MANILA, Philippines — Catholics mark Tuesday the feast of one of the most popular saints of the Church, Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Order of the Friars Minor (OFM), also known as the Franciscans. His feast day coincides with the observance of World Animal Day, held in remembrance of St. Francis’ unbounded love for nature and all creatures. St. Francis is the patron of animals and the environment.

He founded the OFM in 1209 and in 1212, he co-founded with St. Clare, the Order of the Poor Clares. In 1220, he set up the first known Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy. In 1224, he received the gift of a phenomenon known as the stigmata, or the five wounds of Christ. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Storm collection

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has directed parishes under the Archdiocese of Manila to allocate their October 2 collection during mass to victims of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.” “We will reserve this to the typhoon victims particularly in Bulacan, Pampanga and other provinces hit by calamity,” he said over Church-run Radyo Veritas Monday.

Earlier, Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, have started gathering donations, both cash or in-kind, for the typhoon victims. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)

Cautious welcome

President Aquino Monday cautiously welcomed a landmark ruling by a Hong Kong court allowing a Filipino domestic worker to apply for permanent residency in the city. The President stated that he has no qualms about efforts to improve the welfare of Filipinos, but would still review the implications of such Hong Kong decision favoring Evangeline Vallejos who has lived in Hong Kong since 1986.

"Kung ikabubuti ng sitwasyon ng ating kababayan, bakit naman tayo tututol dyan? (If it will improve the situation of our countrymen, why would I object to that?) I'm not that conversant with the laws of Hong Kong, and I would have to study further implications on the same," the President said. (Genalyn Kabiling)

AutoLPG rollback

Independent oil player Unioil Philippines shed its pump price for autoLPG Monday afternoon by P1.15 per liter, the company said. “The price adjustment is vat inclusive (and is) effective 2:01 p.m. of October 3 (Monday),” said Leah Flor, Unioil corporate communications officer.

According to Flor, the price cut brought down the suggested retail price (SRP) of their autoLPG down to P29.90 per liter. The rollback on autoLPG or liquefied petroleum gas-based vehicle fuel was made on top of the company price cut on gasoline, diesel and kerosene earlier Monday. (Ellson A. Quismorio)

Peace survey

Majority of Filipinos are optimistic that the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will reach a peace agreement, as shown in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results. Of the 1,200 respondents surveyed last Sept. 4-7, 71 percent said they are hopeful that a peace deal will be forged between the government and the MILF. Of this figure, 26 percent said they are "very hopeful," while 45 percent said they were "somewhat hopeful."

SWS found that those in Mindanao (24 percent) are most eager for a peace agreement to happen in 2011 to 2013, as compared to 12 percent in Metro Manila, 10 percent in the rest of Luzon, and 6 percent in the Visayas. Those who believe that the peace agreement will be forged within 2014 and 2016, Mindanaoans are most optimistic with 55 percent, as compared to those in the Visayas (51 percent), rest of Luzon (50 percent), and Metro Manila (50 percent). (Ellalyn De Vera)