Aquino leads commemoration of 'Tandang Sora' bicentennial
President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the very important role everyone play in nation-building as exemplified by Filipino national heroes, years ago as he challenged the people to live by their characteristics that are worth-emulating.
In his speech during the commemoration of the bicentennial birth anniversary and re-interment of remains of Melchora “Tandang Sora” Aquino at the Tandang Sora Shrine on Banlat Road in Quezon City, Friday, President Aquino said that Filipinos should continue the greatness and patriotism of the Filipino heroes setting aside the hindrances that may come their way.
In remembering the great works of the Tandang Sora and her relevant contributions to the Philippine Revolution that broke out in 1896, the President shared the challenge to every individual: to contribute in collective efforts for sustainable and lasting progress.
“Ang hamon ni Tandang Sora sa atin ngayon: ano ang maiaambag mo para sa kapakanan ng mga susunod na Pilipino…Noon, hindi lamang heneral o rebolusyonaryo ang humubog sa ating tadhana. Ngayon, hindi lamang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ang magtitimon sa pagtahak natin sa tuwid na daan,” the President said.
“Kasama dito ang bawat isa sa atin: ang mga gurong gumagabay sa paroroonan ng mga kabataan; ang mga doktor at nurse na pumupunta sa kanayunan para bigyang-lunas ang mahihirap na may karamdaman; ang mga abogado’t huwes na tumitiyak na pantay ang timbangan ng katarungan; at siyempre, kayong mga kasama ko ngayong umaga: kayong lumilingon at nagbibigay-halaga sa mga pamana ng ating kasaysayan; kayong hindi kailanman tinalikuran ang mga aral at kontribusyon ng ating mga dakilang ninuno. Mulat kayo sa tungkulin ng bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz; batid ninyong nakasalalay sa inyong pakikilahok ang katuparan ng nagkakaisa nating mithiin,” he added.
Following his speech, the President solemnly observed in the re-interment ceremony of the remains of Tandang Sora that was led by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.
The Chief Executive said that the Tandang Sora Shrine serves as an encouraging force, especially those who visit the place to take the cudgels and take part in serving others and the country.
“Sa paglalagak natin ng mga labi ni Tandang Sora sa kaniyang bagong dambana, nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa bawat dumadalaw dito ang kakaibang uri ng kabayanihan ni Melchora Aquino: na kung gusto mo talagang pagsilbihan ang bayan, hindi hadlang ang edad, o ang kasarian, o anupamang balakid sa iyong harapan,” President Aquino said.
He also encouraged the people to live by the spirit of unity and concern for others as shown by Tandang Sora who dedicated part of her life to fellow Filipinos.
“Kaya naman tulungan natin ang ating kapwa, at nagkakaisa tayong kumilos para sa kapakanan ng ating bansa. Sa ganitong paraan, ipinapakita nating buhay pa rin ang pamana ni Melchora Aquino; at buhay pa rin ang kabayanihan at pagbabayanihan sa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” the President noted.
Also present during the event were House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Maria Serna Diokno and Apo ni Melchora Tandang Sora Aquino Association Inc. President Josephine Geronimo, among others.
Melchora Aquino gained the titles “Grand Woman of the Revolution” and the “Mother of Balintawak” for her heroic contributions to Philippine history. In her native town, Tandang Sora operated a store, which became a refuge for the sick and wounded revolutionaries. She fed, gave medical attention to and encouraged the revolutionaries with motherly advice and prayers.
She was deported to Guam, Mariana Islands until the time the United States took control of the Philippines in 1898, Tandang Sora, like other exiles, returned to Philippines. She died on March 2, 1919 at the age of 107.
Prior to the re-interment in the Shrine, Tandang Sora’s remains was previously buried in her own backyard (now as Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park, Quezon City). (PCOO)
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Palace commends SALN disclosure of two SC members
Malacanang commended the disclosure of the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) of two members of the Supreme Court and called on the other members of the judiciary to do similar practice and make it a routine.
“The cause of Justice can have no sturdier shield than the integrity of those who are tasked with discharging it. The decision of Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Maria Lourdes Sereno to release the summaries of their statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) upon the request of concerned citizens is commendable to the highest degree,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement Friday.
Lacierda said members of the judiciary disclosing their assets have everything to gain from embracing transparency and accountability noting that the Palace believes that demonstrating faith in the Filipino is the best way to obtain and retain public confidence.
It is regrettable that while it is simple to disclose their SALNs for public inspection, there are those who so fear people’s scrutiny, Lacierda said.
“We call on the judiciary to join the legislature and the executive in making the disclosure of SALNs a routine reality,” he added.
Carpio and Sereno were the only members of the SC to respond to the request of Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership to release the summaries of their SALNs.
