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Zanjoe and Ria pull off surprise wedding
“In love na in love.”.....»»
Zanjoe, Ria nagpakasal na; magiging nanay at tatay na rin ba?
IKINASAL na ang celebrity couple na sina Ria Atayde at Zanjoe Marudo sa pamamagitan ng intimate wedding ceremony officiated by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. Kinumpirma ito ng Kapamilya actor sa kanyang latest Instagram post kung saan makikitang nakasuot siya ng black suit habang naka-white dress naman si Ria na may hawak na bouquet of flowers......»»
Princess Kate praised for ‘extraordinary dignity’ after cancer diagnosis
LONDON – Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, and her husband Prince William have been “enormously touched” by the messages of support received since she announced her cancer diagnosis, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said on Saturday. Kate said on Friday she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests done following her major abdominal surgery in January revealed cancer had.....»»
Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘Stranger Things’ co-star to officiate her wedding
When 'Stranger Things' star Millie Bobby Brown marries fiance Jake Bongiovi, it will be her 'Papa' officiating the wedding.....»»
145 couple tie the knot in 26th Kadalag-an festival mass wedding
145 couple tie the knot in 26th Kadalag-an festival mass wedding.....»»
Millie Bobby Brown s Stranger Things co-star Matthew Modine to officiate her wedding
Actor Matthew Modine will preside over the wedding of his "Stranger Things" co-star Millie Bobby Brown and her fiance Jake Bongiovi, son of rock star Jon Bon Jovi......»»
Famed Black Nazarene image gets new carriage for ‘new mission’
Famed Black Nazarene image gets new carriage for ‘new mission’.....»»
Paying tribute to Criselda, Rustan’s bestselling iconic fashion designer
In her lifetime, Criselda Lontok epitomized the kind of woman for whom the legendary Glecy Rustia Tantoco established her home-based establishment that would grow into the country’s foremost luxury department store. No wonder that the Rustan’s Department Store founder, known for her keen understanding of the ladies of Manila’s 400, offered to Criselda, one of Manila’s most beautiful women and smartest dressers, a beauty queen and a fashion model, an exclusive line intended for her kind. Criselda, who had served initially as a buyer and merchandiser, and spearheaded a number of homegrown Italian-inspired Rustan’s labels, accepted the challenge, keeping in mind her friends and acquaintances, the quintessential upper-class Filipina — fashionable, committed to philanthropic and civic causes, herself engaged in an enterprise or a profession that fits her colegiala or finishing school education and, of course, prominent and socially-adept. Having seen the world and constantly on the go in the jet-setting era, these women, like Criselda herself, knew the best of foreign brands and were accustomed to wearing them. [caption id="attachment_186354" align="aligncenter" width="1365"] JOHN Fernandez, Criselda Lontok’s son. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RUSTANS[/caption] Taking her cue from the composite personality traits of her intended clientele, beautiful people as they were then called, Criselda went on to create dresses that appealed to the ladies’ fine sensibilities anchored on a lifestyle of privilege, comfort, grace and sophisticated aesthetics. Her ingenuity could not have been more apt, as proven by her designs hogging the limelight, the topic of conversation among socialites who finally found the dress that fit them and their style — and becoming the best-seller of Rustan’s. From its beginnings in the early 1980s, the label Criselda went on to grow as among the top offerings and go-to brands of the country’s sole purveyor of high style. And even as Rustan’s aimed for inclusivity to address the needs of professionals and customers who aspired to the good life within their budget, Criselda remained the top choice for those who sought to be attractive and stylish, while being practical and wise in their choices. A Criselda was always a good investment. Through the decades, just like a select few things that get better as they get older, Criselda, the exclusive clothing brand, has transcended fashion trends and social seasons and has maintained its eminent position in the country’s pret-a-porter sector. Criselda’s recent demise might have led to a void, especially in the firmament of Philippine fashion, but her eponymous brand, Criselda, just like her name, has endured. She may be gone but she is remembered, first by her Rustan’s family led by Zenaida R. Tantoco, chief executive officer and chairman of the Rustan Group of Companies, her friends, devoted clientele, and the many others whose lives she touched through her professionalism, kindness, friendliness and warmth, which she generously gave especially to those who came to peruse her creations, mostly cut along classic lines but not sacrificing women’s desire to be chic and trendy. Her career with Rustan’s is a story worth telling as it is inspiring, one that would encourage our young women to pursue their dreams. As a young wife and mother who believed she could contribute to the world out there, Criselda applied for a job at Rustan’s. The grand lady of the number one purveyor of luxury in the country, Glecy R. Tantoco, took her in despite her initial doubts as to whether Criselda, who comes from a good family in Batangas and married into another good family from Laguna, would stick it out despite the rigorous requirements of the job. Glecy Tantoco was known for her insistence on the efficiency of her staff, along with a strong sense of service and an overall image in terms of personal looks and demeanor that defined the Rustan’s style of appropriateness, class and good breeding. [caption id="attachment_186355" align="aligncenter" width="1078"] ERNIE Lopez and Bertha Felicino of Bantay Bata.