Martin P. Marfil and PDI Research

THEY will be shouting at Ayala while others will be at Luneta, said El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde yesterday as he stood firm on his groups plan to hold a gathering to organize the event with San Miguel head Danding Cojuangco, tourism chief Alberto Lim, agriculture chief Proceso Alcala and science and

technology chief Mario Montejo as Pilipinas Bagong Taon today, the same day parties are set in Makati City and other cities nationwide. Asked if a change of schedule was possible in the interest of unity within the Catholic Church, Velarde said it was not, adding that a number of El Shaddai members from the provinces and all over the world were coming or had arrived for the gathering. The turn-of-the-year celebration at Rizal Park in Manila threatens to break records in terms of lavishness and numbers, what with the promised handaan (feast) of roast pig, chicken and calf, as well as the expected attendance of President Aquino and his political allies and showbiz friends of the Aquino and Velarde families. Velarde was in Malacaang yesterday. Im just going to check whether the appointment of the President with uswhich is in the afternoon of Fridaydid not change, he told reporters. Asked if Mr. Aquino would be given the opportunity to deliver a speech on the administrations proposed Charter amendments, he said: I dont know what the President has in mind, but normally he gives his inspirational message and informs the people on what is happening in government. As of last night, there was no official word from Malacaang whether Mr. Aquino would attend the annual overnight family reunion and party today. But earlier, he said he would attend as he had done for the past years. The President is also scheduled to speak between 5:05 and 5:30 p.m. according to the El Shaddai program of activities. Like the President, to whom he serves as spiritual adviser, Velarde is for amending the Constitution now. Asked if there would be expressions of support for Charter change at the El Shaddai gathering, Velarde chuckled and said: Why is our focus on Charter change? I think we should look into positive changes, not only concerning our Charter, but you know, I have a different view. He added, still speaking in Taglish: Even if we change that Constitution repeatedly, if change does not occur in mens hearts, nothing will happen. So I think what we should look and pray for is a change within ourselves. All of us are involvedthe media, the Church, the government, the ordinary people. We should all help in changing ourselves because we are the ones who will suffer.

Perception
Our celebration will not be destructive . . . That is only the perception of observers, Velarde said.

He appealed to journalists not to color their gathering, adding: The results of (the Makati celebration and the El Shaddai gathering) could be beneficial to ustheyll be shouting at Ayala while others will be praying in Luneta. Asked if the El Shaddai gathering would serve as a vehicle to promote Charter change, he said: I have expressed my views that I am in favor of change. Anything that is growing must experience change. In our country, we should open ourselves to change, but that change should benefit the majority. While he opposed the initiative of the Ramos administration to amend the Constitution, he believes that now is the proper time for the undertaking, he added. Velarde also said the El Shaddai gathering but merely the annual turn-of-theyear celebration. Nothing political is involved in this celebration at the Luneta, he said. Asked if Imelda Marcos, widow of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was invited, he said: Everybodys invited at the Luneta. Velarde readily obliged when asked if he had a message for those participating at the turn-of-the-year celebration program. We are all for the preservation of our freedoms, he said. Let us give all the Filipinos the freedom to think, the freedom to express and the freedom to assemble. That is what democracy is all about. He also said a variety of opinions should be upheld, and that people should not be forced to hew to the views of others.

Comparisons
The El Shaddai overnight New Years celebration invites comparisons. Would El Shaddai break this standing record? Consider this: The crowd that attended its 24th turn-of the-year celebration on Thursday, December 31, 2009 last year was estimated at more than three million people. The affair, at which then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then-VicePresident Noli de Castro were present, was televised live nationwide via satellite on ABS-CBN 2. El Shaddai is composed of two groups: the covenant (with 209,523 officially registered members) and the non-committed (estimated by the movement itself to number eight million). With the numbers, how many lechon, etc. will Velarde need to feed the whole flock? More important, how much wills the feast cost him? The INQUIRER checked prices at Lydias Lechon, Baliwag Lechon Manok and Andoks Lechon Manok.

These are the figures: Lechon baboy goes for P3, 500 for a 12-kilo pig and P8, 500 for a 42-kilo pig at Lydias. Lechon baka costs P18, 000 for a 60-kilo calf and P21, 000 for a 70-kilo calf, also at Lydias. Lechon manok is sold at P175 per kilo at Baliwag, and P170 per kilo at Andoks. The size of the whole Rizal Park is about 528,833 square meters. According to planners of the National Parks and Development Committee of the Department of Tourism, a one-square-meter area can hold two persons. If tightly crammed, four persons can be squeezed in. Assuming that Rizal Park has no structures, it can normally accommodate about 1,057,666 people (if tightly crammed, 2,115,332).

LAST SUNSETS OF THE YEAR

THE LAST sunset of the year 2010 and the first sunrise of the year have placed the countrys most westerly and easterly towns in the news. The weather bureau said Ligas Point in Balabac, Palawan would earn the distinction of having the last sunset in the country at 6:05 p.m. today. The last of Manila Bays world famous sunsets this year can be seen at 5:37 p.m. Greeting the 21st centurys earliest sunrise in the country at 5:45 a.m. is Pusan Point in Caraga, Davao Oriental, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Balabac, the western-most part of the country, is the last island to the south of Palawan. The fifth-class municipality is approximately 150 nautical miles southwest of Puerto Princesa City or about 514 nautical miles from Manila. It is nearer and more accessible to Malaysia and Borneo, which is just a few hours by boat. Based on the writings of historian Diokno Manlavi, Balabac was first known by the name Molbog after a tribe that inhabited it. Balabacs present population is a mixture of different ethnic tribes such as the Samals, Jama Mapun, Tausogs and Palaweos. There are a few Ilocanos, Bicolanos, Tagalogs and Visayans. Palawan Gov. Baham Mitra has created a committee to organize a Last Sunset of the year Event in the province. The provincial government plans to install a monument at Ligas Point and to drop a time capsule in the site containing the developments in the province in the year 2011. The committee is also tying up with a local group of photographers for a photo contest billed Capturing the Last Sunset of The Year.

A major tourism attraction in Balabac is the century old Cape Melville Lighthouse located in Cape Melville. This was finished on August 30, 1892 after 30 years of forced labor. The lighthouse was built to guide the galleons en route to Palawan and the Sulu Sea. Puerto Princesa will have the second latest sunset for the year 2011 at 5:55 p.m., according to Pagasa. In Davao Oriental, the towns of Baculin and Baganga will have the earliest sunrise tomorrow after Pusan. The sunrise in the two towns will be at 5:46 a.m., a minute later than Pusans. A Pagasa weather advisory said generally fair weather was expected in the country between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, 2011. But Pagasa noted that instances of cloudiness could occur in Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, the eastern section of Mindanao and Palawan. Scattered and light to moderate rains are expected in these areas. Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Ilocos provinces, Southern Tagalog and the rest of the western sections of Luzon will have good weather with the possibility of passing rainshowers, according to Pagasa. Theme Song

WRITTEN IN THE SAND the Philippine Millennium Anthem (Music: Danny Tan/ Lyrics: Sicam Caballa) Regine Velasquez You hold within your hands The future of our lives The light that takes you there beyond the bend Its written in the sand, where the past had all began The tomorrow is here within your hand The love thats in your heart As child of God and Man Will burn and light your way until the end Its written in the sand, where the past had all began The tomorrow is here within your hand You must hold on and dream of a place that is safe and peaceful and free Through a thousand years and more let it be A bright new world that shine, with love for humanity A world thats home for you and me You hold within your hands

The future of our lives The light that takes you there beyond the bend Its written in the sand, where the past had all began The tomorrow is here within your hand You must hold on and dream of a place that is safe and peaceful and free Through a thousand years and more let it be A bright new world that shine, with love for humanity A world thats still for you and me Nations rise up and cheer We are bound by what we give to one another Reaching out too far and near In a world of love that brings us all together here This great new year You hold within your hands The future of our lives The light that takes you there beyond the bend Its written in the sand, where the past had all began The tomorrow is here within your hand You must hold on and dream of a place that is safe and peaceful and free Through a thousand years and more let it be A bright new world that shine, with love for humanity A world thats home for you A world thats home for you A world thats home for you and me yeah And me..... PARTY AT THE AYALA MILLENNIUM CELEBRATION AND BE ONE WITH THE WORLD Ayala Center, GMA-7 and TV5 have partnered to bring you the Global New Years Day Broadcast. It is the most ambitious live television event. A major 24-hour coverage of New Year parties around the world. Broadcasters from every continent will pool their production expertise and power to show the billions of viewers the excitement of the dawn of a millennium as it happens in 50 countries. The program will be coordinated by BBC London and telecast all over the planet. Starting with the Pacific and Australias magnificent celebration at the Sydney Opera House to the sounds of the manguare drums from Peru to the millennium dome festivities at the United Kingdom to the Eiffel Tower revelry in France, to the fantastic opera performances at the pyramids in Egypt to the spectacular sunset celebrations in the USA till it ends at Western Samoa. The

broadcast will cover the celebrations westward as they happen across continents and time zones. With this Global New Years Celebration Broadcast, the people of the world are brought together in a celebration of human creativity and cultural diversity. In the Philippines, the Ayala New Years Celebration happening in the countrys premier financial district and lifestyle capital is the only party that will be part of this Global New Years Celebration Broadcast. Join us on the crossroads of Ayala and Makati Avenues for the party of the century and be one with the world. Traffic Reroutings for Ayala New Years Celebration 1. From midnight of 25 December 2010 to midnight of 29 December 2010 Both directions of Makati Avenue between Santo Tomas and Ayala Avenue will be closed to traffic for the construction of a stage. The Gabriela Silang parking lot will also be closed and used as a staging area for the construction of the stage. Traffic normally turning right into Ayala Avenue from Makati Avenue from the direction of Mandaluyong can instead turn left into Santo Tomas (this will be allowed), turn right into Fonda and then turn right into Ayala Avenue However, traffic exiting into Makati Avenue from PSE and MSE through the Gabriela Silang parking lot will not be possible. 2. From midnight of 29 December 2010 to midnight of 1 January 2011 Ayala Avenue between Paseo de Roxas and Fonda, Ayala Triangle side of Paseo de Roxas between Sedeno and Villar, and Makati Avenue between Paseo de Roxas and North Drive (Landmark) will be completely closed to traffic. Gabriela Silang parking lot will remain closed. For those who would like to attend the Ayala New Years Celebration, it would be best to park not too close to the closed streets and walk. APMC carparks beside Atrium and along dela Rosa will be open as well as carparks in Ayala Center. All day free parking from 10:00 am of December 31, 2010 to 7:00 am of January 1, 2011 at all Ayala Center Carparks and other parking lots and carparks throughout the Makati Central Business District: EDSA Carpark, Intercon Open Parking, SM Open Parking, Glorietta 4 Basement Parking, Park Square 1 & 2, Ayala Avenue Steel Carpark, Greenbelt Mall Carpark, Greenbelt Square Open Parking, Rustans Supermarket Open Parking, MACEA Open Parking, Goldcrest Open Parking, Esperanza Open Parking, Junction Open Parking, Plaza Open Parking, Dela Rosa 1, 2 & 4, Valero 2 & 4, Ayala - Buendia 1 & 2 Official Program (Ayala New Year's Celebration '94) 1:00 to 5:00 PM Music & Games 5:00 to 6:00 PM Mass 6:00 to 6:50 PM Bench presents Parokya Ni Edgar

7:00 to 7:50 PM Swatch presents Kulay 8:00 to 8:50 PM Tower Records presents The Dawn 10:00 PM to 12:45 AM World Class Entertainment featuring Filipino talents & a grand fireworks display 11:50 AM-12MN Global Live Broadcast via GMA* 12:45-1:45 AM San Miguel presents Super Mega Blowout 1:45 AM onwards - Street Dance Party Venue: At the intersections of Ayala Ave. and Makati Ave., at the heart of the Makati Commercial Business District BRIEF ON THE SERIES OF FESTIVITIES: THE AYALA NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION WILL SURELY MAKE SPARKS FLY WITH THE FOLLOWING EVENTS THE AYALA New Year's CELEBRATION. For once, the country's number one financial and lifestyle district of Makati will transform into a totally hip party place. We're welcoming year 2011 through a grand celebration along Ayala and Makati avenues featuring world class entertainment, dancing on the streets, fireworks, confetti showers, laser shows, raffles and dining choices provided by Ayala Center hotels and its well known bars and restaurants. It starts at sunset on December 31, 2010 and won't stop until sunrise. Join us on the streets for the party of the year. For those in the South, a welcome-to-the-year-2011 celebration shall also be held at the Ayala Center Cebu. GLOBAL NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION BROADCAST and PHILIPPINES 2011 TODAY. We've partnered with GMA-7 and TV5, a member of the Global New Year's Day Broadcast and Philippines 2011 Today Consortium, for the TV coverage of the New Year celebrations from Manila to New York to the rest of the world. Our celebration will be seen in 50 countries around the globe, making us "one with the world." COUNTDOWN EVENTS. We'll have live concerts every month to the end of the year. The hottest bands and entertainers perform at the Glorietta Activity Center, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu and Market! Market! Watch out for the following pre-new years activities, a glimpse of what you will be enjoying during the Ayala New Year's Celebration! ONCE IN A Year RAFFLE. Starting October 30, you can buy a raffle ticket from any of the booths located around Ayala Center Makati, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Market! Market, Bonifacio High Street, Serendra, Trinoma and Marquee Mall for a special cause, the Children's Hour. The Children's Hour is a global fund-raising campaign that supports various projects for children around the world. In exchange for your raffle ticket, you are not only

supporting a worthwhile project but you also get a chance to win one of 2,000 prizes to be raffled of during the Annual Ayala New Year Celebration on December 31. You will also receive party favors instantly to help you get into the party mood. Through this raffle, we are turning this once in a lifetime event into a celebration with a cause to benefit the youth, the future of the coming year. Popular bands kick-off the festivities at 6:00 PM. The celebration builds up at 10 pm when homegrown talents gather to perform world-class production numbers from powerful dance numbers to fusion of pop-classical music! Nothing but the best names in Philippine entertainment: from Gary Valenciano to Nolyn Cabahug, Regine Velasquez to Jaya, Side A to Parokya Ni Edgar, Eraserheads to Bolipata Brothers, Philippine Madrigal Singers to APO Hiking Society, Kuh Ledesma to Cecile Licad plus many more!!! Street dancing follows when popular Natural Born Klubbers resident DJ Manolet Dario and International DJ John Robinson go on-board to play the latest in dance music for that all-night-to-morning street party! 7,000 cops to secure Makati, Manila rallies
By TJ Burgonio and Cynthia Balana

TRAFFIC will be rerouted. But to ensure that there will be no untoward incident, a total of 7,000 policemen will be deployed in Manila and Makati to secure the rallyists. In Makati City, Director Nicanor Bartolome, Metro Manila police chief, said that at 6 a.m. today, the Ayala Avenue, from Manila Peninsula on Makati Avenue will be closed to all vehicular traffic. At 10 a.m. the entire stretch of Ayala to Rustans will be closed to all vehicular traffic. The traffic re-routing plan will give way to BBC and ABC-led Global New Years Day Broadcast. The participants will converge at the Ayala-Makati intersection for the main program which will start at 1 p.m. Alternative routes will be designated by the Makati Parking Authority, Traffic Management Group-PNP, MAPSA, and the Ayala Security Force. No parking for all vehicles along Ayala Avenue. Rally organizers have been advised to police their own ranks. No operation dikit or Operation pinta will be allowed within the Central Business District or the places where the buses are parked. Other group policemen will be deployed to the Rizal Park to secure the expected mammoth crowd who will attend the 27th annual New Years Celebration overnight family appointment with El Shaddai.

