SAN JUAN, Philippines — Catholic zealots were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped their backs bloody and raw in gruesome displays of religious devotion on Good Friday in the Philippines. In San Juan village, north of Manila, hundreds of residents and tourists watched a blood-soaked re-enactment of Jesus Christ's last moments. Blood ran down their backs, soaking the top of their trousers and splattering spectators crowded in front of shops and houses. Some flagellants stopped to prostrate on the ground so they could be beaten with flip-flops and pieces of wood. The spectacle has been performed in villages around San Fernando city for decades, but the crucifixions were cancelled for the past three years due to Covid-19.

Opposition lawmakers carry Indian flags during a protest march from parliament in the capital New Delhi on Thursday, April 6, 2023. AP PHOTO Opposition lawmakers carry Indian flags during a protest march from parliament in the capital New Delhi on Thursday, April 6, 2023. AP PHOTONEW DELHI: More than 100 Indian opposition lawmakers, including members of the Indian National Congress party, staged an antigovernment march on Thursday after a parliamentary budget session that was marred by shouting and disruptions to proceedings amid a standoff with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. They accused Modi's government of "misusing" state-run investigation agencies to intimidate opposition leaders. The opposition leaders from more than a dozen parties ended the protest with a news conference.

Governors split on hosting of new EDCA sitesCagayan Gov. MANILA, Philippines — Governors are split on the planned areas under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that the United States will be allowed to use in their provinces. Malacañang earlier this week named four locations that it deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial” for EDCA sites that would be accessible to US troops. Protect fishermenGalvez said the new EDCA sites are expected to boost the AFP’s confidence in more effectively protecting the rights of Filipino fishermen in the country’s western and eastern seaboards. Brosas also said the designation of four new EDCA sites only means spending “more funds for militarism.”She said economic activities may be boosted in these military sites, but this will cause the Filipinos more taxes.

UST’s Eya Laure UAAP PHOTOCanino proved to be unstoppable, especially in the scoring department, being that major driving force of the Lady Spikers sweep of the first round. But after a few more games in the second round, a new candidate has emerged in the discussion, the Eya Laure for MVP is gaining traction, too. Furthering Laure's MVP case, she's also at the top of 10 of the departments where Canino is outside — blocking, serving and digging. Canino edged Laure in receiving, though, as she is fifth in the said department with a 37.84-percent efficiency. But they aren't the only players running for the MVP plum, reigning MVP Belen, Canino's teammate Jolina de la Cruz and Adamson super rookie Trisha Tubu have their respective good cases as well, especially if they finish strong in the second round.

MANY of us are familiar with this conventional grammar wisdom: turning verbs into nouns — or what is termed "nominalization" in linguistics — is bad for the health of our prose. Yet not a few academics and bureaucrats think they are doing a great job by making such convoluted sentences. Without nominalization: "The job applicants are not aware of what are required by the newly created position." Nominalization can avoid awkward "the fact that...." phrases in sentence constructions with a very long noun clause as subject. Read this essay in The Manila Times: "Making nominalization work for our prose"Next, April 13, 2023: The noun-to-verb conversion syndromeVisit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.

INDIAN WELLS: Former world number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will battle for a first Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 title after straight sets semifinal victories on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Carlos Alcaraz of Spain serves to Jannik Sinner of Italy during their Indian Wells Masters semifinal tennis match in Indian Wells, California on Saturday, March 18, 2023. AFP PHOTO Carlos Alcaraz of Spain serves to Jannik Sinner of Italy during their Indian Wells Masters semifinal tennis match in Indian Wells, California on Saturday, March 18, 2023. AFP PHOTOAfter a season start delayed by injury, Alcaraz has won the title in Buenos Aires and reached the final in Rio de Janeiro last month. The sixth-ranked Russian — who had never made it past the fourth round at Indian Wells — survived a late surge from Frances Tiafoe for a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory over the 16th-ranked American.

Specifically, the DOJ may request this week the issuance of a Blue Notice from the International Police to track the movements of the suspects. The Red Notice requires an arrest warrant issued by a court, while Blue Notice can be issued against suspects,” explained Clavano. Teves left for the US for stem cell treatment on Feb. 28, four days before the attack on Degamo. In the case of Rep. Teves, the Department of Foreign Affairs can request the country where he is currently staying to deport him. “We are not closing the doors to anybody – Congressman Teves is one we’re looking at because as what the President said, the assassination of Gov.

