WYD 1995 in Manila, Philippines
By bluepanjeet on Apr 26, 2008 in World Youth Day
WORLD YOUTH DAY - JORNADA MUNDIAL DELA JUVENTUD - GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTU - JOURNEE MONDIALE DE LA JEUNESSE - JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE - WELTJUGENDTAG
Well how could I ever describe the magnificent experience of WYD 1995? Actually, experiencing and seeing Pope John Paul II in person just a meter away, is like being blessed a thousand times. Anti-JPII would never agree on me on this, but how can you ever explain the unexplainable? especially when you have a rock-hard heart at that time yet seeing him with your own eyes just melted you away and walked home still crying and wondering on why the heck did you poured tears publicly in the first place? That was the time I realized that the real cowards are those people who does not know how to cry! Technically speaking, I was crying because of the spiritual majesty of the Christ’s representative here on earth. I was literally crying for a saint! Take it from me, as a very spiritually sensitive person, I already experienced the different kinds of chills, goosebumps and horror of the spirit world. But the chill that ran down my spine when I saw the Pope in person on that day was so unbearable to take, so wonderful and awesome to behold (and I was not even religious at that time) that your mind can’t even explain nor control your body’s surrender to your heart. It is as if the holiness of John Paul II pierces your sinful soul like a double edged sword. World Youth Day in Manila is still fresh on my memory that seeing the photos that I gathered flashes back those wonderful moments in Luneta. Would you believe that up to now, whenever I remember my experience in seeing him in person, my eyes still get misty? Experience WYD 1995 here at OTWOMD! and again I will echo the words that enveloped the Philippines during those five glorious days wherein not a single crime in Manila was recorded nor documented, albeit there was really none; John Paul II, We Love You!
THEME: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn 20:21)
LOGO
- The cross made of bamboo pole represents Christ. The bamboo pole is the indiginous wood of the Philippines used for variety of home and utility purposes. It also represents the Christianization of the Philippines 400 years ago.
- The three tiered sail represents the three main island of the Philippines, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Philippines is sent by Pope John Paull II as the new evangelizers of Asia.
- The boat represents evangelization and vocation.
- The net on the end of the boat symbolizes fishing, that is being fishers of men.
- The waves are drawn like humans carrying the boat. The young people are the ones who would carry the mission all over Asia and to the world as they heed the call of John Paull II: “as the father sent me, so am I sending you”.
- The color blue represents water, baptism and the world.
OFFICIAL THEME SONG
TELL THE WORLD OF HIS LOVE
Chosen among 85 other Filipino songs
By Trina Belamide, Filipina Composer
For God so loved the world,
He gave us His only Son,
Jesus Christ our Saviour,
His Most Precious One.
He has sent us His message of love,
And sends those who hear,
To bring the message to everyone,
In a voice loud and clear.
Let us tell the world of His love,
The greatest love the world has known,
Search the world for those who have walked astray,
And lead them home.
Fill the world’s darkest corners,
With His light from up above,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.
The greatest love the world has known,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.
Tell the world of His love.
I never heard a single Filipino who do not know this song. for a year, this song made goosebumps all over the country. there were stories of tears and reconciliation upon singing and listening to this song over the radio, commercial ads and on Churches during Sunday mass. Not a single soul was left unturned by this song in 1995. You can listen to the composer’s version below rendered by Jamie Rivera and compare the differences yet both are very inspiring.
HIGHLIGHTS
The first ever visit of Pope John Paul II in the Philippines was on 1981 when he beatified the Island’s first ever Filipino Martyr. 2 years later after the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz in Luneta, another martyr was beatified by patriotism by the people, Ninoy Aquino was Martyred in the Tarmac of the former Manila International Airport by his assassins.
14 years later, John Paul II came back to once again warm the hearts of the Filipinos both young and old and to renew the zeal of the white martyrdom in the heart of Asia…
THE WEEK WHEN EVERYBODY TURNED YOUNG
10TH WORLD YOUTH DAY
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During John Paul II’s vigil with the youth on January 14, 1995, the Pontiff, who was overjoyed by the dynamism and enthusiasm of the youth, begun to thump his feet simultaneous with the rhythm of the song. Then at the middle of the Joyful song (Shine Jesus Shine) he began to thump his chair. Seemingly, the pope can’t anymore contain the joy of the youth and the joy of the atmosphere, stood up, joined the animators on the stage and then spun his cane, indicating a gesture of joy and jubilation. The cane was for his ambulation due to his recent hip surgery back then. Hence, the young people who saw the Pontifical Pop Dance became so overjoyed that animators and spectators alike were were crying in joy while dancing and singing. It was a tremendous evening that no one can ever forget.
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As early as 2:00 am of January 15, 1995, People began to pour at the Luneta, forcing most of the youth pilgrims to vacate their respective fences. At 7:00 am, the whole of the Luneta Park, Roxas Boulevard, Taft avenue and neighboring Manila Hotel and Manila North Harbor was filled with people. the attendance that day alone was 5 million people. An unbeatable record holder in the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest human assmbly. The original plan of the Pope was to ride his Pope Mobile towards the Quirino Grandstand were the final mass will be held, but because of throngs of people in all existent routes, the Pope was airlifted by a helicopter just to get to the venue.
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