The group has been asking SC Chief Justice Renato Corona to release his SALN. Corona’s failure to disclose his SALN is among the key charges used by the House justice committee in filing an impeachment complaint against him.
Corona will go on trial at the Senate on January 16. (PCOO)
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Malacanang expects tourism, jobs boosts from ‘The Bourne Legacy’ filming
Malacanang expects that the filming of the Hollywood action movie “The Bourne Legacy” in the Philippines will promote tourism and create jobs for Filipinos.
“It will help our tourism, it will help our film industry, it will help employment in the country,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
“The Bourne Legacy” is the latest in the movie franchise based on the espionage series created by Robert Ludlum.
Local officials advised Metro Manila motorists about the closure of several roads starting next week to make way for the filming of the Hollywood movie.
Among the planned shooting locations include Intramuros, Malate and other parts of the City of Manila. There will also be a car chase shoot in the Edsa-Taft Avenue area in Pasay City.
Some scenes will also be filmed on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, Marikina City public market and at the Navotas City fish port, officials said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the very important role everyone play in nation-building as exemplified by Filipino national heroes, years ago as he challenged the people to live by their characteristics that are worth-emulating.
In his speech during the commemoration of the bicentennial birth anniversary and re-interment of remains of Melchora “Tandang Sora” Aquino at the Tandang Sora Shrine on Banlat Road in Quezon City, Friday, President Aquino said that Filipinos should continue the greatness and patriotism of the Filipino heroes setting aside the hindrances that may come their way.
In remembering the great works of the Tandang Sora and her relevant contributions to the Philippine Revolution that broke out in 1896, the President shared the challenge to every individual: to contribute in collective efforts for sustainable and lasting progress.
“Ang hamon ni Tandang Sora sa atin ngayon: ano ang maiaambag mo para sa kapakanan ng mga susunod na Pilipino…Noon, hindi lamang heneral o rebolusyonaryo ang humubog sa ating tadhana. Ngayon, hindi lamang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ang magtitimon sa pagtahak natin sa tuwid na daan,” the President said.
“Kasama dito ang bawat isa sa atin: ang mga gurong gumagabay sa paroroonan ng mga kabataan; ang mga doktor at nurse na pumupunta sa kanayunan para bigyang-lunas ang mahihirap na may karamdaman; ang mga abogado’t huwes na tumitiyak na pantay ang timbangan ng katarungan; at siyempre, kayong mga kasama ko ngayong umaga: kayong lumilingon at nagbibigay-halaga sa mga pamana ng ating kasaysayan; kayong hindi kailanman tinalikuran ang mga aral at kontribusyon ng ating mga dakilang ninuno. Mulat kayo sa tungkulin ng bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz; batid ninyong nakasalalay sa inyong pakikilahok ang katuparan ng nagkakaisa nating mithiin,” he added.
Following his speech, the President solemnly observed in the re-interment ceremony of the remains of Tandang Sora that was led by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.
The Chief Executive said that the Tandang Sora Shrine serves as an encouraging force, especially those who visit the place to take the cudgels and take part in serving others and the country.
“Sa paglalagak natin ng mga labi ni Tandang Sora sa kaniyang bagong dambana, nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa bawat dumadalaw dito ang kakaibang uri ng kabayanihan ni Melchora Aquino: na kung gusto mo talagang pagsilbihan ang bayan, hindi hadlang ang edad, o ang kasarian, o anupamang balakid sa iyong harapan,” President Aquino said.
He also encouraged the people to live by the spirit of unity and concern for others as shown by Tandang Sora who dedicated part of her life to fellow Filipinos.
“Kaya naman tulungan natin ang ating kapwa, at nagkakaisa tayong kumilos para sa kapakanan ng ating bansa. Sa ganitong paraan, ipinapakita nating buhay pa rin ang pamana ni Melchora Aquino; at buhay pa rin ang kabayanihan at pagbabayanihan sa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” the President noted.
Also present during the event were House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Maria Serna Diokno and Apo ni Melchora Tandang Sora Aquino Association Inc. President Josephine Geronimo, among others.
Melchora Aquino gained the titles “Grand Woman of the Revolution” and the “Mother of Balintawak” for her heroic contributions to Philippine history. In her native town, Tandang Sora operated a store, which became a refuge for the sick and wounded revolutionaries. She fed, gave medical attention to and encouraged the revolutionaries with motherly advice and prayers.
She was deported to Guam, Mariana Islands until the time the United States took control of the Philippines in 1898, Tandang Sora, like other exiles, returned to Philippines. She died on March 2, 1919 at the age of 107.
Prior to the re-interment in the Shrine, Tandang Sora’s remains was previously buried in her own backyard (now as Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park, Quezon City). (PCOO)
.