Woman gets 2 life terms for child sex traffickingWashington-based International Justice Mission (IJM) reported that the mother received one life sentence for qualified trafficking and another life sentence for child abuse and was additionally sentenced by an Albuyog Regional Trial Court to a maximum of 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors online. “This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of child-protective approaches in prosecuting online child sexual exploitation cases,” Maraya added. Chicoine was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for paying for the livestreaming of child sexual abuse. He later pleaded guilty to 40 sexual offenses committed against children and was found to possess more than 10,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse. He had spent more than $20,000 arranging for the livestreaming of child sexual abuse in the Philippines and Romania.

Ateneo de Manila finally ended their losing skid in four games after defeating University of the Philippines, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22, on Sunday, March 19 in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center. Vanie Gandler unleashed a game-high 17 points to lead the Blue Eagles, who rose to a 2-5 win-loss card, sixth in the standings. On the other hand, the seventh seed Fighting Maroons suffered their fourth straight defeat to fall to a 1-5 slate.

SINGAPORE – Singapore will be the first country in Asia to get Pfizer’s new pneumococcal vaccine, which has a broader range of protection and could replace the two that are now in use here. For seniors, the recommendation is to get the pneumococcal conjugate PCV13 vaccine first, followed by the pneumococcal polysaccharide PPSV23 vaccine a year later. The new vaccine, PCV20, covers seven more bacterial strains than the PCV13, also manufactured by Pfizer. He said that unlike polysaccharide vaccines, conjugate vaccines, aside from getting the body to produce antibodies that protect against infection, also prime T cells and memory B cells, which can mount a response against invasive bacteria even after the level of antibodies has waned. Professor Ooi Eng Eong, a microbiologist at the Duke-NUS Medical School, also said the immune responses from a conjugate vaccine “would theoretically be broader and more lasting than what is elicited by polysaccharides alone”.

DA braces for El NiñoIn an interview, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said they have set guidelines to cushion the impact of an extremely dry weather condition on agriculture. “Whether it is La Niña or El Niño, it is always the agriculture sector which is affected. We have existing guidelines on how to prevent the huge impact of El Niño,” Estoperez said. PAGASA earlier announced that with the end of the La Niña that has brought heavy rains, El Niño is likely to follow. “Even before the announcement (of El Niño), the DA has programs available but we are waiting for the official advisory from PAGASA,” he said.

House, Senate urged to end Cha-cha word warIn a statement, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said congressional leaders should “sit down and privately settle their feud” over the House’s push for constitutional amendments, “instead of quarreling before the public.”MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker yesterday urged members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to end the “word war” over constitutional amendments. “There is a word war between Senate President (Juan Miguel Zubiri) and Speaker (Martin Romualdez) and (House committee on constitutional amendments) chairman Rufus(Rodriguez). The following day, the House approved House Bill 7352, a supplemental bill that shall provide funding for the con-con. Meanwhile, in an interview also with dwIZ, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he would first read the committee report to be presented by the Senate committee on constitutional amendments. The House had passed a resolution seeking to amend the Constitution’s economic provisions through a con-con.

Self-realization and dedication to one's art can mean throwing off some remnants of the past, said Rosario Bitanga-Peralta, Shell NSAC 1957 winner in the watercolor category. She competed in the art scene at an early age before winning a full scholarship for her Shell NSAC entry "Lahar Country". Rosario Bitanga-Peralta, NSAC 1957 winner, watercolor categoryThis is also true of Davao-based artist Vyankka Balasabas, the 3rd-place winner for her first stop-motion video in Shell NSAC 2015. Mailah Baldemor-Balde, NSAC 1993 winner, watercolor categoryBitanga-Peralta exhorted the youth to refine their craftsmanship and rise to the challenges in the global scene. Study and train on the basics of art, learn art history, and keep up with the world around you.

A World War II Japanese hand grenade has been safely disposed of by police after a military enthusiast made the discovery by a slope opposite a tree walk in Wong Nai Chung, Tai Tam, on Saturday. The report was filed by a hiker at around 10am this morning. It is understood that the hiker is a military enthusiast who often brings a metal detector with him to search for explosives and ammo left over in the area. Officers from the police’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau soon came and determined that the explosive was a hand grenade left behind from WWII. Officers then safely disposed of the hand grenade.

Pinay seeks financial damages from BI over missed flightCham Tanteras, commenting on the apology posted by the BI on its Facebook page, said on Friday that she wrote a letter to the bureau, asking it to take accountability for the financial damages the incident cost her after she had to book another flight. MANILA, Philippines — A Filipina traveler who missed her flight due to a lengthy interview with an immigration officer has asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for financial damages. “I also commented on BI’s FB post reminding them to respond to my complaint letter via email and take accountability for the financial damages. BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval was not available for comment as of 5 p.m. yesterday when asked to react to Tanteras’ allegations. The BI said it has conducted an investigation into the incident and asked the immigration officer involved for a full report.