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A POLICY agenda seeking to strengthen Mindanao’s agriculture, energy, mining, tourism, transport, and small and medium enterprises, and address issues on business and investments in the region was presented to President Benigno S. Aquino III at the 21st Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) in Butuan City on August 2-4, 2012. It was part of the overall recommendations of the Philippine Business Conference which was held this year.

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BY virtue of Republic Act 9187, the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act, enacted into law in 2003, the celebration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day is held on June 30 every year to strengthen the historical and cultural ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain. It commemorates the bravery of Spanish soldiers who survived the “Siege of Baler” and were commended by President Emilio F. Aguinaldo on June 30, 1899.

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SUPREME Court Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro has been elected on May 5, 2012 as President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) for a two-year term. 

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TODAY is the National Day of Seychelles.

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DEVOTION to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is widespread and popular in the Philippines.

RELATIONS between the Philippines and Thailand began in the 13th century in the context of Southeast Asian maritime trade. Archaeological records point not only to commercial and cultural ties but also a recognition of their political stature – Siam with its kingdoms and the Philippines with its rajahs.  By 1586, more than two decades after the Spaniards set foot in the Philippines, Siam was mentioned as a possible goal of commercial interests and physical expansion and the first contact was made between Spain and Thailand.

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THE people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrated Queen’s Day, her Diamond Jubilee and 86th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The holiday also marked The Queen’s ascension to the throne in 1952.

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A MASS of Declaration will be celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas, on Sunday, June 3, 2012, to formally announce the Decree by the Vatican, granting to pilgrims and devotees who visit and pray at the Shrine the same plenary indulgence given to those who visit and pray at the ancient Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

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MOTHER’S Day is celebrated today, May 13, 2012, to pay tribute to mothers and their contributions to Philippine society, particularly the bearing and raising of children. A mother is a child’s first teacher, and it is in the home that the shaping of a child’s character begins. She is a source of strength, inspiration, happiness and stability for her family.

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TODAY is the 85th Birth Anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI. This milestone in the life of the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord for the gift of the Holy Father. It is also an opportunity for every Catholic to pray for their leader for his enlightenment as he continues to shepherd the Church during these difficult times. Pope Benedict XVI is the sixth oldest Pope since the 1400s. He needs good health to usher the Church into what he calls the “Era of the New Evangelization.” What keeps the Pope going is his desire to make Christ known and loved. He serves the Lord with joy, a joy that cannot be taken away from him. It is a joy that comes from the Lord Himself.

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THE nation marks “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) today, April 9, 2012, to commemorate the heroism and gallantry of Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American forces to defend Bataan in World War II. The theme of this year’s celebration of “Araw ng Kagitingan,” also known as “Bataan Day,” is “Veterans: Catalysts of Genuine and Lasting Change.” The focal point of the celebration is the “Dambana ng Kagitingan” shrine atop Mt. Samat in Bataan, a 92-meter marble, steel, and concrete Memorial Cross.

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PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III is leaving for Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The Summit is an annual meeting of ASEAN Heads of State and Government to discuss economic and cultural development in Southeast Asia. This year’s theme is “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations.” The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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To strengthen its campaign for the prevention and elimination of child labor, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has rolled out a series of programs and activities this year. The DOLE is focusing in the countryside where many barangays have a high incidence of child labor.

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The “20-12-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges,” an exchange project signed between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao, during President Aquino’s State Visit to the People’s Republic of China on August 30-September 3, 2011, will be officially launched today, March 20, 2012, by the Department of Foreign Affairs, with members of the Diplomatic Corps, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing, former Philippine Ambassadors to Beijing, members of the Filipino-Chinese community, business leaders, legislators, the academic sector, and arts culture personalities expected at the reception.

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FORMER Leyte Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez passed away on February 21, 2012, in Makati City at the age of 81. He was the younger brother of former First Lady, now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Romualdez Marcos, and father of Leyte’s 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. The son of the late Vicente Orestes Romualdez, a former Dean of the law school of St. Paul’s College in Tacloban, Governor Romualdez began his career in politics after serving as an assistant of former Speaker Daniel Z. Romualdez of Leyte Province, from 1957 to 1961. Fondly called "Kokoy," he served as Philippine Ambassador to Washington in United States, Beijing in the People’s Republic of China, and Saudi Arabia during the Marcos Administration.

