In Memoriam: Sec. Jesse M. Robredo (May 27, 1958 — August 18, 2012)

 Hon. Jesse M. Robredo
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
May 27, 1958 — August 18, 2012

Thank you for the inspiration! and for being a role model of a TRUE SERVANT LEADER! We, Bikolanos and Filipinos are very proud of you! May your legacy continue to inspire those in the government service.

+Eternal rest grant unto him, Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon him. Receive Him Lord into your Kingdom - being one of your faithful servant. And maybe the mantle of our beloved 'Ina', Virgin of Peñafrancia, protect and embraced you, Manoy Jess! Amen.

For your stories/photos/tributes, visit: http://www.gov.ph/salamatjesse/

Mabalos, Sec. Robredo! Click here for more photos...

Tagle leads commemoration of Aloysius Schwartz’s 20th death anniversary

Servant of God Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz died on March 16, 1992, from Lou Gehrig’s disease which left him incapacitated for years. He died in the presence of his Sisters of Mary and Brothers of Christ, which he founded in Busan, South Korea, and brought to Manila in 1985.

The amazing ministry of Father Al, as he is affectionately called, was putting up the Girls Town and Boys Town in Silang, Cavite, and Cebu. These institutions have given at least 11,000 less privileged Filipino youth access to education.

The nuns and students mark the 20th anniversary of his death on March 16 at the Girls Town in Barangay Biga in Silang. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle will lead the Concelebrated Mass at 10 a.m.

Full article: Tagle leads commemoration of Aloysius Schwartz’s 20th death anniversary

SMS Adlas Boystown Soars again in 2 Competitions

The team (Ronald Tolentino, Wilmar Sabalsa & Jeffrey Bonzo) with Coach Mr. Juanito A. Sariego II and Sr. Nory Espulgar, SM

The “Cavite Search for Math, Science and Computer Wizards 2012” was held last February 15, 2012 at the De La Salle University, Dasmariñas Campus. Twenty (20) schools, private and public, within Cavite joined the annual search for the best.  The Sisters of Mary School Boystown earned First Runner-up with Php 4,000.00 cash gift and certificates.

The team (Christian Mahilom, Ray Anthony Dela Cruz, Maucel Caacbay, Noel Garcia Jr., Lexter John Fulgencio and Roman Baluyot Jr.) with Coach Mr. Mark Lester Agellon and Sr. Nory Espulgar, SM

The Manila Tytana College (MTC) sponsored the “MTC – IT Wizards and Artists Competition” last February 22, 2012 with twenty-two (22) teams vying for the title. The team entered the Final Ten the last yet eventually ended as the events’ champion. They received medals and certificates plus a 50% off on Tuition Fee (for the first sem. only) if they decide to study in MTC.


Visit SMS - Philippines website here!

Congratulations! Kuya Randy Gimeno (ASMSI Batch '96)

Congratulations Kuya Randy! Thanks a lot also for the support and prayers!

Hopefully more vocations will come from ASMSI and The Sisters of Mary School.

God Bless you and more success in your vocation! 

We're so proud of you! :)

2012 ASMSI E-Newsletter : Download Now!

Alumni of the Sisters of Mary School, Inc. (ASMSI) in it's effort of keeping it's members up-to-date and well-informed launches it's first electronic newsletter last February 14, 2012. After a month or two of compiling reports from it's local and international office and active chapters and from searching our computer files and Facebook pages.

May you be filled with joy and excitement and be awed by how far our Association has gone. It is through your support and cooperation that we were able to accomplish these things.

This is also a timely tribute to the man behind it all - our dear Fr. Aloysius Schwartz as we celebrate his 20th death Anniversary on March 16, 2012.

This is our Association. Making a Difference…

More power and God bless, ASMSI!

You may downlaod the high-resolution PDF version thru this link: ASMSI 2012 E-Newsletter

*Please bear with the slow download. It is quite a large file. Be sure you have Acrobat Reader as well.

For those having difficulty downloading large PDF file. Check out the ASMSI 2012 E-Newsletter Image files. Feel free to download each image and upload it in your FB albums and share to others.

Click here: Subscribe to our newsletter

Life is just beginning for Mary’s boys and girls

Article from Philippine Daily Inquirer, published February 5, 2012.

