Jesse Manalastas Robredo

Jesse Manalastas Robredo. Mabuting ama. 

Mapagmahal na asawa. 

Mapagkalingang anak. Tapat na kaibigan. 

Lingkod bayan. Nagueño. 

Bicolano. Higit sa lahat, Pilipino. 

This is the picture of Hon. Jesse M. Robredo. This is still posted on the website of Philipppine Government. Some of you might be wondering why is that so? In my own thought, it might be as an honor of late Jesse for being a good government official. We may don't know him well but basing on the feedback that were published, all those were saying that Jesse was a very good man not just to his family or friends, but to all the people around him. 

As a proof, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino said:
"Iba po talaga si Jesse. Kapag mayroon tayong matinding problemang kinakaharap, palagi naman pong nandiyan ang mga taong sumosuporta at magsasabing, "Nasa likod mo kami." Pero si Jesse po, kabilang sa mga bibihirang tao na ang sasabihin, "Sir, ako na lang ang haharap, ako na lang ang pu-pronta." Hindi po nasa likod. Talagang kasama sa pilosopiya niya sa buhay ang hindi maging pabigat sa kapwa; ang palaging mag-ambag ng pinakamalaki niyang maiaambag, o lagpas pa, para makahanap ng solusyon."

I also read a quoted statement of Jesse Robredo that really made me appreciate him the most:

"Sana ay maging handa ang mga tapat at may kakayahan nating mga pinuno na magsakripisyo at tumugon sa tawag ng panahon…
Hindi ito madali ngunit kung sama-sama tayong lahat,hindi malayong maabot natin ang minimithi natinmagandang kinabukasan para sa bawat Pilipino."

— Jesse Manalastas Robredo (1958-2012)

Speech of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino for the Death of Hon. Jesse M. Robredo

Philippine Calendar of Holidays for 2013

Manila, Philippines - Malacañan Palace already published the Philippine Calendar of Holidays for 2013 under the Proclamation No. 459 dated August 16, 2012. This proclamation was signed by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Indicated in the said proclamation was that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate the implementing guidelines for this Proclamation and this must take effect immediately.


Regular Holidays

• New Year’s Day - January 1 (Tuesday)
• Maundy Thursday - March 28
• Good Friday - March 29
• Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Tuesday)
• Labor Day - May 1 (Wednesday)
• Independence Day - June 12 (Wednesday)
• National Heroes Day - August 26 (Last Monday of August)
• Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Saturday)
• Christmas Day - December 25 (Wednesday)
• Rizal Day - December 30 (Monday)

Special (Non-Working) Days

• Black Saturday - March 30
• Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Wednesday)
• All Saints Day - November 1 (Friday)
• Additional special (non-working) days - November 2 (Saturday) and December 24 (Tuesday)
• Last Day of the Year - December 31 (Tuesday)

Special Holiday (for all schools)

• EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25 (Monday)

New Chief Justice - Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno

Since the last Chief Justice Renato Corona has been impeached and convicted for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, President Benigno Aquino III officially appointed Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court dated August 24, 2012.

Statement of the Presidential Spokesperson on the new Chief Justice, August 24, 2012

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:On the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines[August 24, 2012]
In the midst of this period of deep mourning for the loss of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President is cognizant of his constitutional duty to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Philippines. He has therefore decided to appoint Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24^th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The President is confident that Chief Justice Sereno will lead the judiciary in undertaking much-needed reforms. We believe the Judicial Branch of government has a historic opportunity to restore our people’s confidence in the judicial system.

Background

"My Way" Song of Frank Sinatra is Banned

It is said that the song of Frank Sinatra entitled "My Way" is banned and almost all the karaoke bars in the Philippines already removed this song from their song list. This may sound crazy but the reason for this banned is because there are at least half a dozen of people were killed just because of singing this song not to mentioned those who were severely injured.

According to authorities, they also not sure what had happened or what really the real reason is. But of those killing incidents, it would end up on their investigation that those who were killed or severely injured were last seen singing the said song.

People in the Philippines were divided base on the reason. Some said that maybe the song itself is having some sort of a curse that whoever sang it will die. But some said that maybe because of being a very known song, many people also knew the proper way of singing "My Way". And maybe those who sang this song who were killed or got into some sort of a violence acts didn't sang it properly or maybe they just don't really have the right tone. With that, those people who really idolized that song got angry and came to result to violence.

Holiday on August 20, 2012 - No Work and No Class

This is a little bit late, but for those who don't know yet, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III had declared August 20, 2012 as a regular holiday. In short, there will be no class and no work on that day. This is inline with the Proclamation No. 455, s. 2012.

Aquino declared August 20 as a regular holiday to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, a celebration by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting. One more thing, it is in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the  Eid’l Fitr  to the fore of national consciousness

This proclamation was declared last August 13, 2012.