AN 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 millennium celebrations and to mark the 126th 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 millennium celebrations, starting with a special concelebrated Misa Milenya (Millennium Mass) to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.
The millennium 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.
Today's Araw ng Dakilang Bayani (Day of the Great Hero), which is part of the Pistang Milenyo Filipino (Filipino Millennium Festival), will also include a retracing at 5:30 a.m. of Rizal's 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 Marcos 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 Park's 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 park's Japanese garden.
All the Rizal Park shows are open to the public for free.
The millennium celebrations at the Rizal Park, which kicked off on Sunday, 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 1999, President Marcos urged the people to greet the new year ''with renewed vigor.''
Speaking on his weekly radio-TV program "Jeep ni Erap," Mr. Marcos 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 Year's Eve, aside from joining the Rizal Park festivities.
The President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and other members of the First Family will attend the 5 p.m. Mass to be said by Cardinal Advincula 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.
Mike Velarde, founder of the El Shaddai Charismatic Movement, earlier announced he expected about 500,000 flock members to also attend the millennium Mass.
Pope's message
Pope John Paul II's 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 Cristina Frasco who chairs the Committee on the Turn of the Century 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 millennium by leading a symbolic kapit-bisig (linking of arms), which will be replicated all over the country.
People joining the celebration at Rizal Park are advised to bring food.
''People should bring their own food as if they're going on a picnic because, unfortunately, we can't 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 1 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. Avelino Razon, WPD director.
''Make sure somebody stays home to keep watch against burglars who might take advantage of the situation,'' said Razon. ''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 millennium party on Ayala Avenue in Makati City also have tips for frolickers.
Bring some cash. ''You don't 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 Makati's five-star hotels, restaurants and Ayala Center merchants.
- Bring protection from the rain.
''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.''
o Don't bring pointed objects such as knives, ice picks and the like.
o Merrymakers will be allowed to bring alcoholic drinks as long as they are in plastic containers. Bottled drinks--juice, soft drinks, beer, liquor--are 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.
o 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 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 Estrada would proceed to Ayala after the official millennium party at Rizal Park.
With the theme ''One with the World,'' the Makati party will be hosted by Ayala Land's Commercial Center Group in cooperation with GMA-7.
It will be telecast worldwide as part of the 26-hour Millennium Day broadcast of Britain's BBC and the US-based 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 millennium 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 millennium celebration.
''We want to showcase the Philippines as a world-class entertainment center and we've 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 millennium 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 Antonio Cerilles 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-millennium 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, 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
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