[/caption] Thankfully, Criselda proved herself worthy, even as she had to deal directly with her tough and no-nonsense boss. In fact, they clicked, as Glecy turned out to be a supportive mentor. Taking Criselda under her wing, she gave her additional responsibilities and assigned her to the forefront when dignitaries and international socialites shopped at Rustan’s. More than the label and the prestige, what Glecy Tantoco gave her were the right work ethic and belief in herself. Criselda remembered her mentor, “GRT (as Glecy was called) was so very hardworking, you just had to be as hardworking, too. I truly admired her foresight. She had the drive. She taught me that I must be sure of myself and only if I was sure should I pursue whatever I wanted to do.” It did not take long for Criselda’s outfits to become a must among Manila’s prominent women who love to wear them not only when attending big parties but also when visiting with friends, shopping at the mall, or relaxing with the family at home. Whether these were day dresses, afternoon outfits, cocktail dresses, or ravishing evening gowns, they lapped them up, happy at the thought of not having to bother with fittings and the encumbrances that went with wearing haute couture. If they wore her creations, it was because they believed her when she spoke to them of fashion sense and carriage and, of course, compatibility with what they wore. She once said, “It is important to consider your age. An 80-year-old woman should not even wear mini skirts...just a little above the knee is permissible but not one that shows her prominent varicose veins and other unsightly parts.” The post Paying tribute to Criselda, Rustan’s bestselling iconic fashion designer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sweden throws royal bash for king’s golden jubilee
Sweden celebrates the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf's reign with pomp and circumstance on Friday and Saturday, with a gala banquet, street parties and a procession through central Stockholm. The 77-year-old king was the world's youngest monarch when he came to the throne aged 27 in 1973 after the death of his grandfather Gustaf VI Adolf. The two days of festivities will be attended by foreign dignitaries as well as hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to line the capital's streets to catch a glimpse of the king and Queen Silvia in a cortege on Saturday. Several of the festivities will be broadcast live on television to Sweden's 10 million inhabitants. "It's an intense week," palace spokeswoman Margareta Thorgren told AFP, adding that preparations have been underway for several years. On Friday, a Te Deum church service will be held at the Royal Chapel attended by the royal family, other Nordic royals and heads of state, as well as Swedish political leaders, followed by a gala banquet hosted by the king at the palace. The highlight of the celebrations will be Saturday's afternoon cortege, when the royal couple will wave to the public from a horse-drawn carriage escorted by 3,000 troops from the army, navy and air force and military bands. The final leg of the procession will see the royal couple being rowed across the water in the royal barge to the steps below the palace in the Old Town. That will be followed by an outdoor concert nearby featuring several popular Swedish acts. Dancing in the streets As afternoon heads into evening, the city center will transform into a giant public dance floor, with DJs playing everything from boogie woogie to Cuban salsa, rock 'n' roll, disco and Swedish hits, and food trucks serving food and drinks. Several hundred thousand people are expected to turn out for Saturday's festivities, police spokeswoman Rebecca Landberg told AFP, comparing the event to the massive crowds that lined the streets for Crown Princess Victoria's 2010 wedding. "It feels really exciting," said Jenny Schannong, a 53-year-old medical secretary who plans to be in place early Saturday to get a good viewing spot for the cortege. "It'll be cool to experience this in my lifetime... I was just a little baby when he became king, I was three years old so I don't really remember that," she said. However, the celebrations are taking place under heightened security, after Sweden last month raised its terror alert level following a spate of Koran burnings that have angered the Muslim world. Carl Gustaf XVI is the longest reigning monarch in Sweden's history. Born on April 30, 1946, Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus Bernadotte was only nine months old when his father, Prince Gustaf Adolf, died in a plane crash in Denmark. He grew up with four older sisters and an often-absent mother -- Princess Sibylla of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha -- before becoming king in 1973. He is the European monarch with the second-longest reign, behind his cousin Queen Margrethe of Denmark who took the throne in 1972. Popular despite sex scandals Despite occasional scandals -- the biggest when a 2010 book alleged he frequented sex clubs and had numerous affairs -- the king still enjoys broad support. A poll this month in Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter said 62 percent of Swedes were in favor of the monarchy, a level that has remained stable over two decades. The king's role has been purely ceremonial since constitutional reform in 1974. The palace has remained tightlipped on the cost of the weekend festivities. "It's a public celebration and the costs will be detailed in a report to be published in April," palace spokeswoman Margareta Thorgren said. This year also marks the 500th anniversary of the reign of Gustav Vasa, Sweden's first king elected in 1523, ending the Kalmar Union that joined the three Scandinavian kingdoms under a single monarchy from 1397. The post Sweden throws royal bash for king’s golden jubilee appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon-hit health centers get much-needed upgrade
