Easter Around The World

By FRANCINE m AIgu E HAPPY EASTER, my pampered

friends! The time has come for all of us to dress in our finest church clothes, hunt for eggs, and enjoy in fantastic family feasts. I share with you Easter traditions from around the world.

Ethiopians wear headbands and rings made from the palm leaves distributed on Palm Sunday.

In Greece, a tomb is placed at the center of the church, and the congregation processes to Good Friday service as they would for a funeral.

New Zealand stores sell hot cross buns and chocolate eggs for the Easter Bunny to help him fill his basket of gifts for children.

Brazilans hide chocolate eggs of all sizes for children to find around their homes.

The French hang boxwood branches over the doors of their homes to bring good luck to everyone in the household.

Australia hosts Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday. The pancakes are meant to use foods that would otherwise perish during Lent fasting.

Finnish folks in the western part of the country have bonfires to ward off witches, who may be around from Good Friday through Easter Sunday.

The Czech Republic, showcases beautifully decorated eggs with the yolks and whites removed called kraslice.

In Ireland, cake dances are Celtic traditions performed on Easter.

The Portugese host Good Friday bonfires and burn straw dolls symbolizing Judas.

In Latvia, egg-breaking competitions are held for children.

European countries, especially Germany, put on Passion Plays that illustrate Christ’s incredible love and ultimate sacrifice.

In Bermuda, kites are flown to help people understand Christ’s ascension into Heaven.

Italians are led in an enormous service held at The Vatican’s St. Peter Square by the pope, himself. Italians also tend to use their native olive branches instead of palm leaves.

It is Peruvian tradition to parade a statue of Jesus on a donkey throughout town before the statue is displayed at church for Palm Sunday service.

The Polish believe that a man’s moustache will go grey and dough will fail if he helps with the preparation of traditional Easter bread, so men are banned from such a process.

In Spain, the “Dance of Death,” in which men dress as scary skeletons, is performed on Maudy Thursday in area of Verges, Gerona.

The United Kingdom relieves mothers of housework, and even presents mothers with Simnel Cakes.

Haitians have colorful and musical parades during Holy Week.

I send you and your loved ones, all my best wishes on this special holiday, my dear pampered friends! Whichever traditions you observe, may peace, love, and harmony fill your homes as we all rejoice in this time of rebirth!

Check back every week for ways to pamper yourself and those you love. Why? The answer is simple: YOU DESERVE IT!

DILG chief: Heads will roll over P6.7-B 'shabu' haul

MANILA -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday assured that those responsible for sneaking into the country the PHP6.7 billion suspected shabu that was seized in Manila last year would be identified and punished.

In a press briefing at the Pasay City Hall, Abalos said he believes many ranking police officials were involved in the case.

“This is considered one of the biggest drug hauls. What is important is we pinpoint the mastermind but I am very disappointed. There are many police officers involved here and some are in high positions. I cannot just let this pass. I want them removed," Abalos said.

He said he was also not happy with the handling of the case as only the suspect, Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., was dismissed from the service.

"In the next days, I would make an announcement and heads will roll. I expect that they (the police) take a leave pending investigation. If not, they would be suspended. We guarantee that we have an unbiased and sound piece of evidence. I assure you that the National Police Commission will do things right to find justice," he added.

Abalos said he wrote a letter to PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, dated Feb. 20, 2023, asking him for updates on the case, such as the result of the fact-finding investigation, proceedings being initiated on the two police officers who allegedly attempted to withhold 42 kg. from the yielded 990 kg. of shabu, and the disposition of the confiscated illegal drugs. A month after, Abalos sent another letter to Napolcom vice chairperson Alberto Bernardo after learning that three meetings held with the PNP regarding updates on the case were all inconclusive.

He then ordered Napolcom to conduct a fact-finding inquiry on the actions undertaken by the Special Task Force as part of its mandate to investigate police anomalies and irregularities.

Abalos, meanwhile, assured that the Napolcom fact-finding probe would be orderly and unbiased.

“Hindi na pupuwede ito. Dapat kalusin ang dapat kalusin dito. Dapat tanggalin na ang dapat tanggalin. Sasagasaan natin ito, huwag kayo mag-alala. This is drugs, hindi biro ito, this war on drugs, buhay itong sinasakripisyo ng mga tao dito (I cannot let this pass. Let's deal with this once and for all. Remove who needs to be removed. We will strike them, don't worry. This is drugs, this is no joke. We are putting the lives of people at stake here),” he noted.

On March 26, the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed 990 kg. of shabu with an estimated street value of PHP6.7 billion in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

The contraband was seized from Mayo and another suspect, Ney Atadero, in an operation in Manila in October last year.