Chief Supt. Efren Fernandez, Manila police chief, said that some 1,000 policemen will come from the Western Police District while the rest were augmentation force from the National Capital Regional Police Office. He added that an additional police force would be deployed in the area in case the crowd swells to 5 million. He also raised the red alert from 7 a.m. yesterday up to 12 noon tomorrow, Saturday. Were putting up our own security precautions because the crowd expected will be a bit big now compared to the other El Shaddai gatherings, Fernandez said in another briefing. Some 3 million people, consisting mostly of El Shaddai members, are expected to attend the gathering. Fernandez downplayed reports that certain groups would bomb the gathering, saying this was a raw information that needed to be validated. At any rate we always adopt the principle of considering the worst-case scenario. We have incorporated that in our plan and we are prepared, he said. Fernandez pointed out that their main concern was traffic. Some people will be coming from Manila and going to Makati and vice versa, he said. He however said that he was not implementing any re-routing in Manila, unless necessary. Initially, we feel that theres no need for re-routing. Our traffic plan is very flexible. Just in case theres a need for a re-routing, we have contingency plans for these, he said. Fernandez said the Rizal Park can accommodate 2 million people. In Manila, both North and South bound lanes of Roxas Boulevard will be kept open to traffic despite the projected crowd of 2 to 3 million expected to attend the event. The T.M. Kalaw, U.N. Avenue, P. Burgos, Calle Muralla, Bonifacio Drive, and the inner streets of the Port area were the designated parking zones. Turn-of-the-year Celebration Program (2011) Country Argentina Head of State and Local Government Official President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner, Buenos Aires Governor Venue

Australia Austria Brazil

Mauricio Macri Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sydney Mayor Clover Moore President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Michel Temer, Mayor Eduardo Paes

Sydney Football Stadium Estdio do Maracan

Canada
City Vancouver Toronto Head of State Mayor Gregor Robertson Ottawa Governor David Onley, Mayor Rob Ford Venue Empire Field Rogers Centre

United States of America

City Los Angeles San Francisco, California New York City, New York Anchorage, Alaska Las Vegas, Nevada Head of State Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor Gavin Newsom Mayor Michael Bloomberg Mayor Dan Sullivan Mayor Oscar Goodman Venue Dodger Stadium Kezar Stadium Yankee Stadium Mulcahy Stadium Cashman Field

Asia
City Hong Kong Macau Taipei, Taiwan Tokyo, Japan Seoul, South Korea Manila, Philippines Singapore Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bangkok, Thailand Head of State Chief Executive Donald Tsang Chief Executive Fernando Chui Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, Tapei Mayor Hau Lung-pin Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Tokyo Governor Shintar Ishihara South Korea President Lee Myung-bak, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim President Sellapan Ramanathan Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra Venue Hong Kong Stadium Macau Stadium Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium Ajinomoto Stadium Seoul World Cup Stadium Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore National Stadium, Bukit Jalil Rajamangala National Stadium

Where are you staying New Years Eve? Does the thought of staying home through the holiday seem less than appetizing? Well, one can pack kith and kin into a hotel and spend New Years Eve in relative comfort... and safe from the stray bullets which are wont to fill the air at this time of the year. And this does not even have to be expensive, at least not as expensive as usual since many hotels are offering special room rates for the holidays. Here are just some of what are available. Down in Davao, The Marco Polo hotel is offering superior rooms for P2, 000 per night. Filipino residents and foreign expats who are residing in the Philippines with a one-year visa may avail of the package, which includes complimentary welcome drinks, 10% discount on food and beverages at all outlets, a 10% discount on a massage at the Clark Hatch Fitness Center, a 10% discount on laundry and dry cleaning services, a complimentary set dim sum lunch for two at the Lotus Court or a buffet breakfast at Cafe Marco, two complimentary swimming pool passes (valid for one month), and discounts at participating stores at the Aldevinco Shopping Center, Gaisano Mall, JS Gaisano, Victoria Plaza and Madrazo Fruit Stand. There is a P500++ charge for an extra person (meals not included), through childen under 14 staying with their parents are free of charge. The promo is applicable to a maximum stay of two nights and three days. Over at Subic, the Legenda and Grand Seasons Hotels are offering their Millennium Package until Jan. 3. Two thousand pesos cover overnight accommodations, breakfast for two, and a 30% discount on the Millennium Cocktail Party. Those who take part in the celebration have a chance to win a trip for two to Kuala Lumpur (three days, two nights at the Legend Hotel), among other prizes. In Manila, the Traders Hotel is offering a package for P2, 000 per person, per night, on a twin-sharing basis. This overnight stay comes with a buffet breakfast and dinner. There will be free shuttle service to the Rizal Park where various festival activities organized by the Department of Toursim will be held. The Dusit Hotel Nikko, on the other hand, is offering a choice of three room packages under its Platinum AD 2000 promo. These include three nights accommodations, a New Years Eve dinner, and admission for two persons to the New Years Party of the Year at the Dusit Grand Ballroom. All hotel guests will have a chance to win raffle prizes during the party; with a vacation for two for three nights at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit Resort Pattaya, and

Dusit Restory Koh Samui as the grand prize (this includes round-trip air and land transfer and $2,000 pocket money). The packages are as follows: Deluxe e-Package, P12,000++, three nights (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) in a deluxe room for two persons, New Years Eve dinner for two at The Cafe Restaurant with a complimentary bottle of wine or at the Paulaner Brauhaus with bottomless Paulaner beer or at the Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant with Thai cocktails, and tickets for two to the party; Executive Deluxe Package, P16,000++, three nights in an Executive Deluxe room, New Years Eve dinner for two at Ciao Bar-Ristorante with a complimentary bottle of wine or at the Benkay Japanese restaurant with a complimentary bottle of cold sake, and daily buffet breakfast at The Cafe Restaurant, admission for two to the party; and the Executive Suite Package, P20,000++, three nights at an Executive Suite for two persons, New Years Eve dinner at Benkay or Ciao, admission to the party, daily buffet breakfast at The Cafe, welcome fruit platter, in-room registration, complimentary local and international calls, use of the Clark Hatch Fitness Center, and baby-sitting service. At the Edsa Shangri-La, room and dinner packages are available for Dec. 30 and 31. Superior (P8, 800++) includes a two-night stay for two in a Superior Room with a buffet breakfast for two at the Garden Cafe. An extra nights charge is P4,000 inclusive of buffet breakfast for two. The Deluxe package (P10, 000++) includes a two-night stay for two at a Deluxe Room with two buffet breakfasts at the Garden Cafe. An extra night is P4, 600++ with two breakfasts. The Premier package (P14,000++) includes a two-night stay for three persons in a Premier Room with two buffet breakfasts at the Garden Cafe for three persons. An extra night is P6, 600++ inclusive of a buffet breakfast for four. The Executive Suite package (P15, 600++) includes a two-night stay for four persons at an Executive Suite with two buffet breakfasts at the Garden Cafe for four persons. An extra night is P7, 400++ inclusive of breakfast for four. The Spa Suite package (P20, 000++) includes a two-night stay for four persons in a Spa Suite and two buffet breakfasts for four persons at the Garden Cafe. An extra night costs P9,600++ with a buffet breakfast for five. The One Bedroom Suite package (P22, 000++) includes a two-night stay for four persons in a one-bedroom suite and two buffet breakfasts for four at the Garden Cafe. An extra night costs P10,000++ with a buffet breakfast for four. For all the packages there is an extra person charge fo P2,200++ inclusive of two breakfasts for those 13 years old and above, and P1,800++ inclusive of two breakfasts for children from ages seven to 12. Meanwhile, for the New Years Eve dinner, there is a special buffet at the Garden Cafe for P1, 500++ per person. A set menu is available at the Summer Palace for P2, 000++ per person. The dinner set menu at Paparazzi is P2, 000++ per guests while Gillespies is P2, 500++ and features live show band entertainment. At the Inaho Tei, dinner is P2,000++ per guest. A big countdown

party will be held at The Lobby Lounge with a live band performing from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The party will cost P2,800++ per person. One of the new kids on the Ortigas Center block, The Richmonde Hotel, is offering its own special discounted room packages (ongoing until Jan. 15.) deluxe room accommodations for two nights on a single or double occupancy with two breakfasts and two dinners is P6,000++. The package is good for two persons checking in on a Friday or Saturday. For overnight deluxe accommodations, guests checking in on Friday, Saturday or Sunday can enjoy a breakfast for two at P2, 000++ for the whole package. A special New Years Eve Package is also being offered on Dec. 31 to guests checking in at the rooms and suites. At the Manila Galleria Suites, all in-house guests willl be treated to a party which includes a view of the Ortigas Center fireworks display from the 5th level pool, dinner, drinks, and party favors. Over the holiday there are two room promos, the Suite Sheeband which offers suites at half the price, and the Suite got Suiter package (P3,300++) which offers a third night free for a stay of two consecutive days. This promo includes a buffet breakfast. Down by the Bay, the Manila Midtown Hotel is offering a 50% discount on the second night with its Holiday Package. The special room price of P2, 500++ for standard room accommodations is inclusive of breakfast for two. A junior suite with a dinner for two goes for P4, 000++. On Dec. 31, in-house guests will be treated to complimentary cocktails at the Vogue Lounge, with food, drinks and party favors. Parties If a night-out without a nights stay is your bag, the Mandarin Oriental Manila is suggesting its New Years Eve show, Broadway Classics of the Millennium featuring the Philippine Opera Company, at the Mandarin Ballroom. The night starts out with a banquet served at 7:30 p.m. Showtime is at 10:30 p.m. The show is top billed by Jaime Blanch, Jay Glorioso, Karla Guevarra, Elver Esquivel, Armela Fortuna and Mike Albano, all of whom will be performing classic tunes from favorite Broadway musicals including Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, and Phantom of the Opera, as well as operatic arias and a selection of Filipino ballads. The show will be followed by ballroom dancing. As the clock ticks to midnight, there will be a countdown and toast. Tickets are P4,000 (inclusive of dinner, show, and a glass of champagne). The Hyatt Regency Manila suggests having dinner at Tempura Misono of Cafe Al Fresco. At the cafe there will be buffets of antipasti and desserts, and a choice of three main courses. Entertainment comes care of a strolling string ensemble. At Tempura Misono, one can have ones fortune told by its resident fortune tellers. After dinner, guests can go to the Calesa Lounge for a dancing

party and countdown to the New Year. A champagne and cocktail bar awaits restaurant guests (latecomers must pay a minimum consumable charge). Jeremie Antiporda and Maredith Placencia provide the entertainment along with Rudy Francisco and his band. At midnight, everyone gets a glass of champagne to toast the New Year. The Regency Club Lounge will also be open from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m., providing a vantage point for the citys fireworks. Flowing champagne and canapes will be served compliments of the house. The morning after, Cafe Al Fresco will feature a champagne brunch with the Manila Dixie Band providing enter-tainment. Tempura Misono will serve a traditional Osechi brunch. In-house guests at Shangri-Las Mactan Island Resort are lucky as the hotel will be throwing a free party. This will include live entertainment and bands, raffle draws, free-flowing drinks, and fireworks. Kids will have their own exclusive party complete with party favors, clowns and seahorses. To join, one must book for a minimum of four nights over the New Year holidays. 2K11 scares, endless rain, a blackout and an earthquake notwithstanding, the date December 31, 2010 continues to generate much excitement in everyone. While the year 2000 means the culmination of the doom the human race has brought upon itself for some, many would still rather look at it with hope and as signifying positive change. And for those with the latter thought in mind, celebrating the New Year in the best (and maybe the most extravagant) way possible is a given. The Heritage hotel at Roxas Boulevard has two major offerings for New Years eve. The Millennium Dine-Around consists of a buffet dinner at either the Restaurant Riviera or Hua Ting Cantonese Restaurant, dancing at the Artists Ballroom (inclusive of two standard drinks), counting down the minutes to the new year at the lobby, watching the fireworks display and an after-midnight buffet at the Restaurant Riviera - at P2, 000. The Millennium Bash by the Bay which is for local residents only consists of an overnight stay in a deluxe room for two persons, two Millennium Dine-Around tickets, a surprise giveaway, noise-makers and party favors for the countdown at Php6,000. At Edsa Shangri-Las Inaho Tei, Japanese-food lovers will be delighted with the 22 varieties of sushi and sashimi plus a huge selection of agemono, yakimono, sukiyaki, teppanyaki and tempura for P2, 000 per person. At the Paparazzi, bring in the new millennium with soothing music from Harmony Strings and Paparazzis six-course dinner featuring marinated lobster carpaccio, pan fried goose liver, grilled sturgeon fillet or roast rack of lamb. At the Garden Cafe, the buffet selection includes smoked salmon, lobster medallion, grilled scallops and prawns, roast rack of veal, baked mussels, lamb loin, pepper crabs and a carvery station with U.S. prime rib, roast duck and roast leg of beef. The lobby

of Edsa Shangri-La will be laden with fresh oysters, grilled prawns, goose liver terrine, and smoked salmon with Sevruga caviar, veal medallion, roast geese and rack of lamb while the Almost Six Band, Vanna Vanna and Parliament Syndicate provide the entertainment. The Manila Peninsula is welcoming the new year with a traditional New Years Eve mass by the poolside at 9:00 p.m. afterwards, guests can choose to have dinner at The Lobby, The Upper Lobby, The Gallery, the Rigodon Ballroom or Garcia-Villa-Balagtas-Balmori rooms. Then, kick up those heels at The Conservatory with Groove Nights from 10:00 p.m. onwards. The Rotisserie at Holiday Inn Manila lets its guests feast on salmon tartar accompanied by caviar sauce and crispy parmesan cheese chips, sherry-scented chicken essence, main course dishes like oxtail ragout in madere sauce served with parisienne potato and cauliflower roses; pampiettes de poisson, poached fish roulade served with truffle flavored watercress and potato paree on a creamy Vermouth sauce; or veal tenderloin served with almond fried oysters, buttered saffron linguini and Morrel sauce. Cap the hearty meal with spiced almond brownie with a flavorful green peppercorn sauce; Christmas cookies and pralines; coffee or tea. Afterwards, go to the New Years Street Open, a street party happening at the stretch of Orosa St. between U.N. Avenue and T.M. Kalaw which will be closed all night. The Pan Pacific Manila is having a grand celebration and is offering millennium packages and privileges which include special room rates, complimentary buffet breakfast, souvenirs, use of the swimming pool, sauna, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi at the Slimmers World and discounts at the Pacific Lounge, Le Taxi, CafeMie and China House. And to cap off ones stay, there is also a 12th New Years ball with an all-night buffet dinner, dancing, Media Noche and front row seats to the Manila Bay Fireworks Special. The Hyatt Regency Manila begins the New Years Eve celebration with dinner at either Tempura Misono wherein fortune tellers provide teasers of things to come or at CafeAl Fresco where guests can dine amid music from a strolling string ensemble. Afterwards, proceed to the Calesa Lounge for dancing or the Regency Club Lounge for the countdown to the New Year. Zu of the Makati Shangri-La celebrates the coming of the New Year with a nonstop dance party showcasing Manilas first-rate bands in Pinoy Woodstock. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. of December 31, 1999 all the way to 8:00 a.m. of January 1, 2000, this one-of-a-kind gathering is sure to welcome year 2000 with a blast as it delivers past and present hits from different music genres. Hotel Inter-Continental Manila is staging The Party of the Year (42nd edition) aside from the gourmet meals at the hotels different restaurants. Entertainment will be provided by Jon Santos at the Le Boulevardier, Tenor Edward Grandosin and pop diva Lani Misalucha with The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hello 2000 Party Hop at the Grand Ballroom, The Mulatto and the Rest of the Boys (R.O.B.) at the lobby.