One morning in December, more than a thousand students of Sisters of Mary School (SOM) Boystown and Girlstown in Silang, Cavite, sat upright and proper to listen to not one but two very important inspirational speakers.

The first was no less than the Education Secretary himself, Bro. Armin Luistro. The second, United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr.

The education secretary, an alumnus and a former president of De La Salle University, exhorted the graduates to soar like eagles.

In his message, on the other hand, the US ambassador said, “Whatever you do, wherever you go, come back. And if you can’t come back, give back.”

The Sisters of Mary have combined the commencement exercises of their high school with the graduation rites of the SOM Technical Education Institute’s third batch of students.

SOM, which was founded by Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz in 1985, has served as both school and home for these graduates who came from poor families. The congregation runs similar charity programs in Korea, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil and Honduras.

Donations from generous people provide not only for the education of the more than 11,000 students at the SOM campuses in Cavite and Cebu, but for food, clothing, shelter and other needs as well.

In addition to the required academic subjects in high school, the students are also given more hours of training in vocational skills.

The girls learn dressmaking, industrial sewing machine operation, steno-typing and bookkeeping, electronics, advanced dressmaking, basic computer systems, and culinary arts.

The boys are trained in electricity and electronics, machine shop and welding, computer technology (CADD), auto mechanics and driving, and mechanical processes.

After the commencement rites, the students regaled their guests with a cultural presentation.

Read Excerpt of Valedictory Address of Jerald O. De la Cruz, Sisters of Mary Boystown - Adlas

Read Excerpt of Valedictory Address of Darren Danielle Q. Delos Santos, Sisters of Mary Girlstown - Biga

The Sisters of Mary Boystown - Adlas Batch 2012 Awardees and Guests

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., Addressing the graduates

Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, Addressing the graduates

It's more FUN in the PHILIPPINES!

It's TIME to SHOW our LOVE for our dear PHILIPPINES! Let's all support Department of Tourism's new slogan...It's more fun in the Philippines...

God Bless us all - Filipinos! Tara na Byahe Tayo! :)

Visit http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ for updates! :) 

Happy Holidays 2011! Planning for Vacations on 2012?

"Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2012! Everyone!"

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- John 3:16

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
- Matthew 1:23

* * *

Planning for vacations next year? See Official PH Holiday Listing below:

Official List of Philippine Holidays for 2012
(based on Proclamation No. 295 signed by Pres. Noynoy Aquino on November 24, 2011)

 

A. Regular Holidays – 2012

• New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
• Maundy Thursday  – April 5 (Thursday)
  
• Good Friday – April 6 (Friday)
• Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
• Labor Day – May 1 (Tuesday)
• Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
• National Heroes Day – August 27 (Monday; last Monday of August)
• Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
• Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
• Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

B. Special (Non-working) Holidays – 2012

• Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
• Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
• All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Thursday)
• Additional special non-working day – November 2 (Friday)
• New Year’s Eve – December 31 (Monday)

C. Others

• 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary - February 25 (Saturday) – No classes only for schools
• Eid’l Adha (Islam Feast of Sacrifice) – to be announced later
• End of Ramadan (Eid’l Fitr) – to be announced later

Notes: (Long weekends)

1. Chinese New Year (January 21 - 23) * 3 days
2. Holy Week + Araw ng Kagitingan (April 5 - 9) * 5 days
3. National Heroes Day (August 25 - 27) * 3 days
4. All Saints/Souls Day (November 1 - 4) * 4 days
5. Bonifacio Day (November 30 - December 2) * 3 days
6. New Year (December 29 - 31) + New Year 2013 (January 1) * 4 days
7. Christmas Day (22 - 25) * Hopefully December 24 (Tuesday) becomes holiday since it is sandwiched between weekend and holiday...:)

Enjoy 2012!!! Another great year is coming...

A Blessed Holy Week and Joyful Easter Everyone!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " - John 3:16

Those who cannot make it to visit churches personally due to different circumstances, may opt to do it online via the CBCP's Visita Iglesia Online.

