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Nasunog ang 68 bahay sa Cabuyao City sa Laguna

Arman B. Cambe
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Nasunog ang 68 bahay sa Cabuyao City sa Laguna

Sumiklab na naman ang sunog sa Cabuyao City, Laguna noong Biyernes, Pebrero 9, ayon sa ulat kahapon, Pebrero 10.

Batay sa report ng Police Regional Office Region 4A, nagsimula ang sunog bandang 3:10 ng hapon sa Barangay Bigaa kung saan nasunog ang limang tirahan na gawa sa light materials.

Nakalabas lahat ang mga residente at walang naitalang may nasawi o seryosong nasugatan sa insidente. Gayunpaman, nawalan ng tirahan ang humigit-kumulang na 68 katao.

Sa kasalukuyan, pansamantalang nakasilong ang mga biktima sa basketball court ng barangay habang naghihintay ng tulong at suporta mula sa lokal na pamahalaan at iba’t ibang ahensya.

Ipinapaalala rin sa publiko ang pangyayaring naganap noong Pebrero 1 sa nasunog na pagawaan ng paputok sa lungsod ding ito at ikinamatay ng limang indibidwal.

Israel targets Rafah in Gaza conflict, frightened people say there’s nowhere left to go

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel targets Rafah in Gaza conflict, frightened people say there’s nowhere left to go

RAFAH, Gaza Strip. As tensions escalate in the Gaza conflict, the focus shifts to Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town, which has thus far escaped Israeli offensives. However, with Israel announcing its intention to target Rafah next, panic grips its swelling population.

The estimated 1.5 million residents, representing over half of Gaza’s population, face an uncertain future as they find themselves trapped with nowhere left to flee. The prospect of an impending offensive has left residents terrified, with desperation mounting among those who have already endured the horrors of war.

Jihan al-Hawajri, one of many sheltering in Rafah, expressed exhaustion and resignation, stating, “We’re exhausted. Seriously, we’re exhausted. Israel can do whatever it wants. I’m sitting in my tent. I’ll die in my tent.”

International concern over the humanitarian crisis has intensified, with United Nations officials warning of catastrophic consequences should Israel proceed with its assault on Rafah. The plight of over 600,000 children caught in the crossfire underscores the urgent need for a halt to military operations and a concerted effort to address the unfolding tragedy.

While the United States has voiced opposition to an attack on Rafah without provisions for its population, it continues to offer unwavering support to Israel’s campaign. This stance has drawn criticism as civilian casualties mount and the humanitarian situation deteriorates.

As Israel prepares for its assault on Rafah, the fate of civilians hangs in the balance. Trapped between Egypt, the Mediterranean Sea, and Israeli forces, the residents of Rafah face an uncertain future with limited avenues of escape.

With nearly 28,000 Palestinians killed and vast swathes of Gaza devastated by the conflict, the toll of Israel’s resolve to eradicate Hamas from the territory becomes increasingly apparent. Despite the destruction, residents cling to the hope of returning to their homes in Gaza City, highlighting the enduring resilience of the Palestinian people amidst adversity.

As the situation in Rafah intensifies, the urgency for a cessation of hostilities and a concerted international effort to address the humanitarian crisis grows. The people of Gaza can only hope for a swift resolution to the conflict that has brought untold suffering to their doorstep.

Exploring the rich traditions of Lunar New Year celebrations

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Exploring the rich traditions of Lunar New Year celebrations

Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. It is not only celebrate in China. Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore also practice the Lunar New Year holiday. The two-week celebration includes family and friends, feasting and fireworks, parties and parades.

For more than 3,000 years, Lunar New Year was just what it sounds like—the beginning of a new year in the Chinese calendar. The historic Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning dates are determined by both the moon (lunar) and the sun (solar). Months begin with every new moon, when the moon is not visible in the night sky. The new year starts on the new moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, sometime between January 21 and February 20.

China officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, used by the West, in 1912. In the late 20th century, however, the holiday was re-introduced as the “Spring Festival.”

