Phivolcs reports Tsunami alert lifted as of 12:10am, Manila time.
TOTOY BATO
Ang DJ na TIGAS naaaaaaaaaah TIGAS tuwing umaga at napakahilig mag 6to9.
KRISTINE DERA
Ang tinderang engkantada na nagmula sa langit bumagsak sa lupa ayon pulakda..
LALA BANDERAS
basta makinig lang lagi tuwing alas dose hangang alas tres ng hapon mga kapwa..
DIEGO BANDIDO
Ang talipandas sa balat ng radyo subaybayan at pakingan alas 3ng hapon hanggang 6 ng gabi.
New Batch
(top row)Sir Mark Ignacio (oic),R-yhell,Wilson,Risky, Chief Rei,Biboy Bibo,Diego Bandido,(front row)Totoy Bato,Kristine Dera,Maam Vanessa Ignacio,Maria Maldita,Benz Cason
AUTOMATIC YAN
Yan yung mga Astig...hehehehe
THE ORIGINAL
(Top row) Jim Butido,Ryhell,Risky,Fred Rice,Wilson, Bench,(front row)John Donut,Chief Rei,Mags Mallow, Paparonie
Friday, August 31, 2012
Quake of 7.6 magnitude strikes off Philippines
A strong earthquake occurred Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 8:47 PM , 31 August 20212 (Philippine Time), located at 10.83 N 126.76E with depth of 10km and a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 .
PHIVOLCS Tsunami Alert Level is now raised to 3. People in threatened coastal areas are STRONGLY ADVISED TO IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE to higher grounds. Coastal ar
eas in the following provinces are expected to be affected by high tsunami waves. Boats at sea are advised to stay in the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed. If there is sufficient time, boats in harbors and enclosed bays are advised to go to the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed.
Coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean of the following provinces should evacuate immediately:
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Palace says criticisms against CJ Sereno 'irrelevant'
Malacañang on Tuesday dismissed criticisms against new Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, describing the same as “irrelevant” and that critics should just “have to deal” with the country’s top judge following her appointment.
“I think those attacks are really water under the bridge. The appointment has already been made. She has taken her oath and whether it's coming from the judiciary or not, they have to deal with the new Chief Justice,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in Naga City, where the requiem Mass and state funeral for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo were conducted.
“So I think any criticisms against the Chief Justice are, for all for all intents and purposes, irrelevant. It's not going to sway anyone from removing her from the position of chief justice,” he added.
One of the attacks against Sereno is the supposed low score of her psychological exam required by the Judicial and Bar Council, which has called into question Sereno’s capabilities as the country’s top judge as a result.
Based on a report by the Manila Times last week, Sereno, along with Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, got the lowest psychological rating.
Malacañang has since branded as unverified that particular report.
Sereno is also facing criticism from Hacienda Luisita farmers, who fear the Supreme Court under her leadership may reverse the November 22, 2011 decision ordering the total distribution of large Tarlac estate’s lands to farmers-beneficiaries.
Hacienda Luisita is owned by the prominent Cojuangco family, related to President Benigno Aquino III. Sereno is one of three Aquino appointees in the high court.
Lacierda said it will now be up to the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office (PIO) to speak on Sereno’s behalf regarding future criticism against her, as the executive branch has already done its part.
“We've done our part, the Executive branch through the President has done our part so we leave it now with the Supreme Court to speak on behalf of the new Chief Justice,” he said.
However, he said Sereno’s opponents could find other things to do rather than criticize.
“I think the critics would have a better way of channeling their frustration instead of criticizing anonymously Chief Justice Sereno,” Lacierda said. “The best thing they can do is to work towards helping Chief Justice Sereno implement the reforms that are badly needed in the judiciary.”
He also said Sereno should be given a chance to show what she is capable of.
“Looking forward we are going to see reforms being implemented in the judiciary so like I said, let's give Chief Justice Sereno a chance to prove herself,” Lacierda said, noting that the length of time Sereno will be the top judge will be “sufficient” for reforms to “take root.”
Aquino appointed Sereno as the country’s first female chief justice on August 24.
Philippines to participate in Southeast Asian naval exercises
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Navy will participate with navy units from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States in an annual combined exercise dubbed as Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (Seacat).