The Mandarin Oriental together with Apogee Productions shall be presenting Play On! featuring Broadway classics. Together with a 25piece Manila Mandarin Millennium Orchestra, artists like Nolyn Cabahug and Jaime Blanch will perform a repertoire of timeless Broadway classics. Meanwhile, The Ayala New Years Celebration will transform the countrys finance center into a big mardi gras on the eve of the new millennium. Booths of food, drinks and souvenir stuff from the various Ayala Center merchants will line Paseo de Roxas to 6750. As contribution to the champagne-popping celebration, Makatis premier hotels will also be setting up special sitting and dining areas. Bands like Parokya Ni Edgar and Kulay will be performing as well as artists like Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez. Immediately after, there will be street dancing with house music provided by Manolet Dario and John Robinson. At the Rockwell Center, the party will start as early as December 29, dubbed Groove into the New Year. On the 29th, guests will be treated to showstopping performances from Repertory Philippines and the band Great Divide. On December 30, there will be three-hour childrens entertainment and musical extravaganza starting 4:00 p.m. And on New Years Eve, the party will be split into two venues, at the Rockwell Club Courts and at the Food and Entertainment Center.

Rizal Park millennium activities start Dec. 26.

The Presidential Commission for the New Year (PCNY) recently unveiled the governments program of activities to welcome the year 2011. Dubbed as Asia New Years Festival, special events will commence on December 26 beginning with the 25th Annual Pistang Pilipinas Bagong Taon at the Rizal Park. The festivities will formally open on Dec. 26 with a special program culminating with the Metro Manila millennium street dancing and a zarzuela at the Open-air Auditorium. Dec. 27 is Araw ng Pampalakasan, which opens with a fun-run with the Philippine Olympic Committee at 7 a.m. An arnis exhibition will be held in the morning at the Rizal Park grounds while a sky-jumping exhibition will be held at the Quirino Grandstand grounds. In the afternoon, a live chess exhibition will ensue at the Agrifina Circle as well as a special sports program at the Open-air Auditorium. Dec. 28 is Araw ng Batang Pinoy. The activities begin at 9 a.m. with a kiteflying exhibition at the Quirino Grandstand grounds to be held simultaneously with various games and shows at the Liwasang Pambata, followed by the 2,000 Palayok ng Pagkain at Pag-ibig, a special luncheon for the youth. In the afternoon, there will be a parade of Philippine mythological characters, kiteflying contest, and a film-viewing featuring the movie Magic Temple. Dec. 29 is Araw ng Pistang Pilipino. It opens with Larung Pilipino at the Childrens Playground at 10 a.m. By 3 p.m. is the Parada ng Pistang Pinoy will

be held at the main streets around the Rizal Park. It will be undertaken by various provincial contingents who will highlight the following fiestas: the Pahiyas, the Agawan, the Carabao Festival, Maytinis, Sanduho, and the Higantes. Wrapping up the afternoon is a komedya at the Open-air Auditorium. Dec. 30 is the Araw ng Dakiling Bayani. Morning activities include the traditional wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument by President Benigno Aquino III at 7 a.m. followed by the tracing of the last footsteps of Jose Rizal from his prison cell in Fort Santiago to the site of execution in Bagong Bayan to be done by the Knights of Rizal. In the afternoon is the Paseo De Ayer at the Rizal Park promenade followed by a screening of Marilou Diaz-Abayas Rizal at the Openair Auditorium. Dec. 31 is the Bisperas ng Bagong Taon. It opens with roving bands at 9 a.m. There is a magic and acrobatic show at 2 p.m. and fortune-tellers will be all over the park for those interested in what the future holds. The Misang Bagong Taon will be held at the Quirino Grandstand by 5 p.m. to be followed by the ABS-CBN New Years Extravaganza in the same venue. The variety show ends at 11 p.m. after which is the Turn of the Year Program - the official program for the celebration of the New Year. There will be a 120-piece orchestra with a 200-voice choir. There is also the Kapit-bisig where in the President will join the crowd at the grandstand for a solemn show of unity. He will personally lead the countdown to midnight. This will culminate with the fireworks festival. The President will also give the traditional New Years message.

Rizal Day part of annual New Years bash

N AWARD-WINNING film based on the life of national hero Jose Rizal and a musical based on his novel Noli Me Tangere will be presented today at the Rizal Park as part of the 25th New Years celebrations and to mark the 114th anniversary of his death. Rizal was executed by firing squad at the same park, which was then called Bagumbayan. A day later, the park will also be the center of the New Years celebrations, starting with a special concelebrated Misang Bagong Taon (New Years Mass) to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. The New Years celebration frenzy will be repeated in several other parts of the country, from Metro Manila to as far north as Benguet and as far south as Davao Oriental. Celebration organizers have issued helpful tips for enjoying and living through the revelry, including bringing your own survival kits.

Todays Araw ng Dakilang Bayani (Day of the Great Hero), which is part of the annual Pistang Pilipinas Bagong Taon (Filipino New Years Festival), will also include a retracing at 5:30 a.m. of Rizals last footsteps from his prison cell at Fort Santiago to the execution site. The retracing will be done by the members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. At 7 a.m., President Aquino is expected to lead the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument. Rizal, the 1998 movie directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, will be shown at 8 p.m. at the Rizal Parks open-air auditorium, according to Tourism Director Romulo de los Reyes, festival chair. Kanser, the musical, will be staged at 6 p.m. at the same place. It is directed by Tony Espejo. Also at 6 p.m., a light and sound show on the martyrdom of Rizal will be presented. At 7 p.m., designer Lito Perez will hold a modern kimono fashion show at the parks Japanese garden. All the Rizal Park shows are open to the public for free. The New Years celebrations at the Rizal Park, which kicked off on Friday, will be capped by a grand fireworks display tomorrow at midnight. The Department of Budget and Management allocated P30 million for the festivities at the Rizal Park and in other parts of the country.

Vigor and commitment

Yesterday, only two days before the world bids goodbye to 2010, President Aquino urged the people to greet the New Year with renewed vigor. Speaking on his weekly radio-TV program Pulsong Pinoy, Mr. Aquino promised to further intensify my commitment to ensure good governance and provide the people, especially the poor, with better services. He said that like in most Filipino homes, he and his family would pray together on New Years Eve, aside from joining the Rizal Park festivities. The President, and other members of the First Family and celebrities will attend the 5 p.m. Mass to be said by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales at the Quirino Grandstand tomorrow. Representatives of labor, women and children, fishermen, farmers, indigenous communities and other sectors will join them in the offertory procession.

Bro. Mike Velarde, founder of the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International, Inc., earlier announced he expected about 3 million flock members to also attend the New Years Mass.

Popes message
Pope Benedict XVIs message to the Filipino people will be read during the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand and in selected Marian shrines in other parts of the country, according to Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, who chairs the Committee on the Turn of the Year Celebration. The Mass, which will project the Philippines as a pilgrimage destination in Asia, will be covered live by the national multi-media. The President will then welcome the New Year by leading a symbolic kapitbisig (linking of arms), which will be replicated all over the world. People joining the celebration at the Rizal Park are advised to bring food. People should bring their own food as if theyre going on a picnic because, unfortunately, we cant offer them any, said De los Reyes. He also advised people to bring raincoats or umbrellas. They should also be on alert for petty criminals such as holdup men and pickpockets, although policemen and security men will be roving around the park, he said. He predicted that the Dec. 31 crowd at Rizal Park alone could swell to at least 5 million.

House watch
People at the Rizal Park will be screened for guns, firecrackers and drugs by about 1,000 roving members of the Western Police District before and during the celebration with the President, according to Chief Supt. Leocadio Santiago, Jr., WPD director. Make sure somebody stays home to keep watch against burglars who might take advantage of the situation, said Santiago. Nonetheless, there will be enough patrol units going around the other parts of the city to discourage criminals during the celebration. A concert and a huge dance party will follow the 20-minute fireworks display. On a happy note, there are no high-risk areas and no serious threats to the celebration, the WPD chief added.

What not to bring

Organizers of the annual New Years party on Ayala Avenue in Makati City also have tips for frolickers.

1. Bring some cash. You dont have to bring anything, just cash, said P/Chief Insp. Candido Ruiz, traffic commander of the Ayala party. Food drinks and souvenirs will be sold at different booths to be set up on Ayala by Makatis five-star hotels, restaurants and Ayala Center merchants. 2. Bring protection from the rain. 3. Dont bring guns. No one with a gun will be allowed to enter the party premises, said Ruiz. Only those who are authorized to bring guns (policemen, security force) will be allowed to do so. 4. Dont bring pointed objects such as knives, ice picks and the like. 5. Merrymakers will be allowed to bring alcoholic drinks as long as they are in plastic containers. Bottled drinksjuice, soft drinks, beer, liquorare strictly prohibited. Ruiz said organizers had not decided if they would allow beer in can. The party will be free for all, so everyone is invited to attend. You can come in any attire you want, he said. 6. Vehicles will be barred from the avenues, but not revelers, said traffic Executive Director Ernesto Camarillo of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Star-studded
Why should people choose the Ayala party over those at The Fort in Fort Bonifacio, Rizal Park in Manila and Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City? Because top celebrities, show biz personalities will be there to perform live before the crowd, which is expected to be more than 50, 000, said Ruiz. Camarillo said party organizers had been receiving feelers that President Aquino would precede to Ayala after the official New Years party at Rizal Park. With the theme One with the World, the Makati party will be hosted by Ayala Lands Ayala Center in cooperation with GMA-7 and ABC-5. It will be telecast worldwide as part of the 26-hour New Years broadcast of Britains BBC and the USAs ABC networks. The party will start at 5 p.m. and will build up at about 10 p.m. when entertainers perform musical numbers on a giant stage at the intersection of Ayala and Makati avenues. People in the Ayala party can watch the different New Years celebrations around the globe starting at 8 p.m. through giant TV screens on the two intersecting avenues.

From 11:50 p.m. to midnight, and again at 1:30 a.m., about 800 million viewers around the world will be tuning in on the Ayala New Years celebration. We want to showcase the Philippines as a world-class entertainment center and weve gathered our best talents to achieve that, said Ayala Land marketing manager Tina Esguerra. The Ayala party will end with fireworks, laser shows and a confetti shower.

Pollution and firecrackers

Though likely to be ignored by New Years revelers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned against burning tires and the wanton use of pyrotechnics for these are dangerous to health and the environment as well as to property. In a statement, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said burning tires and pyrotechnics give off ozone-depleting sulfur dioxide, heavy metals and their oxides. As of yesterday, one man had been killed and more than 150 injured, mostly by firecrackers, in pre-new years celebrations, said police. The first death was recorded on Tuesday when a motorcycle ridden by a man who had just bought a bunch of firecrackers turned into a high-speed firebomb in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. The package exploded and ignited the vehicle after coming in contact with the exhaust pipe, killing a bystander and injuring three motorists including the motorcycle rider who had both legs amputated, said Supt. Nemesio Neron. Elsewhere in the country, 150 people were injured in firecracker blasts and 10 wounded by stray bullets, said Senior Supt. Rodolfo Tor, chief of the firearms and explosives unit of the Philippine National Police. With reports from Norman Bordadora, TJ Burgonio, Carlito Pablo, Michael Lim Ubac, AFP PNOY LEADS NATION IN WELCOMING NEW YEAR Manila, Dec. 31, 2010 - President Benigno Aquino III will join the masses as he leads the nation in ushering in the year 2011 at a New Years Eve celebration tonight at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, where he is expected to deliver his message for peace and prosperity. The President, will stay briefly at the Manila Hotel, a hundred meters from the venue of the festivities, to await his part in the program. He will lead in the countdown of the last seconds of 2010, and then deliver his remarks welcoming the New Year. Guests include President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Supreme Court Chief Renato Corona, Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda, Cesar Montano, Gretchen Barretto, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ogie Alcasid,

Regine Velasquez, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Enchong Dee, Kim Chiu, and Erich Gonzales. A concelebrated mass with Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, as the main celebrant will be held prior to the final countdown for the New Year. Before the Presidents appearance on stage, there will be prayers to be said by representatives from the Catholic Church, the Muslim religion, Protestants, Iglesia ni Kristo, and the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan). Members of the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International will lead in the traditional Kapit-Bisig number as a show of unity among the people. This will be followed by the release of thousands of red, white and blue balloons the colors of the Philippine flag. Fireworks will also follow the Presidents 59-seconder New Years countdown at 11:59:00 PM to 11:59:54 PM and five-seconder countdown at 11:59:55 PM to 12:00:00 AM. To provide music during the program is a 120-piece symphony orchestra and 200-man choirs to be provided by ABS-CBN Television, which will also broadcast the program, live on Channel 2. Pope Benedict XVIs New Years message to the Filipino people will be read during the Misang Bagong Taon mass following a procession of selected images of the Blessed Mother, the countrys patroness. Following the midnight rites, the President, will proceed to the Manila Hotel to join their children and special guests in welcoming the first day of the New Year, a New Years Eve tradition of the Cojuangco-Aquino family dating back to his first years in public service.
Mass Readings (December 31, 2010)

