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In a Decree dated 7 October 2011, among other things, the privilege of celebrating funeral masses and of keeping the records of the same which was granted to the Basilica Minore in 1988 was revoked. (cf. No. 8 of the 7 October 2011 Decree). This was done in order that the Basilica Minore may be true to its mission as prescribed by Pope John Paull II’s Decree of Elevation of the Shrine to a Basilica Minore declaring the same Basilica Minore as a sacred place exclusively for the promotion of the Cult and Piety towards the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Due to the reasonable pastoral demands of the Catholic faithful in parishes within Naga City, however, and with the concurrence of the priests of the Central District, and upon the advice of REV. MSGR. RODEL M. CAJOT, P.C., Vicar General of the Archdiocese who shared in taking pastoral care of the same faithful, I, MOST REV. ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, O.C.D., D.D., by the Grace of God and Favor of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Caceres, after having consulted the Presbyterium of Caceres gathered in an assembly last February 26, 2013 at the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer, Ombao Polpog, Bula, Camarines Sur, hereby RESTORE THE PRACTICE OF CELEBRATING FUNERAL MASSES AT THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA, NAGA CITY, without forgetting the main purpose for which the Basilica Minore was erected, and subject to the supervision of Rev. Msgr Rodel M. Cajot, P.C. and whoever is the Rector of the Basilica Minore.

GMA Network replies to Sarah Lahbati's allegations based on her tweets last night, January 9, 2013.

Sarah mentioned "It has been three days since Ms Annette Gozon Abrogar uses GMA news to bombard me and make my image look bad." GMA Network categorically denies this. GMA News has fairly aired both Sarah's tweets and the Network's statements thus she cannot accuse anyone of using the Network's News Department to make her image look bad.

Sarah added, "Why can't you give a statement about your involvement in ICONS management company dealing with GMA?" Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar reiterates that she never asked or referred Sarah to ICONS for a co-management contract.

"Last December, Sarah Lahbati unilaterally decided to take a leave of absence of one (1) month from GMA Network, because she said she wanted to de-stress and unwind. Because her reasons were vague, they were not accepted by management. While we understand that work in our industry can be stressful (as in any business), we believe that this is not only unavoidable in most cases, but also a part of what one does as a professional and/or performing artist.

Her leave of absence was also disapproved by management because of her pending obligations (i.e. Party Pilipinas, on-going promos and other endorsement commitments). However, on the evening of Jan 2, she tweeted that she will be going to Switzerland to study, despite the disapproval given to her last December on taking a leave. This is in violation of her contract, because she has to perform and appear in programs and events assigned to her, and make herself available to faithfully and promptly fulfill all engagements contracted for her by GMA.

At the same time, she has yet to address the issue of her walking out during taping, which caused the production team to pack-up, and incur an additional cost of 500k. She is therefore, currently under investigation and the network is still studying on what actions to take."

Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the world, a happy Christmas to you and your families!

In this Year of Faith, I express my Christmas greetings and good wishes in these words taken from one of the Psalms: “Truth has sprung out of the earth”. Actually, in the text of the Psalm, these words are in the future: “Kindness and truth shall meet; / justice and peace shall kiss. / Truth shall spring out of the earth, /and justice shall look down from heaven. / The Lord himself will give his benefits; / our land shall yield its increase. / Justice shall walk before him, / and salvation, along the way of his steps” (Ps 85:11-14).

We are the joining the call for truth and justice for Rommel Licmoan.

Rommel Licmoan was a member of our Chito Community at Vicente Heights, Pacol, Naga City. Like many Bikolano fathers, he strived to provide a decent shelter for his family, a home they could finally call their own. But before he could fulfill his dreams for his wife and two young children, he was senselessly murdered at 39 years old.

PILAR ‘Pilaring’ VALDEZ GIMPAYA, widow of the late NIA Director Crisanto ‘Joy’ Gimpaya, passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

Her remains now lie in state at Funeraria Imperial, Peñafrancia Avenue, Naga City.

Burial rites shall be held this Friday, September 14, 2012 at 2:00 P.M.

Announcement posted by:

DR. ANDY V. GIMPAYA

Not many people know this: I was with Jesse from the very start.

The Ateneo de Naga high school followed a simplified system that seated students in alphabetical order in the classrooms and this thrust me beside Jesse. We sat side by side for a while until a relative of mine, Arnel, with the same surname came to sit between us. But this did not change the bond between Jesse and I that was forged on that fateful first day of school as high school freshmen many years ago.

Jesse and I became very close, so much so that even during vacation time, we would not fail to see each other. He went to Manila for college while I stayed in Naga. But any break from school would find us together within minutes of his arrival from Manila or my arrival in Manila.

Opportunities for autograph sessions with your favorite sports celebrities do not come in bunches. When indeed the rare chance comes, would it not be best to have your souvenir item ready for the star's signature?

There is an online store where you can purchase collectible sports memorabilia. When we say collectible, said memorabilia are durable and of the best quality, worthy of being centerpieces in your display room for your friends to admire at and for you to relish in private moments. Every item you find there is so attractive it will shall not fail to catch the attention of your sports idol.

The largest gathering of Bikol literary luminaries, the Fourth Pagsurat Bikolnon 2012, is set to happen again on April 29-30 at the Ateneo de Naga University, with the theme Paghurop-hurop, Paghuron-huron (Thoughts and Convergence). First held in Aquinas University of Legazpi in 2000 and coordinated by the office of Dr. Jazmin Badong Llana, this year’s Pagsurat aims to re-gather Bikol writers, strengthen linkages, and establish critical engagements among Bikol writers, visual artists, filmmakers, teachers and scholars based in the region, in Manila and abroad.

With sadness we inform you of the passing away of + Jose T. Cardinal  Sanchez –Cardinal Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy- this morning, March 9, 2012.  He was 91 years old.

His remains lie in state at the Convent of the Dominican Sisters in Mary Immaculate School along Commonwealth, Quezon City  and will be transferred tomorrow ( March 10) to the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd in Novaliches, Quezon City. Funeral mass will be on_Monday, March 12, 2012. The exact time of the funeral mass will just be announced later...More details

Every time the incidence of hunger worsened during the previous administration, the Arroyo government used to dismiss the findings of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on hunger as subjective... And now, the Aquino government, which was propelled to power because of its campaign slogan of “change,” is doing the same thing.