May 30 2011 Holiday - Proclamation No. 234 by the Malacañang Palace

The Malacañang Palace officially released a proclamation declaring May 30 2011 as official holiday in the Philippines. This is in observance of the Eid'l Fitr or Feast of Ramadhan for Muslim. (Read related article here)

Quoted from the official Proclamation no. 234

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 234

DECLARING TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2011, AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVANCE OF EID’L FITR (FEAST OF RAMADHAN)

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9177 declared Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan) as a regular holiday throughout the country;

WHEREAS, Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting;

WHEREAS, to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr;

WHEREAS, in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Tuesday, 30 August 2011, as a regular holiday throughout the country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Tuesday, 30 August 2011, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan). The Eid’l Fitr prayer shall depend on the result of the Niyata or moon-sighting activity on the 29th day of Ramadhan 1432H, corresponding to 29 August 2011.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is Dead due to Infection?

A text message circulated yesterday, August 13 2011 about the issues saying that the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is dead due to the infection brought about by the dislocation of her first titanium implant.

In a television report aired in ABS-CBN, the first gentleman said that his wife is very much alive and currently under medication at St. Luke's Hospital. The text messages saying that the Pampanga Congressman died are just hoax.

Meanwhile, the family and relatives of Arroyo are asking for prayers for her immediate recovery.

According to the doctors of Gloria Arroyo, she should seek medical treatment in other countries like Singapore and United States. However, Arroyo refused and decided to stay because critics might speculate that she is just avoiding the plunder case.

Quoted from Raul Lambino, Arroyo's spokesman;

"Sabi ng mga doctors kapag hindi iyan naayos at lumala ang infection, maaaring umabot ‘yan sa utak niya at magkaroon siya ng meningitis at complete paralysis o umabot ‘yan sa puso at magkakaroon siya ng stroke"

Mideo Cruz of CCP Art Exhibit 'Kulo' - Who is this Artist? (Picture)

Mideo Cruz, the man behind the controversial art "Poleteismo" in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) earned negative reactions from Catholic groups this week.

This is after his controversial arts were posted in CCP "Kulo" exhibit which includes a wooden replica of male private parts in front of his face, a crucifix with a hanging and stretched condom, an image of christ with ink tear drops, among others.

University of Sto. Tomas (UST) through Vice Rector Pablo Tiong also criticized the works of Mideo Cruz. Quoted from the statements of Tiong,

"The University as an academic community and as a Catholic institution would also like to express that it is denouncing the sacrilegious or religious offensive art works included in the exhibit and all other artwork of similar nature. Moreover the said sacrilegious or religiously offensive artworks are nothing but a kind of artworks expected and or produced by unprofessional artist"

Mideo Cruz picture courtesy of Google

Karen Flores - CCP Official Resigned during UP Arts Department Forum

Karen Flores, the head of the visual arts department of CCP resigned during the University of the Philippines Arts Department forum dated August 10 2011 (Wednesday), reports said. Her resignation was in connection with the controversial exhibit in the Cultural Center of the Philippines which triggered the temper of Christians and several Catholic groups. (Read related article)

Since last week, CCP officials are in hot waters after posting artworks of Mideo Cruz (an artist from UST).

In an interview with DZMM, CCP President Raul Sonico said that they did not put pressure on Ms. Flores' decision. He said that she resigned for her own reasons.

Meanwhile, here is the picture of Ms. Karen Flores:

Photo courtesy of Philvisualarts

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Second Spinal Operation due to Titanium Implant Dislocation

As reported by television and online news, the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will undergo her second spinal operation after an x-ray findings showed that her previous titanium implant has been dislocated.

The second operation is scheduled tomorrow, August 10 2011 for approximately 5 hours.

If not found earlier, the former President might experience paralysis over the neck and other parts of her body.

Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes of St. Luke's Hospital, Gloria Macapagal doctor said,

"Upon evaluation, there was pain but neurologically she was fine, her sensory and motor functions of both arms are intac"

CCP Art Exhibit 'Kulo' Closed Due to Threats

Due to threats being received by the artists and CCP officers, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) closed the art exhibit "Kulo", Tuesday (August 9, 2011).

The controversial artwork photos and sculpture particularly the "Polytheism" of Medeo Cruz (UST) received negative criticisms from Filipino citizens.

Quoted from the statement of CCP,

"Due to numerous emails, text messages and other letters sent to various offficers of the CCP, and to the artists themselves, with an increasing number of threats to persons and property, the members of the Board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines have decided to close down the Main Gallery where the Kulo Exhibit is on display. This decision was made amidst controversy and deliberation by the Board as to what steps are necessary to avoid future similar incidents. The CCP shall continue to act as catalyst for free expression of Filipino artists. It thanks all those who have, in one way or another, contributed to the dialogue about art, and the different ways it affects society today."

