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“It is therefore our hope that we will be more generous in our almsgiving this Lent,” – Cardinal Tagle
On Holy Monday, March 21, 2016 from 6:00 in the morning till 6:00 in the evening, Caritas Manila, in partnership with Radio Veritas 846, will conduct its Alay Kapwa telethon to raise awareness and funds for Caritas Damayan (Preventive Health and Disaster Management Program).
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Each year, an average of 20 storms and typhoons hit the Philippines. During this time, many people especially the poor need help and assistance. Caritas Manila, the lead social services and development ministry of the Church, responds to crises and calamities through Caritas Damayan, providing emergency and relief assistance, humanitarian aid to victims and educates disaster-prone communities by conducting pre-disaster trainings and help in the restoration and rebuilding of communities.
In 2015, Alay Kapwa funds were exhausted in Caritas Damayan’s relief operations to help our brothers and sisters affected by typhoons (Egay, Ineng, Lando, and Nona), and other minor disasters in urban poor communities such as fires, floods and tropical depressions. Caritas Damayan also extended its help to the internally displaced Lumads. With the increasing number of disasters and crises being responded to, Alay Kapwa funds get immediately depleted.
As a response, Caritas Manila and Radio Veritas will conduct Alay Kapwa Telethon 2016. The program is meant to support social services of the poor and most in need, especially during times of disaster.
Veritas846 will start its special programming at 6:00am through the news and public affairs program, Veritas Pilipinas. Anchors Ms. Jing Lanzona, Fr. Nono Alfonso and guest anchor Fr. Ric Valencia, priest-in-charge of Caritas Damayan, will talk about the mission of Alay Kapwa program of Caritas Manila. It will also feature interviews of Caritas Manila Executive Director and Radio Veritas president Rev. Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual and Sr. Sonia Hernandez, Assistant of the Social Action Director of San Fernando, La Union.
The public affairs program, “Barangay Simbayan” will give way for the special interviews with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle D.D., the 2012 Goldman Prize Recipient Fr. Edu Gariguez, Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) Director Fr. Kenneth Alde, and Social Action Center of the Prelature of Infanta, Quezon Director Fr. Israel Gabriel about the spirituality of Alay Kapwa.
From 10:00am to 12:00nn, the magazine program, “Pamilya Mo, Pamilyako” will be pre-empted with a special program that will feature interviews with Caritas Visayas and Mindanao operation officer-in-charge Fr. Emerson Luego and Diocese of Bayombong Social Action Director Fr. Enrique Tiongson. They will also talk about typhoon incidents in the Philippines together with representatives from The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Meanwhile, in lieu of the daily public service programs, “Caritas sa Veritas” and “Tagumpay sa Kalusugan”, talks and interviews with Fr. Fortunato Estrillore, Indigenous People’s Apostolate Director of Tandag Diocese and Fr. Dan Cansino, Executive Secretary of Episcopal Commission on Health Care programs about ARM conflict, health issues and Climate Change with reference His Holiness Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si will be aired
The public service programs, “Health Advocacy Programs” at 3:00pm and “Usapang KKK with Dr. Irene Lim” from 4:00pm to 4:30pm willbe pre-empted with discussions led by Veritas846 advocates Riza Mendoza and Reyn Letran about fire incidents in Metro Manila and the onslaught of El Nińo phenomenon affecting our ountry with guests from Quiapo Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Social Action Director of Archdiocese of Cotabato Rev. Fr. Clifford Baira, a representative from Caritas Manilas’Social Services and Development Ministry and Fr. Rey Yatco, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Mandaluyong.
From 4:30 to 6:00pm, an interview with representatives from Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) about earthquake and other disaster threats will be aired instead of public service programs “Dok Alternatibo” and “Kalusugan at Kabuhayan” respectively. They will also talk about the Damay Kapanalig, the Disaster Communication program of Veritas846 that provides real time communication linkages between dioceses and relief rehabilitation agencies of the Church before, during and after calamities. The special programming will be concluded with a message from Caritas Manila.
All throughout the day, testimonies from the beneficiaries of Alay Kapwa activities will also be featured. A special page about the Alay Kapwa program is also available at the website, veritas846.ph/alaykapwa2016.
Archdiocese of Manila, His Eminece Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D., appealed support to Alay Kapwain his Pastoral Letter for Alay Kapwa 2016.
“Once again we appeal to you my brothers and sisters to support Alay Kapwa. In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us heed the call of Pope Francis to practice mercy through concrete acts of charity,” Cardinal Tagle said.
Listeners can participate and donate in the telethon by calling 925-7931 to 39. Phone lines will be open throughout the live broadcast on Radio Veritas 846 and also via livestreaming at www.veritas846.ph.
Donations are accepted through our Peso Bank Accounts:
Account Name: Caritas Manila Inc.
BPI Account Number: 3063-5357-01
BDO Account Number: 5600-45905
Metrobank Account Number: 175-3-17506954-3
and any CebuanaLhuillier branch (free of charge).
To know more about Caritas Manila, visit www.caritasmanila.org.ph or call our DonorCare lines at 563-9311, 564-0205, 0999-7943455, 0905-4285001 or 0929-8343857.
