MANILA, Philippines — Friday is the feast day of Saint Angela Merici, known as the apostle of education, and the founder of a religious order known as the Order of Saint Ursula (Ursulines). Inspired by the deep spirituality, commitment, and dedication of St. Ursula, the patroness of universities, St. Angela established the first teaching order for women that was approved by the Roman Catholic Church.

The first congregation of teaching sisters focused on educating young women about Christ and His teachings. Born in 1470 in northern Italy, St. Angela joined the Third Order of St. Francis and later established the Order of St. Ursula with a group of pious women in 1535. The religious order’s primary vocation was the education of girls and care of the sick and needy. She died in 1540 and was canonized by Pope Pius VII on May 24, 1807. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Rough seas

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned fishermen of rough seas in Luzon and Visayas due to the strong northeast monsoon or hanging amihan prevailing in the country.

It said "strong to gale force wind" is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. “Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be moderate coming from the east and northeast with moderate seas,” PAGASA said. (Ellalyn B. De Vera)

Liberia contingent

The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed Thursday 115-strong peace keeping force in Liberia, the 16th batch of Filipino soldiers sent to the conflict-torn country for the past nine years.

Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP spokesman, said the new batch of the Philippine Contingent to Liberia is expected to arrive in their posts on January 28, to replace the same number of Filipino military forces who have been in the area since March last year.

Burgos said the new batch of Filipino contingents is composed of seven officers, a medical staff and 107 enlisted personnel. It is headed by Col. Armin Alejaga. (Aaron B. Recuenco)

P160-M jackpot

Bettors chasing the elusive huge Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot will have another chance on Saturday to grab an expected P160 million after the 274th draw on January 25 produced no winner.

The PCSO said last Wednesday’s draw attracted more than two million bettors, but none of them got all the six numbers of the winning combination, such as 50-29-26-40-32-18, which offered P148,179,402 windfall.

PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II said the prize for the next draw on Saturday is estimated to reach P160 million, or even more, depending on the sales of tickets. (Edd K. Usman)

Caught anew

Police and military intelligence operatives arrested early Thursday a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) tagged in the mass kidnapping of teachers and students in Basilan more than a decade ago in a follow-up operation in Maluso town.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that Thursday’s operation was actually the second time Harun Jaljalis was arrested. Cruz said Jarun was arrested last year but the local police had to release him for some legal technicalities. He did not elaborate. At around 1 a.m. Thursday, authorities chanced upon him again in Sitio Malvar in Barangay Mahayahay, Maluso town. (Aaron Recuenco)