In fulfilling this mission, SM Foundation recently collaborated with UNIQLO Philippines to provide much-needed assistance to communities hit by typhoon “Paeng”, particularly health centers that provide basic health care services to low-income communities. SM Foundation Inc. executive director for Health Wellness Program Connie Angeles led the turnover of the renovated Canlalay Barangay Health Station and Rosario Rural Health Unit–Annex, the 192nd and 193rd SMFI Wellness Center and the 20th and 21st centers under the collaboration for social good with UNIQLO, respectively. Through this collaboration, the “Paeng”-affected health centers were able to address challenges that had long impeded their safety and functionality, from lack of appropriate medical equipment and facilities to worn-out structures. With the repair and rehabilitation, both health stations are now made more conducive to dispensing their services. Each center was fitted with new signage, medical equipment and tools, such as delivery beds, dressing carriage, vaccine refrigerator and breastfeeding areas. Aside from revitalizing the centers from floor to ceiling, SMFI also equipped them with glass doors to replace termite-infested doors and windows, new bathroom fixtures, television sets, filing and medicine cabinets, tables, chairs as well as inverter-type air-conditioning units and LED lights. “Thank you very much to SM Foundation and UNIQLO Philippines for the renovation of the health facility and new equipment to be used for patient care and services as these would be a great help for the communities that we serve,” said Dr. Noriel Emelo of Rosario Health Unit-Annex. Biñan City health officer Dr. Mirabelle Benjamin also shared: “In our community, we have a school that serves as an evacuation center. So, when a typhoon hits, it’s strategic that we have a reliable health center nearby. We are also thankful because we have partnered with SM, who helps us ensure the long-term functionality of our health centers.” Earlier this year, the partners provided Emergency GoKit+ to 43 flood-prone communities hit by Paeng in Zamboanga del Sur, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan, Isabela and Cagayan, enabling them to provide immediate first-aid responses during disasters. Over 2,400 typhoon-affected families also received dinner sets through the collaboration. [caption id="attachment_155657" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SM FOUNDATIONAside from other preventive care, patients receive quality dental health care inside the renovated Rosario Rural Health Unit-Annex.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_155654" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Inside the newly refurbished Barangay Canlalay Health Station, Biñan, Laguna.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_155655" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Health workers attend to the needs of residents of Barangay Canlalay.[/caption] The post Typhoon-hit health centers get much-needed upgrade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UK royal family unite for King Charles III’s birthday parade
Britain's royal family rounded off King Charles III's inaugural birthday parade Saturday with a balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace to watch a spectacular fly-past. Three of the king's young grandchildren -- future king Prince George, age 9, Prince Louis, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 8 -- joined the rest of the family on the balcony with the princes sporting red ties and blue blazers and Charlotte in a sailor suit with red trim. They were cheered by the crowds who gathered outside the palace and in The Mall, the avenue leading up to it. The air display of some 70 military aircraft, following a 41-gun salute from nearby Green Park in central London, came after bad weather cut short a planned fly-past at Charles's coronation on 6 May. It ended with the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force's aerobatic display team, trailing red, white and blue vapours. Earlier, Charles saddled up for the annual Trooping the Colour parade that marks the British sovereign's official birthday. It was the first time the monarch has ridden at the ceremony since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1986. Charles, who also took the royal salute, was followed on horseback as he inspected the troops by his eldest son and heir, Prince William, Charles' brother Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and sister Anne, the Princess Royal. Queen Camilla in a military-inspired red outfit, and William's wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who was dressed in green, followed in a carriage. The colourful display of regimental precision and pageantry was the first of 74-year-old Charles's reign. Charles's actual birthday is on 14 November but British sovereigns celebrate twice -- once in private and again in public. See more photos: Colorful display The June parade tradition began in 1748 under King George II, who wanted a celebration in better summer weather, as his own birthday was on 30 October. The televised event kicked off with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Some 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses took part, led in the parade by Juno, a 10-year-old shire mare, alongside three other Drum Horses -- Perseus, Atlas, and Apollo. Drum Horses are the most senior animals in the army and hold the rank of major. They are traditionally named after figures from Greek mythology. The minutely choreographed event has its origins in the display of colours or flags of different regiments to allow their soldiers to identify them in battle. The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards trooped their colour up and down the ranks this year. The UK is currently experiencing a hot spell which would have made it difficult for the troops in their ceremonial black bearskin hats and thick red tunics. Unlike last