Top religious leaders gather in Long Beach, declare commitment to work together for peace

 Entertainment
Apr 182014
 
Top religious leaders gather in Long Beach, declare commitment to work together for peace

Religious leaders from across North America and hundreds of students gathered at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach for the 2014 Religious Leaders Peace Conference, hosted by the international non-profit organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL). The religious leaders signed the HWPL Peace Treaty, a pledge to cease conflict amongst religious groups and establish a relationship to work together for peace. LONG BEACH, Calif. – Over 100 religious leaders from across North America and hundreds of university students gathered at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach for the 2014 Religious Leaders Peace Conference, hosted by the international non-profit organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL). The mood of the conference was united and hopeful as religious leaders unanimously signed the HWPL Peace Treaty, a pledge to cease conflict amongst religious groups and establish a relationship to work together for peace. Among those who signed was Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County. The signing of the peace treaty was inspired by the interfaith student peace march that HWPL organized last January in Mindanao, a region in the Philippines suffering violent religious conflict for 40 years. Through the unity of the youth, high officials of Catholicism and Islam were moved to sign a landmark peace treaty that received international media attention. The program also featured a guest panel discussion, highlights and video clips of the signing in Mindanao, a time of united prayer for all faiths, and Read More …

Nimfa Castro leads PHILSELA officers to be inducted on April 26

 Entertainment
Apr 182014
 
Nimfa Castro leads PHILSELA officers to be inducted on April 26

Nimfa Castro CERRITOS – Retail executive Nimfa Castro, president, and real estate broker and lawyer Frank Yokoyama, chairman of the board, lead the new set of officers of the Philippine Society of Southeast Los Angeles (PHILSELA) to be inducted at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Cerritos Sheraton. The event coincides with the 40th anniversary celebration of the premier Filipino organization in the Southeast Los Angeles area and the coronation of 2014 Miss PHILSELA Krisha de Jesus. To be inducted are: Nimfa Castro, president; Armin Reyes, VP budget and finance; Nicolle Yokoyama, VP membership; Elizabeth Boschma, VP programs; Larry Camus, VP ways and means; Cindy Garces, treasurer; Aurora Reyes, assistant treasurer; Lea Manalad, recording secretary; Noemi Elicerio, corresponding secretary; Mryleane Tamayo, auditor; Monet Lu, PRO; Dolly Serrano and Michael de Jesus, Affairs coordinators; and Ernie Papa and Chit Yokoyama, advisers; Frank Yokoyama, board chairman; Linda Bautista, vice chairman; Douglas Bautista, Evelyn Carale, Nimfa Castro, Emma Chupinghong, Daisy Pangilinan, and Lini Teal, directors. 2014 Miss PHILSELA Krisha de Jesus PHILSELA was founded 40 years ago by a group of young Filipino immigrants, mostly professionals from the Artesia-Cerritos area and neighboring communities. Annual activities include the Scholarship Program and the Santacruzan. It also sponsors and supports city-initiated programs, including the Festival of Friendship, Let Freedom Ring 4th of July Event, and Halloween Festival. PHILSELA has also participated in the Philippine Independence Centennial celebration, and the Filipiniana Library Project. The projects scheduled for this year are: Festival of Friendship, Feb. 2; Read More …

Filipina accomplice arrested for fake bills in Malaysia

 News
Apr 182014
 
Filipina accomplice arrested for fake bills in Malaysia

The Star Online-Asia News Network 9:35 pm | Friday, April 18th, 2014 KUALA LUMPUR — Police have uncovered a ‘black money’ syndicate, following the arrest of an African man and a Filipino woman, and the seizure of RM3.2 million in fake currencies. Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief ACP Izany Abdul Ghany said the suspects were nabbed at two separate locations here on Tuesday. He said the 34-year-old African was nabbed at a hotel in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman after a local woman, suspicious over the man’s offer of investment opportunities, tipped off the police. “The complainant knew the suspect via Facebook before meeting him with several people who were keen on the investment. “The police raided the hotel and seized three RM50 notes and equipment to ‘clean’ money, which was believed to have been used in the scam,” ACP Izany said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters here on Thursday. Following the man’s arrest, a police team went to an apartment in Jalan Imbi here and picked up the 46-year-old Filipina. Five bundles of US$100 and three bundles of RM50, which were suspected to be fake, were seized from the apartment. Police also seized three bundles of white paper the size of RM50 and US1 dollar notes. – Bernama Follow Us Other Stories: Malaysia quarantines 64 villagers over MERS virus Abductors demand $11.3M for Chinese Abu Sayyaf-linked kidnappers trying to slip into Jolo island Abu Sayyaf kidnappers telephone Chinese victim’s family Recent Stories: Complete stories Read More …

Jinggoy lawyers not allowed access to other ‘pork’ respondents’ affidavits

 News
Apr 182014
 
Jinggoy lawyers not allowed access to other ‘pork’ respondents’ affidavits

The Office of the Ombudsman has denied the camp of Senator Jinggoy Estrada access to the affidavits of other respondents in the plunder complaint filed against him in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. In a text message on Friday, lawyer Alexis Abastillas, Estrada’s legal spokesman, confirmed that the Ombudsman denied their request to be “furnished a copy of the affidavits of new witnesses, whose testimonies were used” in the resolution recommending plunder charges against the senator. “We have received it. It’s a real denial of due process,” Abastillas accused. He added that their camp has already appealed this decision, through the motion of reconsideration they filed last April 7. Last month, Estrada’s lawyers asked the Ombudsman for copies of sworn affidavits of government witnesses Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan. On April 1, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it has decided to charge Senators Estrada, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile with plunder for allegedly pocketing millions in their pork barrel funds through a scam supposedly engineered by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. Both Estrada and Revilla have already filed their respective motion seeking the dismissal of the plunder charges against them, claiming the accusations have no basis. On the other hand, Enrile had not given any statements to the media since the release of the Ombudsman’s recommendation.  –– KBK, GMA News