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United States of America Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton is arriving for a working visit to the Philippines today, November 15, 2011. She is going through Manila from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, on her way to attend the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Bali, Indonesia.

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MUSLIM Filipinos are in the mainstream of Philippine national life. They are everywhere – in politics, government, business, media, law, academe. Some hold top posts in private corporations, while many make good as traders in fairs and bazaars, malls, public and flea markets.

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Women with Disabilities Day observed on March 28 aims to increase awareness about the rights and situation of women with disabilities by serving as a portal of resources and work of the United Nations in this area.

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The government is embarking on a campaign to encourage Filipino households to eat more vegetables, in light of a recent survey, a part of the 7th National Nutrition Survey, that showed a downtrend in vegetable consumption in Filipino households over the years.

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PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III is leaving for a four-day state visit to Indonesia on March 7-8, 2011 and Singapore on March 9-11, 201. The visits will be the President’s 4th and 5th trips to foreign countries since he assumed the presidency on June 30, 2010.

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Born on November 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to Don Mariano Quirino of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, and Doña Gregoria Mendoza Rivera of Agoo, La Union, the late President Elpidio R. Quirino spent his early years in Aringay, La Union, and subsequently in his native town of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, where he completed his elementary education. He received his secondary education at Vigan High School and then went to Manila to work and study. He started working as a junior computer in the Bureau of Lands, then as a property clerk in the Manila Police Department. In 1915, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines, passing the Bar a year later and engaged in private practice.

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 The Manila Bulletin was founded on February 2, 1900, as the Philippines was about to cross into the twentieth century.

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“Heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require training or physical strength. Heroism is here, all around us, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, just waiting to be summoned – as it was on Saturday morning.”

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The New Year always offers an opportunity for new beginnings because of the renewed sense of hope it brings.

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Editorial by DR. CRIS J. ICBAN, JR.,  Editor-in-Chief

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In faith, we Christians hold that Jesus has resurrected. This is the reward given to Him by the Father in heaven for His obedience to His will that all men and women be saved from the slavery of sin and death.

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This Sunday is Easter Sunday. We celebrate on Sunday Christ's resurrection from the dead.

It must have been difficult for Mary and the followers of Jesus to carry His lifeless body to His borrowed tomb.

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On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Church focuses her attention on the merciful love of our God who is Father of us all.

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The administration has expressed confidence that the country’s economy will be stronger in 2010 due to the economic reforms undertaken and the expanding global economic recovery.

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At the beginning of another year, we start anew with a positive outlook, with a firm conviction that we will all do better this year.

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President Ramon F. Magsaysay’s untimely passing away on March 17, 1957, thrust Vice President Carlos P. Garcia to the presidency of the Philippines.

The Holy Father, in one of his reflections after praying the Angelus, pondered on a passage from the Letter of James that delved on the question of true wisdom.

Today, November 2, we commemorate the faithful departed.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. This celebration invites us to reflect on the lives of the people who have lived holy and humble lives.

Halloween is an event very much looked forward to by children worldwide.

Recognizing the vital contribution of cooperatives in the country’s development efforts, Presidential Proclamation No. 493 declared the month of October every year as National Cooperative Month.

The first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) adopted by member states of the United Nations (UN) is to halve extreme poverty around the globe by 2015.

The world continues to shrink and there is increasing interdependence.

As a component of the criminal justice system, correctional institutions play a critical role in dispensing justice, in particular, and maintaining peace and order, in general.

The theme for the General Assembly describes what the LMP has accomplished and wishes to maintain in the long term – “Sustaining Exemplary Practices for Effective Local Governance.’’

The Holy Father has commended the efforts of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation to examine” the interdependence between institutions, society, and the market on the basis of the idea (in keeping with John Paul II’s Encyclical ‘Centesimus Annus’) that the market economy… “may be recognized as a means to achieve social and economic progress only if oriented towards the common good.’’

