RAIN OF FIRE

Fr. Gregorio Aglipay: Pride of Batac City
CESAR G. BONILLA

BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte -- Summer is always associated with festivities especially in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur where the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts held every first week of May where it features the Binatbatan Street Dancing Calesa Parade and Karbo Festival. Other attractions are Comedia Ilocana, ramada games, religious rituals, Santa Cruzan, Abel fashion show, exhibits, trade and food faire and other exciting events.
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It is during on May 8, 1861 that Gregorio Aglipay Y Labayan, revolutionary general and first supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente was born in Batac. The second of two children of Pedro Aglipay and Victoriana Labayan, this great leader of Batac was excommunicated by Roman Catholic Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda through his decree but Aglipay just ignored the tyranny of the superior Friar.

The establishment of the Revolutionary Government by then President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 made Aglipay the chaplain-general of the revolutionary army and as Vicar Forane of the catholic Clergy in the Diocese of Nueva Segovia -- the abandoned parishes of the Roman Catholic Church in 1906 upon the order of the Court.

He led the Ilocano guerilla movement against the invading American forces at the outbreak of the Philippine-American War. Despite their lack of ammunitions, with their bolos and spears, they fought ferociously against the invading enemies and in retaliation, the American soldiers burned the town Poblacion and killed many of the residents.

Aglipay surrendered to the American in May 1901 because they were paralyzed by lack of ammunition, strong weapons and food. He is also remembered as one of the delegates to the Legislative Congress in Malolos in 1898.

Together with Isabela de los Reyes, journalist and labor organizer from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Aglipay founded the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in August 1902 and the first mass was then celebrated in the town of Pinili.

His popularity became the battle cry of struggle against foreign colonizers. He ran against the brilliant orator President Manuel Luiz Quezon for the Presidency of the land under the Commonwealth government but was defeated. He died on September 1, 1940. The colorful life of this great leader is enshrined in history as a symbol of heroism and selfless disciple of independence and advocate of nationalism.
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The hot weather weakens our capacity to cope with different kinds of dreadful diseases because our immune system is slow in responding to the needs of our bodies. Cardio-vascular illness and hypertension, influenza and high fever, doctors say, are manifestation of the change of environmental temperature.

It is advisable then to practice good eating habits so that we would feel better and our bodies will function well. The global campaign to encourage fruits and vegetable diet provides us with heightened awareness to avoid categories of food that can inhibit physical performance and recovery.

We need the assistance of dieticians and nutritionists to become healthy and fit. But we also need commitment to eliminate bad eating habits and instead establish good ones. A good balance diet mostly of fruits and vegetables this summer is the key to good health and longetivity.

The high incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and other diseases are caused by unhealthy diets, according to doctors. It is high time we follow religiously the global campaign to encourage a diet of fruits and vegetables. Remember, the paradise created by God was profuse with fruits and vegetables for Adam and Eve. We feel physically more energetic when we eat healthy and natural foods. Try it.
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Becoming interesting conversationalist is not a hard task to attain. With extra time and effort, you give, you could perfect the skill and reap a lot of benefits from it. Think of the job you may be getting or the promotion that will coming your way once you become proficient in the art.

Just see to it that you talk and express yourself in good English. That is why you must improve your grammar by reviewing the rules, polish your diction, pronounce the words accurately and above all, follow the ways on how to improve your conversation.

Speech Magic Traf under its trainer and facilitator professor Velia Valdez Umanos, a US trained communications specialist at the University of Illinois, US, Dept. of Communication is also a consultant who trained successful speakers and writers.

She is currently a deputy of MTRCB (Motion and Television Review and Classification Board) at the office of the President. She is a competent mentor of brilliant pupils at Mt. Zion Christian School under the leadership of Dr. Fe Cayao-Lasam.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mommy Fe and family like doctors Chinky, Dixie and Reynon and son Angelo, the only son of Dr. Fe and Dax to include Tita Alice. Their hospitality and Christian spirit sparks like a diamond. May God bless you all!
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The US presidential aspirant Hillary Rodham-Clinton is a successful lawyer and advocate of children’s rights and former member of several corporate boards and public-interest boards.

She had been active in causes ranging from lowering infant mortality to providing legal assistance to the poor. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton was the third-youngest US President to occupy the White House.

His vision then was to restore growth to the American nation and provide more opportunities to the American people. He campaigned for people empowerment. Ms Clinton’s involvement in many issues prompted her husband to tell voters during the early democratic primaries that if they elected him, they would elect Hillary too.

If Hillary Clinton will be lucky enough to be the next President of USA, she will make history being the first woman president and a wife following the footsteps of her husband, the former President Bill Clinton. This is possible considering her intelligence, integrity and charisma.