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Marcos admin eyes building 20 new dams by 2028
To meet the country’s growing demand for water and power, the government is eyeing to build 20 medium and three to five large dams by 2028, the end of President Marcos’ term, according to National Irrigation Administration head Eduardo Guillen......»»
Big 4 Volleyball tilt marks successful inaugural season, eyes bigger tourneys soon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Big Four Volleyball Tournament wrapped up last weekend successfully at the Warehouse Sports Lab in Mandaue City. This grassroots volleyball tournament saw inaugural champions being crowned. The Subangdaku Trojans emerged as champions in the 13-under and the girls 14-17 divisions, while Cabancalan National High School ruled the 14-17 boys division. .....»»
Pia Wurtzbach s wax figure moves to Singapore temporarily
The wax figure of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach by Madame Tussauds is on display at the museum's Singapore branch until the first of September......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 25 March 2024
Senate eyes probe of resorts within the slopes of Mt. Apo Following the controversy involving the establishment of a resort reportedly within the famed Chocolate Hills in Bohol province, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committees on Energy and Migrant Workers, is setting his sights on the resorts located on the slopes of Mt. […].....»»
The iris reveals it all
William Shakespeare once said, “The eyes are the window to your soul......»»
Expelled solon Teves eyes political asylum; detention extended
The legal team of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. is looking to exhaust all legal remedies possible, including political asylum in Timor-Leste, Teves' lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said......»»
Asialink eyes P2.4 billion in truck loans as e-commerce grows
Asialink Finance Corp. is looking at lending as much as P2.4 billion this year to the fast growing market for brand new and used trucks that are essential to the growth of e-commerce and logistics......»»
Bacolod eyes construction of 4 primary care facilities
Bacolod eyes construction of 4 primary care facilities.....»»
PBCom eyes P2 billion from new bond issue
The Philippine Bank of Communications is looking to raise at least P2 billion, with an option to oversubscribe, from the first tranche of its new peso bond program......»»
Google Drive Going Dark Soon?
It seems like the highly popular cloud storage service Google Drive will go dark soon – as in dark mode, for its web version so people who are on the dark side can enjoy their favorite cloud storage platform without squinting their eyes. The report comes from a post from 9to5google, as they’ve received a […].....»»
Barbara Milano naiyak sa pagbabalik-showbiz
MATABILni John Fontanilla HINDI napigilang maiyak ang nagbabalik-showbiz na dating sexy star na si Barbara Milano nang mapag-usapan ang tungkol sa naging relasyon nito sa isang politiko. Ayaw na lang nitong banggitin ang pangalan ng nasabing sikat na politiko dahil tahimik na pareho ang kanilang buhay at matagal na rin naman silang walang relasyon. Pero aminado ito na ….....»»
Principled peace
Self-defense is essential for a nation’s survival, which was what the United States veto of the United Nations resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses” in Israel’s campaign against Hamas was all about. Based on a formula that Brazil and Russia drafted, the resolution was meant to allow aid delivery to the war zone, mainly in northern Gaza. Under United Nations rules, a “no” vote by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council stops action on any proposal. The body’s permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Russia had proposed two amendments to the UN resolution seeking a ceasefire that the SC rejected. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia’s proposal came with its warning that anyone who did not support Russia’s draft resolution “bears responsibility for what happens.” Coming from Russia, the call for moral responsibility in Israel’s war against terror was somewhat off, considering its ongoing campaign to occupy Ukraine. In delivering the veto, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the “resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defense.” “Israel has the inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield noted that the Security Council had reaffirmed the right in previous resolutions on terrorist attacks. “This resolution should have done the same,” she said. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country abstained from voting on the resolution as the text needed to clarify Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. She pointed out that the resolution also ignored that extremist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. “They (Hamas) have embedded themselves in civilian communities and made the Palestinian people their victims too,” she said. She reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, to rescue hostages, and to strengthen its security in the long term while calling on Israel “to take all feasible precautions” to avoid harming Palestinian civilians. The argument of the UK is the source of the dilemma in the current conflict — saving civilians but with the responsibility falling solely on the shoulders