Rizal Day

CEBU CITY, Philippines — This coming February 24, 2024 marks the 87th Charter Day of the City of Cebu. It was in 1937 that the city received its charter after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s grandfather and legislator, Vicente Rama, authored a bill that led to its cityhood. To trace back, in the book entitled, “The Vicente Rama Reader: An Introduction for Modern Readers,” Vicente presented to the National Assembly the Bill No. 1428 in August 1936. Vicente Rama said that he authored the bill with the aim “to create the city of Cebu and to abolish the long-standing municipal government.” READ MORE: Charter Day bonus: City Hall workers may get P25,000 incentive During that time, he served as an…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that three towns in Occidental Mindoro recorded new cases of African swine fever (ASF). According to the DA Bureau of Animal Industry on Monday, the three towns which had the cases were the municipality of Rizal, Sta. Cruz, and San Jose. READ: Agri dep’t soldiers on in fight against pig disease DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said that as of January 17, there were seven cases in San Jose, five cases in Sta. Cruz, and two cases in the municipality of Rizal. The DA added that it detected a case in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Naujan, with Calapan, also in Oriental Mindoro, had previous cases of ASF, while the DA said that…

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking to investigate the reported signature-buying and the alleged use of public funds to push for constitutional reform or Charter change (Cha-cha) through the “so-called” people’s initiative (PI), has been filed in the House of Representatives. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Sunday that she electronically filed House Resolution 1541 over the weekend urging the committee on public accounts to probe the purported Cha-cha signature drive in the country. “Ang dami na naming natatanggap na report tungkol sa panloloko sa pagpapaprima para sa pekeng people’s initiative daw para sa Charter change. Mula Tarlac, QC (Quezon City), Caloocan at Cavite ang ilan sa mga natanggap naming report,” Castro revealed in a statement. (We…

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking to investigate the reported signature-buying and the alleged use of public funds to push for constitutional reform or Charter change (Cha-cha) through the “so-called” people’s initiative (PI), has been filed in the House of Representatives. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Sunday that she electronically filed House Resolution 1541 over the weekend urging the committee on public accounts to probe the purported Cha-cha signature drive in the country. “Ang dami na naming natatanggap na report tungkol sa panloloko sa pagpapaprima para sa pekeng people’s initiative daw para sa Charter change. Mula Tarlac, QC (Quezon City), Caloocan at Cavite ang ilan sa mga natanggap naming report,” Castro revealed in a statement. (We…

MANILA, Philippines — In the Philippines, while New Year festivities bring joy and hope, there’s a different, less pleasant tune playing alongside these — the rising crescendo of trash and pollution that accompanies the season’s revelry. Every year, it is part of Filipino tradition to flock to local parks, like the historic Rizal Park in Manila or the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, to celebrate New Year. In many parts of the country, loud and huge street parties are held to celebrate the holidays. An example would be Manila’s Tondo district, known for its yearly street party. Regardless of the place where Filipinos welcome and celebrate the holiday season, a common outcome unfolds: the annual aftermath of truckloads of…

MANILA — Christmas dinner is usually a big deal for Dave Mangulabnan with throngs of relatives celebrating the festive season at the family’s home in Rizal, a province next to Manila. But a double punch of still-high inflation and slowing remittances from millions of overseas Filipino workers — including Mangulabnan’s wife in Lebanon — is threatening to spoil the holiday cheer for many in the predominantly Catholic country.

MANILA -The government was able to borrow its target amount of P10 billion during Tuesday’s auction of Treasury bills after rates significantly went down this week despite the recent hawkish signals from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Auction results showed the T-bills attracted bids amounting to P72.2 billion, 7.2 times bigger than the original size of the offer. The robust demand, in turn, lowered borrowing costs for the government. Average yield for the 91-day securities stood at 4.753 percent, a big drop from 6.123 percent seen in the last T-bills sale on Nov. 13. The 182-day paper, meanwhile, fetched an average rate of 5.181 percent, markedly lower than the 6.513 percent recorded in the previous auction. Lastly, the average…

MANILA, Philippines – After over three decades, Frederick Go has quit Robinsons Land following his appointment to government. On Wednesday, December 20, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) said Go is resigning as director, president, and CEO effective January 8, 2024, following his appointment as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created this post and office just for Go through Executive Order 49 and is a secretary-level position. His cousin, JG Summit president and CEO and Gokongwei Group chief Lance Gokongwei, will take over the role effective January 8. Frederick’s brother, Faraday Go, will assume the role of director of RLC. Go also resigned as chairman and board member of the Gokongwei’s real estate…

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor John Dalipe launched two Christmas landmarks on Saturday, December 9, at the Zamboanga City Hall and the Integrated Bus Terminal in line with this city’s Yuletide celebration dubbed “Festival Navidad.” Dalipe led the traditional switch-on of Christmas lights at the Zamboanga City Hall with the theme “Starry, Starry Christmas.” THE Zamboanga City Hall is fully adorned with Christmas lights in line with his year’s festival theme ‘Starry, Starry Christmas.’ (City Hall PIO) The Zamboanga City Hall shined brightly with thousands of Christmas lights adorning its facade. Christmas decorations also adorned Paseo del Mar, Plaza Pershing, Plaza Rizal, and the small parks and plazas surrounding the seat of government here. The holiday spirit spilled out of the…

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ taxi industry is about to face tougher competition as JoyRide rolls out its “Super Taxi” fleet, which users can book from the app or hail directly on the street. The standard Super Taxi vehicle will be a Toyota Veloz with a black exterior, which seats up to five passengers. It will feature higher roofing than the usual sedan model of taxis, along with a modern digital toplight and an “in-cabin infotainment system.” “It brings us great joy to announce that starting today, passengers can take advantage of JoyRide Super Taxi, just in time for the upcoming holiday season as everyone prepares to navigate the holiday rush,” JoyRide senior vice president for corporate affairs Noli Eala…

SARIAYA, Quezon – This historic town switched on its Christmas tree to usher in the holiday season on Thursday night, November 9. THE town of Sariaya in Quezon ushers in the holiday season with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday evening, November 9. (Danny Estacio) The event was led by Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and witnessed by local government employees, newly elected barangay officials, non-government organizations, and residents. Coinciding with the event was the launching of the Parol Festival of the Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Office headed by the Gayeta’s wife Marivic. The parol or Christmas lantern was made of recycled materials from the mystical Mount Banahaw here. The town plaza was adorned with Christmas lights and decorations and circular…

The Philippines has a lot of holidays. This year, we have 21 nonworking days that do not seem restful for workers like me. Would it be more efficient, and relaxing, if Filipinos were given a three-week vacation in one go, rather than having the 12 regular holidays and nine special nonworking holidays spread out throughout the year? Following the so-called “holiday economics,” we were given a long weekend by moving Bonifacio Day this year from Thursday, Nov. 30, to Monday, Nov. 27, leading to a lot of comment on watering down the remembrance of the man who began the 1896 Philippine Revolution resulting in the end of almost four centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Some holidays cannot be moved, even…

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water has announced its desludging schedule for the month of December on Thursday, which will rove around areas in Metro Manila and Rizal. According to its post, its desludging caravan will visit the 69 barangays below to provide free septic tank siphoning services. Manila Water Corporate Communication Affairs Group Director Jeric Sevilla told customers to prioritize the desludging of their septic tanks before the holiday season to enjoy seamless celebrations. READ: Manila Water to cut carbon emissions with solar power “With this, we advise our customers to prioritize desludging of their septic tanks before the festivities begin to ensure a seamless and enjoyable holiday,” Sevilla said.