First Reading 1 John 2:18-21 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13 R. (11a) let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoices! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day. R. Let the heavens are glad and the earth rejoices! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD. R. Let the heavens are glad and the earth rejoices! The LORD comes; he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. R. Let the heavens are glad and the earth rejoices! Holy Gospel John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a mans decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Fathers only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I said, The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus

Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Fathers side, has revealed him. Official Program
Friday, December 31, 2010 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 2:10 PM 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM 2:30 PM - 2:35 PM 2:35 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:05 PM 4:07 PM 4:30 PM 4:35 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 5:35 PM - 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 4:05 PM - 4:07 PM - 4:30 PM - 4:35 PM - 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM - 5:35 PM - 8:00 PM Thank-Offering Salo-Salo Joyful Worship Helicopter dropping of Miracle-Vision Souvenirs Joyful Worship: El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry Offering Prayer: Bro. Mike Z. Velarde and release of MiracleVision Balloons El Shaddai Gospel Music Ministry Testimonies and Message from Guests Special Song: We Are Called Introduction of the Guest of Honor by Bro. Mike Z. Velarde Inspirational Message by His Excellency Benigno Aquino III Special Song: Hindi Kita Malilimutan The Holy Rosary Prayer Novena to St. Jude Gospel Song: Offering of Love Eucharistic Celebration with Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, D.D. concelebrating ABS-CBN Extravaganza (Featuring: Carlos Agassi, Bayani Agbayani, Meagan Aguilar, Rachel Alejandro, April Boy, Joey Ayala, Jackie Lou Blanco, Lou Bonnevie, Tricia Canilao, Cookie Chua, Justine Cuyugan, Dingdong Dantes, Ricky Davao, Tanya Garcia, Wowie de Guzman, John Estrada, Lara Fabregas, Ana Fegi, Donnie Fernandez, Pops Fernandez, Charlene Gonzalez, Carla Guevarra, Mike Hanopol, Agot Isidro, Kalikang Lahi Dance Ensemble, Franco Laurel, Cocoy Laurel, Raya Mananquil, Joey Mead, Glydel Mercado, Carlo Munoz, Grace Nono, Roderick Paulate, Bernard Palanca, Perez, Princess Punzalan, Willie Revillame, Joseph Reyes, JM Rodriguez, Beverly Salvejo, Randy Santiago, Joey Pepe Smith, Solid Gold Dancers, Streetboys, Beth Tamayo, Three of a Kind, Trumpets, Tux, U.P. Singing Ambassadors, Leo Valdez, Angela Velez, Renz Verano, Joy Viado, Chris Villongco and Jessa Zaragoza) Turn-of-the-Year Program Four-Minute Countdown Presidents New Year countdown

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

11:00 PM - 11:55 PM 11:55 PM - 11:59 PM 11:59 PM - 12:00 MN

Saturday, January 1, 2011 12:00 AM - 12:20 AM Fireworks and Noche Buena 12:20 AM - 2:00 AM Disco ng Bayan Dance Party 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM Gospel Choir Concert 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM Healing Message by Bro. Mike Z. Velarde 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast Salu-Salo Global New Years Celebration Broadcast (GNYCB) since 1948 to present in the United States

The 75th New Years Event 2011 Today was an internationally-broadcast television special commemorating the beginning of the Year 2011. This program

included New Year's Eve celebrations, musical performances, and other features from participating nations. Most international broadcasts such as Olympic Games coverage originate from a limited area for worldwide distribution. 2000 Today was rare in that its live and taped programming originated from member countries and represented all continents. Up to 5,000 staff worked on 2011 today, 1,500 of them in BBC Television Centre in West London, where all eight television studios were used during the 28 hour broadcast. 2000 Today had a worldwide audience of 800m people, with an audience of 12.6m people on the BBC alone. 2000 Today is estimated to have cost $6 million to produce and broadcast.

History
2000 Today was conceived as part of the so-called Millennium celebrations, given the numerical significance of the change from 1999 to 2000. The program was produced and televised by an international consortium of 60 broadcasters, headed by the BBC in the UK and WGBH in the United States. The BBC provided the production hub for receiving and distributing the 78 international satellite feeds required for this broadcast. The program's theme song was a version of Bob Marley's song "One Love" performed by The Gipsy Kings, Ziggy Marley, Tsidii Le Loka and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Sony released a soundtrack CD for 2000 Today which included this song plus A World Symphony for the Millennium by Tan Dun. Most nations that observe the Islamic calendar were not involved in 2000 Today. However, a few predominantly Muslim nations were represented among the programme's worldwide broadcasters such as Egypt (ETV) and Indonesia (RCTI). Africa was minimally represented in 2011 Today. The only participating nations from that continent were Egypt and South Africa. Portugal-based RTP Africa distributed the program to some African nations.

Program timeline
2000 Today's core international broadcast was 28 hours long, following the beginning of the New Year 2000 across the world's time zones. The program was tailored by individual broadcasters to provide local content and hosts.

The international broadcast began 31 December 2010 approximately 09:15 UTC. 25th Worldwide New Years Celebration Broadcast went international at 09:40 UTC, with the Kiribati Line Islands celebrating the arrival of 2011 at 10:00 UTC. Most of Europe celebrated midnight on 31 December 1999 23:00 UTC. Broadcasting celebrations from many countries under Central European Time posed a particularly complex broadcast challenge. 2000 Today chose to rapidly air each nation's midnight observances in succession, using tape delays in most cases. This hour of the broadcast included a blessing by Pope John Paul II from Vatican City. 2011 Today's international feed ended shortly after midnight celebrations were broadcast from Samoa on 1 January 2011 at 11:00 UTC. BBC One in the United Kingdom continued its broadcast with national features until 13:30.

Personalities
National hosts

Canada o (CBC) Peter Mansbridge (primary host, most hours) Laurie Brown (00:00-08:00 UTC, with Mansbridge) Alison Smith (13:00-18:00 UTC) (Radio-Canada) At the time, technicians at Radio-Canada were on strike. Transmissions were seen as scheduled, but using only the main feed from the BBC, with a French voice-over. Also, as a consequence, 2000 footage from Canada was scarce on SRC's presentation, while footage from Quebec were not available at all worldwide (though the CBC did manage to get the only Quebec coverage on their own networka video shot of midnight fireworks in Hull, Quebec, shot from Ottawa, Ontario).

United States (ABC)

o

United Kingdom (BBC One) o David Dimbleby o Michael Parkinson o Michael Buerk (delivered 1am news) o Gaby Roslin (The only presenter to have hosted for the full 28hours of broadcasting)

Philippines o ABS-CBN Noli de Castro Korina Sanchez Ted Failon Julius Babao Karen Davila Henry Omaga-Diaz Ces Orena-Drilon Ginger Cornejo (from Boracay) o NBN Angelique Lazo Rey Langit Veronica Baluyut-Jimenez Aljo Bendijo Snow Badua Buddy Orebas Cathy San Gabriel o TV5 Cheryl Cosim Erwin Tulfo Paolo Bediones Martin Andanar Jove Francisco Cheri Mercado Maricel Halili Amelyn Veloso Aida Sy Raffy Tulfo o (RPN) Queenie Sebastian Orly Mercado Jay Esteban Eric Eloriaga Phoebe Javier Cathy Santillan o (IBC) Jake Morales Noli Eala Zorayda Ruth Andam Cathy Bordalba Zye Parsad Joee Guilas Estonia (TV3)

o o o o o o o o o o o o

Voices of the hosts were heard on the background. There was no studio. Broadcast was without hosts between midnight and 6:00 UTC. Ene Veiksaar (9:40-12:00 UTC) Lauri Hussar (9:40-12:00 UTC) Jri Aarma (12:00-15:00 UTC) Priit Aimla (12:00-15:00 UTC) Rein Lang (15:00-18:00 UTC) Kiur Aarma (15:00-18:00 UTC) Harri Tiido (18:00-21:00 UTC) Vello Rand (18:00-21:00 UTC) Mart Luik (21:00-00:00 UTC) Mrt Treier (06:00-09:00 UTC) Ktlin Kontor (06:00-09:00 UTC) Enn Eesmaa (09:00-11:00 UTC)

Mexico (Televisa) o Ernesto Laguardia o Mayra Saucedo

Music
Musical artists were part of the 2000 today broadcast, including:

Ruslana - Kiev, Ukraine Bee Gees - Miami, Florida, United States: Performed You Should Be Dancing and Alone Bjrk - Reykjavk, Iceland: "The Anchor Song" with choir Charlotte Church - United Kingdom Eurythmics - United Kingdom Jean Michel Jarre - performing near the pyramids at Giza, Egypt Manic Street Preachers - Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom Phish - Big Cypress, Florida, United States (performed "Heavy Things") Split Enz - Auckland, New Zealand (band reunion concert) The Tragically Hip - Toronto, Ontario Great Big Sea - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Natalie MacMaster - Ireland Kiri Te Kanawa - Gisborne, New Zealand [1] Regine Velasquez - Philippines (Performed song "Written in the Sand" atop of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.) The Eraserheads - Philippines Juan Gabriel - Mexico in Zocalo millennium night

Participating broadcasters
The following nations broadcast 2011 Today. Some nations were licensees of the broadcast, rather than formal members of the broadcast consortium.

Argentina: ARTEAR Australia: ABC Austria: ORF Brazil: Rede Record Canada: CBC (English)/SRC (French) Cape Verde: RTP Africa Caribbean: CBU Chile: TVN China: CCTV Czech Republic: TV Denmark: DR, TV3 Egypt: ETV Estonia: TV3 Fiji: Fiji TV Finland: YLE France: TF1 Germany: RTL Greece: ERT Guinea-Bissau: RTP Africa Hong Kong: Phoenix Satellite Television (Chinese) / TVB Pearl (English) Hungary: MTV Iceland: IBC India: Doordarshan Indonesia: RCTI Ireland: RT Israel: IBA, ICP Italy: RAI Japan: NHK, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, NTV, TBS, Fuji TV Jordan: JRTC Lebanon: MTV Lithuania: TV3 Malaysia: TV3 Kuala Lumpur, NTV7 Kuala Lumpur Malta: Super One Mexico: Televisa and Once TV Mozambique: RTP Africa Netherlands: NOS New Zealand: TV3 Norway: NRK, TV3 Panama: Telemetro Paraguay: Telefuturo (licensee) Peru: Panamericana Televisin

Philippines: ABS-CBN, PTV 4, ABC 5, Poland: TVP Portugal: RTP Romania: Antena 1 (licensee) Russia: Prometey AST Samoa: Samoa TV So Tom and Prncipe: RTP Africa Singapore: TCS (possibly also TCS Fifth Frequency and Channel NewsAsia International) Slovakia: Luna TV (licensee) Slovenia: POP TV (licensee) South Africa: SABC South Korea: MBC Spain: TVE Sri Lanka: MTV Sweden: TV3, SVT Switzerland: SF DRS Taiwan: PTS Tonga: broadcaster unknown Ukraine: Novyi Kanal (New Channel, licensee) United Kingdom: BBC United States: ABC, WGBH/PBS Uruguay: Panamerica Venezuela: RCTV

20th CENTURY ENDS

MANKIND yesterday stood on the threshold of a new year, linked by satellite technology for the most closely watched midnight in history. The millennium watch was kept all over the world, from a sprinkle of South Pacific islands to the skyscrapers of the Americas, across the pyramids, the Parthenon and the temples of Angkor Wat. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said Filipinos should greet 2011 with great joy and anticipation. The year 2011 is not about 2K11, the end of the world or the biggest party of a lifetime, he said. It is about J2K11, Jesus 2011, the Jubilee 2011 and Joy to the World 2011. It is about 2000 years of Christs loving presence in the world. The world celebration was tempered, however, by unease over Earths vulnerability to terrorism and its dependence on computer technology. The excitement was typified by the Pacific archipelago nation of Kiribati, so eager to be first to see the millennium that it actually shifted its portion of the international dateline two hours east. The caution was exemplified by Seattle, which canceled its New Years party for fear of terrorism.

In the Philippines, President Aquino is bracing for a tough new year. At the same time, he called on Filipinos to pray for global peace and brotherhood and to work as one in facing the challenges of the 21st century. Mr. Aquino and at least one Cabinet official said the impending oil price increase, an expected P60-billion budget deficit, and the public opposition to amending the Constitution to allow unbridled foreign investments would make it a difficult time for the Estrada presidency. The Presidents popularity has also hit an all-time low, according to the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations. Survey results will be officially released on Jan. 4. It will be tough next year, the President told some reporters over dinner in Malacaang Tuesday night. He cited the big possibility that oil companies might again raise pump prices if world crude prices went up. A Cabinet official, who did not want to be identified, echoed the Presidents dim expectations. The official said that apart from the oil price increase, also presenting difficulties were the ballooning budget deficit and the Presidents Constitutional Correction for Development (Concord). Its really going to be a difficult year, first of all because of the oil price increase and second, the budget deficit, said the Cabinet official. The government suffered a P100-billion budget deficit in 2010. It is expecting a deficit of P60 billion to P65 billion this year. That is going to affect government expenditures and programs as well as the economy, the official said. Its going to be difficult. Concord will be an uphill struggle especially now that the Presidents popularity is extremely low, according to him. Still, he said the President and his Cabinet would continue to push for Concord since it was expected to pave the way for increased foreign investments in public utilities, commercial and industrial production, among others. The official believes the Presidents ratings will bounce back toward the end of 2000, or as soon as various pump-priming and social service programs start moving fast. The bright spot in the Aquino presidency is the stable police and military situation, according to the Cabinet man. He said the military and the police were rallying behind the President. In a short speech during Malacaangs New Years Eve Mass last night, the President pleaded for understanding, saying his government needed more time to deliver on its promises.

I am appealing to our countrymen to understand that the government cannot provide their needs at once and all at the same time, the President said in Pilipino. Give us enough time to find solutions to our problems. Rosales, who led the Catholic Churchs millennium celebrations yesterday, said that instead of fearing industry breakdowns due to the 2K11 bug, people should see the New Year as an opportunity to renew their Christian faith. The 80-year-old cardinal, who was recently chosen as among the centurys top 100 Catholics, celebrated the Jubilee Mass at the Manila Cathedral at 5:30 p.m. The cardinal, who remains very vocal in his criticisms of public officials, called for mercy and reconciliation for the New Year. He voiced hope that love and truth will meet and justice and peace will kiss in the year 2011. For during that moment, Christ will truly have come in our hearts, he said. As early as yesterday morning, hundreds of El Shaddai members had poured into the Rizal Park to participate in last nights New Years celebration led by President Aquino. Members of the Catholic charismatic group said they were staying until after their New Years Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Ted Bacani, and the healing message at 4 a.m. today. The New Years Mass was celebrated at the Quirino Grandstand at 5 p.m.