weekend, however, when William inspected troops from the Household Division group of senior regiments, none of the soldiers appeared to faint. As Prince of Wales, William is an honorary colonel of the Welsh Guards. Charles -- who as head of state is commander-in-chief of the armed forces -- later led the soldiers back to the palace. Queen Elizabeth last rode her horse, Burmese, a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, at the parade in the mid-1980s. After the horse -- which she rode for 18 years -- was retired in 1986, she decided to use a carriage for Trooping the Colour. Last year's parade was the last for the late queen and formed part of four days of events to mark her record-breaking 70th year on the throne. It was one of her final public appearances before her death, aged 96, in September. The post UK royal family unite for King Charles III’s birthday parade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
King Charles III saddles up for birthday parade
Britain's King Charles III Charles will take part in his annual birthday parade on horseback Saturday, the first time the monarch has ridden at the event since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1986. The annual Trooping the Colour parade marks the British sovereign's official birthday. The colourful display of regimental precision and pageantry is the first of 74-year-old Charles's reign. Charles's actual birthday is on November 14 but British sovereigns celebrate twice -- once in private and again in public. The June parade tradition began in 1748 under King George II, who wanted a celebration in better summer weather, as his own birthday was on October 30. The televised event begins with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in central London. Some 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses are taking part, led in the parade by Juno, a 10-year-old shire mare, alongside three other Drum Horses -- Perseus, Atlas and Apollo. Drum Horses are the most senior animals in the army and hold the rank of major. They are traditionally named after figures from Greek mythology. The minutely choreographed event has its origins in the display of colours or flags of different regiments to allow their soldiers to identify them in battle. The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will troop, or parade, their colour up and down the ranks this year. Highs of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast, but troops will likely feel hotter in their ceremonial black bearskin hats and thick red tunics. Charles will be joined on horseback by his eldest son and heir, Prince William, his brother Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and sister Anne, the Princess Royal. William inspected troops from the Household Division group of senior regiments last weekend, and the high temperatures saw several soldiers faint. As Prince of Wales, William is an honorary colonel of the Welsh Guards. After inspecting the troops and taking a royal salute, Charles -- who as head of state is commander-in-chief of the armed forces -- will lead soldiers back to the palace. He will then join other senior members of the royal family to watch a fly-past of some 70 military aircraft over the British capital, after a 41-gun salute from nearby Green Park. Bad weather cut short a planned fly-past at Charles's coronation on 6 May. The late Queen Elizabeth last rode her horse Burmese, a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, at the parade in the mid-1980s. After the horse, which she rode for 18 years, was retired in 1986 she decided to use a carriage for Trooping the Colour. Last year's parade was the last for the late queen and formed part of four days of events to mark her record-breaking 70th year on the throne. It was one of her final public appearances before her death, aged 96, in September. The post King Charles III saddles up for birthday parade appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
King Charles III takes to saddle to restore royal tradition
King Charles III will become the first reigning British monarch in more than 30 years to take the salute from troops on horseback at the annual Trooping the Colour, Buckingham Palace announced Monday. Saturday's parade -- which marks the sovereign's official birthday -- is a minutely choreographed military tradition dating back more than two centuries. Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the last monarch to ride at the event in 1986 when she was 60. She decided after that to be driven in a carriage as Burmese, the horse she used for 18 years, was retired from duty. The parade starts at Buckingham Palace in central London and moves down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where Charles, 74, will receive a royal salute. He will then inspect soldiers on parade before returning with other members of the royal family to watch a ceremonial fly-past of aircraft from the palace balcony. Charles, his only sister Princess Anne and heir Prince William, all rode at last year's Trooping the Colour. It formed part of four days of celebrations for the late queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70th year on the throne, and was one of her last public appearances before her death in September, aged 96. Charles's younger son Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan kept a low profile at the event but have reportedly not been invited this year. The couple moved to the United States in 2020 and have repeatedly criticized royal life since. William reviewed troops on horseback in another military ceremonial Saturday. Temperatures of up to 28 Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) saw several soldiers faint. Charles' actual birthday is on 14 November. The double birthday tradition was started by German-born King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a summer celebration as his own birthday was on 30 October. The post King Charles III takes to saddle to restore royal tradition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More than 280 dead, hundreds hurt in India triple train crash
