Maniolas

By Ana Villanueva-Lykes — THE most celebrated holiday in the Philippines requires a lot of work and time put into it – three months to be exact – to commemorate the humble birth of a baby in a manger. When the “ber” months roll in, Filipinos everywhere in the world begin the planning and the hard work that will lead to that one festive day. But the whole three months is not just about the preparing and the waiting. The preparation in itself becomes a celebration, for others, a sacred ritual, a tradition. Countdown begins You know Christmas has commenced in the Philippines when you start hearing Frank Sinatra jingling his bells in jeepneys even though there is nary a snowflake falling from the smog-filled sky. But the air is thick with anticipation and the joyful preparation ensues. The tradition of decorating and lighting the plastic trees begin. Suddenly, the air seems cooler and the strong desire to spend cannot be ignored. And it’s only September. Before December nears, the entire Christmas bonus – yet to be handed out – has already been spent. Malls are eager to indulge. Lavish displays of Christmas scenes are already in every corner. Gigantic empty boxes wrapped in glittering paper rests on artificial powdered snow while a red- suited dark-skinned fellow walks around dispensing ho-ho-ho’s. Concerts are already being planned, constructions are under way, holiday collections have been launched, and the daily practice for the Christmas program starts. Christmas has begun. Meanwhile in the Read More …

The US Embassy has offered the use of some American aircraft and personnel to help with Typhoon Ruby even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to prepare for Typhoon Ruby. According to Maj. Emmanuel Garcia, commander of the 7th Civil Relations Group of the AFP Civil Relations Service, the embassy has offered the use of nine C-130 transport aircraft and three P-3C Orion surveillance planes for air assessment and monitoring. It has also offered “medical and relief workers and other suport if needed,” Garcia said, adding other foreign armed forces are also offering help. AFP continues to prepare for typhoon In the meantime, soldiers and police officers have been deployed to secure National Food Authority warehouses, Garcia said. Water sanitation teams are also on standby while additional troops have been sent to Department of Social Welfare and Development repacking centers to help prepare relief goods. Trucks have alreadt been stationed in major service headquarters, with 12 of 45 trucks assigned to Joint Task Force National Capital Region.  Soldiers from the AFP Central Command have also been conducting security patrols in Leyte and Samar with the 8th Infantry Division deploying 1,171 personnel for rescue and relief operations along with 638 reservists. Another 6,601 soldiers are on standby with 604 reservists. Troops have also been deployed in Bicol to deter looting and crime and more Southern Luzon Command troops are ready to deploy to Romblon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate, and Catanduanes, Garcia said.  Ships at the ready Meanwhile, AFP Western Command Read More …

Tacloban braces for Typhoon Ruby. Storm clouds gather over the horizon in Tacloban City on Friday, December 5, as Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) nears Eastern Visayas. At least 34 areas are under storm signals early Friday, as Ruby intensified further and continued to move toward Eastern Visayas. Arlan Rsequito Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has deployed military troops to areas that are under threat of typhoon Ruby to maintain peace and order, and prevent looting incidents. In a statement, AFP spokesperson Restituto Padilla Jr. said soldiers have been deployed to “critical” areas, including Tacloban City, to support the Philippine National Police “in maintaining peace and order and assisting government agencies in pre-emptive evacuations.” “General Catapang has directed the area commanders to augment the police which are securing urban centers. The soldiers will help our police counterparts in maintaining peace and order, and prevent looting incident,” said Padilla. “We advise the public not to be alarmed by the presence of military vehicles and personnel in their areas,” Padilla explained. “They are deployed to help in preparations for typhoon Ruby, particularly in helping people who need to be evacuated to safer places.” There were several looting incidents reported in Tacloban City in Leyte in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda last year. The streets of the city were in chaos when several residents began looting grocery stores and breaking into shops for food and other basic items they needed to survive. Looting in Tacloban City Read More …

The following areas have declared class suspensions on December 6. Keep checking back on this page for updates: All Levels: – Cavite – Laguna – Rizal – Bohol – Siquijor – Bais, Negros Oriental – Bayawan, Negros Oriental – Guihulngan, Negros Oriental – Dumaguete, Negros Oriental – Danao, Cebu – Bogo, Cebu – Carcar, Cebu Preschool to High School: – Naga City College: – University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday warned the camp of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude against calling the prosecutor handling the case unfair and biased without basis. De Lima reminded the Laude family and their legal counsel Harry Roque Jr that the murder complaint being handled by Olongapo City prosecutor Emily de los Santos has already been submitted for resolution. “Attorney Harry should be careful in insinuating unfairness on DOJ’s part and imputing bias or partiality on the part of CP (city prosecutor) Millet (de los Santos)… without clear and sufficient basis to back up such claims,” she said. “[De los Santos] should be left alone in resolving the merits of said case,” De Lima added. Prosecutor General Claro Arellano had earlier said there was “no ground for [the] inhibition” of state prosecutor Emily de los Santos as requested by the Laude camp. “No ground for inhibition. Bias [is a] mere allegation,” said Arellano. Roque was earlier quoted in reports as saying that they would ask the DOJ to take De los Santos off the case for allegedly taking orders from the United States government. Roque claimed De los Santos has been hostile to the Laude family since the start of the preliminary investigation in Olongapo City. On Friday, De Lima said Arellano was merely reacting to media reports quoting Roque’s plan to move for De Los Santos’ inhibition from the case. “Apparently, PG  (prosecutor general) did by making a general statement that there is no basis or Read More …