of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist organization, is not bound by, therefore is not expected to follow, UN resolutions. Directing Israel to implement a ceasefire, even momentarily, puts it at a disadvantage since Hamas and its terror allies will continue to fire their rockets while consolidating their forces. War indeed brings horrors that should not happen in a civilized world. Human frailty is brought to the fore by the greed and ambition of the terror organization, stripped of religious embellishment. Hamas wants to drive out the Israelis and establish a kingdom to rule over the Palestinians. A spokesperson of the Israeli Defense Forces said resolute action is necessary against Hamas to end its reign of terror and prevent the recurrence of its recent attack on civilians. The surprise assault on 7 October resulted in the slaughter of 1,400 mostly civilian Israelis. Israel then declared war on Hamas, which rules the Palestinian government, vowing to hold it accountable for the massacre. Hamas uses treachery and guile, digging bunkers and underground communities in civilian areas to evade the Israeli forces. The terror group uses the propaganda mill to elicit tacit support from countries with anti-Israel sentiments. It uses the Israeli airstrikes on its facilities that cause civilian casualties as leverage to get the Israeli operations to stop. The UN, as the organization relied on to keep the peace in the region, has failed to provide a fair and rational solution to the conflict. The post Principled peace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US authorities return seven works of art stolen by Nazis
New York authorities announced on Wednesday the return of $9 million in art stolen by the Nazi regime to the family of Fritz Grunbaum, an Austrian Jewish cabaret performer killed in the Holocaust. The seven drawings, all from Austrian artist Egon Schiele, were "voluntarily surrendered by the holding institutions and estates," including New York's famous Museum of Modern Art, "after they were presented with evidence that they were stolen by the Nazis," the Manhattan District Attorney's office said in a statement. The move comes as a victory for Grunbaum's heirs, who have been fighting for the art's return for years. Grunbaum died at the Dachau concentration camp in 1941. "I hope this moment can serve as a reminder that despite the horrific death and destruction caused by the Nazis, it is never too late to recover some of what we lost (and) honor the victims," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. Timothy Reif, a judge and one of Grunbaum's relatives, thanked authorities for having "succeeded in solving crimes perpetrated over 80 years ago." "Their righteous and courageous collaboration in the pursuit of justice -- unique among prosecutors and law enforcement in this entire nation, if not the world -- shine a bright light for all to follow." As of June, Bragg's office had returned more than 950 looted or improperly acquired pieces of art worth $165 million, to countries including Cambodia, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Italy. 'Degenerate' The seven Schiele drawings were seized by the office's Antiquities Tracking Unit earlier this year, from the Museum of Modern Art, The Ronald Lauder Collection, The Morgan Library, The Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Vally Sabarsky Trust in Manhattan. The works by Schiele, an Austrian expressionist artist, are valued between $780,000 and $2.75 million each, with the district attorney's office estimating their total value at more than $9 million. Grunbaum, who was also an art collector and critic of the Nazi regime, possessed hundreds of works of art, including more than 80 by Schiele. Schiele's works, considered "degenerate" by the Nazis, were largely auctioned or sold abroad to finance the Nazi Party, according to the district attorney's office. Arrested by the Nazis in 1938, Grunbaum was forced while at Dachau to sign over his power of attorney to his spouse, who was then made to hand over the family's entire collection before herself being deported to a different concentration camp, in current-day Belarus. The seven works whose restitution was announced Wednesday had reappeared on the art market after World War II in the 1950s, first in Switzerland and then making their way to New York. A judge in 2018 had ruled in favor of the Grunbaum heirs concerning two different Schiele pieces, after a London art dealer argued that a sale of 54 Schiele drawings by Grunbaum's sister-in-law after his death was a valid transfer of the work. But the judge rejected the idea that Grunbaum would have ever given her possession of the works voluntarily, writing that "a signature at gunpoint cannot lead to a valid conveyance." That ruling was one of the first to come after Congress passed the Holocaust Expropriated Recovery Act in 2016, designed to relax the s The post US authorities return seven works of art stolen by Nazis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Family killed by Nazis to be beatified in Catholic first