At least 288 people were killed and hundreds more injured in a three-train collision in India, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Wreckage debris was piled high at the crash site near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha, where some carriages had been tossed far from the tracks and others flipped over entirely. Smashed train compartments were torn open in the impact late on Friday, leaving blood-stained holes in their sides. Survivor Arjun Das told a Bengali television channel he heard a thundering sound, then saw people falling from upper berths. He jumped out of the train. "People were screaming, shouting for help," he said. "There were injured lying everywhere inside coaches and along the tracks. I want to forget the scenes." The disaster began when an express train running north from India's tech hub Bengaluru to Kolkata derailed, falling onto the adjacent southbound track. Minutes later, the Coromandal Express heading from Kolkata to Chennai smashed into the wreckage, some of its coaches also colliding with a goods train parked nearby. Researcher Anubhav Das was in the last carriage of the second train when he heard "screeching, horrifying sounds coming from a distance". His coach stayed upright and he jumped out unhurt after it ground to a halt. "I saw bloodied scenes, mangled bodies, and one man with a severed arm being desperately helped by his injured son," the 27-year-old told AFP. "I lost count of the bodies before leaving the site. Now I now feel almost guilty." Rescue workers searched for survivors trapped in the mangled wreckage Saturday, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, said the death toll stood at 288 but was expected to go higher, potentially approaching 380. "Many people who have been rushed to hospitals are succumbing there and we are still taking out the dead bodies," he told AFP from the accident site. "The rescue work is still ongoing here as there are some bodies under the bogies and teams are trying to lift them to get them out." Hour of grief India has one of the world's largest rail networks and has seen several disasters over the years, the worst of them in 1981 when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar and plunged into the river below, killing between 800 and 1,000 people. Friday's crash ranks as its third worst, and the deadliest since 1995, when two express trains collided in Firozabad, near Agra, killing more than 300 people. Odisha state's chief secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed that about 900 injured people had been hospitalized. Rescue teams including from the National Disaster Response Force and air force were deployed, while the railways ministry announced an investigation. Authorities said every hospital between the crash site and the state capital Bhubaneswar around 200 kilometers (125 miles) away was receiving victims, with 200 ambulances -- and even buses -- deployed to transport them. At Bhadrak District Hospital, bloodied and shocked survivors were receiving treatment in crowded wards. The disaster comes despite new investments and upgrades in technology that have significantly improved railway safety in recent years. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who officials said would visit the crash site and hospitals later Saturday -- said he was "distressed by the train accident". "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," he tweeted. The post More than 280 dead, hundreds hurt in India triple train crash appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India train crash toll rises to 288: fire chief
The toll from a horrific three-train rail crash in India rose to 288 early Saturday, an official told AFP. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of the Odisha state fire department, confirmed the new number to AFP. Hundreds of people were also injured in the accident late on Friday. At least 288 people were killed and more than 850 injured in a horrific three-train collision in India, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Images from the crash site showed smashed train compartments torn open with blood-stained holes near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha. Carriages had flipped over entirely in the crash late on Friday and rescue workers searched for survivors trapped in the mangled wreckage, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks. [caption id="attachment_140197" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People gather at the accident site of a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 km (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar, on June 3, 2023. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late June 2 in eastern India's Odisha state, local officials said. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)[/caption] As dawn broke on Saturday, rescue workers were able to see the full extent of the carnage. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, said that the death toll stood at 288. "The rescue work is still going on," he told AFP from the accident site, adding there were "a lot of serious injuries". [caption id="attachment_140198" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on June 2, 2023 shows flipped-over train carriages after a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Bhubaneswar, capital of eastern India's Odisha state. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late on June 2, 2023. (Photo by AFPTV / AFP)[/caption] India is no stranger to railway accidents and has seen several disasters, the worst of them in 1981, when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar and plunged into the river below, killing between 800 and 1,000 people. But Friday's crash is believed to be the worst since the 1990s. Odisha state's chief secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed that about 850 injured people had been sent to hospitals following the crash, which took place around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar. "Our top priority now is rescuing (the passengers) and providing health support to the injured," he said. Amitabh Sharma, executive director at Indian Railways, told AFP that two passenger trains "had an active involvement in the accident" while "the third train, a goods train, which was parked at the site, also got (involved) in the accident". One survivor told local TV news reporters that he was sleeping when the accident happened, and woke to find himself trapped under about a dozen fellow passengers, before somehow crawling out of the carriage with only injuries to his neck and arm. [caption id="attachment_140199" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Damaged carriages are seen at the accident site of a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 km (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar, on June 3, 2023. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late June 2 in eastern India's Odisha state, local officials said. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)[/caption] With so many injured, the injured were carried by both ambulances and buses to any hospital that had space. SK Panda, a spokesperson in Jena's office in Odisha state said "all big government and private hospitals from the accident site to the state capital" were prepared to support the injured. The spokesperson added that authorities had sent "75 ambulances to the site and had also deployed many buses" to transport injured passengers. At Bhadrak District Hospital, ambulances brought in casualties, with the bloodied and shocked survivors receiving treatment in crowded wards. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "distressed by the train accident". "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon", Modi said on Twitter, adding that he had spoken to railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take "stock of the situation". Vaishnaw said that he was rushing to the accident site, with rescue teams including the National Disaster Response Force and air force working frantically. "Will take all hands required for the rescue ops," he said on Twitter. Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal offered his "deep condolences" in "this hour of grief". US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said: "Our thoughts are with the people of India at this time." Despite the latest crash, railway safety -- thanks to massive new investments and upgrades in technology -- has improved significantly in recent years. The post India train crash toll rises to 288: fire chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India rail crash toll rises to 207, hundreds wounded: official
At least 200 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a grisly three-train collision late Friday in eastern India's Odisha state, local officials said. Images broadcast on local stations showed smashed train compartments torn open with blood-stained holes of twisted metal near Balasore, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar. AFP reporters at the scene saw carriages overturned as rescue workers searched to pull out survivors from the mangled wreckage, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks. "We have more than 120 deaths per the last count and the number is increasing as there are a lot of serious injuries, head injuries," Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, told AFP from the accident site. "A very sad incident and the prognosis is not good". Odisha state's chief secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed that "about 850 injured people have been sent to hospitals", with rescue work ongoing. "Our top priority now is rescuing (the passengers) and providing health support to the injured," he said. Amitabh Sharma, executive director of the Indian Railways, told AFP that two passenger trains "had an active involvement in the accident" while "the third train, a goods train, which was parked at the site, also got (involved) in the accident". With rescuers at the crash site pulling the wounded out of the wreckage, fears mounted that the toll could still rise. "The casualty figures from the ground or clarity on the number of injured is very difficult to assess for us at this moment," Sharma said, amid reports that many passengers were still trapped. One survivor told local TV news reporters that he was sleeping when the accident happened, and woke to find himself trapped under around a dozen fellow passengers, before somehow crawling out of the carriage with only injuries to his neck and arm. Another TV station showed graphic images of a train car toppled to one side of the track, as residents tried to pull victims to safety. With so many injured, casualties were carried by both ambulances and buses to any hospital that had space. "We have prepared all big government and private hospitals from the accident site to the state capital to cater to the injured", said SK Panda, a spokesperson in Jena's office in Odisha state. The spokesperson added that authorities had already rushed "75 ambulances to the site and had also deployed many buses" to transport both the injured passengers. At Bhadrak District Hospital, ambulances brought in casualties, with the bloodied and shocked survivors receiving treatment in crowded wards. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "distressed by the train accident". "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon", Modi said on Twitter, adding that he had spoken to railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take "stock of the situation". Vaishnaw said that he was rushing to the accident site, with rescue teams mobilized, including the National Disaster Response Force and air force. "Will take all hands required for the rescue ops," he said on Twitter. India is no stranger to railway accidents and has seen several such incidents in the past, but railway safety -- thanks to massive new investments and upgrades in technology -- has improved significantly in recent years. The post India rail crash toll rises to 207, hundreds wounded: official appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Slovenia celebrates UNESCO recognition for renowned Lipizzan horses
