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This year’s procession is the longest, lasting 22 hours to traverse the five-kilometer route.
DEVOTION OR ‘EXCESS...
From page 13 Also called the Nuestro Padre Jesus, the statue is believed to be 400 years old, and was brought over to the port of Cavite from Acapulco, Mexico in 1606, by Spanish missionaries. The galleon ship that carried it caught on fire, thus burning the image, but not destroying it. Many believe its survival through successive catastrophes over the years, including earthquakes (in 1645 and 1863), fires (1791 and 1929) and the bombings of World War 2 (1945), is a testament to its miraculous powers. It was originally housed in the first Recollect church in Bagumbayan (now part of the Rizal Park), until it was transferred to the Quiapo Church in 1787. This year’s Black Nazarene theme, Espiritu ng Ama at ng Poong Nazareno, Ibangon mo ang Sambayanang Pilipino, is a call to lift the Philippines from the turmoil of natural disasters as
SOLUTION ON PAGE 23
well as political and economic difficulties. Msgr. Ignacio encouraged devotees to contribute to help the victims of the tropical storm “Sendong.” “All the prayers and the suffering involved in this procession will include the intentions of our suffering brothers and sisters in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete who were badly affected by Sendong.” Archbishop Tagle, in his homily at the Quirino Grandstand, called on devotees “to offer prayers and sacrifices for the victims of tropical storm “Sendong” and the killer landslide in Compostela Valley.” “Let us remember those who were affected in our prayers. Let us offer a minute of silence to pray to the Black Nazarene for our suffering brothers and sisters,” he said. He also reminded the faithful and urged devotees “to truly change their ways and to not just be good for a day.” n
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ANNE
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cUrTIS
BOLDER
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‘I think people don’t realize that I’m turning 27 (on Feb. 17). They don’t see it kasi napaka-bubbly ko ‘di ba? So people don’t realize that as an actress it’s also my desire to get roles that help me mature as an actress and I feel that this could be it.’ By pEppER mArcElo
O dOubt about it, 2011 was Anne Curtis’s year. the Fil-Australian beauty has gradually metamorphosed from a beguiling, somewhat innocent and bubbly face on tV and film to a more mature, confident and sophisticated actress. this was much evident in her breakout film, No Other Woman, which was one of the blockbuster movies last year and one of the most successful local films of all time. during her 14-year showbiz career, Anne’s played teenybopper roles in a variety of soaps, romantic comedies and fantaseryes. For the first time last year, the actress-tV host-now singer decided to shifts gears by playing a seductress in the
Anne reinvents her image as a mature, serious dramatic actress.
adult drama No Other Woman. She recalls that when she was offered a role of a morally questionable character that was so different from her previous roles, she didn’t hesitate to seize it. “I was so excited, from wearing
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the swimsuits to different outfits to my hair, prinepare ko talaga. At kitang-kita niyo naman yun sa movie,” she told reporters during a press conference for the film. She took the bold move, she said, to surprise audiences and fans, and signal that she’s not a young girl anymore. “I think people don’t realize that I’m turning 27 (on Feb. 17) . They don’t see it kasi napaka-bubbly ko ‘di ba? So people don’t realize that as an actress it’s also my desire to get roles that help me mature as an actress and I feel that this could be it.” Taking on new challenges is part of her plans to be taken more seriously as a capable dramatic actress “I think I’ve always been very open na gusto ko talaga to do something different, kasi 14 years na ako sa industriyang ito, parang lahat na yata nagawa ko. So ito ang hindi ko pa talaga nagagawa.” She adds: “It’s something na hindi pa nila ako nakikitang nag-portray, kasi lagi na lang comedy or rom-com (romance-comedy) so it’s a breath of fresh air for me so sana magustuhan ninyo yung character ko dito.” In the film, Anne plays a resort heiress who seduces a married furniture salesman, played by Derek Ramsay. Rounding off the cast is Cristine Reyes, who plays the jilted wife. With such an undeniably sexy role, many expected Anne to suddenly do a 180-degree turn from her bubbly image and be more “bold”, including semi-nudity and torrid love scenes. She explains that although it is an adult-themed story, the execution and presentation are tasteful and not vulgar. “The scenes are enough for adults or young adults, I’d have to say. It’s nothing too sexy na tipong you’d have to close your eyes. Hindi naman siya ganung leveling. It’s sexy siguro more in a way na may mga naka-swimsuit and stuff like that and also because what we’re tackling is domestic life already, married na kaya naging ganun siya.” Anne says she draws inspiration from one of her favorite Hollywood actresses, Natalie Portman, who has successfully transitioned from child actress to full-fledged mature adult roles. “Yung role niya sa ‘Closer’ you could see that she really tackles mature roles na hindi mo iisipin kung bagay ba sa kanya yun? Pero ginawa niya at na-achieve. ‘Black Swan’ also was super duper more mature, pero I want that. I want to move forward as an actress.” No Other Woman has earned
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Anne in a provocative pose for her breakout movie.