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the World War II by 51 countries committed to a number of objectives.

Autism goes beyond the confines of cultures, crossing oceans and continents, and leaving no territory uncovered.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves today to attend the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits at the seaside resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin in Thailand on October 23-25, 2009.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is the National Day of Vatican City.

Food Safety Awareness Week observed October 20-26 highlights the importance of safe and healthy food.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry convenes today the 35th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC & E), a three-day event at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

As early as the 19th century, a Spanish Royal Decree instituted a meat inspection system in the Philippines.

“The nations will come to its light’’ (Rev. 21:24). This is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of World Mission Sunday 2009.

With the theme “Children and Families Speak out against Poverty,’’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed on October 17, 2009, highlights the plight of children and families living in poverty and the need to fulfill children’s rights in keeping with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Among the branches of government, the legislature performs three important and inter-related functions.

Global Handwashing Day is a campaign to motivate and mobilize millions of children and adults worldwide to wash their hands with soap especially before eating and after using the toilet.

With more than 350 nursing schools in the country and with the demand for nursing professionals abroad, the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing plays an important role in assuring the quality of the nursing education, from the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

Tomorrow, Oct. 12, is Canada’s Thanksgiving Day.

We extend our sympathy to the victims of tropical storm "Ondoy" and express our sincere thanks to our generous Donors, Readers, Advertisers, Friends, and Supporters who helped in generating the funds necessary to help the families in need.

Tomorrow, Oct. 10,  is the National Day of the Republic of China (RoC) (commonly known as Taiwan since the 1970s).

The week of October 5-9, 2009 is being observed as School Children’s Oral Health Awareness Week to address the oral health problems among school children.

The Republic of Korea celebrates its National Day Thursday.

The month of October is especially dedicated to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Inauguratedon October 6, 1912, the Manila Hotel is the oldest premiere five-star hotel in the country built in 1909 and centrally situated in the heart of the Manila Bay area.

Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares Santiago retires Monday from the highest court of the land close to 40 years after she started as a Municipal Judge and 10 years after her appointment to the Supreme Court on April 6, 1999.

In its recent traditional annual message on Ramadan, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue in the Vatican underscored the need to work together toward overcoming poverty.

In 1871, the idea of political and administrative unification of Germany had been brought forth by princes of the German states.

We congratulate the Public Attorney’s Office led by Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda Acosta, its Officers and Members on the occasion of their Annual Convention and wish them success in all their endeavors.

Tomorrow, Oct. 1, is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The UNESCO website features the Municipal Literacy Coordinating Council (MLCC) of Agoo, La Union, an “innovative and all-inclusive project” that won one of this year’s UNESCO Confucius Prizes for Literacy.

Our reliance on carbon-based fuels has led to global warming which is causing climate change. Nations need to find a solution to this issue that will not only protect our environment in ways that will create jobs, income, and economic growth, but will also solve our economic problems in an environmentally sustainable manner.

President Diosdado P. Macapagal bequeathed many precious legacies to his countrymen.

In a recent forum sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the European Commission (EC), and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), local government units (LGUs) were urged to form alliances with the private sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) to better address issues on environment, health, and governance.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1560 issued in July 17, 2008, the last Friday of September every year is celebrated as National Maritime Day “for the purpose of focusing the public attention on seafarer’s welfare and maritime concerns.”

Our beloved Chairman, Don Emilio T. Yap, who is remarkably healthy for his age and looks like one in his sixties, continues to take an active part in overseeing various business interests, all of which are in the Philippines.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its 77th Anniversary Wednesday.

At the end of 2007, leaders of the world’s nations agreed to launch new negotiations on a global agreement to address climate change.

Ramadan covers a month of religious observance by the over one billion Muslims worldwide.

After leading his party, the Democratic Party of Japan, to a convincing electoral victory, a fourth-generation politician from a respected political family starts his service as Japan’s new Prime Minister.

Sotero H. Laurel, who comes from a family that has contributed much to the shaping of Philippine society, joined our Creator on September 16, 2009, at the age of 90.