People watched in awe as the world-renowned Lipizzan horses put on a dazzling show this month in the village of Lipica in the small Alpine state of Slovenia. The home of one of the world's most distinguished horse breeds -- and seven countries in the region that once were part of the Habsburg Empire -- have reason to celebrate. Their shared tradition of Lipizzan breeding recently made UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The noble Lipizzans, also known as Lipizzaners, are descendants of long stallion lines crossing Spanish, Arabic and Berber horses and were first bred by the Habsburg court in the 16th century. They are famous for their "airs above the ground" classical dressage jumps -- a series of difficult movements requiring strength and precision, in which the horse's feet leave the ground. This rare breed -- featuring white hair but grey skin -- is also famed as a carriage horse. The name derives from tiny Lipica, nestled among Slovenia's verdant hills and lush forests. The picturesque village is home to one of the world's oldest stud farms, which dates back to 1580 and currently stables more than 400 blue-blooded horses. "This is the Lipizzan's home," said Slovenian culture minister Asta Vrecko, ahead of the UNESCO ceremony last weekend. The event was attended by the eight countries that jointly applied for recognition of their shared breeding heritage -- Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. For a moment, time stood still as horses and riders from the eight nations performed their dressage and driving exhibition. "They are phenomenal animals. The way that they've been trained and the level of skill of the riders is incredible," said 42-year-old horse farm owner Laura Highlander, who travelled all the way from the United States to see the horses. "I was super excited to be able to come... and see them in their training," she added after visiting the Lipica stud farm. Equine ballet Dark at birth, the Lipizzan horses' coat turns white by the time they are about four years old, which is also when their demanding training starts and the most promising stallions are selected. "Lipizzans can have a strong temperament. They are usually serene, sometimes shy. They are kind and it is up to us to recognize the quality of each horse," Miro Dragic, head of the Lipica stud farm riders' team, told AFP. If health permits, these athletic equine stars, can be worth up to several hundred thousand euros (dollars) each, and can remain active well into their mid-20s. Only the best stallions will be trained in the elitist "haute ecole" of classical dressage to eventually master an equine ballet of cantering, caprioles and pirouettes. The riders, who sport tailcoats and Napoleonic bicorne hats, must also be at the top of their game to get the best from their sensitive partners. "With horses it's like with people. There are many external elements -- weather included -- that can affect them," stableman Amadej Cej told AFP while grooming one of his elegant stallions. It's stablemen like Cej who spend quality time with these beautiful creatures, attending to their every need "from birth until their end". The post Slovenia celebrates UNESCO recognition for renowned Lipizzan horses appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Taj Mahal’ of Negros Occidental
“Ancient ruins,” said Mary Jo Arnoldi, chair of the anthropology department at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, “give us a connection to the past that’s visceral. This was a real place, and you can walk through it.” This could be why Raymund Javellana, the man who wanted The Ruins, which is listed by oddee.com as “one 12 most fascinating ruins of the world,” restored to its former glory. The Ruins was a mansion built in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. “I am so glad that it was not destroyed completely. With the blessings of The Lord, we were able to restore the mansion itself. I challenge people who keep on destroying the old structures to please stop and make some good use of it,” Javellana said when he accepted the award for The Ruins as Best Destination (Heritage Sites category) at the first Choose Philippines Awards in 2016. Javellana is the great-grandson of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, the Negrense sugar baron who built the mansion for love. How the mansion came to be Love, goes a famous song, comes from the most unexpected places. This is what happened to Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a sugar baron from Negros. The most-sought after bachelor was visiting Hong Kong with a friend when he met Maria Braga, a Portuguese lady from Macau and daughter of a ship captain. Smitten by her beauty, he courted her earnestly until she said yes. To make the long story short, they got married and he brought her to his ancestral house in Talisay, where they raised their family together. Children came after one another: Victoria, Rafael (who later became the governor of Negros Occidental), Mercedes, Natividad, Sofia, Felipe (who became a mayor of Talisay), Consolacion, Angelina, Ramon and Eduardo. Maria was pregnant with their 11th child when she slipped in the bathroom. She was bleeding; her condition was so precarious that traveling outside of the house was out of question. Mariano summoned some of his men to get a resident doctor from a nearby town. He told them to use a horse-drawn carriage, then the fastest mode of transportation. It was the 1920s and it took two days to traverse the various sugar farms to Silay. By the time the doctor arrived, on the fourth day, Maria and her child were dead. Mariano