LOOK: Google Doodle marks PH Independence Day

MANILA -Google has created a special doodle on Friday to mark the Philippines' 117th year of independence.

This year’s Independence Day doodle on the Google.com.ph homepage depicts the Philippine flag with the sun and three stars standing for one “O” of the company’s logo. The letters also make use of the colors of the flag.

Clicking on the doodle will lead users to more information about the history of Philippine independence.

Google has been making doodles to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day since 2009.

A “doodle” is a decorative change made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, scientists, and leaders.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoys in Europe celebrate PH Independence Day

LONDON - Various Filipino communities in London joined together to celebrate the 115 years of Philippine independence.

Wearing traditional costumes, Filipinos attended mass at Our Lady of Victories church in Kensington.

"Everyone in society has a role to play in ensuring that Philippines prospers and that we really live up to the ideals of our independence. No one person or group can do it alone," said Ambassador Enrique Manalo.

A cultural presentation with Filipino songs and dances concluded the celebration.

Last weekend, there were also various small gatherings of Filipino groups in north west London for an early celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

Members of all ages from the Kapa-Mill Association attended mass at the Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate Church in the suburban area of Mill Hill.

"We're very happy na nangyari ito ngayon and we're very excited din. Ang dami-daming tao na dumating. We're proud to be Filipinos," said Emir Torta.

"Dito po kami nagkakasama ng mga OFWs ng London i-celebrate namin ang ganitong kaarawan," said choir singer, Emma Granada.

In Italy, Filipino communities with the backing of Filipino businessmen staged a parade.

A flag raising ceremony was also held at the Philippine Embassy in the Holy See. It was followed by a busy program highlighting Filipino songs and dances.

A special guest from the Philippines wowed the crowds.

"It such an honor na pasayahin ko ang mga Filipino. It's nice to be part of their celebration that celebrates that kind of character ng Filipino na talagang matibay, matatag," said actor Jericho Rosales.

In Milan, the Philippine independence was celebrated with a special program showcasing Filipino culture.

The Bayanihan Dance Company impressed the audience with Philippine history, culture, and national identity presented through songs and dances.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

US embassy closed on June 12

MANILA, Philippines - The United States embassy in Manila and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday (June 12) as the Philippines observes Independence Day.

US Secretary of State John Kerry sent his congratulations to the Filipinos on the 115th anniversary of the Philippine independence.
  
"The United States is proud of our rich history and enduring alliance with the Philippines, an important democracy and strategic partner in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region," he said.

"Today, our two countries enjoy ever-broadening cooperation on challenges from countering extremism to strengthening economic ties. Through our Partnership for Growth, we can help sustain the Philippines impressive economic growth and our joint efforts in the Open Government Partnership are advancing good governance, accountability, and vibrant civil societies."

The Embassy and its affiliated offices will resume their services on Thursday (June 13).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoys celebrate Independence Day in Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines - A week-long celebration of the Philippines' 114th Independence Day kicked off in Kuwait with a Barrio Fiesta gathering over the weekend.

The event, organized by the Philippine embassy, was held at the embassy grounds in Faiha, where a tent was installed due to the scorching heat.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera welcomed everyone, including members of the diplomatic corps.

Various stalls showcasing handmade jewelry and accessories were set up inside the huge tent.

Various Filipino food and some fruit carvings by Filipino artist Romano Roman were on display.

Traditional parlor games like Maria Went to Town and Paluan ng Palayok were held during the event.

Attendees also availed of a free medical check-up.

Some participants also had the chance to showcase their singing prowess in a videoke singing competition. A Pinoy band also entertained the audience.

A flag raising ceremony was led by Ambassador Primavera at the Philippine embassy during the Philippine Independence Day Celebration Tuesday. It was followed by a brief program.

The Ambassador greeted members of the Filipino community as he traced the rich history of the Philippines.

Embassy staff Cathy Gison read President Benigno's Aquino's message, followed by the reading of the message of Vice President Jejomar Binay by Vice Consul Rea Oreta, reading of message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario by Vice Consul Sheila Monedero, and the reading of the message of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz by Labor Attache David Des Dicang.

The event was capped by a ceremonial cake-cutting and breakfast buffet.

One of the highlights of the Independence Day celebration in Kuwait is a Filipino Community night that will be on Friday in the Al Hashemi Ballroom at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

LGBTs speak out on independence in a conservative society

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
—Nelson Mandela

June is the month for celebrating Philippine Independence Day and a time to be proud of who we are. It’s also fitting that June is also LGBT( Lesbian, Gays,Biseual, Transgender) month. LGBTs do not conform to the norms of traditional society but they, too, are just your average everyday people who deserve to enjoy the rights of everyone else. Despite awareness campaigns advocating acceptance and the rights of LGBTs, many still experience bullying, discrimination in school and in the workplace, and prejudice in raising a secure family, to name a few.

Ladlad founder and LGBT activist Danton Remoto believes that the struggles of the community can only be eased if the laws can be changed; he believes that the community can only be protected if there is a law that recognizes them.

source: interaksyon.com

Google pays tribute to PHL with Independence Day doodle

Internet giant Google on Tuesday paid tribute to the Philippines on its 114th Independence Day with a Philippine flag-inspired doodle.

Visitors to Google's homepage were greeted with the Google logo with the letters in blue and red, the colors of the Philippine flag.

The second "o" in "Google" resembled the sun, surrounded by three stars. Hovering the mouse or pointer leads to the message "Philippines Independence Day."

As in the past, clicking on the doodle will take the visitor to a Search Results page featuring Wikipedia entries on the Philippine Declaration of Independence and Philippine Independence Day.

Malacañang had declared June 12 this year as a regular holiday so people will have the chance to celebrate Independence Day.

Parades and other activities have been set for the day, with President Benigno Aquino III leading rites in Barasoain in Bulacan.

On June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite, the Philippines declared its independence from Spanish colonial rule. –KG, GMA News

article source: gmanetwork.com

Free LRT, MRT rides on Independence Day

MANILA - The Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) will offer free rides on Tuesday in celebration of the 114th Philippine Independence Day.

According to Hernan Cabrera, spokesman of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the free rides will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at all LRT and MRT stations.

LRT consists of the LRT Line 1, which runs from Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay City, and the LRT Line 2, which runs from Recto Avenue in Manila to the end of Santolan in Marikina.

MRT serves 13 stations spaced out along EDSA from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Cabrera said LRTA will implement the same security procedures on Independence Day in anticipation of the surge of commuters taking advantage of the free rides.

In a related development, as part of the different services and activities during the celebration of the country’s Independence Day, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will offer free verification of drivers' record of MMDA traffic apprehension at the Luneta Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. also on Tuesday

The MMDA booth at Luneta Park shall operate using the Metro Manila Road Rules Enforcement System (MMRES) database to be powered by the Mobil Metro Base (Aguila 1 and 2) engines.

To avail of the service, any interested person shall present his/her original driver's license with one photocopy and fill up the form to be provided by the staff at the MMDA booth.

source: interaksyon.com

US Embassy closed on June 12

MANILA, Philippines - The Embassy of the United States in Manila will temporarily close this coming Tuesday, June 12.

An announcement on the embassy's website <http://manila.usembassy.gov/phlindependenceday.html> said the embassy and all its affiliated offices will temporarily be closed to the public in observance of Philippine Independence Day, which is a national holiday.

Regular offices will resume at the US embassy the next day, June 13, Wednesday.

source: interaksyon.com