Philippine Holidays 2012

Official holidays in the Philippines for 2012.
No classes for most students, no work for most employees.

The Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha are not yet included, but both will be declared and announced after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijira).

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Araw ng Kagitingan		January 1 (Sunday) April 5 April 6 April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day Independence Day National Heroes Day Bonifacio Day Christmas Day Rizal Day		May 1 (Tuesday) June 12 (Tuesday) August 27 (Last Monday of August) November 30 (Friday) December 25 (Tuesday) December 30 (Sunday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year Ninoy Aquino Day All Saints Day Additional special (non-working) day Last Day of the Year		January 23 (Monday) August 21 (Tuesday) November 1 (Thursday) November 2 (Friday) December 31 (Monday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary		February 25 (Saturday)

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Chief Justice on Trial

For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a Supreme Court Chief Justice is facing an impeachment trial.

Chief Justice Renato Corona faces senator-judges during the first day of the trial Monday. Prosecutors had filed 8 complaints against the Chief Justice, including Corona’s alleged bias for former President Gloria Arroyo and graft and corruption charges. Corona has vehemently denied all allegations.

Continuation... see InAsia website:
http://in-asia.net/2012/01/16/chief-justice-on-trial/

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180 trees

When ANC reported about the plans of SM City Baguio to cut down over 180 trees to give way to a multi-level carpark, instant and passionate reactions from netizens came in via Twitter @ANCALERTS. Almost everyone was against it. They cited the recent flash floods and landslides and the overall degradation of forests and natural resources in the Philippines as reasons why the 180 trees should not be cut down.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reportedly approved the cutting down of the trees last year, while Baguio officials recently gave a building permit. SM had said, the 7-storey carpark will help the local economy. The mall adds, the carpark will utilize green technology.

The issue is, progress vs forests.

True, having a carpark will be good for Baguio since it will attract tourists, not just for the mall but for nearby attractions as well, like Burnham Park and the Baguio Cathedral. Many motorists have been complaining of a lack of parking spaces in Baguio and the multi-level carpark will ease the problem.

But on the other hand, 180 trees? How could one even think of cutting down that many trees. Why not make parts of Baguio a walking city? It is the summer capital and I'd like it to stay that way. Landslides have already hit the city and even if it's way above sea level, floods still inundate Baguio. The cutting down of trees may further aggravate the problem.

I was born in Baguio, and I'd like to return there still breathing the fresh air and seeing the iconic pine trees.

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2012 Meditation

My first blog entry for 2012!
To start the year right, here's my report aired on the first day of the year. It's about my interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk who visited the Philippines last December. He is campaigning for people to meditate. He suggests people to meditate twice a day and to just focus on one word for 20 minutes per session. Above all, he says meditation is moving beyond vision, words and thoughts. Meaning, you do not talk or even think while meditating. Fr. Freeman says, it will be difficult for first timers, but once you get it, then it will be a good habit for 2012.

Happy meditating. Try it.

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