‘NANA PILAR’

IMUS, Cavite — The miraculous 329-year-old image of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, fondly called Our Lady of the Pillar or simply “Nana Pilar” in this capital city, once stood at the altar of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Church on Calle Recolletos in historic Intramuros, Manila. The historical canonical coronation of the venerated Blessed Mother icon is set at 3 p.m. today at the Our Lady of Pillar Parish-Imus Cathedral in this city’s Barangay Poblacion with His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, leading the event. Pope Benedict XVI approved the canonical coronation of Nana Pilar. (Anthony Giron)

BOUNTIFUL TAG

Start calling Region 2 as “Bountiful Cagayan Valley Region.” This, after the Regional Development Council (RDC) launched to an applauding and appreciative audience in Santiago City the regional image brand which has been in the drawing board for the last two years. Regional Director Mary Ann Darauay said the image brand was developed to distinguish Cagayan Valley from other regions in the country, particularly to effectively market the regional investments potentials and opportunities in the national and international fronts. The tagline captures the abundance of quality raw products readily available in Cagayan. (PIA)

FILIPINO SHINES

BAGUO CITY — A technical-vocational (tech-voc) course graduate of Baguio City School of Arts and Trade (BCSAT) has gained recognition abroad for his outstanding service. Rodney Cadalig, a graduate of BCSAT which is a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institution in the city, has been awarded the Excellent Service Award or EXSA – Silver in Restaurant Service last October in Singapore. The EXSA is a national award in Singapore that recognizes individuals who have delivered quality service. It seeks to develop service models for staff to emulate and to create service champions. (PIA)

‘BELENISMO’ LAUDED

CAMILING, Tarlac — President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday lauded the organizers of the Belenismo for being able to bring out the ingenuity and spirit of bayanihan of Tarlaqueños. In his speech during the sixth Grand Awards Night at the Tarlac College of Agriculture in Camiling town, Aquino said in Filipino: “This competition is admired not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Tarlac is now regarded as the Belen Capital of the Philippines.” Aquino underscored that despite the various shapes and images of the nativity scene exhibited at the Belenismo, Filipinos should keep in mind its true meaning: Togetherness of family, concern for others, and faith to Jesus Christ who became a symbol of hope to mankind. (PIA)

ETHICAL REPORTING

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The Department of Health (DOH) has urged Ilocano journalists to adhere to the tenets of professional and ethical journalism in reporting about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to reduce stigma and prevent panic. Bernardine Belardo, Health Educator of the National Epidemiology Center, said a journalist’s knowledge, understanding and attitude towards the disease can affect public perception and influence policy makers. Her talk highlighted the Ilocos Media Seminar on HIV-AIDS at Grand Pa’s Inn in this Heritage City recently. (PIA)