was so devastated, he went into a depression for a time m. Yet knowing he still had children needing his attention, he began to focus instead on building a house in memory of his beloved wife. He consulted his father-in-law about the idea, who fully supported his plans. Being a ship captain, he brought in many items from Europe and China — ranging from machuca or handmade custom cement tiles, chandeliers and china wares. He even brought with him some construction workers from China just to help build the mansion. A local builder was entrusted to make the design and building specifications. Mariano asked his son Felipe to supervise the project and ensure an A-grade mixture of concrete was precisely poured. The marble-like effect of high-grade concrete can be felt by touching the posts and walls of what remains now of the mansion. The entire property has a floor area of 900 square meters: 450 sq.m. upstairs and the same on the lower ground. Ten rooms occupied the mansion: eight for children, a Master’s bedroom and a family room. The house was of Italianate architecture as evidenced by its neo-Romanesque columns all around. “Since the engineer was a Filipino, it is believed the design came from that of Maria’s ancestral mansion which was given by her father to Mariano as sample,” an inflight magazine said. “The imprimatur of Maria’s father, a ship captain, is now clear from the shell-inspired décor all around the top edges of the mansion – the same ones that identified the homes of ship captains in New England at that time.” It took about three years to finish the Don Mariano Lacson Mansion. Because it was built out of a husband’s devotion to his wife, Javellana likens it to the Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife. The initials engraved on every post of the mansion — two Ms facing each other — stand for Mariano and Maria. [caption id="attachment_134716" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The two M's facing each other stand for Mariano and Maria.[/caption] At that time, the mansion was the largest residential structure ever built in the area. It was constructed at the center of a 440-hectare farm. The Lacson family lived in the mansion happily, but it was not “ever after” as Japanese forces invaded the country in December 1941 after Japan’s declaration of war upon the United States, which controlled the Philippines at the time and possessed important military bases. In anticipation of the war, the Lacson family fled their home. They left behind all their furniture, china wares, home décor and some personal belongings, locked up the place and left a caretaker to watch over the mansion. The soldiers of the US Armed Forces in the Far East came to the place. Sensing that it might be used as headquarters of the Japanese troops, it was decided that it would be burned just like other big houses in the area. While it took three years to build the mansion, it took only three days to consume all of its roofs, ceilings, two-inch wooden floors, doors and windows, which were all made of hardwood of tindalo, narra and kamagong. Still, the three-day inferno was not able to flatten the whole mansion. Thanks to its oversize steel bars and the meticulous way of pouring A-grade mixture of concrete, the skeletal frame remains. The four-tiered fountain in front of what remains of the mansion makes it a perfect replica of the ancient homes with spacious gardens – like those you see in the old city of Savannah, Georgia in the United States. Joy Gallera Malaga, an independent writer who visited the place, wrote: “And most likely you would appreciate the mansion even if it was already reduced to its skeletal frame, or maybe it is its present condition that adds to its character and beauty. That’s the charm of old structures; it invites you to engage in an experience just by being there, getting to know it better through the stories it continues to tell.” [caption id="attachment_134715" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Water fountain.[/caption] Love and legacy Filipinos would have never seen The Ruins – which was abandoned for 67 years! – had it not been for Javellana. He is the son of Ramon, who was the son of Mercedes, the daughter of Mariano. Raymund had a travel agency in Manila when his mother requested him to come back to Negros and help her manage their sugar plantations. He now settles in Silay but in one of his trips to Talisay, he saw the abandoned mansion, which is located in Hacienda Sta. Maria. He decided to make it one of the province’s tourist attractions. Although people were not too keen about the idea, Javellana pursued his plans. In January 2008, he opened The Ruins to the public. People flocked to the place. Aside from being a tourist attraction, The Ruins is fast becoming a favorite venue for weddings and photo shoots. It was a good Javellana, inspired by his father and their forebears, kept his dream alive, never giving up on it. That’s love. The post ‘Taj Mahal’ of Negros Occidental appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Powerful earthquake hits southeast Taiwan, tsunami warning issued
TAIPEI, Sept 18 (Reuters) – A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the sparsely populated southeastern part of Taiwan on Sunday, the island’s weather bureau said, with some initial reports of damage including a derailed train carriage, and sparking tsunami warnings. The weather bureau said the epicentre was in Taitung county, and followed a 6.4 magnitude temblor […] The post Powerful earthquake hits southeast Taiwan, tsunami warning issued appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Best painted calesas feted in Pavvurulun Afi Festival
TUGUEGARAO CITY-Operator Fidel Catulin Jr. brought home PHP10,000 cash as he and 19 other operators were cited for being the best painted and decorated "calesas", or the two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage, in the Pavvurulun Afi Festival's event in front of a private mall here on Fri.....»»