President Aquino leads commemoration of his father Former Sen. Ninoy Aquino's martyrdom
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the whole nation’s collective actions in pursuing the ideals of his late father, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., as he led in the commemoration of the latter’s martyrdom that restored the peace and democracy to the nation 28 years ago.
In his speech during the Opening Ceremonies of “Ninoy, My Hero” Interactive exhibit at The Atrium, SM Megamall in Pasig City on Sunday, the President issued the call as he encouraged everyone to take part in efforts to respond to the challenges of maintaining the democracy and fight against corruption.
“Ngayon po, … 28 years after he (Senator Aquino) has been assassinated, tayo po na nakatatamasa ng maski papaano ng biyaya mula sa kanyang pagsasakripisyo, pagbabalik po ng ating kalayaan… pag-asa at karapatan na mangarap na muli ay baka mapagtagumpayan na po natin… matapos na natin iyong kanilang mga sinimulan,” President Aquino said.
“May kakayahan tayong baguhin ang ating tadhana… ginagawa na po natin iyan, mapapamadali natin iyan kung sama-sama nating tapusin ang kanilang mga inaasam at pinapanaginipan para sa atin pong sambayanan,” he added.
The Chief Executive noted the importance of cooperation in traversing the righteous
path towards the country’s progress and development.
“Mas marami na po tayo ngayon, mas malaya na nating magagawa ang kanilang ginagawa noong araw kaya ngayon din kailangan mangako na tayo sa susunod na salinlahi…tatapusin na natin itong laban na ito,” the President said.
“Kailangan naman po siguro na masabi natin na hindi sayang ang mga sakripisyo ninyo,” he added.
Then opposition leader Ninoy was shot to death at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, which was now named after him, following his return from the United States to lead the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Such act of martyrdom urged the Filipinos to launch a bloodless revolution that ousted then President Marcos catapulted his widow, Corazon C. Aquino as the 11th President of the country in February of the year 1986.
The photo exhibit seeks to keep Ninoy’s ideals alive and hopes to inspire the younger generation of heroes who will likewise strive for a Philippines filled with dignity and promise.
The exhibit features some of the most memorable photographs as well as illustrations of Ninoy highlighting the diverse aspects of his meaningful life. It will also illustrate a vibrant portrait of Filipino heroism; the sacrifices heroism entails and explains its importance to date in the nation’s history.
Also present during the event include House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Senator Serge Osmena and cabinet officials led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Communications and Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
Organized by the Edsa People Power Commission, the exhibit will run until August 27. (PCOO)
Aquino extends condolences to families of Tiempo and Polotan-Tuvera
The Aquino administration mourns the deaths of National Artist Edith Tiempo and renowned fictionist and essayist Kerima Polotan Tuvera.
“It is a sad weekend for the Philippine literary community as two of its most eminent elders, National Artist for Literature Edith L. Tiempo and renowned fictionist and essayist Kerima Polotan Tuvera, passed away within a day of each other,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Tiempo died on Sunday while Tuvera passed away last Friday.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration is “united in grief with a country that mourns their passing.”
“Many of the country’s established literary practitioners, as well as its most promising young talents, trace their lineage from the Silliman National Writers Workshop which Mrs. Tiempo established with her late husband. Among those who served as a pillar of the workshop was Mrs. Polotan Tuvera, whose own body of work has been widely recognized as crucial to the development of Philippine Literary Fiction written from English,” Lacierda said.
“Both stalwarts have influenced generations of writers through their mentoring and through their own works, inspiring countless to tread the same path. We are certain that coming generations of Filipinos will likewise find a timeless vibrancy in the wealth that they contributed to our culture, our collective memory, and our nation’s story,” he added.
Tiempo was born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya on April 22, 1919. Together with her late husband, writer and critic Edilberto K. Tiempo, they founded (in 1962) and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has produced some of the country’s best writers.
