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Oplan Harabas yields 3 drivers positive for drugs
FOLLOWING the surprise drug test conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Davao and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on public utility vehicles (PUVs) last March 26, 2024, two taxi drivers in Davao City were found to be positive for drugs......»»
Gathering of champions
The stars descended on the Okada Grand Ballroom last Sunday as former world boxing champions gathered to celebrate the launch of the 1st Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman as guest of honor and speaker......»»
‘Oplan Harabas’ starts
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Davao Region (PDEA-Davao) has started its surprise drug test on bus and van drivers under “Oplan Harabas”, part of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos, on Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024......»»
Zanjoe and Ria pull off surprise wedding
“In love na in love.”.....»»
Pacquiao, Sulaiman honor Filipino champs, eye PH-Mexico tiff
Invited by Manny Pacquiao to the Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announces that he will stage a dual meet involving the Philippines and Mexico.....»»
Bohol artist to receive Da Vinci International art prize
A Bohol-based visually impaired artist will hold his first exhibit in Milan, Italy as he was among the winners in this year’s Leonardo Da Vinci International Art Prize......»»
Meet Rex Villanueva, Batang Tiaong’s pint-sized star
‘I want to prove that we can compete against anyone,’ says diminutive guard Rex Villanueva, who impressed in the NBTC along with his team, surprise semifinalist Batang Tiaong of Quezon.....»»
The inevitable flight
I got a surprise message from my niece Riva Galvez-Tan who wrote a guide or manual on “Your Inevitable Flight,” a pre-departure manual......»»
LWUA firm on intervention as MCWD water leakage increases
CEBU CITY, Philippines –The battle over authority continues in the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) as the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) stands firm in its decision on the six-month intervention, despite the status quo stance. The LWUA expressed confusion as to why the incumbent MCWD board would not honor the partial intervention, clarifying that.....»»
A Guide for Entrepreneurs on Managing Teams from Afar
Running a micro, small, or medium enterprise (MSME) often feels like navigating chaos, and as the business owner, you are the one assigned to straighten things up. But what happens when you need to step away, leaving your team to carry on without your immediate guidance? Managing a team remotely requires finesse, and this challenge […].....»»
Connecting with our spirituality
A meditative and sensorial architecture “that gently embraces people, and when the sunlight reflects on the chapel, the purity of the white Lily,” the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel is a welcome respite for those seeking a much-needed meditation and prayer within the busy city. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175342,175344"] Filinvest Alabang, Inc. tapped the Japanese architectural firm Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects to design the chapel and make it stand out amidst the sharp geometric shapes of nearby office and commercial buildings. Located at the River Park in Filinvest City, the project’s lead architect and co-representative of NAP International, Kohei Omori, noted, “It would be great if people can make visiting the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel a part of their daily life. The chapel is here to welcome them.” The chapel boasts a distinctive design inspired by an inverted white Lily — the flower that perfectly represents the purity of Mother Mary. The towering structure, with its graceful curves that seem to open up to the skies, definitely exudes a serene and comforting atmosphere. “We made the connection between the kindness and gentleness of Mother Mary to the lily,” Komori explained. The chapel being built on a hill further adds to its welcoming nature. Omori said, “It’s quite visible from afar. Two streets surround the site and a walking path and bridge. Instead of closing it off to the surrounding areas, we wanted it to be very open to the public so people can always come and visit the chapel.” These unique qualities are complemented by the chapel’s sustainable features that ensure visitors remain comfortable while doing their reflections. “The top portion of the chapel acts like a funnel. Heated air is essentially exhausted to the outside, which will then draw in a cool air inside with the help of the creek nearby.” He also shared, “Acoustic was also an essential criterion that we had to overcome (to enrich the worship experience), and because this is a place to reflect, we wanted to allow people to feel the passing of time throughout the day through the natural light reflecting inside the chapel.” For Omori, who believes that design is something that should affect people emotionally and spiritually, this collaborative work with Filinvest and different craftsmen from all over the world is solid proof of this belief: “Just seeing how people interact with the building and looking at how they spend their time inside the chapel made us realize that we did succeed in allowing this to be part of their daily life, which was one of our goals since the beginning this project,” he concluded. “The dream for Filinvest City has always been to build an environment that inspires and enables possibilities,” shared Francis Gotianun, director of Filinvest Development Corporation. “Once everything was built and done, we wanted to finally welcome her (the chapel) to Filinvest grounds so the community may have another space to feel safe, protected and at peace.” The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular Masses are scheduled once every Saturday at 5 p.m. and twice a day on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mass on a first Wednesday and first Friday may be celebrated upon the priest’s availability. “We hope that through this chapel, people can see that, amidst the vibrant Filinvest City, there’s always a safe space where they can be still and silent. We are happy to have worked with the expert team of Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architect to design the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel,” said Don Ubaldo, first vice president for Project Development Townships, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. The post Connecting with our spirituality appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy
Elon Musk said Friday that his much-hyped cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg would take place in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about hosting a "great charity event." While any showdown between the two tech titans has yet to be officially confirmed, Musk said on his X social media platform -- formerly known as Twitter -- that arrangements were advancing. "I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture," Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "They have agreed on an epic location." Meta chief Zuckerberg responded on his Threads social network, posting a photo of himself shirtless and pinning down an opponent in his "backyard octagon." A martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiujitsu competitions, Zuckerberg said, "I love this sport and I've been ready to fight since the day Elon challenged me." "If he ever agrees on an actual date, you'll hear it from me. Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on." Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed speaking to Musk about "how to organize a great charity event evoking history" but said any match "will not be held in Rome." Musk apparently hopes the fight would take place in the ancient Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, posting about the idea in late June. In a statement, Sangiuliano said any event with Musk would raise "a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals." "It will also be an opportunity to promote our history and our archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage on a global scale," he said. Musk meanwhile said "everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy" and that proceeds will "go to veterans." He said the cage match would be managed by foundations run by himself and Zuckerberg and not by UFC, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promoter. UFC boss Dana White, still seeking participation in the event, told Mike Tyson's podcast this week that he believed the fight would generate $1 billion in revenue. Zuckerberg said in his Threads post that he would want to work with a professional organization such as the UFC to create a line-up that spotlights elite athletes in the sport. The two tech tycoons, who have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg's Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July. In a slightly frivolous aside, Musk later Friday posted a phrase in Latin that translates as "it is delightful to play the fool occasionally." Musk did not mention a date for the proposed fight, but said he may need to undergo "minor surgery" to resolve a "problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs." "Recovery will only take a few months," he added. The world's richest person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae together but said Friday it is currently "not an issue." The post Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy
Elon Musk said Friday that his much-hyped cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg would take place in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about hosting a "great charity event." While any showdown between the two tech titans has yet to be officially confirmed, Musk said on his X social media platform -- formerly known as Twitter -- that arrangements were advancing. "I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture," Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "They have agreed on an epic location." Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed speaking to Musk about "how to organize a great charity event evoking history" but said any match "will not be held in Rome." Musk apparently hopes the fight would take place in the ancient Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, posting about the idea in late June. In a statement, Sangiuliano said any event with Musk would raise "a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals." "It will also be an opportunity to promote our history and our archaeological, artistic, and cultural heritage on a global scale," he said. Musk said "everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy" and that proceeds will "go to veterans." He said the cage match would be managed by foundations run by himself and Zuckerberg and not by UFC, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promoter. UFC boss Dana White, still seeking participation in the event, told Mike Tyson's podcast this week that he believed the fight would generate $1 billion in revenue. The two tech tycoons, who have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg's Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July. In a slightly frivolous aside, Musk later Friday posted a phrase in Latin that translates as "it is delightful to play the fool occasionally." Musk did not mention a date for the proposed fight, but said he may need to undergo "minor surgery" to resolve a "problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs." "Recovery will only take a few months," he added. The world's richest person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae together but said Friday it is currently "not an issue." Zuckerberg, a martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiujitsu competitions, did not immediately comment. The post Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