The Princess of All Media conquers the concert scene.
“I think I’ve always been very open na gusto ko talaga to do something different, kasi 14 years na ako sa industriyang ito.” P278 million, making it the second highest grossing Filipino movie of all time, next to The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin, which grossed P331 million. You Changed My Life, topbilled by John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo, previously held the top spot with P209 million. Echoing the movie’s plot of a wife trying to keep her marriage and fighting to keep the man she loves, Anne admits she would do the same in real life. . “Mababaliw ka talaga sa taong mahal mo at hindi mo na iisipin ang mga
c o n sequence ng gagawin mo. Oo, gagawin ko talaga yun para sa taong mahal ko.” She adds: Kasi, I think, everyone, sinasabi nilang talaga, hindi, hiwalay ‘yan, di ba? But the thing is, when you’re in that position, hindi mo kaya, e. Kailangan mong malaman na ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin niya. So, ipaglalaban mo. At siyempre, gusto mong ipamukha sa kung sinuman siya na ikaw ang pinili, di ba?” To be sure, Anne’s role does not mirror her off-screen situation. She has been in a stable relationship with her non-showbiz beau
Erwan Heussaff, younger brother of model-actress Solenn Heussaff. “To say that I have a perfect relationship now, I don’t think anyone can have a perfect relationship, but I’d like to think that my relationship is the closest you can get to perfect,” she shared. The sweethearts have become especially closer in recent months, with Anne even going spending a brief vacation to meet Erwan’s family in France. Asked how her boyfriend reacted to her intimate scenes with co-star Derek Ramsay, she replied, “Work ko yun at naiintindihan naman niya yun.” There are no marriage plans in the next four years or so, she said. “That would be ideal for me. It’s not in my hands naman, it’s in the guy’s hands. If I feel na it’s the right time, then go.” She feels she has more to accomplish in that time span. Not content to be an actress-host, Anne has larger ambitions in becoming an all-around performer, which in-
cludes singing as well. In October she released a solo album, titled Annebisyosa, which has been certified as a gold album with sales of 7,500 and counting. She acknowledges that some maybe skeptical of her singing talents but that does not hinder her ambition to be a total performer. Describing her venture into pop music as a “dream come true,” said, “I don’t really mind kung lalaitin ang voice ko or whatever kasi it’s part of it naman. Hindi din naman ako nagsasabi na singer ako o diva ako kasi alam naman natin lahat na hindi totoo.” Following up on the success of her debut album, the Princess of All Media is set to conquer the stage of Araneta Coliseum no less in her first major concert, Annebisyosa – No Other Concert World Tour, set on Jan. 28. Capping her string of successes, Anne is the first Filipino celebrity to garner one million followers on Twitter. Looking back, she gushed, “I’m so content with her life. My 2011 is fantastic. A rollercoaster. A scary and yet best and most thrilling year of my life. So many things kept on happening. One after the other. I guess it pays off when you don’t expect anything, all the more you appreciate, all the more blessings that come into your life. Wala na kong hihingin pa.” n
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CELEBR TY
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CHURCH ASKS PACQUIAO TO BE ‘BIBLE AMBASSADOR’ THE Catholic Church has asked boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to be a “bible ambassador.” Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who presides over the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) bible ministry, said church leaders had approached Pacquiao with the idea, but received no confirmation from the 32-year-old
CHARICE KICKS OFF WORLD TOUR IN MARCH
MANNY
fighter. “We asked him to partner with us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics,” David told reporters. He said Pacquiao could follow the example of the Philippine-born National Football League star Tim Tebow, a devout Christian who recently pledged to help fund a $3million hospital in the southern Philippines. The bishops’ proposal came in the wake of Pacquiao’s revelation that he is now a “changed man” and he now immerses himself in Bible study and spends more time when not in training with wife Jinkee and his four children.
