PAMPANGA

Pilgrims, tourists flock to Shroud of Turin exhibit
BY MAR T. SUPNAD

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – This city is set to be the first of four Philippine cities to host the upcoming Shroud of Turin exhibit, where tourists and pilgrims from all over the world are expected to attend to witnesses the exposition

After presenting in New Zealand, Shroud Exhibits International, Inc. presented the Philippine exhibition of the Mystery of the Shroud of Turin, which opened Friday at SM Pampanga.

Revered for hundreds of years as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, the Shroud of Turin is locked away in a cathedral in Italy, publicly displayed only three to four times a century. On these rare occasions, pilgrims and foreign tourists from all over the world troop to Turin to witness the exposition.

However, Filipinos need not wait until the next official exposition in 2025, as they have the chance to view the replica of this artifact together with over 80 other exhibit items from the collection of Barrie Schwortz, the official documenting photographer commissioned by King Umberto II of Savoy, the Shroud’s previous monarch-owner.

The Philippine Exhibition of the Shroud of Turin will be taken to SM Mall of Asia from Sept. 8 to Dec. 9; SM City Davao from Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, 2008; and SM City Cebu from April 4 to 27, 2008.

Managed by Primetrade Asia, Inc., endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, and for the benefit of Sisters of the Holy Face Congregation, The Holy One of the Lord Catholic Foundation, Inc., and the Diocese of Paranaque, the exhibit is a 445-minute lights and sound show that also features exclusive video clips and other special artifacts.

The exhibition allows visitors to journey with the Shroud’s history, discover the facts and myths behind the most studied archaeological artifact of all time, and unravel the mystery behind this treasured piece.

Visitors will be taken on a module by module tour of the historical pilgrimage of the Shroud including the Way of the Cross, and the various theories based on art, science, technology, and the bible that aim to shed light on this historical, scientific and ecclesiastical phenomenon.


Pampanga cops nab 17 drug suspects, bust ‘shabu talipapa’
BY MAR T. SUPNAD

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Police dismantled a “shabu talipapa” and arrested 17 suspected drug pushers last week at Ilang-Ilang St., Barangay Dau, Mabalacat town.

Senior Supt. Keith Ernald Singian, Pampanga police director, said the busting of the shabu talipapa (market) came as a result of a tip by civilians who noted the proliferation of illegal drugs in the province.

“This came about as a result of information from concerned citizens regarding the existence of a shabu stall where the selling of illegal drugs, particularly shabu, is rampant,” he said.

Immediately after receiving the information, Singian coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and organized a team, composed of elements from the intelligence branch, Special Weapons and Tactics, provincial mobile group, and the Mabalacat police station for the conduct of the operation.

During the “buy bust” operation, Chief Insp. Jovencio Flores, chief of Mabalacat Police Office, served as ground commander of the team.

Other members of the team acted as backup and security.

The swift operation resulted in the apprehension of the 17 suspects.

Singian said his men posed as buyers and were able to purchase suspected “shabu” for P2,000.

After confirming the existence of the “shabu talipapa” Singian said his men moved in and confiscated pieces of evidence which were documented by Pampanga police investigators.

Charges of violation of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and illegal possession of firearms and bladed weapons were filed against the suspects.