Philippine Historical Association (PHA), in cooperation with the National Historical Institute (NHI), is holding today its Annual Conference at the National Museum, in Manila.

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) once again unrolls the carpet at the Exhibit Halls of the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, in Pasay City with the theme “Opening Doors and Pages: A Legacy of Books.’’

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves Wednesday for a three-country trip to secure the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and strengthen bilateral relations with the nations to be visited.

Democracy, the product of a strong, active, and vocal society, is as much a process as a goal.

The Knights of Columbus (KC) in the Philippines celebrates Monday the 32nd death anniversary of its founder, Rev. Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ, who also founded the KC Fraternal Association of the Philippines.

Grandparents and other elderly persons have played many important roles in the family and in nation-building.

In the traditional calendar of the Church, September 12 marks the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary.

The consumers of today, their changing product and shopping preferences, and the way they want to spend their money has put them at the center of marketing decisions.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1357, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on August 13, 2007, the month of September is observed as Public Relations Month, in recognition of the role of public relations in public and corporate affairs and development.

Tomorrow, Sept. 9, marks the 40th day of the passing away of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

On November 17, 1965, the UNESCO proclaimed September 8 every year as International Literacy Day to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and nations.

After taking over the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in 1963, Executive Minister Eraño G. Manalo steered the church towards steady expansion, maintaining the doctrines that the church was founded on.

Ascending to the position of head of government last May 29, 2009, Prime Minister Jan Fischer of the Czech Republic is in our country.

The Catholic Church Saturday celebrates the feast day of the renowned Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Tomorrow, Sept. 4, we begin the month-long Teachers’ Month Campaign (TMC) with the theme “My Teacher, My Hero.’’

This year’s awards in the annual Search for Outstanding Teachers will be conferred Thursday in ceremonies to be held in Malacañang.

The Land Management Bureau, currently under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

With the bulk of the workforce in the private sector, every laborer puts in his or her contribution to the sustenance and growth of the country’s economy, from the manufacturing firm employee to the company’s manager or chief executive officer.

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced that six individuals from Burma, China, India, the Philippines, and Thailand will receive Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, for the year 2009.

To strengthen bilateral relations between our nations and join in the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Great Al Fateh Revolution, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves today for Libya at the invitation of Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.

Several hundred million people in the Asia-Pacific region suffer from unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, polluted river systems, flood disasters, and more.

In a forum sponsored by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, recently, a Nobel prize-winning economist, the former Chief Economist of the World Bank, Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, said that the United Nations (UN) is the only institution with the legitimacy to oversee democratic reforms of the global economic system to pull the world out of the current recession.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has been active in the delivery of its programs, chiefly those that target the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable, including the conditional cash transfers under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program.

The recently released World Health Organization Global Status Report on Road Safety has assessed 178 countries, including the Philippines, on the implementation of road safety measures such as limiting speed, reducing drunk driving, and enforcing the use of seatbelts, child restraints, and motorcycle helmets.

The administration’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps will increase the number of its target beneficiaries from 700,000 to one million poor families per month this year.

Metropolitan Manila is much like all other megalopolises in the world. Alongside major commercial districts and plush residential areas, there are many blighted communities that serve as home to thousands of squatters and other poor folk.

Born on December 3, 1925, in a small village on an island off South Korea’s southwestern coast, Kim Dae-jung decided to enter politics during the turbulent Syngman Rhee Administration (1948-1960).

This month, our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters join the other Muslims worldwide in the solemn observance of the month of Ramadan.

Eight years before his untimely death, Benigno “Ninoy’’ S. Aquino Jr. wrote a poem in his cell in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

Biological organisms in the oceans are an integral part of and help maintain processes that regulate global climate and cycle essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and water, all of each keep the oceans livable.

“The government of the Philippines is not only the government of all officials of the government;
it is the government of all the Filipinos and the interest of the people should be placed over and above the welfare of the party,’’ President Manuel L. Quezon once said.

MATTHEW 20:1-16

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed on August 7, 2009 the law that extends the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program by another five years.

A nation of travelers, the Philippines has joined 60 other nations in the world in implementing one of the most advanced electronic passport (e-passport) systems.