X live-streaming Musk-Zuckerberg fight
WASHINGTON (AFP) —Elon Musk said Sunday that a “cage match” he and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg have seemingly agreed to as a fund-raiser will be carried live on X, formerly known as Twitter, which he owns. “Zuck vs Musk fight will be live-streamed on X,” Musk posted. “All proceeds will go to charity for veterans.” Zuckerberg soon hit back on Threads, the new app he launched last month in a direct challenge to what was then still called Twitter, saying he was ready. “Shouldn’t we use a more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity?” he added, in a dig at the wave of problems faced by Musk’s platform since he took over last year. The two billionaire entrepreneurs, who in the past have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg’s Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July, quickly drawing 120 million users, according to Quiver Quantitative. Musk then posted on X, “I’m up for a cage match if he is lol,” referring to a form of Mixed Martial Arts in which rival fighters employ a variety of techniques — like wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu — while limited by a few rules. Zuckerberg, a martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiu-jitsu competitions, responded to Musk’s initial, seemingly humorous, challenge by replying on Instagram “Send me location.” The exchange sparked a torrent of reactions on social media, as well as prompting a lively round of betting on the potential winner. The post X live-streaming Musk-Zuckerberg fight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million)
Here’s sharing with you Cyber Proust’s (now Proust Redux) winning piece when he joined the 2010 Philippine Star Lifestyle Journalism Contest sponsored by Rustan Commercial Corporation and the Stores Specialists, Inc. The announcement called for feature articles, as many as one could submit, about heroes, dead or alive. Cyber Proust submitted three — one about his mother; another about a blogger who tells stories about his clan and people like them, making for a good read for people interested in Philippine upper class but not necessarily high society; and this one, about Danny Dolor, Cyber Proust’s patron and benefactor when Cyber Proust had not yet declared himself rich. Here goes: My hero, my icon, the man I’d rather be When people are asked who they want to be if they ever get the chance to live their lives all over again, they almost always say they want to be the same person. If you ask me the same question, I’d have the same answer, only because I want to keep the same set of parents. But if I could keep my Dad and Mom, and still be someone else, I’d look at you straight in the eye, and declare, I want to be Danny Dolor. I can think of a hackneyed thousand and one reasons why I prefer to breathe and eat and live like Sir Danny, but let me stick to the quintessential five. First, he is rich which we all want to be. He is an art lover which I profess to be. He is a trailblazer even if he is a Libran who prefers balance, while I am an Arian who always wants to be the first. He was a good son who took care of his mother in her old age, which every good son should do especially if he were single. I am single, but I was always away from home, too busy changing and finding writing jobs. The closest I got to emulating Sir Danny was spending endless nights conversing with my mother whenever I was home during Christmas breaks. Sir Danny, on the other hand, never travelled abroad because he wanted to be by his mother’s side every night of the year. When he visited Lipa, their hometown, he would pick up his mobile phone to check on his mother and sister Fe in their Makati home, rattling off his orders to their yaya — check their temperature, don’t forget the medicine after their merienda, and so on. Finally, Danny Dolor is a good Catholic who hears Sunday Mass, fingers his beads when in the car, and joins the procession on Good Friday beside his own Mater Dolorosa. How I wish I could give away lands on which to build churches, donate thousands of portfolio bags for priests attending their annual convention, and build a museum in honor of a townsman, Alfredo Maria Obviar, who may yet be the first Filipino bishop to be beatified and, in God’s time, canonized. First conversation I am lucky to have an icon whom I have seen up close. I have seen Danny Dolor when he goes into a trance as he describes his first conversation with National Artist Atang de la Rama, to whom he became a friend and confidante, or fits of laughter as he recalls the usually funny repartee between his friends Sylvia La Torre and Oscar Obligacion when the latter was still alive. For all the secrets and fun times we have shared, I stick to calling him Sir as I did the first time I interviewed him in his thickly-carpeted, air-conditioned and perfume-smelling den. I had known about the man before I ever met him. I knew about his Tribung Pinoy which concertized all over the country in the late 1970s all the way to the mid 1980’s. I never saw them perform in person, but I read about Danny Dolor and his gang of sopranos, tenors and baritones who rendered their harana, danza, balitaw and, of course, kundiman, in schools and churches, and quixotic venues like the Culion Leper Colony in Palawan, the mental hospital and the women’s correctional where the patients and inmates