Although there is rarely a set “program” for Lunar New Year celebrations, some days are associated with specific rituals or festivities. Read through some highlights below. Use the questions in the Questions tab to understand the significance of some of the sumptuous foods associated with the Lunar New Year.

Before New Year

Prior to the official start of the holiday, Chinese households are thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning symbolizes ridding the household of the previous year’s bad luck and making the home welcoming to good luck in the coming year. (On the first several days of the festival, tradition holds that brooms be stored, so that the newly arrived good luck will not be swept away.)

The days or weeks leading up to Lunar New Year are also when communities begin to decorate with red: fresh red paint on the doors of businesses and homes, red paper cut-out decorations, red lanterns. Red is the color of joy and good fortune in Chinese cultures, and is most strongly associated with new year celebrations.

One of the traditional ways to begin celebrating the Lunar New Year is the “reunion dinner,” when families gather to celebrate hopes for the new year.

During the New Year Celebrations

How do you wish someone “happy new year” in Chinese? It depends on who you’re talking to. In China, the official language is Mandarin. Gong xi fa cai is how Mandarin-speakers wish you a happy new year—literally “wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year.” Many overseas Chinese communities speak Cantonese. Gung hay fat choy is how Cantonese speakers wish you a happy new year—literally “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.”

Some of the most common celebrations during the Lunar New Year festival include parties, firecrackers, and the famous lion dance familiar to Western audiences. During the first days of the Lunar New Year younger family members may begin receiving bright red envelopes full of money. These envelopes, known as hong bao (Mandarin)or lai see (Cantonese), are traditionally given to unmarried adults and children.

The third day of the Lunar New Year is often quieter and more somber than those preceding it. It is considered bad luck to visit friends or family, or play host to visitors yourself. This day is usually reserved for honoring deceased relatives by visiting graves or lighting incense or paper offerings in memory of loved ones.

Often times the seventh day of the Lunar New Year recognizes renri, the creation-day of human beings. To honor humanity’s connection to all living things.

The ninth day of Lunar New Year is recognized as the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven in Taoist belief.

The beautiful Lantern Festival signals a close to the Lunar New Year festival. Paper lanterns light the way for lion dances and all-day parades and festivals. The bright lights of the Lantern Festival celebrate the first full moon after the Lunar New Year. The colorful lanterns, displayed outdoors as well as inside temples, are associated with guiding lost souls’ home and were originally created by monks to honor Buddha.

In Manila, crowds are gathering in Chinatown to celebrate the onset of the Year of the Wood Dragon, immersing themselves in vibrant traditional dances along lantern-lit streets adorned with delectable food, auspicious trinkets, and prayers for prosperity.

Despite grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic and navigating through global economic uncertainties, Chinese eateries and stores in the vicinity are adorned with colorful lights and festive decorations in anticipation of the Lunar New Year celebrations today, aiming to attract an influx of visitors.

In the historic Binondo commercial district, reputed as one of the oldest Chinatowns globally, lamp posts are adorned with dragon motifs, their tails gracefully encircling the poles. Meanwhile, within a bustling mall, a colossal dragon sculpture captivates selfie enthusiasts as they capture memorable moments amidst the Lunar New Year ambiance.

PBBM: Cha-cha hanggang economic provisions lang

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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PBBM: Cha-cha hanggang economic provisions lang

Tiniyak ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na nakatuon lamang sa economic provisions ang isinusulong na pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas o Charter Change (Cha-cha).

Sa kanyang talumpati sa Constitution Day sa Shangri-La, Makati, sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos na layunin lamang ng Cha-cha na palakasin ang ekonomiya ng bansa.

“I want to make it clear: This Administration’s position in introducing reforms to our Constitution extends to economic matters alone, or those strategically aimed at boosting our country’s economy. Nothing more,” pahayag ng Pangulo.

Paglilinaw niya, ang kasalukuyang administrasyon ay patuloy na magsusulong para makahikayat ng mga dayuhang mamumuhunan upang makatulong na maabot ang ambisyon na maitaas sa middle-class income status ang Pilipinas sa darating na 2025.

