18th March 2013

News feature: Gearing up for the 492nd anniversary of 1st mass in the Philippines at Limasawa Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on March 18, 2013, 6:49 am   By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Monday 18th of March 2013 MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 18 (PIA) -- Preparations are being set for the commemoration of the 492nd Anniversary of the First Mass in the Philippines in the island town of Limasawa, Southern Leyte on March 31, 2013.  History books have it that on a Saturday, March 16, 1521, the ship of Portuguese circumnavigator Ferdinand Magellan,reached Homonhon, Eastern Samar. “The natives seemed to be friendly. Unlike other people who were fearful of white men, the Visayans approached them on their own accord.”  “The natives took their leave and came back with provisions which the Spaniards purchased.”  “After the encounter, Magellan sailed to another island – Limasawa. Through an interpreter, Magellan made known his intention. The Spaniards were welcomed by Rajah Awi, chief of the island. On the island of Limasawa, on March 31, 1521, the first mass was celebrated on Philippine soil.”  “After the mass, from Limasawa the Spaniards sailed to the harbor of Cebu. They were accompanied by Rajah Awi.”  This same story is the storyline of the Sinugdan Festival in Limasawa, which will be presented as soon as the image of Santo Niño de Cebu arrives from Cebu.  The activity, which is a joint undertaking of Southern Leyte and the diocese of Maasin, falls on an Easter Sunday just like 492 years ago, thus, more guest and believers are expected to take part in the celebration, Nedgar Garvez, province' Tourism officer of Southern Leyte, said.  Both Governor Damian Mercado and Bishop Precioso Cantilla chose to adapt the theme, “Duaw Sto. Niño sa Limasawa: Ang Sinugdan sa Kristiyanismo,” Garvez said.  “We are promoting the importance of the observance of the First Mass in Limasawa especially to the younger generation, the tourism officer said.  For the second year, the Santo Niño de Cebu will make its historic return to the island where Fr. Pedro Valderrama officiated the First Mass.  The Santo Niño de Cebu is said to be the same image given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana, the wife of King Humabon during his baptism on April 14, 1521 in Cebu City.  The Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation Inc., under the leadership of Augustinian priest Fr.Tito Soquiño, the caretaker of the Holy Image kept in the parish convent of the Santo Niño Basilica, Cebu City.  The image will board the Philippine Navy ship in Cebu City and is expected to arrive at 7 a.m. of Easter Sunday in Barangay Triana, Limasawa. Augustinian priests, and religious and civic groups from Cebu will join the journey.  Meanwhile, the faithful from Maasin diocese will join the fluvial procession going to Limasawa, will depart Maasin port at 5 a.m. and will arrive Triana port at 7 a.m.  From Triana, A foot procession will be conducted towards Barangay Magallanes, the site of the First Mass that marked the first Catholicism of the Philippines.  A festive welcome awaits the Santo Niño and guests. The Sinugdan Festival contingent will perform and a six-gun salute will signal the start of the holy mass to be celebrated by Bishop Precioso Cantillas of the diocese of Maasin.  The commemorative program will follow after the mass with Department of Energy Secretary Jericho “Icot” Petilla as guest speaker.  The Santo Niño de Cebu will be brought to Maasin at 1 p.m. The naval ship will be accompanied by the Maasin delegation in a fluvial parade, Nervez said.  In Maasin City, there will be a procession with the Santo Nino image as the main feature up to the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.  On April 1, a Holy Mass will be conducted in the different vicariates of the diocese of Maasin. At 5 p.m. a Pontifical Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Cantillas. The image of the Santo Niño and the Cebu delegation will leave for Cebu at 9 p.m. (PIA 8) Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