cried, sang, danced and thanked him because no one ever came to sing for them. The path-breaking Danny Dolor also produced the first ever concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines featuring an all-Filipino-traditional-music repertoire. Danny Dolor’s house, at that time when I interviewed him, was along Tamarind corner Banaba in uppity Forbes Park. In the den, paintings, sculptures, plaques, and trophies vied for the attention of first-time guests. I immediately liked a Zalameda portrait of a basketball player, but what impressed me was a plaque with Latin inscriptions which, my host explained to me, was his papal award. He next brought me to the lanai, thrice as large as the den, where beside the lacquered opium bed stood a gigantic St. Joseph. He showed me a life-size oil portrait of Charito Solis, Ramon Valera ternos worn by Gloria Romero and his sister Fe, and original drawings of Darna by Mars Ravelo. The man, who knows his art, takes pride in his penchant for everything Filipino. It is an interest that goes a long way back to his childhood during the Japanese occupation. In the family hacienda where they evacuated, he listened to the farmers sing native songs. In grade one a year or two later, the young Danny sang Bayan Ko before his classmates, to the shock of the teacher who probably expected Jack and Jill. When Sir Danny was in grade school, he watched Filipino films in the movie houses along Rizal Avenue. As a high school student, he listened to the Mabuhay singers over the radio. In college, he watched Tawag ng Tanghalan on television. Is it any wonder that he should mount a best-selling exhibit of movie ads from the golden years of Philippine cinema? Or that he has maintained, for more than ten years, a column in the Philippine Star, “Remember When?” featuring the movie stars and great musical talents of yesteryears? Danny Dolor is unique in that he straddles the worlds of show business and high society, which many find incompatible. Not with him who has produced movies, including Indie films, and concert tributes honoring luminaries of the silver screen like Director Hermogenes Ilagan and movie queen Carmen Rosales. His involvement in the upper strata, on the other hand, is never without a good reason. For example, he collaborated with the socialite businesswoman Nedy Tantoco in organizing the best-selling Ramon Valera retrospective exhibit. If he is chummy with the grand dame Imelda Cojuangco that’s because he is a loyal and trusted officer the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, of which she is the chair. Every year, come Feast of the Immaculate Conception, they gather hundreds of children from depressed areas to receive their first holy communion. Imagine the mix For all of these, he takes a break from his duties as chairman of various companies that include a hospital, hotel, educational institution, bank and subdivisions. Imagine the mix — movies, music, church, business and high society. And he dances the Rigodon too. How can one not desire such completeness? There’s something though he’d rather not be said about him. In my times of need, he does not hide under his canopied bed, and in the milestones of my life, he gives me a thick red envelope. Once I ran out of cash to pay my rent, I called him up and told him that if only I could touch the tip of his pants, I was sure to have what I needed. Scolding me first for being such a cheap copy of the woman in the bible, he said Yes to my pleadings, while reminding me to help him prepare another souvenir program for yet another concert tribute for another forgotten gem of Philippine music. The man does not believe in outright charity. Not to me, anyway. And while he is patient with me, he insists that I “fix” my life for “all these things you delight in will soon come to pass” and “if you do not take care of yourself, who will?” and so on. From his mother, he passes on a classic gem, “Never do anything that people will notice from afar,” a rough translation of “Huwag kang gagawa ng kahit anong matatanaw mula sa malayo.” In short, don’t be a show-off. My hero and icon, Danny Dolor, is not only a model for living the successful and well-lived life that I dream about. He is also a saviour, a mentor and an angel who, despite the “professional distance” we keep between us as a “client” and as a “talent,” if the relationship must breed results, has come closest to being my “Tito” and best friend. Sir Danny will not be pleased with this article. He will think that I need to borrow money from him again. The post Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk says his cage fight with Zuckerberg will stream on X
Elon Musk said Sunday that the "cage match" he and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg have seemingly agreed to as a fund-raiser will be carried live on X, formerly known as Twitter, which he owns. "Zuck v Musk fight will be live-streamed on X," Musk posted. "All proceeds will go to charity for veterans." He did not give further details, and there was no immediate confirmation from Zuckerberg. Musk added, in a separate post, "Am lifting weights throughout the day, preparing for the fight." The two billionaire entrepreneurs, who in the past have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg's Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July, quickly drawing 120 million users, according to Quiver Quantitative. Musk then posted on X, "I'm up for a cage match if he is lol," referring to a form of Mixed Martial Arts in which rival fighters employ a variety of techniques -- like wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu -- while limited by few rules. Zuckerberg, a martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiu-jitsu competitions, responded to Musk's initial, seemingly humorous, challenge by replying