Mayo was dismissed from the service effective March 21 for three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer while Atadero was charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

DND committed to promoting

Filipino veterans' welfare

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the welfare and well-being of all Filipino veterans.

This, as the country marks the start of the commemoration of the Philippine Veterans Week (PVW) which runs until April 12.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) led the celebration with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

In a statement, DND chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said he is profoundly grateful to the veteran leaders and support institutions, partner organizations, as well as the youth sector for their participation in honoring the memory of the Filipino patriots.

“Napakahalaga ng sama-sama nating pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga naiambag ng ating mga beterano sa ating natatanging kasaysayan, kasalukuyan at kinabukasan (It is very important that we together reminisced all the contributions made by our veterans which help shape the country's present and future)," he said.

Galvez said one of the DND's legislative priorities is the bill seeking to create the Philippine Veterans Authority by integrating the functions of agencies mandated to serve veterans such as PVAO, the Philippine Veterans Assistance Commission, and the Board of Trustees of the Veterans of World War II.

He added the DND is pushing for the enactment of House Bill 2490 or "An Act Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans," which aims to uplift the lives of disabled veterans, who incurred military serviceconnected disability, sickness and injury.

Under the measure, disability pension rates would be increased to PHP4,500 for the lowest disability rating and up to PHP10,000 for the highest disability rating.

This would translate to a 488 percent increase from the current disability pensions rates ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP1,700 under Republic Act 6948 which was enacted in 1990.

Guided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a stronger and better Philippines through economic recovery, national unity and nation-building, Galvez assured the stakeholders that the government will always side with the welfare and livelihood of the men and women in uniform.

“Be assured that the One Defense Team always puts importance on the well-being of our veterans, soldiers, and civilian human resource,” the DND chief said.

This year's PVW will run from April 5 to 12 and carries the theme, "Kagitingan ng mga beterano, pundasyon ng nagkakaisang Pilipino," the commemoration calls for unity and solidarity, as Filipinos are reminded of the value of working together and sharing in the burdens of the people.

Meanwhile, Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano welcomed the participants to the city for the celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan.

She said that while Filipinos are remembering the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the country's freedom, it is also everyone's duty to live by the lessons and legacies left behind for future generations.

Cadet Girl Scout Olivia Sabado from Tarlac Girl Scout Council, meanwhile, commemorated the gallant work of women veterans who were not limited by their gender and answered the call to serve the country.

She also praised the WWII veterans for their courage and encouraged the public to keep their legacies alive.

On the other hand, Eagle Scout JP Laurenz Caong, a representative from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, expressed his profound gratitude to the veterans for their contributions to the country's freedom.

Also present in the ceremony were Kevin McAllister, acting director of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and PVAO administrator Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, along with Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Maj. Gen. Romeo Alamillo (retired), Veterans Federation of the Philippines executive vice president.

Abalos vows regular inspections to avert jailbreak Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to implement measures to prevent another jailbreak.

Abalos, in a press conference held at Pasay City Hall, said he will order regular inspections of jail facilities, help address jail congestion, and review the security protocols as well as the accountability of police officers and officials.

He lauded the collaborative effort among the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Pasay City Government, and the public for the swift capture of 10 escapees from the Malibay Police Sub-station 6 detention facility.

Abalos also commended Pasay Mayor Imelda "Emi" CalixtoRubiano for her initiative in bridging the coordination between the PNP and the barangay authorities.

"Ito yung sinasabi nating basta magkaisa ang bansa, walang imposible. Ito na ang nadarama natin ngayon (This is what we have been telling that when the country unites, there is no impossible. This is what we feel now)," Abalos told reporters citing how fast law enforcers resolved the big cases.

"Kung titingnan niyo ang mga nangyayaring krimen sa ating bansa ngayon, halos lahat mabilis [na nareresolba] (If you look at the crimes happening in our country now, almost all are swiftly resolved. The Degamo case in less than 24 hours nahuli agad yung [tatlong suspek] (the three suspects were immediately arrested)," he added.

Abalos stressed the importance of the PNP's high-visibility in the community saying it leads to better communication and coordination.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, also present during the media briefing, said the police officer on duty in Malibay Police Sub-station during the incident was relieved from post and already charged with evasion through negligence.

The police official said cases like direct assault, attempted homicide, and physical injuries will also be filed against the 10 detainees.

For her part, Mayor CalixtoRubiano congratulated the PNP, barangay officials, and other local organizations for working non-stop until the detainees were captured.

The Pasay chief executive also appealed to courts to work faster on pending cases to prevent detention facilities from being crowded with arrested individuals. (MNS)