INTERNATIONAL singing sensation Charice Pempengco is set to kick off her Infinity world tour in Dubai in March. The tour will promote her new album “Infinity.” The concert venues and dates are: Dubai, March 2; Singapore, March 5; Jakarta, March 7; Hong Kong, March 19; and Seoul, March 21.
The couple in happier times with Bimby & Joshua.
KRIS WON’T ASK FOR SUPPORT FROM JAMES JOHN LLOYD WITH SHAINA
CHARICE Charice was originally set to perform in Dubai in October last year but the concert was cancelled when her father was murdered in the Philippines. Charice’s last visit to Dubai was in 2010, when she had a concert with singer-songwriter Billy Crawford at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. Her first international album ranked eighth in the Billboard 200, making Charice the first Asian recording artist to land in the Top 10 of the prestigious chart. “Infinity,” her second international album, includes the current hit single Before It Explodes by Bruno Mars, a world-famous FilipinoAmerican singer and composer.
JOHN LLOYD’S STATUS: IN A RELATIONSHIP
JOHN Lloyd Cruz admits he’s now “in a relationship.” The actor is very stingy with words in describing the current status of his relationship with Shaina Magdayao after their split in October last year. When asked by reporters to confirm if he and Shaina have indeed reconciled, John Lloyd replied, “Siguro yun muna ang maise-share ko for now.” He added: “Siguro hanggang doon lang muna. Nagkahiwalay, and then inayos. Then, back together. Yun lang.”
Pressed further if he and Shaina are starting over again John Lloyd said, “Hindi naman all over again kasi hindi naman natapos completely or nabasura yung unang part. So, kung starting all over again, I don’t think so. . . And, okay naman kami. Papunta sa mas maganda. Walang starting all over again.” But he did not give a specific date when he was asked when the reconciliation happened. “Hindi lang ngayon,” he said. “It’s been official for quite some time already.”
KRIS Aquino says she won’t ask for paternal support from her former husband, professional basketball player James Yap. She made the remark following the annulment of the couple’s five-year-marriage. “Sinabi ko na kumikita ako and it will be voluntary on James’ part if he would want to share. Pero hindi ko siya inoobliga,” she said in an exclusive interview with the gossip show The Buzz last Feb. 5. Kris has custody of their son, James Jr., also known as Bimby. She said James may visit their son anytime he wants to. “He’s below seven years old. Any time a child is seven and below, custody is with the mom. But it doesn’t mean na hindi siya puwedeng dalawin ni James because I am very lenient,” she said. Kris said Bimby will still
carry the family name Yap. But she will eventually need to “adopt” the boy since he is an illegitimate child based on the grounds of her marriage to James. “James signed the birth certificate so Bimby is a Yap but there are legal rights that I must take to protect both Josh and Bimby. Ang next step kasi dito, I need to adopt my children. That is very complicated . . . I need to adopt them para there is no question of inheritance later on,” she said. Kris also confirmed that she and James had a separation of properties even before their marriage was annulled, adding that both of them got a “fair” share. She said their marriage was annulled because of “lack of authority of the solemnizing officer.”
