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NAGA CITY-In recognition of the legacies of the country's two icons of democracy, the city council of Naga passed an ordinance that will name one of the city's thoroughfares as "Ninoy and Cory Avenue."

The avenue passes through the new central business district of Naga City, where the city's integrated bus terminal and coliseum stand.

NAGA CITY -- AFTER A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIVE VISITS at supposed completed reforestation projects of the DENR under the Bicol River Basin and Water Management Program (BRBWMP) since February this year, a Multisectoral Committee (MSC) created as a "watchdog" for the rapid appraisal of the BRBWMP reforestation projects, had expressed dismay at the inaction of the environment agency regarding findings of alleged irregularities on the multi-million reforestation program.

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE -- A SERIES OF TWO KILLINGS AND ANOTHER SLAY ATTEMPT whose victims are all civilians are now being blamed by the Cam. Norte police office to suspected communist rebels in this province.

The Labo municipal police reported to the police provincial office here last Aug 1 that a former security guard and his four-year old step-daughter narrowly escaped death from rebel assassins, when one of four suspected NPA rebels peppered the store of Rogelio Lagatuz Cendaña, 42, with Cal. 45 bullets, in barangay Malatap, Labo, Cam. Norte.

JUBAN, Sorsogon, Aug. 6 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earmarked P7 million for the construction of 100 housing units under the government's core shelter program implemented nationwide for homeless families.

Town Mayor Maria Theresa Guab-Fragata here said on Thursday the construction of the housing units are in full swing and being undertaken by the beneficiaries themselves through the bayanihan system.

The municipal government provides a food-for-work assistance for the workers and their families, Fragata said.

Naga City-August 15, 2009 will be a date to remember in Bicol's literary history as Bikol writers release five books and a literary magazine.

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 4 (PNA) - Apart from fiber, pulp, cordage, ropes, twines, yarns, fabrics and handicrafts, industry insiders see more potential uses of abaca especially in the construction industry, currency notes and miscellaneous items like wigs.

In the construction industry, abaca could be included in the components of floor tiles, hollow blocks, fiberboard, reinforcement of concrete and asphalt, according to the National Abaca Research Center (NARC).

IRIGA CITY--The University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) will declare a “Cory Day” starting next year as a lasting tribute to former President Corazon C. Aquino, the university top official announced after the mass celebrated in honor of the country’s icon of democracy here last Aug. 4.

Lawyer Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, UNEP president made the announcement in front of offi cials and members of the academic community who attended the Eucharistic celebration presided by Monsignor Raul Pan at a jam-packed university gymnasium that was adorned with yellow ribbons.

Mourners lined the streets around the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as political and business leaders, students and thousands of others heard the funeral rites for former president Corazon Aquino.

Mrs Aquino died at age of 76 on August 1 after from cardio-respiratory arrest due to complications of colon cancer.

Funeral rites for the country's "icon of democracy" started 9 a.m. on August 5, with Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas welcoming the congregation.

A civil society group composed of representatives from the media, NGOs, and the academe has recently alerted the public of the irregularities surrounding the implementation of the DENR's multi-million reforestation project in the province of Camarines Sur. At issue is the DENR's report stating the completion of the reforestation efforts at Brgy. Lupi of Tinambac town; this claim is seriously challenged by the said multi-sectoral group led by Fortunato Mendoza. There is good reason to believe Mendoza and his group and be suspicious of the regional DENR office on this matter.

THE CLOUDS ARE GREY for Filipino artists today. The air, dry for us, cannot be breathed for sustenance of life. I refer, of course, to the death of dignity and honor of the Order of the National Artists in our country. Interestingly, at the time of writing, I am in Manila waiting for the road to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, to be opened again for traffic. Bayombong is the birth place of one of the greatest influences of Philippine literature, National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith Tiempo, and she will be paid tribute there.

Cory did not deserve those yellow ribbons. Those were touchy-feely artifacts. The kind that one sends to a puppy love. But not to a tough woman. Cory was a tough woman. She was tough because of the principles she held on to, stubbornly perhaps, but nevertheless as steadfast in the manner male politicians would rarely show.

Cory has left us a great many challenges to continue fighting for like a new president in 2010, clean and honest elections, stamping out graft and corruption, and building a better future for our people. The spontaneous outpouring of love and support for her and the indubitable rekindling of the EDSA spirit vis-à-vis the widespread sentiment of wala-kang-mapili from among the "presidentiables" and GMA's cryptic SONA in sharp contrast with Cory's Paalam before, all seem to point to one thing that can give us reason for hope: Noynoy for President.

For sure, Noynoy's silent courage in the midst of unfathomable grief, just like Cory's after Ninoy was assassinated, did not go unnoticed. Standing out, too, was his steely resolve for principle and honor like Ninoy's, readily seen in his outright rejection of the state funeral dangled by the administration. More, he showed graceful statesmanship in attending to GMA's presidential visit with dignity despite her being personally unwelcome.

THE TITLE OF THIS COLUMN is from the poem of Chiara Lubich.  The homily of the Jesuit Father Catalino Arevalo during President Corazon Aquino's funeral mass spoke of her selflessness, faith, and love for her family.  I think great men and women lived their lives with a great sense of sacrifice, with a tenacity of purpose and a consistency of life that finds its source from an ardent love of God and neighbor.  I would like to dedicate this poem to President Corazon Aquino who was not only an icon of democracy but a living witness of faith.

When Cory Aquino was on her knees, with rosary beads rolling in her fingers, eyes shut in prayer, she was a picture of a daughter relying on the Blessed Mother's intercession.  When she spoke of her faith, her eyes danced in the glow of the Father's light. There was no doubt there was truth in her words.

Allow me to share below my homily for the Sunday Mas on August 2: