11 areas under Signal 1 as TD Seniang moves closer to Mindanao

 News
Dec 272014
 
11 areas under Signal 1 as TD Seniang moves closer to Mindanao

At least 11 areas were under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Seniang continued to move closer toward Northeastern Mindanao before noon Sunday. In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Seniang was estimated at 210 km east of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur as of 10 a.m. Seniang had winds of 45 kph and was moving west-northwest at 11 kph. By Monday morning it is expected to be 100 km north of Hinatuan or in the vicinity of Tandag in Surigao del Sur. By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 30 km west of Tagbilaran City in Bohol. On Wednesday morning it is expected to be 230 km west of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental or 280 km east of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Under storm signal no. 1 are: Dinagat provinceSurigao del NorteSurigao del SurAgusan del NorteAgusan del SurDavao del NorteDavao OrientalCompostela ValleyCamiguin IslandMisamis OrientalBukidnon Seniang may make landfall Monday morning in the vicinity of Tandag. Occasional gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall (7-15mm per hour) are expected within its 300 km diameter. “Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS#1 as well as over Eastern Visayas and the rest of Mindanao especially Caraga Region are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides,” it said. It added fisher folk and those with small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas and over the northern and eastern seaboards Read More …

Cops seek help from barangay tanods vs. drunk revelers

 News
Dec 272014
 
Cops seek help from barangay tanods vs. drunk revelers

With many expected to hold drinking sprees for the New Year, police are seeking help from barangay tanods against drunk revelers. The Philippine National Police said barangay tanods are in a better position to keep merrymakers in their localities in check, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported. Police in particular are wary of revelers getting into arguments when drunk. They are also wary of revelers who may fire guns when intoxicated, the report said. Filipinos are known to have the longest Christmas season in the world, starting to prepare for Christmas as early as September. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Authorities issue last-minute reminder vs. fake money

 News
Dec 272014
 
Authorities issue last-minute reminder vs. fake money

As Filipinos make last-minute gift purchases, authorities issued a last-minute reminder to be wary of accepting fake bills. On Monday night, a vendor was fleeced after a person bought soft drinks from him in Barangay San Felipe in Naga City, GMA Bicol’s Mark Bongat reported Tuesday. The vendor said he learned the money was fake only when he was about to buy something at another store. Illegal possession of counterfeit treasury or bank notes could be penalized with imprisonment. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

BFP wary of fires caused by firecrackers, cigarettes

 General
Dec 272014
 
BFP wary of fires caused by firecrackers, cigarettes

With New Year just a few days away, firefighters are on alert for fires that may be caused by the careless lighting of firecrackers or throwing of lighted cigarettes. In Quezon City, fire marshal Superintendent Jesus Fernandez appealed to residents against being reckless in handling these items, radio dzBB’s James Agustin reported. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on alert for fires as revelry marking the New Year continues to escalate. Last week, a fire razed a warehouse containing paper in Novaliches, Quezon City. Arson investigators cited initial information showing a firecracker explosion preceded the fire. Also, a fire that hit a warehouse containing TV show props in Quezon City was reportedly caused by a cigarette left unattended. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Freed captive soldiers push resumption of govt-NDF talks

 News
Dec 272014
 
Freed captive soldiers push resumption of govt-NDF talks

The two soldiers who were abducted in Compostela Valley last Dec. 2 and released last weekend voiced hopes for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the communist National Democratic Front. Army Cpl. Benjamin Enot Samano told Davao-based news site Davao Today the talks would help the country achieve a lasting peace. “I am appealing to the government to resume the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines so that the decades-long war against the New People’s Army will end. I am saying this to help our country achieve a lasting peace,” he said. Samano, 37, and Pfc. Alvin Ricarte, 23, were released last weekend. In his interview, Samano said he wants to make peace with the New People’s Army “because the war that is happening in the hinterlands should be blamed on the defective system.” “We are Filipinos yet we are killing one another because of differences in ideology and principle which has resulted [in] war,” he said. Ricarte added peace could only be achieved if the government will pursue peace talks with the NDF. “(The NPA)… treated me well during the days when I was held in captivity. They are not harsh. I am thankful to God for he has answered my prayers that I will be with my family,” he said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

NPA to release 3 abducted cops in January —report

 News
Dec 272014
 
NPA to release 3 abducted cops in January —report

After releasing four soldiers it captured earlier this year, the communist New People’s Army may release in January three police officers it abducted last November, a Mindanao news site reported Saturday. National Democratic Front Mindanao spokesman Jorge Madlos also said they are serious in restarting stalled peace talks with the government, according to a report on MindaNews. The report quoted Madlos as saying they will release PO1 Democrito Bondoc Polvorosa, PO1 Marichel Unclara Contemplo, and PO1 Junrie Amper, who the NPA abducted in Surigao del Norte. Madlos made the claim at a gathering in Marihatag in Surigao del Sur to mark the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 46th anniversary last Friday. Last Friday, the NPA freed Pfc. Marnel Tagalugon Cinches and Pfc. Jerrel Yorong in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, he said. The NPA also released last Dec. 21 Pfc. Alvin Ricarte and Cpl. Benjamin Samano to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. For his part, NDF peace panel vice chairman Fidel Agcaoili – who was at the gathering – talked about restarting the peace talks with the government soon. The MindaNews report also said former agrarian reform secretary Hernani Braganza, who had taken part in the peace negotiations during the Gloria Arroyo administration, attended the anniversary rites here but did not go onstage. It said Braganza is reportedly involved in back-channel efforts to restart the peace talks. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Busy executive chills out through laser therapy