In a statement, Navy spokesman Colonel Omar Tonsay said the annual exercises will be held Tuesday until September 2 in Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Subic Bay “to enhance interoperability and share best practices.”
“They will participate together with the US Navy in a scenario-driven fleet training exercise against transnational crimes and other maritime threats which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) to the maritime Contact of Interest (COI) or the designated scenario target vessel,” he said.
In his training directive, Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the activity will involve “surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the COI from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories.”
Four ships and one islander aircraft from the Philippine Navy will participate in this year’s exercise. As in the previous Seacat exercises, several ships from each participating country will join the training with one US Navy ship, USS Safeguard, designated as the COI for the participating Southeast Asian Navies.
In the Philippines, one Maritime Interdiction Operations scenario with boarding opportunity will be conducted at Subic Bay and another one at the Sulu Sea. At the same time, Coast Watch stations in the different participating Naval Forces AORs will be utilized to exercise their capabilities in surveillance, tracking, communications, and operations, Tonsay said.
The Seacat is a yearly combined exercise conducted at vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure control of vital sea lanes from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements. Tonsay said the venues were determined in advance during coordinated planning sessions and were finalized following confirmation from all participating navies.
This exercise aims to promote regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment. It is aimed to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, tests its personnel and naval assets operational readiness and ultimately, improve the maritime security capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In a statement, Navy spokesman Colonel Omar Tonsay said the annual exercises will be held Tuesday until September 2 in Malacca Strait, Sulu Sea and Subic Bay “to enhance interoperability and share best practices.”
“They will participate together with the US Navy in a scenario-driven fleet training exercise against transnational crimes and other maritime threats which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) to the maritime Contact of Interest (COI) or the designated scenario target vessel,” he said.
In his training directive, Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the activity will involve “surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the COI from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories.”
Four ships and one islander aircraft from the Philippine Navy will participate in this year’s exercise. As in the previous Seacat exercises, several ships from each participating country will join the training with one US Navy ship, USS Safeguard, designated as the COI for the participating Southeast Asian Navies.
In the Philippines, one Maritime Interdiction Operations scenario with boarding opportunity will be conducted at Subic Bay and another one at the Sulu Sea. At the same time, Coast Watch stations in the different participating Naval Forces AORs will be utilized to exercise their capabilities in surveillance, tracking, communications, and operations, Tonsay said.
The Seacat is a yearly combined exercise conducted at vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia to ensure control of vital sea lanes from terrorists, poachers, and transnational lawless elements. Tonsay said the venues were determined in advance during coordinated planning sessions and were finalized following confirmation from all participating navies.
This exercise aims to promote regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment. It is aimed to enhance regional coordination, information sharing, and combined inter-operability capability with participating navies in the region, tests its personnel and naval assets operational readiness and ultimately, improve the maritime security capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Robredo in Naga: More cheers than tears
AGA CITY, Philippines - More tears flowed when the remains of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo were brought to Naga City Hall on Sunday, August 26. As his Ateneo High batchmate put it, "Only those without eyes will not cry for Jesse."
But, definitely, there were more cheers than tears for Robredo on Sunday. In the necrological service that the city government organized, Robredo's former colleagues shared stories about the late Secretary's extraordinary dedication to serve fellow Nagueños and his vision for the city.
What was supposed to be a two-hour service that would end at 9 p.m. ended a little before midnight. And why wouldn't it? Robredo served 6 terms or a total of 19 years as Naga City mayor. They had a lot of stories to tell.
Alternately yawning, shedding tears, and laughing, the Nagueños stayed on at the packed City Hall grounds, even if many of them were only watching it from screens outside. Many of them were wearing the yellow Robredo shirts and pins that enterprising residents sold for P150 and P25, respectively.
Fellow politicians, and representatives of the city government employees, trasport groups, urban poor sector, and the business community took to the podium one after another to credit Robredo for the development of Naga City.
When Robredo first assumed as Mayor in 1988, Naga City was a 3rd class city in debt. He was able to turn the city around to become a booming first class city recognized by internatinoal organizations as a model for other cities worlwide.
