It has been reported that in February of this year, a number of Filipino lay Catholics are coming together for the "Discernment on the Prophetic Calling of the Lay Faithful in Philippine Society." Moreover, the same news report stated that a petition letter addressed to bishops, priests and religious has been written asking them "to hold high the moral compass and provide pastoral and prophetic accompaniment for the laity during these crucial times."

By now you must have known how a washed-up starlet in this brainless program called "Showtime" lectured on how students should curse their teachers for not teaching them right. It was a long talk and, at a certain point, she offered an advice to everyone: Wikipedia.

SA GABOS NA PANAHON, nagtutubod ako na sa pagsurat nin sarong rawitdawit, kaipuhan na rawitdawit ini enot sa gabos asin bakong ano pa man. Minsan ini igwa nin laen na katuyuhan arog baga kan magpamatè nin emosyon, maghorop-horop, magranga sa banwaan na ginikanan, o magtaong boses sa sarong komunidad. Kun an sinasabing rawitdawit panô sana nin pagkawat nin mga tataramon, pagtarakod-takod nin mga rima o tugmâ, pagpahamot sa mga ginagamit na tataramon o lenggwahe, o pagpurutol-putol nin mga pahayag tanganing magin berso ini, dai man maninigo an panurat na apodon na rawitdawit. Simpleng karaw-kasaw saná ini asin bakong obrang panliteratura.

As the country opens a new year in its political life, one explores for a breath of hope and optimism. But optimism is borne out of one's ability to grapple with the problems that lie ahead and events that will yet unfold. The roots of these realities - others call it uncertainties - took shape in the year just past and even farther back.

Jesse Robredo is set to finish his third term as Mayor of Naga on June 30. With his first three terms from1988-1998 and his succeeding three terms from 2001-2010, he will then have been in power for 18 long years.

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 15 - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bikol has ordered the suspension to travel of small sea vessels including wooden hull and outriggered boats, following the gale warning issued by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the prevailing northeast winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour are expected to trigger rough to very rough seas with waves reaching as high as five meters.

MANILA - Jan. 22, 2010, would mark the 23rd anniversary of the Mendiola massacre. On that fateful day, thousands of farmers marched to Mendiola to demand for land reform and were mowed down by gunfire from soldiers from the Philippine Marines and the police. Yet, more than two decades later, those responsible were never held accountable and peasants continue to be denied the land they till. This is the kind of injustice that peasants continue to suffer from.

Naga City (16 January) - Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi has appealed to the Catholic faithful of his archdiocese to help the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti.

Legazpi City (14 January) -- An agency traditionally dominated and led by male, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bikol now has a fresh twist on the onset of the brand new year as a the newly designated female regional chief commences her reigns of the bureau.

VATICAN, Jan. 14, 2010-- Pope Benedict XVI made an appeal for provisions that would protect human development and families as he met with local elected officials in a private audience on Wednesday. The Holy Father also called for all of society to collaborate in educating youth for a "lofty vision of health and human sexuality."