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CELEBRITYFILES
NO LABELS, JUST OLD-FASHIONED LOVE ANGEL Locsin won’t attach any label to her “unofficial” relationship with soccer player Phil Younghusband. “Walang labels. Walang anniversary, walang monthsary,” she said when asked to describe their relationship. “Pero may improvement naman, di ba? Kita naman,” she added. She said Phil has no reason to get jealous or alarmed at her intimate bed scenes with John Lloyd in their upcoming movie, Unof ficially Yours. According to her, the half-
Filipino, half-British footballermodel is just like her previous Filipino boyfriends. “Para siyang Pilipinong-Pilipino, mahilig siya sa pagkain or kung paano siya kumilos. Pati yung values niya, Pinoy na Pinoy naman.” In a separate interview, Phil said he is certain that Angel is the right woman for him. “Yes. Yes, I’m very, very sure,” he said. “I think she’s the one... For me, you just know and you don’t need any evidence, you just feel it. And when we’re together, we feel very strong about each other.”
XIAN & KIM
KIM IS XIAN’S SPECIAL GIRL ANGEL AND PHIL YOUNGHUSBAND
OYO NIXES VIC-PAULEEN AFFAIR
VIC Sotto’s son, Oyo, disapproves of his father’s rumored affair with his Eat Bulaga! co-host Pauleen Luna. Commenting on the issue, Oyo said, “Well ako, kung totoo man yung sa kanila ni Pauleen, basta ito lang ang sasabihin ko, ayoko talaga! Iyon lang, ayoko talaga.” Asked for his reason, he explained, “Eh bata kasi siya sa akin, eh!”
MR. & MRS. ROMAN & SHALANI ROMULO
SUNSET WEDDING FOR SHALANI
VALENZUELA City Councilor Shalani Soledad tied the knot with Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo at sunset on Jan. 22 at St. Benedict Church at the Ayala Westgrove in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. “I’m very happy that I’ve found you,” the 44-year-old groom said during the ceremonial exchange of vows. “I promise to love you from now on until forever,” Shalani, 31, replied. The wedding capped a whirlwind romance even by today’s standards. Roman and Shalani were engaged for five months. Shalani’s wedding gown, designed by Inno Sotto, was described by the couturier as “simple, feminine and elegant.” It was a white romantic number with a fitted V-neck top with lace bodice and a skirt made of 17 layers of soft tulle. Roman, son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo, wore a midnight-blue tuxedo, a white shirt and a gray bow tie by Hugo Boss and a pair of black leather shoes by Louis
OYO SOTTO
Vuitton. The 22 principal sponsors came from the business and political sectors. The Mass lasted over an hour, with not a seat empty in the 500-seat church. One of those invited was not around—President Benigno Aquino III, Shalani’s former boyfriend. Officials said the President was resting in Baguio City at the time. The two ended their year-long relationship in September 2010. The President had earlier said he would not be able to attend the wedding but would send a gift “bought by his staff.” He had wished the couple a happy life together.
Oyo is 28 years old while Pauleen is only 23. Vic is 57. “Hindi ako galit sa tatay ko, hindi ako galit kay Pauleen,” he added. “Ayoko lang. Hindi lang ako approve sa ano, kung totoo man na meron silang relasyon.” It will be recalled that a few weeks back, Oyo posted a message in his Twitter account which read: “Ang dami talagang mukang
PAULEEN LUNA pera... ang daming lumalandi! Nakakalungkot (hindi sa akin) Haay nako...” He followed it with another tweet: “Respeto lang.” Pauleen reacted by saying she was hurt by insinuations that she is “materialistic”, to which Oyo responded with another tweet: “Kung nasaktan ka, ikaw yun.“
WHILE her former loveteam partner and rumoured ex-boyfriend, Gerald Anderson is being linked to another actress, Kim Chiu is attracting special attention from Xian Lim, her costar in the recently concluded soap My Binondo Girl. In a recent interview, Xian was quoted as saying that Kim is the most special girl in his life right now. He said there is something about the Cebuana Chinese mestiza that makes him happy. “She deserves to be happy. And she deserves to be treated well. I do these things for her maybe because I find her special. That’s probably why. There’s something about her na talagang wow. It’s about how she makes me feel. I can’t really say but I just know that she’s special,” he said. Last December, Xian serenaded Kim on the set of their television series. Although Xian has been vocal about his admiration for Kim, both stress that there is nothing romantic going on between them. Xian says he just wants to make Kim feel special everytime they are together. “Every time magkasama kami, every time kung lalabas kami, taping man ‘yan or trabaho, at least I make her feel special in every single way pag lumalabas kami.” Asked if they could be more than friends, the Fil-Chinese actormodel said, “Ang masasabi ko po sobrang saya kasama si Kim. We’re just taking it step by step, kung anong mangyari, mangyayari naman po yan. Whatever is meant to be is meant to be.”
