Devotees welcome St. Therese's relics in Catanduanes

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 15 (PIA) -- Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the province flocked to the capital town yesterday morning, February 14, to welcome the relics of St. Therese’s to the Diocese of Virac.

The relics, which are bone fragments of the beloved saint, housed in a special reliquary and venerated by the faithful as a reminder of St. Therese’s life and spirituality arrived in the Philippines on December 15, 2012 for a four-month tour to more than 48 archdioceses and dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church all over the country.

Catholic devotees, church officials led by Diocese of Virac Bishop Manolo A. Delos Santos and elements of Philippine National Police and Philippine Army as well as other sectors of the community welcomed the pilgrim relics of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus which arrived at the Virac Airport at 9 a.m.

A motorcade from the Virac Airport to Virac Cathedral was a military honor for St. Therese was held followed by a Liturgical Reception and Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Delos Santos.

At around 5 p.m. , a procession around downtown Virac was conducted followed by a mass and public veneration.

This is the pilgrim relics of Saint Thérèse’s third visit to the Philippines. The first two visits in 2000 and 2008 were marked with miracles and thousands of devotees gathering to pray its presence. The theme for this year’s visit is, “Witnessing Christ Through the Little Way of Saint Thérèse.”

Saint Thérèse is renowned all over the world for preaching God’s unconditional love and showing everyone a simple yet meaningful way of deepening their faith known as the Little Way. Saint Thérèse taught that great deeds are not needed to please God. Small acts of sacrifice done with the greatest of love suffice.

Today, before the relic’s departure for Sorsogon at 9 a.m., a holy mass, veneration and send-off rites will be held at Virac Cathedral. (EAB-PIA5, Catanduanes)


CSU scribes bag awards in press tilt

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb 15 (PIA) -- Catanduanes State University’s CSU Statesman and CSU-College of Health Sciences’ Herringilya notched top awards during the 12th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference held at The Oriental Hotel, Legazpi City on February 9-12, 2013.

CSU topnotch writers include Dave S. Tolentino, 2nd Editorial Writing, Karen Ailene Benavidez - 5th Place, Opinion Writing; Marian Claire Tulod, 6th Place Opinion Writing; Jerard Paul Tulod, 8th Place, Sports Writing; Abygale Bagadiong, 8th Place, News Writing; Angelica Terazzola, 8th Place, Poetry writing; and Chille Marlyn Vargas, 10th place, Editorial Writing.

Around 800 student writers from seven regions in Luzon, including guest contestants from Cebu participated in the annual journalism contest with the theme: “Responsible Journalism in the New Media Technology.”

Abacatanduanes: Ikalimang Paghahabi was awarded 3rd Place, Best Page Design; 8th place, Best Literary Content; and 8th Place, Best Publication in Literary Folio Category.

Under the Newsletter Category, The CSU Statesman landed 9th place, Sports Page; 7th place, Page Design; 9th Place, Features/Literary Page; and overall 9th Place, Best Publication.

The CSU Statesman - Tabloid issue also bagged 5th place, Best Layout/Page Design category; 9th Place, Best Feature/Literary Page Category; and 9th Place, Best Sports Page Category.

Meanwhile, Heringgilya Newsletter obtained 9th Place Editorial Page, 9th Place DevCom Page and 9th Page Design.

Region V was declared Champion in the Individual writing Competitions and First Runner Up in Group Contest.

The Luzon-wide press conference is the largest gathering of college campus journalists in the country to date. (MAL/EAB-PIA5 Catanduanes)



Public employment office opens slots for summer job seekers

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) -- In line with its Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), the Metro Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has announced that they are now accepting applications for summer job seekers specifically for students who want to earn for the next tuition or for extra money.

This program aims to help poor students get employed in various government agencies during summer and during the holidays.

They have allotted 150 slots for graduating high school students this year and another 50 vacancies for incoming college students for the first semester, said Administrative Officer Roderick Reforsado.

Reforsado added that applicants who will be hired will be given a daily rate of P252 per day while other government offices or other partners can also give as much as P327.09 on a daily basis. He clarified, though, that the local government of Naga will only assume 60 percent of the entire salary, while 40 percent will come from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Every year, Metro PESO ties up with DOLE in the implementation of its SPES program. This opportunity is open to qualified high school and college students and to those taking up vocational courses. Out of School Youths are also encouraged to partake of the said program.

Reforsado said that applicants have only until March 15 to submit the requirements.

Requirements needed include the student’s third grading report card, photo copy of their birth certificate and income tax return of his/ her family. Combined annual income should not exceed to P90,000 a year. (MAL/LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)