With the theme, “Living the Eucharist in Asia,’’ the Ninth Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) is being held again in Manila.

Tomorrow, August 15, is a special day in the calendar of the Catholic Church, especially for Marian devotees the world over.

A fewdays after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations celebrated its 42nd Founding Anniversary, two charter members, Thailand and the Philippines, bolster their relationship with the state visit today of His Excellency, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

First observed in 1976, International Lefthanders Day seeks to raise awareness of left-handedness and the challenges caused by living in a right-handed world.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has appointed a legal educator and academic, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Civil Law Acting Dean Roberto A. Abad.

Tomorrow, Aug. 11, we observe the memorial of St. Clare, Foundress of the Poor Clares.

Gaudencio B. Rosales was born on August 10, 1932, in Batangas City to Godofredo D. Rosales and Remedios M. Borbon.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has appointed Court of Appeals Justice Mariano C. del Castillo as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Tomorrow, Aug. 8, the Catholic Church remembers St. Dominic, Founder of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans.

The Millennium Development Goals are the world’s time-bound targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions – income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion – while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1041, August is celebrated in the Philippines as Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month).

In his third Encyclical entitled “Caritas in Veritate,” the Holy Father underscores that “charity in truth is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity.”

On August 3, 1902, Isabelo de los Reyes, patriot and revolutionary hero, led the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church, officially the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), at the Zorilla Theater.

For all that Corazon Aquino has done, for her family, for our beloved country, for the world, two things stand out – her persistent advocacy for democracy and her unwavering faith in the goodness of God, her source of strength amidst all the trials that she has encountered.

The country’s revenue generating agency, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), celebrates its 105th year tomorrow, August 1.

Tomorrow, July 31, we remember the life and works of St. Ignatius Loyola founder of the Jesuits.

To explore the various possibilities of increasing the incomes of coconut farmers using a number of approaches, the First Mindanao Coconut Summit opens Thursday in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States of America are expected to be boosted anew with the first meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and US President Barack H. Obama.

Everything that comes with the package called progress has to be used responsibly.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to highlight the achievements of her administration and the status of the government’s projects and programs in her State of the Nation Address (SoNA) at the joint session of Congress today, July 27, 2009, at the Batasang Pambansa.

On Sunday, we celebrate the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Tomorrow, July 25, we celebrate the Feast of St. James the Great.

This year’s celebration of National Nutrition Month this July has been devolved to local government units to encourage and allow greater creativity and flexibility.

The Philippine Real Estate Festival will be held on July 23-25, 2009 at the World Trade Center.

The government has provided P305.57 billion in financial aid to small businessmen, which has helped create some 2.5 million jobs since 2004.

Belgium will  celebrate its National Day tomorrow, July 21.

Isra Wal Miraj means the Night of Ascent.

The Ecology Desk of the archdiocese has released guidelines on observing Ecology Sundays in the parishes.

Beautiful gardens have been part of human experiences in many cultures from very early times, including the creation stories.

To raise awareness, recognition, and support for the significance of the emerging system of international criminal justice, International Justice Day is celebrated on July 17 each year.

Catholic tradition holds that on July 16, 1251, our Blessed Mother handed over a brown scapular to Simon Stock.

To create greater awareness among parents and children on the importance of books as a good starting ground for the future, National Children’s Book Day is celebrated on July 15 each year.

Following the old adage that the future of the motherland is in the hands of the young, the government
launched recently the National Youth Service Program, one of the priority projects of the administration and the National Youth Commission.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves tomorrow to join the heads of states or government of nations
that are part of the Non-Aligned Movement.

After undergoing surgery for her colon cancer, former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino was confined in the hospital recently to seek medical attention for her loss of appetite attributed to the illness that she has courageously battled for over a year and a half.

The Mongolian nation is celebrating on Saturday the anniversary of the establishment of an independent Provisional People’s Government by the Mongolian People’s Revolution Party.

Economic measures to modernize and improve the Philippine economy, including a trade and investment liberalization program, have been put in place to encourage foreign direct investment and stimulate the economy.

