'Princess of the Stars' tragedy commemorated, more remains found    The Public Attorneys Office (PAO) through the efforts of Philippine Coast Guard and the private salvor, has retrieved more than 140 bodies from the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars which capsized and sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon at the height of typhoon Frank four years ago. The PAO forensic laboratory has already identified 11 of the skeletal remains. Of these, seven had been turned over to the families. This developed as kin of victims gathered over the weekend at the central office of the PAO in Quezon City to commemorate the 4 th death anniversary of some 850 victims who perished during the tragedy. Fr. Robert Reyes, just like in the past anniversaries, officiated the mass offered to the victims and later blessed the newly retrieved remains. PAO Chief Atty. Persida Acosta has been noted as remaining faithful in providing the relatives her full support, notably in giving legal assis...

PMPC’s grand vacation at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center is definitely one of the most exciting vacation destinations in Northern Luzon and in the Philippines . Kaya naman well-visited at fully booked ito last summer at patuloy na dinarayo ng ating mga kababayan kahit tapos na ang bakasyon. Hindi nagpahuli ang Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) na maranasan ang luxury vacation sa paradise beach resort na ito para sa taunang outing at team-building. Situated right in front of the famous Blue Lagoon ( Maira-ira Beach ) at Brgy. Balaoi, Malingay, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte , Philippines , Hannah’s offers both exclusivity and luxury in an overwhelming friendly environment. The Blue Lagoon, with its captivating crystal clear waters and white sand beach, is comparable to Boracay which it was once – pristine and untouched. Super enjoy ang grupo sa swimming sa Blue Lagoon na sinamahan pa ng beach volleyball.  Hindi lang kinaya ng ...

March is Colon Cancer  Awareness Month Do you know that colon cancer is fast becoming the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the Philippines today? This is according to  Dr. Chanita Villegas-Chua, a fellow of the Philippine Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, of the Philippine Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and of the Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine.   Dr. Chua presented her findings to a select group of media practitioners recently in line with the celebration of the month of March  as Colon Cancer Awareness Month. According to Dr. Chua, colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is now the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country that causes suffering to an estimated 8,000 newly diagnose patients alone this year.  While in the US it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined according to American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer is a "food-related" cancer. ...

I have always been a travel bug – traveling for every opportunity that I can for three decades now. Good thing I have a supportive husband and four kids who understand my job – and who are happy with the fulfillment that I get from my travels. One moment, I was up north in Quezon province enjoying the sights and sounds of rural life and the festivities of Pahiyas, Agawan, and Arana’t Baluarte – all in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers as thanksgiving ceremonies for the good harvest. Pahiyas is the world-famous feast in Lucban, Quezon, where the Lucbanons decorate their houses with colorful kipings (leaf-shaped dried rice delicacy) along with fruits, vegetables and every harvest the farm may offer. In Sariaya, rural folks do their version with much vigor and enthusiasm. Guests may join the agawan by “snatching” the harvests from one another. Whoever outwits or lasts wrestling for the fruits or vegetables gets them. But Arana’t Baluarte tops the fun! A century...