Bagama’t 16 porsiyento lamang ang ibinaba ng halaga ng net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, patuloy aniya na lumalago ang ekonomiya ng bansa at inaasahang lalago pa ito ng 6 hanggang 7.5 percent sa kalagitnaan ng taon.

Kasabay nito, nanawagan din si Pangulong Marcos sa publiko na suportahan ang pamahalaan sa pagprotekta sa Konstitusyon pati na ang territorial integrity at people’s sovereign will kasabay ng pangako na maging “Great Protector of the Constitution.”

Pope denounces ‘extreme individualism’ during meeting with Argentines before major canonization event

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope denounces ‘extreme individualism’ during meeting with Argentines before major canonization event

ROME. Pope Francis on Friday criticized the “radical individualism” prevalent in today’s society, as he welcomed Argentine pilgrims visiting for this weekend’s canonization of the first female saint from his home country.

Instead, Francis hailed the 18th-century Argentine laywoman affectionately known as Mama Antula, who dedicated herself to serving the poor and preserving Jesuit spirituality in Argentina after the suppression of the religious order, to which the pope belongs.

On Sunday, Francis will canonize Mama Antula, also known as María Antonia di San Giuseppe de Paz y Figueroa, in a ceremony that will also mark his inaugural encounter with Argentina’s new libertarian president, Javier Milei.

Milei, who has advocated for relaxed labor laws and proposed the sale of one’s own vital organs, was scheduled to arrive in Rome on Friday from Israel. Following the canonization Mass on Sunday, he is set to have formal meetings on Monday with Francis and later with Italy’s right-wing leader, Premier Giorgia Meloni.

Addressing pilgrims who journeyed to Rome for the event, Francis lauded Mama Antula as an exemplar who risked everything to propagate the faith, particularly among the most impoverished.

“Mama Antula’s charitable work, especially in aiding the neediest, stands out today in a society at risk of forgetting that radical individualism is the most insidious virus to combat,” he remarked. “A virus that deceives. It convinces us that it’s all about indulging one’s ambitions freely.”

Born in 1730 into a wealthy family in Tucuman, Argentina, Mama Antula relinquished her privilege at the age of 15 to join a community of women inspired by Jesuit ideals. After the Jesuit order was suppressed in 1767 and its members expelled from Spain’s colonies, Mama Antula persevered in keeping the Jesuits’ Ignatian spiritual practices alive by disseminating them across Argentina, even at the risk of imprisonment.

“This clandestine dimension must not be forgotten. It holds great significance,” Francis emphasized. “Another message she imparts to us in today’s world is to not yield in the face of adversity, to persevere in our noble intentions of spreading the Gospel to all, notwithstanding the challenges that may arise.”

While the first Jesuit and Argentine pope clearly harbors a special admiration for a Jesuit-inspired Argentine figure like Mama Antula, this is not the first instance where he has bestowed sainthood upon a compatriot close to his heart. In 2016, Francis canonized Argentina’s first saint: José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, a poncho-clad, mate-drinking “gaucho priest” who ministered in the outskirts of Argentina and bore many similarities to Francis himself in the 19th century.

Police shoot dead axe-wielding hostage-taker on train in Switzerland

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Police shoot dead axe-wielding hostage-taker on train in Switzerland

GENEVA. Police in Switzerland have fatally shot a man armed with an axe and a knife who had taken 15 passengers hostage on a train Thursday night.

The hostage-taker, identified as a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Iran, boarded a local train near Yverdon, compelling the driver to halt the train and join passengers in the carriage.

Authorities swiftly responded to the situation after passengers alerted them, with more than 60 officers converging on the scene. Despite attempts to communicate with the hostage-taker in English and Farsi, the standoff persisted for several hours.

In a late-night operation, police stormed the train using stun grenades when they observed the hostage-taker moving away from passengers. As the man attacked police, officers were compelled to use firearms to protect the hostages and themselves, resulting in the fatal shooting of the perpetrator.

The motive for the hostage-taking remains unclear, though witnesses noted the perpetrator appeared “very stressed.” Hostages and their families are receiving support from the Swiss health service’s psychological department.