Filipinos nailed to cross in Good Friday ritual frowned on by Roman Catholic Church

 News
Apr 182014
 
Filipinos nailed to cross in Good Friday ritual frowned on by Roman Catholic Church

Pampanga penitent nailed on cross on Good Friday. An unidentified penitent is nailed to a cross during Good Friday crucifixion rites in front of the San Gabriel Church in Bacolor, Pampanga on April 18. The re-enaction of the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday is still practiced despite opposition from the Roman Catholic Church. Ruston Banal Jr. CUTUD – Nearly 20 Filipinos and a Danish filmmaker were nailed to crosses to re-enact the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday, a practice the Roman Catholic Church frowns upon as a distortion of the Easter message. The annual Philippine ritual draws thousands of spectators to San Fernando, 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, to see penitents flagellate themselves and a series of crucifixions in a recreation of Christ’s death on the cross. “It was a great experience between me and God,” 48-year-old Danish film director and stunt coordinator Lasse Spang Olsen, who stayed on the cross for more than 10 minutes, told Reuters before being treated for his wounds. “It was great. It was fun.” But for some in the Philippines, where about 80 percent of the population are Catholics, the re-enactments of the crucifixion are an extreme display of devotion. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross on Good Friday and rose from the dead two days later, on Easter Sunday. “I will do it as long as my body will allow me,” said Danilo Ramos, 43, who has been crucified 23 times. “I hope God will see Read More …

DoH denies Filipino nurse no longer positive for MERS virus

 News
Apr 182014
 
DoH denies Filipino nurse no longer positive for MERS virus

INQUIRER.net 5:55 pm | Friday, April 18th, 2014 Health Secretary Enrique Ona: No risk MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Health has denied reports that the Filipino quarantined for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) no longer tested positive for the virus. “No official report yet,” Secretary Enrique Ona said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Friday. The Philippine News Agency reported that the male nurse who is suspected to be infected with the virus no longer tested positive for MERS-CoV. The report was later taken down from the agency website. The male nurse had contact with another Filipino health worker who died of the virus in United Arab Emirates. The nurse arrived in Manila on Wednesday. The nurse’s family members who fetched him at the airport were also quarantined. On Twitter, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said that with the Filipino health workers’ case, the Philippines has become the 12th country and the first in Asia outside the Middle East with laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV. RELATED STORY WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions Follow Us Other Stories: WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions Malaysia quarantines 64 villagers over MERS virus PH asks airline passengers to check for MERS No travel restrictions to Middle East amid MERS-CoV scare 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 Read More …

SC upholds verdict vs. Bar watcher who brought camera during exams

 News
Apr 182014
 
SC upholds verdict vs. Bar watcher who brought camera during exams

For bringing a digital camera to the 2011 Bar examinations and taking pictures of the questionnaires, a Court of Appeals employee has been permanently disqualified from supervising the exams. In a six-page decision, the Supreme Court upheld an Office of the Bar Confidante (OBC) report finding Melchor Tiongson guilty of simple misconduct, as well as of violating the “Instructions to Head Watchers” when he brought his camera inside the Bar exam room at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila in November 2011. Tiongson brought his digital camera inside Room 314 of St. Martin De Porres Building in UST during the second Sunday of the Bar exams. According to Tiongson’s three fellow watchers, while they were counting the pages of the questionnaires after the morning examination, Tiongson took pictures of the Civil Law questionnaire using his digital camera. “Tiongson allegedly repeated the same act and took pictures of the Mercantile Law questionnaire after the afternoon examination,” said the high court in recounting the facts of the administrative case. During investigation of the OBC, Tiongson admitted bringing in his digital camera. He said he refused to surrender his camera to the badge counter personnel for fear that it will not be handled and kept properly. Following the incident, Tiongson was no longer allowed to serve as head watcher during the remaining Sundays of the examination that year. The OBC also indefinitely suspended him from becoming a head watcher for gross misconduct and dishonesty. In its own ruling, the SC affirmed the Read More …

DOH chief: No official results yet on MERS virus test conducted on OFW

 News
Apr 182014
 
DOH chief: No official results yet on MERS virus test conducted on OFW

Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Friday denied reports that the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was earlier diagnosed as having the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus is now negative for the virus. In a phone interview, Ona said the official results of the tests conducted by the DOH on the Filipino male nurse from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not yet been released. “Wala pa pong official results. I hope it is [negative]. Hinihintay pa po natin. Siguro by tomorrow, or later tonight, ine-expect natin ang results,” Ona said Friday. Earlier in the day, various news outlets quoted a supposed Department of Health (DOH) statement as saying that the OFW earlier tested positive for the MERS coronavirus no longer has the virus. Ona said the DOH has not issued any such statements. “Narinig ko nga lang ‘yung balita. Huwag muna kayong maglabas kasi mali iyon,” the DOH chief said. On Wednesday, the DOH confirmed that the Filipino male nurse from UAE as the first reported case of the MERS virus in the Philippines. The OFW underwent laboratory exams in UAE after being exposed to the Filipino paramedic who died from MERS last week, but immediately left for Manila. The DOH decided to quarantine the OFW and test him every five days to see if he still has the virus. The MERS coronavirus has a 10- to 14-day incubation period. On Thursday, the department requested all passengers of an Etihad flight which brought the OFW from the UAE to Read More …

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