Palace commends SALN disclosure of two SC members
Malacanang commended the disclosure of the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) of two members of the Supreme Court and called on the other members of the judiciary to do similar practice and make it a routine.
“The cause of Justice can have no sturdier shield than the integrity of those who are tasked with discharging it. The decision of Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Maria Lourdes Sereno to release the summaries of their statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) upon the request of concerned citizens is commendable to the highest degree,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement Friday.
Lacierda said members of the judiciary disclosing their assets have everything to gain from embracing transparency and accountability noting that the Palace believes that demonstrating faith in the Filipino is the best way to obtain and retain public confidence.
It is regrettable that while it is simple to disclose their SALNs for public inspection, there are those who so fear people’s scrutiny, Lacierda said.
“We call on the judiciary to join the legislature and the executive in making the disclosure of SALNs a routine reality,” he added.
Carpio and Sereno were the only members of the SC to respond to the request of Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership to release the summaries of their SALNs.
The group has been asking SC Chief Justice Renato Corona to release his SALN. Corona’s failure to disclose his SALN is among the key charges used by the House justice committee in filing an impeachment complaint against him.
Corona will go on trial at the Senate on January 16. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang expects tourism, jobs boosts from ‘The Bourne Legacy’ filming
Malacanang expects that the filming of the Hollywood action movie “The Bourne Legacy” in the Philippines will promote tourism and create jobs for Filipinos.
“It will help our tourism, it will help our film industry, it will help employment in the country,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
“The Bourne Legacy” is the latest in the movie franchise based on the espionage series created by Robert Ludlum.
Local officials advised Metro Manila motorists about the closure of several roads starting next week to make way for the filming of the Hollywood movie.
Among the planned shooting locations include Intramuros, Malate and other parts of the City of Manila. There will also be a car chase shoot in the Edsa-Taft Avenue area in Pasay City.
Some scenes will also be filmed on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, Marikina City public market and at the Navotas City fish port, officials said.
Lead actress Rachel Weisz is also expected to ride a jeepney as it spins around, according to officials.
“The Bourne Legacy,” written and directed by Tony Gilroy, is the fourth installment of the blockbuster Hollywood series that had Matt Damon playing the title character, Jason Bourne, in the first three installments. (PCOO)
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Palace condemns killing of General Santos mediaman
Malacanang condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing of journalist Christopher Guarin who was shot dead in General Santos on Thursday evening, a Palace official said on Friday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following reports that Guarin was attacked late Thursday by two unidentified men riding on a motorcycle.
"The case is now under investigation. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified leads and they are in hot pursuit. We will expect the PNP to apprehend the suspects. And again, we condemn the extra-legal killing of another journalist," Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
The Aquino government assured that it remains committed to solving media killings in the country by strengthening our law enforcement.
Guarin, publisher of a local newspaper, Tatak News Nationwide and a blocktimer in Radio Mindanao Network’s dxMD, died from five gunshot wounds in different parts of the body. He was rushed to the General Santos City Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Guarin was also the former manager of the defunct RGMA Super Radyo. He also previously worked as reporter for Bombo Radyo Gensan.
His wife, Lyn, was reportedly wounded during the attack. Guarin and his wife were riding on their KIA sedan when the gunmen attacked them along Conel Road in Barangay Lagao, General Santos at around 10:30 p.m.
Guarin is the first mediaman to have been killed in the Philippines so far this year. (PCOO)
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Palace lauds tourism campaign slogan – ‘it’s more fun in the Philippines!’
Malacanang expressed full support for new campaign slogan of the Department of Tourism (DOT)—“It’s more fun in the Philippines” in a bid to further boost the country's tourism industry, a Palace official said on Friday.
During the regular briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the release of the new promotional slogan.
The new brand campaign will be rolled out this quarter in different key markets, along with its local tourism drive called "#1 for fun Philippines.”
"It’s trending worldwide right now sa social media so it has apparently caught on and the President has been briefed about the slogan. So, we are in support of Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. doon sa drive for the Philippine slogan and apparently a lot of people have been tweeting about ‘More fun in the Philippines,’ Lacierda said.
For his part, Jimenez said the campaign is expected to attract a total of 4.2 million tourists in 2012. Last year, the DOT recorded a total of 3.7 million tourists.
“With the campaign and the tourist arrival growth (in 2011), we aim to breach the 10 million mark by 2016” Jimenez said.
“The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves that we can tell travellers how it’s more fun here than anywhere else. It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure that the people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun.” he said.
Focusing on the country’s core strength, Jimenez said the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer—and that is the Filipino people. "For example, the Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere,’ he said.
Lacierda said the DOT will soon launch a series of initiatives to boost the tourism industry. "This is just a first part of the campaign so expect more from the DOT," he said. (PCOO)