The assailant, originally from Iran, had been residing in an asylum seeker center in Neuchatel. While hostage situations are rare in Switzerland, past incidents have occurred at banks and businesses, such as a hostage-taking incident at a watch-making firm in January 2022.

NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth

EDGARDO HERNAL
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NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA’s latest climate satellite embarked on its mission Thursday to meticulously observe the world’s oceans and atmosphere as never before.

SpaceX successfully launched the Pace satellite on its $948 million endeavor before dawn, as the Falcon rocket soared southward over the Atlantic to attain a rare polar orbit.

Over the next three years, the satellite, stationed 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth, will scrutinize the oceans and atmosphere, capturing unprecedented levels of detail. Two of its science instruments will conduct daily global scans, while a third will provide monthly measurements.

“It’s going to be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” remarked project scientist Jeremy Werdell.

These observations are poised to enhance scientists’ understanding of weather phenomena such as hurricanes, track Earth’s transformations amidst rising temperatures, and improve forecasts for harmful algae blooms.

While NASA already boasts more than two dozen Earth-observing satellites and instruments in orbit, Pace is anticipated to offer unparalleled insights into the interactions between atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, and marine life like algae and plankton.

“Pace will give us another dimension to what other satellites observe,” remarked NASA’s director of Earth science, Karen St. Germain.

Pace, short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem, represents the most sophisticated mission ever undertaken to study ocean biology.

Unlike current Earth-observing satellites, which can discern seven or eight colors, Pace’s advanced technology enables it to perceive an astounding 200 colors. This capability will enable scientists to pinpoint various algae types in the sea and identify different air particles.

Scientists anticipate receiving data from Pace within the next month or two.

Additionally, NASA is collaborating with India on another cutting-edge Earth-observing satellite slated for launch this year. Dubbed Nisar, it will utilize radar to gauge the impact of rising temperatures on glaciers and other melting icy surfaces.

Despite challenges from the previous administration, NASA’s Pace project persevered.

“It has been a long, strange trip as they say,” Werdell reflected prior to the launch.

Kuya pinatay ni bunso

Arman B. Cambe
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Kuya pinatay ni bunso

LIPA CITY, Batangas. Patay ang isang tricycle driver matapos pagbabarilin ng kanyang bunsong kapatid na barangay tanod sa Barangay Balintawak, lungsod na ito.

Naganap ang insidente sa J. P. Laurel highway noong Huwebes ng umaga. Ayon sa ulat ni Police Col. Samson Belmonte hepe ng Lipa City Police Station, ang biktima ay kinilalang si Jason Ganggang, 44 anyos na residente ng Lipa City.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, habang minamaneho ni Jason ang kanyang tricycle kasama ang kaniyang misis, hinarang sila sa daan ng isa pang tricycle na minamaneho naman ni Jonel, 36 taong gulang at nakababatang kapatid ng biktima.

Sa pag-aakalang may sasabihin sa kanyang kuya, itinabi ni Jason ang tricycle sa gilid ng kalsada at nakangiting sinalubong si Jonel. Ngunit bigla umanong binunot ng suspek ang kanyang 357 revolver at binaril sa uloang kapatid.

Agad na tumakas si Jonel matapos ang insidente subalit nahuli din agad siya ng mga pulis sa isang hot pursuit operation.

Nangangailangan pa ng masusing imbestigasyon ang mga awtoridad upang alamin ang motibo sa likod ng pagpatay.

Some Israeli hostage families oppose a deal for their return and instead wants Hamas crushed

Venus L Peñaflor
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Some Israeli hostage families oppose a deal for their return and instead wants Hamas crushed

JERUSALEM. In the midst of intense protests across Israel demanding the immediate release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas, a distinct voice emerges from a small group of families: they advocate for the Israeli army to continue its campaign against the militant group before negotiating any deals, even if it means delaying the return of their loved ones.