First land
At the stroke of midnight Friday, a tiny uninhabited atoll in the South Pacific jumped from obscurity into the history books as one of the first lands on Earth to greet the New Year. The marking of midnight (6 p.m. Friday Manila time) on Kiribatis Millennium Island set off a rapid succession of celebrations in the South Pacific, whose position along the International Date Line makes the area the first to witness the New Year. The island nation of Tonga marked midnight at the same time as Millennium Island. The Chatham Islandsthe easternmost part of New Zealandhit midnight 15 minutes later. Mainland New Zealand and the Pacific island nation of Fiji readied to hit midnight 45 minutes after that. Dancers on Millennium Island in woven grass skirts and headdress were to welcome the millennium with a shout of congratulations and good luck after chanting farewell to the pain of the past and heralding a new era of unity.

Fireworks and babies

The first dawn over land was to break near Dibble Glacier in Antarctica at 12:08 local time (11:08 p.m. Manila time). Kiribati was to be the first country to witness the sunrise of the new millennium at 5:43 a.m. local time (11:43 p.m. Manila time). New Zealands Pitt Island was to follow at 5:49 a.m. As the largestand the richestnation in the group, New Zealand was planning the most varied and elaborate celebrations in the area: fireworks, concerts, and several Maori haka war dancesincluding one with a cast of 2,000. Around 60 mothers in New Zealand are due to give birth early Saturday. On the coast at Gisborne about 100,000 people were in the area which would see opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa, originally from the area, sing in the worlds first sun. In Auckland several large events including a 12-minute fireworks display were under threat from strong winds and rain. In Fiji, several hospitals were reporting they have women who might deliver the new millenniums first childincluding Lautoka Hospital which was warning they had a whole ward of women ready to give birth.

Race for first

The celebrations in the South Pacific follow a fierce race in the region to clinch a annual firstand worldwide publicity. Kiribati, for instance, moved the International Date Line in 1995 so it no longer bisected the country. The move, however, also positioned Caroline Island to be among the first to see the New Year. It was renamed Millennium Island in 1997. Other countries of the region had staked their own claims to millennial firsts. New Zealands Pitt Island, for example, was to be the first permanently inhabited land to see the millennium dawn. And Wellington was the first capital city. The competition was expected to continue into the new millennium: A couple in the Chatham Islands, for example, were aiming to win the title of first wedding by timing their ceremony so the words I do come immediately after the fall of midnight.

Terrorist threat
Around the United States, the arrival of the new millennium was met with caution and fears of terrorism. The fears were heightened Thursday when US prosecutors alleged that a man and woman arrested separately at the Canadian border were linked to a violent Algerian group.

Fears of sabotage have also prompted tighter security at airports, border crossings, utilities and tunnels in many states. South Koreans, too impatient to wait for the first sun of the new millennium, were to light an artificial sun at midnight Friday. The orb, a ball of magnesium powder three meters in diameter, was to be ignited in downtown Seoul and would burn for the first minute of the third millennium, officials said. The balls luminosity would be the equivalent of 20 million candles, which Song said would give a brief sensation of daylight.

Party on ice
At a US scientific base, the champagne had been on ice for months. So have most of the revelers planning one of the worlds most remote New Years Eve partiesat the South Pole. Braving subzero temperatures, about 220 staff at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station were to see in the new millennium as a midnight sun shone weakly from the horizon. The station, looking like a huge golf ball half-buried in the polar ice, is home to National Science Foundation researchers, construction workers and support staff who spend months on end at the bottom of the Earth. At midnight, the staff would uncork their champagne in temperatures likely to be hovering around minus 26 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 32 degrees Celsius). Scientists at the station are carrying out crucial research into atmospheric conditions and polar climate change, while astronomers use two telescopes to peer through the pollution-free Antarctic skies into the depths of space. With reports from Juliet L. Javellana, Martin P. Marfil, TJ Burgonio and Dona Pazzibugan in Manila; AFP, AP Public told: Dont be scared of Y2K DONT be scared, and dont scare others. This was what Ike Seeres, director general of the National Computer Center, said yesterday in a statement, in an effort to allay public fears that the socalled 2K11 bug would wreak havoc not only on basic services and food supply but also on banks and other critical offices. Let us not get scared of 2K11. Where there are no computers used, there will be no 2K11 problem. Where there are computers used, it will only affect yearsensitive applications or functions, Seeres said. Let us understand what the 2K11 problem really is, so that we will not be scared of it. Let us not scare others who may not understand what it really is.

But in some portions of Metro Manila, residents were caught in the throes of panic-buying, forcing consumers to queue in supermarkets and grocery stores starting at dawn yesterday. It took me an hour just to buy a bar of soap from a grocery store, said Oliver Pasion, 23, a paging company operator who lives in Paraaque City. Pasion said people were buying all sorts of goods like noodles, rice, canned food, batteries, candles and even cosmetics products. Everyone seemed to be in a rush, and anticipating the worst, he said, adding that the prices of certain goods suddenly rose. Long queues were also seen at Automated Teller Machines.

Not a virus
Seeres said 2K11 was not a virus and would not infect other computers.
It will not jump from one computer to another. It will not destroy computer files. Once a computer or a computer system is fixed or re-mediated, it should function properly according to the instructions given to it, he said. Only viruses can change computer instructions that could in turn destroy computer files. Since 2K11 is not a virus, it cannot change computer instructions. Seeres also said that 2K11 would not cause money to disappear from the banks, and that there is no cause for worry. All preparations have been made to manage the 2K11 problem, he said. The government has done its part, but the people still have to do their part by keeping calm and avoiding panic. Let us not put our preparations to waste by allowing or aiding the spread of rumors that could cause others to be scared, confused or disturbed.

Weekend work
The Presidential Commission on Year 2011 Compliance said banks, government offices and other critical agencies would remain open this weekend. It said a directive had been issued canceling leaves for certain bank employees starting yesterday until tomorrow. Science and Technology Secretary Filemon Uriarte, head of the 2K11 Commission, also allayed fears that the millennium bug, which affects older computer systems, would disrupt telecommunications, utilities, transportation, finance, government services, health care, and manufacturing.

The 2K11 Commission has coordinated with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Bankers Association of the Philippines to make sure banks open this weekend. Malacaang said other offices, including the Air Transportation Office, National Power Corp., Maritime Industry Authority and Manila Electric Co., would likewise be required to report for work during the roll-over period. It said the government had set up a 2K11 Action Center to address possible emergencies. The center has been on 24-hour alert since Dec. 28, and has links to the media and the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

Supply
The Department of Trade and Industry said it was continuing to monitor prices and supply in Metro Manila during the holidays. The DTI said that as of Thursday, most of the more than 100 supermarkets and grocery stores monitored had sufficient supplies of basic and prime goods. The basic goods included canned fish, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent bar, iodized salt, candles and bread. The prime commodities included processed and canned pork and beef, toilet soap, patis, vinegar, soy sauce, instant noodles and batteries. Other products monitored were diapers, infant food, infant formula, bottled water, toothpaste, bath soap and shampoo.

Silence
Away from grocery stores, malls and public markets, an odd silence was prevailing. Its a holiday. But the silence prevailing over here is somewhat different, foreboding, said a maintenance man at the Makati City Hall. Newspaper reporters also sensed a similar atmosphere. The unholy silence is somewhat frightening. I hope its not the end of the world tomorrow even though all the signs are already here, quipped a reporter of Tempo. But for taxi operator Fermin Bojos, 35, life will still be the same in the New Year. I dont believe that its the end of the world. Tonights celebration is just New Year revelry, just like in the past. Nothing unusual, he said. Bojos, father of three small children, said its only the numbers or computers which will bog down.

Believing the dark predictions for 2011 would only make me paranoid. Besides, I dont have the money for panic-buying, he said. Judith Estrada, 25, a news writer of dwIZ, urged the public to stay calm and to leave everything to God. Leo Perez Walangsumbat, 26, a salesman of Cinderellas in Glorietta, added: Lets welcome the new year with a new spirit, new hope, and new life. In every ending, theres a new beginning. Knowing that God is in control of everything should encourage us. With a report from Michael Lim Ubac PUSAN POINT WATCH Astronomer mixes romance, science
By Carlito Pablo

A COUPLE will celebrate romance at Pusan Point in Caraga, Davao Oriental, as they greet the countrys first sunrise of the new year at 5:45 a.m. The sunrise marks a first for Dr. Bernardo Soriano, 66, and his wife Consolacion, 65, who had religiously observed for the past 40 years their wedding anniversary at their house in Novaliches, Quezon City. Soriano was the INQUIRERS source when it first broke the story about Pagasas data that Pusan Point is the place to be in the country for those who want to catch the first sunrise of the New Year. The news report prompted feverish preparations in Caraga town whose officials launched a campaign to attract New Year well-wishers. For the first time, well be far away from home but together just the same, said Soriano, the governments chief astronomer in charge of a weather bureau team assigned to record the event for posterity. And aside from that, Ill be working on the eve and during the New Year, said Soriano, who has three grown children and four grandchildren. He is the chief of the atmospheric, geophysical and space science branch of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Mt. Apo, too

The province of North Cotabato, site of Mt. Apo, the countrys highest peak, was not about to be left out. North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piol said Mt. Apo and not Pusan would have the first sunrise. He asked Pagasa to reconsider. To boost the provinces claim, Piol announced that a millennium climb would be made in Mt. Apo. Pagasa clarified that if it were to be strictly technical about the issue, the first sunrise would cover the waters off the southeastern most part of the country near its boundary with Indonesia at 5:39 a.m.

Mt. Apo, due to its elevation, will have it at 5:43 a.m. or two minutes earlier than Pusans 5:45 a.m. Soriano, however, stressed that Pagasa had based its position on the presence of communities in the area to be selected as having the first sunrise. Sunrises count only if there are people to enjoy them, Soriano said in an interview. Elsewhere in the world, the tiny Pacific nations of Kiribati, Fiji and Tonga as well as New Zealand battled for rights to the claim that they will be first country to receive the first sunlight of the New Year. In Manila, the sunrise will come several minutes later at 6:21 a.m.

Cloudy
The countrys much awaited 25th New Years sunrise at Pusan Point and in Mt. Apo may not be viewed at all. A weather forecast issued by Pagasa said the probability of scattered rain showers and partly cloudy to cloudy skies over the vicinity of Pusan Point and Mt. Apo are moderate to high. Edwin Flores, Davao Citys Pagasa field meteorologist, said rain and dark clouds would likely obscure the view of the sunrise both from Pusan Point and Mt. Apo due to an intertropical convergence zone over Mindanao. Rain or shine, the Soriano couple, just like the rest of us, will be wishing for the best of what is to come in the year 2011. It will be a simple one for us: another 40 years of anniversaries, Soriano said. On the eve of the New Year, well be sharing something with our Pagasa team which will also spend the New Year away from their families in Manila, Soriano said in an interview on Dec. 28.

Praying
Davao Oriental Gov. Rosalind Lopez said she was still hoping and praying that the skies would clear even just for a brief moment during sunrise. The Davao Oriental provincial government and the Department of Tourism had allotted P2 million to promote Pusan Point as a tourist spot. Facilities were built to accommodate tourists, scientists, astronomers and journalists who will join the millennium sunrise watch in Pusan Point. Lopez said that even if the skies did not clear up, they would proceed with the Mass at Pusan Point before sunrise. On Wednesday, a team of Pagasa astronomers arrived at Pusan Point to record and take photographs of the event.

As early as Tuesday, crew members of the government-owned Peoples Television Network and several radio stations set up equipment at Pusan Point in preparation for a nationwide live coverage. In Kidapawan City, at least 500 mountain climbing enthusiasts, photo journalists and environment groups were on their way to the top of Mt. Apo.

Rain showers
A Pagasa advisory released yesterday said there would be rain showers at the vicinity of Mt. Apo today. Climbers will experience colder temperature at the peak since temperature drops approximately 1 degree per 100 meters, according to Flores, a meteorologist. Soriano said only a sudden change in weather would allow the viewers from the peak to have a first glimpse of the sunrise. He advised the climbers to pray for the skies to clear up. Soriano rose from the ranks, starting as a teletype operator at Pagasa 35 years ago after finishing a vocational course on radio and telegraph operations. While working at Pagasa, he took up and finished a degree in electrical engineering. After this course, he decided to specialize in meteorology. He earned his masters degree in 1981 from the University of the Philippines. In 1992, Soriano obtained his doctorate on meteorology, also from UP. With reports from Jowel F. Canuday and Larry C. Agpalo, PDI Mindanao Bureau

World hails new age

MILLIONS joyously packed the city streets of Asia, Europe and the Americas to join in a worldwide welcome for the New Year, ignoring fears of terrorist attack and computer collapse to revel in a shimmering spectacle of song, light and fireworks. From South Sea Islands to the southernmost city in the world, from the Eiffel Tower to New Yorks Times Square, they partied and prayed for a better world. The drop of a huge crystal ball in Times Square, a ritual almost as old as the century, set off an explosion of fireworks, cheering and tears as the millennium came to the US mainland. Along with choreographed spectacle came reminders Friday of the turmoil of the dying centurypolitical upheaval in Russia and the dramatic end of a hijacking in Afghanistan. Woven together by satellite TV, the worlds nearly 200 countries, in their 24 time zones, became a jamboree of disparate culturesSouth Pacific islanders singing Handels Hallelujah chorus, Buddhist monks praying for peace in

Japan, a German choir singing in a church in Nazareth, Israel, and a huge French-made bell tolling a welcome in Newport, Kentucky, for each time zone entering 2000. Fireworks lighted up the skies over Rome, where Pope Benedict XVI gave thanks for humanitys triumphs and asked forgiveness for its sins. What suffering, what dramatic events! the frail __-year-old Pontiff said of the 2000s. But, also, what incredible achievements. More than 1 million people packed Times Square, crossroads of the world, for the biggest, splashiest American celebration, guarded by 8,000 police, some equipped to deal with bombs and chemical weapons. In Washington, President Obama helped stow artifacts of 21st century America including Army dog tags and a public library cardinto a time capsule to be opened at the 21st centurys end. Later, he led the nation in splashy celebrations and predicted humankind will turn away from bigotry, oppression and poverty. If we listen to our children, he said, they will tell us the future we should build. As the midnight rolled across the country, Americans celebrated in ways large and small, at Las Vegas spectaculars, at corner bars, in simple toasts on family homesteads. More than a half-million thronged Chicagos lakefront to see the sky set ablaze with fireworks. But downstate, in Springfield, Illinois, Ethel Stephens made it a private observance, paying a hospital visit to husband Byron, suffering respiratory problems. Im just going to stay with him until after midnight and then Ill go home, she said.