28th February 2013

Repair, strengthening of four bridges in So. Leyte ongoing Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on February 28, 2013, 6:04 pm By Marcelo M. Pedalino SOUTHERN LEYTE, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Work on the rehabilitation of four bridges along the Daang Maharlika highway in this province have begun in earnest, their cumulative cost of P30 million sourced from the regular funds of the Department of Public Highways (DPWH) local office for the current year 2013.  These include the Nailong bridge in Liloan town with a project cost of P3.7 million, Cawayan bridge in Libagon for P10 million, Bogasong bridge also in Libagon for P3 million, and the Divisoria bridge in Bontoc, P13.6 million.  The four national highway links were singled out for priority attention because each one of them were already showing signs of advanced deterioration due to more than two decades of wear and tear, Cong. Roger Mercado said during the series of groundbreaking rites Tuesday, Feb. 26.  Local chief executives under whose territories the projects fall, such as Mayor Shirley Chong for Liloan, Mayor Oliver Ranque of Libagon, and Mervin Ruales in Bontoc, were one in saying the bridge projects were long cherished by their respective constituents.  The three local leaders were also one in expressing gratitude, stressing that continued inaction would have subjected motorists to danger, a recipe for a disaster waiting to happen.  Carlos Veloso, engineer, of the Southern Leyte engineering district said in an interview all of the four bridge projects are expected to be finished before the month of June this year.  He dismissed rumors the projects were timed for the election period, saying this was done as the DPWH central office already released the budget for 2013 in January, just like what happened last year, so all infrastructure projects were already implemented early on.  Also on Tuesday, the groundbreaking for a two-storey, six-classroom school building for Sogod National High School worth P6.7 million was held, as well as the extension of a multi-purpose building in Poblacion, Tomas Oppus worth P2 million.  Inaugurated was the improvement of a multi-purpose building in barangay Taliwa, Malitbog, for P1 million. (mmp-PIA8, Southern Leyte) - See more at: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R08&article=1301361951396#sthash.vWfDy7CX.dpuf Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

16th February 2013

Infra projects to connect island towns in Southern Leyte Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on February 16, 2013, 8:23 pm By Erna S. Gorne Sunday 17th of February 2013 SAN RICARDO, Southern Leyte, Feb 17 (PIA) -- More infrastructure projects that will connect the island towns of Pana-on Island in the province are in the offing.  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED) together with Representative Roger Mercado and provincial officials led the groundbreaking ceremonies of various infrastructure projects in Pana-on Island Friday.  “ The 2.0 kilometer road upgrading of Barangays Kamang and Bil-atan roads down to Brgy. Esperanza in San Ricardo will spell out changes of lives of the constituents here in the benefiting barangays, “ Representative Roger Mercado said during the groundbreaking ceremony of San Ricardo Bil-atan road.  “ More economic activities will follow and re shape the people’s lives in the remotest municipality of the four-towns in the Pana-on Island such as more transportation vehicles will be willing to fetch them with lower fare due to convenient roads,” he said.  San Ricardo is the last town of four – municipalities of the Pana-on Island. However, when connected with good roads, San Ricardo will be nearest to Lilo-an municipality, which is the first town upon entering the Pana-on Island, it was learned.  Meanwhile, Governor Damian Mercado noted that the provincial government will continue to work together and appropriate more funds for the development of the circumferential road of the island municipalities.(PIA8, SoLeyte) Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 1

30th January 2013

Marcos Sins, Victims' Woes to be Taught in Schools Posted by Yel Cobile, Contributing Correspondent, on January 30, 2013, 1:40 am (By Leila B. Salaverria, 1:40 am Wed 30 Jan 2013) JAILED TWICE One of the victims of martial law abuses, Carmencita Florentino, 64, is shown peering through the screen door of her home in a poor area of Tatalon, Quezon City. More than 9,000 victims stand to receive compensation from the $246-million fund the government recovered from the Marcos wealth. Florentino was jailed twice, in 1977 and 1978. Bullit Marquez/AP Never again. So the nation will remember not to forget, a bill that recognizes for the first time that the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship committed atrocities against Filipinos also mandates the teaching in schools of the abuses inflicted on its opponents and the heroism of those who fought the regime. The bill, ratified by the two chambers of Congress on Monday and awaits the signing into law by President Aquino, creates the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission and lays down guidelines for monetary reparations to the victims from a P10-billion fund out of the ill-gotten wealth recovered from Marcos. The memorial commission is tasked with collaborating with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) “to ensure that the teaching of martial law atrocities, the lives and sacrifices of [victims of human rights violations] in our history are included in the basic, secondary, and tertiary education curricula.” Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0

23rd January 2013

In face of shady election deals, media leaders issue covenant against corruption Posted by Jani Arnaiz, Chief Editor on January 23, 2013, 5:08 am Just prior to signing a historic covenant against media corruption, senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño, who is currently a congressman, vented his frustration. "Before I used to be interviewed for free, now I'm being asked to pay," he told an audience of media leaders and political party representatives on Tuesday, without citing which news organizations were billing him. "They told me now that I'm running the rules are different." "That's why we're doing this!" newspaper publisher Vergel Santos exclaimed. "We need to hear stories that will expose corruption in media. With this covenant, lines will be drawn." After further discussion about "interview packages" and other shady deals that some media agencies offer candidates, the covenant was signed by a diverse group that included representatives of the three major TV networks and political parties Liberal Party, Nationalista, LDP, and the coalition UNA, who all pledged to "reject the corruption in media, in its varied forms, that has always marred Philippine elections." Read more... Tell a Friend... :: Comments: 0