She was conferred the National Artist Award for Literature in 1999. She died at the age of 92 on August 21 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Among her novels were A Blade of Fern (1978), His Native Coast (1979), The Alien Corn (1992), One, Tilting Leaves (1995) and The Builder (2003). She wrote a short fiction, Abide, Joshua, and Other Stories (1964) and poetries, The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems (1966), The Charmer’s Box (1992), Beyond, Extensions (1993) and Marginal Annotations (2001).
Tuvera, former editor in chief of Focus Philippines magazine and the Evening Post newspaper, died at the age of 85.
She won four first prizes at the Palanca awards, and also garnered prizes in the Philippines Free Press short story contest as well as the Stonehill award for the novel in 1961.
Born in Jolo, Sulu on December 16, 1925, she was the widow of writer and newsman Juan Tuvera, presidential speechwriter during the Marcos years. They had 10 children.
She was a regular panelist at the Silliman University Writers Workshop in the 1960s, and sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Patricia S. Torres.
Among her books, as listed in the Umpil Directory of Filipino Writers, were the novel Hand of the Enemy (1962), Stories, a Collection (1966), Author’s Choice (1972, essays), and Adventures in a Forgotten Country (1975, essays). One of her last books was The True and the Plain (UP Press), a memoir of childhood. The City of Manila also conferred on her the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan award. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the whole nation’s collective actions in pursuing the ideals of his late father, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., as he led in the commemoration of the latter’s martyrdom that restored the peace and democracy to the nation 28 years ago.
In his speech during the Opening Ceremonies of “Ninoy, My Hero” Interactive exhibit at The Atrium, SM Megamall in Pasig City on Sunday, the President issued the call as he encouraged everyone to take part in efforts to respond to the challenges of maintaining the democracy and fight against corruption.
“Ngayon po, … 28 years after he (Senator Aquino) has been assassinated, tayo po na nakatatamasa ng maski papaano ng biyaya mula sa kanyang pagsasakripisyo, pagbabalik po ng ating kalayaan… pag-asa at karapatan na mangarap na muli ay baka mapagtagumpayan na po natin… matapos na natin iyong kanilang mga sinimulan,” President Aquino said.
“May kakayahan tayong baguhin ang ating tadhana… ginagawa na po natin iyan, mapapamadali natin iyan kung sama-sama nating tapusin ang kanilang mga inaasam at pinapanaginipan para sa atin pong sambayanan,” he added.
The Chief Executive noted the importance of cooperation in traversing the righteous
path towards the country’s progress and development.
“Mas marami na po tayo ngayon, mas malaya na nating magagawa ang kanilang ginagawa noong araw kaya ngayon din kailangan mangako na tayo sa susunod na salinlahi…tatapusin na natin itong laban na ito,” the President said.
“Kailangan naman po siguro na masabi natin na hindi sayang ang mga sakripisyo ninyo,” he added.
Then opposition leader Ninoy was shot to death at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, which was now named after him, following his return from the United States to lead the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Such act of martyrdom urged the Filipinos to launch a bloodless revolution that ousted then President Marcos catapulted his widow, Corazon C. Aquino as the 11th President of the country in February of the year 1986.
The photo exhibit seeks to keep Ninoy’s ideals alive and hopes to inspire the younger generation of heroes who will likewise strive for a Philippines filled with dignity and promise.
The exhibit features some of the most memorable photographs as well as illustrations of Ninoy highlighting the diverse aspects of his meaningful life. It will also illustrate a vibrant portrait of Filipino heroism; the sacrifices heroism entails and explains its importance to date in the nation’s history.
Also present during the event include House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Senator Serge Osmena and cabinet officials led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Communications and Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
Organized by the Edsa People Power Commission, the exhibit will run until August 27. (PCOO)
Aquino extends condolences to families of Tiempo and Polotan-Tuvera
The Aquino administration mourns the deaths of National Artist Edith Tiempo and renowned fictionist and essayist Kerima Polotan Tuvera.
“It is a sad weekend for the Philippine literary community as two of its most eminent elders, National Artist for Literature Edith L. Tiempo and renowned fictionist and essayist Kerima Polotan Tuvera, passed away within a day of each other,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Tiempo died on Sunday while Tuvera passed away last Friday.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration is “united in grief with a country that mourns their passing.”