The rule of law is among the foundations on which democracies are built.

The National Academy of Science and Technology will pen its 31st Annual Scientific Meeting on Wednesday at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

PGMA asked the country’s top student leaders to help n pursuing national economic recovery as the nation wages war against the global economic crisis.

The Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that is highly susceptible to natural calamities.

In 1973, operating room supervisors of hospitals in the greater Manila area organized the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines.

Today, this nation, the United States of America, serves not only as an exemplar of the struggle for liberty and equality, as well as democracy, it has also become the chief purveyor and protector of such ideals.

We wish them success in all their endeavors.

July is celebrated nationwide on the barangay, municipal, city, provincial, and local levels as Nutrition Month in the Philippines to encourage everyone to eat healthy and nutritious foods.

Canada celebrates its National Day today.

In 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 nations.

The Prime Minister of the island-state of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Apesai Ielemia, and his wife, First Lady Sikinala Ielimia, arrived Wednesday for a three-day visit that hopes to further strengthen ties between Tuvalu and the Philippines.

To the pre-colonial Filipinos, Manila was “Madlangbayan,” the center of their government.

TODAY, the Philippines joins in the worldwide celebration of United Nations Public Service Day.

To honor the courage, strength, and determination of men, women, and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict, and violence, World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20 each year.

One hundred and forty-eight years ago on Friday, our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was born.

A recent statement of the Al-Insan Islamic Assembly (AIIA) leadership, which is composed of Muslim
religious leaders and professionals, underscore that the new generation of Muslims “support the promotion of tolerance and moderation as a means to achieve peace and harmony within its ranks, and between them and the rest of Philippine society.’’

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves on Wednesday for a seven-day official trip that will bring her to Japan and Brazil.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has an important mandate whose fulfillment will have a substantial impact on the nation’s development.

June has been declared Dengue Awareness Month in the Philippines to build public awareness on the preventive measures against this mosquito-borne viral disease.

On this day in 1901, the Supreme Court was constituted by virtue of Act 136 of the Second Philippine Commission, otherwise known as the Judiciary Law.

On this day in 1901, the Supreme Court was constituted by virtue of Act 136 of the Second Philippine Commission, otherwise known as the Judiciary Law.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 79, June 4-10 each year is observed as Philippine Eagle Week to celebrate the beauty of the country’s national bird and attract interest and support for the eagle and environmental conservation efforts.

Today, the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrate Queen’s Day, the official observance of the 82nd birthday of their Queen, Elizabeth II.

The world’s oceans generate most of the oxygen we breathe, supply us with food, regulate our climate, clean the water we drink, and offer a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines.

According to legend, the month one marries may have some bearing on the fate of the marriage.

Victims of injustice and poverty have always had their problems being heard, and none have had more difficulty, historically, than children.

The family constitutes the basic unit of society and to a great extent provides the foundation to preserve order within all societies.

The Coral Triangle has been described by the WWF as an extraordinary area that holds the richest concentration of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and marine plants in the world.

The Commission on Higher Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization-Asia Pacific convene on Wednesday a two-day regional meeting that aims to further the leveling off among UN member states in the region on concerns related to cross-border education.

On Tuesday, World Asthma Day is being observed all over the world to educate the public on asthma, its prevention, and treatment.

At a time when the global financial crisis has affected investor and consumer confidence in many advanced countries, our government officials have worked double time to craft and put into effect a number of measures to shore up the banking sector.

As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, may we be His good sheep, so that we might listen attentively to His voice, and follow His example of self-giving love.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo embarks on a mission of peace and interfaith dialogue as she goes on a special working visit to Cairo, Egypt on May 2 and a state visit to Damascus, Syria on May 4 and 5.

Everyone who constitutes part of the workforce deserves to be commended on Friday.

Born as Ma. Alicia Austria in Manila on December 19, 1940, Associate Justice Austria Martinez was introduced early to the intricacies of the law.

As the global financial crisis deepens, government and business leaders around the world have put into effect measures to lessen the effects of the crisis, especially on the most vulnerable economies and sectors.

