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MANILA, Jan. 21  -- A magnitude 5.3 undersea earthquake shook the Bikol region Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said the tremor, which rooted from movements of the Philippine Trench, struck at 10:02 a.m. and was centered about 148 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

The quake was not strong enough to trigger tsunami or tsunami warning, Solidum said.

Pili, Camarines Sur (22 January) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) field office here announces the 2010 schedule of Career Service Examination (CSE) Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) on both professional and sub-professional levels set on April 25 and October 17, this year.

Director Lida C. Ayon of CSC Camarines Sur has announced that her office is now accepting applications on the first-come-first served basis.

Ayon added that applicants must be 18 years old and above and submit the following requirements for the said examinations:

Legazpi City (21 January) -- The environmental institution PANGATAMAN-Bikol (Bicol Center for Environmental Protection) has enjoined the new bishop of Legazpi to support the fight against mining in Rapu-rapu Island even as it raised the alarm that Lafayette is again gearing to further exploit Rapu-Rapu Island to the detriment of its residents and the environment.

According to a statement released by the environmental group, Lafayette is already operating in three villages of the island.

LEGAZPI CITY (21 January) - Some Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs) of the DENR in Bikol have been reassigned.

Naga City -- The Philosophy Department of the Ateneo de Naga University is sponsoring a regional convention on Philippine politics as part of its annual Philosophy Week celebration.

Dubbed "Decoding Philippine Politics: An Interdisciplinary Approach," the convention features lectures from noted author and Bikol historian Danilo M. Gerona, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) director Bobby Tuazon, human rights lawyer Atty. José Maria Carpio, and Marxist scholar and Ateneo de Naga President Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., among others.

The unwavering Christly devotion of the UNEPians can be attributed to the legacy of faith that the Alfelors have unselfishly shared to the university, the reason why when the image of infant Jesus visited the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP), it was warmly welcomed by the students, faculty members and members of the school administration.

MANILA, Jan. 22, 2010- President Arroyo has no power to appoint the next chief justice of the Supreme Court, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, said Friday.

Bernas, dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School, said that Mrs. Arroyo will be violating the Constitution if she would insist in appointing the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

The Charter, he said, forbids the President from making appointments within 60 days before her term ends on June 30 this year.

MANILA, Jan. 21, 2010-Retired Catholic Bishop Teodoro Bacani maintains he is against Joseph's Estrada's comeback bid for the presidency, saying the country needs a new leader.

Bacani, one of Estrada's spiritual advisers, said it's a high time to have genuine reforms in the government and that includes filling it up with better leaders.

"Personally, I am against his candidacy because the country really needs real reforms... wherein there is a new leader who will lead us," he said.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) recently opened 10 new branches beefing up its network to 60 branches nationwide. Last January 18th, PVB simultaneously opened 10 new branches all over the country. These are located in Pasay City, Malolos, Bulacan; Santiago City, Isabela; Olongapo; Lipa, Batangas; San Pablo, Laguna; Kalibo, Aklan; Tagbilaran, Bohol; Pagadian, Zamboanga de Sur; and Koronadal.  Late last 2009, the Bank opened 5 new branches in Luzon as part of its branch expansion and rationalization plan.

When discourse ends, violence and repression begin. This truism in politics seems to be what animates the efforts attending this year's celebration of Philosophy Week by the Ateneo de Naga University.

The poet sent me this manifesto. There is no need to introduce as the text speaks for itself with such compelling sincerity. Jimple Borlagdan is a poet, a very good poet, with a heart and mind for rhythm and the tenderest of pains.

How is a poem made?

It usually starts with a blank paper, a space, a white wondering.  Also a vast field where dreams, agony or joy are the seed, the words are the fruit.

Being a teacher I enter my classes and see the future, the coming generation, those who will form the society we will live in tomorrow. I look at them and I see an increase of loss of values, loss of orientation, loss of sense. All of these are visible via many symptoms among which a very alarming one is the increase of alcohol abuse among students. Not all are into drinking of course, but over the years the number of those who are, has remarkably grown.

BIBIKOLON KO NA SIRING sa nakagawian ko sa kolum na ini bilang pagmidbid kan pagiging unibersal kan satong lenggwahe. Alagad an sakong pag-Bikol ngunyan huli naman sa dakulang kamawotan na masabotan kan mga nanunungdan kan Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project an mga kahagadan kan mga taga-Lupi huli ta garo dai ninda nasasabotan kun nakasurat sa Ingles.

Mayor Robredo instantly reacted to our article last week (through Willy Prilles; email 01/17/10):

"I just read your Vox Bikol column, which raises the question: "Is "Intermediate" the "Best?""

I HAVE SPENT a whole day with the members of the Caceres Lay Institute for Mission (CLAIM) at La Playa (Stella Maris Renewal Center), Tigaon, Camarines Sur in order to have a day of prayer, reflection, and sharing.  I was struck by the lay missionaries' simplicity of faith yet profound experiences of God in their lives in spite of the big and small trials.  What gave me much joy was how they saw their trials in 2009, especia

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.