Tzvika Mor, whose son Eitan, 23, was abducted four months ago, voiced this stance, saying, “When you release terrorists, they will return to murder. That’s how it has always been.” He emphasized their concern for the safety of the entire country, not just their individual losses.

However, this viewpoint sharply contrasts with that of the majority of the hostages’ relatives, who believe that only a deal can secure the release of the captives, especially given the perilous conditions in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of Hamas’ latest demands for a hostage deal further fueled fears among families, with Netanyahu vowing to pursue war until “total victory.”

The plight of the hostages has gripped the Israeli public since their abduction during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel, sparking ongoing protests and widespread solidarity campaigns. While the calls for negotiation with Hamas intensify, a few families remain steadfast in their belief that military pressure is the most effective approach.

Mor, along with two other families, formed the Tikva Forum, advocating for continued military action rather than immediate negotiations. Mor admitted facing criticism for his stance, but he maintained that prioritizing national security over immediate personal relief is a rational decision.

Approximately 250 people were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack, which also claimed about 1,200 lives, mostly civilians. The subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza resulted in the deaths of over 27,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, further complicating the hostage situation.

Hamas’ demands for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of killing Israelis, have been deemed unacceptable by the Tikva Forum and Netanyahu alike. The Forum aligns closely with Netanyahu’s stance against yielding to Hamas’ demands, citing concerns of future attacks.

As Hamas leaders engage in talks in Cairo, Mor continues to advocate for sustained military pressure. He maintains that his actions align with his son’s wishes, recalling conversations they had about the risks of negotiating with terrorists.

Other families associated with the Tikva Forum share similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for strength in negotiations to prevent future attacks. Despite the emotional toll and uncertainties, these families stand firm, believing that only through military pressure can their loved ones be safely brought home.

In the midst of heart-wrenching dilemmas and national security concerns, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure to navigate a path toward the safe return of the hostages, while also ensuring the long-term security of the nation.

Saturn’s “Death Star” moon may host vast underground ocean, astronomers say

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Saturn’s “Death Star” moon may host vast underground ocean, astronomers say

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Astronomers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting the presence of a vast, youthful ocean beneath the icy shell of Saturn’s Death Star-like miniature moon.

In a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, a team led by French researchers revealed their analysis of Mimas’ orbit and rotation. Their findings strongly support the existence of an ocean lying 12 to 18 miles (20 to 30 kilometers) beneath the moon’s frozen exterior, rather than a elongated rocky core.

The research, based on data collected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the solar system’s moons. Cassini meticulously observed Saturn and its myriad moons for over a decade before its mission-ending plunge into the gas giant’s atmosphere in 2017.

Despite its modest size—barely 250 miles (400 kilometers) in diameter—Mimas lacks the characteristic fractures and geysers typically associated with subsurface activity on moons like Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa.

“Mimas was probably the most unlikely place to look for a global ocean — and liquid water more generally,” remarked co-author Valery Lainey of the Paris Observatory in an email statement. “So that looks like a potential habitable world. But nobody knows how much time is needed for life to arise.”

According to Lainey, the ocean likely occupies about half of Mimas’ volume, yet given the moon’s diminutive size, it represents only 1.2% to 1.4% of Earth’s oceans. Despite its small stature, Mimas boasts the second-largest impact crater of any moon in the solar system, earning it the comparison to the fictional Death Star space station from “Star Wars.”

“The idea that relatively small, icy moons can harbor young oceans is inspiring,” commented Matija Cuk from the SETI Institute and Alyssa Rose Rhoden from the Southwest Research Institute in an editorial accompanying the study. They were not involved in the research.

The estimated age of Mimas’ subterranean ocean falls between 5 million and 15 million years, rendering it too young to have left discernible marks on the moon’s surface. Lainey suggested that while the overall temperature of the ocean hovers around freezing, the water at the ocean floor could be significantly warmer.

Co-author Nick Cooper from Queen Mary University of London noted that the presence of a “remarkably young” ocean of liquid water positions Mimas as a prime candidate for investigating the origins of life.

Discovered in 1789 by English astronomer William Herschel, Mimas derives its name from a giant in Greek mythology.

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