UST no classes on February 22-24 (Philippines)

University of Sto. Tomas (UST) students will enjoy the longest weekend of the academic year as there is no classes on February 22-24, 2012.

February 22-24 is set by UST as the three-day retreat for school administrators, faculty members and support staff. February 25, Saturday is EDSA People Power Anniversary and a national holiday.

Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org

UST Circular No. 36 issued to school heads states that the 3-day retreat on February 22-24 is part of the university’s Quadricentennial Anniversary, as a celebration of “UST’s journey to its 5th century building of the Church, the family and the nation.”

The Quadricentennial Retreat will take the place of all the retreats held by every faculty, college or department for the academic year 2011-2012.

So UST students, plan ahead on how to spend the 5 days of no classes on February 22-24, 2012 and enjoy!

source: NextPing

January 23 Holiday : Chinese New Year 2012 (Philippines)

The January 23 holiday was declared by Malacañang as a special non-working day in the entire county in celebration of the 2012 Chinese New Year, by virtue of Proclamation No. 295 series of 2011.

Image Credit: iamjammed.com

“[O]n January 23, 2012, the Chinese nationals all over the world will celebrate Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well; and the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people,” the Proclamation stated.

Since the January 23 holiday is a special non-working day, the following pay rules may apply, based on the previous issuance of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz for last year’s October 31 and November 1 special nationwide holidays:

• If the said days are worked, an employee is entitled to 130 percent of his daily rate for the first eight hours, and to an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on the said day for work performed in excess of eight hours.
• If unworked, he is not entitled to any payment, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment for special days even if not worked.
• Finally, if the day is worked, and it falls on the employee's rest day, the employee is entitled for the first eight hours to 150 percent of his regular daily rate, and for work performed in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day.

Please note that the aforementioned provisions will be changed once DOLE issues an updated set of applicable pay rules for the January 23, 2012 special holiday.

source: CoolBuster.net

Stampede, broken carriage mar Black Nazarene procession 2012 (Philippines)

ABS-CBN's News Report :

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - A stampede marred the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Rizal Park Monday, leaving at least 80 devotees injured at the very start of the annual parade.

Initial reports said emergency volunteers treated 80 people after devotees pushed and shoved to get near the sculpture of the Black Nazarene as it was carried from the Quirino Grandstand to the "andas" or carriage.

News footage of the procession showed a steel railing being toppled right after the Mass celebrated by newly installed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle. An elderly woman and a barefoot man were als oseen grimacing in pain before being carried off to get medical treatment.

Image Credit:http://www.cbc.ca

ABS-CBN reporter Sol Aragones said hundreds of devotees surged forward "like a wave" to get near the relic right after the Mass. She said many devotees sustained leg and head injuries during the stampede.

Meanwhile, the procession was stalled after the rear tires of the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene broke down. One of the ropes connected to the carriage also broke, causing a delay in the procession in the area of Roxas Boulevard and Padre Burgos Street near Manila Hotel.

Some 6 million to 8 million devotees from across the country are expected to join the traditional grand annual procession of the Black Nazarene, highlighting the 405th celebration of the feast of the traslacion, which commemorates the transfer of the sacred image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Quiapo Church in 1787.

The procession from Rizal Park to Quiapo Church is expected to last from 10 to 12 hours.

President Aquino earlier warned that terrorists could carry out an attack during the procession for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila. With reports from radio DZMM

source: ABS-CBN News

DepEd Suspension of Classes — 9 January 2012 :Feast of Black Nazarene (Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines – 

According to ABS-CBN's News Report, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the suspension of Monday classes in select schools in Manila due to the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Image Credit: jmthebest.com

The DepEd said January 9 classes in Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Geronimo Santiago Elementary School and Ramon Avanceña - all located along the route of the procession - will be suspended in anticipation of the large number of devotees who will attend the feast.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim also announced the suspension of classes in the City College of Manila (CCM) and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

Lim said it is the discretion of administration of private schools to suspend classes on the day of the feast.

source: ABS-CBN News