IBALANGIBOG SA BUONG MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO! KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

THE NEWSWEEK
Volume 1 No. 2 May 25 - 31, 2006

THOUSANDS GATHER FOR THE PRAYER RALLY

Ago Medical and Educational Center. Employees of RRPI/RRPI
with their families and friends gathered outside St. Agnes
Academy. They joined a very large group composed of residents
from the barangays East of Legaspi. Representatives coming
from the Southern part of Albay gathered in Tula-Tula. Groups
from different barangays of Rapu-Rapu landed in several boats at
the Legaspi pier at around 9:00am.

It was the grandest rally in the city of Legaspi. The estimated

number of participants ranged from a low of 5,000 to as high as
22,000 people that gathered inside and outside the Albay
Astrodome with an overflow to the adjacent Peñaranda Park.
This event, a Multi-Sectoral Partnership Prayer Rally and Mons. Noe delos Santos leading the Praying of the Holy Rosary
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
Responsible Mining at Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City at 9:00 to A power point presentation of the Rapu-Rapu polymetallic
11:30 in the morning of Tuesday, May 30, 2006, was the first of project played on a huge screen while people settled down in
its kind ever organized by the company. their seats. Company program brochures were distributed at the
entrance.

The program started at 9:15am with an introduction by Atty.

Sarge Sarmiento. All the participants and delegates were
welcomed by groups. Two nationally well-known singers and
TV personalities: Bimbo Cerrudo and Pinky Marquez, hosted the
program.

The praying of the Holy Rosary was led by Monsignor Noe de

los Santos, Rector of the Mater Salutis Major Seminary in Sipi,
Daraga. After praying the Credo, Bimbo and Pinky sang a
powerful and solemn duet of the “Our Father”.

This massive show of support for the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic

Project came from various sectors: the barangay residents of
Rapu-Rapu, Legaspi, and Sorsogon; LGUs; civic organizations;
business communities; non-government organizations; church
representatives; students; and employees of RRMI and RRPI.
They wore white T-shirts and carried banners that proclaimed
their support for responsible mining.

At about 7:30am, supporters from Sorsogon arrived in Daraga

aboard more than 35 passenger jeeps and proceeded to go around
the city of Legazpi in a motorcade. They were soon joined by a
Bimbo Cerrudo & Pinky Marquez w/ Melvin Alonzo and Melanie Valenciano
large contingent from Daraga who were assembled in front of
May 25 - 31, 2006 THE ISLAND NEWSWEEK
Since the event was on a Tuesday, the sorrowful mystery was
chosen. Before each decade, Mons. Noel delivered a short and
inspiring reflection with themes on values underlying responsible
mining, as follows:
• 1st Mystery: Agony in the Garden. Reflection on the
value of Prayer and Discernment. Thereafter Bimbo
sang “Lead Me, Lord.”
• 2nd Mystery: Scourging at the Pillars. Reflection on
value of Awareness. Pinky Marquez sang “Colors of
the Wind”
• 3rd Mystery: Crowning with Thorns. Reflection on the
value of Humility. The song, “Salamin ng Buhay”
was sang by Bimbo.
• 4th Mystery: Carrying of the Cross. Reflection on the
value of Sharing Responsibilities. A duet by Bimbo
and Pinky of the song, “Magkakapatid” followed.
• 5th Mystery: Crucifixion and Death of Christ.
Reflection on the value of Sacrifice, Faith and Self-
Giving. “Climb Every Mountain” and “We’ll Never
Walk Alone” were sang by Pinky.
The National Anthem signaled the next part of the program.
Atty. Sarmiento presented the Compliance Status of
Commitments of RRPI and RRMI. Representatives from
different sectors and organizations signed the Memorandum of
Understanding for Responsible Mining.
Signing of the MOU
Each of the signatories delivered short speeches expressing their
group’s commitment to responsible mining and their part in
ensuring this is made possible. Symbols of their commitments
were presented to VP Cecille Calleja
The different sectors represented were:
1. Local Government for Good Governance represented by
Brgy. Capt. Reynold Asuncion, barangay captain of
Malobago;
2. Fisherfolks for Campaign against Destructive Fishing
represented by Ms. Dellosa, a fisherfolk from Sorsogon;
3. Business sector for Anti-corruption campaign represented
by Frank Yap, president of The Lions Club of Legazpi and
past president of the Albay Chamber of Commerce, Inc.;
4. Academe for Honest Research represented by Ujane
Bermundo, LPI Rapu-Rapu barangay scholar;
5. Civic Groups on Marine Protection represented by Joesan
Grajeda, incoming president of the Rotary Club of Legazpi
City;
6. NGOs for Monitoring for Environmental Protection
represented by Francis Alizago, President of the Citizens’
Crime Watch;
Volume 1 No. 2 P.2
7. Church for Acting as Conscience represented by Fr. Bem
Sarmiento of the International Episcopal Church; and
8. Women’s Group for Caring for the People represented by
Svea Angel Villanueva of Quota International Mayon
Legazpi.
After signing of the MOU, the representatives released doves, a
symbol of peace, while Bimbo and Pinky led the community
singing of the songs, “Let There Be Peace” and “Haharapin
Natin”.
The final song, “The Prayer” was a petition for guidance and
protection. The participants then proceeded to Peñaranda Park
and released 2,000 prayer-laden balloons.
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HOW IT WAS ALL MADE POSSIBLE…
The Prayer Rally held last Tuesday demonstrated the power of
team work. It was the magnificent result of selfless and untiring
efforts exerted by many who were true to their personal
convictions and dedicated to their work and the project.
Atty. Julito Sarmiento, overall coordinator with his team of
organizers headed by Ms. Cecille Calleja spearheaded what must
be the grandest rally that Legazpi City has ever had with over
8,000 participants from Sorsogon and Albay who showed their
support for the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project. It was strongly
supported by top management.
Special thanks to all the employees of RRPI and RRMI
especially: the Over-all coordinators: dynamic duo, Gilbert
Llovit and Arnold Guadalupe and team leaders of the different
departments: Grace Barcebal, Arvin Laurio, Marieta Beraquit,
Rezel Echague, Michelle Oñate and Jason Magdaong; the CARE
Group: Rene Castro, Cham Degarcellanosa, Roy Cervantes, Ofel
Ante, Merced Azores; Legazpi Staff: Melanie Valenciano,
Nancy Alipar Nancy Plopino and Nelson Sto. Domingo; the
Safety Group coordinated by Melvin Alonzo and Brix
Cabradilla; Transport and Logistics: Arlene Lindfield; Finance
headed by Ronald Imperial; the Security Group headed by
Francis Suan with Peter Molave and the Corporate office in
Makati.
You have done a great job and deserve a pat in the
back…Congratulations…
CARE Officer Merced Azores with the Rapu-Rapu Delegation