A Polish couple and their seven children, killed by Nazis during World War II for hiding Jews, will be beatified Sunday, the first time an entire family is given one of Catholicism's highest honors. The ceremony in the family's hometown of Markowa in south-east Poland will be attended by over 30,000 people, including 80 bishops, 1,000 priests, the country's chief rabbi, and an Israeli delegation. It was there, on 24 March 1944, that German police acting on a tip-off shot dead Jozef Ulma and his wife Wiktoria, who was seven months pregnant and partially gave birth during the execution. Their children, Stanislawa, Barbara, Wladyslav, Franciszek, Antoni, and Maria, aged between two and eight, were killed too, along with the eight Jews the family had been hiding in the attic. The eight -- Shaul Goldmann and his five children, including his daughter Lea Didner and her five-year-old daughter, and Golda Gruenfeld -- were also shot before the family farmhouse was looted and set on fire. The police fired up into the attic from the floor below, "and the blood of the victims began to drip from the ceiling... onto a photograph of two Jewish women lying on a table below", Vatican News said. That photograph "has been preserved as a 'relic'", it said. Baptism of blood The massacre followed "a story of love and friendship", said Italian journalist Manuela Tulli, who has written a book on the family along with Polish historian and priest Pawel Rytel-Andrianik. "When the Jews asked for help, they opened their doors. They lived together for a year and a half, cooking and eating together", Tulli told AFP. Jozef Ulma was a keen photographer as well as a farmer, and photographs he took that survived reveal the family's life through simple, everyday scenes. "We see the children running barefoot in the grass, doing their homework, the mother hanging out the washing," Tulli said. The families were denounced by a Polish policeman. After they were executed, 24 Jews in Markowa were murdered by their Polish neighbors. The Ulma family will be the first ever to be beatified, a key step on a possible path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. And in a rare move, the Ulmas' newborn seventh child will also earn the title of "blessed". The child is eligible for beatification through the concept of "baptism of blood", having been born "at the time of the mother's martyrdom", according to the Vatican's department for saints. Usually, people need to have performed a miracle to be eligible for beatification, but martyrs are exempt. Jozef and Wiktoria Ulma were recognized by Israel in 1995 as members of the "Righteous among the Nations", an honor for non-Jews who tried to save Jews from Nazi extermination. The family also has a museum dedicated to it in Markowa and in 2018 Poland decreed 24 March -- the date of the massacre -- a day of remembrance for Poles who rescued Jews during the German occupation. The post Family killed by Nazis to be beatified in Catholic first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go gives support to MSMEs in Lemery, Iloilo
Senator Bong Go reaffirmed, through a video message during his team’s visit to Lemery, Iloilo on Wednesday, 30 August, his efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos by providing more livelihood opportunities especially to those adversely affected by various crises. One of his significant accomplishments in this pursuit is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, Republic Act No. 11960, legislation aimed at fostering the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises across the nation. The OTOP Philippines Program, authored and co-sponsored by Go, is a government initiative in which each town or city in the country can harness its unique product or service that reflects its identity, culture, and tradition. By maximizing local resources, the program not only stimulates economic activity but also promotes cultural preservation, underlined Go. Go has also been an advocate for the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program which he pursued during the Duterte administration and continues to support its implementation until now. It is for this reason that Go’s team, in support of DTI, joined in the provision of livelihood kits for 15 small-scale entrepreneurs at the municipal gymnasium in Lemery. The qualified beneficiaries are recovering typhoon victims who were assisted by Go through his earlier relief efforts. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography has also taken proactive steps to extend additional support to individuals grappling with health-related challenges. He has encouraged beneficiaries and their families to take advantage of the Malasakit Centers situated within the province to access medical assistance. The Malasakit Centers can be conveniently found at various locations in the province: the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara, as well as the West Visayas State University Medical Center and the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City. Go also supported the construction of Super Health Centers in the province including one in Lemery. DOH has identified other areas where to establish more Super Health Centers including Iloilo City and the towns of Anilao, Concepcion, Estancia, Carles, Dingle, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Maasin, Miag-ao, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, San Joaquin, Sara, and Barotac Viejo — the last one’s groundbreaking was attended by Go last June. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various infrastructure initiatives to help improve the delivery of basic services in the province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barotac Viejo, completion of various barangay health stations throughout Iloilo City and the construction of a multipurpose building in the Iloilo City Public Market. Other major initiatives he supported include the concreting or construction of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Carles, Dumangas, Lemery, Miag-ao, and Sara; completion of the barangay health stations in Leon; construction of a flood control system in Balasan; construction of a seawall in Banate; construction of the legislative building complete with facilities in San Dionisio; and improvement of the public parks in Duenas. Go also sponsored a law that increased the bed capacity and converted Western Visayas Sanitarium to what is now known as WVSGH, and another to upgrade the Don Jose D. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo into a tertiary hospital known as the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center. On 14 August, struggling residents in Janiuay received assistance from Go’s office. The post Bong Go gives support to MSMEs in Lemery, Iloilo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iloilo City: Bold, vibrant, indelible
The Philippines is no doubt a country with a rich and diverse history, having been colonized by the Spanish, Americans and Japanese and becoming a melting pot of cultures still evident in modern times. [caption id="attachment_175000" align="aligncenter" width="1015"] Iloilo City skyline. Photograph Courtesy Of Wikicommons/paulo Alcazaren/ Cc By-sa 4.0[/caption] [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175004,175005"] The influence of these colonizers left a deep imprint in the Filipinos’ heritage and culture, and the semblance of these inherited traits can be seen in Iloilo City, located on Panay Island in Western Visayas. The city faces Iloilo Strait and Guimaras Island across it, making it a natural harbor and a safe anchorage for ships. It is bordered by the towns of Oton in the west, Pavia in the north and Leganes in the northeast. Just across the Iloilo Strait in its eastern and southern coastlines are the towns of Buenavista and Jordan in the island-province of Guimaras. The metropolitan area is composed of the City of Iloilo, the municipalities of Leganes, Pavia, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, San Miguel, Oton, the Island Province of Guimaras and its five municipalities — Sibunag, San Lorenzo, Nueva Valencia, Buenavista and Jordan. The city was founded in 1566 by Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It quickly became a major trading center due to its strategic location on the coast of the Sulu Sea. In the early days of the Spanish period, the first Manila galleons were originally constructed at the port of Oton to the west of Iloilo. The early Visayans were already constructing huge multi-masted four- to five-decked caracoas in their wars against the other kingdoms. Thus, the technical know-how to construct the first Manila galleons was a blend of Visayan shipbuilding and Spanish shipbuilding. After the defeat of the Spanish forces in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War, the capital of the Spanish East Indies was transferred to Iloilo, with General Diego de los Rios as the new Governor General residing in the city. A truce was declared between the American and the Spanish forces pending the negotiations of the joint commission of both warring countries in Paris, France, for the terms of peace. In the 19th century, Iloilo City became a major producer of sugar which helped further develop the city’s economy and infrastructure. Iloilo City was also a major center of the Philippine revolution against Spain. Major center of education During World War II, Iloilo City was heavily damaged. However, the city was rebuilt after the war, becoming an industrial center and its port transforming into one of the busiest in the Philippines. Iloilo City also became a major center of education, with many universities and colleges opening in the city. The next three decades saw the moderate growth of Iloilo City with the establishment of fish ports, an international seaport, and other commercial firms. Iloilo City also became the regional center of Western Visayas. In 1977, a Comprehensive Urban Development Plan for Iloilo City was approved and was adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance was the implementing tool. However, the 1977 Plan was unable to cope with the demands of rapid urbanization. In late 1993, a multi-sectoral group prepared the 1994-2010 Comprehensive Development Plan of Iloilo City to amend the old plan and address the present and future challenges of urban development. The plan, however, was not carried pending the approval of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. Today, Iloilo City is a major commercial and industrial center in the Philippines. It is also a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food and vibrant culture. It has become a hub for trade, commerce, finance, technology, medical tourism, hospitality, real estate, tourism, education and industry in the Western Visayas region. Major industries in the city include port management, telecommunications infrastructure and utilities, banking and finance, retail trading, real estate, tourism and business process outsourcing. The local government has also provided incentives to businesses in certain investment areas, such as income tax holidays and free issuance of permits and licenses. Tourism contributes in a major way to Iloilo City’s economy. Not only is it a gateway to Western Visayas, but the metropolis itself hosts notable festivals that entice thousands of tourists annually, especially during the Dinagyang, Paraw Regatta — Asia’s oldest sailing event — and Fiesta de Candelaria festivals seasons. 