“Many of the country’s established literary practitioners, as well as its most promising young talents, trace their lineage from the Silliman National Writers Workshop which Mrs. Tiempo established with her late husband. Among those who served as a pillar of the workshop was Mrs. Polotan Tuvera, whose own body of work has been widely recognized as crucial to the development of Philippine Literary Fiction written from English,” Lacierda said.
“Both stalwarts have influenced generations of writers through their mentoring and through their own works, inspiring countless to tread the same path. We are certain that coming generations of Filipinos will likewise find a timeless vibrancy in the wealth that they contributed to our culture, our collective memory, and our nation’s story,” he added.
Tiempo was born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya on April 22, 1919. Together with her late husband, writer and critic Edilberto K. Tiempo, they founded (in 1962) and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has produced some of the country’s best writers.
She was conferred the National Artist Award for Literature in 1999. She died at the age of 92 on August 21 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Among her novels were A Blade of Fern (1978), His Native Coast (1979), The Alien Corn (1992), One, Tilting Leaves (1995) and The Builder (2003). She wrote a short fiction, Abide, Joshua, and Other Stories (1964) and poetries, The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems (1966), The Charmer’s Box (1992), Beyond, Extensions (1993) and Marginal Annotations (2001).
Tuvera, former editor in chief of Focus Philippines magazine and the Evening Post newspaper, died at the age of 85.
She won four first prizes at the Palanca awards, and also garnered prizes in the Philippines Free Press short story contest as well as the Stonehill award for the novel in 1961.
Born in Jolo, Sulu on December 16, 1925, she was the widow of writer and newsman Juan Tuvera, presidential speechwriter during the Marcos years. They had 10 children.
She was a regular panelist at the Silliman University Writers Workshop in the 1960s, and sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Patricia S. Torres.
Among her books, as listed in the Umpil Directory of Filipino Writers, were the novel Hand of the Enemy (1962), Stories, a Collection (1966), Author’s Choice (1972, essays), and Adventures in a Forgotten Country (1975, essays). One of her last books was The True and the Plain (UP Press), a memoir of childhood. The City of Manila also conferred on her the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan award. (PCOO)
Malacañang cites quick response of Cost Guard and concerned groups in rescue of Fastcraft
Malacañang cited on Monday the Philippine Coast Guard and concerned groups for their “immediate response” in rescuing the crew and passengers of the M/V Island Ferry Fastcraft I which sank near the port of Cebu on Sunday (August 21) due to faulty electrical wiring in its engine room.
In a statement, Malacañang said that the quick actions of the PCG and commercial vessel M/V Seajet which was passing by “rescued majority of the manifested 75 people on board.”
“We recognize that more lives could have been lost were it not for the search and rescue team’s valiant efforts, the invaluable assistance extended by the passing passenger vessel, and the heroism of our fisherfolk who were among those first at the scene,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
Valte also cited Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas for immediately forming a crisis team that oversaw the rescue operations of the crew and passengers of the ill-fated ship.
As of this writing, Roxas had ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ground, effective immediately, all vessels being operated by Island Express Shipping, owner and operator of the sunken ship.
The DOTC chief said the directive was meant to ensure that all vessels operated by Island Express Shipping are seaworthy.
Roxas also instructed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to convene the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) and to subject the owners and operators of Island Express Shipping to a thorough investigation to determine whether the shipping company or its crew was at fault.
Island Express Shipping has six vessels: one fastcraft and five RoRo vessels serving Hagnaya-Sta. Fe and Cebu-Tubigon routes.(PCOO)
Malacañang says Filipinos are one in grief with family vitims of hostage-taking tragedy
The Filipino people express their sympathy with the families of the victims of the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking incident in last year as well as the people of Hong Kong, a Palace official said on Monday.
“We recognize the grief that continues to burden the relatives of the victims and we remain committed to reforms and improvements that will move relations between our peoples forward,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in his statement on the eve of the the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking incident.
Lacierda said that concerned private citizens have also established a Solidarity Fund for the families of the victims, in keeping with the deep solidarity Filipinos feel for the
victims and their families.