Visit: http://visitaiglesia.net/

Have a Blessed Holy Week and Joyful Easter Everyone! Keep safe! :)

Padre Pio in the Philippines

Who is Padre Pio? Pio of Pietrelcina (25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968) was a Capuchin priest from Italy who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. He was born Francesco Forgione, and given the name Pio when he joined the Capuchins; he was popularly known as Padre Pio after his ordination to the priesthood. He became famous for his stigmata. On 16 June 2002, he was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

To know more about him, click here.

You can read more about the miracles of Padre Pio here.

I came to know about the life and miracles of Padre Pio since February 2003 during the visit of the Pilgrim image of our Lady of Fatima in the Philippines particularly in Mandaluyong, I was priviledge to attend the vigil for our Lady and there together with Mama Mary was the relic of Padre Pio. I heard also of the testimonies of some of the people cured of their illnesses thru the intercession of the holy saint. (Pictures below: Pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima & Padre Pio's relics)

In the Philippines, The Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina was established to promote religious devotion to St. Pio and coordinate his growing number of devotees in the country.

The center fosters, solicits and encourages devotions to St. Pio and spreads his good works with the help of charitable contributions from the public. It was given the privilege of owning a number of relics of St. Pio. These relics are venerated after our Masses and novena prayers in the chapel.

To know more about The Philippine Centre for St. Pio of Pietrelcina click here.

The Chapel is located in Libis, Quezon City. Along C-5 between Honda Cars - Pasig & the new Petron Station just before Eastwood City.

Whenever I'm tired and needs some solitude and personal prayer I always drop by at the chapel before heading home after work since it is just few walks away from the office. I always feel relieved by just sitting in the chapel, lighting candles at the back of the St. Francis chapel/prayer room or by just reading some of the many testimonials of answered prayers, healing or miracles attributed to Padre Pio.

Here's some of the pictures taken during my visits there.

Hope to see you there as well! c",)

Jesse Robredo, Pride of Bicol!

Congratulations! Jesse Robredo, a multi-awarded (both local and international) former mayor of Naga City and Ramon Magsaysay awardee for Government Service, to our kababayan and the Pride of Nagueños, now a DILG Secretary and a nominee for the World Mayor - The 2010 Contest!

During the first round of World Mayor 2010, held in late 2009 and early 2010, more than 118,000 citizens from around the world nominated some 840 mayors for this year’s World Mayor title. Based on the number and quality of nominations, the editorial board of City Mayors, the organisers of the contest, selected 25 mayors from across the world to proceed to the final round. Luckily, Jesse Robredo is one of them.

To all, please vote for him thru this link: World Mayor 2010 Awards

More power and God bless you always in your new task as DILG Secretary!

The Inaugural: Pilipinas, Mabuhay ka!

Tomorrow, JUNE 30, 2010 - Marks a new beginning and a new chapter in Philippine history. I just hope and pray that it will bring new hope and better opportunities for the country and its people.

But as the heavy burden lies in the shoulders of the new President - let us all do our part and never forget that the success of this incoming administration lies in our hands as well.

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE OUR COUNTRY BETTER!

May God Bless the Philippines! Congratulations, President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III

Click here for the Inaugural Ceremonies...

Inaugural Video Part 1!
Inaugural Video Part 2!

Happy Father's Day, Tatay!

As defined by Wikipedia, Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June in 55 of the world's countries (including here in the Philippines) and on other days elsewhere. It complements Mother's Day, the celebration honoring mothers.

To my Dear Tatay, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU! Even if you're not that very vocal as do most fathers, I know how PROUD you are to all of us, your children. I may not have lots of fond memories with you (due to life's circumstances), I know you love me and is very proud of me. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY po! - c",)


To our dear, Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, Maraming Salamat po! We love you!

And to all Father's out there - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! The world will not be complete without you!

JOVIT BALDIVINO - 1st 'Pilipinas Got Talent' Grand Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS! JOVIT BALDIVINO - 1st 'Pilipinas Got Talent' Grand Winner!


Jovit Baldivino Sings "Carrie" @ Pilipinas Got Talent Semi Finals


Jovit Baldivino Sings "Faithfully" @ Pilipinas Got Talent Audition

You are really one of our new talented Pinoy!
Continue making us proud with your God-given talent!
God Bless you! c",)

Pinoy & The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Our Australian boss in the Singapore office yesterday keep on asking us if we will watch the opening and games of the World Cup and pose an intriguing question coz he can't understand why the Philippines displays a very little interest on the World Cup which currently sweeps the planet.