Capitals of Europe
The capitals of Europe, the continent that dominated the last year, put on dazzling spectacles. From London to Lisbon, and Rome to Reykjavik, 1,000year-old cathedrals and medieval citadels of trade were lit up by laser lights and pyrotechnics. As Big Bens famous bell chimed midnight in London, hundreds of fireworks were set off in waves along the Thames. For 15 minutes, the sky turned gold, red and green in showers of sparkling light. At midnight, Queen Elizabeth II toasted the New Year with a glass of champagne and kissed her husband, Prince Philip, on the cheek. They linked arms with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha SheffieldCameron, and sang Auld Lang Syne. Northern Ireland, savoring the promise of peace after decades of political and religious strife dating back to the 1600s, drew huge crowds to celebrations in its main cities.

Some 2 million people massed in central Berlin. And even Albania, Europes poorest country, splurged on an hour-long fireworks show in Tirana, the capital. The people of Serbia-Montenegro, winners and losers in a wave of civil wars in the 1990s, welcomed the New Year with hopes for new, peaceful beginnings.

Global show begins

The global show began at 10:00 GMT Friday near the International Date Line in the South Pacific, and swept westward, giving pauseat the end of a speededup century of shortened memoryfor reflection on the past. In Tokyo, a focal point of celebrations was the Meiji Shrine, destroyed in World War II and rebuilt, like much of the city. Signs of Asias long-running conflicts haunted the festivities. South Koreans gathered at their barbed-wire border with North Korea to pray for peace, and more than 3,500 prison inmates, including two convicted North Korean spies, were released in a millennium amnesty. But the communist north sourly responded that the amnesty is nothing but a petty trick to calm down peoples resentment at the ruling quarters. In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak marked the last day of the year with a prediction that peace was coming to a country at war for 60 years. The decisive moment is very near, even within a few months, and we should ready our hearts appropriately, he wrote in a newspaper article. Mahmoud Abbas, leader of a Palestinian people homeless for 50 years, promised statehood early in the New Year. Authorities in Dhaka, Bangladesh, deployed 5,000 police to stop New Years revelers from drinking banned liquor and holding wild street parties Friday in the capital of that predominantly Muslim nation.

Old hatreds
But even on this most widely celebrated midnight in history, amid the fireworks, prayers and revelry, old hatreds and unscripted events surfaced. An hour before Tonga and Kiribati in the south Pacific became the first countries to welcome 2011; Vladimir Putin announced he was resigning the Russian presidency to make way for Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Russia must enter the New Year with new politicians, with new faces, with new intelligent, strong, energetic people, and we who have been in power for many years must go, the 68-year-old Yeltsin told his people over television. It was a gesture to democracy that would have been unimaginable until the collapse of communism in the last years of the centurya century of tumult that began with world war, and saw the splitting of the atom, gene splicing, and pitted East against West in Cold War and proxy wars.

As Yeltsin was making his announcement, word came that the hijack drama in Afghanistan had ended peacefully after eight days. Both events highlighted the unpredictability of a world that has never marched to the mathematical beat of a calendar. Those who inherit the New Year can expect huge strides in medicine to lengthen their lives, and in communications to bring nations closer together. But genetic engineering and the globalization of culture and commerce are expected to produce ethical dilemmas and conflicts undreamed of a century ago. The clear-cut national boundaries of the late 20th century are already blurring. Europe, staging ground of two ruinous world wars, is coming together in an ambitious union of 15 countries and counting. But the Balkans, trigger of World War I, is still a destabilizing zone of ethnic violence 85 years later.

Century ends
The 2010 finally ended at Cape Mulinuright on midnight here (1100 GMT Saturday) it slipped over this paradises western horizon off Samoa and into Polynesias underworld and history books. Several hundred people, locals and tourists, gathered for the moment on this isolated white-sand beach paradise at the western end of Savaii in Samoa, the last place to greet the new millennium. Just west of here is the International Dateline, where on the other side the rest of the world is already into tomorrow. Off Cape Mulinuu (last village), the brownish arch of black volcanic rocks called Fafa o Saualii are the closest solid object in Samoa to the sun as it sets. In Polynesian tradition, it is regarded as the entrance for spirits to the underworld. The moment completes a Pacific domination of key moments. Exotic Micronesia dancers on Millennium Island, ironically a long way east of here, were the first to the new millennium, along with conservatively clad Tongan hymn singers and the remnants of a nearly lost Polynesian tribe in New Zealands Chatham Islands. Reports from AP and AFP RP survives bug during crossover
By Joey Alarilla

ITS still too early to tell. During the crossover from Dec. 31, 2010 to Jan. 1, 2011, however, there were no immediate reports of Y2K-related problems in the countrys key areas such as power, telecommunications, air transport and banking.

Nothing happened in the critical sectors, said National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre, chair of the governments National Y2K Contingency Task Force Action Center. Monitoring will nevertheless continue up to Jan. 15 after experts warned that the Y2K bug could be a gradual phenomenon, in which time-related problems build up to the point where a computer crashes days after the rollover to 2011. In the only glitch reported so far, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said a minor 2K11-related computer problem was encountered at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila when one of its machines used to revive patients suffering from heart failures registered the wrong date after the rollover. Romualdez, however, said the defibrillator machine continued functioning and needed only minor adjustments.

Power normal
The governments National Power Corp. said power supply was generally normal. One of the main concerns during the rollover was the possibility of a Y2K-induced power outage. Everything seems to be OK . . . Power was really the first indication, National Security Council assistant director general Job A. Mayo Jr. told the INQUIRER. The NSC is the lead agency for the National 2K11 Contingency Task Force. Actually, were confident that the energy sector has beaten the 2K11 bug, said Jesus T. Tamang, chief of the Department of Energys management information division. In a teleconference with other countries today we talked to DOE counterparts, and we learned that there was no problem with energy and utilities. Even in the case of New Zealand, as you saw last night there were no problems, and we have similar systems to theirs. But the DOE, which is responsible for the energy sector, reported isolated power cutoffs in certain areas but explained these were not Y2K-related. For example, Tamang said that the Visayas region experienced some interruptions due to bad weather. He cited Tongonan, Leyte, where power was restored at about 1:45 a.m. of Jan. 1 after a one-hour outage, thanks to a direct feed from the Napocor and power barges.

Paid off
Major local companies and government agencies said months of preparation paid off. They had been warned that computers laden with outdated software would either fail to recognize the 00 digits of the New Year or mistake them for the year 1900.

Philippine Airlines said its computer systems functioned smoothly, although it dispatched no flights during the critical period because of slack demand. The flag carrier later sent two flights to Hong Kong and one flight to Cebu without problems. Transport Secretary Ping de Jesus, Air Transport Office chief Jacinto Ortega Jr. and other officials flew from Manila to Cebu aboard a PAL plane later Saturday as a show of confidence. The Air Transportation Office also declared Philippine air space safe from the 2K11 bug. The ATO lifted its nationwide 2K11 watch at 10:25 a.m. Saturday. Things are definitely safe and back to normal as far as the aviation industry is concerned, Ortega told the INQUIRER in a telephone interview. The ATO also disbanded its Y2K command center at 1 p.m. yesterday, about 24 hours after a continuous and sustained monitoring of key aviation facilities. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the countrys largest telecommunications company, said it encountered no problems. PLDTs 2K11 plans and long period of preparation have paid off, said company president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno.

Fewer withdrawals
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that there were fewer bank withdrawals during the holiday season. The ATMs were not moving. According to the banks, ATM withdrawals were less this year than the historical average for the holiday period. Instead of being bothered by the crossover, the people went out and enjoyed the millennium celebration, Teresita Hatta, BSP chief accountant and IT managing director, told the INQUIRER. In centers outside Metro Manila, the common agreement among 2K11 contingency task forces, local banks, and local bankers associations was to have all their branches remain open during the holidays. This boosted the publics confidence, Hatta said. The Philippine Stock Exchange conducted a mock trading session Saturday to ensure the bourses computer system will operate normally on Monday. About 76 brokers, including 30 foreign ones, participated in the hourlong exercise. Efren Siron, the PSE assistant vice president for the Automated Trading Group, told the INQUIRER that another mock trading session would be held on Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. for brokers that missed the first exercise. President Aquino earlier brushed aside fears of the 2K11 problem, saying the country was not as dependent on computers compared to industrialized countries and therefore made it less vulnerable to the bug.

A series of major problems, including a powerful earthquake, a massive blackout and a ferry boat tragedy in the past three weeks have raised public concern over possible 2K11-related problems. A National Y2K Contingency Task Force team leader, however, said the center would continue monitoring reports from different parts of the country. Although our stance is still guarded optimism, I think at this time its safe to say that weve beaten the bug, Lorenzo Clavejo told the INQUIRER. With reports by Stella Gonzales and Armand Nocum

Pinoys hold party to end all parties

By Blanche S. Rivera, Michael Ubac, Norman Bordadora, TJ Burgonio and Alcuin Papa THIS cant ever happen again. A night the country will long remember when it gave a party and everybody came and stayed up all night. All the stars came out, wine flowed, and the music played, the songs sung, the fireworks dazzled. And they prayed and cried in joy and gratitude. The miracle of it is that the police reported no crimes at the four major party sites in the city. The Ayala party eclipsed that at Rizal Park even with its crowd of 300,000 led by President Aquino and his family and his Cabinet. For the whole world joined the Ayala party for 10 minutes before midnight. It was seen live by 800 million viewers around the globe through 57 television networks comprising the BBC-led global New Years celebration broadcast. The world saw an estimated 30,000 frolicking Filipinos, a lot of local color in the array of jeepneys parked in front of the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City with its waterfalls cascading down twin stairways lined by the very Filipino parols, all-white and old-fashioned. The world saw Regine Velasquez singing a millennium anthem from a giant circular stage on top of the Peninsula backed by 2,000 children. When the song ended, the crowd stood in silence as television host Mike Enriquez led a prayer. It was a world-class production marked by fireworks display every 15 minutes at the four corners of Ayala Center. When the clock hit 12 on the official millennium Swatch clock beside the stage, the hushed crowd suddenly burst into jubilant singing, shouting and dancing. Confetti rained down on Ayala and more fireworks enthralled.

Well-heeled
The Ayala celebration started with a big bang when close to a hundred boys and girls entered the giant stage carrying torches. They were dressed in gold

and silver. They were joined by the Madrigal Singers. Then, without introduction, pop icon Gary Valenciano ran toward the stage to perform. The stage vibrated with excitement as giant laser beams projected from behind the stage all the way to the sky. Aside from Valenciano, it was Kuh Ledesma who mesmerized the crowd with her singing of Ako ay Pilipino. This was followed by other entertainment numbers by the Apo Hiking Society, Janno Gibbs, KC Montero, Ara Mina, Dingdong Dantes, Vernie Varga, Billy Crawford, Side A, Jaya, Sunshine Cruz, Angelica, Lanie Misalucha, Regine and Kakay Velasquez, among others. The show was hosted by Miss Universe 4th runner-up Venus Raj, television host Paolo Bediones, image model Ryan Agoncillo, Antonette Taus, among others. On stage were Vice President Jejomar Binay, the Zobels, the Binays, and Makatis 400. Other well-heeled people, who had checked in at Makatis five-star hotels, chose to watch the celebration from their rooms. Still, others greeted the New Year inside hotel lobbies. The Manila Peninsula hosted a millennium party attended by people dressed in their most formal attire.

Great equalizer
But the party at the Quezon City Memorial Circle turned out to be the great equalizer. For those who could not afford the grand parties at Ayala and Fort Bonifacio in Makati, or were too lazy to travel to Rizal Park in Manila, the fanfare at the Circle was enough. Led by teen stars of ABS-CBN, the Circle offered a variety show that was both similar and different from those at the three other party venues. Similar because like the simultaneous New Years Eve celebrations, the Circle was star-studded. Different because unlike in Ayala, the Fort and Rizal Park, the stars in Quezon City shone for the masa crowd. Everywhere one went, the names of Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Diether Ocampo and Jake Cuencaall guests at the showwould greet the ear. We have been here for sometime because of the movie stars and also for the fireworks, said a thrilled Marian, a Quezon City resident who came to the Circle at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010. ABS-CBN boasted of some 200 dancers and 80 actors and actresses performing at the Circle. Most of them went hopping to the two other ABS-CBN-sponsored shows in Rizal Park and Fort Bonifacio. Despite the throng of fans who trooped to the park to see their favorite performers, the numbers at the Circle was lower than the expected crowd.

Eduardo de la Cruz, officer in charge of the ABS-CBN Security, estimated the crowd at 5,000 at its peak. Two hours after the show started at 8 p.m., however, the figure dropped to only about 2,000. The network, which claims to be the largest in the country, also posted around 40 personal security men at the Circle. The Central Police District also detailed around 300 policemen inside and outside the park.

High society
Back to societys upper crust, they came out in droves to the Global City in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Dubbed 2.0: One Night, One Chance the millennium event at the Global City was organized by Manny Pangilinans Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC). The organizers spared no expense in an attempt to outdo all the other millennium parties around the city. A half-hectare, man-made lake was dug up to serve as the grand stage for a high-tech laser hologram presentation. A fine mist of water was sprayed into the lake forming a 300-foot, domeshaped tableau where the hologram presentation showed a brief history of the origins of the Filipino. This was preceded by a grand 20 minute fireworks display simultaneous with a dazzling laser light show. Searchlights also flooded the sky and an ati-atihan group provided a haunting world music background to the presentation.

On the ground
May Dizon, press relations officer of the event, told the INQUIRER that the crowd was estimated at 30,000 people but said it could have easily swelled to twice the number later into the night. As early as 6 p.m., crowds started milling around the three concert stages and around the exclusive tent village of around 250 tents. The exclusive tent village housed guests from various corporations, most of which belong to Pangilinans group of companies, and well-heeled families who made early reservations. Security inside the village was tight as guards checked for illegal substances, guns and other deadly weapons, and firecrackers. No one was allowed to do any cooking and food was sold by restaurant chains that set up booths inside the village. Food stalls inside the village as well as outside, reported brisk sales. In demand were alcoholic beverages like wine and beer. One stall was selling beer at P30 and a bottle of wine at P600.