 Economy
Dec 272014
 
Busy executive chills out through laser therapy

Finding time to chill out is a luxury for restaurateur Annabel Tanco of the Bizu Groupe (Bizu Patisserie, Le Petit Bizu, Zigla! and Thaicoon). As founder, chair and CEO of the group, Annabel, or Annie as she is fondly called by friends, has been overseeing the day-to-day business of the Bizu Groupe restaurants for more than 14 years now. “I’m on the go all the time,” says Annie, “and sometimes my stress levels are sky high. However I discovered a new treatment here in Manila and I am amazed how it can keep my endorphin high, making me look and feel well despite the many chores I have to do.” Annie is talking about laser therapy and how her regular one-hour-a-week treatments at Anne Penman Laser Therapy Manila are transforming her life. “The moment the laser probe is turned on, I fall asleep almost immediately. After a long week’s work, I find complete solace in the cozy room where the treatment is being done,” she says. She says she gets rested and relaxed as Mack Macasaet-Benauro, her therapist and owner of Anne Penman Laser Therapy Manila, does her trick on her while a low hum of Bossa Nova music and soothing scent of peppermint fill the air. “For a moment, my world stands still and becomes silent while a soft red beam of light is focused on my ears, nose, arms and legs. As I wake up, I feel totally relaxed and rejuvenated. My busy and confused mind turns into Read More …

Manila archbishop seeks forgiveness from priests, says CBCP exec

 News
Dec 272014
 
Manila archbishop seeks forgiveness from priests, says CBCP exec

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday sought forgiveness from priests for any hurt he may have caused them, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Saturday. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue  executive secretary Fr. Carlos Reyes said Tagle made the “apology” at the Manila Archdiocese’s clergy Christmas party. “(Tagle) asked forgiveness from us if he had hurt anyone or overlooked some things,” an article posted on the CBCP news site quoted Reyes as saying. He said that while they should have been the ones to seek forgiveness from Tagle, they were dismissed after the blessing. Reyes said even if Tagle did not apologize, he has been very endearing, such that any resentment would melt away. Prepare for papal visit The CBCP also said Tagle also thanked the clergy for their work but asked them to prepare spiritually for Pope Francis’ visit on Jan. 15 to 19. “Humiliation brings fruits of redemption,” Reyes quoted Tagle as saying. Tagle then led everyone into an examination of conscience in a “very positive way,” Reyes said. Apologies too Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardo Cortez similarly offered his apologies before leaving the archdiocese to assume his new post as bishop of Infanta, Quezon, on Jan. 23. San Carlos Seminary rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel delivered a speech of thanks for Cortez in behalf of Manila’s clergy. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

DOH: 113 injured due to fireworks, up from 73 recorded on Friday  

 News
Dec 272014
 
DOH: 113 injured due to fireworks, up from 73 recorded on Friday  

A total of 113 people have been reported injured in fireworks-related incidents across the country as of Dec. 27, Saturday, with one case involving swallowing of a firecracker mistaken for a candy, the Department of Health said. In its 6 a.m. firecracker injury registry update, the DOH-National Epidemiology Center also indicated the nationwide tally is 50 cases (31%) lower than the five-year (2009-2013) average and 86 cases (43%) lower than the record in same period last year. But the 113 is almost double the 73 cases recorded until Friday, December 26. DOH-NEC’s label “firework-related injuries” includes direct firework injuries, firework ingestion, and stray bullet injuries. Of the 112 cases of direct fireworks injuries, 96 (86%) involved males aged three to 68. The DOH registry showed 39 cases (35%) involved children below 10 years old. Metro Manila represented 39 percent or 44 of the total 113 cases, broken down into: 87 cases (78%) blast injury not requiring amputation,Six cases (5%) of blast injury with amputation, and19 cases (17%) sustained eye injury. The first case of firework ingestion involved a five-year-old boy from San Mateo, Rizal, who mistook a piece of “luces” for a candy. Also, the DOH-NEC registry indicated that nine cases (8%) required admission to health facilities. Moreover, it showed 75 cases (67%) were caused by Piccolo. Piccolo, Five Star, Camara, and Boga topped the list of injury-causing firecrackers in the December 27 registry. One too many “One life is too many to be ruined by or lost to firecracker Read More …

2015 can be extraordinary, CBCP head says in New Year message

 General
Dec 262014
 
2015 can be extraordinary, CBCP head says in New Year message

While Pope Francis’ upcoming visit promises a momentous start for the year, the rest of 2015 can be extraordinary for Filipinos as well, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Saturday. In his New Year’s message, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “The Year 2015 can be another regular year in our calendar but it can also be an extraordinary year. If we put much love into each day of this year; if we put much hope into every difficulty we encounter this year; if we share fearlessly with everyone our joyful faith in our loving God; this year may be ordinary but it will be specially memorable one because of the love and faith and hope that we pour into the days of 2015.” Villegas said 2015 will be remembered in history as the year Pope Francis visited the Philippines for the first time. The Pope is expected to visit the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19. “With the challenge to be apostles of mercy and compassion, the first visit of Pope Francis will surely become momentous days of grace for us Filipinos,” Villegas said. But Villegas said 2015 is also the Year of Consecrated Life for the Catholic Church worldwide. It invites Catholics to “thank the Lord for the gift of religious men and women who remind us while on earth of heavenly things,” he said. “Their lives of chastity, poverty and obedience are signs that God lives among His people,” he Read More …

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