SOLON’S WIFE NABBED IN U.S. FOR DOLLAR SMUGGLING THE wife of Senator Lito Lapid is awaiting court hearing in Las Vegas after she was caught with $40,000 undeclared cash aside from the $10,000 she had declared to customs agents at the Las Vegas airport on Nov. 27 last year. Upon investigation, Marissa Lapid admitted to carrying the excess amount, which constitutes currency smuggling. She readily admitted her offense,
saying “I screwed up.” She was later released and returned to the country. The Nevada district court issued a warrant of arrest against her last January. She was arrested when she arrived in Las Vegas last Jan. 15 upon the invitation of the US Department of Homeland Security. She was ordered not to leave Clark county in Nevada and to wears an electronic monitoring bracelet on
her ankle. In Manila, Senator Lapid said the $40,000 was to be used to buy a house in Las Vegas. He added that his wife is engaged in business in Pampanga. If convicted of the offense, Marissa could be sentenced to five years in jail, pay a $250,000 fine, and have the seized money forfeited in favor of the United States government.
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HE PHiliPPinEs is among emerging economies that would become much more prominent in the next few decades, helped by demographics and rising education standards. The country is set to leapfrog 27 places to become the 16th largest economy by 2050, according to a prediction of international bank HsBC. The bank expected China to overtake the United states as the world’s biggest economy by 2050, and said strong growth rates in other developing countries would help drive the global economy. “Plenty of places in the world look set to deliver very strong rates of growth. But they are not in the developed world, which faces both structural and cyclical head winds. They are in the emerging world,” the bank said in a report “The World in 2050.” HsBC based its forecasts on fundamentals such as current income per capita, rule of law, democracy, education levels and demographic change.
Star performer The bank said the Philippines would become a “star performer” in terms of its economic leap in the global rankings. HsBC said the Philippines was likely to post an average growth of 7 percent in the next 40 years. Breaking down the average growth forecast, the bank said the
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PHILIPPINES TO TH BECOME 16 LARGEST ECONOMY BY 2050 While some quarters are alarmed over the country’s huge population, HSBC considers it an advantage. The bank says the Philippines’ growing population, which, if properly educated and trained, should help the economy generate more income over the next decades. country would likely grow by 8.4 percent from 2010 to 2020, by 7.3 percent from 2020 to 2030, and by 6.6 percent from 2030 to 2040, and by it said the advantage of the Philippines was its favorable macroeconomic fundamentals and improving governance. Economic officials of the government often harp on what they call the country’s positive macroeconomic fundamentals that include stable inflation, sustained growth over the years (it grew even when the global economy shrank in 2009), stable banking and financial system, and improving fiscal position.
Big population a plus HsBC said the Philippines was also put at an advantageous position by its growing population, which, if properly educated and trained, should help the economy generate more income over the next decades. The fact that the Philippines has relatively low income gives it much room for growth, and that its fa-
and Egypt. The Philippines’ 16th rank by 2050 in terms of economic size marks a 27-notch improvement from its performance in 2010, said HsBC. The bank thus said that the Philippines was expected to post the biggest leap in terms of economic ranking over the next four decades. “The Philippines looks set for a multidecade run of strong growth.”