on Instagram "Send me location." The exchange sparked a torrent of reactions on social media, as well as prompting a lively round of betting on the potential winner. The 39-year-old Zuckerberg, with his fighting experience, emerged as the clear favorite despite the decided size advantage of Musk, who is 52. No date has been set for the fight, which -- if it does happen -- is expected to take place in Las Vegas. The two tech giants have clashed over the years on issues ranging from politics to artificial intelligence. But the arrival of Threads heightened the pressure on the already troubled Twitter. Musk bought that social network for $44 billion before announcing massive layoffs and opening the platform up to conspiracy-minded posters, leading several advertisers to turn elsewhere. els/seb/bbk/st © Agence France-Presse The post Musk says his cage fight with Zuckerberg will stream on X appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aiko Melendez earns journalism degree at 47
Actress and Quezon City councilor Aiko Melendez has fulfilled another milestone: She recently graduated from the Philippine Women’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Major in Journalism at age 47. The Wildflower actress shared her graduation photos on Facebook and Instagram, along with her thoughts on her experience as a latter-day student and words of gratitude for her professors, classmates and family. “It may have taken me years to finally finish my degree but despite a lot of hurdles and heavy workloads from being an artist and a public servant, I made sure to still make it,” she wrote. In a separate post, Melendez shared her official graduation photo as she looked back on how she was able to manage being a mother, an actress, a politician and a student all at the same time. [caption id="attachment_165463" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Aiko Melendez with son Andre Yllana and daughter Marthena Jickain. | photograph courtesy of IG/aiko melendez[/caption] “Mukhang madali ang lahat pero sa totoo lang naiisip ko ngayon paano ko napag sabay sabay lahat?… Paano nga ba? Kasi natuto akong pahalagahan ang mga bagay na dapat nuon ko pa nabigyan ng pansin pero bakit nga ba ngayon lang? Kasi inuna ko muna tuparin ang mga pangarap ko para sa pamilya ko. Ang mabigyan sila ng kumportableng buhay (Everything looks easy from afar, but the truth is, I can’t help but wonder how I was able to juggle everything. How? By learning to focus now on things I should have done way back. Why did I only do it now? I wanted to fulfill my dreams first for my family, to give them a comfortable life). Melendez recalled that it took a lot of hard work, sacrifice and sleepless nights to reach this point in her life, and promised that she would make everyone proud as a mother and a public servant. “Gusto ko mapagmalaki nyo ako hindi lang sa mabuting puso na meron ako kundi sa pagpupursige ko sa buhay… This is Aiko Melendez officially! Graduate na po ako… Ang edukasyon walang pinipiling edad basta matuto ka lang alamin ang gusto mo (I want you to be proud of me, that I am not only a woman with a good heart but someone who perseveres in life… This is Aiko Melendez officially! I am already a graduate! Education knows no age as long as you have the heart to learn). A few weeks before the actress-turned-politician got her diploma, Melendez celebrated her 16-year-old daughter Marthena’s completion of a course in law at Somerville College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Melendez has had a lengthy career in the entertainment industry. She started as a child star in the 1980s and has been acclaimed as one of the best, most-awarded actresses of her generation. She also has a heart for public service. She is currently a councilor in Quezon City, a position she had previously held from 2001 to 2010. Melendez joins the roster of celebrities who finished their schooling this year, proving that education should not be a race but a journey. Television host Karla Estrada, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and sexy star AJ Raval all graduated in July, while It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario graduated in June with a degree in Political Science, magna cum laude. The post Aiko Melendez earns journalism degree at 47 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an overt manifestation of one’s religious and spiritual devotion to one’s creed. There are people whose devotion is pure and strong. You see this in all religions. They walk the extra mile to perform arcane rituals enjoined by their religion. Distance is no issue. They literally climb mountains and sail the “seven seas” to observe the injunction. What divine force pushes them? When we were about to take the bar examination some of our Christian batchmates talked in a whisper about seeking help from the St. John the Baptist Parish Church or Quiapo Church, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. They heard of testimonies about the magical power of the Church which grants prayers for success, providence, and healing which would-be bar takers can do with. Another shrine frequented by pilgrims is the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Manaoag, Pangasinan. Pilgrims coming from afar flock to the Church because of its divine healing power and many other accounts of the grant of miraculous benefits. There are many other shrines in various places in the country that are visited by pilgrims who seek relief from disease, poverty and hardship. Catholics who are financially able, visit the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Holy City of Rome, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. The claim of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Bosnian village Medjugorje testified to by many adherents is drawing