Meanwhile, Medeo Cruz is not yet giving his official statements regarding the issue.

CCP Art Exhibit 'Kulo'- Irreligious Images or Just Art? Mideo Cruz' Polytheism Photos

3rd Update: Mideo Cruz, the artist behind the "Polytheism" in the "Kulo" art exhibit which was displayed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines and earned negative criticisms from several Catholic groups apologized to the public. Read his statements here.

2nd Update: CCP closed the Art Exhibit "Kulo" due to threats being received by the artists and CCP Officials. Read the article here

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Art Exhibit entitled "Kulo" is now in hot waters after several Catholic groups said that this is irreligious and blasphemous.

As reported by GMA News, Eric Manalang - President of Pro-life Philippines said,

"By Thursday afternoon, we will file a case if they do not stop the exhibit and if they do not also make amends because stopping is not enough. The damage has been done"

According to local news reports, the controversial art exhibit includes images and statues such as:

1. A wooden replica of male genital in front of Jesus Christ image.
2. An image of Christ wherein his eyes had been darkened by ink.
3. Crucifix with condom.
4. Religious pictures beside women underwear models.
5. Seated Christ statue with red ball on His nose and a semi mickey mouse ears.

Quoted from CCP website,

“KULÔ is a group exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Gallery showing until August 21, 2011. It was launched on June 17 on the occasion of CCP’s celebration of Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday. This exhibit was proposed to the CCP as the artists’ response to this important celebration, and makes the connection as well to the 400th year of the University of Santo Tomas."

The controversial artwork was created by Medeo Cruz of UST. (Read more about him and his artwork here)
Photos courtesy of Inquirer.net

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri Resigned August 3, 2011

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (Senate majority leader) announced through his privilege speech, August 3 2011 (Wednesday) that he will be resigning as duly elected senator of the Philippines. The resignation was made just after his name was connected to "cheating" allegations during the 2007 senatorial elections.

Zubiri said that he resigned not because he is guilty of the cheating accusations but due to the physical and emotional feelings his family is experiencing.

"Lubha na akong nasaktan, kasama ang sakit at hapdi na nadarama ng aking pamilya."


Juan Miguel Zubiri has been the senator of the Philippines from July 14, 2007 up to August 3, 2011.

The full script and video of his privilege speech will be posted later. (Photo courtesy of Google)

Class Suspension August 3, 2011 in Elementary, Highschool and College due to Heavy Rains and Floods

Fifth Update: DepEd announced that preschool, elementary and secondary classes in Dagupan and Pangasinan are also suspended.

Fourth Update: All classes in National Capital Region (NCR) will be suspended starting 12 noon, DepED said. This is after PAGASA predicts that a moderate to heavy rainfall will be experienced throughout the day.

"Taal Batangas Municipal Mayor declared suspension of classes in the afternoon due to heavy rains being experienced at the moment."

"Upon consultation w/ the office of Mayor Aldrin San Pedro of Multinlupa, afternoon classes are suspended due to heavy rains."

Third Update:  Quoted from DepEd,

"Region 1: San Carlos City - due to continuous rainfall, the Provincial Government suspended classes from Kinder to Highschool today, Aug 3."

"CALABARZON: Regular classes resume in all levels today, August 3."

"REGION 3: Regular classes today except for the following still flooded schools in Pampanga: Macabebe West Dist - San Esteban ES, Consuelo ES, Sta.Maria ES, San Rafael ES, Sto Nino ES, Dalayap, Dalan, Baliti ES, Castuli, Sta Lutgarda, SanJuan, Lolu Sapang Malalam, Sitio Mindanao. Macabebe East district - Caduag Tete ES, San Isidro ES, SanGabriel, San Roque, Sta.Rita Telacsan, Masantol San Isidro ES and Sapang Kawayan ES."

Second Update: No Class Suspension. As of 4:00 AM, DepEd announced that classes at all levels (private and public) will be resumed today (August 3, 2011) in National Capital Region (NCR). This is after PAGASA predicted that the amount of rainfall today will only be half of yesterday's rain volume.

Update: Class suspension will be announced by DepEd tomorrow, August 3 2011 (4:00 AM).

Students and parents are asking if classes in elementary, secondary (highschool) and college schools on August 3, 2011 (Wednesday) are still suspended due to rains and scattered floods brought about by the Southwest Monsoon.

As of this writing, the Department of Education (DepEd) is not yet announcing any public or private schools or places where preschool, elementary and secondary classes will be suspended.

On August 2 2011 (Tuesday), the Malacanang Palace suspended National Capital Region (NCR) classes and government work due to heavy rains and scattered floods.

Meanwhile, class suspension for college levels (according to CHED) depends on the school or university officials.