Losers
HSBC sees the Philippines posting the biggest leap in terms of economic ranking over the next four decades. vorable fundamentals will help the tals,” HsBC said. country maximize that room, the bank said. Top 20 economies “The most potent recipe for According to HsBC’s forecast, growth is a country that scores the Top 20 largest economies by highly on the fundamentals dis- 2050 will be China, United states, cussed but currently has low in- india, Japan, Germany, United come per capita. These economies Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, France, should deliver the highest growth in Canada, italy, Turkey, south Koincome per capita as they ‘catch up’ rea, spain, Russia, Philippines, with those with similar fundamen- indonesia, Australia, Argentina
“The losers are the small population, aging economies of Europe,” added the bank, which said the demographics in much of Europe underscored concerns about the debt problems faced by many of the continent’s governments. if sufficiently open to modern technology, developing countries could enjoy many years of robust GDP growth although they could struggle for growth drivers once they have adapted to technological advances, “The initial years of development could be described as ‘copyand-paste’ growth, as countries open themselves up and adapt to the world’s existing technologies. Once the ‘copy-and-paste’ growth is complete … many economies struggle and get stuck in what is often known as the middle-income trap.” “But many of the countries we are considering are still at such an extremely low level of development that there are years of this ‘copyand-paste’ growth ahead,” it added. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
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Due to the huge number of unemployed nursing graduates, many schools have momentarily stopped offering nursing courses.
HE numbEr of Philippine-educated nurses who sought employment in the united States plunged by 42 percent to just 5,630 in 2011 from 9,789 in 2010, a party-list congressman said. Citing statistics from America’s national Council of State boards of nursing, LPG-mA rep. Arnel Ty said in a statement that the 5,630 Filipinos who took the nCLEX for the first time in 2011 was roughly equal to only one-fourth of the 21,499 of them who took the uS licensure exam at the height of the nursing boom in 2007. “In 2011, we had the fewest number of Filipino nurses taking the nCLEX (for the first time) since 2001, when only 4,456 took the exam,” Ty said. The number of Filipino nurses taking the nCLEX for the first time, excluding repeaters, is considered a good indicator as to how many of them are trying to practice their profession in America. Ty said a total of 145,081 Filipino nurses have taken the nCLEX since 1995, without counting repeaters, in the hopes of pursuing gainful careers in America. nCLEX statistics suggest that around six out of every 10 Filipino nurses who take the exam eventually pass, if not on their first attempt, on their second take. Ty has been pushing for new legislation that would establish a special local jobs plan for the growing number of unemployed Filipino nurses. The Professional regulation Commission estimates the number of jobless Filipino nurses to hit 298,000 in 2012, to include the 68,000 who took the local licensure
exam in December. As proposed by Ty in House bill 4582, the jobs plan would be an expanded version of the nurses As-
signed in rural Service, the shortlived Philippine government project that enlisted nurses to improve healthcare in the 1,000 poorest towns in 2009. The bill seeks to install a Special Program for the Employment of nurses in urban and rural Services (nurSE), which hopes to mobilize a total of 10,000 practitioners every year. They would each serve a six-month tour of duty, and get a monthly stipend not lower than the amount commensurate to Salary Grade 15, the higher starting pay for public nurses mandated by a 2002 law. Outside of America, Ty stressed
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FEWER PINAY NURSES SEEKING U.S. JOBS
Six out of every 10 Filipino nurses who take the NLEX eventually pass. However, the US demand for nurses has considerably shrunk, giving rise to a growing number of unemployed Filipino nurses which totals 298,000 in 2012, including the 68,000 who took the local licensure exam in December. the need for the Philippine government to push for the opening of new foreign labor markets for Filipino nurses. The uS labor market for foreign nurses is getting overcrowded, he said. “uS demand for foreign nurses is slowing down, with hospitals and nursing homes there still staggering from subsidy cutbacks. America is also producing more nurses. In 2011 alone, a total of 172,041 uSeducated nurses took the nCLEX for the first time,” he added. (InterAksyon.com) n
SUDOKU ANSWER FROM PAGE 16
US demand for foreign nurses is slowing down, with hospitals and nursing homes there still staggering from subsidy cutbacks.
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PHILIPPINES STILL TOP CHRISTIAN COUNTRY IN ASIA, 5TH IN WORLD
Catholic faithful attend simbang gabi at the St. Joseph Church in Las Pinas City.
Of the Filipino Christians, 81 percent are Catholic, 11 percent Protestant and one percent belong to other Christian groups. The remaining seven percent of the Philippine population are non-Christian.