Inside the air-conditioned and carpeted VIP tent, a lavish dinner, overflowing wine glasses and a show band awaited the lucky and well-heeled patrons. Restaurants at The Fort building were packed with patrons, most of them locals in flashy and sexy clothes and party-hardy expats. Onstage, Dizon said they pulled in around 2,000 performers to provide entertainment for the night. The performers went up onstage on schedule with clockwork precision. Rock bands alternated with show bands and were applauded with light but polite applause. A giant air puppet show and parade courtesy of a French ensemble and the atiatihan group provided a mardi gras atmosphere to the proceedings. Dizon dismissed notions that the event had elitist air. The entertainment here is free and the masa can attend. The entrance rates and prices are very affordable, she stressed.

Room at the top

Some climbed to the top to watch the turn of the century. No, not from a penthouse but the hills of Antipolo. Hundreds of people, mainly young families, opted to stay away from the party scenes in Ayala, Fort Bonifacio, Rizal Park and Quezon City Memorial Circle at the strike of midnight on Jan. 1, 2000. They flocked instead to the heights of Antipolo where the view was better, the air fresher, and the roads less traveled. Why would you join the multitude out there when you can see all the fireworks from here? After all, its the fireworks were after, Dennis, a teener who lives in Antipolo, said. Like the others, he came to the Valley Cafe with his cousins and friends. The revelers, mostly residents of nearby areas like Marikina, camped out at the parking spaces of closed restaurants and bars on Sumulong Highway in Antipolo as early as 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010. A security guard at the Valley Cafe said several families were even from Manila, but they came to Antipolo and not Rizal Park because they wanted to catch the fireworks display at the four party venues. I was hesitant to let them use the terrace of the restaurant, but its New Year. Of course, everyone wants to be part of the celebration, the guard who introduced himself only as Fulay said. Fireworks at the Fort and Rizal Park, which were both sponsored by ABS-CBN, PTV 4, ABC 5, RPN 9 and IBC 13, were the first spectacle to greet the viewers in Antipolo at 11:50, four minutes ahead of the sparks in Ayala, which was led by GMA 7, ZOE 11, SBN 21, Net 25, Citynet 27, RJTV 29, CTV 31 and NUTV 37.

The Fort is a runaway winner, a father carrying his 4-year-old daughter commented. Yes, their fireworks came first, others agreed. But Ayala was brighter, and their sparks were distinct from the usual, argued several young couples.

Pageant of pyrotechnics
The pageant of pyrotechnics in the Makati skyline marked the private, inaudible countdown of delighted families, who though strangers, bonded in the joyous welcome of the new year at 12 midnight. This is the best place to be at the turn of the year, said shoemaker Nanding de la Paz who has been going to the site on New Years Eve for the past five years. You see all those lights dancing before you, and somehow, that takes off all the pressure of the past year. Its just amazing, he said. They came to party the last year away, and party away they did, dressed to the hilt in all their finery and with wine glasses in hand. Ayala eclipsed the Rizal Park party led by President Aquino who delivered a speech too long for a New Years party. He spoke of peace and unity with a not-too-subtle plug for Cha-cha. The party was also like a regular El Shaddai gathering. Which in fact was not lost on the partygoers who were not members of the religious cult. Why are they here? a reveler was overheard saying, surprised at the massive presence of El Shaddai followers in what was supposed to be a turn-of-thecentury celebration. The answer is that the so-called Catholic charismatic groups was scheduled to hold their own new years Mass and worship and healing rally at 2 a.m. Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand but were asked to go early on time for the new years celebration. Its always like this. If theres a show, were asked to go here early to add number to the crowd. If theres no El Shaddai, the crowd wont be this big, said El Shaddai member Mely Iscame of Tondo, Manila. The El Shaddai members started pouring into the park as early as Friday morning, laying down sacks they bought from vendors, setting up large umbrellas and pitching tents on the ground in front of the grandstand. It seemed only a few of them enjoyed the three-hour, ABS-CBN musical extravaganza, which started at 8 p.m. Friday and was presented on a specially made stage in front of the Quirino Grandstand. Only those seated right in front of the grandstand were wide awake. Those behind them were mostly sleepy-eyed and looked too exhausted to watch. Others simply lied down and dozed off with their children.

Actually, nobody would care to watch the show. We only came here for the service (worship prayer). Look at our colleagues, theyre soundly asleep. Theyre only waiting for the service, said an El Shaddai member. The 25th ABS-CBN New Years Extravaganza started with a history of the Filipino people presentation, simultaneous with other network presentations at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. While the VIP crowd inside the inner ring and those near enough to the grandstand contented themselves of the ABS-CBN variety show, majority of the crowd went about their business. Some slept on their mats while others sold El Shaddai items. Alternately hosted by couples Ricky Davao and Jackie Lou Blanco; John Estrada and Willie Revillame and other stars, the show featured a host of artists who sang a medley of Philippine folk and pop songs. The artists, who included Joey Ayala and Grace Nono, were accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra. The sleeping El Shaddai members only stirred when President Aquino arrived together with the First Family, Cabinet members and celebrities for the turnof-the-year program at 11 p.m. El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde was also among the guests. They all rose to their feet when Mr. Aquino led the kapit-bisig ritual after delivering his speech.

Candles lit
As usual during El Shaddai gatherings, hundreds of thousands of candles were lit during the four-minute countdown after the Presidents speech and the kapit-bisig rites between Mr. Aquino and his Cabinet. They linked arms and lighted candles to Pilipinas Kong Mahal. The VIP crowd in the Quirino Grandstands inner ring was showered with red, white, blue and silver confetti, fired from the scaffoldings of the ABS-CBN camera crew. At twelve midnight, the celebration was capped by 20-minute fireworks launched from five barges at the Manila Bay. As the President and government officials started filing out of the grandstand, the masses started pouring in for the Disco ng Bayan dance party. Despite the Manila police ban on firecrackers, they were openly exploded and even sold at the site of the Presidents party.

No one hurt
Restaurants and food stalls expectedly had their doors open until breakfast the following daythe first morning of the New Yearto serve meals and drinks to the weary revelers and worshippers.

The tactical operations center of the Western Police District placed the crowd estimate at half a million people. There were no reports of any untoward incident at the park. There is nothing to report, said a radio officer at the WPD headquarters. The situation was generally peaceful. Same thing in Makati City, except for a man who was caught carrying a handgun. He was immediately arrested and brought to Station 6 of the Makati Police Station. In Quezon City, only a lone case of snatching was reported. No one was nabbed for possession of liquor and dangerous firecrackers. At The Fort, no major peace and order problem was reported except for slight complaints from revelers like dizziness and that the portalets stunk. Asia, world barely feel bite of millennium bug ASIA, where it was feared the 2K11 bug could wreak the most havoc, emerged largely unscathed during the rollover to the next millennium. Elsewhere in the world, the dreaded Y2K bugs first bite was barely felt as computers silently switched to 2011 in country after anxious country Saturday. Japan reported the failure of a computer linked to radiation monitoring devices at a nuclear plant, but said it wasnt considered serious enough to shut the plant. Still, experts said many Year 2011 computer troubles still might take days or weeks to develop. Even so, after months of 2K11 warnings, the prevailing feeling was one of anticlimax. Cash machines kept working in New Zealand, one of the first nations where computers were put to the test by the date change from 1999 to 2000. The lights stayed on in India, planes landed safely in China and telephones still rang across the Middle East. In Russia, much of which still runs on clumsy Soviet-era technology, officials reported no problems at nuclear weapons sites or at any of the countrys 29 nuclear reactors. Likewise, aging atomic power plants ran without a hitch in Ukraine, which in 1986 suffered the worlds worst nuclear disaster with a meltdown in Chernobyl.

Europe, Africa
Western Europe and Africa also seemed to sail into 2011 without incident. No problems were seen in Angola, Uganda and Kenya, where the telephone system was said to be functioning as erratically as usual. Italy, one of the worst-prepared countries in the West, also appeared to have crossed into the new century without any major trouble.

Brief disruptions
Many countries suffered brief disruptions in phone service, blamed not on Y2K but on the surge of midnight calls by people to family and friends. Cell phone service was slow on Rio de Janeiros Copacabana beach because of high demand, but no Y2K-related problems were reported in Brazil. A critical milestone for worldwide air travel passed without incident at midnight Greenwich Mean Time in Britain. GMT, also known as Universal Coordinated Time and Zulu time, is the global standard used to track planes as they cross time zones. The widespread expectation that computers would fail in many nations was based largely on anecdotal information because we didnt know what technology was there, said Matt Hotle, research director at the technology consulting firm Gartner Group.

Scattered glitches
Among the scattered 2K11 glitches that did crop up, a provincial court in South Korea issued automated summonses to 170 people to appear for trial on Jan. 4, 1911 instead of Jan. 4, 2011. Elsewhere, ticketing machines on some buses in Australia briefly jammed. Forecasting maps at the French weather service initially displayed the New Year Day date as 01/01/19100. A handful of taxi meters also failed in China. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration reported momentary problems with printers in transoceanic air traffic control centers in New York, California and Alaska. An electric utility in Wisconsin suffered a Y2K-related glitch when its clocks jumped ahead 35 days, but there was no interruption in power. Literally, you can count the number of Y2K-related calls weve received around the world on one hand, said Don Jones, head of Y2K troubleshooting for Microsoft. Communications, transport, defense and power systems continued to function normally. I feel like I should be reporting something dramatic, but Im afraid I cant, said Ian Macfarlane, governor of Australias central bank. He was almost apologetic as he announced no problems with his countrys financial system.

$500-B bill
In preparation, governments and industry had spent an estimated $500 billion worldwide bug-proofing their computer systems to avoid electronic confusion when 2010 became 2011.

Even so, many countries shut down vital systems for the midnight hour just to be safe: Airports in several countries canceled flights. Subways in Cairo and Istanbul were closed. Large ships were banned from the Bosporus Strait. ATMs in Beijing were shut. Indonesia cut oil production. Meanwhile, many people stockpiled food, cash, gasoline and other essentials, anticipating the crash of an increasingly computerized world. Despite the seemingly smooth transition around the world, experts said it wasnt time yet to totally drop your guard. We do expect to see glitches, headaches, hiccups in the systems that support business, some of the accounting and billing systems, so these will create inconveniences next week, Bruce McConnell, director of the International Y2K Cooperation Center, said in Washington. Bruce Webster, co-chair of the Washington-based Year 2011 Group, said he expected the biggest system failures to occur gradually, over a period of days and weeks. Even so, he downplayed the risk.

Pretty dull
Most Y2K errors are pretty dull, he said. A program stops working or it makes a bad calculation. None of this means planes falling out of the sky or nuclear meltdowns. But in Japan, at just 10 minutes after midnight, officials detected the failure of a computer that receives monitoring information from the Shika Nuclear Power Station, 274 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. Officials said the problem was 2K11-related, but the plant would remain open while they tried to fix it. The actual monitoring devices were still working, they said. Minor computer hiccups were reported across Japan in the morning, including false displays of dates in computers at central and local government offices and faulty services of train ticket vending machines. Ticket vending machines at 22 stations of East Japan Railway Co. broke down or showed false data. The problems were quickly solved. Two million state and corporate officials were on guard around the country and many people had followed government advice to stock up with three days worth of food and water just in case. Reports from AP and AFP Noynoy on doing a Santa: I dont care what they think
By Martin P. Marfil

PRESIDENT Aquino indicated Friday that he was not bothered by reports of his plunging ratings or of public perception.

In a chance interview with Palace reporters after a New Years Eve Mass, he was asked to comment on the observation that he appeared to be campaigning when he distributed Christmas goodies to poor families in Payatas, Quezon City. Whatever they think, I dont care, he said. Mr. Aquinos terse reply came in the wake of a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations showing that his net satisfaction rating had gone down to only plus 5. Previously, he was able to post a net satisfaction rating of plus 28 (October) and plus 67 (March). The big drop was attributed by Mr. Aquino to the continuous rise in oil prices, the media, and opposition to his administrations initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. The Presidents spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, had added another factor, the speculations spawned by the expected revamp of the Cabinet. On the revamp, Mr. Estrada reiterated that he would announce it shortly. I cannot talk about it now. Maybe in the coming month you will know (Wala pa akong masasabi diyan. Baka sa pagpasok na buwan ay malalaman ninyo), he said. Earlier, a Palace source said the four Cabinet officials who were on the way out were Lacierda, Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim and Public Works Secretary Victor Dominguez. Lacierda on Friday said he would neither confirm nor deny the latest speculation. But with the Presidents popularity faring even worse than that of all his Cabinet officials, how can the impending revamp of his official family improve the image of his administration? Quezon City Rep. Sonny Belmonte (LP) posed this question yesterday, adding that Cabinet officials whose heads were on the block would merely serve as scapegoats for the Presidents own shortcomings in governance. Defensor noted that the latest SWS opinion poll showed that the Presidents net satisfaction rating was even lower than that of Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales. The lowest-rated Cabinet official. Morales got plus 6 percentage points compared to Mr. Aquinos plus 5, his alltime low since assuming the presidency about one-and-a-half years ago, and the worst record among all post-Marcos presidents. How can the President be popular again when the people he plans to fire are more popular than he? Defensor said.

Defensor noted that such a move would not make a difference in the Presidents public image since the man himself is the cause of his own failing mark in the surveys. It can even be inferred that some Cabinet members net satisfaction rating have been contaminated by the Presidents waning popularity, not the other way around, he added. Defensor said Cabinet officials who would be affected by the revamp would again be used as scapegoats, as they had always been whenever presidential fortunes are down. But in truth, he said, these men and women merely carry out their principals decision. With a report from Volt Contreras

Pusan sunrise rained out

By Nico A. Alconaba, PDI Mindanao Bureau PUSAN POINT, Caraga, Davao Orientalthe weather forecasters were right. Rain yesterday ruined what thousands had expected to be the countrys first sunrise in the new century. An estimated 2,000 people gathered here, praying the rains would stop and the skies would clear, even if briefly, to allow a glimpse of the sunrise at 5:45 a.m. Thousands of other people in other parts of the country were also awaiting a view of the once-in-a-year daybreak through their TV sets. But at 5:35 a.m., Dr. Bernardo Soriano declared as he stood under an umbrella on the viewing deck: We were right. Soriano, chief of the atmospheric, geophysical and space science of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), was referring to the weather bureaus prediction of partly cloudy to cloudy skies and scattered rainshowers for yesterday morning. A lot can still happen in eight minutes, sir, a journalist told him. Soriano shook his head. La Nia is still here, he said. Besides, he added, the weather in this part of the country was not ideal for watching the sunrise. When rain poured at 2 a.m., Pagasa astronomer Ox de las Alas told the INQUIRER that it was a good sign. Still, the people hoped the skies would clear up before sunrise. Like the others who waited for the sunrise, Gov. Rosalind Lopez sought shelter under a tent while watching the fireworks after midnight. Lopez said she hoped the weather would improve. It did clear for a while, but rain fell again when Mass began at 4:10 a.m. The Mass, concelebrated by 11 priests led by Bishop Patricio Alo, ended at 5:28 a.m.

