The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised Filipinos attending this year’s Beijing Olympics to apply and acquire appropriate entry visas from the Chinese embassy or consulate.

The travel advisory came out following the issuance of a circular by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminding the traveling public to present necessary documents to secure their visas.

Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady said the Chinese government imposed laws and regulations requiring visa applicants to present necessary documents, including an invitation letter, family relationship certificate, roundtrip air tickets, and hotel reservation in China.

"Filipinos traveling to China for the Olympics are advised to observe this advisory to avoid unnecessary delay and expense," the DFA said.

"Foreigners are advised to procure their visas before leaving for China from their countries of origin or long-term residence," it added. (Charissa M. Luci)

Today is the feast day of St. John of Avila (San Juan de Avila), the patron of the Spanish clergy. Masses and novenas will be held in honor of the Spanish apostolic preacher, confessor, author, and mystic.

Born on Jan. 6, 1499 in Almodovar del Campo, Spain, St. John was ordained priest in 1526. He sold all his properties and gave the proceeds to the poor.

Many were attracted by his preaching including men and women who were later canonized as saints by the Catholic Church such as Teresa of Avila, John of God, Francis Borgia, and Peter of Alcantara.

St. John died in 1569 and was canonized on May 31, 1970 by Pope Paul VI. To this day, his letters and writings are considered Spanish classics. (Christina I. Hermoso)

The Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), which is under the Office of President, will conduct the 11th series of Shari’ah Law training seminar starting on Monday, May 12, for the National Capital Region (NCR) with 70 qualified participants.

Shari’ah Law, which is based on the Qur’an, the Islamic Scripture, is being implemented in the Philippines on a limited scale in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other parts of Mindanao.

The Supreme Court had activated Shari’ah Circuit Courts solely for Mindanao based on Presidential Decree 1083 to handle cases involving Muslims, particularly relating to family, inheritance, property, marriage, wills, child support, divorce, among others, but excluding criminal law (huddud).

"The Shari’ah Seminar on Monday ushers in a new era for the OMA since the office will now work for the integration of the Shari’ah Law to the Philippine Judicial System. Among them is the possible inclusion of Shari’ah lawyers to the PAO and the creation of additional Shari’ah court in NCR," said OMA officer-in-charge Tahir Lidasan Jr. (Edd K. Usman)

LUCENA CITY — The provincial government of Quezon held last May 8 the First Food Security Summit at the Bulwagang Kalilayan, near the Governor’s Mansion here.

The summit was participated in by municipal mayors, municipal agriculturists and assessors, representatives from the National Irrigation Administration and other national government agencies concerned, and farmers and irrigators groups.

Gov. Rafael Nantes batted for the increase of irrigated ricelands from the existing 30,895 hectares (has.) to 100,000 has. or an increase of about 70,000 has.

The Provincial Agriculture Office had projected only 17,000 has.

"The projection of additional 17,000 has. irrigated ricelands is too small considering that Quezon province has 252,000 has. suited for agriculture," Nantes stressed.

Provincial Administrator Aristeo Flores noted the following major issues and concerns affecting agriculture and food production: lack of irrigation and post harvest facilities, no control on rice production, lack of available quality and certified seeds, illegal cutting of trees which leads to the fast depletion of water supply for rice production, delayed payment for certified seed growers, lack of subsidy and technical assistance for farmers, land conversion, and climate change. (Momoy Cardenas)