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HE Philippines remains to be the bastion of Christianity in Asia with 86.8 million Filipinos—or 93 percent of a total population of 93.3 million—adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ, a recent study by the USbased Pew Research Center has found. Using the 2010 population figures of over 200 countries, the nonpartisan data center conducted its “Global Christianity” study produced by its Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life unit to determine the size and breadth of the world’s Christian population.
The study put the total number of Christians worldwide at 2.18 billion—almost a third—of the estimated global population of 6.9 billion. Apart from being number one in Asia, the Philippines ranks fifth in the world, hosting four percent of those 2.18-billion Christians, the report said. Of the Filipino Christians, 81 percent are Catholic, 11 percent
The crucifixion ritual in Pampanga has become a tourist attraction during the Holy Week.
Protestant and one percent belong to other Christian groups. The remaining seven percent of the Philippine population are non-Christian, Pew noted. The largest number of Christians resides in the United States with 246.8 million or 11.3
Cardinal Ricardo Vidal (second from left) officiates Mass in Cebu City. Christians around the world has nearly quadrupled in the last 100 years, from 600 million in 1910,” Pew noted. “But the world’s overall population also has risen rapidly from an estimated 1.8 billion in 1910 to 6.9 billion in 2010. As a result, Christians make up about the same proportion of the world population to-
percent of the total Christian population of the world. It is followed by Brazil (175.8 million), Mexico (107.8 million) and Russia (105.2 million). Following the Philippines are Nigeria (80.5 million), China (67 million), Democratic Republic of Congo (63.2 m i l lion), Germany (58.2 million) and Ethiopia (52.6 million). “ T h e number of
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day (32 percent) as they did a century ago (35 percent),” Pew noted. In Asia, following the Philippines are China (67.1 million), India (31.9 million), Indonesia (21.2 million) and Australia (16 million). By region, the bulk of Christians reside in the Americas (36.8 percent), followed by Europe (25.9 percent), sub-Saharan Africa (23.6 percent), Asia Pacific (13.1 percent) and Middle East-North Africa (0.6 percent). Highlighting a “momentous shift” in the world’s Christian population, Pew noted that although Europe and the Americas still held a majority of the world’s Christians (63 percent), the 1910 figure was much higher (93 percent). Pew noted that Christianity had “grown enormously” in sub-Saharan Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, as their Christian populations climbed from nine percent in 1910 to 63 percent in 2010 in the former, and from three percent to seven percent in the latter. “Christianity today, unlike a century ago, is truly a global faith,” Pew said. n
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PALAWAN’S HIDDEN GEM What luxury to be served dinner poolside at the villa’s private patio, soothed by the gentle rhythm of the waves! We knew then that we had come to the right place for a few perfect days of pampering and relaxation.
Topnotch service from friendly staff. My fears were put to rest when we were greeted at the river’s loading station by a perky monkey. The monkey was more social than menacing, obviously enjoying the tourists’ attention and flashing cameras. and the resident bayawaks -- large monitor lizards that resembled baby crocodiles – seemed as friendly and non-threatening as any house broken pet. Properly outfitted in orange life vests and yellow hard hats, we boarded a banca steered by a local guide with a flair for comedy. as we entered the cave to explore the Underground River, we joined the company of bats that have inhabited the river for thousands of years. Fortunately, the bats were asleep at daytime so we didn’t bump into unidentified flying objects. It was pitch black inside until our torchbearer turned on the spotlight to reveal amazing works of art that took millions of years for nature to create. Floating through the chambers of the underground river was like gliding through an art gallery. My advice to visitors: give your imagination free rein and the caves will disclose amazing revelations.
Swaying coconut trees provide a scenic background to the beach.
By mARIBEL caStILLo-BaILoN
EST and relaxation were on top of our agenda when we decided to make a quick getaway from Manila’s impossible traffic and humidity by flying off to Palawan. But before succumbing to the lure of a secluded beach resort, we decided to do a little detour two hours up north from the Puerto Princessa airport to take a peek at the famous Puerto Princessa Subterranean River, a world heritage site and newly declared as one of the world’s Seven Wonders of nature. at 8.2 kilometers, it is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. Joining a small group of Korean and German tourists, we motored two hours up north through scenic countryside. There was never a dull moment during the two -hour journey. The tour guide warned us to hang on to dear life as our driver negotiated zigzags and undulating roads on a drive that resembled a roller coaster ride. We had butterflies in our stomachs by the time we hit the sun-drenched beach of
Sabang, Puerto Princesa’s northernmost barrio. There, before us, was our pleasant reward for enduring the bumpy ride -- a stunning expanse of turquoise glass comparable to the waters of Santorini in Greece and Lake Louise in Banff, alberta.