'City of Love' Iloilo City’s bannered monickers like “City of Love” and “City of Mansions” and intensified local government’s programs such as the beautification of major thoroughfares in the city and building of parks have all played a role in attracting local and foreign visitors. There are myriad attractions in the city that tourists can visit — heritage landmarks, museums, art galleries, parks and restaurants, to name a few. Nightlife in the metro, with Smallville Complex as the mecca for party-goers, sees revelers out and about every night especially on Friday and weekends. Since it’s a well-known Philippine heritage city built during the Spanish era, heritage tourism also adds to Iloilo City’s charm. Centuries-old churches, old edifices and mansions of well-known Ilonggo families lure sightseers from different places who want to discover Iloilo City’s rich and glorious past. Iloilo City is also a respected gastronomic capital, with famous local dishes that have gained popularity throughout the country — La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Kansi, Laswa and KBL (Kadyos, Baboy kag Langka). In 2018 alone, Iloilo City attracted the highest tourist arrivals in Western Visayas, posting 1,242,087 total arrivals, including 1,154,550 domestic visitors, 70,787 foreign guests and 16,750 overseas workers. In 2019, it garnered an 11.59 percent increase in tourist arrivals, and in 2020, the city again achieved its target with 1.4 million tourists. The post Iloilo City: Bold, vibrant, indelible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Robert Arevalo dies at 85
Veteran actor Robert Arevalo, one of the most enduring performers in the Philippine entertainment scene whose career spanned decades, died on 10 August 2023, according to his daughter Anna Ylagan. In a Facebook post, Ylagan announced: "Today is the day that the Lord has chosen to take our dearest Papa home. Robert Francisco Ylagan, a.k.a. Robert Arevalo, peacefully passed away at 10:17am this morning, Aug. 10, 2023. Praise God for His mercy and grace. We are grateful that He has given us the best Papa one can ever wish for." "Thank you for loving us the way you did, Pa. Although our hearts are broken, we are comforted by God’s promise that He has a place reserved for you in His kingdom in Heaven where all of us who believe in His son, Jesus, will one day reunite," she added. Well into his '70s and '80s, Arevalo was still an active presence in movies and TV series. In 2017, at 79 years old, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at that year's Metro Manila Film Festival for his role as the conflicted senator Don Perico in the musical film, "Larawan," where his rendition of the moving anthem "Hindi Simple ang Buhay" brought him a new generation of fans who briefly made the septuagenarian actor trend on social media with their accolades for his performance. Born on 6 May 1938, Arevalo came from a family of showbiz creatives --- the son of actor and musical artist Tito Arevalo, older cousin to another acclaimed actor, Jay Ilagan, and with an uncle in the person of director Gerardo De Leon, eventually a National Artist for Film. He had a fabled marriage with fellow actor Barbara Perez -- one of great love stories in local showbiz, lasting 61 years from the time they tied the knot in Baguio City in 1962. Ylagan shared details of her father's wake in her FB post: "Papa’s wake will be at Arlington Chapels, Araneta Ave. ‘Solace Rooms 1 & 2’ beginning Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 up to Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023." "Thank you for all your expressions of love and sympathy. We are deeply touched and grateful," she said. The post Robert Arevalo dies at 85 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Groundbreaking ceremony for KIA Resettlement Project held
The Kalibo International Airport (KIA) Resettlement Project on Friday officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony, marking a significant accomplishment for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the Province of Aklan and the Municipality of Kalibo. The purpose of this innovative project is to meet the housing needs of the families impacted by the KIA development. The project includes both the crucial land development and the building of dwelling units for the displaced families, both of which are overseen by DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista's innovative leadership. I n order to demonstrate the government agencies' dedication to providing immediate aid and support to individuals affected, a total of 180 contemporary housing units will be constructed on completely developed lots in the next 450 days. The KIA Resettlement Project brings together a cooperative effort from many government entities. Officials and representatives from the DOTr, CAAP, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Housing Authority (NHA), and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) were present during the groundbreaking event. The municipal governments of Aklan and Kalibo actively participated in the conception and execution of this crucial effort. In addition to the KIA project, another noteworthy environmental effort was undertaken by Region VI. Earlier in the day, Iloilo Province Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the