Thanksgiving mass held for Aquino’s 51st birthday
President Benigno S. Aquino III celebrated his 51st birthday today with a thanksgiving mass offered by his family, friends and co-workers in government at the Heroes Hall of Malacanang.
"We would like to thank the Lord you were born this day," Rev. Father Arnold Abelardo the officiating priest, said in his homily.
The Rev. Father noted that when the President accepted the challenge of the Filipino people to lead them and implement changes, he already took a great sacrifice.
The sacrifice the President took, he said, was for the "common good of our nation, for the needs of the poor, especially the broken."
"May the Lord continue to give him good health, long life for he is a blessed gift to our nation," the special prayer for the Chief Executive said.
Fr. Abelardo asked the President's cabinet members, workers in government and friends to be "united behind" him.
The President's sisters were the offerors: Viel Aquino-Dee for the lighted candles, Kris Aquino-Yap for the water and wine, Pinky Aquino-Abellada for the chalice and Balsy Aquino-Cruz for the ciborium.
Among the cabinet members present were Presidential Management Staff Director-General Julia Abad, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, together with his wife Elenita and son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Jun Jun" Binay also attended the thanksgiving mass. (PCOO)
Aquino extends his condolences to the family of Reyes
President Benigno S. Aquino III extended his condolences to the family of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, saying he was shocked by reports of the latter’s apparent suicide.
“Nagulat tayo sa pangyayari at nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ni Secretary Reyes,” the President said in an ambush interview when he visited the medical and dental missions organized by the Office of the President’s attached agencies in honor of his 51st birthday celebration at the Mendiola parking area on Tuesday.
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes,” the President said.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, likewise expressing his condolences to the family of retired General Reyes, asked the public to “allow his loved ones their grief and privacy.”
Reyes was 65.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona, in a press conference at the Quirino Memorial Hospital, confirmed Reyes died from a gunshot wound to the heart. Reyes was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Ona said Reyes was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his parents.
Reyes, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class ’66, was the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Joseph Estrada, and Secretary of Defense, Interior and Local Government, and Energy during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003.
He graduated as class valedictorian in high school and was among the top ten graduates of the PMA.
Reyes obtained two masteral degrees, namely, Masters in Business Administration from Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1991. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983.
In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. (PCOO)
Aquino renews LTO license on his birthday
President Benigno S. Aquino III began the commemoration of his 51st birthday by renewing his driver’s license at the Land Transportation Office along East Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday.
The President, who was dressed in a white long sleeved barong tagalong and black slacks, arrived at the licensing division at the LTO’s main office at around 10:38 a.m. and directly proceeded to Window 14 to personally submit his license renewal application form.
He was welcomed by LTO chief Virginia Torres, who assisted the Chief Executive as he went about the usual procedure for renewing one’s driver’s license.
After submitting the application form, the President then proceeded to Window 11 where he had his photo and specimen signature electronically taken.
In a span of less than 10 minutes, the President was handed his newly renewed license that will be valid for the next three years.
After receiving his new license, the President, together with LTO officials led by Torres, proceeded to her office located on the second floor of the LTO building for a closed door meeting.
Following the meeting, which lasted for several minutes, the President was given the traditional birthday greeting by officials and employees of the LTO who sang “Happy Birthday to You.”
A beaming President Aquino gamely waved to the well-wishers and members of the media as he left the LTO compound for another engagement. (PCOO)
Aquino birthday wish: Jumpstart upliftment of Filipinos’ lives
President Benigno S. Aquino III has a simple wish for his 51st birthday: Work doubly hard for the betterment of Filipinos’ lives in the soonest possible time.
In an ambush interview during a visit to the medical and dental missions at the Mendiola parking area organized by the Office of the President, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in honor of his birthday, the President said his interest is in the transformation of society for the betterment of our people’s lives “at a faster pace than what we have so far managed to achieved.”
The President interacted with the indigent residents and medical teams and observed the distribution of gift packs to the beneficiaries coming from 22 Malacanang League of Barangays.
Earlier, the President went to the Land Transportation Office main office along East Avenue in Quezon City to renew his driver’s license. Driver’s licenses usually expire on the occasion of a driver’s birthday every three years.
After the LTO visit, the President attended a Thanksgiving Mass at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. (PCOO)