Underground river after partaking of a quick Filipino-style picnic of chicken adobo
One of the waterfront Amihan Pool Villas.
Paradise resort
and pork inihaw, it was time to take the 20-minute banca ride to the underground river. We had been forewarned about exotic wildlife springing from the greenery and popping out of the stalactites and stalagmites inside a pitch-black cave. True enough, near the river’s
as dusk fell, tired but happy, we once again boarded the van and headed south to the promise of a relaxing evening at Crystal Paradise Resort and Winery. Crystal Paradise, a gem tucked away in the little-known town of narra, is two hours southeast of
mouth is a beautiful lagoon with crystal-clear water that teems with fish. also within the underground river park is the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that wind into the forest where monkeys, squirrels, lizards and some 60 species of birds are found
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PHILIPPINESthe BEAUTIFUL bustling Puerto Princessa. It was almost 8 p.m. when our van reached the resort. What a pleasant surprise to be greeted by an alert and attentive staff who not only welcomed us warmly with song and solicitous attention, but also prepared a wonderful dinner and cool drinks right out of the buko (young coconut) shell. It was dark when we were ushered in to our waterfront villa, but that did not stop us from noticing the surprisingly luxurious, 5-star hotel features such as a tastefully decorated bedroom and kitchenette, a kingsized bed, roomy bathroom with jetted bathtub, and a patio overlooking the private infinity pool, the beach and Sulu Sea beyond. What luxury to be served dinner poolside at the villa’s private patio, soothed by the gentle rhythm of the waves! We knew then that we had come to the right place for a few perfect days of pampering and relaxation. By morning, after a good night’s rest, we took the opportunity to explore the resort’s amenities and attractions. No doubt at the top of the list was quiet, solitary stroll on the scenic, palm-fringed beach, far
luxe King and deluxe Twin rooms. Crystal Paradise is nestled in a beautiful wildlife cove that has yearround sunshine and beachfront. It offers a number of island adventure packages, including excursions to Arena Island, a turtle sanctuary, and Rasa Island, a bird sanctuary. Because Narra is on the southern tip of Palawan, nearby islands are readily accessible via outrigger boats and these islands complement the beauty of Crystal Paradise and provides added value to guests’
The private infinity pool overlooks the Sulu Sea. away from the hordes of tourists who descend upon the Philippines’ more popular waterfront destinations all throughout the year.
Waterfront villas The cozy resort has a total of six waterfront Amihan Pool Villas, four of which are family suites and two are executive suites perfect for honeymooners. For visitors on a smaller budget, there is also the Katala Lodge within Crystal Paradise, which offers a number of de-
Exploring the world-famous Subterranean River.
tropical island holiday. Nature has bequeathed this little piece of Palawan paradise with a naturally nourishing ambiance of clean air and warm, sun-soaked days. To complement the health benefits of nature, the resort offers a variety of nurturing spa packages. It’s two thumbs up for the Exfoliation Massage, which was so soothing, the treatment almost lulled me to sleep. Crystal Paradise Resort and Winery also boasts of a small selection of naturally fermented fruit wines, such as banana, pineapple and mango. Perhaps the amenity that has won praise from most guests is the excellent service provided by resort staff. The resort chef also deserves special mention. During our four-day sojourn at the Crystal Resort, the chef impressed us with a delectable and visually appealing repertoire of culinary delights. A must-try from the savory menu are the Seafood Paella, the Spicy Sizzling Prawns, and the Bicolano Laing (gabi leaves in coconut milk). At Crystal Paradise, this top-notch quality cuisine comes at a reasonable price. n
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Edmonton Edition