Maniolas

The leader of the Philippines’ Catholic Church, which routinely denounces abortion and contraception, called for the clergy on Saturday to listen more and condemn less, in the latest sign of a liberal shift in the powerful institution. Church leaders exert vast influence in the conservative Philippines, Asia’s bastion of Catholicism and the only state apart from Vatican that still outlaws both divorce and terminations. But with many modern Filipino Catholics embracing attitudes that were once considered taboo or frowned upon, and the more conciliatory tone of the Vatican under Pope Francis, there are signs that the Philippine church is softening its stance. Speaking at an annual assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, where he is president, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said a change of tone would be a fitting welcome for the pope, who is expected to visit the Philippines next year. “Perhaps we can reconsider our approach to solving the problems of family and life by listening more to the wounded and the grieving broken homes rather than condemning divorce and abortion and contraception at every opportunity,” Villegas said. “Perhaps we can reach out to more people by stretching our minds and lowering our fences and listening… without being judgemental or punitive.” In 2012 President Benigno Aquino signed a law requiring government health centres to hand out free condoms and birth control pills, in a major defeat for the church, which fought a 15-year campaign against any form of family planning laws. The law took effect this Read More …

Teresa P. Magno LOS ANGELES – A female deputy district attorney prosecuting the most violent gang-related crimes in Los Angeles County – and whose father was an anti-Marcos activist – has become the first elected Filipino-American judge in the LA Superior Court. Teresa P. Magno, 43, was officially declared as judge-elect of the LA Superior Court – the largest trial court in the United States – after the Registrar’s Office certified the election results on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). She will begin her term in January 2015. The first Fil-Am judge in the US, LA Superior Court Judge Mel Recana, gained a Los Angeles Municipal Court seat in 1981 by appointment. Magno is the court’s first elected Fil-Am judge. “There is no doubt in my mind that Ms. Magno could hit the ground running, said Judge David Milton, Magno’s predecessor. “She has the experience, intellect, temperament, sense of responsibility and perspective to set aside the prosecutor’s hat and don the black robe.” Milton retired February this year and endorsed Magno, who ran last month against Songhai Armstead for LA Superior Court Office No. 97, the seat vacated by Milton. Student leader Born and raised in the Philippines, Magno migrated to the US in 1987 when she was 16 years old. Magno became a student leader at the University of California Los Angeles, where she pursued her undergraduate and law degrees. She was president of her graduating class in law school. Magno’s fellow student leader at UCLA, Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, congratulated the incoming Read More …

Inquirer Central Luzon 8:17 am | Friday, July 4th, 2014 CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—It’s Filipino-American Friendship Day reflected in 110 photographs of Filipinos and scenes of New York City over the past nine years. The exhibit, “I Love New York,” which opened here on Tuesday and will run until Sunday, consists of photos taken by Pampanga-based writer Noel Tulabut, New York-based Kapampangan Sam Sanchez and journalist-turned-diplomat Elmer Cato. The images are varied, said Tulabut, who organized the exhibit at the SM City Clark here. The images include memorials of the 9/11 terror attack, human interest, street scenes, cityscapes, landmarks, events and festivities. Tulabut, 48, took his photographs while covering the United Nations General Assembly and the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, beginning in 2005.–Tonette Orejas Follow Us Other Stories: Daughter of Anti-Marcos activist elected LA Superior Court judge Teenage solo flyer seeks to set record, raise funds OFW recruiters buck terminal fee scheme UP’s Toronto alumni tee up for scholarship, endowment fund Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=107564 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Read More …

UPAA Toronto officials Joe Zagala (former president), Beth Vasquez (current vice president and interim president) applaud top prize winners Andrei Bernabe, Michael Collis, Thong Du and Alan S. Hayton. TeeUP High consultant and technical adviser Mars Cebrero and emcee Livvy Camacho look on. PHOTO BY MARISA ROQUE • Drive supports student scholars and UP faculty • Tournament conceived in 2009 to stave off effects of recession MILTON, Ontario, Canada — The 4th TeeUP High Golf Tournament saw 46 players vie for trophies and numerous prizes, among them a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer for a hole-in-one, made possible by Toronto North Mitsubishi. Money raised from the tournament and awards dinner, held on Sunday, June 22, at the Royal Ontario Golf Club, is earmarked for the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Toronto (UPAAT) scholarship fund and professorial chair. Begun in 2010, the tournament supports UPAAT’s endowment projects. The endowment fund was formally set up in 2005, when the organization presented a check for C$25,000, money raised over several years, to then-UP President Dr. Emerlinda Roman. According to Joe Zagala, a former president of UPAAT, the endowment fund is used in perpetuity to advance scholarship for deserving students who otherwise cannot afford a quality tertiary education. The fund also aims to help in maintaining the quality UP teaching staff. In duffer’s jargon, “Tee up high and let them fly!” applies both to golf balls and scholars:  Give them the lift they need and they will soar to the goal. Interest earnings from the Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Women’s health affects the well-being of families and the entire nation. That is why it is important that their bodies must be well taken care of. According to MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya, taking preventive exams is the first step to achieving optimal health. “By submitting themselves to these vital medical tests, they will know their health status. This knowledge will not only help them improve their well-being and take control of their body.” Montoya identifies these important medical tests for women: • Breast exam and mammogram Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of death among those aged 35 to 54. The Philippines also has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 This fatal disease can be prevented by clinical breast exam and mammography. Breast assessment looks for lumps and irregularities in the breasts while mammography detects masses and/or microcalcifications of cancer using low-energy X-rays. Women are recommended to take these tests once a year starting at age 40 when the risk for breast cancer increases. The MediCard Lifestyle Center Breast Clinic is an outpatient facility that offers breast exam, mammography and consultation with breast specialists before undergoing any diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. It is also one of the few local health facilities in the country that offer mammotome, a vacuum-assisted biopsy that allows doctors to completely remove a whole mass in the breast without subjecting Read More …