thousands of devotees from different parts of the globe. Other religions have their own places of worship or shrines visited regularly by devotees. The Muslims have them. I write this article having in mind the Haj season for World Muslims which kicks off next month. They will flock to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah, where Masjid el Haram, the holiest shrine, and Masjed el Nabawe, the 2nd holiest mosque, are located, respectively. Ironically, the 3rd holiest mosque, Masjed el Aqsa is in Jerusalem. The principal difference between Muslims and other religious devotees performing pilgrimage is that in the former, the Haj pilgrimage is obligatory during their lifetime while the latter do it voluntarily and mostly part of a religious tour for leisure and pleasure. It’s pure unadulterated devotion for Muslim pilgrims performing Haj. Also, Muslims perform it on a specific date and time in the Lunar calendar while non-Muslim pilgrims do it anytime in their own free time. Moreover, there are specific arcane rituals that had to be observed imitating what Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham to non-Muslims) did during their lifetime. Performing the Haj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam along with belief in Allah SWT and His Messenger Muhammad PBUH, five times a day prayers, payment of zakat or alms-giving, and fasting during Holy Ramadhan. Islam, however, exempts those physically disabled and senile persons with health issues and those who are not financially capable. This accounts for the fact that millions of Muslims annually troop to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. How the Kingdom could manage millions of devotees performing Haj and Umrah pilgrimages is one for the books. As host, it had to provide security, housing, and easy access to the Shrines along with managing the horrendous human traffic and other imperatives needed by the annual gathering. It is no mean feat to gather a multi-racial and ethnolinguistic throng in one place on a specific day and time without any major mischance happening. While there were few and far accidents before, they were manageable and had not marred the performance of the pilgrimage. It is likewise a wonder how the Kingdom managed to modernize the housing, transport, medical, and security system for the pilgrimage without violating the holiness of the places of worship. Mecca has been transformed from one oasis in a huge desert land into a metropolis with high-rise hotels and structures, including state of an art transport system connecting the twin Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah specifically constructed to cater to pilgrims. The Kingdom has lived up to its name as the capital of Islam. And the world Muslims cannot but express appreciation for the labor of His Majesty King Salman ibn Abdelaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for walking the extra mile to make the experience of Muslim pilgrims a lifetime fulfillment. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Pilgrimage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Acclaimed play ‘The Reconciliation Dinner’ to be restaged this May
After a successful debut run last year, award-winning writer and director Floy Quintos’ one-act play, The Reconciliation Dinner, returns to stage this May at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati, Makati City. Set in a volatile political climate, the dark comedy follows two close friends, Dina Medina and Susan Valderama, as they confront their personal differences and how their political choices affect their lives and families. The Reconciliation Dinner was first staged by Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas from 18 to 20 November 2022 at the University of the Philippines, earning praises. The original director, Dexter Martinez Santos, returns for the 2023 staging together with the original cast, which includes Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Randy Medel Villarama, Jojo Cayabyab, Nelsito Gomez, Mica Pineda and Phi Palmos. Excerpts of the play was staged during Alab: An Auction and Benefit Dinner for Angat Buhay on 15 March for the NGO established by former Vice President Leni Robredo. “I have never met Ma’am Leni personally. But am proud to have volunteered my services during the campaign and most recently, during the launch of Angat Buhay Foundation, where excerpts of ‘The Reconciliation Dinner’ served as an intro to her report on the foundation’s projects. At all these instances, I have admired her from afar," wrote Quintos in a Facebook post with a video greeting from Robredo. “But always, always there is the gratitude conveyed most sincerely. This video message was sent after the Angat Buhay event last March. Needless to say, it is most treasured.” The 14 May show will serve as a culminating event of the Tayo Ang Liwanag: People’s Campaign Anniversary Week, which started on 9 May. The celebration included the launch of the coffee-table book Tayo Ang Liwanag, written by Robredo, and daily performances at the Museo ng Pag-Asa. Limited signed copies of the book will be made available on the 14 May show. The Reconciliation Dinner will be shown from 13 to 14, 20 to 21 and 27 to 28 May, Saturdays and Sundays, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from P1,500 to P2,000, and can be purchased at www.ticket2me.net/e/37463. For ticket and show-buying inquiries, one may call 0922-8080453. The post Acclaimed play ‘The Reconciliation Dinner’ to be restaged this May appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tropa hit, win from afar
Showcasing a more explosive long-court offensive than its Game 3 conqueror, TNT hit back at Barangay Ginebra, 116-104, to tie things up a second time last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»