As I observed at the malls here and even on fast food chains (yesterday I even managed to get one tumbler from KFC here; I simply like it and it's really nice and will be useful) World Cup advertisements thru merchandise and other stuffs scattered everywhere and even on their TV channels.

And now I stumble upon this article in the Inquirer.net which hopefully might satisfy if not totally answer his question. :)

So am I going to watch? My answer to him is simply No. I'd better surf the net or watch NBA finals! :)

Hopefully the new generation will appreciate and love this sport as well and who knows we might have our very own Philippine team (in the next 4 or 8 or 12 years...) to watch and cheer. It's not far from reality.c",)

112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence! Mabuhay ka Inang Bayan!

Today, marks the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence!  This will be also the last Independence Day celebration of the current administration and President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

By June 30, the President-Elect Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino will begin his reign as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

May this be a new beginning for our beloved country and I just hope and pray that the new leaders of our country will lead by example and live out to their promises during the campaign period.

Let's work together for a BETTER and truly FREE Philippines! Let's not waste the freedom that our forefathers hardly fought for with their sweat and blood.

Maligayang araw ng KALAYAAN! Mabuhay tayong lahat! and may God Bless the Philippines! c",)

CONGRATULATIONS! Efren Penaflorida - CNN Hero of the Year 2009!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Efren Penaflorida - CNN Hero of the Year 2009!

Peñaflorida was awarded during the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. He received his award from American actress Eva Mendes. He bested nine other nominees from different countries for the Hero of the Year award. The nominees were initially selected by a panel of 14 “Blue Panel” luminaries but the Hero of the Year award is given to the one with the most number of online votes in the CNN Heroes website.

...

Read Inquirer.net full article here:

Filipino declared “Hero of the Year” by CNN

Mabuhay ka Efren! May you be an inspiration to all of us in serving well and serving our fellow brothers and sisters. God bless you & your DTC volunteers!

The Wrath of "Ondoy"

These were the scenes last Sunday at the Floodway - Manggahan Pasig City (the flood waters already subsided a bit but still the Ortigas Avenue Extension going to Ever Gotesco - Cainta is not passable even to big buses) .

I cannot imagine how it happened and where the flood waters come from.

View more pictures here! Most of the pictures here were taken by my Sony Ericsson phone (Thanks God I was able to charge it before the electricity was cut-off).

As of posting time there are already 374,890 people in the evacuation centers—NDCC and the death toll reached 293 (only those recognized and accounted for but how about the 100+ missing?) and badly needed medical assistance and reliefs.

Our place has no electricity yet since Saturday. (Buti ngayon meron na!)

Classes at all levels are suspended from Monday - Tuesday and till Wednesday for elementary and high school levels as announced today by DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus.

I am urging everyone especially those who are not affected and capable of doing their share to help alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters greatly affected by this flood and in dire need of support especially food, water, clothing and medicines.

There are already a lot of relief drive being undertaken by different groups and individuals. Let's try our best to help. Thanks a lot!

This is the right time to show our 'bayanihan'. God Bless the Philippines!

To all ASMSI members: Click here!

View ASMSI's Relief Operation here. Thanks to all who supported the cause.

Thank you and Farewell, President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino (1933 - 2009)

Click here to view pictures: A Moment in HISTORY - Luneta, Manila - Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino has passed away.
She was 76.
Her son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed that she died of cardio-respiratory arrest at exactly 3:18 a.m. Saturday at the Makati Medical Center.
Mrs. Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month.
Mrs. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., will be remembered as an icon of democracy, having led a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 that ousted a dictator who ruled the country for 20 years.
At about 5 a.m. outside the hospital, Noynoy read a statement announcing the death of his mother.
The statement read:

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest.
“She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.
“Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang kaunting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina.


....Image and News Excerpt from Inquirer.net
Read : Cory Aquino Biography
Click here : Live Video Streaming of Tita Cory's Wake

2010 Philippine Holidays

Planning a VACATION next year?

You can do it now...MALACAÑANG already released PROCLAMATION NO. 1841 DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2010!

Click this link to download your copy. Enjoy!

Sources:
http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/#Proclamations
http://www.gov.ph/index.php