"Jesse Robredo is incomparable. He has placed Naga City on the map," said his longtime friend Esteban Abonal, a senior citizen. Abonal said there were already senior citizen groups in Naga City long before the national government enacted the Senior Citizens Act.
Naga City Vice-Mayor Gabriel Bordado Jr described Robredo as "simple but effective." He also served as Robredo's vice mayor before the latter's 3rd term expired in 2010.
Jueteng
Bordado recalled Robredo's hard work to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game, in the city. Bordado also expressed concerns about the reported return of jueteng operations. He called on people responsible to respect Robredo's legacy.
Salvador M. del Castillo, the city government's Bureau of Local Government Finance executive director, also spoke of how well Robredo used the city's money. "He was very prudent in managing the city's finances. You have to prove and justify projects for funding," he said.
Naga City Mayor John Bongat vowed they will continue Robredo's legacy. "Jess, hindi namin sasayangin ang iyong nasimulan," Bongat said, addressing the late public official by his nickname.
Family came first
Robredo's brother Butch and daughter Tricia delivered the family's response.
Butch Robredo particularly thanked those who helped them in Masbate during the search-and-rescue operations for Robredo.
On the other hand, Tricia delivered a heartwarming speech that left the Nagueños teary-eyed and laughing at the same time.
"Maybe you were ready to die, but we were not ready to lose you," she said.
But she said they will be strong. Poking fun at speeches supporting calls for her mother Leni to run for senator, Tricia said: "Ako na po bahala kay Mama, Senator Len."
She paused, then blurted, "Joke!" Then she laughed.
Family was Robredo's true priority, said Tricia. Robredo would always make sure that they're finished with their assignments before he works on other things, she shared.
Tricia also vowed to continue his father's battle even if they will not necessarily join politics themselves.
But, definitely, there were more cheers than tears for Robredo on Sunday. In the necrological service that the city government organized, Robredo's former colleagues shared stories about the late Secretary's extraordinary dedication to serve fellow Nagueños and his vision for the city.
What was supposed to be a two-hour service that would end at 9 p.m. ended a little before midnight. And why wouldn't it? Robredo served 6 terms or a total of 19 years as Naga City mayor. They had a lot of stories to tell.
Alternately yawning, shedding tears, and laughing, the Nagueños stayed on at the packed City Hall grounds, even if many of them were only watching it from screens outside. Many of them were wearing the yellow Robredo shirts and pins that enterprising residents sold for P150 and P25, respectively.
Fellow politicians, and representatives of the city government employees, trasport groups, urban poor sector, and the business community took to the podium one after another to credit Robredo for the development of Naga City.
When Robredo first assumed as Mayor in 1988, Naga City was a 3rd class city in debt. He was able to turn the city around to become a booming first class city recognized by internatinoal organizations as a model for other cities worlwide.
"Jesse Robredo is incomparable. He has placed Naga City on the map," said his longtime friend Esteban Abonal, a senior citizen. Abonal said there were already senior citizen groups in Naga City long before the national government enacted the Senior Citizens Act.
Naga City Vice-Mayor Gabriel Bordado Jr described Robredo as "simple but effective." He also served as Robredo's vice mayor before the latter's 3rd term expired in 2010.
Jueteng
Bordado recalled Robredo's hard work to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game, in the city. Bordado also expressed concerns about the reported return of jueteng operations. He called on people responsible to respect Robredo's legacy.
Salvador M. del Castillo, the city government's Bureau of Local Government Finance executive director, also spoke of how well Robredo used the city's money. "He was very prudent in managing the city's finances. You have to prove and justify projects for funding," he said.
Naga City Mayor John Bongat vowed they will continue Robredo's legacy. "Jess, hindi namin sasayangin ang iyong nasimulan," Bongat said, addressing the late public official by his nickname.
Family came first
Robredo's brother Butch and daughter Tricia delivered the family's response.
Butch Robredo particularly thanked those who helped them in Masbate during the search-and-rescue operations for Robredo.
On the other hand, Tricia delivered a heartwarming speech that left the Nagueños teary-eyed and laughing at the same time.
"Maybe you were ready to die, but we were not ready to lose you," she said.