“The Philippines has undertaken the investigations into official culpability: resulting in a dismissal and the filing of administrative charges against four police officials,” he said.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration has improved the capability and equipment of the Special Action Force (SAF) and established a Tourism Police to ensure the safety of visitors.
“Officials of the government will be meeting with some of the families of the victims and with a Hong Kong legislator to share updates on progress in the year since the tragedy took place,” Lacierda said.
The survivors and relatives of the slain hostage victims arrived on Sunday from Hong Kong to seek justice and support from the Philippine government.(PCOO)
Malacañang assures families of Filipinos in Libya of government's efforts to ensure safety of relatives
Malacanang assured the families of Filipinos in Libya that the government has been exerting all the necessary efforts to ensure the safety of their relatives there and eventually bring them home.
In a press briefing at the Palace on Monday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all concerned government agencies to assess the situation of Filipinos in Libya and to ensure that not a single Filipino will be harmed in the heightened violence there.
“On the situation in Libya, the President has given additional instructions to validate the situation and to see what else can be done to help the Filipinos who want to be repatriated,” Valte said.
For the time being, Valte said, there are 86 Filipinos who have already manifested their desire to be repatriated.
Heeding to the directives of President Aquino through DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario, Valte added that Foreign Affairs Undesecretary Rafael Seguis is currently in Libya to assess the needs of the Filipinos in the area.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has advised the officials of the Philippine Embassy in Libya to remain indoors due to the extreme danger caused by violence in the streets.
“We have been advised by the IOM that our people in the embassy must remain in the embassy due to violence in the streets. We have been advised that it is highly and extremely unsafe for our people in the embassy to go out now and check the situation of our fellow Filipinos,” Valte said.
Valte assured that the government is constantly monitoring the situation in Libya to ensure the safety of the Filipinos there.
“The President has asked for the continuous update on the situation in Libya, so he asked the concerned officials to constantly keep him abreast of the developments there,” Valte said.
An estimated 2,000 Filipinos are still in Libya with about 1,200 in Tripoli and the surrounding suburbs.
Government estimate reveals that there were about 26,000 Filipinos in Libya at the start of the fighting six months ago, but most of them left soon after the unrest began.
Meanwhile, Valte advised the Filipinos in Syria, which is also jolted by escalating violence due to civil unrest, to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy officials there so that necessary assistance may be extended to them.
“Sa mga kababayan po natin na nasa Syria, the embassy is there and the DFA Quick Response Team arrived there over the weekend and were deployed as quickly as possible. As for those who need help they can contact the embassy for assistance,” Valte said.
She added that the government has already issued an appeal for the Filipinos in Syria urging them to leave the country to ensure their safety.
There were an estimated 17 thousand Filipinos in Syria.
Since mid-March, anti-government protesters have taken to the streets across the whole country of Syria to demand reforms.(PCOO)
Aquino to inspect newly-acquired warship 'BRP Gregorio Del Pilar'
President Benigno S. Aquino III will inspect on Tuesday the newly-acquired warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which is part of the upgrading and modernization efforts of the government on the maritime capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Upon his arrival at the Pier 13 in south Harbor, Manila, the President will be welcomed by government officials to be led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr., Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, and PF15 Commanding Officer Captain Alberto Cruz.
Manned by 13 officers and 82 enlisted personnel, BRP Gregorio del Pilar entered the country last week after a month-long voyage from the United States. It dropped its anchor at the Manila Bay, Monday morning to undergo customs, immigration and quarantine inspection.
The Philippine Navy recently acquired the refurbished US Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton (WHEC-715) and commissioned it as BRP Gregorio del Pilar Pacific Fleet 15. The 378-foot vessel with a crew capacity of 180 is equipped with armament and weapons system, propulsion plant, electrical generation, helicopter hangar and flight deck, among others.
It will be deployed to carry out the mission for drug interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue operations, defense readiness and migrant interdiction. It will also perform tasks in protecting the country’s natural gas and oil exploration projects off Palawan amid reported incursions in the West Philippine Sea.(PCOO)