inauguration of the Iloilo Airport Gateway Greening Project. This environmentally conscious project involves the planting of flowering trees along the 19-kilometer highway stretching from the Iloilo Airport in the Cabatuan area to the Benigno Aquino Avenue or Diversion Road in Iloilo City. A collaborative effort between the Iloilo City LGU, DPWH, CAAP, and the LGUs of Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara and Pavia, as well as private organizations, the project aims to enhance the scenic beauty of the area while promoting a greener and more sustainable environment. Both of these projects signify the unwavering commitment of the government and its partners to progress and social responsibility. As these airport initiatives take flight, CAAP, under the leadership of the DOTr, remains dedicated to its mission of making aviation efficient, safe, and reliable for the Filipino people. CAAP looks forward to the successful completion of both projects, which will undoubtedly elevate the quality of life for the residents of Aklan and Iloilo. The post Groundbreaking ceremony for KIA Resettlement Project held appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Catholic Woodstock’ kicks off in Lisbon ahead of Pope arrival
The world's largest Catholic gathering, a week-long religious festival known as World Youth Day, kicks off in Lisbon on Tuesday, a day before Pope Francis arrives on his first foreign trip since recent surgery. Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening mass at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) at the hillside Eduardo VII park, which offers sweeping views of the Portuguese capital and the Tagus river. The 86-year-old pontiff is set to arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday morning to celebrate World Youth Day, a week of religious, cultural and festive events held about every three years in a different city. He has a typically packed schedule for his five-day visit to Portugal, despite having spent nine nights in hospital after undergoing hernia surgery in June. Francis, the first Latin American pope, is due to make 11 public pronouncements and hold numerous meetings, and on Saturday will visit the shrine of Fatima north of Lisbon. Church organizers expect one million faithful will attend the event's closing mass held by the pope on Sunday at a waterside park on the outskirts of Lisbon. Images of the pope were on display on banners set up across the city as well as on screens on automatic bank machines along with the message: "I am with you". A Lisbon pastry shop is even selling cookies with the image of the smiling pontiff wearing a crucifix. "I think it is going to be amazing experience to be in the same spot as the pope," said Barbara Weisz, a 19-year-old student from the United States, part of a group of 37 youths who came from a San Diego parish. "It is a great feeling to be among so many young people who share your beliefs," she added as the group, who wore matching red t-shirts, gathered in the lobby of their hotel before going sightseeing before attending the opening mass. World Youth Day, which has been dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock", is part of the Vatican's efforts to galvanize young Catholics at a time when secularism and disgust over clerical child sex abuse cause some faithful to abandon the Church. In recent days groups of event volunteers, decked out in their distinctive yellow T-shirts, could be seen outside of churches in Lisbon to welcome pilgrims who have flocked to the city. "It is a special moment that you should experience at least once in your life," said Samuel Navarro, a 19-year-old student from Spain. - Meeting with abuse victims - Pope Francis is expected during his visit to meet privately with victims of sexual abuse by members of the Portuguese clergy. A report published in February by an independent commission found at least 4,815 children were sexually abused by clergy members -- mostly priests -- since 1950. The inquiry, based on testimony from over 500 victims, concluded that the Church hierarchy in Portugal "systematically" tried to conceal the abuse. "I know (the meeting) will take place... but I don't know where it will happen or how many people will take part," Lisbon's patriarch, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, told a news conference Monday. "There is a total commitment on the part of the Portuguese Church to settle this issue," he added. Around 16,000 members of law enforcement, civil protection and medical staff are being deployed for the pope's visit, officials said. Initially scheduled for August 2022, but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lisbon World Youth Day is the 16th international edition of what has become the largest gathering of Catholics worldwide. The brainchild of late Pope John Paul II, this year's event is the fourth presided over by Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. The last three events took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013, Krakow, Poland in 2016 and Panama City, Panama in 2019. lf-tsc/ds/yad © Agence France-Presse The post ‘Catholic Woodstock’ kicks off in Lisbon ahead of Pope arrival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin to hold second wedding in California
Barbara joked that it was going to take time getting used to be called Mrs. Sprouse even though Dylan has been referring to her as his wife for the past three years......»»