But she said they will be strong. Poking fun at speeches supporting calls for her mother Leni to run for senator, Tricia said: "Ako na po bahala kay Mama, Senator Len."
She paused, then blurted, "Joke!" Then she laughed.
Family was Robredo's true priority, said Tricia. Robredo would always make sure that they're finished with their assignments before he works on other things, she shared.
Tricia also vowed to continue his father's battle even if they will not necessarily join politics themselves.
With Sereno as Chief Justice, Malacañang sees judiciary reforms
MANILA, Philippines—With Maria Lourdes Sereno at the helm of the Supreme Court, Malacañang expects the Aquino administration’s “straight path” to lead straight to the judiciary.
The first female Chief Justice of the Philippines would institutionalize long-lasting reforms in the judicial branch under the administration of President Aquino and three succeeding Chief Executives over the next 18 years, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
“Having been appointed to the helm of the Supreme Court and to head it for 18 years, we are confident that Sereno has the moral impetus to institutionalize reforms,” Lacierda said in a phone interview with the Inquirer on Sunday.
“Her experience as an associate justice and her intellectual capacity to appreciate the systemic ills of the judiciary will ensure the proper identification of the much-needed reforms which by her long period of stewardship will perforce take root and take hold in the judicial branch,” he said.
Malacañang also sought to allay fears that the new Chief Justice would be a puppet of Aquino.
“Perhaps, if we will make such a conclusion, we should base this on the decisions that Chief Justice Sereno had written since she sat and became a member of the Supreme Court,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run Radyo ng Bayan. “And we can see she has displayed her independence.”
Opportunity for reforms
Valte reiterated the Palace position that the long tenure of Sereno would augur well for the judiciary, beset by institutional and administrative problems such as clogged dockets and corrupt judges.
“The long period will give her the opportunity to put reforms in place to start, to continue those reforms, and to make sure that the reforms are institutionalized in the 18 years that she will have on the court,” Valte said.
She dismissed a report published by another broadsheet on the results of the so-called psychological tests conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Sereno and other nominees to the position of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“Again, the sources are not verified, [so it is an] unconfirmed report. But again, since the JBC, included her in the short list [of nominees given to the President], now that she is Chief Justice … we just don’t want to comment anymore. I did read that report. It’s unconfirmed. That’s not an official statement—or not an official release from the JBC—so we will not comment anymore.”
Oath-taking
Sereno took her oath before the President in Malacañang on Saturday.
Senior justices of the Supreme Court were not present. Only Associate Justices Martin Villarama Jr., Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Mariano del Castillo and Bienvenido Reyes came, besides her family, some academicians and Cabinet officials.
Apart from appointing Sereno as the country’s first female Chief Justice, Aquino broke tradition by picking the head of the judiciary not from among the five most senior justices of the Supreme Court. Sereno ranks 13th in seniority.
The five top senior justices are Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta (who declined his nomination for Chief Justice).
Tenorio lifts PH over USA to win Jones Cup
MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio flourished down the stretch to lift the Philippines over USA, 76-75, and seize the 34th William Jones Cup title in Taipei.
Tenorio, the Alaska Aces star, knocked down the game-winning step back jumper as the Nationals clinched their fourth Jones Cup championship, the first since winning it all back in 1998.
The Philippines trailed by as much as 14 before clicking on both ends.
Philippines Wins 59 Math Awards
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines won 5 gold, 9 silver, 28 bronze medals, and 17 merit awards in the 2012 Asia International Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO) held recently in Hong Kong.
Included among the Filipino winners is gold medalist Lu Christian Ong of Grace Christian College, who was proclaimed champion and “Star of Asia” in the Grade 9 Division for earning the highest score among participants from nine countries.
Dr. Archieval Rodriguez, director of the Mathematics Development Academy of the Philippines (MDAP), said that aside from Ong, the country's gold medalists are Sterling Alvin Tiu of St. Stephen's High School, Natalia Varela of St. Paul College-Pasig, Thamania Keith Gumilao of Pasig Catholic College, and Anchelle Grace Ho of Silliman University SBE High School.
