PLDT to livestream papal visit in 33 public viewing sites

MANILA, Philippines - Leading telecoms and multimedia service provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) will livestream the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in 33 free public viewing sites beginning today until Monday.

PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto said the PLDT Group, including wholly owned subsidiaries Smart Communications Inc. and Sun Cellular, would establish viewing sites in select parishes and PLDT Sales and Service Centers (SSC) in and outside Metro Manila.

“This will allow more Filipinos to experience and be part of the papal visit. PLDT, Smart and Sun Cellular have partnered with several parishes in order to bring the pope’s presence to more Filipinos using modern communications technologies,” Isberto said.

Viewing hubs would be established at PLDT SSCs in SM malls such as SM Sta. Mesa, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, SM North EDSA in Quezon City and SM Marilao in Bulacan.

“Those who live far from the papal itinerary are welcome to view the mass and dialogue activities of the pope in the video streaming sites that PLDT, Smart and Sun Cellular have set up in different PLDT offices and churches in the country together with their respective parishes,” he added.

PLDT’s TV5 and Cignal TV would provide the video feed for the free viewing sites.

The PLDT flagship store in Pasay will hold a special streaming for the pope’s activities on Sunday, from the meeting with the youth and religious leaders at the University of Santo Tomas, to the motorcade going to Rizal Park and the concluding mass to be held at the Quirino Grandstand.

PLDT SSCs outside of Metro Manila will also set up viewing sites on Sunday in Tarlac; San Fernando, Pampanga; Jones, Cebu; Calamba, Laguna; and in Ponciano, Davao.

PLDT has also partnered with several parishes for the setting up of viewing sites for parishioners. Communities near the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in San Juan, Five Wounds Shrine Parish in Las Piñas, San Felipe Neri Church in Greenhills, Mary Help of Christians Parish and St. Joseph Parish in Parañaque, St. Niño Parish in Novaliches, Sts. Peter and John Parish in Malabon, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Quezon City can watch the livestream of the pope’s activities on Sunday.

People in Tacloban wishing to see the livestreaming may go to the Redemptorist Church and Sto. Niño Church on Real St., Guadalupe Church in Barangay Abucay, Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Chapel in Burayan, San Jose; Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish in Marasbaras, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in V&G Subdivision.

Viewing sites are also set up at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Pawing, Palo, Leyte; Lady of Assumption Church in Dauis, St. Augustine Parish Church in Sagbayan and St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Loboc, all in Bohol.

Cebuanos can go to San Vicente Parish Church in Bogo, San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church in San Remigio and the Cebu Cathedral.

The St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Tagbilaran, Bohol and the Parish of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Estancia, Iloilo will also establish viewing site for their communities.