The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas and the Catholic University of the Philippines are the official designations of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Let us try to read and to meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to find in it a foretaste of Heaven. Let us be true witnesses of Jesus Christ as we spread His message of life and love to our own homes, workplaces, schools, and wherever God has sent us.

On Saturday, we remember the life and works of St. Mark the Evangelist.

As we enter the merry months of summer, when a lot of us will be organizing family get-together parties, outings to the beach, and long vacations outside the city, it would be good to keep in mind some health and safety tips.

To encourage the habit of reading, give book publishing the needed boost, and promote the protection of intellectual property through copyright, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared April 23 as World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD).

He set an exacting standard of personal integrity, dedication to public service, and exemplary conduct by which those who followed him to the presidency of the Philippines were measured and judged.

We wish President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada a very Happy Birthday as he continues his service to the nation.

The Philippine Association for Teachers of Educational Foundations (PATEF) opens today its Sixth National Convention.

The 18th National Assembly of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines affirmed the commitment of our provincial legislators to work hand-in-hand with other local leaders and the national administration in providing basic services to their constituencies and help stimulate the economy amidst difficult global conditions.

Thursday marks the 82nd birth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI, who was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria, Germany.

Born officially in 1947, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) will celebrate its 62nd founding anniversary today with activities highlighting this year’s achievements.

Born on October 18, 1948, in Bangued, Abra, the newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin has been a legal professional for the last three and a half decades.

Very early in the morning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome took spices and went to the tomb of Jesus in order to anoint His body.

Jesus is alive! Alleluia! The Paschal Mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ comes to fruition today with the celebration of His Resurrection.

It was a real death that put an end to Jesus’ earthly human existence.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves Friday for Thailand for the Summit, where several declarations, agreements, and statements will be signed by ministers or secretaries and the ASEAN heads of government.

Holy Thursday is the most complex and profound of all religious observances, save only for the Easter Vigil.

Wednesday’s Gospel reading preludes the betrayal of Judas.

Peter’s willingness to stand up for Jesus was very evident when Jesus was arrested.

TODAY we reflect on the anointing of Jesus’ feet by a woman named Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus who were close friends of Jesus) which foreshadowed His imminent death. She honored Him as God’s anointed and poured out to Him love and devotion too deep for words.

We wish President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a Happy 62nd Birth Anniversary!

To raise awareness about landmines and spur greater efforts for their eradication, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed on December 8, 2005, that April 4 of each year be observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

In many countries, the application of mechanized processes in agriculture has enabled their economies to meet the demands of their population and attain food security.

We remember Thursday a gifted philosopher, a staunch defender of family and life, and a friend of young and old alike – Pope John Paul II.

Although not considered a holiday in its own right, April Fools’ Day (or All Fools’ Day) is celebrated in many countries on April 1.

In the Asia Pacific region, some 27 million more people are projected to join the ranks of the unemployed within the year.

To enhance understanding of recent trends and debates on global and regional resources and environmental problems, the Southeast Asian Forum on Environmental Economics will be held from March 30 to April 3, 2009.

Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, arrived in the country for a formal visit to explore opportunities for joint ventures between the Pacific island state and the Philippines.

On Saturday night at exactly 8:30, at least 538 cities in 75 countries worldwide, including the Philippines, will turn off the lights for one full hour in observance of Earth Hour.

In line with Presidential Proclamation No. 1252, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is holding the Kalahi Cultural Caregiving Summit/Festival/Workshops for the United Nations Campaign to Stand Up Against Poverty.

World Meteorological Day is celebrated on March 23 each year.

The Philippine Revolution was a glorious chapter in Philippine history. It was a period that produced a rich harvest of heroes. Foremost of these heroes was Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy. “Miong,’’ as he was called by his colleagues and friends, bequeathed many timeless legacies to his countrymen.

PURSUANT to Presidential Proclamation No. 1187, December is celebrated annually as “National Press Congress Month’’ and “Month of the Community Press in the Service of the Nation.’’ Leading the month-long activities is the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), in cooperation with various agencies, organizations, and institutions concerned with the promotion of press freedom and national welfare.