The silver medalists are Deanne Rochelle Abdao, Philippine Science High School; Anton Raphael Lim, St. John's Institute; Norman Earl Morado, Philippines Science High School-SMC; Floriza Andaya, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities; Michelle Marie Ochoa, St. Paul College-Pasig, Akkiara Simon May Sawali, St. Augustine's School; Justin Bryan Chong, Grace Christian College; Ed Joshua Mañalac, Baguio City National High School; and Philip Lizarda, San Beda College Alabang.
Winning bronze medals are Karli Ang, Ian John Antonio, Richard Manuel De Castro, Mark John Dy, Marc Louie Magallanes, Emmanuel Joseph Magnaye, Himig Marcos, Rachel Rojo, Karla Dominique Tiu, Marianne Cruz, Joshua Cuballes, Francis Rumen Parungao, Viq Ashley Alentajan, Justine Myles Alquiza, James Christian Atilano, Ralph Gerarld Black, Al Matthew Canafe, Razell Jigs Caraig, Sabrina Rae Chan, Jan Ver Dominic Edra, Marie Pauline Ferrer, Ralph Joseph Lacuna, Chesca Angelica Lazara, Katrina Maniulit, Engelica Perez, Roy Matthew Ramos, Mary Joyce Tan and Jade Kathleen Yu.
The merit awardees are Gian Carlo Alix, Jone Zelita Orlina, Jerome Vincent Tagaro, Rodwick Matthew Go, Patricia Marie Yap, Camille Therese Estampador, Elijah Copla, Ma. Cathyrynne Janelle Cua, Earl Edson Dumago, Carlos Benedict Echevarria, Karljan Kotah, Jeremy John Magpantay, Dabin Park, Giorgio Romero, Sam Gamaliel Sy, Ian Denzel Sy Reyes, and John Lester Tan.
The AIMO drew participants from China, Hong, Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Included among the Filipino winners is gold medalist Lu Christian Ong of Grace Christian College, who was proclaimed champion and “Star of Asia” in the Grade 9 Division for earning the highest score among participants from nine countries.
Dr. Archieval Rodriguez, director of the Mathematics Development Academy of the Philippines (MDAP), said that aside from Ong, the country's gold medalists are Sterling Alvin Tiu of St. Stephen's High School, Natalia Varela of St. Paul College-Pasig, Thamania Keith Gumilao of Pasig Catholic College, and Anchelle Grace Ho of Silliman University SBE High School.
The silver medalists are Deanne Rochelle Abdao, Philippine Science High School; Anton Raphael Lim, St. John's Institute; Norman Earl Morado, Philippines Science High School-SMC; Floriza Andaya, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities; Michelle Marie Ochoa, St. Paul College-Pasig, Akkiara Simon May Sawali, St. Augustine's School; Justin Bryan Chong, Grace Christian College; Ed Joshua Mañalac, Baguio City National High School; and Philip Lizarda, San Beda College Alabang.
Winning bronze medals are Karli Ang, Ian John Antonio, Richard Manuel De Castro, Mark John Dy, Marc Louie Magallanes, Emmanuel Joseph Magnaye, Himig Marcos, Rachel Rojo, Karla Dominique Tiu, Marianne Cruz, Joshua Cuballes, Francis Rumen Parungao, Viq Ashley Alentajan, Justine Myles Alquiza, James Christian Atilano, Ralph Gerarld Black, Al Matthew Canafe, Razell Jigs Caraig, Sabrina Rae Chan, Jan Ver Dominic Edra, Marie Pauline Ferrer, Ralph Joseph Lacuna, Chesca Angelica Lazara, Katrina Maniulit, Engelica Perez, Roy Matthew Ramos, Mary Joyce Tan and Jade Kathleen Yu.
The merit awardees are Gian Carlo Alix, Jone Zelita Orlina, Jerome Vincent Tagaro, Rodwick Matthew Go, Patricia Marie Yap, Camille Therese Estampador, Elijah Copla, Ma. Cathyrynne Janelle Cua, Earl Edson Dumago, Carlos Benedict Echevarria, Karljan Kotah, Jeremy John Magpantay, Dabin Park, Giorgio Romero, Sam Gamaliel Sy, Ian Denzel Sy Reyes, and John Lester Tan.
The AIMO drew participants from China, Hong, Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