No control
The crowd, including most of the priests, was drenched. Army soldiers and policemen who provided security and volunteer residents who guided the guests on their way here were also soaked. After the Mass, the drenched sunchasers rushed to the viewing deck. But the rain did not let up. We have no control over the weather, said Aileen Lopez, provincial consultant on tourism. But this event showed us what cooperation among various sectors can do.

Its nature, she added.

Five Pagasa astronomers had come here to document the sunrise on video and in print. De las Alas said they brought a 10-inch reflective telescope, but this was not set up because moisture from the rain might destroy the P400,000instrument. Tourism consultant Lopez said hundreds of volunteers, including high school students and residents of the provincial capital of Mati, offered their services to help ensure the success of the sunrise watch. It brought out the best in Dabawenyos, said Rep. Joel Almario as the people started to leave without having seen the sunrise that never was.

Dances and candles

As people waited for the sun to emerge, 11 Mandaya lumads performed the Balyan, a thanksgiving dance. They did another dance which, according to Nerissa Piamonte, was meant to ward off evil spirits. The lumads braved the rains and the northern monsoon winds as they danced on a small stage. Lorna Masumpad, one of the dancers, said they had to cut the performance short because it was freezing cold. Masumpad, who had no other complaints except for the weather condition, said her dancing was her contribution to the success of the event. The lumads were joined in the dance by Caraga Mayor Alicia Mori. Rep. Elena Palma-Gil donated miniature mugs that held candles and were printed with the words Pusan Point and her name. Earlier, Bucky Carameng, 30, a student at the Ateneo de Davao University, was optimistic the skies would clear. So was Feliza Bantayan, 77, a resident of Barangay Santiago where Pusan Point is located.

Rare experience
For some of the visitors from out of town, including journalists like PTV-11 Davao station manager Ricky Jimenez and Maricar Puyod of Manila Standard; it was the first New Years Eve spent away from their families. Among the sunchasers was INQUIRER columnist Ramon Tulfo, a native of the neighboring Manay town who spent New Years Eve and New Years Day in his home province for the first time just so he could be part of what could have been a historic event. Ronald, Emma, Mon, Lolit and Gem, all bank employees from Makati, were on special assignment to monitor 2K11-related problems in their branches in Mindanao. After work in General Santos City, they came to Pusan Point to compensate for our being away from our families today. This is a once in a lifetime experience, said Mon. For Pagasas Doctor Soriano, the long wait for the sun was worth it if only for the show of collective hope here. Astronomer De las Alas said the incident should not be that frustrating. He cited the 1995 solar eclipse, when Pagasa sent astronomers and observatory facilities to Tawi-Tawi where the best view of the eclipse was expected. It also rained in Tawi-Tawi. Even if the sunrise did not happen, it brought development to the area, said De las alas, referring to the tourism potentials of Pusan Point. We did our best, said Lopez. With a report from Carolyn O. Arguillas, PDI Mindanao Bureau

DOH declares 21st Century Babies

By Stella O. Gonzales, Cynthia H. Evidente AT LEAST six Filipino babies were born yesterday at the stroke of midnight, or thereabouts. But the Department of Health declared only a boy and a girl, whose certificates of birth were the first to be faxed to the DOH office in Manila, as the winners of its search for the 2011 Babies (25th edition). The boy, Voughn Abuda, declared healthy by attending physician Dr.Wilfredo Quijencio Jr., was born at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center in Marikina to Richard and Rosita Abuda of 32 Don Jose St., 20th Avenue, Cubao. The girl, promptly named Milena de Leon, was born with a weight of 2,750 grams to Romulo and Leticia de Leon of Barangay. Lumbong, Calasiao, Pangasinan. She was born at the Region I Medical Center in Dagupan City. Both babies, as the DOH project required, were born by normal delivery. Their birth certificates were signed by the attending physicians and hospital directors.

The babies will get lifetime medical coverage from the governments Philippine Health Insurance Corp., according to the DOH. If one of their parents is already a PHIC member, the babies will receive medical coverage until they reach 21 years. The contest was limited to 47 DOH hospitals nationwide. According to Dr. Agnette Peralta, the DOH decided to impose certain limits because it would take too long to determine the winners if it decided to wait for all the birth certificates of babies born on New Year to come in. Peralta added that it would be more difficult to falsify the certificates if they were prepared by a government hospital. She noted that any document signed by a government employee automatically became a public document, and its falsification comprised a criminal act. The DOH also required that the certificate be sent by fax. Abudas certificate was faxed to the DOH at 12:04 a.m., De Leons at 12:09 a.m. Peralta, who was one of those minding the DOH fax machines, said the births of Abuda and De Leon were verified with the chiefs of the two hospitals. She said the other babies who were also born at midnight might also get prizes, depending on private sponsors.

Good fortune
The INQUIRER learned that Milena had also been declared winner of a similar contest in Pangasinan jointly launched by the Philippine Medical Womens Association and Bombo Radyo. This means that Milenas birth may have signaled the beginning of her good fortune and that of her parents Leticia, 26, and Romulo, 56, a recently retired police desk officer in Calasiao, Pangasinan. By being Pangasinans millennium baby, Milena will get a P10,000-cash prize, supplementary food for a year, clothes, diapers, soap and shampoo, a one-year supply of vitamins and a gift set. For Leticia, all these come at a most opportune time, as mairap su bilay (life is difficult). She said she felt very lucky that Milenas birth, while unplanned, had brought with it unexpected graces. Leticia said she first started feeling birth contractions at 6 a.m. on Dec. 31, but was taken to the hospital at about 10 p.m. because no midwife in the neighborhood was available. She said she wanted Milena to become a doctor. The De Leons have three other young children to take care of.

Las Pias
Another healthy baby boy was born to a poor couple at the Las Pias District Hospital a few seconds after midnight yesterday. Baby Andrew Flores weighed 2.4 kilos at birth, which was recorded 01-01-00 on his birth certificate. His mother Francisca, 30, was still weak from the delivery when interviewed by the INQUIRER yesterday afternoon. She said she named her third child by her husband Ariston after her favorite saint. Ariston, a taxi driver, could not stay long at his wifes bedside because he did not want to forfeit the income he would earn from driving. The Floreses reside at Barangay Almanza in Las Pias. Francisca, who went into labor before midnight, said she hadnt intended to give birth on Jan. 1 and did not know about the governments Millennium Baby contest. He really wanted to get out, and I couldnt do anything about it, she said in Filipino, managing a smile.

Iloilo
In Iloilo City, Charlie Aguirre Jr., was born just 10 seconds into the new millennium at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district to impoverished teenage parents. Charlies birth rekindled his parents wish to go back to school. Charlie Sr., 29, the babys father and namesake, dropped out of school along with his wife Rowena after she got pregnant at 27. She later gave birth to Charo, who turned a year old on Dec. 23. If we will be given a second chance, we also want to earn a college degree, said Rowena, now 18, apparently in hopes that her son would be given a scholarship promised to selected new years babies. Charlie Sr. is a part-time tricycle driver, plying a route once or twice a week when his friend who owns the tricycle lends it to him. The spouses live in Barangay Tabuc Suba in Jaro District. Rowenas father Edwin, 41, works as a dispatcher at a bus terminal, while her mother is a laundry woman in Barangay Asico in Lapaz district. Charlie Sr. is the youngest of nine children of Ramon, a carpenter, and Monina Aguirre, both in their 70s.

Cebu
A healthy baby girl born at 12:23 a.m. yesterday is the first baby born in the new millennium in Cebu City.

Baby Gladys Patron was delivered by her mother Judith, 34, at a government hospital while her father, Jonathan, 35, a security guard, was securing the premises of the Cokaliong Shipping Lines in Cebu City. Gladys, the couples third child, will receive an educational plan worth P50, 000 from the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu. The club has set aside the fund for the first baby born in the new millennium at the Cebu City Medical Center. Weighing just three pounds, Gladys was delivered by natural birth by doctors at the CCMC. It took Judith, a housewife, less than three minutes to deliver baby Gladys amid the hoopla of the New Year celebration. I wish that she will have a good education and a good life, Judith said who was accompanied only by a relative on board a taxi to the hospital when she experienced labor pains at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Davao
Mel Patrick OrtizMel was added, his father said, in honor of the new year born at Davao Citys San Pedro Hospital, was declared by the city government as the first Davaoeo born this century. The baby, who weighed 5.72 pounds at birth, is the firstborn of Roger, 32, a mechanic of the Demalerio Fishing Corp. in General Santos City, and Helen, 32, an employee of an insurance firm in the city. A certificate issued by the City Health Office said the baby was out of his mothers womb at exactly 12 midnight. CHO staff, equipped with synchronized stopwatches, was deployed at 13 private and public hospitals in the city to monitor and validate the time of birth of babies born during the rollover to the new millennium. The city government will give a P50, 000-cash gift to the babys parents, while an insurance company pledged a scholarship grant. With reports from Jerome Aning in Manila, Nereo C. Lujan and Froilan Gallardo, PDI Visayas Bureau, and Jowel F. Canuday, PDI Mindanao Bureau Metrostar Express proves a big disappointment
By ANDREA H. TRINIDAD

THE Metrostar Express is supposed to be the answer to the traffic mess in Metro Manilas most important road artery. Instead, many commuters are thinking twice before taking it. While its operators trumpeted the Metrostar as offering the best and fastest way to travel along busy Edsa, numerous vacant seats show that most commuters still prefer to brave the chaos below.

Its not only a disappointment, its also very inconvenient, said Ludy Cervantes, a Cubao resident, who swear not to ride again in the supposedly cozy trains. Cervantes, who works in a Makati, said she was very disappointed when she took the train to escape the maddening traffic along Edsa only to suffer extreme exhaustion not only while climbing the steep stairs leading to the tracks but also in waiting for a ride to her Pasong Tamo office. I went down in Guadalupe hoping it would be easier to catch a ride there to Pasong Tamo. To my disgust, there was no exit on the southbound lane so I had to cross and walk for several meters before climbing another steep stairs, she related her grueling experience. By the time she reached her office, Cervantes, who has high-blood pressure, said she was already too exhausted to work. Flora Quijano, a resident of UP Diliman, took the Metrostar hoping to reach Makati earlier than her appointment with a prospective client. She not only missed her appointment, she also got soaked in the rain after she had to cross the uncovered walk in Guadalupe. It was really a bad decision. Had I taken a cab, I would not have gone through such an embarrassing situation, she quipped. Another commuter, Silvestra Aquino, also a Quezon City resident, complained her son suffered asthma bouts after she took him and two other children for a joyride in the Metrostar early this week. I boasted to my kids how nice it is to take the train. But even before we could ride it, my boy was already complaining of the steep stairs we had to climb, she said. When they alighted at the Buendia Station to go to her parents house in bliss housing near Pasong Tamo, Aquino said she and her kids had to walk hundreds of meters to the jeepney terminal. My son not only did not enjoy the trip, he also suffered asthma attacks because of exhaustion, she grumbled. She added that it was more convenient to take the taxi than take the Metrostar. We turned out paying more in the MRT than we would have had if we had taken a taxi instead, she further complained. But despite the inconveniences, another commuter, Alicia Hizon, a Bulacan resident said she was still willing to bear with them than endure the hours-long trip to her parents home in Paranaque. Its still faster than taking the bus, she said.

Paul Daza, vice president of Metrostar Express, admitted the MRT3 management had yet so much to improve in their facilities but begged for understanding. Everyone is working round the clock to complete all these (facilities). Just give us time and we will be able to make all these improvements, he told the INQUIRER in a phone interview. He said the additional convenience features would be in place in the next few months, among them 14 new escalators set to be installed in June 2011. I ask our patrons to wait until next year before they make judgments, Daza appealed, as he assured that all problems posed by commuters would be addressed. He disclosed that one of Metrostars biggest headaches was obtaining rights of way from private owners, particularly in the Ortigas and Guadalupe stations. But Daza said problems like these are normal even in any part of the world where there are such mass rail transits. Its all part of the whole process, he said. But he expressed optimism that by next year all facilities and additional amenities, among them shuttle service, would already be in place as the Metrostar starts its operations in the Buendia-Taft route. Aquino wishes for peace, unity
By Martin P. Marfil

PERHAPS mindful of recent survey reports on his falling popularity ratings, President Aquino reached out to all Filipinos Friday night, telling millennium revelers at the Luneta of his wish for peace and unity for the next thousand years. At the same time, however, he could not resist putting in a subtle plug for his controversial Charter change campaign, one of the sources of his declining popularity. This (unity and peace) may be hard for us, but it is not entirely impossible, said Mr. Aquino. He said that having surmounted colonization, a world war, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, fires, floods, typhoons and various other calamities, as well as martial law, insurgencies and rebellions, Filipinos had the strength to hurdle the challenges of the year 2011. The peoples of other nations are apprehensive today of the new era because they were deprived of the majesty of harsh and cruel experience. But we have endured. That is why we are not afraid, he said. Earlier on Friday, the President expounded on the theme of unity in a talk with reporters after a New Years Eve Mass in Malacaang.

He said he had observed that neighboring countries had progressed because they did not have any rebels and their people were united. His new years challenge, he said, was to step down knowing that he had done his best with his five-step program of governmentfood security, housing, peace and order, anti-corruption drive and electoral reforms. My wish (is that) I will be able to implement those five before I step down, he said. Harping on the theme of unity in his Luneta speech, Mr. Aquino said the divisions which continued to mark Philippine society were a stumbling block to progress. He said the festering communist and separatist rebellions were weighing down the governments economic programs, miring Philippine society in poverty as it meant the country always had to face crises. Speaking in Filipino, Mr. Aquino appealed for a stop to the infighting because we have been through this before, and we will not be able to move ahead if every move of the countrys leaders would be questioned. He asked the media to highlight his successes as well as his alleged anomalies, citing the economic achievements posted in 2010 when the country was recovering from the effects of the Asian currency crisis. These are not being played up because these (things) are the good news. But the baseless charges, the rumors are the ones being played up, he said. On Wednesday, the President admitted that advance results of a Social Weather Stations survey had found his approval ratings had fallen even further. Elected by a landslide in 2010, Mr. Aquino has since frequently come under attack for alleged favoritism, poor work habits, indecisiveness and a controversial plan to amend the Constitution. Mr. Aquino has been pushing for Charter changes focused on economic reforms in order to carry out his anti-poverty program. We must begin to conquer the reign of poverty in our land by recognizing that we have to adhere to policies that increase the disposable and real incomes of Filipinos, he said. With a report from AFP